DFS Alerts
Veteran PG Looks to Stay Hot Tonight in Road Game
While it’s not clear if Rondo’s games against Dallas still count as revenge games, there is no doubt that the Pelicans Point Guard has averaged 1.17 fantasy points per minute with DeMarcus Cousins off the court this season, a 17% increase over his regular 1.0 FP/M mark. The sites have been slow to adjust their pricing on Rondo, with little change in salary on DraftKings ($5,800) or FanDuel ($6,400) despite averaging over 37 FD points and almost 40 DK points over his last three games. Tonight New Orleans is a slight favorite on the road against a Dallas team playing for little more than ping pong balls, making Rondo an appealing target in GPPs.
Superstar Player Available at Season Low Price Tonight at Home
Philadelphia hasn’t been able to defend Giannis in their recent match-ups, with the Milwaukee star averaging almost 56 DK points over his last three games against the 76ers. Tonight Giannis gets the benefit of playing at home, where he averages about two more points, a half block, and more assists with less turnovers than his road averages. He’s also priced at a bit of a discount, down to only $10,000 on DraftKings (his lowest salary of the season) and $11,000 on FanDuel, making it possible to fit in Antetokounmpo along with another star player for GPPs.
Willie Cauley-Stein (back strain) remains out Sunday
Cauley-Stein has officially been ruled out and won’t play in Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks due to a strained lower back that has now forced him to miss both games of the Sacramento Kings’ current back-to-back set. Cauley-Stein had been logging significantly more playing time in head coach Dave Joerger’s rotation since the All-Star break and has played less than 30 minutes just once in his last five games, which opens up a significant minute void that will need to be filled by the remaining members of the frontcourt rotation. Zach Randolph was the victim of a DNP-CD in two of the last four games, as the Kings have opted to alternate rest games for their veteran players to maximize development opportunities for their young core, and either he or Kosta Koufos could be rested on the second leg of the aforementioned back-to-back set even with the Kings shorthanded. Additionally, Skal Labissiere put together another solid fantasy performance in 28 minutes of action last night and should continue to be allotted more playing time than Randolph and Koufos even if he doesn’t draw the start Sunday evening.
As reported by: James Ham via Twitter
Tyson Chandler (sore neck) will start Sunday
Chandler has officially been cleared to play and will start in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks despite previously being listed as doubtful on the Phoenix Suns’ injury report with a lingering neck issue that had forced him to miss six consecutive games. His return to the starting lineup will send Alex Len back to the bench to resume his normal reserve role where he was averaging minutes in the mid-teens prior to Chandler’s most recent injury stint. It would also be far from surprising to see the minutes of Dragan Bender begin returning to their normal levels after averaging 35 minutes over the Suns last two games. That said, Bender has rarely flashed tournament upside even with Chandler sidelined, so he should not be on the general radar for daily fantasy formats on most slates given his low usage rate and low per minute production.
As reported by: Scott Bordow via Twitter Kent Bazemore (rest) ruled out Sunday
Bazemore is a late addition to the Atlanta Hawks’ injury report and has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Suns due to a planned maintenance day. Bazemore was never given an injury designation prior to news of his unavailability, but in his absence, Tyler Dorsey will draw the start at the shooting guard spot this afternoon. Other than Friday’s contest where Dorsey logged just seven minutes, he’s been typically seeing playing time in the low-20s, so he’ll be a viable salary-saving option for all daily fantasy formats on Sunday’s early slate, despite averaging just 0.68 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 0.67 on FanDuel with Bazemore off the court since the All-Star break. On the other hand, in a minuscule sample size, Dennis Schroder owns a massive +12.2% usage rate differential in the aforementioned scenario and has averaged 1.61 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.60 on FanDuel, making him a stellar tournament target if he’s able to even replicate half of those usage and production differentials.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Emeka Okafor (ankle sprain) questionable Sunday
Okafor has officially been downgraded to questionable on the New Orleans Pelicans’ injury report for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks after previously being listed as probable on the injury report with a sprained right ankle he sustained during Wednesday’s win. Nikola Mirotic replaced him in the starting lineup to start the second half of that contest, so if Okafor is eventually ruled out closer to tipoff, Mirotic would almost certainly return to the starting lineup at power forward alongside Anthony Davis after Okafor started the last seven games at center. Ever since DeMarcus Cousins suffered a torn Achilles injury, Anthony Davis has recorded a 36.1% usage rate and has averaged 1.64 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.71 fantasy points on FanDuel, keeping him in consideration as an elite option for all daily fantasy formats on most nights moving forward.
As reported by: Pelicans PR via Twitter Willie Cauley-Stein (back strain) officially ruled out Saturday
Cauley-Stein has officially been ruled out and won’t play in Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz after previously being listed as doubtful on the Sacramento Kings’ injury report with a strained lower back. Cauley-Stein has been logging significantly more playing time in head coach Dave Joerger’s rotation since the All-Star break and has played less than 30 minutes just once in the last five games, which opens up a significant minute void that will need to be filled by the remaining members of the frontcourt rotation. Zach Randolph was the victim of a DNP-CD in two of the last three games, as the Kings have opted to alternate rest games for their veteran players to maximize development opportunities for their young core, but Randolph will almost certainly play and likely start with Cauley-Stein now officially unavailable. Additionally, Skal Labissiere put together a solid fantasy performance in 30 minutes of action his last time out and should end up starting his second consecutive game alongside Randolph in the frontcourt, though he’ll still be allotted more playing time Kosta Koufos even if he doesn’t draw the start Saturday evening.
As reported by: Sean Cunningham via Twitter Maurice Harkless (patella tendon strain) ruled out Saturday
Harkless has officially been ruled out and won’t play in Saturday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after previously being listed as questionable on the Portland Trail Blazers’ injury report with a strained left patella tendon he sustained during the first half of Thursday’s win. Directly after the game, head coach Terry Stotts stated that the team currently has no timetable for Harkless’ return to the lineup, hinting at the likelihood of a multiple-game absence. Evan Turner ended up starting the second half of that contest at small forward and logged 21 minutes in relief, making him the leading candidate to draw the start in place of Harkless this evening as well. Shabazz Napier has also been an indirect beneficiary when either Harkless or Turner have been sidelined, and he recorded 27 minutes on Thursday, setting him up as an intriguing tournament option on Saturday’s late slates.
As reported by: Jay Allen via Twitter James Johnson and Luke Babbitt will start Saturday; Justise Winslow to the bench
Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington were officially been ruled out and won’t play in Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons after originally being listed as doubtful on the Miami Heat’s injury report with their respective left quad contusions that have now forced them to miss two consecutive games. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo is currently not with the team while he deals with a personal matter but, according to head coach Erik Spoelstra, is only expected to be sidelined for one game. Spoelstra previously confirmed that Kelly Olynyk will come off the bench to serve as the primary reserve at center and power forward, but he was noncommittal on who would actually start alongside Hassan Whiteside in the frontcourt until the announcement that James Johnson and Luke Babbitt will start the forward positions, a move that will send Justise Winslow to the bench and slide Josh Richardson over to the shooting guard spot. Even in his normal bench role, Dwyane Wade may set up as an intriguing tournament option on Saturday’s slate, as he owns a massive 39.2% usage rate with Johnson and Ellington off the court, albeit, in an extremely limited sample size, but it does indicate his high probability of seeing increased usage when on the floor and he should continue to be locked into minutes in the mid-20s regardless of lineup combinations.
As reported by: Anthony Chiang via Twitter Other tagged players: Luke Babbitt JaMychal Green (illness) and Chandler Parsons (illness) will play Saturday; Wayne Selden (knee) ruled out
Green has officially been cleared to play and will suit up for Saturday’s game against the Orlando Magic after previously being listed as questionable on the Memphis Grizzlies’ injury report with an illness that had forced him to miss one game, while Chandler Parsons is available to play following his most recent five-game absence due to an illness. Additionally, Wayne Selden has been ruled out and will join the other notable Grizzlies inactives, including Tyreke Evans, Andrew Harrison, Marc Gasol, and Deyonta Davis, for tonight’s contest. Given the current lack of depth, both Green and Jarell Martin should be locked into a significant playing time as the starting frontcourt duo and Martin has logged less than 32 minutes just once in the last four games. Selden was limited to just 10 minutes in his return from an extended injury absence on Friday, and his restriction allowed Mario Chalmers, Ben McLemore, and Myke Henry all to step into more extensive roles in the backcourt and wing rotations that should be able to maintain in his absence this evening.
As reported by: Rob Fischer via Twitter Other tagged players: Chandler Parsons, Wayne Selden Jeff Green (sore back) ruled out Saturday
Green is a late addition to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ injury report and has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets due to lower back soreness that has now forced him to miss two of the last three games. Meanwhile, J.R. Smith will return to the starting lineup at the shooting guard position following his one-game suspension stemming from an altercation with a Cavaliers assistant coach. Green has logged at least 15 minutes in all six games since George Hill, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance made their Cavaliers debuts following the trade deadline. So, in his absence, Hood, Nance, Cedi Osman, and possibly even Kyle Korver will be in line for more playing time with head coach Tyronn Lue more likely to keep his rotation at nine players than give the run to non-rotation players. Even with extra minutes for members of the forward and wing rotations, the unavailability of Green is unlikely to equate to increased value in daily fantasy formats for one individual Cleveland player.
As reported by: Marla Ridenour via Twitter Carmelo Anthony (rest) ruled out Saturday
Anthony is a new addition to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s injury report and has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to planned rest. There’s yet to be any confirmation on who will replace him in the starting lineup, but Patrick Patterson appears to still be the leading candidate and has started at power forward in both of the games Anthony has missed this season. The absence of Anthony should also clear the way for Corey Brewer to log significant minutes in his Thunder debut without siphoning away playing time from Josh Huestis, Alex Abrines, and Terrance Ferguson on the wing. With Anthony and Andre Roberson off the court this season, Paul George has been the clear beneficiary, as he owns a sizable +8.1% usage rate differential and has seen his production spike to 1.28 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.27 on FanDuel in a solid sample size of this scenario as well.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Andrew Harrison (wrist), Tyreke Evans (rib), and Deyonta Davis (ankle) ruled out Saturday; JaMychal Green (illness) and Wayne Selden (knee) questionable; Chandler Parsons (illness) probable
Harrison, Evans, and Davis have all been added to the Memphis Grizzlies’ injury and won’t play in Saturday’s game against the Orlando Magic due to their respective ailments, though Davis was the only one to suit up for the first game of the back-to-back set on Friday evening. Meanwhile, JaMychal Green and Wayne Selden are listed as questionable, and Chandler Parsons is still dealing with an illness but has been upgraded to probable on the injury report. Unfortunately, the optimal way to attack this injury situation in daily fantasy formats is still up in the air, as it largely depends on the status of Green and Selden, but either way, Jarell Martin should be locked into a significant playing time as a starter and has logged less than 32 minutes just once in the last four games. Selden was limited to just 10 minutes in his return from an extended injury absence on Friday, and his restriction allowed Mario Chalmers, Ben McLemore, and Myke Henry all to step into more extensive roles in the backcourt and wing rotations.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Tyreke Evans, Deyonta Davis , JaMychal Green, Wayne Selden, Chandler Parsons High-Scoring Guard Looks to Stay Hot Against Poor Defensive Team Tonight
Barton has been putting up big numbers since the All-Star Break, averaging over 38 FD points per game, but he’s still available for the same $7700 price tag on FanDuel that he cost before the Break, and is only $7300 on DraftKings as well. Tonight he matches up against a Cleveland team that has had defensive difficulties all season and has still allowed over 112 points per game since turning over their team at the trade deadline. This game has the highest point total of the night at 228 – a full nine points higher than any other game – and Barton should rack up the points tonight if Denver hopes to keep pace with Cleveland.
Long-Shooting Big Man Looks to Rebound Tonight
Olynyk drew the start on Thursday and promptly put up a major dud, going scoreless with only three rebounds and two assists in 13 minutes. That game has created a price drop on both FanDuel ($4100) and DraftKings ($4400), a $400 decrease on both sites. We can now get Olynyk for less money against a Pistons team that he has excelled against in the past, averaging over 29.5 FD points against Detroit over the past three games. Miami could use Olynyk at Center, as his long range shooting could draw Andre Drummond out of the paint, or at Power Forward paired with another of Miami’s big men. His minutes could be up in the air so I prefer Olynyk in GPPs tonight, but he could put up a big score at a low price.