DFS Alerts
Al Horford (knee) will start Wednesday; Aron Baynes remains in starting lineup
Horford has officially been upgraded from probable and will start in Wednesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks despite dealing with a sore left knee. Head coach Brad Stevens has already confirmed that he will roll with the same starting lineup with Horford at power forward and Baynes at center, which will keep Gordon Hayward in a reserve role. Despite receiving the starting nod, Baynes saw just seven minutes compared to the 31 minutes Hayward logged off the bench. The reason Baynes played so few minutes remains unknown, but he logically should approach minutes in at least the mid-teens given the matchup with the Knicks sizable frontcourt rotation consisting of Enes Kanter, Noah Vonleh, and Mitchell Robinson this evening.
As reported by: the Boston Celtics via Twitter Other tagged players: Aron Baynes
Alex Len (back) out Wednesday
Len has officially been downgraded from probable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors due to a sore back, while Omari Spellman and Alex Poythress each also be sidelined with their respective injuries. Head coach Llyod Pierce has already confirmed that John Collins will replace Spellman at power forward in the starting lineup, and Len was slated to head to the bench to assume a reserve role in favor of Dewayne Dedmon at center prior to news of his unavailability. Collins was able to log 21 minutes of action in his second game of the season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he saw a similar 6-8 minutes bump in playing time as a starter this evening. Collins has recorded a 30.0% usage rate and averaged 1.45 DraftKings and 1.41 FanDuel points per minute through two games, making him an elite tournament play at his price tag across the industry.
As reported by: Chris Kirschner via Twitter This Pair of Big Men is Moving into the Starting Lineup tonight
A pair of Atlanta big men are moving into the starting lineup tonight, and John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon are both names to consider for your GPP lineups tonight. Dedmon has put up at least 12 points and 7 rebounds in each of his last three games, and Collins came back from injury only two games ago but put up 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists in only 20 minutes in his last game. The Hawks are 7-point underdogs in this game, but they are playing at home and the game has the second-highest Vegas point total on the night, which increases the GPP appeal.
Other tagged players: John Collins
Late-Night Hammers Available in This Game
With so many games and storylines on the schedule this evening, don’t overlooked the last game on the schedule, Oklahoma City facing Golden State. This game should be both competitive and high scoring, featuring a 223 Vegas point total and a line that favors Golden State by only one point. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are both appealingly priced, down almost $1000 each from their high points of the season, and the two former teammates could point up high point totals if this game turns into a back-and-forth matchup. Andre Iguodala is also under-priced across sites considering his move into the starting lineup over the past three games. Finally Klay Thompson is an option to consider, as the guard has shown his ability to point up points in a hurry and is taking a larger role in the offense with Steph Curry off the court.
Other tagged players: Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson Terrance Ferguson (personal) available to play Wednesday
Ferguson rejoined the Thunder at Wednesday’s shootaround and will be available to play in tonight’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors after missing three consecutive games due to a personal matter, while Jerami Grant, Nerlens Noel, and Alex Abrines all remain questionable with their respective ailments, though Abrines was the only one of the three to not participate in shootaround. It hasn’t been made official yet, but Ferguson will presumably reclaim his spot in the starting lineup at the shooting guard position, which will send Hamidou Diallo back to the bench to resume a reserve role following a couple of solid fantasy performances in an average of 20.3 minutes over the last three games. However, Diallo does seem to have asserted himself ahead of Abrines and possibly Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot in the wing rotation, despite the latter logging at least 24 minutes off the bench in the last two contests.
As reported by: Brett Dawson via Twitter Myles Turner (ankle) listed as available Wednesday
Turner has officially been upgraded from questionable and is available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets despite dealing with a sprained left ankle, while Victor Oladipo remains out for a second straight game due to a sore right knee. The absence of Oladipo will enable Tyreke Evans to draw another start at the shooting guard spot following a serviceable fantasy performance in 27 minutes of action in Monday’s win. Evans’ price tag has come up across the industry, but he remains in play for tournaments provided his immense upside. Turner, Bojan Bogdanovic, Domantas Sabonis, and Cory Joseph have actually been the main beneficiaries from a usage standpoint with Oladipo sidelined, as each own at least a +3.1% usage rate differential with him off the court. However, it’s Sabonis that is clearly the top fantasy option given his 25.5% usage rate and an average of 1.49 DraftKings and 1.47 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Kawhi Leonard (rest) listed out Wednesday
Leonard will be rested and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks as part of a load management plan on the second night of a back-to-back set, while OG Anunoby and CJ Miles both remain questionable due to a sprained right wrist and strained right adductor, respectively. With Leonard unavailable, Toronto could be relatively thin at the forward positions since Anunoby and Miles are in danger of missing another game. Fred VanVleet started alongside Kyle Lowry in the backcourt in the previous game Leonard sat out, logging 29 minutes, and he’ll likely start again if Anunoby is ruled out closer to tipoff. Unsurprisingly, Lowry has been the primary beneficiary with Leonard off the court this season, as he owns a 25.9% usage rate (+5.0%) and is averaging 1.47 DraftKings and 1.46 FanFuel points per minute in a 214.6 minutes sample size.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Seth Curry (knee) probable Wednesday; Maurice Harkless (knee) remains out
Curry has officially been upgraded to probable on the latest version of the Trail Blazers’ injury report for Wednesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks after missing three consecutive games due to a patellar bone bruise in his right knee, while Harkless will remain sidelined for a 13th straight contest with the sorest of left knees. Prior to his injury absence, Curry had typically been logging anywhere between 16-22 minutes depending on game flow and matchup, so his return should relegate both Wade Baldwin and Anfernee Simons from the rotation entirely. However, Evan Turner had been the main beneficiary in terms of playing time, and he will likely see his minutes regress back to the mid-20s range.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Other tagged players: Maurice Harkless Gut Feeling
Jordan Clarkson is one of my favorite plays tonight, and while I don’t have a lot to back it up, it’s a straight gut play for me. Without Smith, we have around 24 minutes a night to make up for, and if Sexton ends up sitting then Clarkson should see around 30 minutes if not more. Clarkson has a 26.3% true usage rate this season, and he’s averaging .96 fantasy points per minute. Cleveland is ranked 27th in pace while the Lakers are ranked 4th, which means this is a really nice pace bump for the Cavs tonight. I think he gets up for this matchup against his former team and has a really big game tonight.
Increased Minutes Because Of Injury
Wesley Matthews has missed three of the last four games with a hamstring injury, and he’s already been ruled out for tonight’s game. Dorian Finney-Smith has played at least 30 minutes in each of those three games without Matthews, and he’s put up at least 25 fantasy points in two of those three games. Dallas has a lot of banged up players right now, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Finney-Smith plays closer to 35 minutes in this matchup tonight. I’m not too worried about ownership on a 13-game slate, and I’m looking for cheaper plays that should play 30+ minutes.
Potential Bump In Minutes
David Nwaba will draw the start tonight for Larry Nance and should receive a few more minutes with JR Smith not with the team. With the Lakers likely starting Kuzma at the four, this game is already starting pretty small. Smith played at least 24 minutes in five of the last seven games, and the Cavs don’t seem too interested in giving Korver more minutes. I think Nwaba plays 26-30 minutes tonight, and two of the last three games he’s played 26 minutes and scored over 28 fantasy points in both of those games.
The Minutes Are Up and The Price Didn't Follow
The 76ers have the highest implied team total on the slate tonight, and while I like the studs in this game, Wilson Chandler presents really good value. He played 31 minutes in the last game against the Suns and should see 27+ minutes in this matchup tonight. The veteran brings a veteran presence and helps defensively, so if he can handle the minutes, he should play them. The 120-implied team total is 6.8 points higher than the season average for the 76ers and this game is projected to be the fastest pace game on the slate.
Victor Oladipo (knee) out Wednesday
Oladipo has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets due to a sore right knee that’s now forced him to miss two consecutive games, while Myles Turner remains questionable with a sprained left ankle. Turner is ultimately expected to play, but the absence of Oladipo will enable Tyreke Evans to draw another start at the shooting guard spot following a serviceable fantasy performance in 27 minutes of action in Monday’s win. Evans’ price tag has come up across the industry, but he remains in play for tournaments given his immense upside. Turner, Bojan Bogdanovic, Domantas Sabonis, and Cory Joseph have actually been the main beneficiaries from a usage standpoint with Oladipo sidelined, as each own at least a +3.1% usage rate differential with him off the court. However, it’s Sabonis that is clearly the top fantasy option given his 25.5% usage rate and an average of 1.49 DraftKings and 1.47 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter Alex Len (back) probable Wednesday: Alex Poythress (ankle) and Omari Spellman (hip) ruled out
Len has been added to the Hawks’ injury report and is probable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors due to a sore back, while Poythress and Spellman have been downgraded from doubtful, as expected, and won’t be available to play in tonight’s contest. Head coach Llyod Pierce has already confirmed that John Collins will replace Spellman at power forward in the starting lineup, and Len will head to the bench to assume a reserve role in favor of Dewayne Dedmon at center. Collins was able to log 21 minutes of action in his second game of the season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he saw a similar 6-8 minutes bump in playing time as a starter this evening. Collins has recorded a 30.0% usage rate and averaged 1.45 DraftKings and 1.41 FanDuel points per minute through two games, making him an elite tournament play at his price tag across the industry.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter Other tagged players: Alex Poythress, Omari Spellman OG Anunoby (wrist) and CJ Miles (groin) listed questionable Wednesday
Anunoby and Miles have both been listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to a sprained right wrist and strained right adductor, respectively. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is expected to be rested on the second night of a back-to-back set, but the Raptors didn’t include him on the latest version of their injury report, so there still has been no official update on his status. If Leonard rests, Toronto could be relatively thin at the forward positions with Anunoby and Miles in danger of missing another game. Fred VanVleet started alongside Kyle Lowry in the backcourt in the previous game with Leonard sat out, logging 29 minutes, and he’ll likely start again if both Leonard and Anunoby are unavailable this evening.
As reported by: Kevin Rashidi via Twitter Other tagged players: C.J. Miles