DFS Alerts
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving return to the starting lineup tonight; Richard Jefferson will start as well
No real surprise here, but both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving will rejoin the Cavs starting lineup after sitting out Saturday’s game. Both James and Irving are viable DFS targets, although Irving is the preferred play this evening given that LeBron’s price tag is inflated (he’s up to $11K on FD) and Kyrie actually picks up the biggest bump in usage with Kevin Love off the floor. Small forward is also a pretty deep spot tonight, with both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler in better situations on the high-end of the salary pool. Richard Jefferson will start this evening, but he’s not a recommended DFS target with the Cavs rolling out a trio of options (Derrick Williams, Channing Frye and Jefferson) to help fill the void left by Kevin Love.
As reported by: Barry Jackson Other tagged players: Kyrie Irving, Richard Jefferson
Gerald Henderson replacing Nik Stauskas in the starting lineup tonight
Henderson will be reinserted into the starting lineup at shooting guard for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee, sending Nik Stauskas back to the bench to resume his reserve role. Additionally, Richaun Holmes will also be good to go after carrying a probable designation throughout the day with right hamstring tightness. Holmes will draw the start at center once again given the Sixers current lack of depth in the frontcourt with Jahlil Okafor officially ruled out. Assuming Holmes is healthy enough, he should see all the minutes he can handle with Justin Harper and fellow starter Dario Saric the only big men that can even conceivably absorb some minutes at the five spot. This vaults Holmes and Saric into elite play status on Monday’s slate.
As reported by: Jessica Camerato Other tagged players: Nik Stauskas Nikola Vucevic (sore Achilles) ruled out for tonight; Bismack Biyombo to start again
Vucevic will not play in tonight’s game against the New York Knicks after previously being listed as questionable on the Magic’s injury report with a sore right Achilles that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Bismack Biyombo will draw the start at center in place once again and played a whopping 34 minutes on Sunday as a starter. In the four previous games that Vucevic has missed this season, Biyombo has seen extremely consistent playing time, averaging 34 minutes of action per contest, and priced at the stone minimum on FanDuel and DraftKings, he now becomes the chalk option at the center spot. However, this is just a scenario where we just eat the chalk and move on, as Biyombo should be expected to crush his salary-based expectations in an exploitable matchup and Serge Ibaka no longer on the Orlando roster.
As reported by: Joshua Robbins Other tagged players: Bismack Biyombo Jahlil Okafor (sore) knee officially ruled out; Gerald Henderson and Richaun Holmes available to play
Okafor will not play in tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks after previously being listed as doubtful on the Sixers’ injury report with a sore right knee that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Additionally, Richaun Holmes and Gerald Henderson will be good to go after carrying probable designations throughout the day with their respective ailments. Holmes will draw the start at center once again given the Sixers current lack of depth in the frontcourt with Okafor now officially unavailable. Assuming Holmes is healthy enough, he should see all the minutes he can handle with Justin Harper and fellow starter Dario Saric the only big men that can even conceivably absorb some minutes at the five spot, making him and Saric both elite plays on Monday’s slate.
As reported by: Bob Cooney Other tagged players: Gerald Henderson, Richaun Holmes Andrew Bogut active and available to debut tonight for Cleveland
Bogut will be available to play off the bench in tonight’s game against the Miami Heat and will likely make his Cavaliers debut. Despite signing a contract with Cleveland several days ago, Bogut apparently had some issues with his Visa, which ultimately delayed his debut until this evening. His role in the rotation is still yet to be determined, but he is expected to take the reigns on the backup center minutes behind Tristan Thompson once he is fully up to speed. Thankfully, Bogut will not be a viable daily fantasy option on most nights barring an injury to Thompson or another Cavaliers big man, so he can be avoided until further notice.
As reported by: Rick Noland George Hill (toe), Joe Johnson (groin), and Shelvin Mack (ankle) have all been ruled out for tonight
The Jazz have ruled out George Hill due to his recurring toe issue. Shelvin Mack has been out for an extended period of time and Dante Exum will take over the lead point guard duties. Joe Johnson has already missed two games due to the injury and Joe Ingles has replaced his spot in the rotation. Exum rarely has a strong performance even in a starting role and is not the top value play on the team. Gordon Hayward leads the team in usage with Hill, Johnson, and Mack off but does not see a significant usage differential. With so many SFs in play tonight, Hayward just gets added to the list.
As reported by: @JAzz Other tagged players: Joe Johnson, Shelvin Mack, Gordon Hayward Jordan Crawford has signed a 10-day contract with the Pelicans; available to debut tonight
Jordan Crawford has signed a 10-day deal with the Pelicans and should be seen in action tonight. The Pelicans are severely shorthanded and are playing on the second night of a back-to-back. With this news coming after salaries were released, Crawford is not available on the sites. Hollis Thompson has been playing 25+ minutes but has been largely ineffective. Crawford could move Thompson down a bit in the rotation or be used as the backup guard behind E’Twaun Moore.
As reported by: @Pelicans Other tagged players: Hollis Thompson, E'Twaun Moore Victor Oladipo takes part in light practice today; could return soon
The Thunder guard took part in a light practice today and Head Coach Billy Donovan stated he would go through the team shootaround tomorrow and they would evaluate his status at that time. We’ll update you tomorrow when that happens.
As reported by: Brett Dawson on Twitter
J.J. Barea unlikely (very doubtful) to return to action for Dallas on Tuesday
Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle stated that Barea was very doubtful to take the court for the team when they play their game on Tuesday night. A March 10th return seems more likely for the veteran point guard.
As reported by: Earl Sneed on Twitter Nikola Jokic questionable for Nuggets due to illness; Kenneth Faried OUT
Jokic is a new addition to the injury report as he has been downgraded to questionable for Denver’s game against the Kings due to illness. With Kenneth Faried already ruled out (he had been doubtful and not expected to play), Mason Plumlee could be in line for big minutes if Jokic is unable to go. Plumlee, whose price has decreased since joining Denver due to a change in role, would be a top center option if he gets the start if Jokic sits.
As reported by: T.J. McBride on Twitter Other tagged players: Kenneth Faried, Mason Plumlee Jahilil Okafor doubtful for 76ers tonight; Gerald Henderson and Richaun Holmes both probable
Okafor missed the morning shootaround and appears likely to miss his second straight game for the 76ers tonight. Richaun Holmes, who is probable for the night, will be a top value option if Okafor can not go. Gerald Henderson is also probable and should play. His return is a slight hit to the value of Nik Stauskas and Justin Anderson.
As reported by: Philadelphia 76ers official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Gerald Henderson, Richaun Holmes Dwyane Wade OUT for Bulls tonight; Rajon Rondo a game-time decision
Wade missed the team shootaround and has been ruled out in advance of Chicago’s game against the Pistons tonight. Rajon Rondo is a game-time call as well with an ankle injury. Cameron Payne, Jerian Grant, and Denzel Valentine all stand to benefit if Rondo sits but it’s Jimmy Butler who is the key player to target as his usage increases substantially with Wade off of the court.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson on Twitter Other tagged players: Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler Wesley Matthews (hip) replaces Nerlens Noel in Mavericks starting lineup
Matthews will play and likely start in tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after previously being listed as questionable on the Mavericks’ injury report with a hip injury that had forced him to miss two consecutive games. With Matthews rejoining the starting lineup, Nerlens Noel is the odd man out of the starting five for at least one game, which is surprising, considering Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle was expected to deploy Noel in an effort to better matchup with Steven Adams defensively. Seth Curry has earned a prominent role in the Mavericks rotation and remains in the starting lineup on Sunday, making him a fine option in all formats in a plus individual matchup with Alex Abrines and the Thunder backcourt. As for Matthews, he will likely draw Andre Roberson defense, making him an easy fade in his first game back from injury where he could be slightly limited.
As reported by: Earl K. Sneed
Ivica Zubac (quad contusion) ruled out tonight
Zubac will not play in tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a quad contusion despite never appearing on the Lakers’ injury report at any point over the weekend. He has recently taken over as the Lakers primary backup center, but his minutes have been relatively sporadic since the All-Star break. Zubac’s absence will likely allow Timofey Mozgov and even possibly Thomas Robinson to reenter the frontcourt rotation after both have been DNP-CDs for several weeks. If anything, this may extend a longer leash to Tarik Black, who could possibly push for 25-30 minutes in an effort to matchup with the twin towers of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Los Angeles Lakers Shelvin Mack (sprained left ankle) ruled out tonight
Mack sprained his ankle during pregame warmups and will not be active for tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings. He hasn’t played a game in nearly a full month, so obviously Mack’s absence from the active roster will have little to no effect on the rest of the Jazz rotation on Sunday.
As reported by: Aaron Falk