DFS Alerts
Danny Green (back) will play Friday; CJ Miles (adductor) officially out
Green has officially been upgraded from probable and will play in Friday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics despite dealing with a tight lower back, while Miles has been ruled out, as expected, with a strained right adductor. Even though Serge Ibaka is set to return from a one-game absence, the Raptors are still without Norman Powell, which leaves them relatively shorthanded on the wing and could allow Malachi Richardson to remain in the rotation after logging nine minutes in Wednesday’s loss. However, Ibaka’s return to the lineup does signal the end of Greg Monroe’s reign in the rotation for now following his solid fantasy performance in 21 minutes of action.
As reported by: Eric Koreen via Twitter Other tagged players: C.J. Miles
NBA Injury Rundown - Friday, 11/16
Miami Heat – Derrick Jones Jr. (Questionable), Dwyane Wade (Out), James Johnson (Out), Dion Waiters (Out)
Toronto Raptors – Danny Green (Probable), CJ Miles (Doubtful), Norman Powell (Out)
Boston Celtics – Marcus Morris (Questionable), Jabari Bird (Out)
Brooklyn Nets – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Questionable), Jarrett Allen (Questionable), Treveon Graham (Out), Caris LeVert (Out)
Portland Trail Blazers – Seth Curry (Out), Maurice Harkless (Out)
Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Rose (Questionable), Jerryd Bayless (Out)
New York Knicks – Mitchell Robinson (Probable), Lance Thomas (Out), Courtney Lee (Out), Kristaps Porzingis (Out)
New Orleans Pelicans – Elfrid Payton (Questionable)
Sacramento Kings – Kosta Koufos (Out)
Memphis Grizzlies – Omri Casspi (Probable), Dillon Brooks (Out), Chandler Parsons (Out), JaMychal Green (Out)
Milwaukee Bucks – Donte DiVencenzo (Out), John Henson (Out), D.J. Wilson (Out)
Avery Bradley (ankle) and Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) out Thursday
Bradley has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Thursday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sprained left ankle that’s now forced him to miss five straight games while Mbah a Moute remains sidelined and is still expected to miss more time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will make another start at the shooting guard spot alongside Patrick Beverley in the backcourt, and he’s been more than serviceable from a fantasy perspective in an average of 34.6 minutes over the last four games. His price has come up a bit for tonight’s slate, but he should be a relatively popular option given his ability to rack up peripheral statistics despite a low 15.5% usage rate on the offensive end of the floor. Lou Williams has also seen a slight bump in minutes sans Bradley and Mbah a Moute, and he leads the Clippers by a wide margin with a 32.2% usage rate and is averaging 1.16 DraftKings and 1.12 FanDuel points per minute with them off the court this season.
As reported by: Andrew Greif via Twitter Other tagged players: Luc Mbah a Moute DeAndre' Bembry listed as the starter for Taurean Prince (Achilles) on Thursday
Prince was a late addition to the Hawks’ injury report and won’t play in Thursday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to pain his right Achilles, while Alex Len will start at center despite dealing a sprained left ankle. The last time Prince was unavailable, Kevin Huerter started alongside Kent Bazemore on the wing and exceeded salary-based expectations in 32 minutes of action, but head coach Llyod Pierce has opted to start DeAndre Bembry, who logged 29 minutes himself in that same game, at small forward this evening. Since the Hawks are also without Dewayne Dedmon, John Collins, and Justin Anderson once again, Len will be a great tournament option in his own regard after carrying an injury designation throughout the day, and he owns 22.2% usage rate while averaging 1.25 DraftKings and 1.31 FanDuel points per minute with Prince and Dedmon off the court this season, indicating an elite ceiling at his price tag if he can approach the 30-minute mark for a third straight game.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter Monte Morris will start ahead of Jamal Murray on Thursday
After head coach Mike Malone confirmed with reporters that he would keep his starting lineup the same for Thursday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, he’s opted to make a late change by replacing Jamal Murray with Monte Morris at the point guard position. There’s been no word from Malone if this will be a long-term change or if it’s just a one-game experiment, but Morris still logged at least 26 minutes off the bench in two of the last three games, so Murray shouldn’t see that much of a reduction in playing time this evening. Given the disparity in pricing, Morris is still the clear preferred option of the two on tonight’s slate, especially on DraftKings, and he’s been a solid fantasy producer with an average of 0.90 DraftKings and 0.91 FanDuel points per minute despite a modest 18.8% usage rate on the year.
As reported by: Brandon Ewing via Twitter Other tagged players: Jamal Murray Gerald Green (ankle) available to play Thursday
Green has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors after missing two consecutive games with a sprained right ankle, while Gary Clark has also been cleared to play despite dealing with a hip contusion. Head coach Mike D’Antoni had been utilizing just an eight-man rotation in the absence of Green and all five starters plus Eric Gordon recorded at least 32 minutes in Tuesday’s win. The Rockets officially announced that they will be parting ways with Carmelo Anthony, though he’ll remain on the roster as an inactive player for the time being. Gordon has actually been the main beneficiary with Anthony off the court this season, as he owns a 28.2% usage rate (+2.9%) and is averaging 0.82 DraftKings and 0.80 FanDuel points per minute, making him an intriguing value option in tournaments with an elevated minute floor in a short Houston rotation
As reported by: Craig Ackerman via Twitter Alex Len (ankle) available to play Thursday
Len has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Thursday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets despite dealing with a sprained right ankle. There’s been no indication from the team or head coach Lloyd Pierce that Len will be subject to a minutes restriction, so he should be considered a full-go for tonight’s contest barring an in-game setback. Since the Hawks are also without Taurean Prince, Dewayne Dedmon, John Collins, and Justin Anderson once again, Kevin Huerter will likely start alongside Kent Bazemore on the wing and exceeded salary-based expectations in 32 minutes of action that last time Prince was unavailable. Len will be a great tournament option in his own regard after carrying an injury designation throughout the day, and he owns 22.2% usage rate while averaging 1.25 DraftKings and 1.31 FanDuel points per minute with Prince and Dedmon off the court this season, indicating an elite ceiling at his price tag if he can approach the 30-minute mark for a third straight game.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter Draymond Green (toe) will play Thursday, "may" be limited
Green has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Thursday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets after being suspending by the Warriors for Tuesday’s win. However, head coach Steve Kerr confirmed with reporters during his pregame media availability that Green may be subject to a minutes restriction, though he did not disclose the specifics of said restriction. Though not official, Green will presumably start at his customary power forward position, which will send Jonas Jerebko back to the bench to resume a reserve role following a phenomenal fantasy performance in 25 minutes his last time out. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson both continue to thrive with Stephen Curry sidelined, as each own usage rates north of 37.0% and see a substantial boost in their per minute production, though Durant still appears to have the more achievable ceiling with a rate of 1.59 fantasy points per minute with Curry off the court this season.
As reported by: Mark Medina via Twitter Gary Clark (hip) will play Thursday
Clark has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors due to a hip contusion, while Gerald Green remains questionable with a sprained right ankle that’s already forced him to miss two consecutive games. Head coach Mike D’Antoni has been utilizing just an eight-man rotation in the absence of Green and all five starters plus Eric Gordon recorded at least 32 minutes in Tuesday’s win. The Rockets officially announced that they will be parting ways with Carmelo Anthony, though he’ll remain on the roster as an inactive player for the time being. Gordon has actually been the main beneficiary with Antony off the court this season, as he owns a 28.2% usage rate (+2.9%) and is averaging 0.82 DraftKings and 0.80 FanDuel points per minute, making him an intriguing value option in tournaments with an elevated minute floor in a short Houston rotation
As reported by: Alykhan Bijani via Twitter Taurean Prince (Achilles) out Thursday
Prince is a late addition to the Hawks’ injury report and has been ruled out of Thursday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to pain his right Achilles, while there still hasn’t been an update on the status of Alex Len, who remains questionable with a sprained left ankle. That last time Prince was unavailable, Kevin Huerter started alongside Kent Bazemore on the wing and exceeded salary-based expectations in 32 minutes of action. Since the Hawks are also without Dewayne Dedmon, John Collins, and Justin Anderson once again, Miles Plumlee and Alex Poythress would be in line for increased playing time if Len is eventually ruled out, and Plumlee would likely start at center in his place despite logging fewer than 19 minutes in every game thus far. Even so, Plumlee wouldn’t be the worst punt option in tournaments if this scenario comes to fruition, as the big man owns an 18.2% usage rate and is averaging 1.11 DraftKings and 1.15 FanDuel points per minute with Len and Dedmon off the floor.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter John Collins (ankle) officially out Thursday
Collins has officially been downgraded from doubtful and will not play in Thursday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to a sore left ankle that has kept him sidelined all season, while Alex Len remains questionable with a sprained left ankle. The team is optimistic that Collins can return soon and have hinted at Monday’s game as a possible return date. Since the Hawks are without Dewayne Dedmon and Justin Anderson once again, Miles Plumlee and Alex Poythress would be in line for increased playing time if Len is eventually ruled out, and Plumlee would likely start at center in his place despite logging fewer than 19 minutes in every game thus far. Even so, Plumlee wouldn’t be the worst punt option in tournaments in this scenario, as the big man owns an 18.2% usage rate and is averaging 1.11 DraftKings and 1.15 FanDuel points per minute with Len and Dedmon off the floor.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore via Twitter Playing The Matchup Game
The Spurs gave Rudy Gay off last night for rest, and he’s in a prime spot to play 25+ minutes tonight against the Clippers. With the wing type of players the Clippers use, I could see Gay pushing towards 30 minutes in this spot tonight. Since White has returned, Gay hasn’t played more than 23 minutes, but they haven’t played a strong wing team like the Clippers yet. With very few options I like at this price point, I’m willing to roll the dice on Gay.
Searching For Minutes
With only three games tonight, we don’t have a lot of great options for value, though I do like Morris and Hernangomez for the Nuggets. Denver has a 117 implied team total, which is 7.9 points higher than the team’s average points per game this season, and they receive a nice pace bump with Atlanta playing at one of the fastest paces in the NBA this season. Hernangomez moved into the starting lineup against the Bucks over the weekend, and then started again against Houston on Tuesday. He hasn’t done a lot with the minutes, but he’s played 30 and 39 minutes in those two games. With the limited options tonight, I’m certainly looking for value plays that could top 30 minutes.
Great Upside Plays
If you are looking for mid-range upside tonight, you have to consider the Denver guards. Atlanta plays at the fastest pace in the NBA, while Denver ranks near the bottom. It’s a huge pace up game for the Nuggets, and both Murray and Harris are locked into huge minutes. Murray, Harris, and Morris are really the only guards in the rotation right now. Atlanta is not an efficient defensive team, either, and the Nuggets have an implied team total of 117 points this evening. Fire them up!
Other tagged players: Gary Harris
Top Play On The Board
Durant’s usage rate is over 40% with Stephen Curry off the floor this year. He scores nearly 60 fantasy points per 36 minutes with Curry off the floor. It’s a three game slate. Start your lineups with Durant and build from there, and you are unlikely to regret it. I’ll take the floor/ceiling combination of Durant over the other studs on this slate, and he is a top play in both cash game and GPP formats.