DFS Alerts
Eric Bledsoe (knee) and Tyler Ulis (ankle) will play tonight, as expected
Bledsoe and Ulis will both be active and play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after mysteriously appearing as questionable on the Suns’ game notes. Suns’ head coach Earl Watson was very cryptic in his pregame interview with reporters, saying that both Bledsoe and Ulis “seem healthy” and failed to address their perceived questionable designations. It is now officially safe to proceed as normal with Bledsoe and Ulis, as both guards are firmly in play as normal on the late slate. The Lakers like to roll out small lineups for elongated stretches, so it’s conceivable that will see plenty of Ulis, Bledsoe, and Devin Booker on the floor together in tonight’s contest.
As reported by: Phoenix Suns Stats Other tagged players: Tyler Ulis
Larry Nance (right wrist sprain) available to play tonight
Nance will be available to play off the bench in tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns after previously being listed as probable on the Lakers’ injury report with a sprained right wrist. Additionally, Ivica Zubac will also be available to play off the bench after being listed as probable with a quad contusion. Nance was listed as probable just as a precaution, as he was active and played 21 minutes in the Lakers’ prior game despite carrying an injury designation going into the game. Julius Randle has really staked a claim on a majority of the frontcourt minutes with his recent play, but Nance could be worth a look in tournaments as a salary-saving option at power forward on the late slate.
As reported by: Mark Medina Ivica Zubac (quad contusion) available to play tonight
Zubac will be available to play off the bench in tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns after previously being listed as probable on the Lakers’ injury report with a quad contusion. Additionally, Larry Nance will also be available to play off the bench after being listed as probable with a sprained right wrist. Zubac was listed as probable just as a precaution, as he was active in the Lakers’ prior game but didn’t see any playing time per Lakers head coach Luke Walton’s decision. Zubac is expected to make his return to the court tonight, but it is far from a guarantee. His role in the rotation has been inconsistent at best, so he can be avoided in all formats until there is a more predictable frontcourt rotation in Los Angeles.
As reported by: Mike Bresnahan Eric Bledsoe (knee) and Tyler Ulis (ankle) expected to play tonight, but still officially listed as questionable
Bledsoe and Ulis both “seem healthy”, according to Suns head coach Earl Watson, meaning it is fair to assume that both guards will play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers despite still being listed as questionable. The Suns are one the worst teams in the league at releasing and updating injury information, so we may not receive an official update on Bledsoe’s status until starting lineups are released. With that said, there is an even stronger possibility that there not be any update on Ulis’ official status prior to game time. The recommended approach is to plan that both Bledsoe and Ulis will both be a full-go for tonight’s contest and will be viable options on Thursday’s late slate.
As reported by: Craig Grialou Other tagged players: Tyler Ulis Tobias Harris starting ahead of Jon Leuer tonight
Harris will be reinserted into the Pistons starting lineup at power forward for tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, sending Jon Leuer back to the bench to assume a reserve role. It does remain unclear whether this is just a spot start for Harris to better matchup with Richard Jefferson and LeBron James defensively or if Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy will roll with this starting five going forward. The Pistons have been struggling of late and it seems Van Gundy may be looking to shake things up. However, Harris’ starting status does very little to affect his overall minute projection and expected fantasy output, as his role will not change significantly. Harris and Ish Smith have had tremendous chemistry leading the second unit, so Smith and Reggie Jackson’s playing time at the point will certainly be something to keep an eye on if Detroit sticks with Harris as the starting power forward for more than just Thursday’s contest.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Detroit Pistons Dejounte Murray confirmed as the starter in place of Tony Parker
Murray will draw the start at point guard in tonight’s game against Oklahoma City Thunder for the injured Tony Parker, who has already been ruled out with back stiffness. Additionally, Manu Ginobili and Kyle Anderson are also unavailable, while Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge will both return to the Spurs starting lineup after being rested on the front end of a back-to-back set Wednesday. Despite Murray’s starting nod, Patty Mills will still be the Spurs point guard to target, as he typically sees minutes in the low-30s in competitive games when Parker sits. For a price tag near stone minimum across the industry, Mills will be a cash game staple on Thursday’s slate.
As reported by: Jabari Young Other tagged players: Tony Parker
James Ennis confirmed as the starter in place of Chandler Parsons
Ennis will draw the start at small forward in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers for the resting Chandler Parson, just as he has done many times before. Outside of Parsons, the Grizzlies will stick with the same starting five that includes Brandan Wright and Andrew Harrison starting ahead of JaMychal Green and Tony Allen at power forward and shooting guard respectively. Ennis doesn’t carry much value, even as a starter, but Mike Conley does own a noteworthy +1.9% usage rate differential (29.6%) with Parsons off the court this season, making him a viable tournament target despite the difficult individual matchup with Chris Paul.
As reported by: Ronald Tillery Other tagged players: Chandler Parsons Taj Gibson starting ahead of Domantas Sabonis tonight
Gibson will be inserted into the Thunder’s starting lineup at power forward for tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, sending Domantas Sabonis to the bench to assume a reserve role. This is a lineup change that we have been waiting a long time for from Oklahoma City, and bluntly, it is long overdue considering how much Sabonis has struggled as a member of the starting unit. Gibson has not performed particularly well of late either, but hopefully, a move into the starting five will be enough to give him the jumpstart that he needs. Gibson currently sports a depressed price tag across the industry, so he is certainly a viable option despite the difficult matchup with San Antonio solely due solely to the fact that he should approach that coveted 30-minute plateau as a starter this evening.
As reported by: Erik Horne Other tagged players: Domantas Sabonis J.R. Smith (thumb) playing tonight against Detroit
Smith will play in tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons after previously being listed as questionable on the Cavaliers’ injury report with a fractured left thumb that has kept him sidelined since December 20th. The news of Smith being available to play is somewhat surprising considering he was reported as unlikely to play as of yesterday. Smith missed today’s shootaround due to an illness, so his role for tonight’s contest in terms of minutes has yet to be clarified by the Cavaliers, but he will definitely come off the bench in his return from injury and will be subject to an unspecified minutes restriction. With Kyle Korver already ruled out, Smith will share reserve backcourt minutes with Deron Williams and DeAndre Liggins
As reported by: John Michael Tobias Harris (left knee contusion) will also be available tonight
Tobias Harris was dealing with a left knee contusion and the team had originally listed him as probable. The beat writer mentioned that Stan Van Gundy thought he was more questionable than Baynes. Due to iffy nature of his injury, Harris is simply too risky in a cash game environment. Still, Harris was playing well over the last four games but his reserve role and injured knee make the upside come into question.
As reported by: Jake Chapman Aron Baynes (ankle) will play off the bench tonight
Baynes will be available to play off the bench in tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after previously being listed as questionable on the Pistons’ injury report with a sprained right ankle. Baynes will resume his normal backup center role behind Andre Drummond, but unfortunately, his minutes remain too inconsistent to ever be considered as a viable option in daily fantasy formats. Baynes’ availability in the rotation obviously removes Boban Marjanovic from any sort of consideration entirely.
As reported by: Jake Chapman Tobias Harris (left knee contusion) probable for tonight's game; Aron Baynes (ankle) listed as questionable
Baynes remains questionable for tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sprained right ankle he suffered in Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, while Tobias Harris is still probable with a left knee contusion but is fully expected to suit up for tonight’s contest. If Baynes is ruled out, Boban Marjanovic will enter the Detroit rotation as the primary backup center behind Andre Drummond, however, he will still only see limited playing time. Boban could be worth a blind dart throw in tournaments given how small Thursday’s slate is, but even still, it’s probably getting too cute considering Boban needs to see at least 15-20 minutes of action to have a chance at becoming a factor in large-field tournaments.
As reported by: Aaron McMann Other tagged players: Aron Baynes Brook Lopez (sprained right ankle) officially ruled out for Friday
Lopez has officially been ruled out in advance of tomorrow’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a sprained right ankle. The Nets have yet to announce his expected replacement in the starting lineup, but Justin Hamilton is the clear leading candidate to draw the start at center. The Brooklyn rotation minutes are so fickle that it’s difficult to pinpoint where exactly his vacated production would be diverted among the remaining Nets starters. Luckily, the matchup with Dallas is not a great one, so it will be rather easy to avoid Nets players in cash games on Friday.
As reported by: Mike Gallagher Other tagged players: Joe Harris Nikola Jokic (illness) officially questionable for Friday; Kenneth Faried (back) doubtful
Updating a previous report: Nikola Jokic is now officially listed as questionable due to an illness and Kenneth Faried is listed as doubtful. Mason Plumlee will once again start if Jokic is out but we’ll have to wait for another update from the team tomorrow after shootaround.
As reported by: Adam Mares Other tagged players: Kenneth Faried, Mason Plumlee DeMarre Carroll (ankle) able to participate in practice today
DeMarre Carroll injured his ankle on Saturday and was unable to play last night. P.J. Tucker replaced him in the starting lineup and played 38 minutes. In true Tucker form, he was unable to score even 20 fantasy points and will be a low-end option against the Hawks if Carroll is out of the lineup. Norman Powell was also unable to take advantage of Carroll’s absence and will need to log over 24 minutes to really make an impact in a crowded rotation. Look for another update regarding Carroll’s status tomorrow.
As reported by: Eric Koreen Other tagged players: P.J. Tucker, Norman Powell