DFS Alerts

Cedi Osman (back) listed questionable Wednesday; Kyle Korver (foot) listed out

Osman has been listed as questionable on the most recent version of the Cavaliers’ injury report for Wednesday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards due to lower back spasms, while Korver is listed as out for the second consecutive game with a sore right foot. Even though Osman has been given the questionable designation, interim head coach Larry Drew confirmed with reporters prior to Tuesday’s win that he was not optimistic Osman would be able to play in tonight’s contest, so he still may be closer to doubtful than questionable. If he’s ruled out once again, Larry Nance would likely continue starting at power forward after averaging 32 minutes over the last two games, and David Nwaba would likely handle a majority of the reserve minutes at small and power forward following a stellar fantasy performance in 26 minutes of action last time out.

Nikola Mirotic (ankle) will play Wednesday

Mirotic went through shootaround Wednesday morning and will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing two consecutive games with a sprained right ankle, while Elfrid Payton remains questionable due to a sprained right ankle despite going through shootaround as well. The return of Mirotic should send Julius Randle back to the bench to resume a reserve role following a couple of stellar fantasy performances in an average of 36 minutes over the last two games. There’s been no word if Mirotic will be subject to a minute restriction in his first game back, but assuming he’s a full-go, he’ll become an interesting tournament target in a plus matchup with Minnesota since he owns a 26.5% usage rate and is averaging 1.29 DraftKings and 1.27 FanDuel points per minute on the year.

Worst Team in the NBA Faces the League's Worst Defense

The Cleveland Cavaliers are tied (with Phoenix) for the worst record in the NBA so far this season, but they are coming off an unexpected win last night against Charlotte, and tonight they have the benefit of taking on the league’s worst defensive team, the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have given up 118.5 points per game so far this year, and the Cavaliers have several underpriced players worth taking a look at if the team can put up a high point total tonight. David Nwaba is near minimum price across sites and played 27 minutes last night as a major part of the rotation, putting up 18 points with 5 rebounds. Larry Nance is also worth a look as both a scorer and hitting the boards against a Wizards team that ranks last in the league in rebounding differential.

Drawing A Start Tonight

Like Kevin Knox, Emmanuel Mudiay will start against the Thunder on Wednesday night. Mudiay has put up at least 22 DK and 23.5 FD fantasy points in three of his last four games. He’s only played over 30 minutes in one game this season, and he had a really good game against Chicago in that game. I’m projecting him to play 23-26 minutes tonight, and I think he could crush value at this price tag if he plays that amount.

Figuring Out This Rotation Tonight Could Pay Dividends

It’s difficult to decipher what the player rotations will be for Minnesota tonight, with Andrew Wiggins and Jeff Teague Questionable with injuries, and Robert Covington and Dario Saric likely getting added to the mix after their trade becomes official. Despite the uncertainty, the Timberwolves are favored by a point in the game with the highest point total of the night, giving Minnesota the highest implied point total on the board. Andrew Wiggins and Jeff Teague are shaping up as good GPP plays across sites (assuming they are able to give it a go tonight) after putting up solid numbers in their return from injury last game. One element of the game that has some certainty is that Karl-Anthony Towns should get his full allotment of minutes and usage, and is facing a Pelicans team that ranks 27th in the league in Points in the Paint allowed.

Highest Usage On This Team

Clarkson is one of the higher priced players on Cleveland tonight, but if Osman and Korver both sit, I think he’s worth this price tag. He continues to have the highest usage among all the active Cavs, and he’s averaging 1.14 fantasy points per minute over the last three games. As much as I like Larry Nance, I think Clarkson will have lower ownership and I think he has a chance to outscore him in this matchup. Washington is allowing the most points per game to opposing teams this season, and they’re ranked 29th in defensive efficiency as a team.

Still Worth The Money On DraftKings And FantasyDraft

If Osman and Korver sit again tonight, I’m going to be loading up on the Cavaliers again tonight. Collin Sexton has now played at least 33 minutes in three straight games and should continue to play a larger role on this team with George Hill out. While FanDuel raised his price, he’s still very playable on DraftKings. He’s taken at least 14 shots in each of the last three games as well. Sexton has a 23.5% usage rate in this three-game span. Washington is allowing the most points per game to opposing teams this season, and they’re ranked 29th in defensive efficiency as a team.

Minutes Are Back Up

Kevin Knox has played 24 and 26 minutes in his last two games and seems to be getting healthy off of the injury that cost him a couple of weeks. Knox played 24 and 28 minutes in his first two games before going down with an injury and had 15.5 and 26 fantasy points in those two games. I like Knox on DraftKings as a pivot off of some of the chalk tonight. It was just announced that he will move into the starting lineup tonight, which should also help his case for minutes.

Kevin Knox and Emmanuel Mudiay will start ahead of Damyean Dotson and Frank Ntilikina on Wednesday

Head coach David Fizdale confirmed with reporters at shootaround this morning that Knox and Mudiay will move into the starting lineup for Wednesday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which will send Dotson and Ntilikina back to the bench to assume reserve roles. Knox’s minutes had been ascending in an upwards trajectory even prior to this news, as he’s played at least 24 minutes in each of the last two games, so there’s at least some confidence in his playing time approaching, or even, exceeding the 30-minute mark this evening. On the other hand, the point guard rotation for New York has been a mess all season, and it’s unlikely Mudiay sees more than 22-24 minutes with Ntilikina and Allonzo Trier both more than capable of running the point for extended stretches if he shows any signs of struggle on either end of the floor.

Increased Role Because Of Injury

With Caris LeVert out, Spencer Dinwiddie and D’Angelo Russell should benefit the most in this offense. In 211.2 minutes without LeVert on the floor, Dinwiddie has a 28.7% usage rate and he’s averaging 1.07 fantasy points per minute. That’s a 5.8% usage bump and 0.16 fantasy points per minute more than he usually averages. Dinwiddie and Russell have only played 22.3 minutes together this season, and Dinwiddie has a 35.1% usage rate compared to Russell’s 20.5%.

Derrick Jones Jr. (illness) misses shootaround Wednesday

Jones Jr. was absent from shootaround this morning due to an illness, and his status for Wednesday’ matchup against the Brooklyn Nets is still to be determined. Jone Jr. has had a sporadic role in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation to begin the year, evidenced by the fact he’s played as little as five and as many as 25 minutes over the Heat’s last six games. Therefore, if he’s unable to suit up, his absence won’t have much of an effect on the rest of the rotation. Even though a few extra minutes may trickle to Justise Winslow, Rodney McGruder, and Wayne Ellington, it won’t be enough to impact their projected daily fantasy value this evening.

Jonathan Isaac (ankle) available to play Wednesday

Isaac has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing six consecutive games with a sprained right ankle. Head coach Steve Clifford already confirmed with reporters that Isaac will be subject to a minutes restriction in his first game back, though he didn’t specify the exact amount. Isaac is likely to come off the bench as a reserve to help keep his minutes in check, which will allow Wesley Iwundu to remain the nominal starting small forward for at least one additional game. In the Magic’s prior meeting with the Sixers, it was Evan Fournier that led the way with a 33.5% usage rate while averaging 1.34 DraftKings and 1.26 FanDuel points per minute, however, he’ll likely draw the defense of Jimmy Butler on the wing this time around, making him a far less appealing option daily fantasy formats.

NBA Injury Rundown - Wednesday, 11/14

Orlando Magic – Jonathan Isaac (Questionable)

Cleveland Cavaliers – Cedi Osman (Doubtful), Kyle Korver (Doubtful), George Hill (Out), Sam Dekker (Out), Kevin Love (Out)

Brooklyn Nets – Jarrett Allen (Questionable), Caris LeVert (Out), Treveon Graham (Out)

Toronto Raptors – C.J. Miles (Out), Norman Powell (Out)

Oklahoma City Thunder – Russell Westbrook (Out), Andre Roberson (Out)

New Orleans Pelicans – Nikola Mirotic (Questionable), Elfrid Payton (Questionable)

Minnesota Timberwolves – Andrew Wiggins (Questionable), Jeff Teague (Questionable), Jerryd Bayless (Out)

Memphis Grizzlies – Dillon Brooks (Out), Omri Casspi (Out), Ivan Rabb (Out), Chandler Parsons (Out), JaMychal Green (Out)

Dallas Mavericks – Wesley Matthews (Questionable), Dirk Nowitzki (Out)

San Antonio Spurs – Rudy Gay (Out), Pau Gasol (Out), Lonnie Walker IV (Out), Dejounte Murray (Out)

Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard (Probable), Maurice Harkless (Out)

P.J. Tucker (illness) will start Tuesday

Tucker has officially been upgraded from questionable and will start in Tuesday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets despite dealing with an illness. Tucker also disclosed to reporters following shootaround this morning that he feels considerably better than he did during Sunday’s game where he still managed to log 39 minutes. Head coach Mike D’Antoni utilized just an eight-man rotation in that contest, and Clint Capela, James Ennis, and Isaiah Hartenstein were the only players to play fewer than 30 minutes. With Gerald Green still sidelined and Carmelo Anthony reportedly on his way out of Houston, it’s highly likely that D’Antoni is forced to run out a similar rotation this evening. In the current construction of the rotation, Capela has actually been the primary beneficiary, as he owns 20.7% usage rate (+2.5%) and is averaging 1.16 DraftKings and 1.18 FanDuel points per minute. This makes him a compelling tournament target, especially on DraftKings where’s he significantly less expensive at $6.4K, on tonight’s slate.

Draymond Green (suspension) officially out Tuesday

Green has officially been ruled out and won’t play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to a coach’s decision. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported earlier this afternoon that Green and Kevin Durant had a heated exchange on the court that simmered over to the locker room following the game, so it remains unclear if Green is sitting out for disciplinary reasons, rest, or some combination of the two, though the Warriors are reportedly considering to classify tonight’s absence as a suspension. As for the actual fantasy implications, either Jordan Bell or Jonas Jerebko should be slated to start at power forward, but Bell has averaged more minutes than Jerebko in the prior games Green has missed this season, regardless of role. There isn’t a huge sample size with Green and Stephen Curry off the court together this season, but in that limited time, both Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant own usage rates north of 38.0%, however, Durant is averaging an absurd 2.05 DraftKings and 2.07 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario as well. While these rates probably aren’t sustainable over the long-term, they still make the duo elite options on tonight’s slate.