DFS Alerts
Marcus Smart will start for Jae Crowder (personal) tonight
Crowder will not play in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers as he is currently not with the team tending to a family matter. Unfortunately, Crowder never appeared on the Celtics’ injury point at any point throughout the day, so his late scratch from the lineup was entirely unexpected. In his absence, Marcus Smart will draw the start at shooting guard, sliding Jaylen Brown down to small forward. Both now become extremely interesting tournament options on the late slate given their projected minute floors with Crowder and Avery Bradley unavailable. Not surprisingly, Isaiah Thomas leads the Celtics with a positive 4.4% usage rate differential (40.1%) with the aforementioned duo of Crowder and Bradley off the court this season. This news just further cements Thomas’ status as an elite play in all formats given the exploitable matchup with the Trail Blazers’ backcourt defense.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Boston Celtics
Jae Crowder (personal) ruled out tonight
Crowder will not play in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers as he is currently not with the team tending to a family matter. Unfortunately, Crowder never appeared on the Celtics’ injury point at any point throughout the day, so his late scratch from the lineup was entirely unexpected. In his absence, Marcus Smart will draw the start at shooting guard, sliding Jaylen Brown down to small forward. Both now become extremely interesting tournament options on the late slate given their projected minute floors with Crowder and Avery Bradley unavailable. Not surprisingly, Isaiah Thomas leads the Celtics with a positive 4.4% usage rate differential (40.1%) with the aforementioned duo of Crowder and Bradley off the court this season. This news just further cements Thomas’ status as an elite play in all formats given the exploitable matchup with the Trail Blazers’ backcourt defense.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Boston Celtics Dante Exum will start for George Hill (toe) tonight
Hill will not play in tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a sore right big toe. Hill was a surprise late scratch from Thursday’s lineup after previously not appearing on the Jazz’s injury report with any sort of injury designation. Dante Exum will draw the start at point guard in his place and could be worth a look in tournaments on the late slate. This game is by far the least appealing to target players from on tonight’s slate, but Gordan Hayward would be the top option if going that route, as he owns a positive 3.3% usage rate differential (32.5%) and averages approximately 42 fantasy points per 36 minutes with Hill and Rodney Hood off the court this season, which would allow him to exceed salary-based expectations on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Utah Jazz LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love confirmed in starting lineup
Following up on prior reports, the trio of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love will play and start in tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after the big three were previously more probable than not to be rested this evening before being upgraded to likely to play. With this official confirmation, Jordan Mcrae, Kay Felder, Channing Frye, Kyle Korver, and the rest of the Cavaliers value options need to be downgraded or removed from daily fantasy consideration entirely.
As reported by: Sam Gannon Other tagged players: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love Chandler Parsons (planned recovery day) ruled out for Friday
Parsons will be rested and won’t play in tomorrow’s game against the Golden State Warriors. This has a become a relatively normal routine of the Memphis coaching staff, as Parsons remains on a maintenance plan while he works his way back from multiple injuries and has yet to play both games of a back-to-back set this season. James Ennis will start in his place at small forward and is worth consideration in tournaments but is typically a low-floor, low-ceiling option, and he may not viable on Friday’s slate depending on what other value options open or don’t open up.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR George Hill (sore big toe) ruled out tonight
Hill will not play in tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a sore right big toe. Hill was a surprise late scratch from Thursday’s lineup after previously not appearing on the Jazz’s injury report with any sort of injury designation. There has yet to be any confirmation on Hill’s replacement in the starting lineup but Dante Exum or Shelvin Mack would be the likeliest candidates to take over at point guard. This game is by far the least appealing to target players from on tonight’s slate, but Gordan Hayward would be the top option if going that route, as he owns a positive 3.3% usage rate differential (32.5%) and averages approximately 42 fantasy points per 36 minutes with Hill and Rodney Hood off the court this season, which would allow him to exceed salary-based expectations on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
As reported by: David Locke LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love all expected to play tonight
James, Irving, and Love are all now expected to play in tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue, after the big three were previously more probable than not to be rested this evening. Additionally, Lue left open the possibility that he may change his mind about the availability of one or all of the big three for Thursday’s contest, which is the second night of a back-to-back set. Clearly, this news may change, but as of now, Jordan Mcrae, Kay Felder, Channing Frye, Kyle Korver, and the rest of the Cavaliers value options need to be downgraded or removed from daily fantasy consideration entirely.
As reported by: Royce Young Other tagged players: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love
Alex Abrines (back) available to play tonight
Alex Abrines is available to play off the Oklahoma City bench tonight. Abrines has not played over 20 minutes in 13 consecutive games and has missed four of the last five. He’s not a viable DFS option and should be avoided on this slate.
As reported by: Brett Dawson Ersan Ilyasova confirmed in the starting lineup vs. Orlando
Ilyasova will play and start in tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic after previously being downgraded to probable on the Sixers’ injury report with a sore right hip. The Sixers are already without Joel Embiid and Richaun Holmes, meaning there are a plethora of minutes available for the likes of Ilyasova, Jahlil Okafor, and Robert Covington. All three players are certainly in play and are fine options on tonight’s slate.
As reported by: Tom Moore Emmanuel Mudiay (back) ruled out for Friday's game vs. New York
Updating a previous report, Emmanuel Mudiay will not play against the Knicks on Friday. He was listed as questionable due to his back injury but will not be available. Jameer Nelson will continue to start and Jamal Murray will be used as his backup. Murray has played extremely well given his limited minutes while Nelson has been the more volatile option. Both players are in play against the Knicks, who have been gashed by PGs all season long.
As reported by: Chris Dempsey Other tagged players: Jameer Nelson, Jamal Murray Eric Gordon (sore back) ruled out; Nene (sore shoulder) is available but not expected to play
Gordon will not play in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after previously being listed as questionable on the Rockets’ injury report with a sore back. Eric Brewer will likely draw the start at the shooting guard spot in his absence. However, Sam Dekker would be the preferred value option to target on the Rockets despite coming off the bench, as he will likely see minutes in the mid-to-upper-20’s. Additionally, Nene will be active but is not expected to play as he is dealing with a shoulder injury. In his absence, Montrezl Harrell should be expected to reenter the rotation, while Ryan Anderson may some some extra run at both the power forward and center positions in small ball lineups.
As reported by: Craig Ackerman Other tagged players: Nene Hilario Ersan Ilyasova (hip) now probable to play against Orlando; Dario Saric will start if he's unable to go
Ilyasova has officially been downgraded to probable for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic after previously not being listed on the Sixers’ injury report earlier in the day. If Ilyasova is unable to suit up for some reason, Dario Saric will draw the start at power forward in his absence. With Joel Embiid and Richaun Holmes already ruled out, there would be a plethora of frontcourt minutes available for the likes of Saric, Jahlil Okafor, Robert Covington, and Nerlens Noel, putting all of them firmly in play. However, Saric, Okafor, and Covington would be the elite options for Philadelphia sans Ilyasova and Embiid.
As reported by: Keith Pompey Other tagged players: Dario Saric Tyreke Evans (left ankle sprain) questionable for Friday's game
Evans is listed as questionable to face the Timberwolves on Friday after missing Wednesday’s game with a left ankle sprain. The Pelicans were run out of the gym by the Jazz without Evans in the lineup, which allowed for Tim Frazier to see 24 minutes of run, a trend that isn’t likely to continue if Evans sits on Friday and the game stays competitive. Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis (plus Terrence Jones to a lesser extent) will remain the only viable DFS targets on the New Orleans side if Evans isn’t able to go against Minnesota – Holiday has the best match-up on the New Orleans side, as the Wolves rank 16th in DvP against PGs and he’d have a nice advantage if he’s able to work against Ricky Rubio. Holiday has been an elite per minute contributor of late and benefits anytime Evans is out of the lineup.
As reported by: @Pelicans Other tagged players: Jrue Holiday, Tim Frazier C.J. Watson starting over Elfrid Payton tonight
Watson will be inserted in the Magic starting lineup at point guard for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Elfrid Payton back to the bench to assume a reserve role. Despite the starting nod, it’s difficult to imagine Watson seeing more minutes than Payton in Thursday’s contest. With all the value available on tonight’s slate, Watson is a relatively uninteresting option in every format. On the other hand, Payton was already an intriguing tournament target in a great matchup with the Sixers’ backcourt defense but will now see reduced ownership due to his “demotion” to the bench.
As reported by: John Denton Other tagged players: Elfrid Payton Mario Hezonja starting in place of Aaron Gordon tonight
Hezonja will surprisingly draw the start at small forward in place of Aaron Gordon for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers despite Jeff Green (personal) being available to play. Despite the starting nod, it’s realistic to expect Hezonja and Green to split the small forward minutes relatively down the middle, meaning they will each likely see minutes in the mid-20’s. This slate is poised to be loaded with value but Hezonja and Green are both certainly in play for tournaments.
As reported by: John Denton Other tagged players: Aaron Gordon