DFS Alerts
Ersan Ilyasova (calf) will play Monday
Ilyasova was probable heading into Monday after injuring his calf in Game 3, but he’s all set to play tonight. He’s averaged 18.2 minutes per game this series and produced 5.0 points and 6.3 rebounds with his time on the court, so he doesn’t appear to be a strong value option.
As reported by: Bob Rathbun
Khris Middleton (sore throat) will play tonight
Middleton missed shootaround this morning as a result of the throat issue, but he’s going to play tonight and he’s not expected to have any restrictions. Middleton has been receiving huge minutes in this series, reaching 42 minutes in Games 2 and 4. He’s put up at least 18 FGAs in the three games that weren’t blowouts and grabbed at least eight rebounds and contributed exactly two steals in all four. He’s taken on a larger role in facilitating the offense this postseason. Middleton is averaging 45.3 passed made and 48.5 passes received per game, while he made 37.8 and received 40.0 during the regular season. He’s also become more effective, raising his assist-to-pass percentage to 11.8% from 9.0%. That’s helped increase his assist rate – the percentage of his teammates’ field goals he assists on while he’s on the floor – by 4.8% to 22.3%, and he’s currently leading the team with 5.3 per game this postseason. On the downside, the Bucks-Raptors series is playing at a very slow pace of 93.43 while the other two games on tonight’s slate have had average paces of at least 103.96. If they don’t pick up the tempo, it would have a negative impact Middleton’s ceiling.
As reported by: CF Gardner Kyle Lowry (back) will be a game-time decision Monday; still expected to play
He’s reportedly feeling much better than this morning. He’ll warm up with the intent to play, and he’s currently expected to start tonight. Lowry has had a rocky start to the playoffs and it’s possible there are chemistry issues between him and Ibaka as they were only able to play 80.5 minutes together during the regular season. So far this postseason, Lowry’s usage has fallen by 6.6% to 20.5%. In Game 4, Ibaka and DeRozan both commanded usages of over 30% while Lowry was held to 19.1%. The point guard had a slow first half and came alive in the second, but he was perhaps aided by Ibaka’s absence as the power forward/center was in foul trouble and limited to 26 minutes. Although Lowry is expected to play, there’s some added risk beyond these concerns with his back issue.
As reported by: Blake Murphy Khris Middleton dealing with sore throat; still fully expected to play Monday
Middleton missed shootaround this morning as a result of the throat issue, but he’s fully expected to play tonight. Middleton has been receiving huge minutes in this series, reaching 42 minutes in Games 2 and 4. He’s put up at least 18 FGAs in the three games that weren’t blowouts and grabbed at least eight rebounds and contributed exactly two steals in all four. He’s taken on a larger role in facilitating the offense this postseason. Middleton is averaging 45.3 passed made and 48.5 passes received per game, while he made 37.8 and received 40.0 during the regular season. He’s also become more effective, raising his assist-to-pass percentage to 11.8% from 9.0%. That’s helped increase his assist rate – the percentage of his teammates’ field goals he assists on while he’s on the floor – by 4.8% to 22.3%, and he’s currently leading the team with 5.3 per game this postseason. On the downside, the Bucks-Raptors series is playing at a very slow pace of 93.43 while the other two games on tonight’s slate have had average paces of at least 103.96. If they don’t pick up the tempo, it would have a negative impact Middleton’s ceiling.
As reported by: CF Gardner Otto Porter (neck) will play Monday, as expected
Porter suffered the injury in Game 3, causing him to play just 24 minutes. He was able to go through shootaround this morning and he’s all set to play tonight. He hasn’t been terribly effective so far and his usage rate has dropped 3.8% to 12.4%, but he should push into the low 30s minute-wise. Over an average 26.4 minutes, he’s contributed 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in the playoffs. He does have upside, as he managed 12 double-doubles this season, but he had at least 37 minutes in nine of those performances and it’s unlikely he earns that type of time with Kelly Oubre and Bojan Bogdanovic active in the rotation.
As reported by: Washington Wizards Kevin Durant (calf), Matt Barnes (ankle), and Shaun Livingston (finger) remain game-time decisions Monday
Golden State doesn’t have much reason to rush them back now that they’re up 3-0, so they could potentially rest even if they’re healthy enough to play. If they do suit up, it’s possible they’re limited. If Durant is out again, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson would take the biggest upgrades, as their usage and per-minute fantasy production rates spike when he’s off the floor. Thompson is a particularly good deal on DraftKings in that scenario as he’s just $6,500 on the site and his per-36 pace came out to 39.98 DK points this season without KD. Thompson is averaging 35.6 minutes per game in this series and he earned 41 minutes in a close Game 3. He ended up with 33.5 DK points, but his stat line could’ve been a lot bigger had he not struggled with a 38.1% field goal percentage from the field.
As reported by: Golden State Warriors Other tagged players: Shaun Livingston, Matt Barnes Isaiah Canaan expected to start Game 5 for Bulls
The Bulls started Jerian Grant in Games 3 and 4, but he was a disappointment. His immediate backup, Michael Carter-Williams, wasn’t much better, so Canaan got a shot in Game 4. He ended up playing for 34 minutes and was much more effective, scoring 13 points while grabbing a pair of rebounds and contributing three assists. Prices haven’t been released for Wednesday’s slate, but he could be an interesting value option depending on his salary.
As reported by: Jay King Austin Rivers (hamstring) expected to play Tuesday
Rivers has been out since March 30th with a hamstring injury, but he said he’ll be ready to go tomorrow in Game 5 of the Clippers’ series with the Jazz. He’ll have a minutes limit, but he’ll likely cut into J.J. Redick’s time on the floor; Redick had received 42 minutes in Game 4 as LA went small without Blake Griffin. When Rivers is on and Griffin off, Chris Paul’s per-36 pace increases by 5.38 FD points to 50.81.
As reported by: Rebecca Harlow Kyle Lowry leaves shootaround early; still expected to play tonight for Toronto
Lowry is battling a stiff back so the team sent him home early this morning but he’s expected to play tonight. If he is unable to go, Cory Joseph would become a top DFS option (Joseph for what it’s worth is under the weather but expected to play). DeMar DeRozan would of course be the biggest beneficiary in terms of usage if Lowry can’t play. We’ll update his status later tonight when more information becomes available.
As reported by: Josh Lewenberg on Twitter Other tagged players: Cory Joseph
Rudy Gobert (knee) will play tonight
The Jazz have confirmed Rudy Gobert will play tonight. They haven’t announced their starting lineup yet, but he’ll likely start and play limited minutes. Derrick Favors will likely move to the bench and lose some of his playing time, lowering his fantasy value.
As reported by: Tony Jones Kevin Durant (calf) remains questionable for Monday
He’s missed the last two games as the Warriors wanted to be cautious with him. Now that they’re up 3-0, there isn’t a huge need to rush him back and they may rest him even if he’s fine to play. They’re considering him questionable so they can make a decision tomorrow though. Stephen Curry scored 34 and contributed eight assists last night with Durant sidelined. His fantasy value would take a hit if KD suits up.
As reported by: Chris Haynes Other tagged players: Stephen Curry Jusuf Nurkic (leg) will not play Monday
Nurkic started last night and was able to collect 11 boards and four assists in 17 minutes, but Portland has ruled him out ahead of Monday’s game against Golden State. With Portland down three games, they look to be in an insurmountable hole and decided it wasn’t worth risking the center’s long-term health. Noah Vonleh will rejoin the starting five in Nurkic’s absence. Expect Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum to come out firing tomorrow in a game that has a 219.5-point total, the largest of the night. Lillard had 31 points in Game 3 and McCollum led the team with 32.
As reported by: Mike Richman Otto Porter (neck) probable for Monday
Porter was forced out of Saturday’s game early after suffering a neck injury, but he’s feeling better and is expected to play tomorrow. He earned 32 minutes in Game 1, but he was limited to 23 in Game 2 due to foul trouble and 24 in the third due to injury. Overall, it’s been a disappointing series for him. Both John Wall and Bradley Beal have increased their usage rates to the mid-30s, which is part of the reason Porter’s has shrunk to 12.5% and his fantasy production dropped to 0.73 FD. He’ll be a risky bet tomorrow with his neck issue and diminished involvement in the offense.
As reported by: J. Michael Marreese Speights will "probably" start tonight in place of Blake Griffin
This hasn’t been confirmed – coach Doc Rivers provided the “probably” quote – but it’s the expected move as Speights started the second half of Game 3 following Griffin’s toe injury. Los Angeles won’t give him heavy minutes, he’ll probably be in the low 20s tonight. Even so, he’s a very intriguing value option as he can score fantasy points in a hurry. Across the 178.3 minutes he shared the floor with Chris Paul, he had a usage rate of 26.1% and returned 1.06 FD ppm. In 11 games with at least 20 minutes this season, Speights scored over 23 FD points in nine, and he exceeded 36 on three occasions.
As reported by: Brad Turner Rudy Gobert (knee) upgraded to questionable Sunday
It looks like Gobert is going to try to play in Game 4 of Utah’s series with Los Angeles. He went down 17 seconds into Game 1 with a hyperextended knee and hasn’t played since he suffered the injury. If Gobert ends up playing, he would likely replace Derrick Favors in the starting lineup. Favors (knee) has struggled with fatigue since joining the starting five as he was just getting healthy when the postseason started. As a result, his per-minute production has been low in this series (0.60 FD ppm; 0.62 DK ppm). It would appear if he loses more time, he would have trouble beating his current salary. Gobert may suit up and start, but he’ll likely be limited if he does, which would make his salary prohibitive.
As reported by: Tony Jones