DFS Alerts
Shabazz Muhammad (knee) and Brandon Rush (toe) questionable for Saturday
Shabazz Muhammad and Brandon Rush have missed the past couple games due to their injuries. The Timberwolves run their starters heavy minutes, even like last night in a blowout victory. Nemanja Bjelica was able to take advantage of their absence but he has no upside as long as he’s coming off the bench. Expect that to continue as long as the Wolves are healthy. We should have another update regarding Muhammad and Rush tomorrow.
As reported by: @TWolves Other tagged players: Brandon Rush, Nemanja Bjelica
Rodney Stuckey will return to action tonight for Pacers
He’s missed the last 10 games with a hamstring injury and will return to action tonight. He’ll be hard pressed to get a lot of playing time right away as C.J. Miles has been excellent in his absence.
As reported by: Indiana Pacers official Twitter feed
Will Barton and Gary Harris remain out for Nuggets
Both players have missed an extended period of time for Denver and will not play tonight against the Raptors. Jameer Nelson and Jamal Murray will get the bulk of the work with these two out with Nelson likely starting and Murray coming off the bench. Murray is an inconsistent, risky option while Nelson will get the playing time but has shown little in terms of producing (he hasn’t topped 20 fpts in his last five games and has only topped 15 fpts once in those same five games). Neither are viable options on a full NBA slate.
As reported by: Harrison Wind on Twitter Other tagged players: Gary Harris, Jameer Nelson, Jamal Murray Tyson Chandler most likely OUT tonight for Suns
The game notes for the Suns on nba.com has listed Chandler as out for personal reasons and that he is not with the team. While we don’t have beat writer confirmation yet (we’ll provide it once we hear from one of them), it’s most likely that Chandler will not play tonight. Alex Len should get the bulk of the work at the center position but he has to square off against Marc Gasol and a Grizzlies defense that is 3rd in center DvP so he’s not a recommended option.
As reported by: Phoenix Suns game notes on nba.com Other tagged players: Alex Len Tony Allen available to play tonight for Memphis
Allen has missed the last four games but he will be available for action tonight when the Grizzlies face the Dallas Mavericks. Allen has played in only four games thus far this season and averaged just a bit more than 20 minutes per game. He only topped 12 FanDuel fpts in one of those games – he’s not a viable DFS option, especially coming off a prolonged absence.
As reported by: Ronald Tillery on Twitter Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams OUT for the next two games
Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle announced that Nowitzki and Williams will miss at least the next two games for the team. Seth Curry will continue to get plenty of run at the PG position with J.J. Barea also dealing with an injury but perhaps the biggest boost in usage will go to Harrison Barnes who has been excelling as the primary focal point of the offense. Wesley Matthews also benefits and is a consideration given the significant playing time he gets on a nightly basis.
As reported by: Tim MacMahon on Twitter Other tagged players: Deron Williams, Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews, Seth Curry Thabo Sefolosha OUT for Atlanta; Dwight Howard will play
Sefolosha was a late scratch on Wednesday and will miss the Hawks game tonight against the Hornets. Tim Hardaway Jr. will benefit the most from his absence and is a viable value option. Dwight Howard missed the teams last game but will play tonight – he’s a reasonable play going against a Hornets team that is 16th in center DvP. Mike Muscala will see a downtick in playing time after being an excellent option in Howard’s absence.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore on Twitter Other tagged players: Dwight Howard, Tim Hardaway Jr. J.R. Smith goes through shootaround; questionable for tonight's game
The veteran Cavaliers guard went through shootaround but is considered questionable for tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons. Iman Shumpert would likely get the start if Smith can’t play but is not a viable DFS option as his production is sporadic and his upside limited.
As reported by: Dave McMenamin on Twitter Alexis Ajinca downgraded to questionable for tonight's game; Anthony Davis also questionable
Davis is questionable and Ajinca was downgraded to that same status after being listed as probable yesterday. We’ll keep you updated on their playing status as the day progresses. Omer Asik could get additional run, but his fantasy production is poor so we’d need assurances of massive playing time in order to utilize him, even at his cheap price point. It is a great match up though as Portland is one of the worst defensive teams in the league against opposing bigs. If Davis happens to sit, Terrence Jones will once again be a great option.
As reported by: New Orleans Pelicans official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Omer Asik, Terrence Jones, Anthony Davis Al Horford a game-time decision; Jae Crowder not expected to play
Crowder will miss another game but should be returning to action shortly. In the meantime, Horford will again be a game-time decision. Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller, and Amir Johnson all get additional run if Horford misses but none are attractive DFS options due to lack of playing time and production.
As reported by: Jeff Goodman on Twitter Other tagged players: Jae Crowder Rajon Rondo ruled out tonight; Jerian Grant will start
Grant started in place of Rondo on Tuesday night against the Blazers and had a very solid showing. He finished with 18 points and racked up five steals along the way. The matchup is not ideal tonight as the Jazz play at one of the slowest paces in the NBA and have one of the best defenses. Grant is too much of a risk tonight but Jimmy Butler remains a solid tournament option with the expected bump in usage.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson Other tagged players: Jerian Grant, Jimmy Butler
Dante Exum and Boris Diaw starting tonight for Utah
This isn’t a huge surprise as George Hill has missed the past few games for Utah and Favors is still dealing with the knee injury. Dante Exum and Shelvin Mack will handle the Point Guard duties and Boris Diaw will start in place of Favors. Trey Lyles has also been very solid in Favors’ absence and is worth consideration tonight against the Chicago Bulls. Rudy Gobert remains an elite tournament option in this spot with the expected bump in usage and favorable matchup as Chicago ranks in the bottom six in DVP vs Centers.
As reported by: Tony Jones Other tagged players: Boris Diaw, Derrick Favors, George Hill, Rudy Gobert, Trey Lyles Shabazz Muhammad (knee) and Brandon Rush (toe) ruled out tonight
Shabazz Muhammad will miss his third straight game with a knee injury and Brandon Rush continues to be sidelined through tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Nemanja Bjelica has worked his way into the rotation while Muhammad is out and he could see minutes in the low to mid 20s against the Sixers tonight. The starters should continue to see heavy minutes with their bench players banged up. They should all be considered in play in all formats tonight with the great matchup and one of the highest implied totals of the night.
As reported by: Official Minnesota Timberwolves PR Twitter Other tagged players: Brandon Rush, Nemanja Bjelica Goran Dragic (ankle) confirmed in the starting lineup; Rodney McGruder returns to the bench
Dragic will has officially been confirmed in the Heat starting lineup for tonight’s game against Milwaukee. There has been no report of a minutes restriction for Dragic after he missed the previous three games with a sprained ankle. With his return to the lineup, Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, and Dion Waiters lose any cash game viability they had earlier in the day. This is shaping up to be a situation to avoid, but Justise Winslow has already been ruled out, so James Johnson, Richardson, and Waiters could see additional run at small forward if looking to take a shot in tournaments.
As reported by: @Heat Other tagged players: Rodney McGruder