DFS Alerts
A Must in Cash Games
With Ben Simmons off the court, Embiid is sporting a 38.4% usage rate while producing 1.61 fantasy points per minute on FanDuel. Given the matchup against a fast-paced Magic team that does not defend opposing centers well, this is a prime spot for Embiid to post a monster stat line. He’s an absolute must for me in cash games, especially given the value available at other positions.
Watch the Pacers for Potential Value
Victor Oladipo’s status is currently up in the air, and if he’s forced to miss tonight’s game, plenty of minutes are going to open up for potential value plays. Lance Stephenson is in a great spot to benefit as he’s already producing at a nice clip while seeing around 20 minutes per game. With Oladipo out, I expect he’ll finish closer to 30 minutes, and given he’s producing at nearly a fantasy point per minute, he becomes a very solid value play in cash games and tournaments at his cheap price tag.
An Easy Value Play
With John Wall expected to miss two weeks, Tim Frazier should assume starting point guard duties for the Wizards. We’ve seen Frazier post big numbers as a starter in the past, and given he should see around 30 minutes as a member of the starting lineup, he’s a lock cash game value play given his cheap price tag around the industry.
Nicolas Batum listed as questionable in game notes
Batum’s status is still very much up in the air. If he indeed does sit another game, both Jeremy Lamb and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist remain viable targets in any format, although the match-up with the Spurs is much tougher than last night’s with the Cavs. Lamb actually dropped a 27-9-6 line on SA in 35 minutes back on November 3rd, a game in which Batum also missed. Both Lamb and MKG have been seeing minutes in the mid-thirties with Batum missing Friday and most of Wednesday.
As reported by: NBA.com Other tagged players: Jeremy Lamb, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
CJ Miles listed as out in Toronto’s game notes
Miles hasn’t officially been ruled out but it’s looking very much like he’ll miss another game. Norman Powell will step in as the lead scorer off the bench while OG Anunoby will see some extra run as well.
As reported by: Blake Murphy Other tagged players: Norman Powell, OG Anunoby Luke Babbitt, Mike Muscala remain out Saturday
No surprise here. It’s still unclear when either player will return and John Collins should see minutes in the 28-35 range with upside for 37-38 if he can avoid foul trouble. Ersan Ilyasova will also provide depth off the bench.
As reported by: Michael Cunningham Other tagged players: Mike Muscala John Wall expected to miss about two weeks
It appears that Wall will receive PRP injections to reduce inflammation in his knee, which is expected to keep him out of action for roughly two weeks. With Wall out, Tim Frazier should see about 28-35 minutes of run as the starting PG, making him a strong value play at (or near) minimum price across the industry. He’s viable in any format. Bradley Beal also gets a notable uptick in value – he owns an elite 36.7% usage rate with Wall off the floor this season, more than 10% higher than any other Wizard, so expect a big outing tonight against Portland. Otto Porter is averaging a FPPM without Wall on the floor and Markieff Morris is second in usage behind Beal, so both of them remain viable targets as well.
As reported by: @Wizards Other tagged players: Tim Frazier, Bradley Beal The Chef Will Cook Tonight
With the news that Kevin Durant is doubtful, this once again puts Stephen Curry as a cash game requirement. Curry’s usage rate sees a 10% boost when Durant is missing, and he should be well rested after sitting the 4th quarter in a blowout win against the Bulls on Friday. Draymond Green will likely be back, which will take some of the usage, but this is still Curry’s team. This game has the highest over/under on the slate so getting exposure to it through Curry makes a lot of sense.
The Punt Guard To Target
With Ben Simmons out on Saturday, it’s being reported that T.J. McConnell will get the start. McConnell is averaging close to .9 fantasy points per minute and excelled in his starts last year. Not only is the price attractive, but the matchup is equally terrific. The Orlando Magic have been one of the best matchups this season for opposing point guards. McConnell will likely be chalky, but he’s a must in cash games and has enough upside in tournaments as well.
Both Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson expected to return Saturday
This is based on an early-afternoon write-up in the Chronicle, so we’re basically relying on game notes at this point, which are never terribly reliable. We’ll continue to update this situation throughout the day, but if both return, the value of P.J. Tucker is gone and Gordon isn’t as appealing of a target with Chris Paul back in the fold and slowly becoming a bigger part of the offense.
As reported by: Houston Chronicle Other tagged players: Ryan Anderson Joel Embiid probable for Saturday
He’s simply dealing with a cold, so he should be a full go this evening. With Ben Simmons off the court this season, Embiid has seen a significant +4.1% usage rate differential and leads the Sixers by a wide margin with a 38.7% usage rate in the aforementioned scenario while averaging an insane 1.60 fantasy points per minute, which puts him on a per 36-minute pace of 57 fantasy points. So, needless to say, Embiid will be an elite option at the center position on Saturday’s slate regardless of price tag.
As reported by: Jessica Camerato Enes Kanter to be a game-time decision on Saturday
After missing Friday’s game, Kanter is listed as a game-time decision for Saturday’s tilt with the Rockets. Kyle O’Quinn drew the start in his place and played a healthy 23 minutes, a figure that is typically enough court time for him to offer value. Neither he nor Willy Hernangomez ended up being a strong play, but both will keep their relevancy if Kanter is to miss another game. Joakim Noah wasn’t with the team yesterday due to an illness, and it’s likely that’s still the case today.
As reported by: Al Iannazzone Other tagged players: Kyle O'Quinn, Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah Jonathon Simmons questionable for Saturday; Jonathan Isaac ruled out
Simmons is questionable for tonight due to a right quad contusion. His playing time is likely to get soaked up by a combination of Arron Afflalo, Mario Hezonja and Terrence Ross, although none of the three outside of Ross (as a GPP-only play) carry any DFS relevancy tonight. Jonathan Isaac remains out due to a sprained right ankle, which will keep Marresse Speights in the rotation for at least another game.
As reported by: Josh Robbins Other tagged players: Jonathan Isaac Nemanja Bjelica (foot sprain) ruled out Friday
Bjelica has been ruled out and won’t play in tonight’s game against the Miami Heat due to a sprained left foot, despite never appearing on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ injury report at any point throughout the day. Bjelica leads all of the Timberwolves reserves with roughly 14 minutes per game, just exhibiting how short head coach Tom Thibodeau prefers to keep his rotation. In his absence, Shabazz Muhammad could see some extended run off the bench, but Thibodeau is just as likely to spread Bjelica’s minutes out among his starters, making Muhammad a thin play, at best, in tournaments on a full nine-game slate.
As reported by: Timberwolves PR via Twitter
Nikola Jokic (ankle) and Wilson Chandler (back) will play Friday
Jokic went through the team’s morning shootaround and will play in tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies after previously being listed as probable on the Denver Nuggets’ injury report due to a sore ankle, while Wilson Chandler has also been cleared to play with a sore lower back that had him listed as probable and kept him sidelined for a game earlier this week. The Nuggets are known for being ultra-conservative with their injury reporting so considering Jokic participated in shootaround and Chandler was able to play 27 minutes in his return Wednesday, both players were fully expected to suit up and be a full go, despite the designations, Friday evening. Head coach Mike Malone has yet to confirm his starting lineup for tonight’s game, but Will Barton will likely remain at small forward in the Nuggets’ new-look, small-ball starting lineup with Paul Millsap sidelined and has greatly exceeded salary-based expectations in both games Millsap has missed thus far while averaging nearly 36 minutes of action in said contests.
Other tagged players: Wilson Chandler