DFS Alerts
Isaiah Thomas (groin) misses practice; status uncertain for Wednesday's game against the Magic
Isaiah Thomas was not able to participate in practice today and has no timetable. We should have another update after shootaround tomorrow and if Thomas misses, expect Marus Smart to start in his place. Terry Rozier would also see a bump in minutes if Smart is out and would a strong tournament option with his salary at a minimum across the industry.
As reported by: Adam Himmelbach Other tagged players: Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier
Tarik Black (ankle) ruled out for Wednesday; Larry Nance (knee) questionable
Tarik Black is yet another injury casualty for a Lakers team that has been hit hard by the injury bug. Black was not seeing extended minutes most nights but was making an impact on the glass. With Black out of the lineup, expect Thomas Robinson to pick up some extra minutes. Timofey Mozgov will likely see a slight bump in minutes and the Lakers could go to recently recalled Ivica Zubac. Robinson will likely have the highest upside against the Rockets, one of the many teams he’s played on, but Mozgov is the starter and should see the highest minutes.
As reported by: Mark Medina Other tagged players: Larry Nance Jr., Timofey Mozgov, Thomas Robinson Georges Niang sent to D-league affiliate by Pacers
Georges Niang has been sent to the MadAnts, the D-League affiliate of the Pacers. He was inactive for the past two games with George back and the MadAnts have five straight home games.
As reported by: @Pacers Other tagged players: Paul George Tony Parker OUT for Spurs tonight
The veteran PG played in San Antonio’s last game but will miss tonight with a left knee contusion. Nico Laprovittola and Patty Mills will man the PG position for the team – Nico doesn’t get enough run even as a starter to merit DFS consideration while Mills can provide some value on this small six game slate – he put up 25+ fpts each of the last two games that Parker missed.
As reported by: Jon Krawczynski on Twitter Other tagged players: Nicolas Laprovittola, Patty Mills
Demetrius Jackson recalled from D-league for Celtics
Boston has announced that they have brought up Jackson from their D-league team. He’s not a viable DFS option.
As reported by: Boston Celtics official Twitter feed 76ers extremely short-handed against Grizzlies tonight
Five players are out for Philly tonight including four who play substantial minutes in Joel Embiid (rest), Jahlil Okafor (illness), Robert Covington (knee), and Jerryd Bayless (wrist). Richaun Holmes is the only 76er who can truly play the 5 and he’s in line for big minutes – that said he has a tough match up against one of the best defensive bigs in the league in Marc Gasol (Memphis is 1st in C DvP) so tread carefully when considering utilizing him in your lineups. Sergio Rodriguez, Nik Stauskas, and Gerald Henderson are the biggest beneficiaries of Bayless and Covington being out.
As reported by: Rob Fischer on Twitter Other tagged players: Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless Courtney Lee expected to play tonight for Knicks
After sitting out the last two games for the Knicks with a sprained ankle, the veteran guard should return tonight for their game against the Heat. This will move Justin Holiday back to the bench but he should still maintain a significant role given his production this season. Neither are DFS options tonight going against a Miami team that is 5th in SG DvP.
As reported by: Al Iannazzone on Twitter Other tagged players: Justin Holiday Zach Randolph to return to action tonight against 76ers
The veteran PF has missed the last seven games after his mother passed away on Thanksgiving but will return tonight to play his 1,000th NBA game. It comes at a great time as the Grizzlies played a double OT game last night so expect the well-rested, motivated Randolph to get all the minutes he can handle tonight. JaMychal Green’s value takes the biggest hit with Randolph back in the fold.
As reported by: Michael Wallace on Twitter Other tagged players: JaMychal Green Metta World Peace will start in place of Jose Calderon (hamstring) tonight; Brandon Ingram slides over to point guard
Metta World Peace will draw the start at shooting guard in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz for the injured Jose Calderon. This lineup change moves Brandon Ingram over to point guard in the “starting” unit. It shouldn’t have to be said, but DO NOT roster Metta World Peace in any format, on any slate, or just ever in general. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s move on. Ingram is the clear beneficiary of additional minutes with this move, as he will see time with both the first and second units and will likely close out the game as well. He is a great cash game option at his price tag, but it remains to be seen whether he can convert all these minutes into actual tournament-winning upside. Tonight is as good as any. Godspeed Brandon.
As reported by: Serena Winters Other tagged players: Brandon Ingram, Jose Calderon
Larry Nance (knee) will be available tonight, but is unlikely to play
Nance will suit up for tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz but is not expected to see any playing time. Laker coach Luke Walton said that he preferred to get Nance another night of rest, so he will only play in an event of emergency. The Lakers have a plethora of frontcourt depth, so the likelihood of Nance playing is minimal. His absence does solidify the minutes of Julius Randle, while Tarik Black and Thomas Robinson will battle for the vacated backup power forward minutes.
As reported by: Mark Medina Jonas Jerebko will start ahead of Amir Johnson tonight
Jerebko will draw the start at power forward for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets instead of Amir Johnson. This is likely a matchup-based lineup change by Celtics coach Brad Stevens, as Jerebko matches up much better with Ryan Anderson on the perimeter. As normal, we can safely ignore all Boston big men (besides Al Horford) when they are all fully healthy and available to play.
As reported by: Mark Murphy Other tagged players: Amir Johnson Seth Curry (knee) ruled out for tonight
Curry will not play in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets due to a sprained knee that has now kept him sidelined for three consecutive games. According to Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, Curry is highly unlikely to play in tomorrow night’s game against the Sacramento Kings as well and is officially designated as doubtful. Devin Harris and Jonathan Gibson will continue to handle a majority of the backcourt reserve minutes while Curry and J.J. Barea remain unable to play. Harrison Barnes will continue to start at power forward with Dirk Nowitzki sidelined and has the best matchup of the Mavericks’ starting five, making him our preferred target in this contest.
As reported by: Earl Snead Tony Parker (thigh) will play tonight against the Bucks
Parker will play in tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks after being sidelined for the Spurs previous two games with a quad contusion. Parker will almost certainly be reinserted into the starting lineup, sending Nicolas Laprovittola back to the bench to resume his reserve role behind Parker and Patty Mills. On a slate loaded with point guard options at every price range, it’s difficult to imagine Parker or Mills being viable options in any format, as they lack the upside needed in tournaments. San Antonio are also on the first leg of a back-to-back set, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Spurs coach Gregg Popvich monitors the minutes of his core rotation player in this contest.
As reported by: Jeff McDonald Trevor Booker confirmed as the starter; Caris LeVert is active
Booker will be reinserted into the starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards after missing the Nets previous game due to an illness. His return sends Anthony Bennett back to the bench to resume a reserve role. Booker has been arguably the most consistent fantasy producer for this Nets squad and is certainly in consideration as a viable option in what is expected to be one fastest paced games of the evening. As for LeVert, he has been cleared to play in tonight’s contest after rehabbing from off-season foot surgery. It still remains to be seen if Levert will actually see any playing time in his debut despite being officially activated.
As reported by: Brian Lewis Other tagged players: Caris LeVert Paul Millsap (hip) confirmed as the starter for tonight
Millsap will suit up tonight after missing the last three games due to a hip injury. Mike Muscala will move back to the bench, and the usage rates for guys like Dennis Schroder, Kent Bazemore and Dwight Howard should fall slightly. We can look towards Millsap in tournaments given that there isn’t a ton to like on the high end at PF, but he’s behind guys like Draymond Green and Kevin Love who are available at similar price tags. With Steven Adams active, the Hawks front-court isn’t as appealing as they would have been with the Thunder back-up big men manning the interior.
As reported by: Chris Vivalamore Other tagged players: Mike Muscala