DFS Alerts
Denzel Valentine (swollen knee) available to play Tuesday
Valentine was originally considered doubtful to suit up for Tuesday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, but the swelling in his knee has improved and he’ll be available to play, despite missing Monday’s practice.The Chicago Bulls are still without Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and Paul Zipser but will regain the services of Lauri Markkanen following a one-hiatus due to lower back spasms and rest purposes on the second leg of a back-to-back set after also participating in shootaround this morning. The return of Markkanen will displace Noah Vonleh from the starting lineup following a spot start where he exceeded salary-based expectations in 25 minutes of action. Now that he’s been cleared, Valentine will make for an intriguing tournament option, as he and David Nwaba both own at least a +2.9% usage rate differential with the LaVine, Dunn, Zipser, and Antonio Blakeney off the court this season
As reported by: Chuck Swirsky via Twitter
Rajon Rondo (wrist) ruled out Tuesday; Nikola Mirotic (hip) available to play
Mirotic will make his return from a one-game absence because of a right hip flexor injury in Tuesday’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, though Rajon Rondo won’t play after testing his sprained right wrist during pregame warmups. With Mirotic sidelined in the previous game, Darius Miller drew the start at power forward due to matchup purposes and logged 26 minutes, sliding Anthony Davis over to center, while Emeka Okafor was limited to eight minutes off the bench. DeAndre Liggins replaced Rondo in the starting lineup for Saturday’s loss, recording 25 minutes, but neither he or Solomon Hill, who’s minute restriction has been increased to 18-20 minutes, received the starting nod, as Ian Clark will start alongside Jrue Holiday in the backcourt. Regardless of the Pelicans injury situation game-to-game, Cheick Diallo has consistently been the beneficiary of an increased role in the frontcourt and has averaged 22 minutes over the last five games, making him an intriguing tournament target if Mirotic ends up limited in any way.
As reported by: Pelicans PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Nikola Mirotic Lauri Markkanen (back spasms) will start Tuesday
The Chicago Bulls are still without Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and Paul Zipser but will regain the services of Lauri Markkanen following a one-hiatus due to lower back spasms and rest purposes after also participating in shootaround this morning. The return of Markkanen will displace Noah Vonleh from the starting lineup following a spot start where he exceeded salary-based expectations in 25 minutes of action. Denzel Valentine was previously considered doubtful to suit up for Tuesday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, but the swelling in his knee has improved and he’s “50-50” to play, according to head coach Fred Hoiberg, despite missing Monday’s practice. If Valentine is ruled out closer to tipoff, Markkanen, Bobby Portis, and Justin Holiday have the potential to be the largest beneficiaries, as each own at least a +3.2% usage rate differential with him, Dunn, Lavine, and Zipser off the court this season, while Portis leads the team by a wide margin with rates of 1.48 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.45 on FanDuel in a limited 48.3 minutes sample size.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson via Twitter Chris Paul (hamstring) will play Tuesday; Nene starts at center
Paul will make his return from a three-game absence due to a sore left hamstring, as expected, and he’ll presumably slot in at his normal starting point guard position alongside Eric Gordon in the backcourt with both James Harden and Clint Capela unavailable due to rest purposes. With Capela sidelined, Nene will draw the start at center, while Tarik Black will come off the bench as the backup center to absorb any minutes that aren’t claimed by Ryan Anderson in small-ball lineup combinations. Head coach Mike D’Antoni does have G-League players like Zhou Qi, R.J. Hunter, and Chinanu Onuaku available off the bench, if needed, but he’ll more than likely stick with a nine-man rotation that will prominently feature Gerald Green and Joe Johnson off the bench at the wing and forward positions, respectively. Unsurprisingly, Paul owns a +7.5% usage rate differential with Harden and company off the court this season and is also averaging a massive 1.71 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.65 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen via Twitter Other tagged players: Nene Hilario Nikola Mirotic (hip) expected to play Tuesday; Rajon Rondo (wrist) a game-time decision
Mirotic is on track to make his return from a one-game absence because of a right hip flexor injury in Tuesday’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to head coach Alvin Gentry, and Rajon Rondo will test his sprained right wrist during pregame warmups before his status is officially determined. With Mirotic sidelined, Darius Miller drew the start at power forward due to matchup purposes and logged 26 minutes, sliding Anthony Davis over to center, while Emeka Okafor was limited to eight minutes off the bench in the aforementioned contest. DeAndre Liggins replaced Rondo in the starting lineup for Saturday’s loss, recording 25 minutes, and he’ll remain a candidate to start if Rondo is unavailable, though Solomon Hill is also in the discussion and will have his minute restriction increased to the 18-20 minutes range this evening. Regardless of the Pelicans injury situation game-to-game, Cheick Diallo has consistently been the beneficiary of an increased role in the frontcourt and has averaged 22 minutes over the last five games, making him an intriguing tournament target if Mirotic ends up limited in any way.
As reported by: Scott Kushner via Twitter Other tagged players: Rajon Rondo Maurice Harkless (sore knee) ruled out Tuesday
Harkless is a new addition to the Portland Trail Blazers’ injury report and won’t play in Tuesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, which should enable Evan Turner to enter the starting lineup at small forward and, if at full strength, may be in line for a significant playing time increase over his normal high-teens to low-20s minutes role off the bench. That said, during the three games Harkless was sidelined at the beginning of the month, Turner was extremely inconsistent from a daily fantasy standpoint and averaged just under 25 minutes per start over that span. Shabazz Napier is also usually an indirect beneficiary when Harkless is unavailable, as head coach Terry Stotts will utilize three-guard lineup combinations more often than normal, and Napier averaged 22 minutes off the bench during the aforementioned three-game stretch in early-March.
As reported by: Jamie Hudson via Twitter GPP Upside Awaits
McCollum hasn’t garnered much buzz lately, but this is the perfect spot for a potential big time performance. The Blazers draw a great pace-up matchup against a Pelicans team that loves to play fast, and McCollum might have to pick up more slack if Damian Lillard ends up on baby watch tonight. Lillard hasn’t been playing well lately, and I like McCollum to outproduce his backcourt mate tonight, even if Lillard plays. Lock McCollum in as a great GPP option here.
Draymond Green (illness) doubtful Tuesday; Omri Casspi (ankle) ruled out
Green is still dealing with a throat infection and has been downgraded from probable to doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, which should enable Kevon Looney to draw his second consecutive start at power forward. Head coach Steve Kerr has alternated between Looney and Jordan Bell at the four with Green unavailable in the Golden State Warriors last two games, though Looney’s playing time was consistent on both occasions, logging at least 23 minutes in each contest. The Warriors are also still without Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Omri Casspi, but they are poised to receive some reinforcements in the coming days with Green presumably returning soon and Kevin Durant targeting a return later in the week, likely Thursday’s contest. Outside of Quinn Cook, Andre Iguodala has been the main beneficiary with Curry, Durant, Thompson, and Casspi off the court, as each own at least a +5.7% usage rate differential and experience a minimum of a +0.27 increase to their per minute production as well.
As reported by: Connor Letourneau via Twitter Other tagged players: Omri Casspi Increased Playing Time in a Favorable Matchup
P.J. Tucker may not be the most productive player in the NBA, but the Rockets are going to be short-handed tonight against the Bulls. James Harden, Clint Capela, and Luc Mbah a Moute have already been ruled out, which opens up minutes in the rotation and usage in the offense. Tucker should play 30+ minutes in an ideal matchup and he is priced at a discount across the industry.
Important Game for this Eastern Conference Team
The Eastern Conference playoff seeding is starting to look a little more clear. The Bucks, Wizards, and Heat are all fighting for positioning as the last three teams into the playoffs. There isn’t a great first round matchup for any of these teams, but none of them want to face the Raptors. In an important game for Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo should see a full complement of minutes in a favorable matchup against the Clippers. This game features a three-point spread with an over/under of 225 points.
High Usage Player that is Expected to see Big Minutes
The Rockets basically have the number one seed locked up, so they are going to start resting players regularly. For tonight’s game against the Bulls, they have already ruled out James Harden, Clint Capela, and Luc Mbah a Moute. This opens up a ton of minutes in the rotation and plenty of usage in the offense. Gerald Green is hands down my favorite value play of the slate. At minimum, he should play 25 minutes in an elite matchup against Chicago.
Denzel Valentine (knee) questionable Tuesday; Lauri Markkanen (back) probable
Valentine was previously considered doubtful to suit up for Tuesday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, but the swelling in his knee has improved and he’s “50-50” to play, according to head coach Fred Hoiberg, despite missing Monday’s practice. The Chicago Bulls are still without Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and Paul Zipser but appear on track to regain the services of Lauri Markkanen, who remains probable, after he participated in shootaround this morning. The return of Markkanen would displace Noah Vonleh from the starting lineup following a spot start where he exceeded salary-based expectations in 25 minutes of action. If Valentine is ruled out closer to tipoff, Markkanen, Bobby Portis, and Justin Holiday have the potential to be the largest beneficiaries, as each own at least a +3.2% usage rate differential with him, Dunn, Lavine, and Zipser off the court this season, while Portis leads the team by a wide margin with rates of 1.48 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.45 on FanDuel in a limited 48.3 minutes sample size.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson via Twitter Other tagged players: Lauri Markkanen Bam Adebayo (ankle sprain) ruled out Tuesday
Adebayo sustained a sprained ankle during Sunday’s loss and has officially been ruled out in advance of Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which should allow Kelly Olynyk the opportunity to start at center with Hassan Whiteside also still sidelined with a strained left hip flexor. Even if Olynyk continues to come off the bench, which is unlikely, he’s been stellar for the Miami Heat with Whiteside unavailable and has met or exceeded salary-based expectations in all but one of his last 12 games. Not only that, but Olynyk also trails only Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic with a 23.6% usage rate when Adebayo, Whiteside, and Dion Waiters have been off the court this season, and he leads the team with production rates of 1.19 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.16 on FanDuel in this scenario as well.
As reported by: Anthony Chiang via Twitter Beasting on the Glass
Jordan continues to dominate for the Clippers without Blake Griffin. He has grabbed double digit rebounds in every single game in March, and he is averaging 15.1 points and 17.5 rebounds per game. The matchup is also a great one against the Bucks. The last time these teams met, Jordan put up a double-double in the first quarter on his way to a 25 point, 22 rebound game. You can make a case for him as the top center on the board in this favorable matchup.
Top Play of the Night?
His injury appeared to be relatively minor all along, but the Rockets could afford to play it safe with him given their top spot in the Western Conference. CourtIQ tells us that Paul sees a 6.7% usage boost and scores 12 additional fantasy points per 36 minutes with Harden and Capela off the floor. As long as he doesn’t have any sort of minutes restriction, he is a lock and load play here.