DFS Alerts
Jonas Valanciunas doubtful for Games 1 and 2 of Eastern Conference finals
Raptors Head Coach Casey would not rule his center out for the entire series but said it is highly unlikely that he will play in the first two games. Bismack Biyombo has been playing great in his absence and while his price has risen, he’s the chalk option at center on sites offering two game slates. There is merit to fading him because of how highly owned he will be but he has put up at least 24.6 FanDuel fpts in his last four games including a 41.7 fpt performance in Game 7. He’s also averaged well over 30 minutes a game (40 in his last game) so he’s a relatively safe play, especially when you consider the other options at center.
As reported by: Ryan Wolstat on Twitter Other tagged players: Bismack Biyombo
Justise Winslow confirmed as the starter for Game 7
Justise Winslow will start again at “center” and is a strong cash game play. He does not have a ton of upside but did return 5.1x on DraftKings in Game 6. Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic should be considered the elite options for Miami. Wade had 47 fpts in Game 6 and is averaging 44.7 fpts in the last four games of this series. Dragic had 44.8 fpts on Friday and should also be able to exceed value. Expect both players to play over 35 minutes in this contest, making them strong options in all league formats.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic
Justise Winslow replacing Amar'e Stoudemire in the starting lineup
Justise Winslow will be making his first start of the playoffs and should be considered an elite option on Friday. As we mentioned earlier, Winslow was averaging over 30 minutes in his last two games and should be able to play 34-38 minutes, if he can stay out of foul trouble. Winslow is $3,500 on DK and FD and should be rostered tonight.
As reported by: Jason Lieser Other tagged players: Amare Stoudemire Luol Deng (wrist) will play on Friday
Luol Deng says that he feels great and will be in the starting lineup for Game 6. While he might feel great, he is simply a tournament play and too expensive and risky for cash games. Deng is averaging 4.5 fpts more at home but will need to grab 5+ rebounds to exceed value on Friday. He shot 0/8 in Game 5 so expect his ownership levels to be extremely low.
As reported by: Barry Jackson DeMarre Carroll (wrist) confirmed as the starter on Friday
Carroll will be starting against the Heat in Game 6. He says that since he has an injured left wrist, it should not bother him too much. Still, Carroll has a ton of downside and should only be used in low-dollar tournaments due to the fact he is expected to play 36+ minutes on Friday.
As reported by: Ryan Wolstat DeMarre Carroll (wrist) expected to start on Friday; will confirm
Carroll is expected to start against the Heat in Game 6 but has not been officially named the starter yet. Carroll is a risky option due to his wrist injury and has only exceeded value once in this series, even though he is averaging about 36 minutes a game. With most people gravitating towards Kevin Durant on the Thursday-Friday slate, Carroll’s ownership should be extremely low.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Luol Deng (wrist) will warm up with the intent to play in Game 6
Deng injured his wrist in Game 5 but is hopeful to play tonight against the Raptors. Deng is a risky option that has a salary that is too elevated to exceed value easily. Deng has not exceeded value even once in this series even though he is averaging 37+ minutes a contest. Justise Winslow will be the main beneficiary if Deng is limited at all. Winslow does not have much upside but has played 30+ minutes in consecutive games. The opportunity is there for him but the rookie just does not have a polished offensive game, limiting his upside.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Justise Winslow Luol Deng a game-time decision for Game 6 tonight
Deng took part in the morning walk through with his sore wrist and is considered questionable/game-time decision for tonight’s Game 6 against the Raptors. If he is unable to go, Justise Winslow should see even more playing time and while he doesn’t produce much when he is on the floor at his price point he’s worth consideration as a value option. We’ll update you on Deng’s status later today when we learn more.
As reported by: Shandel Richardson on Twitter Other tagged players: Justise Winslow Hassan Whiteside (knee) ruled out for Friday
Whiteside will miss his third consecutive game due to a knee injury. Amar’e Stoudemire has started in his place in both games but only played 3 minutes in Game 5. With both teams resorting to small-ball, Josh McRoberts has played his minutes at center. McRoberts is still a low-end option and has not played over 21 minutes in the playoffs. Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow will be the main contributors off the bench with all the starters expected to see over 30 minutes.
As reported by: Barry Jackson Other tagged players: Amare Stoudemire, Josh McRoberts, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow Luol Deng (wrist) listed as questionable, expected to play on Friday
Deng only played 24 minutes in Game 5 due to a wrist injury, after averaging 40 minutes in this series. He has been diagnosed with a bruised wrist and should be in the lineup for Game 6 in Miami. Deng has not scored over 27 fpts in this series and has more downside with his salary at $6,000 on DraftKings. If Deng is limited, expect Justise Winslow to be the main beneficiary. Winslow played over 30 minutes in consecutive games for the first time in these playoffs. With his salary at $3,500 on both FD and DK, Winslow has the potential to exceed value, making him a solid play as a second forward.
As reported by: @MiamiHeat Other tagged players: Justise Winslow DeMarre Carroll (wrist) expected to start on Friday
Carroll injured his wrist in Game 5 and was not able to finish the contest. He has been a poor fantasy option over the past three games of this series and is a risky option for the Thursday-Friday slate. Outside of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and Bismack Biyombo, the Raptors don’t really have strong fantasy options. The Heat are an elite defensive team and the Raptors have not scored over 100 points in the series. We will provide another update once Carroll is confirmed in the lineup for Game 6.
As reported by: Josh Lewenberg Other tagged players: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Bismack Biyombo DeMarre Carroll questionable for Raptors on Friday
Carroll is battling an injured wrist and is considered questionable for Friday’s Game 6 against the Heat. If he can’t go, Terrence Ross would receive the biggest boost and would be an excellent value SG option. Norman Powell would also likely receive more run off the bench and would also be in play. We’ll update Carroll’s status tomorrow when more information comes in. For what it’s worth, Carroll stated that he’d be playing – “if it ain’t broke, I’m ready to play.”
As reported by: Tim Reynolds on Twitter Other tagged players: Norman Powell, Terrence Ross Steph Curry (knee) confirmed as the starter for Game 5
Curry will start against the Blazers on Wednesday after scoring 40 points off the bench. Curry is an elite option with his salary still under 10k on DraftKings. Shaun Livingston will see a reduced role and is not a viable option. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will also be affected by Curry’s return but remain strong options at home.
As reported by: Rusty Simmons Other tagged players: Shaun Livingston, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green Amar'e Stoudemire confirmed as the starter on Wednesday
Stoudemire will start again with Hassan Whiteside out of the lineup. Stoudemire is a low-end DFS option on Wednesday is not expected to play over 20 minutes in this game. Josh McRoberts is a value option as well off the bench and could see more minutes than Stoudemire, like he did in Game 4.
As reported by: Jason Lieser Other tagged players: Josh McRoberts Kyle Singler (illness) ruled out
Kyle Singler will not be available tonight against the Spurs in Game 5. He was not a DFS option to begin with and has only played 12 minutes in this series.
As reported by: Anthony Slater