DFS Alerts
Dennis Schroder (foot) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (wrist, knee) WILL start tonight for Hawks
Schroder and Hardaway Jr. will both play and start tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers despite previously being listed as doubtful on the Hawks’ injury report with their respective ailments. Their presence in the starting lineup will demote Jose Calderon and DeAndre Bembry from any and all daily fantasy consideration, while Ersan Ilyasova will start for Paul Millsap, who is sitting for rest purposes. With Millsap off the court since the All-Star break, both Dennis Schroder (33.8%) and Ersan Ilyasova (21.1%) have seen at least a 2.5% usage rate differential, putting them firmly into consideration for all formats. Schroder is still probably better reserved for tournaments considering the uncertainty surrounding his injury status, but he does draw an excellent individual matchup against Kyrie Irving defense.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore Other tagged players: Tim Hardaway Jr., Dwight Howard
Luke Babbitt (hip) officially ruled OUT for Heat tonight; James Johnson will start in his place
Babbitt has officially been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after previously being listed as doubtful on the Heat’s injury report with a strained right hip flexor that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. With Babbitt unable to suit up, James Johnson will receive the starting nod at power forward once again despite Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra’s usual effort to keep Johnson in his normal role off the bench. Babbitt typically only see minutes in the mid-teens, even as a starter, so Okaro White could be in line to see a small increase in playing time with the second unit, although not enough to become fantasy relevant on a full slate. However, Johnson should be expected to absorb the larger majority of the power forward minutes vacated by Babbitt, as he saw 32 minutes of action in his first spot start in place of Babbitt.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: James Johnson Kevin Durant (knee) confirmed as starter for Warriors Saturday
Durant has been out since the beginning of March, but he’s all set to make his return tomorrow after getting in a full practice friday. Coach Steve Kerr added that Durant won’t have any minutes restriction, but he was clear in saying he would remove Durant when he gets fatigued. Considering the type of injury (knee), Durant won’t be in normal shape. Stephen Curry is doubtful for tomorrow’s game. Not surprisingly, when Curry is off the floor Durant has a 5.8% bump in usage to 34.9%, but he is a very risky choice. Of course, we saw Kyle Lowry return from an extended absence and immediately post a double-double with 27 points and ten assists. However, as mentioned, Durant wasn’t able to do the same type of conditioning Lowry (wrist) did while he was rehabbing.
As reported by: ESPN Sean Kilpatrick (hamstring) questionable for Saturday
Kilpatrick has officially been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Chicago Bulls with left hamstring tightness that forced him to miss the Nets’ previous game. His potential absence would free up some additional playing time for the likes of Isaiah Whitehead and K.J. McDaniels but Brooklyn extends their rotation so deep that no one player receives the luxury of extra playing time. It’s difficult to hone in on any one player when the Nets are thin at a position, let alone nearly healthy like they are expected to be tomorrow. In fact, the only player currently unavailable is Joe Harris, who has been sidelined for an extended period of time with a shoulder injury and was recently ruled out for the remainder of the season.
As reported by: Mike Gallagher Kosta Koufos (rest), Ty Lawson (rest), and Garrett Temple (rest) all ruled OUT tonight
Anthony Tolliver (hip) and Arron Afflalo (back) are probable. With Koufos, Lawson, and Temple off the court, Tyreke Evans and Buddy Hield lead the way in usage with 25.7% and 24.4%, respectively. Hield puts up better per-minute fantasy production at 0.88 FD ppm, which is 0.12 ppm better than his average. Hield has routinely been in the mid-30s since he became the starter in Sacramento, a trend that should continue tonight. Willey Cauley-Stein sees a monster 0.16 FD ppm increase in this situation, giving him an average pace of 1.03 FD ppm. He should also get plenty of minutes and he’s been more consistent lately. Fortunately for both players, they get to visit the Lakers tonight, who are in the bottom-third in DvP rankings across the board.
As reported by: Vince Miracle Other tagged players: Ty Lawson, Garrett Temple, Arron Afflalo, Anthony Tolliver Stephen Curry (knee) doubtful for Saturday; Kevin Durant (knee) expected to play without a set minutes restriction
Curry wasn’t able to practice Friday and he’s considered doubtful to play the Pelicans tomorrow. Durant has been out since the beginning of March, but he’s all set to make his return tomorrow, barring any setbacks. Coach Steve Kerr added that Durant won’t have any minutes restriction, although he noted he would remove him if Durant looks tired. Not surprisingly, when Curry is off the floor Durant has a 5.8% bump in usage to 34.9%, but he is a very risky choice. Of course, we saw Kyle Lowry return from an extended absence and immediately post a double-double with 27 points and ten assists. However, Durant’s injury was in his knee, which means he wasn’t able to do the same type of conditioning Lowry (wrist) did while he was rehabbing.
As reported by: Chris Haynes Other tagged players: Kevin Durant Henry Ellenson will start for Pistons tonight; Jon Leuer may rest
Coach Stan Van Gundy wants to see some bench players on the floor during their final four games of the season. In an effort to find time for Ellenson he suggested he would sit one of the other forwards (Leuer, Marcus Morris, or Tobias Harris) each game. Van Gundy declared his preference to sit Leuer tonight unless the Rockets use Ryan Anderson at center, but that’s not a likely scenario. Ellenson is expected to be capped around 20-24 minutes, so he isn’t a viable fantasy option, especially with all of the other value options available. He’s expected to replace Harris in the lineup, not Morris, which naturally damages Harris’ value. Boban Marjanovic will also work his way in the game at center for 20-24 minutes, he’s a much stronger tournament value play. In the one game this season he played for more than 20 minutes, he dropped 15 points and grabbed 19 rebounds. Over 207.5 minutes this season, he’s averaged 1.26 FD ppm and 1.3 DK ppm. The Pistons’ starters will be risky team to target the rest of the way as they may all play limited minutes.
As reported by: The Detroit News Other tagged players: Jon Leuer, Tobias Harris Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway doubtful for Hawks today; Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap, and Thabo Sefolosha out
It looks as if Atlanta will be a source of plenty of value today as Schroder and Hardaway appear as if they will sit out joining the trio of Bazemore, Sefolosha, and Millsap on the sidelines. Taurean Prince will be the top option from the Hawks with this group of players out with Ersan Ilyasova not far behind. Jose Calderon, Mike Dunleavy, and DeAndre Bembry all stand to see plenty of playing time as well and will be in play as value options. If Dwight Howard could see 30+ minutes he’d be in play as well but he’s only played 46 minutes over his last two games so there is some risk there.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore on Twitter Other tagged players: Tim Hardaway Jr., Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefolosha, Taurean Prince, Ersan Ilyasova
D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Brandon Ingram will all play for Lakers tonight; Ingram on minutes limit
Russell missed the teams last game on Wednesday but appears ready to play tonight despite a limited practice on Thursday. Jordan Clarkson and Brandon Ingram will also both play although Ingram will be limited in minutes (no exact limit but he only played 10 minutes last game). With those three in action, Tyler Ennis and David Nwaba lose any value they might have.
As reported by: Mark Medina on Twitter Other tagged players: Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram Wilson Chandler downgraded to questionable for Denver tonight
This is a injury report designation but it’s a change in status so it’s something to be aware of and keep an eye on heading into tonight’s game. If for some reason Chandler can’t go, a multitude of Nuggets would see additional minutes including Kenneth Faried, Gary Harris, and Juan Hernangomez. We’ll update you on Chandler’s status later tonight when we learn more.
As reported by: Nick Kosmider on Twitter Rodney Hood playing for Utah tonight; Derrick Favors probable and George Hill doubtful
Hill looks as if he will miss his fifth straight game for the Jazz tonight leaving Shelvin Mack and Dante Exum to again split the point guard role. Neither are viable DFS options. Derrick Favors and Rodney Hood, however, both look as if they will play tonight (Hood will according to local media while Favors is probable). It’s been a month since Favors has seen action so expect his minutes to be limited but with him and Hood both back on the court, Joe Ingles value will take a significant hit. Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw will also see a dip in their minutes.
As reported by: David Locke on Twitter Other tagged players: Derrick Favors, George Hill, Raul Neto, Joe Ingles Will Barton and Jameer Nelson OUT for Denver tonight
Barton is going to miss his fifth straight game while Nelson will sit out after playing on Wednesday. Jamal Murray will start in Nelson’s place and is a viable DFS option. Emmanuel Mudiay will also benefit from these two being out.
As reported by: Nick Kosmider on Twitter Other tagged players: Jameer Nelson, Jamal Murray Seth Curry OUT tonight for Dallas; may miss remainder of season
Curry looks as if he will miss the rest of the season as he will miss his fourth straight game and Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle stated that he may be out for the remainder of the season. J.J. Barea, Yogi Ferrell, and Devin Harris will continue to split Curry’s minutes.
As reported by: Earl Sneed on Twitter Ryan Anderson likely to play on minutes limitation for Houston tonight
He’s gone from doubtful to questionable and has told media that he will return to action tonight but will only play limited minutes. He’s not a viable DFS option but his return is a hit to the value of Troy Williams as well as a slight one to Trevor Ariza (who has thrived at power forward of late).
As reported by: Calvin Watkins on Twitter Other tagged players: Troy Williams Carmelo Anthony likely OUT tonight for Knicks for rest purposes on second half of back-to-back
The Knicks are playing the second game of a back-to-back tonight against Memphis and local media has heard rumors to the effect that Anthony would sit out tonight’s game for rest purposes. With Kristaps Porzingis also unlikely to play, it’ll be the likes of Justin Holiday and Mindaugas Kuzminskas seeing additional playing time and increased usage. We’ll update you on the status of the big two for the Knicks as we learn more.
As reported by: Marc Berman on Twitter Other tagged players: Justin Holiday, Mindaugas Kuzminskas