DFS Alerts
Will Barton (ankle) starting tonight
Will Barton will return to the starting lineup and that means it will send Jameer Nelson back to the bench. While Barton’s return is much needed for the Denver Nuggets, tonight is not the spot to target him against the Utah Jazz stout defense. The Jazz play at one of the slowest paces in the NBA and are top 10 in DVP vs all positions. The Nuggets also have the second lowest implied total of the slate. Even if Barton sees a full allotment of minutes, he is too risky with it being his first game back and the tough matchup.
As reported by: Chris Dempsey
D'Angelo Russell (knee) is playing tonight
After sitting out Friday night’s game against the Spurs, Russell will return tonight and should resume his starting role. Russell poured in 32 points his last time out against the Nets but it was the first time in his last seven games where he saw over 30 minutes of action. Russell remains a high upside play but because his minutes continue to be in question, he is not cash game viable even with the solid matchup against the Bulls.
As reported by: Mike Trudell Dwyane Wade out; Mirotic starting
This is the third game in four nights and the second leg of a back-to-back for the Bulls so it makes sense to rest Dwyane Wade tonight. Jimmy Butler will move to the Shooting Guard and Nikola Mirotic will start at Small Forward. Mirotic is an interesting tournament option as he has the ability to fill it up on any given night. He draws a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers who rank in the bottom half in DVP vs Small Forwards. This game should be fast paced and high scoring which bodes well for Mirotic.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson Other tagged players: Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler Boris Diaw will play but Trey Lyles will start for Derrick Favors
Trey Lyles has been playing solid recently with Favors banged up. Lyles has seen 30 or more minutes in two of his last three games and is averaging over 16 points and five rebounds in that span. The matchup isn’t great against the Nuggets and the Jazz have the lowest implied total of the slate. That being said, because he should see 30 plus minutes and he is still underpriced, he is worth a look in tournaments.
As reported by: Mike Sorensen Other tagged players: Boris Diaw, Derrick Favors Will Barton (ankle) will play tonight
Will Barton is set to make his return tonight and that should move Jameer Nelson back to the bench. While Barton’s return is much needed for the Denver Nuggets, tonight is not the spot to target him against the Utah Jazz stout defense. The Jazz play at one of the slowest paces in the NBA and are top 10 in DVP vs all positions. The Nuggets also have the second lowest implied total of the slate. Even if Barton sees a full allotment of minutes, he is too risky with it being his first game back and the tough matchup.
As reported by: Ally Sturm Other tagged players: Jameer Nelson Rodney Stuckey will have his minutes increased tonight, could "possibly" play 20 minutes
Stuckey will have his minutes restriction increased for tonight’s game against Oklahoma City. According to Pacers coach Nate McMillan, Stuckey could “possibly” see close to 20 minutes opposed to the 10-15 minute restriction he was limited to in the previous game. This decision was clearly made out of necessity, as the Pacers will be without Paul George, C.J. Miles, and Kevin Seraphin this evening. Glenn Roninson III will draw the start at small forward in place of the injured George and Miles, with Georges Niang coming off the bench.
As reported by: Nate Taylor
Justise Winslow (wrist) questionable for Monday; Willie Reed (knee) ruled out
Winslow has been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against Philadelphia with a sore left wrist that has caused him to miss three consecutive games. Even though Winslow is listed as “questionable”, he is probably closer to doubtful for Monday’s contest considering he has yet to resume any basketball activities. If Winslow is eventually ruled out, Josh Richardson would once again start in his place with James Johnson receiving extended run off the bench. As for Reed, he has been already ruled out for tomorrow’s game with a hyperextended knee that he suffered in the first half of Saturday’s contest. In his absence, expect Josh McRoberts to absorb a majority of the backup center minutes, as he had already surpassed Reed in the rotation prior to the injury.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Willie Reed Dwayne Wade (rest) ruled out tonight; Rajon Rondo (ankle) questionable
Wade will be rested for tonight’s game against the Lakers with Chicago on the second leg of a back-to-back set and third game in four nights. It remains unclear who would start in his place, but it would likely be Isaiah Canaan or Nikola Mirotic drawing the start. With Rajon Rondo downgraded to questionable, it’s certainly possible that Jerian Grant will also be reinserted into the starting lineup in Rondo’s place. This news makes Jimmy Butler an absolute, stone-cold lock in all formats, even if Rondo is able to play, as he will likely be needed to win anything this evening. Butler owns an elite 40.2% usage rate and averages over 1.40 fantasy points per minute (both DraftKings and FanDuel) with Wade and Rondo off the court this season. Simply put, if you don’t roster him, you’re just going to lose.
As reported by: Sean Highkin Other tagged players: Rajon Rondo Isaiah Whitehead will start at point guard over Randy Foye today
Whitehead will reclaim a spot in the starting lineup for today’s game against the Trail Blazers, sending Randy Foye back to the bench in a reserve role. Whitehead will be joined in the starting unit by Bojan Bogdanovic, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Trevor Booker, and Brook Lopez. He should see minutes in the mid-to-high twenties and is a viable punt option in all formats for the early slate against this exploitable Portland perimeter defense.
As reported by: Brian Lewis Other tagged players: Randy Foye Paul George (ankle) and Kevin Seraphin (knee) both ruled out tonight
George and Seraphin have been officially ruled out for tonight’ts game against Oklahoma City. C.J. Miles has also already been ruled out after leaving Friday’s game with a knee injury. Glenn Robinson started the second half of that contest in place of Miles due solely to a lack of other viable options with Paul George already sitting and will start at small forward once again tonight. As for Seraphin, he had recently begun displacing Al Jefferson from the Pacers’ frontcourt rotation, as he has averaged nearly 13 minutes per game over the last three games compared to Jefferson’s six. With Seraphin unable to play, expect Jefferson to resume his old 16-20 minute role off the bench for Indiana.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Indiana Pacers Other tagged players: Kevin Seraphin Joakim Noah (illness) ruled out today; Kyle O'Quinn will start at center
Noah will not play in today’s game against Atlanta after being officially ruled out due to an illness. Kyle O’Quinn will the draw the start at center in Noah’s absence and has been great fantasy point per minute producer this season, averaging over a fantasy point per minute on both major sites. O’Quinn is a fantastic punt option in all formats as a salary saver for the all day slate that still possess the upside needed in large-field tournaments. This news is also an upgrade to the fantasy projections of Kristaps Porzingis, as he will likely spend more time at the five in small ball lineups.
As reported by: Steve Popper Other tagged players: Kyle O'Quinn Thabo Sefolosha (knee) will be available to play today
Sefolosha will be active and available to play in today’s game against the Knicks after missing Atlanta’s previous two games. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer denied to comment on whether Sefolosha would be on a minutes restriction or even see the court in his return. This is clearly a situation to avoid, not that Sefolosha was really on our fantasy radar for the all day slate anyway, but Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely see a dip in minutes if Sefolosha plays, while Taurean Prince’s playing time will all but evaporate.
As reported by: Mike Conti Rajon Rondo (ankle) will play tonight
Rondo will play in tonight’s game against the Clippers after originally being listed as questionable with a sprained left ankle that has caused him to miss the Bulls’ previous two games. He was full a participant in shootaround this morning and was eventually upgraded to a game-time decision this afternoon. Jerian Grant had been the starting point guard in Rondo’s absence, but will be pushed back to the bench in a reserve role this evening. Rondo has been far from consistent this season and offers a low floor in a tough matchup against Chris Paul. Although, if we’re being honest, there have been worse tournament fliers for 5.3K on DraftKings and 5.5K on FanDuel.
As reported by: Sean Highkin Devin Booker (ankle) will play and start tonight
Booker has been confirmed in the starting lineup for tonight’s game against Philadelphia after originally being listed as doubtful with a sprained left ankle. He was eventually upgraded to a game-time decision, as the swelling in his ankle had subsided significantly. The uncertainty surrounding the health of Booker makes him an easy fade in all formats despite the great matchup with the Sixers’ perimeter defense. With Tyson Chandler and T.J. warren already ruled out, Alex Len and P.J. Tucker will start at center and small forward respectively. Len and Tucker have performed well, for the most part, when given the opportunity making them viable options on this slate. Len has been a solid fantasy point per minute producer this season and is worth a look in all formats against this horrendous Sixers defense.
As reported by: Phoenix Suns Stats Joel Embiid (ankle) will now play and start tonight, remains on normal restriction of 24 minutes
Embiid will surprisingly be active and start in tonight’s game against Phoenix after reportedly being “highly unlikely” to play. However, Embiid’s sprained ankle is apparently not serious, as he will remain on his normal restriction of 24 minutes in this contest. This news pushes Jahlil Okafor back to the bench in a reserve role, though he will play his normal 24 minutes regardless. With Embiid active, Dario Saric and Ersan Ilyasova lose some of their viability as value options, but can still be utilized in tournaments given the matchup and projected pace of this game.
As reported by: Michael Preston