DFS Alerts
Kevin Durant (foot) will play Saturday; Patrick McCaw (back) ruled out
Durant has officially been cleared to play and will suit up for tonight’s game against the Boston Celtics after previously being listed as probable on the Golden State Warriors’ injury report with a sore left foot, while Patrick McCaw will miss his second consecutive game due to a strained back, despite originally being expected to play in Saturday’s contest. When asked about Durant’s availability during his pregame media availability, head coach Steve Kerr stated that he wasn’t even aware Durant had been included on the injury report, so it’s safe to assume he’ll be a full go this evening. In McCaw’s absence, Omri Casspi will likely remain in the rotation in a limited fashion, while Nick Young and Shaun Livingston should be expected to absorb any additional minutes that McCaw would have seen. That said, given his sporadic role in the second unit, none of Casspi, Young, or Livingston are likely to receive a quantifiable boost to their projected fantasy value on Saturday’s slate.
As reported by: Mark Medina via Twitter Other tagged players: Patrick McCaw
Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder strain) ruled out Saturday
Carter-Williams has officially been ruled out and won’t play in tonight’s game against the Miami Heat after previously being listed as questionable on the Charlotte Hornets’ injury report with a strained left shoulder. Carter-Williams has served as the primary backup point guard behind Kemba Walker and typically logs minutes in the mid-to-high-teens off the bench in his reserve role, so there obviously won’t be a plethora of playing time to go around in the backcourt with him unavailable. It will, however, allow Malik Monk to step into a much larger role with the second unit after playing five minutes or fewer in five of his last seven games. That said, Carter-Williams hasn’t been relevant for daily fantasy formats all season when Walker is healthy, so that shouldn’t be expected to change all of a sudden with Monk manning the second unit in Carter-Williams’ absence.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Tyler Johnson (ankle sprain) will play Saturday
Johnson has officially been cleared to play and will suit up for tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after originally being listed as questionable on the Miami Heat’s injury report with a sprained left ankle that had forced him to miss five consecutive games. His return will likely relegate Derrick Jones Jr. back to the bench to resume a reserve role, and likely a nominal one, at best, with Wayne Ellington performing extremely well as the primary guard off the bench with Dion Waiters out for the remainder of the season. However, head coach Erik Spoelstra declined to confirm during his pregame media availability whether Johnson would start or come off the bench this evening. There’s been no reported minute restriction for Johnson, but given the nature of his injury, it’s unlikely he sees a full minute allotment right out of the gates. The player that continues to benefit the most with Waiters sidelined is Goran Dragic, as he owns a +2.5% usage rate differential with him off the court, equating to a 30.7% usage rate overall in this scenario, and has averaged 1.07 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.03 on FanDuel as well.
As reported by: Tom D'Angelo via Twitter Myles Turner (elbow) will play off the bench Saturday; T.J. Leaf (ankle) ruled out
Turner has been cleared to play and will suit up for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic after previously being listed as questionable on the Indiana Pacers’ injury report with a sprained right elbow ligament that had forced him to miss nine consecutive games, while T.J. Leaf will remain sidelined for the second straight game due to a sprained right ankle but has logged just 16 minutes total over his last three games. Turner won’t be subject to a minute restriction in his return to action, but he will come off the bench, meaning that Domantas Sabonis will continue to start at the center spot for at least one additional game and possibly on a permanent basis moving forward. Bogdan Bogdanovic has actually been the largest beneficiary of the Pacers current starting lineup sans Turner, as he owns a +2.5% usage rate differential when they’re on the floor together, and he has also seen his per minute production spike to 0.80 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 0.78 on FanDuel.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter Other tagged players: TJ Leaf Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) and D'Angelo Russell (rest) ruled out Saturday
Hollis-Jefferson has been added to the Brooklyn Nets’ injury report and won’t play in tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a strained right groin he sustained during the first half of Friday’s loss, while D’Angelo Russell has also been ruled out on the second night of a back-to-back set for planned rest as part of his return from injury management. Joe Harris ended up replacing Hollis-Jefferson to begin the second half on Friday, sliding DeMarre Carroll down to power forward to guard Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that starting lineup combination may not be possible in a matchup against the frontcourt duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Taj Gibson, leaving open the possibility that either Quincy Acy or Jarrett Allen could start at power forward. With Hollis-Jefferson and Russell off the court this season, Spencer Dinwiddie has been a clear beneficiary from a usage standpoint, as he owns a +7.4% usage rate differential, equating to a 31.1% rate overall, and has averaged 0.98 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 0.94 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Alex Labidou via Twitter Other tagged players: D'Angelo Russell Jimmy Butler (sore knee) a game-time decision Saturday
Butler participated in shootaround this morning and will be a game-time decision for tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets due to a sore right knee that has already forced him to miss four consecutive games. Butler reportedly feels good and is “close”, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau, but he will still go through pregame warmups before an official decision is made on his status for Saturday’s contest. Butler appears likelier to play than not this evening, and his potential return would displace Nemanja Bjelica from the starting lineup after logging 34 minutes or more in three of his four starts at small forward in Butler’s place. It would also slide Andrew Wiggins back over to his normal three-spot in the starting unit, and he is the player most affected by the return of Butler, as he sees his usage rate plummet to 23.4% with him on the court this season and has only averaged 0.80 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Jon Krawczynski via Twitter Consider This Small Forward
Barton has recently moved into the starting lineup and replaced Wilson Chandler. He has been in a mini-slump, shooting a combined 7-for-27 over his last three games. As a result, he’s failed to top 25 DraftKings points in any of them, but he’s still accumulating peripheral stats to save his fantasy owners. Barton is averaging 31 minutes per game and nearly a fantasy point per minute, so I’m willing to lock that into my cash games.
John Wall (sore knee) ruled out Saturday
Wall is a new addition to the Washington Wizards’ injury report and has officially been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks due to a sore left knee. In his absence, Tomas Satoransky will draw the start at point guard as he’s done most of the time when Wall has been unavailable this season. Satoransky is a low usage player, even with Wall off the court, and he relies mostly on peripheral statistics to meet and exceed salary-based expectations, so while his ceiling appears to be too low for tournament formats, he could be worth a look in cash games if in need of some salary savings at the point guard position. Unsurprisingly, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter have been the main beneficiaries of Wall’s absence among members of the starting lineup, as each own at least a +4.4% usage rate differential, and Beal also leads the way with rates of 1.11 fantasy points minute on DraftKings and 1.08 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Candace Buckner via Twitter Rookie On A Heater
There is a lot of value at guard tonight, but Dennis Smith Jr. has one of the better matchups and situations. Devin Harris has been ruled out for Saturday’s game with a personal issue, meaning guard duties will be split up between DSJ, Wesley Matthews, J.J. Barea and Yogi Ferrell. There are also times when the Mavericks will go small and play three guards. As the starter, Dennis Smith Jr. is my favorite of the bunch. He recently dropped 35 DraftKings points on the road against the Nuggets in this exact same spot. The Nuggets rank 27th in DvP against opposing point guards so this is a matchup he can exploit.
Tyler Johnson (ankle sprain) expected to play Saturday
Johnson will warm up will the expectation of playing in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, according to head coach Erik Spoelstra, after previously being listed as questionable on the Miami Heat’s injury report with a sprained left ankle that has forced him to miss five consecutive games. His likely return will relegate Derrick Jones Jr. back to the bench to resume a reserve role, and likely a nominal one, at best, with Wayne Ellington performing extremely well as the primary guard off the bench with Dion Waiters out for the remainder of the season. There’s been no reported minute restriction for Johnson as of yet, but given the nature of his injury, it’s unlikely he sees a full minute allotment right out of the gates. The player that continues to benefit the most with Waiters sidelined is Goran Dragic, as he owns a +2.5% usage rate differential with him off the court, equating to a 30.7% usage rate overall in this scenario, and has averaged 1.07 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.03 on FanDuel as well.
As reported by: Tom D'Angelo via Twitter Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder strain) questionable Saturday
Carter-Williams has officially been listed as questionable on the Charlotte Hornets’ injury report for tonight’s game against the Miami Heat due to a strained left shoulder. Carter-Williams has served as the primary backup point guard behind Kemba Walker and typically logs minutes in the mid-to-high-teens off the bench in his reserve role, so there obviously wouldn’t be a plethora of playing time to go around in the backcourt. It would, however, allow Malik Monk to step into a much larger role with the second unit after playing five minutes or fewer in five of his last seven games played. That said, Carter-Williams hasn’t been relevant for daily fantasy formats all season when Walker is healthy, so that shouldn’t be expected to change with Monk manning the second unit in Carter-Williams potential absence.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Jerryd Bayless (sore wrist) remains out Friday
Bayless has been ruled out and won’t play in tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs after previously being listed as questionable in the latest version of the Philadelphia 76ers’ game notes with a sore left wrist that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games. Bayless is reportedly targeting Monday’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks as a possible return date, which unofficially rules him out of Sunday’s contest as well, barring any significant improvements in his condition. The Sixers are still without J.J. Redick, and Markelle Fultz, leaving them relatively thin at the guard positions, and in their absences, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will draw the start at the shooting guard spot once again and should continue to log minutes in the upper-20s to low-30s given the Sixers current lack of guard depth. This makes Luwawu-Cabarrot a fine tournament option on Friday’s slate and the remaining reserve wing and guard minutes will be absorbed by Justin Anderson and possibly James Young.
As reported by: Keith Pompey via Twitter Kyle O'Quinn (calf contusion) will play Friday
O’Quinn has been cleared to play and will suit up for tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns after previously being listed as probable on the New York Knicks’ injury report with a left calf contusion that had forced him to miss two consecutive games. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. will play and likely start, as expected, following a one-game absence due to rest purposes on the front end of a back-to-back set that concludes on Friday evening. O’Quinn is likely to resume his normal role that can range anywhere from 12-24 minutes depending on the matchup and head coach Jeff Hornacek’s rotation on that particular night. That said, his presence in the lineup will almost certainly cause Guillermo Hernangomez to receive a DNP-CD after averaging 16 minutes per game with O’Quinn sidelined.
As reported by: Gerald Bourguet via Twitter T.J. Warren (knee) and Marquese Chriss (hip, eye) will start Friday; Alex Len (ankle) ruled out
Warren has officially been cleared to play and will start in tonight’s game against the New York Knicks after previously being listed as questionable on the Phoenix Suns’ injury report with a left knee contusion. Meanwhile, Marquese Chriss will also start following his earlier probable designation on the injury report due to a strained right hip and an eye injury that had forced him to miss six consecutive games, and Alex Len will remain sidelined for the second straight game with a sore right ankle. Warren and Chriss will displace Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender from the starting small forward and forward positions, respectively, but interim head coach Jay Triano has also opted to insert Troy Daniels into the starting lineup at shooting guard, a move that sends Tyler Ulis to the bench to assume a reserve role while Devin Booker will handle the point guard responsibilities for at least the time being. Given this news, Booker’s tournament appeal is on the rise, as he already leads the Suns with a 36.7% usage rate with Len off the court this season and figures to see that number increase with the ball in his hands more often on the offense end of the floor.
As reported by: the Phoenix Suns via Twitter We're excited to announce we'll be doing post-lock alerts and projection edits starting tonight! You can now expect the same quality and reliability for NBA late games as you can the main slate!
We know a lot of you have been asking for post-lock alerts and projection edits, and from tonight going forward, we’ll be providing that content! You can now expect the same quality post-lock as you can in the hours leading up to lock!
