DFS Alerts
Domantas Sabonis (ankle sprain) now ruled out Sunday
Sabonis was originally cleared to play in Sunday’s matchup with Miami Heat, but he tweaked his sprained left ankle during pregame warmups and will now miss his sixth consecutive games. Al Jefferson is coming off a DNP-CD in the Indiana Pacers previous game but figures to continue serving as the primary backup center in big lineup combinations, though he only averaged eight minutes over his last two contests with Myles Turner active. Thaddeus Young has logged at least 36 minutes in two of the last three games and figures to continue benefitting from the absence of Sabonis, making him a solid mid-range cash game option moving forward. Darren Collison returned to the Pacers starting lineup recently but has been a bit inconsistent from a daily fantasy perspective despite averaging 30 minutes per game over that span. However, his mere presence in the starting unit has had a significant impact on the fantasy value of Victor Oladipo, who has seen his usage rate drop to 28.3% and is averaging just 1.06 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.05 on FanDuel in his last 104.2 minutes played.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter
Trey Burke expected to start ahead of Emmanuel Mudiay on Sunday
Burke is expected to draw the start at point guard in Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards, which will send Emmanuel Mudiay to the bench to assume a reserve role after he was replaced by Burke to begin the second half of Friday’s loss, limiting him to just four minutes of action. With O’Quinn unavailable, the New York Knicks will be forced to rely upon Luke Kornet and Isaiah Hicks to absorb the backup minutes behind Enes Kanter at center, though neither should be expected to see a substantial increase in playing time since O’Quinn hasn’t logged more than 15 minutes in either of the last two games. As for Dotson, he’s been in and out of the lineup, so his absence won’t have much of an effect on the remaining wing and guard rotation. Lance Thomas still hasn’t rejoined the team and will miss his third consecutive game due to personal reasons. This should enable Michael Beasley and Courtney Lee to continue starting at power forward and the shooting guard position, respectively, though Beasley remains a volatile option despite averaging 30 minutes per start over the last two games
As reported by: Marc Berman via Twitter Other tagged players: Emmanuel Mudiay Marcus Morris (ankle sprain) ruled out Sunday; Jaylen Brown (concussion) probable
Morris will join Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, and Daniel Theis among the Boston Celtics’ inactives due to a sprained right ankle. However, the Celtics appear to have some reinforcements on the way with Jaylen Brown expected to make his return from a concussion for Sunday’s matchup with the Sacramento Kings, and he’ll likely reclaim his spot in the starting lineup from Morris, a move that will slide Jayson Tatum down to his normal small forward position. Irving underwent a procedure to remove a tension wire in his left knee and he’ll be sidelined for the next three-to-six weeks, which will allow Terry Rozier to continue starting at point guard and has averaged 33 minutes per game over his last four starts. Outside of Rozier, it’s been Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Greg Monroe that have benefited the most with the aforementioned players off the court, as each own at least a +4.8% usage rate differential, while Horford has seen the largest spike in usage and is averaging 1.31 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.32 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: the Boston Celtics via Twitter Other tagged players: Jaylen Brown Draymond Green (flu-like symptoms) ruled out Sunday
Green was initially cleared to return from a one-game absence due to a pelvic contusion, but he’s reportedly come down with an illness and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup with the Utah Jazz, joining Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson among the Warriors inactives. With Curry sidelined for at least three weeks, head coach Steve Kerr has already confirmed that Quinn Cook will start at point guard, and given his recent performances, should more than likely continue starting for the duration of Curry’s absence. The Golden State Warriors are poised to receive some reinforcements in the coming days with Green presumably close to returning and Kevin Durant targeting a return later in the week, possibly for Tuesday or Thursday’s contests. Outside of Cook, both Nick Young and Andre Iguodala have been the main beneficiaries with Curry, Durant, and Thompson off the court, as each own at least a +6.4% usage rate differential and experience a minimum of a +0.10 increase to their per minute production as well.
As reported by: Tim Roye via Twitter Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) will start Sunday
Antetokounmpo will return to the Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup for Sunday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs after going through a full practice on Saturday and receiving treatment on his ailing ankle. His presence will more than likely displace Jabari Parker from the starting power forward position following his disappointing performance in 30 minutes of action in Friday’s win. Interim head coach Joe Prunty has a bit of a rotating carousel at the starting shooting guard spot of late, and Sterling Brown was the latest receive the starting nod, but logged just seven minutes, and was well behind Brandon Jennings, Jason Terry, and Tony Snell in the rotation. In the Bucks only prior meeting with the Spurs this season, Antetokounmpo was able to overcome the difficult matchup and exceeded salary-based expectations by recording a 38.8% usage rate and producing 1.62 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.71 on FanDuel in that contest.
As reported by: the Milwaukee Bucks via Twitter Chris Paul (hamstring) ruled out Sunday; Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) remains out
Paul will miss his third consecutive game, as expected. Eric Gordon has typically started at the shooting guard spot when Paul has been sidelined and will start at shooting guard for the third time in as many games, which will slide James Harden over to the point and allow him to assume the role as the primary ballhandler and initiator of the offense. Gerald Green has averaged 27 minutes off the bench over that span, but it’s more likely that head coach Mike D’Antoni disperses any minutes Luc Mbah a Moute or Ryan Anderson would have played to Joe Johnson, Trevor Ariza, and P.J. Tucker than extend Green’s role in the rotation any further. Unsurprisingly, Harden has been the main beneficiary with Paul, Anderson and Mbah a Moute off the court this season, as he owns a +3.9% usage rate differential, equating to a 42.4% usage rate overall, and is averaging 1.64 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.60 on FanDuel in this scenario as well.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen via Twitter Other tagged players: Luc Mbah a Moute Jeff Green (illness) ruled out Sunday
Green is battling an illness and he’ll join Kyle Korver and Cedi Osman among the Cleveland Cavaliers’ inactives for Sunday’s matinee matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, and in his absence, Larry Nance will draw the start at power forward alongside Kevin Love and LeBron James in the frontcourt. Green exited Friday’s win early, allowing Nance to enter the starting lineup and log 22 minutes en route to a solid fantasy performance on a per minute basis. Rodney Hood and Tristan Thompson also had their playing time monitored by interim head coach Larry Drew in that contest, but they’re expected to have their minutes increased, along with Nance’s, this afternoon. Love has seen 29 minutes in two straight games, and he currently leads the Cavaliers with a +5.3% usage rate differential with Green, Korver, and Osman off the court, while averaging 1.41 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.34 on FanDuel in a 52.6 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Fred McLeod via Twitter Kyle O'Quinn (hip) and Damyean Dotson (foot) ruled out Sunday
With O’Quinn unavailable, the New York Knicks will be forced to rely upon Luke Kornet and Isaiah Hicks to absorb the backup minutes behind Enes Kanter at center, though neither should be expected to see a substantial increase in playing time since O’Quinn hasn’t logged more than 15 minutes in either of the last two games. As for Dotson, he’s been in and out of the lineup, so his absence won’t have much of an effect on the remaining wing and guard rotation. Lance Thomas still hasn’t rejoined the team and will miss his third consecutive game due to personal reasons. This will enable Michael Beasley and Courtney Lee to continue starting at power forward and the shooting guard position, respectively, though Beasley remains a volatile option despite averaging 30 minutes per start over the last two games. Emmanuel Mudiay was benched in favor of Trey Burke in the second half of Friday’s loss, but there’s yet to be any indication from head coach Jeff Hornacek or the team whether they plan to utilize this lineup combination moving forward.
As reported by: NY_KnicksPR via Twitter Other tagged players: Damyean Dotson All-Star Guard Looks to Keep Carrying Team
The Wizards finally get a break tonight, playing the Knicks after eleven straight games against teams battling for playoff positioning. John Wall is still out with an injury, making Bradley Beal the main focus on offense. Over his last ten games, Beal has averaged 36 FanDuel points and 38 DraftKings points, and tonight Beal takes on a Knicks team that ranks 19th in the league allowing 107.7 points per game. The last time these teams met, Beal scored 36 points with 7 assists and 5 rebounds, and with the Wizards still looking to improve their position in the East, Beal should be firing on all cylinders tonight in DC.
Former All-Star at Season-Low Price
Carmelo Anthony was destined for a decrease in production when he joined Oklahoma City this year after years of being the focal point of his team’s offense, and he is indeed averaging a career-low in points, assists, and near a career low in rebounds. FanDuel and DraftKings have finally dropped his price to a season-low $5000 on FanDuel (down from a high of $8000) and $5300 on DraftKings, and Anthony may finally be at level where he is a good value with upside. In the month of March he is averaging almost 24 FanDuel points per game, with two games over 30 points, so if he can return anywhere close to form he could be a GPP-winning bargain tonight against Portland.
Guard Looks to Continue Hot Play Against Former Team
AnalysisTrey Burke has seen his minutes increase in each of the Knicks’ last three games, averaging over 25 minutes in that span. He is also coming off one of his best games of the month, scoring 15 points and dishing out 9 assists in Friday’s game against Minnesota, and tonight he gets a revenge game match-up against the team that he had a rocky relationship with last season, the Washington Wizards. Despite the increase in production, Burke is still only $4500 on FanDuel and $4900 on DraftKings, so he should have no problem exceeding value if he continues his recent increase in minutes and production.
Dirk Nowitzki (knee tendinitis) available to play Saturday
Nowitzki is available to play in Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets and appears on track to start at his normal power forward position, as no potential limitations have yet to be reported at this time. Nerlens Noel is coming off of a DNP-CD in the Mavericks last game, while Salah Mejri logged 18 minutes off the bench, and this may become the norm when the Dallas Mavericks are at full strength as Carlisle has hinted that he may alternate who receives the backup center minutes moving forward. Dennis Smith Jr. is also set to make his return to the starting lineup following a two-game absence due to a sprained left ankle, and prior to the injury, he had recorded at least 30 minutes in seven consecutive games. Smith Jr. also leads the Mavericks with a 30.9% usage rate with Wesley Matthews off the court this season and is averaging 1.07 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.05 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Brad Townsend via Twitter Nicolas Batum (sore Achilles) officially ruled out Saturday
Batum will miss his fourth consecutive game and joins Cody Zeller among the Charlotte Hornets’ inactives for Saturday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, which will allow Jeremy Lamb to continue starting at the shooting guard spot, and prior to Thursday’s laughable blowout win over the Memphis Grizzlies, he was averaging 31 minutes per start in Batum’s absence. Dwight Howard is set to make his return to the starting lineup following a one-game hiatus due to a league-mandated suspension for picking up his 16th technical foul, and he’ll send Guillermo Hernangomez back to the bench to reassume the backup center role vacated by Zeller after logging 18 minutes in his spot start and smashing his salary-based expectations. Howard also leads the Hornets with a +2.5% usage rate differential with Batum and Zeller off the court this season and is averaging 1.24 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.22 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Paul Zipser (foot pain) will play Saturday
Zipser missed Friday’s loss due to left foot pain but has officially been cleared to play Saturday’s second leg of a back-to-back set. Noah Vonleh has already been confirmed as the Chicago Bulls starting power forward in tonight’s contest, so Zipser will be relegated to a reserve role even if he isn’t subject to a minute restriction. Robin Lopez has continued to rack up DNP-CDs, but head coach Fred Hoiberg hinted that he could return to the rotation, and he’ll start and likely play only the first quarter as he’s done in each of the last four games he’s played. Denzel Valentine has been fantastic in the starting lineup when Chicago manages to keep games competitive, and he owns a +4.9 usage rate differential with LaVine, Dunn, Markkanen, and Antonio Blakeney off the court this season and is averaging 1.01 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.00 on FanDuel in this scenario as well.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson via Twitter Nikola Mirotic (hip flexor) ruled out Saturday
With Mirotic officially unavailable, Cheick Diallo, Darius Miller, and Emeka Okafor will all likely benefit from a playing time standpoint to help fill the minute void in the frontcourt in his absence. The last time Rajon Rondo was unavailable, DeAndre Liggins drew the start alongside E’Twaun Moore on the wing and logged 20 minutes, though he’ll have some competition for that role with Solomon Hill starting at small forward when Jrue Holiday was rested earlier in the week. Hill has played just three games since returning from a torn hamstring, so he’s yet to play more than 12 minutes in any contest that he’s been active, which likely keeps Liggins in the rotation even if he doesn’t start. Unsurprisingly, Holiday has been the main beneficiary with Rondo and Mirotic off the court this season, as he owns a +8.7% usage rate differential and is averaging 1.35 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.36 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Will Guillory via Twitter