DFS Alerts
Thon Maker starting ahead of Miles Plumlee tonight
Maker will be inserted into the starting lineup at center for tonight’s game against the Boston Celtics, sending Miles Plumlee back to the bench to resume his third-string center role. The reason for the lineup change remains unclear, but it is possible the Bucks head coach Jason Kidd just wants to get a longer look at Maker, as Plumlee continues to underwhelm and he prefers to bring Greg Monroe off the bench. Maker could be worth a look in tournaments at stone minimum across the industry, but there are already better value plays on the floor. that offer safer floors
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Milwaukee Bucks
Hassan Whiteside (ankle) will play tonight; Tyler Johnson (shoulder) will be a GTD
Whiteside will play in tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons after previously being listed as questionable on the Heat’s injury report with a sprained right ankle. Willie Reed will return to the bench to resume his reserve as the backup center behind Whiteside and can be entirely removed from consideration in every format. Whiteside is best reserved for tournaments on DraftKings, as he has consistently struggled to perform of late, but can be easily avoided on FanDuel for an inflated price tag. Additionally, Tyler Johnson remains questionable, and his potential absence would vault Goran Dragic into the elite play territory.
As reported by: Shandel Richardson Other tagged players: Tyler Johnson Chandler Parsons (rest) ruled out tonight; Troy Daniels (knee) and Brandan Wright (ankle) questionable
Parsons will be rested and won’t play in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz. This has a become a relatively normal practice by 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, especially in a difficult matchup with the Jazz in the slowest-paced and lowest total game of the night. Additionally, Troy Daniels and Brandan Wright are listed as questionable, but neither players absence or presence in the lineup does much to affect the Memphis rotation.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR Other tagged players: Troy Daniels, Brandan Wright Cody Zeller (quad contusion) ruled out tonight
Zeller will not play in tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings after previously being listed as questionable on the Hornets’ injury report with a quad contusion that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games. Roy Hibbert will draw the start at center in his place once again but is not a viable daily fantasy option. Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes will be the only true big men available for Charlotte behind Hibbert and both are viable tournament punts in an exploitable matchup with the Kings’ frontcourt defense, though they do carry higher foul trouble risk than normal in a matchup with DeMarcus Cousins.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR Moe Harkless (calf) upgraded to probable for Sunday; Ed Davis (wrist) ruled out
Harkless has been upgraded to probable for tomorrow’s game against the Golden State Warriors after previously being listed as questionable on the Trail Blazers’ injury report with a strained left calf that has forced him to miss two consecutive games. According to Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, Evan Turner will remain in the starting lineup at small forward even if Harkless is cleared to play. Additionally, Ed Davis will remain out for the fourth consecutive game due to a left wrist sprain. Mason Plumlee and Al-Farouq Aminu should handle a majority of the minutes in Portland’s frontcourt, but there could be a few more minutes available for the likes of Noah Vonleh and Meyers Leonard as well. However, none of the aforementioned players are particularly intriguing options on Sunday’s slate.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl Other tagged players: Ed Davis Jonathon Simmons (sprained right wrist) ruled out for Sunday
Simmons will not play in tomorrow’s game against the Dallas Mavericks as he continues to deal with a sprained right wrist that forced him to miss Friday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. With Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker back from injury, Kyle Anderson and Dejounte Murray will continue coming off the bench and resume their reserve roles. Anderson will likely absorb a majority of Simmons’ playing time but still isn’t fantasy viable unless hoping for a Spurs’ blowout of the Mavericks on Sunday.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the San Antonio Spurs Wesley Matthews (hip) will play Sunday; Deron Williams (toe) out at least two games
Matthews will play and is expected to start in tomorrow’s game against the San Antonio Spurs after missing two games with a strained right hip. Seth Curry is expected to remain in the starting lineup at point guard alongside Matthews, while Dirk Nowitzki will likely replace Dorian Finney-Smith after a one-game absence, shifting Harrison Barnes back over to small forward. With Deron Williams and J.J. Barea still sidelined, recently signed Yogi Ferrell will step in a backup guard role right away. Clearly, the Dallas backcourt could be a potential source of value on Sunday’s slate despite the difficult matchup with San Antonio.
As reported by: Dwain Price Other tagged players: Deron Williams Thabo Sefolosha (groin) ruled out for Sunday; Mike Muscala (ankle) probable
Sefolosha will not play in tomorrow’s game against the New York Knicks due to a left groin injury. Tim Hardaway will likely draw the start at the shooting guard spot in his place, sliding Kent Bazemore down to small forward. Mike Dunleavy, Malcolm Delaney, and possibly even Taurean Prince should be expected to pick up additional minutes off the bench. Hardaway becomes a particularly intriguing option, especially in tournaments, as he has a fantastic matchup with the Knicks backcourt defense. As for Muscala, he has been listed as probable with a lingering ankle injury but is fully expected to play after returning to the Hawks lineup for Friday’s contest.
As reported by: KL Chouinard Other tagged players: Mike Muscala Trevor Booker (illness) questionable tonight; Joe Harris (sprained ankle) remains out
Booker has been officially designated as questionable for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to an illness that forced him to miss Friday’s contest. Should he be ruled out, either Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Justin Hamilton would draw the start at power forward. Based on prior games Booker has been sidelined, Hamilton appears to have the edge on Hollis-Jefferson for the starting nod. Neither are particularly intriguing options, however, given the consistent fluctuation of minutes of everyone in the Brooklyn rotation. Brook Lopez remains the primary Nets player to target, especially on DraftKings, as he seems to be the one player that plays relatively consistent minutes for this Nets squad.
As reported by: Kent Youngblood Other tagged players: Joe Harris Hassan Whiteside (sprained ankle) and Tyler Johnson (strained shoulder) questionable tonight
Whiteside and Johnson have officially been listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons with their respective ailments. If Whiteside is able to return after a one-game absence, Willie Reed would be sent back to the bench to resume his reserve role. On the other hand, if Whiteside is unable to suit up, Reed would become the top value option on Saturday’s slate, as he saw a whopping 37 minutes of action in Friday’s win over the Chicago Bulls. James Johnson would also be a key beneficiary of Whiteside’s potential absence, but his price tag across the industry certainly limits his upside. As for Tyler Johnson, he has been upgraded to questionable as he continues to deal with a strained left shoulder. If he is able to give it a full go without a minute restriction, his presence in the rotation hinders the cash game viability of both Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters, though Dragic does draw the best individual matchup of the two and is more appropriately priced for his expected role should Johnson return this evening.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Tyler Johnson Moe Harkless (left calf strain) ruled out tonight
Harkless will not play in tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies after previously being listed as questionable on the Trail Blazers’ injury report with a strained left calf that has now forced him to miss two consecutive. Harkless’ absence from the rotation will free additional minutes in the second unit for Allen Crabbe, as Evan Turner was recently inserted into the Trail Blazers’ starting lineup. Additionally, Ed Davis remains out for the third consecutive game due to a left wrist sprain. Mason Plumlee and Al-Farouq Aminu should handle a majority of the minutes in Portland’s frontcourt, but there could be a few more minutes available for the likes of Noah Vonleh and Meyers Leonard as well. However, none of the aforementioned players are particularly intriguing options on the late slate in a difficult, pace-down matchup with Memphis.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl Nene starting ahead of Clint Capela at center tonight
Nene will start at center over Clint Capela for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. We’ve seen Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni rotate his big men in and out of the starting lineup consistently depending on the matchup. So, D’Antoni clearly prefers Nene to matchup with Joel Embiid for most of the game. Nene and Clint Capela will likely split center minutes pretty evenly down the middle, as Nene is should be fresh after resting in the Rockets’ previous game. Both centers are secondary tournament options at best given the expected timeshare this evening.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen Joel Embiid (left knee contusion) will play tonight
Embiid will play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets after previously being listed as questionable on the Sixers injury report with a left knee contusion that had forced him to miss two consecutive games. Embiid will remain on his normal minute restriction of 28 minutes and his return to the starting lineup will likely demote Jahlil Okafor to third-string center behind Nerlens Noel. Additionally, Richaun Holmes will likely fall out of the frontcourt rotation entirely. Embiid draws a great matchup with Houston and is a fantastic tournament option after carrying a questionable designation throughout the day.
As reported by: Keith Pompey Jonathon Simmons (sprained wrist) expected to be out tonight
Simmons is highly unlikely to play in tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans as he continues to deal with a sprained right wrist that previously landed him on the Spurs’ injury report as questionable earlier in the day. With Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker returning from injury, Kyle Anderson and Dejounte Murray will return to the bench to resume their reserve roles. Anderson will likely absorb a majority of Simmons’ playing time but still isn’t fantasy viable unless hoping for a Spurs’ blowout of Pelicans this evening.
As reported by: Jeff McDonald
Willie Reed confirmed as the starter in place of Hassan Whiteside
Reed will draw the start at center in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls for the injured Hassan Whiteside. He will start alongside Luke Babbitt and Rodney McGruder in the Heat frontcourt. Reed is one of the top value options on Friday’s slate, and for good reason, as he has performed extremely well for the most part in his previous four starts with Whiteside sidelined due to injuries.
As reported by: @Heat