DFS Alerts
Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor starting together tonight; Sergio Rodriguez (illness) also starting
Ersan Ilyasova and T.J. McConnell will return to the bench tonight with Sergio Rodriguez and Joel Embiid back in the starting lineup. This will be the first time all season that both big men will start together. This will likely affect the usage of Joel Embiid and make them both tournament options that are too risky for cash. Sergio Rodriguez has seen his salary jump across the industry and he longer possess elite tournament upside. He’s still a viable mid-range cash punt play but is more of secondary option with players cheaper than him projected with more upside.
As reported by: Jessica Camerato Other tagged players: Jahlil Okafor, Sergio Rodriguez, T.J. McConnell, Ersan Ilyasova
Justise Winslow (wrist) upgraded to questionable and might play tonight against the Pacers
Winslow will reportedly go through warm-ups and has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers before an official decision on his status is made. If he is able to play, it will be off the bench in a reserve role. Winslow is not expected to be on a strict minutes restriction, but the Heat coaching staff will likely prefer to ease him back into action after missing 16 games due to a sore left wrist. His potential presence in the lineup would be a big hit to the minutes and fantasy value of Rodney McGuder and possibly even James Johnson.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Nikola Vucevic (back) ruled out for tonight
Vucevic will not play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after being listed as questionable on the Magic’s injury report with a lower back contusion. This will be the third consecutive game Vucevic will be sidelined with the aforementioned injury. The biggest beneficiaries of Vucevic’s absence have been Serge Ibaka and Evan Fournier, as both players have seen an uptick in minutes and usage with Vucevic off the floor. The Clippers are a solid defensive unit and both should be reserved as tournament only options, though Ibaka is especially interesting given the extra minutes he should see at center.
As reported by: Joshua Robbins Luc Richard Mbah a Moute upgraded to probable for Wednesday
Mbah a Moute has surprisingly been upgraded from doubtful to probable for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic with a sprained right shoulder. His potential presence in the lineup doesn’t do a lot to affect the fantasy outlook of the Clippers rotation, though it is a slight knock to the value of Austin Rivers, Raymond Felton, and the collection of reserve small forwards. However, none of the aforementioned players were really on our radar for a 10-game slate.
As reported by: Brad Turner
Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) listed as probable for Thursday; Michael Beasley (foot) doubtful
Antetokounmpo has been listed as probable for tomorrow night’s game against the Chicago Bulls due to a sprained right ankle. Additionally, Michael Beasley has been downgraded to doubtful with a sprained left foot. Antetokounmpo should be able to suit up, though his injury is certainly a situation to monitor going into Thursday’s slate.
As reported by: Chuck Swirsky Other tagged players: Michael Beasley Gary Harris (foot) could play tomorrow against the Blazers; Starting lineup expected to be changed
Gary Harris was able to practice with the team today and could return to the lineup tomorrow. There is a chance that he starts but we won’t have anything official until after shootaround tomorrow. Nikola Jokic has been playing much better than Jusuf Nurkic and could displace Nurkic in the starting lineup. Look for another update regarding the Nuggets lineup tomorrow.
As reported by: Harrison Wind Other tagged players: Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic Victor Oladipo (wrist) ruled out for tonight
Victor Oladipo will not play against the Jazz tonight. Jerami Grant started in his place but the Thunder were blown out. There is a chance that the starting lineup gets changed again here tonight. Anthony Morrow could start but he does not have a ton of upside. The Jazz are a strong defensive team and since Grant is not a strong offensive player it seems more likely that Morrow could be used as the offensive spark. Look for another update regarding the Thunder’s lineup.
As reported by: David Locke Other tagged players: Anthony Morrow, Jerami Grant LaMarcus Aldridge OUT for Spurs tonight (REST)
The Spurs decided to join in on Rest Everyone Wednesday as they are sitting out their star PF against the Celtics tonight. David Lee and perhaps Davis Bertans benefit the most from Aldridge’s absence but both are hard to trust in your DFS lineups. If we knew either would top 25 minutes they’d have some value as Bertans has shown fantasy point per minute potential over the past few weeks while Lee has always been an ultra streaky high-upside type of player.
As reported by: Mike Monroe on Twitter Other tagged players: Davis Bertans, David Lee
DeMarcus Cousins (rest) ruled out Wednesday
With Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore also out, the Kings are going to be very shorthanded on Wednesday. It’s still unclear what the starting lineup will look like, but we can count on Darren Collison, Matt Barnes and Omri Casspi to see relatively big minute totals in addition to hefty usage bumps without Cousins and Gay on the floor. With both off the floor this year, Collison carries a 35.5% usage rate (41.4 minutes) with Casspi slotting in at 24.0% and Barnes at 19.4%. We’ve yet to really see Collison have a breakout game since his return, as he’s consistently been stuck between 20-27 FPs in recent weeks, but should have every opportunity to lead the offense against Houston. Barnes and Casspi are both very nice upside punt plays at the SF/PF spots, with Garrett Temple likely to see considerable run on the wing with Arron Afflalo basically being held out of the Kings rotation over the past few games. Temple isn’t going to carry a high usage rate, but he should absolutely clear 30 minutes of court time which in itself makes him a viable punt play across the industry. As for Afflalo, it’s possible he works his way back into a meaningful role tonight, but he still provides fairly limited DFS upside. There will be value to be had in the front-court as well – Kosta Koufos, Willie Cauley-Stein and Anthony Tolliver should all see increased run – but it’s not easy to peg where that production will ultimately land. Koufos is the best bet to lead the trio in minutes.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen Other tagged players: Rudy Gay, Darren Collison, Omri Casspi, Willie Cauley-Stein, Garrett Temple, Matt Barnes Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, and Dante Exum will all play for Jazz tonight
Confirmation of news we were anticipating as the Jazz announced that three core members of their rotation will play tonight when Utah faces the Thunder. While Favors and Exum are passes in terms of DFS viability due to their playing time being limited, Hood is intriguing as a DFS option despite a touch match up at a thin SG position.
As reported by: Jody Genessy on Twitter Other tagged players: Rodney Hood, Dante Exum Glenn Robinson will start next three games for Pacers
With Monta Ellis out for the next three games, the Pacers (via their Head Coach) have confirmed that Glenn Robinson will start those games for the team. Robinson has a limited ceiling in the mid 30’s in terms of fantasy points but if he’s going to get 30+ minutes like he did last game out (and as he routinely has as a starter) then he’s worth a look as a value option and is a safe cash game play with some upside given his current price.
As reported by: Nate Taylor on Twitter Other tagged players: Monta Ellis Rodney Stuckey will play tonight for Pacers
Stuckey went through shootaround with the team this morning and will play tonight when the Pacers take on Miami. With Monta Ellis already ruled out, Stuckey and Miles will both benefit with increased roles. The Heat are relatively slow-paced but have struggled defensively of late since Justise Winslow has been out making both players viable options.
As reported by: Nate Taylor on Twitter Luc Mbah a Moute doubtful; Austin Rivers probable for Clippers tonight
Mbah a Moute isn’t a DFS option but he does provide a staunch defensive presence that will open up some opportunities for Orlando Magic wing players if he sits as expected. The team also announced that Austin Rivers (one day after having his high school jersey retired nearby) is probable.
As reported by: Dan Woike on Twitter Other tagged players: Austin Rivers 76ers activate Luwawu-Cabarrot to active roster
In an anticipated move, the 76ers have activated Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to their active roster – while he may see some minutes at the back end of the rotation, he’s not a viable DFS option.
As reported by: Philadelphia 76ers official Twitter feed Nerlens Noel OUT for 76ers; Sergio Rodriguez will play
The 76ers have stated that Nerlens Noel and Jerryd Bayless are out for their game tonight against the Raptors while Sergio Rodriguez and Joel Embiid will both play. Rodriguez’s return removes T.J. McConnell from DFS consideration – Embiid is the best option on the 76ers with his incredibly high usage and consistent production.
As reported by: Jessica Camerato on Twitter Other tagged players: Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, Jerryd Bayless