DFS Alerts
Aron Baynes starting for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (shoulder) tonight
Baynes will draw the start at power forward in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz, as Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy attempts to matchup better with the Jazz sans Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jon Leuer, who both have already been ruled out. The expectation was for Stanley Johnson to be slated into the starting lineup for Caldwell-Pope, but it is hard to argue with this starting lineup decision given Utah’s propensity to play big, especially in their starting five. Despite coming off the bench, Johnson still remains a viable punt option on the late slates along with starter Aron Baynes.
As reported by: Keith Langlois Other tagged players: Stanley Johnson
Serge Ibaka (shoulder) will start tonight
Ibaka will play and start in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers after previously being listed as questionable on the Magic’s injury report with a sore right shoulder that forced him to miss just one game. There hasn’t been any report of a minutes restriction for Ibaka, so he should be expected to be a full go this evening. The Trail Blazers present one of the best matchups for opposing front courts and Ibaka is certainly in play for the late slates across the industry despite Friday being his first game back after dealing with a sore shoulder.
As reported by: Orlando Magic PR Reggie Bullock (knee) available to play tonight
Bullock will be available to play in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz after being sidelined for the Pistons’ previous 25 games with a torn meniscus in his left knee. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jon Leuer already ruled out for Friday, Bullock may be able to see some playing time off the bench behind Stanley Johnson and Darrun Hilliard. However, the Pistons coaching will certainly want to bring him along slowly after such an extended absence.
As reported by: Rod Beard Lucas Nogueira starting for Patrick Patterson (knee, rest) tonight
Patterson will be rested for tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets as he continues to deal with a strained left knee. Patterson was inserted into the starting lineup for the Raptors’ previous game, replacing the duo of Norman Powell and Lucas Nogueira, who had each recently had stints with the starting unit. Nogueira will draw the start this evening, which is rather surprising, as Trevor Booker is an undersized power forward, which would have made it easy for Raptors’ head coach Dwane Casey to slide DeMarre Carroll down to the four spot and put Powell at small forward. Theoretically, Jonas Valanciunas should see close to 30 minutes of run in a matchup against Brook Lopez, but his minutes and production are still too volatile to be confidently recommended as anything other than a tournament option.
As reported by: RaptorsMR Zach LaVine (hip) ruled out for tonight
LaVine will not play in tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after previously being listed as questionable on the Timberwolves’ injury report with a left hip contusion that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Brandon Rush will draw the start at shooting guard once again in LaVine’s absence. Not only did Rush start on Wednesday, but stepped right into LaVine’s role and played a whopping 36 minutes. Given his price tag across the industry, Rush is now one the top value plays on tonight’s slate. According to our CourtIQ tool, Wiggins leads the Timberwolves with a substantial 6.6% usage rate differential (36.4%) with LaVine off the court this season, making him a near must play in every format given his price tag and matchup.
Amir Johnson starting tonight, Jaylen Brown available off the bench
Johnson and Brown will play in tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks after both forwards’ statuses for Friday’s contest were previously up in the air. Johnson will resume his role with the starting unit at power forward, while Jaylen Brown will continue to come off the bench, and both are not expected to be limited by a minutes restriction in their return. Avery Bradley, Tyler Zeller, and James Young were all previously ruled out, meaning that Marcus Smart will continue to start at shooting guard. With the aforementioned trio of players of the court this season, Isaiah Thomas leads the Celtics’ with a 37.5% usage rate, which is a 2.5% increase over his season average. The Hawks struggle defending opposing point guards (27th DvP), and Dennis Schroder is one of the worst individual defenders in the league, making Thomas a lock and load play in all formats.
As reported by: Adam Himmelbach Other tagged players: Jaylen Brown Spencer Dinwiddie starting for the Nets; Isaiah Whitehead ruled out
Whitehead will not play in tonight’s game against the Toronto Raptors after previously being listed as questionable on the Nets’ injury report with a sprained left knee. Spencer Dinwiddie will draw the start at point guard in Whitehead’s place, immediately vaulting him into punt consideration, and he should approach or even exceed the 30-minute plateau in an exploitable individual matchup with Kyle Lowry. It would also be difficult to imagine Dinwiddie not receiving blowout run should the Raptors run away with this game, as he is the only active true point guard,on the Nets’ roster, besides Randy Foye.
As reported by: Brian Lewis Other tagged players: Isaiah Whitehead Correction: Patrick Patterson ruled out for tonight, NOT Patrick Beverley
Patterson will be rested for tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets as he continues to deal with a strained left knee. Patterson was inserted into the starting lineup for the Raptors’ previous game, replacing the duo of Norman Powell and Lucas Nogueira, who had each recently had stints with the starting unit. Powell is likeliest of the two to draw the start Friday in Patterson’s place, as Trevor Booker is an undersized power forward, making it easy for Raptors’ head coach Dwane Casey to slide DeMarre Carroll down to the four spot. Theoretically, Jonas Valanciunas should see close to 30 minutes of run in a matchup against Brook Lopez, but his minutes and production are still too volatile to be confidently recommended as anything other than a tournament option.
Dejounte Murray (ankle) ruled out for Saturday
Murray will not play in tomorrow night’s game against the Phoenix Suns due to a sprained right ankle. Murray has averaged less than seven minutes over his last five games played, so his absence from Saturday’s contest will do little to affect the Spurs’ rotation, though there could be a few extra backup point guard minutes for Patty Mills.
As reported by: Jabari Young Nicolas Batum and Cody Zeller confirmed in the lineup; playing without a minutes restriction
Zeller will play in tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after previously being listed as questionable on the Hornets’ injury report with an illness that forced him to miss the previous game. Zeller and Nicolas Batum, who was cleared to play earlier in the day, will both reportedly not be limited by a set minutes restriction. Zeller is a risky option given the return from an illness and difficult matchup against Joel Embiid, while Batum draws a much easier matchup against the Sixers’ susceptible back court defense.
As reported by: Rick Bonnell Other tagged players: Cody Zeller Nikola Mirotic ruled out for Saturday; Jimmy Butler and Denzel Valentine listed as questionable
Mirotic will not play in tomorrow night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to an illness that also kept him sidelined in the Bulls’ previous game. Additionally, Jimmy Butler and Denzel Valentine have been upgraded to questionable, and their status, specifically Butler’s, could drastically alter the landscape of Saturday’s slates.
As reported by: Sean Highkin Other tagged players: Jimmy Butler, Denzel Valentine Anthony Davis (hip) likely to play in his hometown of Chicago tomorrow
Anthony Davis was unable to play last night against the Nets but is progressing and is hopeful to play against the Bulls tomorrow. Terrence Jones replaced Davis in the lineup and was one of the top values on the slate. If Davis is unable to go, Jones will look like a viable cash game play again. The Pelicans have officially listed Anthony Davis as questionable.
As reported by: Jim Eichenhofer Other tagged players: Terrence Jones Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (shoulder) ruled out for tonight, doubtful for Sunday
KCP suffered a grade 2 sprain of his left shoulder and was seen in a sling leaving the arena last night. He has been ruled out of tonight’s contest and Stanley Johnson will likely start in his place. Johnson is a minimum priced player across the industry since the Pistons are playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Johnson is a viable play but will be facing the Utah Jazz tonight, likely lowering his ceiling. The Pistons play the Lakers on Sunday and Stanley Johnson will be an elite option against them with KCP doubtful for that game.
As reported by: @Pistons Other tagged players: Stanley Johnson Kentavious Caldwell-Pope doubtful to play tonight for Pistons
KCP left extremely early in last night’s game against the Warriors and did not return after injuring his shoulder. The team is currently awaiting the results of an MRI but he has been listed as doubtful for tonight’s game. Stanley Johnson would be the biggest beneficiary if Caldwell-Pope can’t play with Darrun Hilliard getting some additional run as well. As soon as we get confirmation we’ll let you know for sure what KCP’s status is.
As reported by: Detroit Pistons game notes on nba.com Other tagged players: Stanley Johnson, Darrun Hilliard
Iman Shumpert to replace DeAndre Liggins in the starting lineup tonight
Not overly impactful news as both Shumpert and Liggins are not viable DFS options and their playing time should change only marginally as a result of this news. Shumpert has only topped 20 FanDuel fantasy points six times all season and has yet to top 30. While the minutes are secure, his fantasy point production per minute is dismal and he’s an untrustworthy option in all formats. Liggins might be even worse as he has no outings this season over 21 fantasy points despite logging 20+ minutes on over ten different occasions.
As reported by: Jason Lloyd Other tagged players: DeAndre Liggins