DFS Alerts
Kyle Lowry (back) out Saturday
Lowry is a late addition to the Raptors’ injury report and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sore back, while Norman Powell remains sidelined with a left shoulder subluxation. In his absence, Fred VanVleet will draw the start at point guard and is priced as one of the better value on tonight’s slate given the likelihood he plays more than 30 minutes as a starter this evening. Delon Wright and OG Anunoby should also benefit from an increase in playing time with the second unit, but VanVleet is still the clear top option of the three, as he owns a 22.4% usage rate (+3.1%) and is averaging 0.98 DraftKings and 0.96 FanDuel points per minute with Lowry off and Powell off the court this season.
As reported by: Ryan Wolstat via Twitter
Lauri Markkanen (elbow) will play off the bench Saturday
Markkanen has been upgraded from probable and will make his season debut in Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets after missing every game to this point in the season with a sprained right elbow. Markkanen won’t be subject to a set minutes restriction, but he’ll still come off the bench in his return to action, and his presence in the rotation will almost certainly cut into the minute floors of Jabari Parker and Chandler Hutchison at the power forward position. Markkanen appears to be fairly priced on DraftKings given the uncertainty surrounding his minute floor right out the gate, but he checks in at the stone minimum on FanDuel and could easily pay off his salary, even if he’s limited, considering he averaged 0.98 DraftKings and 0.96 FanDuel points per minute last season.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson via Twitter Jeff Green (back) out Saturday; Tomas Satoransky starts ahead of Kelly Oubre
Green has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets due to back spasms. He was listed as questionable with the same ailment prior to Friday’s loss but still managed to log 22 minutes as the starting power forward in Otto Porter’s absence. Head coach Scott Brooks has opted to make another starting lineup change by starting Tomas Satoransky, who’s recently played 22-24 minutes off the bench, ahead of Kelly Oubre at small forward. Markieff Morris has logged at least 32 minutes off the bench in two of the last three games, and he’s been seeing the majority of his playing time behind nominal starter Thomas Bryant at center. Still, Morris has a 20.1% usage rate and is averaging 0.99 fantasy points per minute with Dwight Howard off the court this season, only adding to his tournament appeal if his minutes can regress towards the 30-minute plateau once again this evening.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter George Hill (shoulder) will play with a minutes restriction Saturday
Hill has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Saturday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors after missing 10 consecutive games with a sprained right shoulder, while Ante Zizic and David Nwaba were already ruled out in advance of tonight’s contest due to their respective ailments. Hill didn’t play in either of the previous two games where he was listed as questionable, so head coach Larry Drew is planning to ease him back into the rotation by limiting him to around 20 minutes off the bench in his return to action, which allows Collin Sexton to remain the starting point guard. The absence of Nwaba will enable Alec Burks to remain in a substantial role in the rotation, and he is coming off of a spectacular fantasy performance for his price in 26 minutes of action in Cavaliers debut on Friday evening.
As reported by: Chris Fedor via Twitter Jaylen Brown (back) officially out Saturday
Brown has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a bruised right lower back that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games, while neither Al Horford or Gordon Hayward were included on the Celtics’ injury report and are set to play in tonight’s second leg of a back-to-back set. Brown’s absence will clear the way for Marcus Smart to draw another start at the shooting guard spot, and he’s been fantastic from a fantasy standpoint on both occasions thus far while averaging 34.5 minutes per start. Other than Smart, it’s actually been Kyrie Irving that’s seen that largest bump in production with Brown off the court this season, as he owns 33.4% usage rate (+2.5%) and is averaging 1.53 DraftKings and 1.52 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: the Boston Celtics via Twitter Luke Kennard (shoulder) available to play Saturday
Kennard has officially been cleared by the Pistons medical staff and will be available to play in Saturday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors after missing 15 consecutive games due to a sprained right AC joint. Head coach Dwane Casey confirmed Kennard’s availability to reporters during his pregame media availability, but he also disclosed that this doesn’t necessarily mean he will play. Kennard played for the Pistons G-League affiliate on Friday night, so he appears to be firmly out of the rotation for the time being despite averaging 14.4 minutes off the bench prior to his injury.
As reported by: James Edwards III via Twitter Otto Porter (personal) will start Saturday
Porter is back with the team and will start in Saturday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets after missing one game due to a personal matter, while Jeff Green will be a game-time decision because of back spasms. He was listed as questionable with the same ailment prior to Friday’s loss but still managed to log 22 minutes as the starting power forward in Porter’s absence. Markieef Morris has logged at least 32 minutes off the bench in two of the last three games, and he’s been seeing the majority of his playing time behind nominal starter Thomas Bryant at center. Still, Morris has a 20.1% usage rate and is averaging 0.99 fantasy points per minute with Dwight Howard off the court this season, only adding to his tournament appeal if his minutes can regress towards the 30-minute plateau once again this evening.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Mitchell Robinson (heel) and Courtney Lee (neck) available to play Saturday
Robinson has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Saturday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks despite dealing with a bruised right heel, while Lee has been cleared to make his season debut after being unavailable all season due to neck spasms. Lee doesn’t project to have a significant role in the Knicks crowded wing rotation, but head coach David Fizdale did confirm with reporters that he hopes to play Lee limited minutes in tonight’s contest. As for Robinson, he’s taken a backseat to Enes Kanter and Noah Vonleh in the frontcourt rotation ever since Fizdale’s latest lineup change, and he’s yet to play more than 18 minutes in any of the Knicks last seven games, which eliminates him from fantasy consideration for the foreseeable future.
As reported by: Chris Iseman via Twitter Other tagged players: Courtney Lee Kosta Koufos (calf) available to play Saturday; Marvin Bagley (back) remains questionable
Koufos has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Saturday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers after missing eight consecutive games with a strained right calf, while Bagley remains questionable due to a sore lower back he aggravated towards the end of Thursday’s loss. Even with Koufos cleared to play, there’s no guarantee he’ll crack the rotation with the emergence of Bagley and Harry Giles in the second unit, as Bagley has logged at least 30 minutes in two of the last three games and Giles is just one game removed from a career-best performance in 20 minutes of action in Sunday’s contest. Willie Cauley-Stein saw his minutes rebound over the 30-minute mark in the Kings’ previous game, and he’ll become a borderline elite option if Bagley is ruled out closer to tipoff.
As reported by: James Ham via Twitter Other tagged players: Marvin Bagley Post Big Faces Team With Trouble Defending the Paint
Jonas Valanciunas is averaging a career low in minutes per game this season, but the Toronto big man hasn’t actually seen a drastic dip in production, averaging 12.7 points per game which is above his career average and putting up 1.35 fantasy points per minute, which leads the team. Tonight Toronto is taking on a Cleveland team that ranks 24th in points in the paint allowed, which sets up nicely for Valanciunas with the Raptors coming in as a 14-point favorite. With minutes uncertain this is a play for GPPs only, but if Valanciunas can take advantage of Cleveland’s defensive problems in the middle he could see run in this game even if the score gets out of hand.
This Team Can't Defend or Rebound
Washington’s defensive struggles are well-known at this point, with the disappointing team ranking last in the league in points allowed per game, but defense isn’t the only issue for the Wizards. Washington is completely incapable of rebounding as well, tied for last in the league in rebounding differential. This sets up nicely for opposing big men such as Jarrett Allen and DeMarre Carroll, who rank first and fourth on the team in rebounds per game, respectively. Allen leads the team with 1.52 blocks per game and Carroll should see increased minutes tonight assuming he again gets the start with Joe Harris out.
Other tagged players: Jarrett Allen High Energy Player
Production hasn’t been there for Larry Nance lately but the minutes have been, even in blowouts. Nance is a high energy player who has been a strong per minute producer averaging over one fantasy point per minute over the last two seasons. As long as David Nwaba remains out and Nance continues to start and get minutes he’ll be a strong fantasy option in all formats.
Jaylen Brown (back) doubtful Saturday
Brown has officially been listed as doubtful for Saturday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a bruised right lower back that has already forced him to miss two consecutive games, while neither Al Horford or Gordon Hayward were included on the Celtics’ injury report and are set to play in tonight’s second leg of a back-to-back set. His likely absence will clear the way for Marcus Smart to draw another start at the shooting guard spot, and he’s been fantastic from a fantasy standpoint on both occasions while averaging 34.5 minutes per start. Other than Smart, it’s actually been Kyrie Irving that’s seen that largest bump in production with Brown off the court this season, as he owns 33.4% usage rate (+2.5%) and is averaging 1.53 DraftKings and 1.52 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: Jay King via Twitter Jeff Green (back) listed questionable Saturday
Green has been included on the most recent version of the Wizards’ injury report and is questionable for Saturday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets due to back spasms. He was listed as questionable with the same ailment prior to Friday’s loss but still managed to log 22 minutes as the starting power forward in Otto Porter’s absence. Markieef Morris has logged at least 32 minutes off the bench in two of the last three games, and he’s been seeing the majority of his playing time behind nominal starter Thomas Bryant at center. Still, Morris has a 20.1% usage rate and is averaging 0.99 fantasy points per minute with Dwight Howard off the court this season, only adding to his tournament appeal if his minutes can regress towards the 30-minute plateau once again this evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report George Hill (shoulder) listed questionable Saturday; Ante Zizic (knee) listed doubtful
Hill has been listed on the most recent version of the Cavaliers’ injury report and is questionable for Saturday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors due to a sprained right shoulder, while Ante Zizic is doubtful and David Nwaba remains sidelined with a sore right knee. Hill hasn’t played in either of the previous two games where he was listed as questionable, but if he’s cleared to play, there’s been no indication from head coach Larry Drew if he’ll supplant Collin Sexton from the starting point guard role. The absence of Nwaba will enable Alec Burks to remain in a substantial role in the rotation regardless if Hill is available, and he is coming off of a spectacular fantasy performance for his price in 26 minutes of action in Cavaliers debut on Friday evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Ante Zizic