DFS Alerts
Pacers recall Rakeem Christmas from D-League affiliate
The Pacers are still dealing with injuries to Monta Ellis and Rodney Stuckey so they have recalled guard Rakeem Christmas. He likely won’t see the court, but if the Pacers sustain any more injuries he will be used in an emergency situation. This likely means that Ellis and Stuckey are not even close to returning.
As reported by: Scott Aggness Other tagged players: Monta Ellis, Rodney Stuckey
Larry Nance (knee) out indefinitely
Nance has been initially diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee but will be re-evaluated Sunday, as additional tests were inconclusive due to swelling in the knee. Nance will be out indefinitely, according the the Lakers’ medical staff. In his absence, look for Julius Randle, Luol Deng, and Brandon Ingram to absorb a majority of his vacated minutes, while Thomas Robinson should enter the rotation in some capacity.
As reported by: @Lakers Chandler Parsons in the starting lineup over James Ennis
Parsons will be inserted into the Grizzlies’ starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistions after being sidelined for over a month due to a knee injury. The Grizzlies should be expected to bring Parsons along slowly and it would be difficult to imagine him seeing more than 15 minutes in his return. Parsons can safely be ignored as a daily fantasy option this evening and for the foreseeable future. Additionally, his presence in the rotation is also enough to eliminate all of the Memphis wing players from consideration.
As reported by: @Grizzlies Dwight Howard (back) ruled out for tonight
Howard will not play in tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves after previously being listed as questionable on the Hawks’ injury report due to back tightness. This will be the second consecutive game Howard will be sidelined with the aforementioned injury. Mike Muscala will more than likely draw the start at center, as it wouldn’t make much sense for Kyle Korver to start in a matchup against the twin towers of Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng. Muscala would still be tough to recommend as anything other than a tournament punt play, as he has been extremely volatile in his spot starts thus far this season. Paul Millsap still remains the preferred Atlanta big man to target and will see a slight uptick in usage with Howard unable to give it a go this evening.
As reported by: Chris Vivalamore Jon Leuer was involved in a car accident earlier today, still expected to play off the bench tonight
Leuer will play in tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies after being involved in a car accident earlier in the day. The incident forced him to miss the Pistons’ shootaround, but Leuer is reportedly fine and will play off the bench in tonight’s contest. Leuer was expected to draw the start at power forward prior to this news, but Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy will have to hold off on his potential lineup shake up for at least one game. It’s safe to avoid Leuer in all formats given the uncertainty surrounding any possible injuries that could have been sustained in the aforementioned car accident.
As reported by: Rod Beard DeAndre Liggins starting in place of J.R. Smith
Smith was ruled out indefinitely earlier in the day due to a thumb injury that will require surgery, effectively ruling him out for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks as well. DeAndre Liggins will draw the start at shooting guard in his place and is a viable tournament punt option. With Kevin Love also ruled out once again, Richard Jefferson is expected to draw the start at small forward in his place, sliding LeBron James over to power forward. Speaking of LeBron, he and Kyrie Irving will both play despite post game rumblings that one or both may sit out for rest this evening. It does remain unclear whether or not their minutes will be limited on the second night of a back-to-back. Both James and Irving are in play for tournaments, though they carry substantially more risk than Tuesday night sans Kevin Love.
As reported by: Tom Withers Other tagged players: J.R. Smith LeBron James and Kyrie Irving playing; Kevin Love (knee) ruled out for tonight
Love will not play in tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks after previously being listed as questionable on the Cavaliers’ injury report due to a left knee contusion. Richard Jefferson is expected to draw the start at small forward in his place, sliding LeBron James over to power forward. Speaking of LeBron, he and Kyrie Irving will both play despite post game rumblings that one or both may sit out for rest this evening. It does remain unclear whether or not their minutes will be limited on the second night of a back-to-back. Both James and Irving are in play for tournaments, though they carry substantially more risk than Tuesday night sans Kevin Love.
As reported by: Sam Amico Other tagged players: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love Manu Ginobili (rest) ruled out for the next two games
Ginobili will not play in either games of the San Antnonio Spurs’ upcoming back-to-back set on Thursday and Friday. This two-game absence does not appear to be injury related and Ginobili is expected to suit up Sunday against the Chicago Bulls. In his absence, Jonathon Simmons and Patty Mills should be expected to see extended run off the bench.
As reported by: Tom Osborn Isaiah Whitehead (foot) questionable for Thursday
Isaiah Whitehead was unable to play last night against the Raptors due to a foot injury and is questionable to play against the Warriors tomorrow. Whitehead was not a relevant fantasy option but his absence led to Jeremy Lin getting back into the starting lineup. Lin performed admirably and played 25 minutes but the Nets were blown out by the third quarter and never really made a game of it. Lin’s salary needs to drop considerably before we can consider him anything a strong GPP option on FanDuel. Over on DK, his salary is cheap enough to where we have to consider him a viable option.
As reported by: Brian Lewis Other tagged players: Jeremy Lin Derrick Favors (rest) will play, minutes expected to be restricted
Derrick Favors is expected to return to the starting lineup tonight against the Kings. He will likely not see the court for more than 15 minutes and should not be used tonight. The return of Favors also ruins the value of Diaw and Lyles, making both players too risky to trust in a low-scoring slow paced game. Rudy Gobert remains the elite big man option for the Jazz. Gobert dominated the Kings earlier this month and should see 35+ minutes tonight.
As reported by: Jody Genessy Other tagged players: Trey Lyles, Boris Diaw, Rudy Gobert Rodney Hood (illness) and Dante Exum (knee) ruled out for tonight
Rodney Hood was unable to finish last night’s game due to an illness and will not play tonight against the Kings. Dante Exum is also out and that means we’ll likely see a new starting lineup for the Jazz tonight. Shelvin Mack is likely going to start for Exum and was held to under 22 minutes last night in the blowout loss to the Warriors. Expect Mack to play 30 minutes tonight against the Kings. He’s a solid fantasy option that has a solid floor and flashed 30+ fantasy points upside in his last start. Joe Ingles could start in place of Hood but no official starters have been named at this time. Look for another update regarding the Jazz later today.
As reported by: @Jazz Other tagged players: Dante Exum, Shelvin Mack, Joe Ingles Rodney McGruder (ankle) questionable and Wayne Ellington (hamstring) ruled out for Thursday
Rodney McGruder was unable to participate in the Heat’s previous game due to an ankle injury. Justise Winslow started in his place and will likely continue to start even if McGruder is available. McGruder was not a strong fantasy option but was playing over 30 minutes on a regular basis. Wayne Ellington will not play against the Lakers on Thursday. Josh Richardson started in his place and played 44 minutes last night. If McGruder is out again, expect Richardson to play a ton of minutes again. Dion Waiters continues to be out with a groin injury.
As reported by: Manny Navarro Other tagged players: Wayne Ellington, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters Al-Farouq Aminu upgraded to probable for Portland; Evan Turner remains questionable
It was thought that Aminu would return tonight for his “revenge” game against the Mavericks and the upgrade means that is likely the case. Evan Turner, however, is less certain. Aminu is certainly in play if there are no restrictions on his minutes and we expect him to be the starter. If Turner can’t go, Moe Harkless and Allen Crabbe would both see an uptick in minutes.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl on Twitter Other tagged players: Evan Turner
Dirk Nowitzki OUT for Dallas tonight
There was some thought that Nowitzki would play tonight against the Trail Blazers but he has been ruled out and will practice in Los Angeles on Thursday with hopes of playing Friday night. Dwight Powell and Salah Mejri retain the roles they’ve had in Nowitzki’s absence and are both reasonable options going against a Portland team that is bottom four in the league against both PF’s and C’s in DvP.
As reported by: Mark Followill on Twitter Other tagged players: Dwight Powell, Salah Mejri Chandler Parsons medically cleared; will play tonight for Memphis
After missing the opening month of the season, the Mavericks forward has been cleared and will return to action tonight against Portland. In a normal situation he’d be a great play against a defensive deficient team like the Trail Blazers but his minutes will be monitored. He’ll hurt the value of Troy Williams the most as he’ll lose some playing time to Parsons.
As reported by: Tim MacMahon on Twitter