DFS Alerts
Preferred Spend
Embiid is the preferred spend in cash games on Sunday as Philadelphia travels to take on Brooklyn in a game with a 225 total and 3-point spread. The matchup couldn’t get any better for Embiid as they rank third worst in in offensive rebounding allowed and ninth worst in points per 100 possessions.
Ersan Ilyasova (knee) will not play Saturday vs Spurs
Ersan Ilyasova will not play Saturday vs the Spurs due to a knee injury. Ilyasova is a late addition to the injury report, and his absence will create additional minutes for Thon Maker and possibly Brook Lopez as well. Giannis Antetokounmpo also may end up playing the forward position more tonight due to Ilyasova’s absence.
Dwight Howard (glute) will not play Saturday
Dwight Howard (glute) will not play Saturday vs the Pelicans. Thomas Bryant will start again in Howard’s absence, and has seen about 18-20 minutes of action each start but with limited productivity. Markeiff Morris has been the other primary beneficiary of Howard being off the court, seeing 29 minutes last night as the team ran out smaller lineups throughout the game. Look for Morris to again take advantage of heavy minutes tonight against New Orleans.
Gary Harris (ankle) will not play Saturday vs Thunder
Gary Harris (ankle) will not play Saturday vs the Thunder. This opens up a spot in the starting lineup for the Nuggets, which will be filled by Torrey Craig. He and Malik Beasley both make for interesting punt options in Harris’s absence, as both players will see more run than usual in a slightly pace-up matchup against the Thunder.
Terry Rozier (knee) will play Saturday vs the Mavs
Terry Rozier will play Saturday vs the Mavs despite his knee issue. Look for Rozier to see his usual allotment of minutes backing up Kyrie Irving at the point guard position.
Anthony Davis (hip) ruled out Saturday
Anthony Davis has been ruled out Saturday due to a hip injury. Fellow Pelicans forwards Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle both become great plays in Davis’s absence, as they will both see as many minutes as they can handle and see increased usage while on the floor as well. Davis’s absence also open ups additional usage for Jrue Holiday, who is already playing heavy minutes due to the absence of Elfrid Payton.
Terry Rozier (knee) a game-time decision Saturday for the Celtics
Updating a previous report, Terry Rozier (knee) is officially a game-time decision Saturday for the Celtics. If Rozier is unable to suit up, Marcus Smart would likely see a bump in minutes as he would serve as the primary backup point guard. Kyrie Irving also may see more minutes than usual if Rozier can’t go and the game stays close, as he only had to play 20 minutes last night in a blowout of the Hawks.
Dennis Smith Jr. ruled out Saturday due to wrist injury, Wesley Matthews will play for the Mavs
Dennis Smith Jr. has been ruled out Saturday due to a wrist injury. Smith’s absence opens up a position in the starting lineup at point guard, which will likely either be filled by Luka Doncic or JJ Barea depending on if they want Doncic to continue to start at small forward or slide over to the point. Either way, look for JJ Barea to see a bump in minutes as a result of Smith Jr.‘s absence. Wesley Matthews will make his return to the lineup today after missing multiple games due to a hamstring injury, and will likely see as much run as he can handle at shooting guard with the Mavs running thin in the back-court.
Other tagged players: Wesley Matthews Gary Harris (ankle) a game-time decision Saturday
Updating a previous report, Gary Harris (ankle) is officially a game-time decision Saturday vs the Thunder. If Harris were to miss it would open up a spot in the starting lineup for the Nuggets, which would likely be filled by either Malik Beasley or Torrey Craig. Either player would make for an interesting punt option in Harris’s absence should he be unable to suit up, as both players will see more run than usual in a slightly pace-up matchup against the Thunder.
Anthony Davis (hip) officially a game-time decision Saturday
Updating a previous report, Anthony Davis (hip) is officially a game-time decision Saturday vs the Wizards. Fellow Pelicans forwards like Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle would become great albeit popular plays if Davis were to sit and we get the news within the next hour before the slate locks. Davis’s absence would also open up additional usage for Jrue Holiday, who already is playing heavy minutes due to the absence of Elfrid Payton.
Dwight Howard (glute) to be a game-time decision Saturday vs Pelicans
Updating a previous report, Dwight Howard (glute) is to be a game-time decision Saturday vs the Pelicans. Thomas Bryant has been starting in Howard’s absence, and has seen about 18-20 minutes of action each start but with limited productivity. Markeiff Morris has been the other primary beneficiary of Howard being off the court, seeing 29 minutes last night as the team ran out smaller lineups throughout the game.
Eric Gordon starting in place of Chris Paul on Saturday
Eric Gordon is starting in place of Chris Paul on Saturday, who was ruled out earlier in the day for rest purposes. Gordon is cheap across the DFS industry and makes for a great punt play given his projected increase in minutes and usage as he steps into the starting lineup. Gordon also figures to be “blowout-proof”, and likely will see a full compliment of minutes even if Houston runs away with the game against Cleveland.
Jimmy Butler questionable for Sunday due to ankle injury
Jimmy Butler has been listed as questionable for Sunday due to an ankle injury. Butler has been playing heavy minutes for his new team, so his potential absence would open up a spot in the starting lineup as well as increase the usage of everyone else on the floor. JJ Redick, Landry Shamet and TJ McConnell would all figure to see a bump in minutes if Butler is unable to suit up, with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons seeing the highest usage rates throughout the game.
Draymond Green (toe) and Alfonzo McKinnie (foot) both ruled out Saturday for the Warriors
Draymond Green (toe) and Alfonzo McKinnie (foot) have both been ruled out Saturday for the Warriors. Neither player’s absence is a big surprise, as both have missed several games due to their respective injuries. Look for Kevin Durant to once again see as many minutes as he can handle in the absence of both Green and Steph Curry for the shorthanded Warriors. Kevon Looney, Jonas Jerebko and Jordan Bell will all compete for minutes backing up Green, though no player has particularly stood out even when given the additional minutes.
Other tagged players: Alfonzo McKinnie Luc Mbah a Moute will not play Sunday due to knee injury
Luc Mbah a Moute will not play Sunday vs Portland due to a knee injury. Mbah a Moute hasn’t played since October 26th due to the injury, at which point he was only playing sparingly off the bench. Mike Scott is the clearest beneficiary of Mbah a Moute’s absence, and will continue to see regular minutes off of the bench while he is sidelined.