DFS Alerts
Pistons expected starters: Jackson, KCP, Morris, Harris, and Drummond
We did not receive anything official from the Pistons but ABC did confirm that the Pistons will be starting the same lineup they have used since the trade deadline. Reggie Jackson has the highest upside of the Pistons starters today. The Cavs are 17th in both DRE and DvP vs PGs for the season. Jackson should play 32 minutes and has averaged 37.8 DraftKings fpts against the Cavs in three meetings this season.
Other tagged players: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris, Andre Drummond
Iman Shumpert (knee) expected to play about 25 minutes on Sunday
Shumpert missed the last three games with a sore knee but is expected to play his normal allotment of minutes. Shumpert is still a low-end DFS option and needs 28+ minutes to really have a chance at exceeding value. There are not a lot of value options today but Shumpert is still a risky play. LeBron James is expected to play 32-35 minutes and is the elite option on the Cavaliers roster Sunday.
As reported by: Keith Langlois Other tagged players: LeBron James Nicolas Batum (ankle) expected to play on Sunday
Batum is expected to play against the Heat but is still carrying the questionable tag across the industry. We should have an official update from the team soon. With the Hornets playing in the second game of the day, it’s possible that the information could come after lineups lock.
As reported by: Justin Verrier Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) uncertain for Tuesday
Olynyk tweaked his shoulder in last night’s loss to the Hawks. His status for Game 2 is uncertain at this time. Jonas Jerebko will likely take his place in the rotation with Amir Johnson also seeing a slight uptick in minutes as the starter. Both Jerebko and Johnson are low-end options but could be viable tournament plays based on their asking price for Tuesday.
As reported by: Mark Murphy Other tagged players: Jonas Jerebko Avery Bradley (hamstring) doubtful for rest of Round 1
Bradley suffered a strained hamstring late in the fourth quarter of the Celtics Game 1 loss to the Hawks. Bradley is not expected to play the rest of the series and no official replacement has been named at this time. Evan Turner started the second half of Game 1 for Amir Johnson and could replace Bradley in the starting lineup. Evan Turner is a viable option but has more usage coming off the bench. Marcus Smart also played well against the Hawks and will likely continue to be the first guard off the bench. Smart was able to exceed value ($3,800 for 31.25 DKFP) with Bradley in the lineup so expect Smart to be a chalky value play on Tuesday.
As reported by: Jay King Other tagged players: Evan Turner, Marcus Smart Thunder starters: Westbrook, Roberson, Durant, Ibaka, Adams
The Thunder will return to their normal starting five against the Mavs tonight. Westbrook and Durant should be considered elite plays and Serge Ibaka is a strong mid-range option with upside. Steven Adams should also be considered a strong punt play with his salary only $3,700 on DK. Adams should be able to play 24-28 minutes with Enes Kanter being used as his backup. Kanter is also a viable tournament option but is much more expensive than Adams.
Other tagged players: Andre Roberson, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams Devin Harris (thumb) active; expected to play
Harris will be coming off the bench on Saturday. He is a low-end option against the Thunder but could play some extended minutes if the game gets out of hand. The Mavs moved Barea into the starting lineup so Harris will be the second guard coming off the bench behind Raymond Felton. Harris would likely only see over 20 minutes if there was an actual injury to the Mavericks injury prone players.
As reported by: Earl Sneed Other tagged players: Raymond Felton, J.J. Barea Mavericks starters: Barea, D. Williams, Matthews, Dirk, and Mejri
The Mavs will be put J.J. Barea into the starting lineup, moving Justin Anderson back to the bench. The Mavericks made a late change and moved Salah Mejri into the starting lineup for Zaza Pachulia. Salah Mejri is a viable DFS option but the news came after lineups had locked. Wesley Matthews also loses some value moving to SF and having to guard Kevin Durant.
As reported by: Earl Sneed Other tagged players: Justin Anderson, Wesley Matthews, Dirk Nowitzki, Salah Mejri, Zaza Pachulia Cameron Payne (hip) ruled out on Saturday
Payne will be inactive against the Mavericks for Game 1. Russell Westbrook is expected to play 30+ minutes on Saturday and Randy Foye will be used as his backup. Foye is now a viable punt option that could exceed his $2,800 salary on DK. Westbrook should be considered an elite option that can get a triple-double even if the game turns into a blowout.
As reported by: Royce Young Other tagged players: Russell Westbrook, Randy Foye David Lee (foot) ruled out for at least 2 games
David Lee will not play against the Thunder in Oklahoma City for Game 1 and Game 2. Zaza Pachulia should be able to see 28-32 minutes with David Lee out of the lineup. Salah Mejri will be used as the backup center with Charlie Villanueva coming in when Nowitzki needs a break. Pachulia should be considered an elite punt but carries some risk because the Thunder are favored by 11.5 points.
As reported by: Dwain Price Other tagged players: Salah Mejri, Charlie Villanueva Stephen Curry (ankle) questionable for Monday
The Warriors are currently listing Curry as questionable for Game 2 on Monday night. Warriors Head Coach said more will be known tomorrow, after seeing how the ankle reacts overnight. We will continue to update this situation as more information comes in. If Curry ends up missing the game expect Shaun Livingston to start. Andre Iguodala would also see a slight uptick in usage if Curry is unavailable. Of all the Warriors, Draymond Green would stand to benefit the most with Curry out of the lineup.
As reported by: Scott Howard Cooper Other tagged players: Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green Kent Bazemore confirmed as the starter on Saturday; Tim Hardaway Jr. to be active
Bazemore was listed as probable all day with a sore knee and has been confirmed as the starter. Bazemore has averaged 26.53 DraftKings fpts against the Celtics in three meetings this season. He should be able to easily hit value on his $5,000 salary, making Bazemore a viable mid-range cash game play. He also has tournament upside proven by his 40.3 fpts showing just last week against these Celtics. Bazemore has scored 40+ fpts in three out of his last four starts. Tim Hardaway Jr. is not a viable DFS option even if he gets into the game. Thabo Sefolosha would stand to benefit the most if Bazemore’s knee flares up.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore Other tagged players: Tim Hardaway Jr., Thabo Sefolosha Corey Brewer starting on Saturday; Donatas Motiejunas to the bench
The Rockets have put Corey Brewer into the starting lineup making him a strong punt candidate against the Warriors. Brewer averaged 20.25 DraftKings fpts in 12 starts this season. One of those starts included a game against the Warriors, where he scored 18.3 fpts in 29 minutes. Brewer does have some potential upside for tournaments and should not include too much downside if he can secure over 28 minutes. Montiejunas is not a viable option off the bench.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen Other tagged players: Donatas Motiejunas David Lee (foot) not expected to play in Game 1 or Game 2
David Lee is dealing with plantar fasciitis and is not expected to play in Oklahoma City for the first two games. David Lee was primarily being used as the first big man off the bench meaning we should see some extended minutes for Zaza Pachulia and Dirk Nowitzki tonight. Zaza is an elite punt option with his salary only $3,300 on DraftKings. Salah Mejri will likely see 16-18 minutes but is a low-end DFS option unless Pachulia gets into foul trouble.
As reported by: Eddie Sefko Other tagged players: Zaza Pachulia, Dirk Nowitzki, Salah Mejri Pacers starters: G. Hill, Ellis, George, Allen, Mahinmi
Pacers will return to their starting five after resting for the last game of the season. The Raptors are a tough defensive team but show a weakness in defending shooting guards. Toronto is 16th in DvP and 18th in DRE for the season against SGs. Monta Ellis could try to exploit the matchup but is a boom-or-bust option for the all day slate. The position is deeper than usual which will make Ellis severely under-owned. Paul George averaged 36.02 DKFP in four matchups with the Pacers with a season-high 50 fpts coming in the first game of the season. PG13 is too risky to play in cash games but does have the potential to explode for tournaments.
As reported by: Doug Smith Other tagged players: Monta Ellis, Paul George, Lavoy Allen, Ian Mahinmi