DFS Alerts
James Johnson (shoulder) and Luke Babbitt (hip) listed as questionable for Monday
Johnson and Babbitt have been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Washington Wizards. With Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters still sidelined, their return to the lineup would give Miami some much needed reinforcements. This is certainly a situation to monitor as we go into Monday, as the availability and/or unavailability of Johnson and Babbitt could significantly change landscape of fantasy value on this Miami squad.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Luke Babbitt
Nemanja Bjelica (ankle) questionable for tonight, will be a game-time decision
Bjelica will be a true game-time decision for tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors after being sidelined in the Timberwolves previous game with the same ankle injury. If Bjelica is ruled out once again, the news doesn’t do a whole lot to move the needle of the fantasy value of anyone on the Timberwolves bench, as coach Tom Thibodeau prefers to keep a tight rotation and his starters all average well over 30 minutes per game normally. If anything, there may be a few extra minutes for Shabazz Muhammad off the bench, but not enough to make him fantasy relevant on this slate barring a blowout.
As reported by: Jerry Zgoda Derrick Rose (back) says he will play tonight
Rose told reporters in an interview earlier today that he will play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after missing the Knicks previous two games due to an issue with his back. If he is able to suit up like he expects, he is firmly in consideration for tournaments against this exploitable Lakers defense, though it will still be tough to pull the trigger in cash games given the re-injury risk. Rose’s potential presence in the lineup removes the viability of Brandon Jennings as anything other than a dart throw in tournaments.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the New York Knicks Zaza Pachulia (wrist) and Kevon Looney (ankle) questionable tonight
Pachulia has been officially listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a right wrist contusion that caused him to be a late scratch on Saturday. If Pachulia and Looney are ultimately ruled out, the Warriors will continue to utilize the trio of Anderson Varejao, JaVale McGee, and James Michael McAdoo to fill the minute void vacated by Pachulia, though none of the aforementioned players will see enough minutes to make them fantasy relevant barring a Warriors blowout win.
As reported by: Connor Letourneau Other tagged players: Kevon Looney Terrence Jones confirmed in the starting lineup for Anthony Davis (rest) tonight
Davis will be rested for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He will join Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore on the Pelicans’ inactive list, whom will miss their third consecutive games with separate lingering toe ailments. According to Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, Terrence Jones will draw the start at power forward in place of the resting Anthony Davis. In addition, Tim Frazier and Buddy Hield will remain in the starting lineup at point guard and shooting guard, respectively, for the injured Holiday and Moore. All three of the aforementioned Pelicans’ reserves are strong options on this evenings late slate against the Clippers sans Blake Griffin.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the New Orleans Pelicans Other tagged players: Anthony Davis Dante Exum will start over Shelvin Mack tonight, Mack was originally listed as starter
Exum will start ahead of Shelvin Mack at point guard in tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings. This is a somewhat surprising move by Utah considering the recent performance of each player, so it’s difficult to imagine Exum being anything but a starter in name only. In other words, we should fully expect Mack to continue logging the majority of minutes at point guard in George Hill’s absence. Joe Ingles will also draw the start at shooting guard in place of Rodney Hood. Now, this move was expected given how well Ingles played in the Jazz’s previous game against Golden State. However, with Gordon Hayward back in the Utah starting lineup after a one-game absence, we’ll have to temper expectations somewhat for Ingles. Speaking of Hayward, he still remains an elite option whenever Hood, Hill, and Favors are sidelined, as he owns an elite 36.1% usage rate, a 4.7% increase from his season average, with the aforementioned trio off the court this season.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Utah Jazz Other tagged players: Shelvin Mack Anthony Davis (rest) ruled out tonight; Jrue Holiday (toe) and E'Twaun Moore (toe) remain out
Davis will be rested for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He will join Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore on the Pelicans’ inactive list, whom will miss their third consecutive games with separate lingering toe ailments. There has been no official confirmation on who will start in Davis’ place, though all signs point to Terrence Jones drawing the start at power forward. In addition, Tim Frazier and Buddy Hield will likely remain in the starting lineup at point guard and shooting guard, respectively, for the injured Holiday and Moore. All three of the aforementioned Pelicans’ reserves are strong options on this evenings late slate against the Clippers sans Blake Griffin.
Other tagged players: Jrue Holiday, E'Twaun Moore Blake Griffin (knee) ruled out tonight; Austin Rivers will start in his place
Griffin will not play in tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a sore right knee. However, he is fully expected to play in Monday’s contest against the Trail Blazers. Austin Rivers will draw the start in his place, while Luc Mbah a Moute will slide over to the power forward spot. Rivers is certainly a viable punt option given his expected workload increase in the starting unit. However, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan immediately become must plays in the late slates with Griffin ruled out.
As reported by: Dan Woike Other tagged players: Austin Rivers Troy Daniels (illness) will play tonight; Vince Carter (hip) officially ruled out
Daniels will play in tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors after being listed as questionable on the Grizzlies injury report with an illness. Vince Carter was also listed as questionable but has been ruled out for Saturday’s contest. In Carter’s absence, Daniels and Troy Williams have been the beneficiaries of additional playing time and have converted on the opportunity for the most part. Both are viable options on the turbo slates this evening. Toney Douglas seems to have supplanted Wade Baldwin in the rotation and is an intriguing tournament target in the event of a potential blowout.
As reported by: Ross Wooden Other tagged players: Vince Carter Matt Barnes (rest) available to play tonight
Barnes is expected to play in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz after being rested for Friday’s game against the New York Knicks. According to Kings coach Dave Joerger, last night was merely a scheduled rest day for Barnes and had nothing to due with his possible pending arrest. Regardless of reason, Barnes can be safely ignored in all formats this evening. His potential presence in the lineup is enough to remove Omri Casspi from any and all consideration as well.
As reported by: Jason Jones Joe Ingles will start in place of Rodney Hood (hamstring) tonight
Ingles will draw the start at shooting guard for Rodney Hood in tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings, sending Dante Exum back to the bench to resume a reserve role. This move was somewhat expected after Hood was officially ruled out given how well Ingles played in the Jazz’s previous game against Golden State. However, with Gordon Hayward back in the Utah starting lineup after a one-game absence, we’ll have to temper expectations somewhat for Ingles. Speaking of Hayward, he still remains an elite option whenever Hood, Hill, and Favors are sidelined, as he owns an elite 36.1% usage rate, a 4.7% increase from his season average, with the aforementioned trio off the court this season.
As reported by: David Locke Other tagged players: Rodney Hood, Dante Exum Justin Hamilton (illness) ruled out tonight
Hamilton will not play in tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to persistent migraines. Hamilton was a surprise a late scratch after not being listed on the Nets injury report earlier in the day. This opens up some extra minutes for Anthony Bennett and Luis Scola, though it remains to be seen if they’re actually able to take advantage of the additional opportunity against a staunch Spurs defensive unit. However, it seems as if they and the rest of the Nets regulars can be avoided in this spot, as the blowout risk remains high and the matchup is less than ideal, to put it mildly.
As reported by: Brian Lewis Maurice Harkless (ankle) confirmed in starting lineup; Ed Davis will start over Meyers Leonard
Harkless will play and start in tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers after being sidelined by a sprained left ankle in the Trail Blazers’ previous game. He will likely displace Evan Turner from the starting lineup in his return and appears to have no minutes restriction this evening. However, Al-Farouq Aminu is active but not expected to play, meaning Turner should still play a substantial role in Portland’s rotation and has performed well recently for fantasy purposes. He is certainly a viable tournament option, assuming Aminu doesn’t play or is limited in some capacity, which he should, at the very least, be limited.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl Other tagged players: Ed Davis Josh Richardson (ankle, wrist) will play limited minutes off the bench tonight
Richardson will play in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls, but according to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, he we only see limited playing time off the bench and won’t get anywhere near his normal allotment of minutes. Richardson can be easily ignored in all formats, though this news does muddy the fantasy prospects of Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder, who could see their minutes reduced with Richardson available. In a difficult matchup with the Bulls, and with the Heat playing their fourth game in five nights, players like Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside are probably better reserved as tournament-only options.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Miami Heat Udonis Haslem (personal) available to play tonight
Haslem will be available to play in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls after missing the Heat’s previous game due to personal reasons. Even with Miami’s rash of injuries, Haslem is barely seeing any playing time, so his presence in the lineup does not alter the Heat’s rotation whatsoever. Miami still does only have nine available players, eight if you exclude the corpse of Udonis Haslem, meaning nearly every single one of them are in play for tournaments. Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Hassan Whiteside, and possibly Josh McRoberts would be the preferred targets, however, Whiteside’s recent performance makes him a little shaky for cash games. He does still offer elite upside in tournaments, as he posted a 20/20 against this same Bulls team in their previous meeting.
As reported by: Anthony Chiang