DFS Alerts
Chris Paul (hamstring) will play tonight; J.J. Redick (hamstring) ruled out
According to Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, Paul will play in tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans after previously being listed as questionable on the Clippers injury report with a strained left hamstring that forced him to miss two consecutive games. We’ve seen this movie before, so proceed with caution if considering rostering Paul, as he was ruled out just minutes after being “cleared to play” by Doc Rivers on Christmas Day. As for Redick, he has officially been ruled out for the second consecutive game due to a sore left hamstring. His replacement in the starting lineup has yet to be announced, but expect Jamal Crawford to remain as the starting shooting guard if Doc sticks with a similar starting unit as Monday. However, that’s a big “if”.
As reported by: Justin Verrier Other tagged players: J.J. Redick
Doug McDermott (leg) will play off the bench tonight
McDermott will play in tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets after a one-game absence due to a leg contusion. McDermott will resume his role off the bench alongside Nikola Mirotic and Michael Carter-Williams. With McDermott active and available to play off the bench, Mirotic will likely see his playing time reduced to his normal allotment of roughly 20 minutes. The trio of McDermott, Mirotic, and Carter-Williams are nothing more than tournament dart throws on a 10-game slate.
As reported by: Sean Highkin Courtney Lee (wrist) ruled out for tonight
Lee will not play in tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks after Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek previously told reporters that he expected Lee to play. There has yet to be a confirmation on Lee’s replacement in the starting lineup, though Justin Holiday remains the preferred value option from this Knicks squad regardless of starter. Holiday is available for the stone minimum on FanDuel and is an elite punt option at a shallow shooting guard position.
As reported by: @NY Knicks PR Kawhi Leonard (illness) ruled out for tonight
Leonard will not play in tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns due to an illness. There has yet to be any confirmation on his replacement in the starting lineup, though Jonathon Simmons or Kyle Anderson are the likeliest candidates to draw the start. Neither are particularly interesting options on a 10-game slate, outside of maybe a tournament dart throw in hopes Simmons and Anderson receive blowout run. However, the blowout becomes a lot less likely with Leonard inactive. LaMarcus Aldridge is the obvious beneficiary of Leonard’s absence from the lineup, as he now becomes the focal point of the Spurs offensive game plan. Somewhat surprisingly, Pau Gasol actually leads the Spurs with a massive 11.5% usage rate differential (34.3%) and becomes an intriguing tournament target despite the less than ideal individual matchup with Tyson Chandler defense.
As reported by: @Spurs Other tagged players: Jonathon Simmons, Kyle Anderson Monta Ellis (groin) will play off the bench tonight; Glenn Robinson III to remain in the starting lineup
Ellis will play in tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards after previously being listed as questionable on the Pacers’ injury report with a sore right groin that forced him to miss eight consecutive games. Glenn Robinson will remain in the starting lineup at shooting guard for the next few games, meaning that Ellis will come off the bench as he is eased back into game action. With Rodney Stuckey already ruled out, it’s realistic to assume that Ellis will assume Stuckey’s normal role off the bench, putting him in the ballpark of a 20-minute expectation this evening.
As reported by: Nate Taylor Other tagged players: Glenn Robinson III Evan Fournier (heel) ruled out; Jodie Meeks starts in his place tonight
Fournier will not play in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets 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, 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 4.3% usage rate differential (26.1%) 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 has eclipsed 30 fantasy points in both games that Fournier has been sidelined due to injury.
As reported by: Joshua Robbins Other tagged players: Jodie Meeks Wade Baldwin recalled from Grizzlies' NBA Development League affiliate
The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has recalled Wade Baldwin from the Iowa Energy, its NBA Development League affiliate. Baldwin has appeared in 20 games for the Grizzlies and averaged 3.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in only 14.5 minutes per game. Baldwin will be the third-string point guard behind Mike Conley and Andrew Harrison, so he will likely need an injury or two to become a factor in the Memphis rotation.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Memphis Grizzlies
Rudy Gay (hip) and Arron Afflalo (elbow) ruled out for tonight
Rudy Gay and Arron Afflalo will not play against the Blazers tonight. Gay played 35 minutes against the Sixers on Monday and was a fine fantasy option but did not exceed salary-based expectations. With Gay out expect Matt Barnes to pick up some extra minutes and Omri Casspi to also get some more minutes as he works his way back into the rotation. Barnes did not do much in his two previous starts last week but has proven that he has elite fantasy upside and lineup killing downside. Ben McLemore could also see a slight bump in minutes with Afflalo out but is not a strong DFS play. Garrett Temple is the main beneficiary with Afflalo out and has played extended minutes in eleven straight games. Another strong play is Anthony Tolliver with Gay sidelined. In the six games that Gay missed, Tolliver played over 30 minutes in five of the six games. While he did not dominate in the games he came off the bench, he did score over 30 fantasy points in the one game he started with Gay sidelined.
As reported by: Jason Jones Other tagged players: Arron Afflalo, Ben McLemore, Garrett Temple, Anthony Tolliver Gerald Henderson (hip) ruled out for the next two games
Gerald Henderson will not play against the Jazz or Nuggets due to a hip injury. Hollis Thompson started in the game that Henderson missed earlier this season but was only able to put up 17.1 FanDuel points in 27 minutes. If Thompson starts again, he’ll be a low-end option against a tough defensive team. Nik Stauskas saw 42+ minutes in that overtime game that Henderson sat and is likely the better option than Thompson. Sauce is dealing with a knee issue so there is some risk with that play.
As reported by: @Sixers Other tagged players: Hollis Thompson, Nik Stauskas Joel Embiid (rest) ruled out for Thursday
Joel Embiid is not expected to play on the first night of a back-to-back against the Jazz but is expected to play on Friday against the Nuggets. Ersan Ilyasova has a chance to start in his place but the Sixers are mentioning that Nerlens Noel will get extended run with Embiid out. He has not been named the official starter at this time but could be a nice tournament option if we can project him for 28+ minutes. Look for another update from the Sixers tomorrow regarding this situation.
As reported by: Keith Pompey Other tagged players: Ersan Ilyasova, Nerlens Noel Jordan Mickey assigned to Celtics D-league affiliate
Mickey hasn’t been a part of the Celtics rotation and the team has sent him to their D-league affiliate to get more playing time.
As reported by: Boston Celtics official Twitter feed
Damian Lillard OUT per league sources
League sources have told ESPN that Lillard will miss his second straight game tonight against the Kings. C.J. McCollum gets a huge usage bump of over +6% when Lillard isn’t on the court with him and will be one of the top (and most highly owned) plays of the slate facing a Kings team that is 20th in fantasy points allowed. While the team hasn’t provided official confirmation that Lillard is out, it’s best to assume that he is especially since we’ll not likely get any news out of Portland before rosters lock.
As reported by: Chris Haynes on Twitter Other tagged players: CJ McCollum Chris Paul and J.J. Redick game-time decisions to play tonight for Clippers; DeAndre Jordan probable
While officially designated as game-time decisions, Chris Paul and J.J. Redick are both “probably doubtful” to play tonight according to Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers. DeAndre Jordan, however, is probable. If Paul and Redick do not play, Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford are the biggest beneficiaries and both would be top options facing a New Orleans team that is bottom five in the NBA in fantasy points allowed.
As reported by: Justin Verrier on Twitter Other tagged players: J.J. Redick, DeAndre Jordan, Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford Tim Hardaway Jr. a game-time decision for Atlanta tonight
The Hawks are hopeful Hardaway will be able to play tonight but won’t know for certain until he warms up prior to the game. He’s a game-time decision for a 7:30 pm EST tip off which means we should know for certain before rosters lock. Kyle Korver gets a minutes boost if Hardaway sits but has been inconsistent in terms of fantasy production this season.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore on Twitter George Hill could return to action Thursday for Utah
The Jazz PG hasn’t played in a month but after a partial practice yesterday he’s inching closer to getting back on the court and sources have stated that he could be back as soon as tomorrow night when Utah takes on the 76ers. His return would be a hit to the little value that Shelvin Mack has and once his playing time isn’t limited, Hill would be in play as a DFS option.
As reported by: Tim MacMahon on Twitter