DFS Alerts
Elfrid Payton (hamstring strain) ruled out Friday
Payton has been ruled out and won’t play in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls after previously being upgraded to questionable on the Orlando Magic’s injury report with a strained left hamstring that has now forced him to miss even consecutive games. Additionally, Payton’s replacement in the starting lineup, D.J. Augustin, has also been ruled out a strained left hamstring, meaning that Shelvin Mack will almost certainly draw the start at point guard now that Payton is officially unable to make his return Friday night. However, the primary beneficiaries of Payton’s absence have been Jonathon Simmons and Evan Fournier, as both wingmen have taken on more ball-handling and play-making responsibilities, and both should remain fine options once again on Friday’s slate.
As reported by: Josh Robbins via Twitter
Marcus Morris (sore knee) probable Friday
Morris has officially been upgraded to probable on the Boston Celtics’ injury report for tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a sore right knee that has forced him to miss the first eight games of the season. The team has yet to announce whether he will have a minute restriction for his season debut on Friday and it remains unclear if Morris will immediately enter the Celtics starting lineup. Once Morris is up to speed, head coach Brad Stevens will likely alter the starting lineup based on matchup, rotating between Morris and Aron Baynes as the fifth and final starter, and the presence of Morris in the rotation will likely eventually eat into the playing time of Daniel Theis and Semi Ojeleye in the Boston frontcourt.
As reported by: A. Sherrod Blakely via Twitter Upside in the Middle
The trade of Kyrie Irving has opened up more opportunities on the offensive end of the floor for Kevin Love, and he has responded with solid averages of 18 points and 11 rebounds per game so far. The Cavs/Wizards game promises to be one of the higher scoring games of the night, especially when you consider how much Cleveland has struggled defensively. I don’t mind a game stack of this contest in GPPs, and Love is one of my favorite center plays on the board.
Thriving in a New Environment
Victor Oladipo has finally found a place he can call home. He is comfortable as the clear leader of this Pacers team, and he is producing with much more consistency than he did when playing second fiddle to Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City. Court IQ tells us that Oladipo has a healthy 32.4% usage rate this season, and his numbers have been some of the best that you will find at the shooting guard position. I like his matchup tonight against the Sixers, as they don’t have anyone capable of checking Oladipo. Fire him up as a top play at the shooting guard position, and his price isn’t even as high as I would have expected given his production so far in the 2017-2018 season.
Top Play on the Board?
When you take all circumstances into account, the top overall point per dollar play on the board tonight just might be Kyle Kuzma. He has been nothing short of fantastic for the Lakers this year off the bench, and now Larry Nance is set to miss some time after getting injured in Thursday’s game. This should give Kuzma the opportunity to start with a guaranteed 30+ minute role on a nightly basis. He’s been filling up the scoreboard, and the Lakers just happen to draw a matchup with the fast-paced, defensively-challenged Nets this evening. Even though he will be popular, I will be overweight on the field with my ownership on Kuzma tonight.
Malcolm Delaney (sprained right ankle) doubtful for Friday
Delaney has officially been listed as doubtful on the Atlanta Hawks’ injury report for tomorrow’s game against the Houston Rockets with a sprained right ankle he sustained during Wednesday’s contest, forcing him to exit early. Meanwhile, the trio of Dennis Schroder, Mike Muscala, and Marco Belinelli have all been listed as probable with their respective ailments for approximately the 18th game in a row (not actually accurate) and all three are fully expected to play once again. With Delaney likely out, Isaiah Taylor would likely assume the backup point guard duties behind Dennis Schroder, who may also see a slight increase in playing time, adding to his appeal in daily fantasy formats on Friday’s slate.
As reported by: KL Chouinard via Twitter Al-Farouq Aminu (ankle sprain) ruled out Thursday
Aminu has been ruled out and won’t play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a sprained right ankle he sustained in Wednesday’s contest, though he didn’t immediately leave the game. Evan Turner took over in the starting unit following Aminu’s exit, but Noah Vonleh is still the likeliest candidate to start at power forward on Thursday and is even currently listed as the probable starter. Despite the likely start, Vonleh isn’t an automatic lock to see significant playing time as he played just 13 minutes off the bench in his season debut on Wednesday and could fall victim to the Trail Blazers rolling with more small-ball lineups in Aminu’s absence, which would be an uptick in projected playing time and fantasy value to Turner and Maurice Harkless in an up-tempo matchup against the Lakers. That said, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have both actually seen a substantial usage rate differential of at least +5.4% with Aminu off the court this season, and though the sample size is relatively small, it adds some extra appeal to rostering them Thursday night in what is already a great matchup for each of Portland’s dynamic guard duo.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Jarrett Allen (foot) questionable for Friday; Quincy Acy (groin) will remain out
Allen has officially been listed as questionable on the Brooklyn Nets’ injury report for tomorrow’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers with a strained left foot that as already forced him to miss one game. Meanwhile, Quincy Acy will be remain sidelined for the third consecutive game with a strained left groin. If Allen is unable to suit up for the second time in as many games, Tyler Zeller would remain in the rotation and see a portion of the backup center minutes behind Timofey Mozgov. Should both Acy and Allen be unavailable, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would become a virtual lock to eclipse the 30-minute plateau once again, while Trevor Booker should also see some extra run off the bench as well, putting him in tournament consideration depending on his price tag for Friday’s slate.
As reported by: the Brooklyn Nets via Twitter Other tagged players: Quincy Acy Markieff Morris (sports hernia) will start but be limited to 15-16 minutes Friday
Morris will play and start, as expected, in tomorrow’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after serving his one-game suspension on Wednesday night. This will be Morris’ season debut after missing the first seven games due to sports hernia surgery and the aforementioned suspension. Even though Morris will reclaim his spot in the starting lineup right out of the gate, he will be limited to just 15-16 minutes of playing time as he works his way back into game shape. Assuming Otto Porter is good to go after practicing on Thursday, the presence of Morris would displace Kelly Oubre from the starting lineup and gradually eat into the playing time and production of both he and Porter at the forward positions as his expected minute allotment increases.
As reported by: Chris Miller via Twitter Elfrid Payton (hamstring) questionable for Friday; D.J. Augustin (hamstring) ruled out
Payton has been listed as questionable on the Orlando Magic’s injury report for tomorrow’s game against the Chicago Bulls with a strained left hamstring that has already forced him to miss six consecutive games. Additionally, Payton’s replacement in the starting lineup, D.J. Augustin, has been ruled out a strained left hamstring as well, meaning that Shelvin Mack should draw the start at point guard if Payton is unable to make his return Friday night. However, the primary beneficiaries of Payton’s absence have been Jonathon Simmons and Evan Fournier, as both wingmen have taken on more ball-handling and play-making responsibilities in his absence, and both would remain fine options once again on Friday’s slate if Payton is eventually ruled out.
As reported by: Josh Robbins via Twitter Other tagged players: D.J. Augustin Kristaps Porzingis (illness) questionable for Friday
Porzingis didn’t participate in the New York Knicks’ practice on Thursday and has been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Phoenix Suns due to an illness. This seems to just be a rest day for Porzingis and the Knicks are just being precautionary in giving him a designation on the team’s injury report, but if he is unable to suit up, Michael Beasley or Doug McDermott would be the likeliest candidates to enter the starting lineup in his place. Porzingis not only leads the Knicks in usage rate but also currently owns the highest usage rate in the entire NBA, meaning there will be plenty of usage and production to be had in this uptempo matchup with Phoenix if he is eventually ruled out. Enes Kanter and Tim Hardaway Jr. look to be the primary beneficiaries of the aforementioned scenario, as each own at least a +10.2% usage rate differential with Porzingis off the court this season, elevating each of them to virtual must play status given the matchup and expected price tags if Porzingis is unable to suit up on Friday evening.
As reported by: Ian Begley via Twitter Michael Carter-Williams (sore knee) questionable for Friday
Carter-Williams has officially been listed as questionable on the Charlotte Hornets’ injury report for tomorrow’s game against the San Antonio Spurs with knee soreness stemming from PRP injections he received in the offseason and has forced him to miss every game this season to this point. The team hasn’t yet announced a firm minute restriction but Carter-Williams will likely be eased back into action as the primary backup point guard behind Kemba Walker. If his season debut is ultimately delayed at least another game, Malik Monk will continue to act the as the lone backup point guard with Julyan Stone also sidelined with an injury.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Target this Power Forward Before his Usage Goes Down
The Spurs are secretive when it comes to injuries, but it sounds like Kawhi Leonard is getting close to returning. As soon as that happen, LaMarcus Aldridge will go back to being the second option offensively. Until then, we should take advantage of his increased usage. A matchup against Draymond Green doesn’t look great on paper, but Aldridge has scored 36 and 51 fantasy points in his last two games against the Warriors and those were both with Kawhi on the floor.
Taking Advantage of an Injury
Maurice Harkless has been a viable fantasy option this season, averaging 29 minutes and just under 20 fantasy points per game. Due to Evan Turner’s play off the bench, his minutes have fluctuated game-to-game, which has made it difficult to predict. Now that Al-Farouq Aminu is out, Harkless will spend a lot more time at power forward, which should secure 30+ minutes a night moving forward. In a home game against the Lakers, you have to like his chances of exceeding value.
Point Guard with a High Usage and a Favorable Matchup
Targeting point guards against the Lakers is going to be a strategy of mine the entire season. Lonzo Ball is not a great defender and the Lakers don’t have an elite rim protector. To add to an already enticing spot, point guards want to prove something when facing Ball. Damian Lillard is currently averaging 45 fantasy points per game with a true usage rate of 30%. He’s my preferred play at point guard over Stephen Curry, who draws a tough matchup against the Spurs in San Antonio.