DFS Alerts
Otto Porter (leg) will start Sunday
Porter was a late addition to the Wizards’ injury report but will start in Sunday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers despite sealing lower leg soreness. He tested out his ailing leg in pregame warmups and was apparently deemed healthy enough to suit up for tonight’s contest. Still, if Porter is hampered by the injury at all, Kelly Oubre could be in line for some additional playing time and already typically sees between 23-27 minutes on most nights even when Porter is at full strength. On an abbreviated four-game slate, Oubre makes for an interesting tournament target considering he owns a 22.4% usage rate and is averaging 0.86 DraftKings and 0.87 FanDuel points per minute on the season.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter
Mario Hezonja (illness) questionable Sunday
Hezonja is a late addition to the Knicks injury report and is officially questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic due to an illness. Hezonja was a DNP-CD following head coach David Fizdale’s changes to the starting lineup Friday’s loss, so it’s unclear how much his absence would even affect the remainder of the rotation. Fizdale did mention to reporters that he’d like to play Hezonja but didn’t exactly confirm he would see minutes even if he’s available this evening. Tim Hardaway Jr. has been the only consistent cog in this Knicks offense, and he’s coming off of a stellar fantasy performance in 38 minutes of action his last time out. Hardaway Jr. also leads the team by a wide margin with a 32.9% usage rate and is averaging 1.10 DraftKings and 1.05 FanDuel points per minute on the season.
As reported by: Steve Popper via Twitter Draymond Green (toe) and Alfonzo McKinnie (foot) out Sunday
As expected, Green has been ruled out and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sprained right toe, while McKinnie will miss his second consecutive game with a sore left foot. Head coach Steve Kerr opted to start Jonas Jerebko and Kevon Looney alongside Kevin Durant in the frontcourt in Saturday’s loss, but there’s been no confirmation that he will utilize the same starting lineup for tonight’s contest. Jerebko is still a safe bet to remain the starting power forward, and he’s played at least 25 minutes in each of his last two spot starts. Andre Iguodala has started two straight games at point guard in place of Stephen Curry, but Quinn Cook has actually provided the better fantasy value off the bench, averaging 23 minutes over that span. Unsurprisingly, Durant continues to benefit with Green and Curry sidelined, as he owns a 40.4% usage rate and is averaging 1.51 DraftKings and 1.50 FanDuel points per minute with them off the court this season.
As reported by: Mark Medina via Twitter Other tagged players: Alfonzo McKinnie Otto Porter Jr. (leg) a game-time decision Sunday
Porter is a late addition to the Wizards’ injury report and will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to lower leg soreness. He’ll test out his ailing leg in pregame warmups before a decision is made on his status, but both Porter and head coach Scott Brooks have indicated that he is more likely to play than not. Still, if Porter is hampered by the injury at all, Kelly Oubre could be in line for some additional playing time and already typically sees between 23-27 minutes on most nights even when Porter is at full strength. On an abbreviated four-game slate, Oubre makes for an interesting tournament target considering he owns a 22.4% usage rate and is averaging 0.86 DraftKings and 0.87 FanDuel points per minute on the season
As reported by: Candace Buckner via Twitter James Johnson (sports hernia) and Rodney McGruder (quad) will play Sunday
Goran Dragic has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Heat due to a lingering right knee injury, while James Johnson will make his season debut and Rodney McGruder is good to go despite dealing with a left quad contusion. Dwyane Wade remains away from the team, so Wayne Ellington will likely enter the starting lineup on the wing since Johnson will be subject to a minute restriction as he works his way back from sports hernia surgery. This would allow Justise Winslow to primarily handle the point guard duties in the starting unit, while both Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson should be expected to assume more ball-handling responsibilities as well.
As reported by: Anthony Chiang via Twitter Other tagged players: Rodney McGruder Goran Dragic (knee) out Sunday
Dragic has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Heat due to a lingering right knee injury, while James Johnson will make his season debut and Rodney McGruder is good to go despite dealing with a left quad contusion. Dwyane Wade remains away from the team, so Wayne Ellington will likely enter the starting lineup on the wing since Johnson will be subject to a minute restriction as he works his way back from sports hernia surgery. This would allow Justise Winslow to primarily handle the point guard duties in the starting unit, while both Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson should be expected to assume more ball-handling responsibilities as well.
As reported by: Tim Reynolds via Twitter Shots Fired
THJ seems to be the only “safe” New York Knick in the facility in regards to playing time, and it shows on a nightly basis. He owns the highest usage on the team at a whopping 32.9%, is averaging 1.10 fpts per minute, and gets an exceptional matchup tonight against the Orlando Magic. THJ grades out as one of the top plays on the board tonight at the position, and yes, when he’s on the court shots will be fired.
BIG Production Incoming
In what should be one of the highest pace spots of the night we get one of the best Center plays on the slate to match. Hassan Whiteside has not only been rebounding at an incredible rate, but has blocks and point scoring in the arsenal as well. His usage with Goran Dragic is sitting at 21.1% and 21.6% without him. His fpts per game are coming in at 1.5 per game with Dragic and 1.72 without him. He is an incredible play on today’s slate with or without Dragic and I am encouraging you to plug him in with confidence.
Good to Core
Goran Dragic’s status is worth monitoring on Sunday as if Dragic is unable to go, Josh Richardson would go from a good play to a core play. Richardson has been much more aggressive this season posting a career high 23.4% usage rate and sees more ball-handling duties whenever Dragic is unavailable. A combination of the Lakers third fastest pace in the lead and their below average defense make them a strong team to target whenever they’re on the slate.
Monster Usage
Steph Curry remains out and Draymond Green is once again doubtful for Sunday’s contest against the Spurs. This scenario has meant big things for Kevin Durant the last two seasons as KD has posted a 39.5% usage rate with those two off the court. The Spurs are no longer a team to fear defensively as they rank 21st allowing 110.5 points per 100 possessions. There is some decent value at the SF position on Sunday but Durant is my preferred stud to spend on in cash games.
Run It Back
Lonzo Ball was certainly underwhelming Saturday night with the Lakers getting blown out in Orlando but he remains underpriced for his expanded role with Rajon Rondo out with an injury. Ball isn’t the Lakers primary weapon but is a guy that can fill all areas of the stat sheet when given minutes and is a top point per dollar option on Sunday’s short slate.
Russell Westbrook, Alex Abrines ruled out for Saturday; Hamidou Diallo will start in place of Terrance Ferguson
Russell Westbrook, Alex Abrines have both ruled out for Saturday. Westbrook was looking like a potential GTD, but we at least get a little advanced notice. Paul George and Dennis Schroder both become much stronger targets with Westbrook ruled out, and Diallo does step onto the radar in late-slates with both Abrines and Terrance Ferguson on the shelf. There is some mild blowout risk here but George, Schroder and Adams are all elite plays regardless.
Other tagged players: Alex Abrines, Hamidou Diallo
Fred VanVleet starting in place of Kawhi Leonard on Saturday
Fred VanVleet has been confirmed as starting in place of Kawhi Leonard on Saturday for the Raptors. Look for Vanvleet to see a bump in minutes, although he still may remain a relatively low-usage option while on the floor. All Raptors active players make for viable GPP plays today, however, due to the limited options the team has active for their matchup with the Bulls.
Aaron Gordon (ankle) will play Saturday for the Magic
Aaron Gordon will play Saturday for the Magic despite being initially listed as questionable due to an ankle injury. Expect for Gordon to see his usual workload as the starting power forward in a pace-up matchup vs the Lakers.
Cam Payne will start at PG for Chicago; Arcidiacono, Holiday, Parker and Carter the other four starters
Cam Payne will start at PG for Chicago; Arcidiacono, Holiday, Parker and Carter the other four starters with LaVine out. The Bulls are in trouble offensively, but Jabari Parker sees the biggest usage bump among this unit, so he does become a stronger tournament target. Wendell Carter should be counted on a bit more offensively, with Antonio Blakeney also a GPP option off the bench. Payne is on the radar in all formats given his salary, but he still doesn’t have a terribly high floor.
As reported by: Malika Andrews Other tagged players: Ryan Arcidiacono