DFS Alerts
Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder, Luke Babbitt, and Willie Reed will start for Miami tonight
Whiteside, Dragic, and Winslow will not play in tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons due to various physical ailments. With Dion Waiters and Josh McRoberts still sidelined, the Heat will be extremely shorthanded for this contest, as they only have nine active players available, if including the corpse of Udonis Haslem. The Heat have officially announced that their starting lineup for Sunday will be Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder, Luke Babbitt, and Willie Reed. In situations like these, an argument can realistically be made for anyone that will see substantial playing time, but Richardson, James Johnson, and Tyler Johnson are the optimal players to target. With the aforementioned injured players off the court this season, Tyler Johnson has posted the largest sample size and owns a 5.6% usage rate differential (27.6%), while averaging north of a fantasy point per minute. Even though he likely won’t start, Johnson remains just as elite of an option as Richardson and James Johnson.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: James Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic, Justise Winslow
Kawhi Leonard (illness) will play tonight, confirmed in starting lineup
Leonard will play and start in tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks after missing the Spurs’ previous two games due to an illness. His return to the lineup will send Justin Anderson back to the bench to resume a reserve role, while also making LaMarcus Aldridge a less viable fantasy option this evening. As for Leonard, he is certainly worth a look in tournaments given how shallow the small forward position is on this slate.
As reported by: KL Chouinard Evan Fournier (heel) ruled out tonight
Fournier will not play in tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers after previously being listed as questionable on the Magics’ injury report with a right heel contusion. Jodie Meeks will draw the start at shooting guard once again in his absence, while the rest of the Magic starting five will remain the same. Meeks obviously deserves consideration as a punt option in tournaments across the industry. However, D.J. Augustin actually leads the Magic with the 4.4% usage rate differential (26.4%) with Fournier off the court this season. Unfortunately, Augustin needs to be reserved for tournaments only, as he continue to sees less playing time than Elfrid Payton at point guard despite being the “starter”. Meeks is preferred target of the two depending on individual roster construction, though Payton would be the top overall play on Orlando, as he offers the most upside and has eclipsed 30 fantasy points in two of the three games that Fournier has been sidelined due to injury.
As reported by: John Denton Monta Ellis (ankle) will play tonight
Ellis will not play in tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic after previously being listed as questionable on the Pacers’ injury report with a sprained left ankle. Ellis had recently returned from an eight-game absence due to a groin injury and played just a combined 31 minutes off the bench in the last two games. With Rodney Stuckey already ruled out in advance of tonight’s contest, Jeff Teague still remains an intriguing tournament option despite Ellis’ limited presence in the rotation, though his projected fantasy outlook and ceiling certainly take a decent hit with Ellis active.
As reported by: Josh Robbins Hassan Whiteside (eye), Goran Dragic (back), and Justise Winslow (shoulder) ruled out tonight
Whiteside, Dragic, and Winslow will not play in tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons due to various physical ailments. With Dion Waiters and Josh McRoberts still sidelined, the Heat will be extremely shorthanded for this contest, as they only have nine active players available, if including the corpse of Udonis Haslem. In situations like these, an argument can realistically be made for anyone that will see substantial playing time, but James Johnson, Josh Richardson, and Tyler Johnson are the optimal players to target. With the aforementioned injured players off the court this season, Tyler Johnson has posted the largest sample size and owns a 5.6% usage rate differential (27.6%), while averaging north of a fantasy point per minute. Even though he likely won’t start, Johnson remains just as elite of an option as Richardson and James Johnson.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Miami Heat Other tagged players: Goran Dragic, Justise Winslow Chris Paul (hamstring) doubtful for Monday; Wesley Johnson (ankle) questionable
Paul is doubtful to play in tomorrow night’s game against the Phoenix Suns due to strained left hamstring that has forced him to miss five of the Clippers’ last six games. Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers has rotated replacement starting point guards in Paul’s absence, but Austins Rivers is most likely to draw the start once again. Rivers has played relatively well filling in for Paul, and he has seen at least 32 minutes of playing time in three of the last four games. The one exception was due to an early ejection. According to our CourtIQ tool, Rivers leads the Clippers with a 4.2% usage rate differential (24.3%) with Paul and Blake Griffin off the court this season. So, needless to say, he would make for a fine value point guard option on Monday’s slate in an ideal pace-up matchup against the Suns’ horrendous back court defense.
As reported by: Brad Turner Other tagged players: Wesley Johnson Jameer Nelson (ribs) and Darrell Arthur (knee) questionable for Monday
Jameer Nelson is questionable due to a rib injury for Monday’s game against the Warriors. Emmanuel Mudiay will likely benefit with some additional minutes if Nelson is out but against the Warriors he will be a risky option. Darrell Arthur is questionable due to a knee injury and has missed the past three games. He’s not affecting the rotations and can be completely ignored.
As reported by: Chris Dempsey Other tagged players: Darrell Arthur, Emmanuel Mudiay Brandon Jennings and Lance Thomas starting for Courtney Lee (wrist) and Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) tonight
Porzingis, Lee, and O’Quinn all will not play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets due to various ailments. Porzingis and O’Quinn were unexpected scratches from the lineup, as neither had been given a designation on the Knicks’ injury report. Lance Thomas will replace Porzingis in the starting lineup, sliding Carmelo Anthony over to power forward. Despite his role off the bench, Willy Hernangomez is expected to play substantial minutes with Porzingis and O’Quinn unavailable for this one. As far as Lee’s absence, Brandon Jennings will draw the start alongside Derrick Rose in the Knicks’ back court. Justin Holiday also remains a viable option in tournaments at a shallow shooting guard position, especially given the likelihood New York rolls out a small ball lineup more than normal sans Porzingis and O’Quinn.
As reported by: Al Iannazzone Other tagged players: Lance Thomas, Courtney Lee, Kristaps Porzingis Corey Brewer confirmed as starter for Patrick Beverley tonight; Montrezl Harrell starting ahead of Nene
Beverley was a late scratch from the Rockets’ lineup for tonight’s game against the New York Knicks due to pain in his right wrist. Corey Brewer will draw the start at shooting guard in his absence, as Rockets head coack Mike D’Antoni prefers to keep Eric Gordon in his normal role off the bench. Brewer is a starter in name only and Gordon is the Rocket guard to target in this contest, outside of James Harden of course. As for Harrell, his reinsertion into the starting lineup was imminent, as he’s significantly outperformed and outpaced Nene minutes-wise on a night-to-night basis. Hopefully, this is a permanent lineup change and not just a way to limit Nene’s minutes on the second night of a back-to-back.
As reported by: Johnathan Feigen Other tagged players: Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, Nene Hilario Patrick Beverley (wrist) ruled out tonight
Beverley was a late scratch from the Rockets’ lineup for tonight’s game against the New York Knicks due to pain in his right wrist. Corey Brewer will likely draw the start in his absence, as Rockets head coack Mike D’Antoni prefers to keep Eric Gordon in his normal role off the bench. Brewer is a starter in name only and Gordon is the Rocket guard to target in this contest, outside of James Harden of course.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins Chris Paul (hamstring) officially ruled out tonight
Paul will not play in tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to strained left hamstring that has now forced him to miss six of the Clippers’ last seven games. Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers has rotated replacement starting point guards in Paul’s absence, but Austins Rivers will draw the start in this one, as expected, since Raymond Felton played 31 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Houston Rockets after Rivers’ ejection from the game. According to our CourtIQ tool, Rivers leads the Clippers with a 4.2% usage rate differential (24.3%) with Paul and Blake Griffin off the court this season. So, needless to say, he makes for a fine value point guard option on tonight’s slate in an exploitable matchup with the Thunder’s back court defense.
As reported by: Royce Young Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles), Courtney Lee (wrist), and Kyle O'Quinn (illness) ruled out tonight
Porzingis, Lee, and O’Quinn all will not play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets due to various ailments. Porzingis and O’Quinn are unexpected scratches from the lineup, as neither had been given a designation on the Knicks’ injury report. It remains unclear who will start in Porzingis’ place at power forward, but Willy Hernangomez is expected to play substantial minutes off the bench at the very least. As far as Lee’s absence, Sasha Vujacic will likely draw the start at shooting guard once again. Justin Holiday still remains the preferred option of the two guards, especially given the likelihood New York goes with a small ball lineup more than normal sans Porzingis.
As reported by: NY_Knicks PR Other tagged players: Courtney Lee, Kyle O'Quinn Victor Oladipo (wrist) will start tonight, won't be limited by a minutes restriction
Olapipo will play and start in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after previously being listed as out on the Thunder’s game notes with a sprained right wrist that had kept him sidelined for nine consecutive games. Anthony Morrow and Jerami Grant each had stints as the starting shooting guard in Oladipo’s absence, and will be sent back to the bench to resume reserve roles. Given that Oladipo’s injury was not of the lower body variety, it makes sense that he would not be subject to a minutes restriction in his return. The biggest beneficiary on the Thunder while Oladipo was sidelined was Enes Kanter, who averaged just under 29 minutes off the bench. It still remains to be seen whether his role in the rotation and offense are significantly affected be the return of Oladipo.
As reported by: Brett Dawson Miles Plumlee (finger) ruled out tonight
Plumlee will not play in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls due to a sprained right index finger. Plumlee has been seeing minimal minutes in the Bucks’ rotation on a night-to-night basis, and his absence will do nothing to affect the other members of the Milwaukee front court in terms of playing time.
As reported by: cfgardner Kawhi Leonard (illness) questionable for Sunday
Leonard has been listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks due to an illness that has caused him to miss the Spurs’ previous two games. Kyle Anderson will likely draw the start at small forward once again, but neither him or Johnathon Simmons are particularly interesting options, outside of a tournament dart throw. LaMarcus Aldridge is the obvious beneficiary of Leonard’s absence from the lineup, as he becomes the focal point of the Spurs offensive game plan. Somewhat surprisingly, Pau Gasol actually leads the Spurs with a massive 8.8% usage rate differential (31.9%) and would become an intriguing tournament target should Leonard be unable to play despite the less than ideal individual matchup against Dwight Howard.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the San Antonio Spurs Other tagged players: LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, Kyle Anderson