DFS Alerts
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love expected to play tonight
Cavaliers Head Coach Lue stated both Irving and Love should play tonight against Brooklyn. There was no mention of LeBron James, however, which lends credence to the possibility that he might sit out tonight. Irving and Love are obviously both in play (even moreso if James sits) against a woeful Nets defense. The return of these two is a significant hit to the value of Jordan McRae and Channing Frye.
As reported by: Jason Lloyd on Twitter Other tagged players: Kevin Love, LeBron James
Rudy Gay (hip) questionable for Friday
Gay has officially been listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a strained right hip flexor that has forced him to miss nine of the Kings’ last 10 games. Matt Barnes will likely remain in the starting lineup at small forward and has played at least 27 minutes in each of the previous four games with Gay sidelined. Barnes would best reserved for use in tournaments only if Gay is ruled out, as he still remains a highly volatile option on a night-to-night basis. With Gay off the court this season, unsurprisingly, DeMarcus Cousins has recorded an astronomical 41.5% usage rate, which is 2.8% higher than his season average. So, it goes without saying that Cousins would be an elite option in all formats with an exploitable matchup against DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers’ front court sans Blake Griffin.
As reported by: James Ham
Brandon Ingram starting for Luol Deng (bicep) tonight
Deng will not play in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers after previously being listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report with biceps tendinitis. Brandon Ingram will draw the start at small forward in his place. The projected fantasy outlook of Ingram probably would have been helped by coming off the bench, as he would have maintained similar usage and also see additional minutes with the starting unit. Regardless of starting status, Ingram is the preferred wing player to target on the Lakers if looking for a value option on the late slates.
As reported by: Mark Medina Other tagged players: Luol Deng Luol Deng (bicep) ruled out tonight
Deng will not play in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers after previously being listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report with biceps tendinitis. Lakers head coach Luke Walton refused to confirm who would replace Deng in the starting lineup, though it could be Metta World Peace, as he appeared on the Lakers’ active list, if Walton prefers to keep his second unit intact (he usually does). It goes without saying, but Metta World Peace is not a daily fantasy option. The projected fantasy outlook of Brandon Ingram is actually helped by coming off the bench, as he will maintain similar usage and also see additional minutes with the starting unit as well. Ingram is the preferred wing player to target on the Lakers, regardless of starting status.
As reported by: Mark Medina Damian Lillard will start tonight, won't be limited by a minutes restriction
Lillard will play and start in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after previously being upgraded to probable on the Trail Blazers’ injury report with a sprained right ankle that forced him to miss the last five games. Lillard will replace Allen Crabbe in the starting lineup, sending him back to the bench to resume a reserve role, while C.J. McCollum will slide back over to his customary shooting guard spot with the starting unit. Lillard is an elite tournament play, especially for his depressed price tag on DraftKings, as many players are hesitant to roster super stars in their first game back from injury. While there is certainly risk, there are not many better matchups for a point guard than a date with the Los Angeles Lakers’ back court defense.
As reported by: Joe Freeman JaMychal Green (face) questionable for Friday
Green has officially been listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Golden State Warriors due to a a fractured maxilla near his right eye that also forced him to miss Wednesday’s contest. Jarell Martin drew the start at power forward in his absence and is likely to start again in a matchup against Draymond Green should JaMychal Green be ruled out. Zach Randolph still remains an intriguing tournament option if Green is unable to suit up, as he put up a dud in just 19 minutes Wednesday and will likely see reduced ownership.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR Darrell Arthur starting ahead of Wilson Chandler tonight
Arthur will draw the start at power forward over Wilson Chandler for tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. This is an interesting move by Nuggets head coach Mike Malone, as Chandler has really gelled in the starting lineup alongside Nikola Jokic. Hopefully, this is just a matchup based starting lineup change and Chandler will find his was back with the starting unit in the Nuggets’ next game. Neither Chandler or Arthur are particularly viable options, outside of a tournament flier on the late slates, in a difficult matchup with LaMarcus Aldridge and this Spurs defensive unit.
As reported by: Harrison Wind Other tagged players: Wilson Chandler Nene starting ahead of Montrezl Harrell tonight; Patrick Beverley also starting
Nene will draw the start at center over Montrezl Harrell for tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is a somewhat surprising move considering how well Harrell has played as the starter in the absence of Clint Capela. The only logical reasoning for the change seems to point to Rockets’ head coach Mike D’Antoni preferring the individual matchup with Nene against Steven Adams on the defensive end. Despite the “demotion” to the bench, expect Harrell to still see minutes in the low 30’s and remains the preferred target over Nene in any format.
As reported by: Johnathan Feigen Other tagged players: Montrezl Harrell, Patrick Beverley Kenneth Faried (back) ruled out tonight
Faried will not play in tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs after previously being listed as questionable on the Nuggets’ injury report with lower back pain that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games. If you don’t mind playing roulette with the Nuggets’ front court rotation, Jusuf Nurkic could be an intriguing option in tournaments, as he’s averaging just under 20 minutes off the bench in Faried’s absence. Additionally, the Spurs are a matchup where he should stay active in the rotation. However, Wilson Chandler and Nikola Jokic still clearly remain the optimal targets if considering members of the Denver front court despite the relatively difficult matchup with San Antonio.
As reported by: Harrison Wind Lucas Nogueira starting ahead of Pascal Siakam tonight
Nogueira will draw the start at center over Pascal Siakam for tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz. It remains to be seen if this starting lineup change becomes a trend moving forward, but Raptors’ head coach Dwane Casey likely made the move in an effort to matchup better against the Utah starting front court of Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Neither Nogueira or Siakam are particularly viable options in a difficult matchup.
As reported by: RaptorsMR Other tagged players: Pascal Siakam Tyreke Evans (back) expected to play tonight
Evans is expected to play in tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks after previously being listed as questionable on the Pelicans’ injury report due to lower back spasms. Evans has been playing around 18 minutes of late and has all but knocked Tim Frazier out of the rotation as his minutes increases. Evans is a site-specific tournament play, as he is significantly cheaper on DraftKings. While his price is certainly cheap, its remains debatable whether he actually has the necessary upside to take down a tournament in 18-20 minutes of playing time. With that said, he still could be worth a shot on DraftKings if looking for an inexpensive shooting guard in tournaments.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the New Orleans Pelicans ICYMI: According to ESPN Sources, Damian Lillard is expected to play tonight
Damian Lillard is expected to play tonight against the Lakers. C.J. McCollum has been starting in his place with Allen Crabbe starting at SG. Crabbe is expected to go back to the bench and is not a DFS option tonight. Lillard should be considered an elite option in this matchup and it does not look like he will have any minutes restrictions. McCollum is still an elite option against the Lakers but his inflated salary lowers his potential ceiling.
As reported by: Chris Haynes Other tagged players: CJ McCollum, Allen Crabbe
Aron Baynes (ankle) ruled out for tonight
Baynes will not play in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after previously being listed as questionable on the Pistons’ injury report with a sprained left ankle that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Boban Marjanovic will likely see some of the backup center minutes along with Jon Leuer, but Marjanovic shouldn’t be expected to see enough playing time to become fantasy viable. The direct beneficiaries of additional minutes would be Leuer, Andre Drummond, and Tobias Harris. All three are now cemented as fine options this evening, especially Drummond, who has seen north of 35 minutes in three consecutive contests..
As reported by: Jake Chapman Patrick Beverley (wrist) confirmed as playing tonight
Beverley will play in tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City after previously being listed as questionable on the Rockets injury report with a sprained right wrist. There hasn’t been any official confirmation of a minutes restriction for Beverley, so it should be safe to assume he is a full go after being cleared to play. Beverley’s presence in the lineup isn’t a knock to anyone in particular on the Houston side, though it does possibly diminish the projected fantasy value of Russell Westbrook. This game could be an interesting spot for the role players on both sides, including Beverley, as Westbrook and James Harden have both failed to exceed salary expectations in recent meetings.
As reported by: Fred Katz Cody Zeller (concussion) ruled out for tonight
Zeller will not play in tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons after previously being listed as questionable on the Hornets injury report due to a concussion that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games. Roy Hibbert will remain in the starting lineup at center but is essentially a starter in name only. With Zeller sidelined, Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes have been the biggest beneficiaries of additional playing time and have been relatively consistent fantasy producers when given the opportunity. Each big man are certainly viable options this evening.
As reported by: @Hornets