DFS Alerts
Nikola Jokic (wrist) listed as a game-time decision
Jokic is still questionable for tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets with a sprained left wrist and will be a game-time decision, according to Nuggets coach Mike Malone. If Jokic were to be ruled out for this contest, Jusuf Nurkic would become an intriguing punt option at center in tournaments, as he is a solid fantasy point per minute producer and has an amazing matching against Brook Lopez and the Nets. The question with Nurkic is always whether or not Mike Malone will actually give him the necessary minutes.
As reported by: Chris Dempsey
Derrick Rose (back) ruled out for tonight
Rose will not play in tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after being listed as questionable on the Knicks injury report with a sore back. Brandon Jennings will draw the start in his place and immediately becomes one of the top value options on the entire slate. According to our CourtIQ tool, Carmelo Anthony actually gets the biggest boost in fantasy value with Rose of the court this season, as he has an insane 46.7% usage rate that is 13.4% higher than his season average. His matchup against Lebron James is less than ideal, but Melo certainly deserves some tournament consideration sporting those types of numbers without Rose.
As reported by: @NY Knicks PR Jerryd Bayless (wrist), Robert Covington (knee), and Jahlil Okafor (illness) ruled out for Thursday
Bayless, Covington, and Okafor have all been ruled out for tomorrow night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans after previously being listed as questionable on the Sixers injury report with various ailments. In fact, the trio of Bayless, Covington, and Okafor did not even travel with the team. The Sixers will still be relatively shorthanded Thursday, though Joel Embiid will return to the starting lineup after resting in the Sixers previous game on Tuesday.
As reported by: Daniel Sallerson Other tagged players: Robert Covington, Jahlil Okafor Reggie Jackson (rest) will play tonight, confirmed in starting lineup
Jackson has been confirmed in the starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after being listed as questionable for Detroit’s second leg of a back-to-back set this evening. There hasn’t been an official word on any type of minutes restriction for Jackson, but he has yet to exceed 23 minutes in his first two games back from injury, so we should keep our expectations in that range. Jackson still won’t be fantasy viable until his minutes increase and/or his price decreases across the industry. However, his presence in the lineup does remove Ish Smith from consideration entirely.
As reported by: Keith Langlois
Marcus Smart confirmed as the starter in place of Isaiah Thomas
This has been the most likely scenario all day, but we now have official confirmation. Smart is arguably the top overall value play on tonight’s slate, even against a slow-paced Magic team. Without Thomas on the floor, there is a lot of usage to go around in this offense, so Smart is definitely not the only player on the Boston side that will see an uptick this evening. Smart leads the way with a 29.2% usage rate with Thomas off the floor, with Avery Bradley coming in just behind at 29.0% and Jae Crowder next in line with a 26.2% mark. In addition to Smart, Bradley and Crowder, Al Horford is also a strong GPP option.
As reported by: @Celtics Other tagged players: Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Al Horford
Jrue Holiday (toe) and E'Twaun Moore (toe) listed as questionable for Thursday
Holiday and Moore have officially been listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers with separate toe injuries. If they were to be ruled out Thursday, Tim Frazier and Buddy Hield should be expected to start in their place once again at point guard and shooting guard respectively. However, Langston Galloway was the Pelicans guard that ended up outperforming the starters in 36 minutes off the bench. All three of them would be in consideration against an exploitable Sixers defense, if Holiday and Moore are ultimately unable to suit up.
As reported by: Scott Kushner Marvin Williams expected to "play in short spurts" Wednesday
It’s not all that clear what Clifford’s definition of a ‘short spurt’ is, but this does make Williams a guy to avoid in DFS this evening. Frank Kaminsky had a few productive outings in Williams’ stead and figures to retain a meaningful role off the bench, so penciling in Williams for more than 25 minutes of run tonight is risky. The Charlotte side isn’t all that intriguing on a full ten-game slate, but if you must look in this direction, Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum are the only viable DFS plays. Both are better utilized in large-field tournaments.
As reported by: Rick Bonnell Other tagged players: Frank Kaminsky Vince Carter (hip) upgraded to questionable for Thursday
Carter has been upgraded to questionable for Thursday’s meeting with the Blazers. The Grizzlies are paper-thin at a few positions right now, especially on the wing. Carter’s absence has led to increased run for guys like Tony Allen, Troy Daniels and Troy Williams, but his return would eat into the upside of all three options, most notably Allen and Daniels. Allen and Daniels are nice bets to reach the 28-30 minute mark if Carter is forced to miss another contest, but both players would likely find themselves with between 20-26 minutes if the former slam dunk champion is active. We’ll provide an update on this situation after tomorrow’s shootaround.
As reported by: Ronald Tillery Other tagged players: Tony Allen, Troy Daniels, Troy Williams Aaron Harrison and Christian Wood sent to D-league by Hornets
Charlotte sent these two role players to their D-league affiliate today – neither had large roles with the team so their impact is negligible.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Christian Wood
R.J. Hunter and Paul Zipser sent to Bulls D-league team
The Bulls sent two end of the bench players, Hunter and Zipser, to their D-league team. Neither had much of a role on the Bulls so their loss has no impact on the current rotation.
As reported by: Cody Westerlund on Twitter Other tagged players: Paul Zipser Larry Nance will be available to play tonight
Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton stated that Nance would be available to play tonight after missing a couple games with a knee injury. It’s a slight hit to Julius Randle’s value and Thomas Robinson should return to a minor bench role after playing 16 minutes last game with Nance out.
As reported by: Mark Medina on Twitter Other tagged players: Julius Randle, Thomas Robinson Marvin Williams expected to play and start for Hornets tonight
After missing the last six games, Williams will return to the court tonight when Hornets take on the Pistons. He’s a relatively decent value option in GPP’s but has a tough match up against a Pistons team that is 7th in PF DvP. It’s also a slight hit to the value of Frank Kaminsky.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets official Twitter feed Cheick Diallo recalled from D-league for Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have activated Cheick Diallo from their D-league team. He’s not a viable DFS option currently.
Seth Curry and Andrew Bogut OUT tonight for Dallas
Bogut sitting was expected but Curry is somewhat of a surprise. With him and J.J. Barea out, Deron Williams will see plenty of minutes with Devin Harris likely topping 20+ off of the bench. They face a Kings team that is 20th in fantasy points allowed per game. Williams is an interesting GPP option if you’re playing multiple lineups.
As reported by: Earl Sneed on Twitter Other tagged players: Andrew Bogut, Deron Williams Miami Heat injury report for Wednesday's game
The Heat continue to remain short-handed and add Luke Babbitt to the list of players that will be out today joining James Johnson, Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, and Justise Winslow as being out. The Heat have one of the lowest totals of the night but have a thin rotation so minutes should be assured for those playing – top plays for the Heat tonight will be Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside.
As reported by: Ira Winderman on Twitter Other tagged players: James Johnson, Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, Justise Winslow