DFS Alerts
Kyle Kuzma (quad contusion) expected to play Friday
Kuzma is expected to play, barring any unforeseen changes to his status, in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after previously being listed as questionable on the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury report with a right quad contusion he sustained during Wednesday’s loss. However, the Lakers will still be without Lonzo Ball and Brook Lopez Friday night, so Jordan Clarkson and Andrew Bogut will likely remain in the starting lineup in their place, though Bogut has yet to play more than 17 minutes in any of his starts and the majority of the frontcourt minutes are being absorbed by Kuzma, Julius Randle, and Larry Nance on a nightly basis. If for some reason Kuzma suffers a setback and is unable to give it a go, then Randle and Nance would likely see substantial increases in their playing time. Randle’s minutes can be volatile with Kuzma active, but, with Ball and Lopez off the court this season, both he and Clarkson own at least a +2.2% usage rate differential and lead the way in terms of overall usage and per minute fantasy production, as each average over a fantasy point per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: Ohm Youngmisuk via Twitter
Andre Iguodala (sore knee) probable Friday
Iguodala has been added to the Golden State Warriors’ injury report and has been listed as probable for tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets due to a sore left knee, while Omri Casspi was previously ruled out with a sprained right ankle he sustained during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s win and forced him to miss Thursday’s practice. The absence of Casspi won’t have much of an impact on the remainder of the frontcourt rotation and will likely just allot Kevon Looney and a few of the other ancillary rotation pieces some extended run. The Warriors will still be without Stephen Curry for at least one additional game, as the former MVP is targeting a return for Saturday’s contest, so Kevin Durant and Draymond Green will be cemented as elite options in his absence, and Durant continues to lead the team with a 35.7% usage rate and an average of 1.53 fantasy points per minute over the 10-game span Curry has been sidelined.
As reported by: Connor Letourneau via Twitter Pace-Up Spot for this Guard
The Kings average the fewest points per game of any team in basketball (96.9 points) this season, yet they have an implied total of 106 points tonight against the Suns. This is a massive boost for the entire Kings’ offense, and George Hill is probably my favorite target from the team. I like Hill to eclipse 35 fantasy points in this plus matchup against Phoenix.
Omri Casspi (ankle sprain) ruled out Friday
Casspi has been ruled out and won’t play in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after previously being listed as questionable on the Golden State Warriors’ injury report with a sprained right ankle he sustained during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s win and forced him to miss Thursday’s practice. The absence of Casspi won’t have much of an impact on the remainder of the frontcourt rotation and will likely just allot Kevon Looney and a few of the other ancillary rotation pieces some extended run. The Warriors will still be without Stephen Curry for at least one additional game, as the former MVP is targeting a return for Saturday’s contest, so Kevin Durant and Draymond Green will continue to be elite options in his absence, and Durant continues to lead the team with a 35.7% usage rate and an average of 1.53 fantasy points per minute over the 10-game span Curry has been sidelined.
As reported by: Mark Medina via Twitter Good Matchup, Great Upside
Daily fantasy players who choose to spend up for a player today will likely consider James Harden and Russell Westbrook first, and those two are certainly solid plays. However, I am leaning toward Cousins as my favorite spend of the day. The Pelicans’ bigs have a great matchup against the Mavericks tonight, as the Mavericks have struggled for the last few years on the glass. They rank 29th in the league with a -4.5 rebounding differential this season, and that’s not good news when you have to go up against Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. I’ll generally side with Cousins over Davis because of Davis’ injury history, especially when the price tags aren’t that much difference. Cousins also has a bit of a higher ceiling these days, making him the logical choice in both cash games and tournaments. As long as this game stays close, Cousins should smash. A matchup against a Dallas team that is weak on the interior also means it’s less likely that he gets into foul trouble. There’s a lot to like about Cousins in this spot.
Ride the Hot Streak
I’ve been riding the Carmelo Anthony resurgence for each of the last few games. I was already high on him heading into tonight’s slate and will be doubling my exposure now that Paul George is out. Anthony has scored at least 26 fantasy points in five straight games, his salary is down across the industry, and he should see increased usage in tonight’s game against the Bucks. Anthony doesn’t offer a ton when it comes to peripheral statistics, but the minutes and shot volume will both be high tonight.
Paul George (sore knee) ruled out Friday
George has been added to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s injury report and has been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to left knee soreness. This will be the third time that George has missed a game this season, and Alex Abrines was the one that replaced him in the starting lineup on the previous two occasions, making him the leading candidate to draw the start this evening. In those spot starts he averaged just over 34 minutes per game but was extremely volatile in his fantasy production, relegating him to a tournament-only option on Friday’s slate. Andre Roberson also averaged nearly 37 minutes in those games and appears to be in line for a heavy minute workload once again, as he’ll be tasked with the assignment of trying to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo on the defensive end of the floor. Coming as no surprise, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony have been the main beneficiaries with George off the court this season and each own at least a +6.4% usage rate differential, while Westbrook leads the Thunder by a wide margin with a 46.2% usage rate and a rate of 1.59 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.54 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Royce Young via Twitter Mike Scott (personal) ruled out Friday
Scott has been added to the Washington Wizards’ injury report for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets and has been ruled out due to personal reasons. Scott has settled into a consistent role of high-teens or low-20s minutes off the bench, so his absence will definitely have an impact on the remaining frontcourt rotation this evening. The Rockets will be without Clint Capela on Friday once again and are on the second leg of a back-to-back set, making it extremely likely that Nene has his minutes limited. This means that this matchup has a high likelihood of going small for extended stretches, which would be a nice bump to the projected fantasy value of Kelly Oubre since he typically mans the small forward position alongside either Otto Porter or Markieff Morris in the frontcourt. Additionally, Jason Smith should see an increased role off the bench as the primary backup power forward behind Morris, though he’s unlikely to log enough playing time to become relevant in daily fantasy formats.
As reported by: Chase Hughes via Twitter Chris Paul (adductor strain) questionable Friday
Paul has officially been listed as questionable on the Houston Rockets’ injury report for tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards due to a strained left adductor that has already forced him to miss three consecutive games. It does appear that Paul is nearing a return to the lineup, as head coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters that, if he doesn’t suit up Friday, he will play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. The Rockets are still without key rotational pieces in Clint Capela and Luc Mbah a Moute, meaning Nene will remain in the starting lineup alongside Ryan Anderson and Trevor Ariza in the frontcourt. However, Nene’s minutes will likely be capped on the second leg of a back-to-back, limiting his appeal in daily fantasy formats and increases the likelihood of this matchup going small for extended stretches. If Paul is ruled out, Eric Gordon will make his fourth start in as many games at the two spot and has averaged nearly 39 minutes of playing time over the last three games, keeping him in play as an elite option for all formats on Friday’s slate. In fact, with Paul and Capela off the court this season, Gordon trails only James Harden for the team lead with a 30.0% usage rate. That said, Harden would be a fine option himself and owns a +4.7% usage rate differential in this scenario, while averaging a lofty 1.76 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.66 on FanDuel.
As reported by: Tim MacMahon via Twitter Chip on his Shoulder
James Harden was called for not one, but two offensive fouls in the last ten seconds of last night’s loss to the Celtics. He complained about the officiating in his post-game interview and will be highly motivated tonight. Chris Paul is questionable and since the Rockets’ next game isn’t until Sunday, don’t be surprised if they decide to give him a couple extra days. Harden has the top overall projection on the board, he should play close to 40 minutes, and he draws an exploitable matchup against the Wizards.
Chalk can Taste Good at Times
When Victor Oladipo was ruled out on Wednesday, Lance Stephenson became the uber chalk. He was close to 70% owned in the higher stakes GPPs. He’s going to be popular again tonight, but his price bump will scare some people away. Even if Stephenson has an average game by his standards (0.87 FP/min) and plays 35 minutes, he’ll score over 30 fantasy points. His upside is much higher and you have to think his floor is around 20 fantasy points. I’m going right back to the Stephenson well tonight against the Bulls.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard (quad) could be rested Thursday
During his pregame media availability, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters that he doesn’t know if Kawhi Leonard or LaMarcus Aldridge will be available to play in tonight’s game against the New York Knicks, hinting that one of or both players could be rested. Leonard was originally listed as probable on the injury report but was expected to play and the designation appeared to be related to injury management while he works his way back from right quad tendinopathy.
As reported by: Al Iannazzone via Twitter Other tagged players: Kawhi Leonard Gerald Green available to make Rockets season debut on Thursday
The Houston Rockets signed free agent Gerald Green to a non-guaranteed contract on Thursday afternoon and he will be available to make his season debut in tonight’s game against the Boston Celtics. He’s likely to play as well, according to head coach Mike D’Antoni, as the coaching staff is looking to cut back on Trevor Ariza’s playing time a bit with Chris Paul, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Clint Capela sidelined with their respective injuries. Ariza has logged at least 42 minutes in six straight games and should be expected to see his playing time reduced back down to normal levels in the 36-38 minute range with an extra body now available on the wing. Ariza is still viable in all formats on an abbreviated slate at his price tag, but he does carry some extra dud potential with a reduced minute workload considering he only averages 0.75 fantasy points per minute with Paul, Capela, and Mbah a Moute off the court this season.
As reported by: Scott Souza via Twitter Aaron Gordon (calf) and Evan Fournier (foot) will start Thursday, as expected
Gordon and Fournier have been cleared to play and will start in tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons after previously being listed as questionable on the Orlando Magic’s injury report and considered game-time decisions due to their respective ailments. Meanwhile, Jonathan Isaac has already been ruled out with a sprained right ankle he reaggravated during Tuesday’s loss. Fournier managed to log 30 minutes in his first game back from a sore right foot and didn’t appear to have had a minute restriction prior to the game getting out of hand, so he’ll make for an interesting tournament option since head coach Frank Vogel stated he’s hopeful to play Fournier normal minutes and Gordon “shouldn’t” have a minute restriction. The Magic are also still without Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross, meaning they are deprived of three key rotational pieces, and Bismack Biyombo will continue to start at center for the foreseeable future in Vucevic’s place and saw 29 minutes in Tuesday’s blowout loss, indicating he should be in line for more playing time in closer contests. With the aforementioned players off the court this season, Gordon, Elfrid Payton, and Johnathon Simmons have benefited the most from a usage standpoint, as each own at least a +3.5% usage rate differential, while Payton sees his production skyrocket to 1.28 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 1.32 on FanDuel in this scenario.
As reported by: Orlando Magic PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Evan Fournier Damian Lillard (hamstring) downgraded to questionable Thursday
Lilliard is a late addition to the Portland Trail Blazers’ injury report and has been listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after he was previously removed from the injury report on Wednesday with a strained right hamstring that has already forced him to miss two consecutive games. Additionally, Noah Vonleh has been ruled out with a dislocated finger. The late-day downgrade of Lillard’s status is never a good sign and makes it’s difficult to target him or Shabazz Napier in any format given the high likelihood there’s no update on his availability prior to lineup lock on the main slate. If Lillard were to eventually be ruled out, Napier would be a fantastic option and has averaged 36 minutes in the previous two games Lillard has been sidelined. C.J. McCollum may be the best way to attack this situation in tournaments since he has standalone value no matter if Lillard is cleared to play or not. McCollum would also have the opportunity to be a substantial beneficiary should Lillard be ruled out, as he owns a +7.3% usage rate differential with Lillard and Vonleh off the court this season and has averaged 1.01 fantasy points per minute on DraftKings and 0.96 on FanDuel in this scenario.