DFS Alerts
Fred VanVleet (toe) downgraded to questionable Wednesday; Delon Wright (groin) available to play
VanVleet is an extremely late addition to the Raptors injury report and is now questionable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to turf toe, while Delon Wright will be available to play but will have a minute restriction in his return. Head coach Nick Nurse plans to bring Wright along slowly, so if VanVleet is ruled out, Lorenzo Brown would likely take on a majority of the available guard minutes. Nurse also confirmed with reporters at shootaround this morning that he intends to continue utilizing a deep rotation, which means that Norman Powell will still be allotted playing time and could be the beneficiary of a few extra minutes should VanVleet be unavailable.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Other tagged players: Delon Wright
Derrick Jones Jr. (foot) officially out Wednesday; Wayne Ellington (ankle) active but not likely to play
Jones Jr. has officially been downgraded from doubtful to out and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup with the New York Knicks due to a bruised left foot, while Wayne Ellington will be active, despite originally being ruled out, but is not expected to play. The Heat will still also be without Dion Waiters and James Johnson which makes Justise Winslow the leading candidate to replace Jones Jr. in the starting lineup at power forward. Jones Jr. has averaged roughly 24 minutes through the Heat’s first three games, but a majority, if not, all of that playing time will be absorbed by Winslow, assuming he isn’t subject to a minute restriction. It seems unlikely that Winslow would command a significantly higher usage than the 23.3% rate Jones Jr. has recorded thus far, so the remaining Heat starters can be targeted in daily fantasy formats the same as they have been for at least one more slate.
As reported by: Shandel Richardson via Twitter Other tagged players: Wayne Ellington Dillon Brooks (foot) and Garrett Temple (groin) are game-time decisions Wednesday
Brooks had been ruled out earlier Wednesday afternoon, but he’s now been listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup with the Sacramento Kings due to right foot soreness, while Garrett Temple is also listed as questionable and is being classified as a game-time decision with a sore left groin. The Grizzlies frontcourt and wing depth were already going to be tested before news Temple’s availability could be in some doubt, in fact, his and Brooks’ unavailability would leave them with just 10 healthy bodies for this road game. Jaren Jackson Jr. logged 27 minutes in his first start with JaMychal Green sidelined, but both he and Kyle Anderson should be relied upon more heavily with Chandler Parsons already confirmed out as well, while Wayne Selden, MarShon Brooks, and Omri Casspi would be the primary reinforcements to provide depth no matter if Temple is active or inactive this evening.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Garrett Temple Klay Thompson (ankle) and Shaun Livingston (knee) listed as available Wednesday
The availability of Thompson was never really in doubt for Wednesday’s matchup with the Washington Wizards after originally being listed as probable with a sprained left ankle, but Livingston is poised to make his return from a two-game absence due to a left knee contusion. With Livingston available off the bench, the role of Quinn Cook as the backup combo guard is likely to diminish, while Alonzo McKinnie could be relegated from the rotation entirely. Livingston hasn’t recorded more than 18 minutes in any game this season, so he has no appeal for daily fantasy formats, even in matchups that project as blowouts for this high-powered Golden State squad, as head coach Steve Kerr has been keen on limiting minutes for his veteran players in the early stages of the season.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Shaun Livingston Ben Simmons (back) listed questionable Wednesday; Mike Muscala (ankle) listed probable
Simmons has been listed as questionable in the Sixers’ updated injury report for Wednesday’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks due to a tight lower back that forced him to miss Tuesday’s overtime loss. Meanwhile, Muscala is listed as probable after making his season debut last night and logged 16 minutes off the bench. There have been no reports of any Sixers resting on the second leg of a back-to-back set, so it seems safe to operate under the assumption that everyone will be available in what head coach Brett Brown likely deems as an important game in team’s young season. If Simmons is unavailable again, Landry Shamet should draw the start at shooting guard for the second straight night alongside Markelle Fultz in the backcourt, but he and Fultz were limited to 24 and 20 minutes, respectively, and gave way to J.J. Redick and T.J. McConnell for most of the second half and overtime on Tuesday evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Mike Muscala Iman Shumpert (hip) questionable Wednesday
Shumpert has officially been listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies due to sore left hip. Since taking over for Yogi Ferrell in the starting lineup, Shumpert has exceeded salary-based expectations in two straight games, but his playing time has been less than consistent, logging 19 and 30 minutes in those contests, respectively. Head coach Dave Joerger has not been shy to ride the hot hand in his rotation, which limits everyone on the roster to tournament formats only on a nightly basis. Mavin Bagley III was the latest example of this on Tuesday night and exploded for 44.25 DraftKings and 46.30 FanDuel points in 32 minutes of action. If Shumpert is unable to suit up, Yogi Ferrell will likely reclaim his starting role for at least one game and averaged 25.5 minutes in his two starts to open the season.
As reported by: Jason Jones via Twitter The Game With The Highest Over/Under So Far This Year
In a season marked by high scoring, tonight features the game with the highest Vegas over/under so far this year with the Lakers traveling to Phoenix to take on the Suns in a game with a projected 238 point total. The Lakers will be without Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram due to suspensions again tonight, and while the Lakers peripheral pieces are in play, LeBron could dominate the ball handling and scoring tonight. The Suns will respond with the always dangerous Devin Booker and rookie DeAndre Ayton, who is averaging 14.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists over his first three games in the NBA.
Other tagged players: Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker
Rookie Lottery Picks Match Up Tonight
We could have an interesting game in Sacramento tonight, where two size and suffix-gifted big men who were selected in the top four picks of this past April’s draft will be matching up against each other for the first time. Marvin Bagley III was selected by the Kings with the second pick of the draft and posted an outstanding game last night with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks, while Jaren Jackson, Jr was selected fourth and is averaging 15 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals over his first three games for the Grizzlies. Both of these forwards carry massive upside every night and will likely see their price increase soon.
Other tagged players: Jaren Jackson Overlooked Revenge Game Tonight
The highly anticipated Garrett Temple revenge game takes place tonight as the Memphis swingman returns to Sacramento for the first time after the Kings traded him this past offseason. Ok, so it may not be a highly anticipated return, but Temple is underpriced across sites and the Grizzlies should be without Chandler Parsons and Dillon Brooks tonight, so Temple should have a solid floor of minutes. The Grizzlies projected point total is 112, ten points above their season average for scoring, so playing shorthanded this could be a good night to take a look at some normally overlooked Memphis players.
Jabari Parker (illness) downgraded to questionable Wednesday
Parker missed shootaround Wednesday morning and has officially been downgraded to questionable for tonight’s matchup with the Charlotte Hornets due to an upper respiratory infection. As the sixth-man, Parker has averaged 24 minutes through the Bulls first three games, so if he’s unable to suit up, Bobby Portis and Wendell Carter should be in line for some extra playing time at the power forward spot, while Robin Lopez would consequentially have to fill in more often as the backup center. The Bulls are already without Kris Dun for the next four-to-six weeks due to a sprained left MCL, so Cameron Payne will have another crack at securing the starting point guard role in his absence. However, the team signed Shaquille Harrison to take Dunn’s place on the active roster in the interim, and head coach Fred Hoiberg already confirmed with reporters that Harrison “could get an opportunity tonight”, though it remains to be seen what exactly his role will be from the outset.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson via Twitter TJ Leaf (ankle) available to play Wednesday
Leaf went through shootaround without any setbacks and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs after missing three consecutive games due to a sprained left ankle. Leaf doesn’t project to have a prominent role in the Pacers frontcourt rotation, and he’ll remain firmly behind Thaddeus Young, Domantas Sabonis, and Myles Turner in the pecking order for minutes. However, the Pacers do have quantitative draft capital invested in Leaf, so it’d be far from surprising if he begins to siphon away some minutes from the aforementioned trio and Kyle O’Quinn, though Leaf’s playing time is unlikely to amount to any relevancy for daily fantasy barring an injury.
As reported by: Jeremiah Johnson via Twitter Let's Try This Again
The Suns had a terrible game against Golden State on Monday, but I’m willing to go back to the well on just about everyone here. Canaan played 26 minutes in that game and didn’t see the floor at all in the fourth quarter. As long as he’s the starting point guard, I’m going to keep playing him at his price. This game has the highest total on the slate, and it’s a game I really want to target. Canaan is a cheaper way to get exposure to this matchup, and if the game stays close, he should play 30+ minutes, which is really solid for his price across the industry.
Justise Winslow (hamstring) available to play Wednesday; Derrick Jones Jr. (foot) downgraded to doubtful
Winslow has been cleared to make his season debut and will play in Wednesday’s matchup with the New York Knicks, while Jones Jr. has officially been downgraded from questionable to doubtful with a foot injury. The will still be without Wayne Ellington, Dion Waiters, and James Johnson which makes Winslow the leading candidate to replace Jones Jr. in the starting lineup at power forward. Jones Jr. has averaged roughly 24 minutes through the Heat’s first three games, but a majority, if not, all of that playing time will be absorbed by Winslow, assuming he isn’t subject to a minute restriction. It seems unlikely that Winslow would command a significantly higher usage than the 23.3% rate Jones Jr. has recorded thus far, so the remaining Heat starters can be targeted in daily fantasy formats the same as they have been for at least one more slate.
As reported by: Anthony Chiang via Twitter Other tagged players: Derrick Jones Jr. Large Field Tournament Pivot
I’m always willing to roll the dice with cheap plays in tournaments, and one of those cheap tournament plays is Blakeney. I think a lot of people go to Payne, which is fine, but I think Blakeney has more upside. He played 30 and 22 minutes in the two games without Dunn, and with Dunn now out 4-6 weeks, it opens the door again for Blakeney to be the first guard off the bench. There is a lot of downside here and that makes him a very risky play. Blakeney is never going to be on the court for a close game, but I could see him hitting 22-25 fantasy points in the 22-25 minutes he will likely play. Again, this is a pivot off the Cameron Payne chalk for a large field tournament.
Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) will play Wednesday
Dedmon has been cleared to make his season debut and will play in Wednesday’s matchup with the Dallas Mavericks after missing three consecutive games. Dedmon won’t be subject to a strict minute restriction, but head coach Lloyd Pierce did say he will monitor Dedmon’s playing time and insinuated that he plans to allot him roughly 15 minutes of action. This means Alex Len will continue to start at center for at least one more game, but he’ll have a much lower minute floor with Dedmon available off the bench, making him difficult to trust in any format, especially if Pierce continues to utilize deep rotations.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore via Twitter