DFS Alerts
Evan Turner starting over Marcus Smart tonight
Evan Turner will draw the start at SF tonight over Marcus Smart. It makes sense given the size of the Raptors wing players and also allows the Celtics to use Marcus Smart to relieve Isaiah Thomas or Avery Bradley with the second unit. Turner is a mid-range option at SF tonight, and if he’s able to clear 30 minutes he should almost certainly meet value across the DFS industry. He’s a solid all around contributor but he’s actually seen fewer minutes since Crowder’s injury. That may very well change tonight.
As reported by: Sean Grande Other tagged players: Marcus Smart
Elfrid Payton (elbow) ruled out for Friday
Payton will not take the court on Friday against the Cavs. He’s going to miss his 5th straight game tonight, which will afford Brandon Jennings another opportunity to run with the starters, a task he’s done well with over the past two games. His price has spiked on many DFS outlets, but he’s still a punt play on most sites and remains viable in any format tonight. Cleveland’s biggest weakness is against PGs, which bodes well for his upside in this spot. C.J. Watson should see around 20-25 minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Magic PR Other tagged players: Brandon Jennings, C.J. Watson
Serge Ibaka (rest) out against the Sixers
Sege Ibaka will be rest tonight and his replacement has not been named yet. This will be Ibaka’s first missed game this season so it will be interesting to see who Coach Billy Donovan goes with. Nick Collison could be the starter if the Thunder want to keep Enes Kanter as Steven Adams’ backup. Look for an update soon on Ibaka’s replacement.
As reported by: Anthony Slater Other tagged players: Nick Collison, Enes Freedom, Steven Adams Zach LaVine continues to log consistent minutes as a mid-tier SG
Throughout the second half of the season Zach LaVine has appeared in a lot of winning DFS lineups. He is still right at $6,000 on DK and $5,800 on FD, but he is averaging over 39 minutes per game and being quite productive in that time. According to our new RotoGrinders CourtIQ tool found in the Daily Research tab, over the last month LaVine has the second highest usage rating on the Timberwolves behind Andrew Wiggins. That is even higher than a couple of his higher-priced counterparts in the starting lineup in Karl-Anthony Towns and Ricky Rubio. He is coming off back-to-back games of 28 real life points and averaging 15 shots per game over the last ten. Furthermore, LaVine will get the well-documented, atrocious defense of James Harden as the Rockets rank 28th in DvP vs. opposing SGs over the last three weeks. LaVine is simply still underpriced for the amount of minutes he is playing.
As reported by: RotoGrinders CourtIQ
Omri Casspi (ankle) ruled out for Friday
With Casspi out, the Kings could opt to use more of Marco Belinelli at the 3, making him a viable GPP punt given the fact that Ben McLemore is also out. He shouldn’t be a key cog in DFS lineups, but Belinelli does have some contrarian appeal. Rudy Gay’s playing time is also secured to a small degree.
As reported by: @Sacramento Kings Other tagged players: Marco Belinelli, Rudy Gay Jonas Valanciunas (hand) questionable for Friday
Jonas Valanciunas is officially listed as questionable but will be a game-time decision against the Celtics. If Valanciunas misses the game, Bismack Biyombo would get the start and likely be heavily owned. Biyombo is a nice cash game punt play but after his 50 burger, he’ll be heavily owned in tournaments too. Before locking Biyombo in your lineups, look for an update on Valanciunas’ status.
As reported by: @Raptors Other tagged players: Bismack Biyombo Despite blowout concerns, Russell Westbrook has a ton of upside
The game between the Thunder and 76ers does have the potential to turn into a blowout as there is a 16-point spread, but Russell Westbrook still remains an elite option. Westbrook is a triple double machine and he is averaging 81 DK points over his last two games vs. the Sixers dating back to last year’s 94 (!) DK point performance. The Sixers simply have no one to stop Westbrook and he will likely be the reason it turns into a blowout if it indeed does get out of hand. He has a ton of upside in this matchup and he will likely be under owned because of the blowout concern. There are safer options for cash games despite the great match up, but Westbrook could have the type of game that wins you a GPP.
Kevin Love (illness) is a game-time decision on Friday
Kevin Love missed shootaround this morning and has been listed as a game-time decision. It would not be surprising for him to miss this game with the Cavs playing tomorrow in Miami. Channing Frye started for Love when he missed a game about a week ago. Frye would likely get the start again and has scored 14+ points in three out of his last four games.
As reported by: Jason Lloyd Other tagged players: Channing Frye Brandon Jennings starting on Friday; Elfrid Payton remains a game-time decision
Jennings will remain in the starting five regardless of whether or not Elfrid Payton is able to return to action. While his price has spiked during the week, Jennings would still be a viable punt play if Payton is ruled out. Victor Oladipo, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Dewayne Dedmon fill out the starting five. Cleveland does struggle more with PGs than any other position which bodes well for Jennings.
As reported by: Joshua Robbins Other tagged players: Elfrid Payton Pau Gasol and E'Twuan Moore out for Saturday; Taj Gibson probable
Pau Gasol is out with a sore knee and E’Twuan Moore is out with a strained hamstring. Moore mentioned his hamstring felt fine so there is a chance that he can still play. Taj Gibson was able to put up about a fantasy point a minute on Thursday and should see 25-32 minutes on Saturday. Cameron Bairstow continues to be out with a bad back.
As reported by: KC Johnson Other tagged players: Taj Gibson, Cameron Bairstow Zach Randolph and Vince Carter game-time decisions for Saturday; P.J. Hairston out 7-10 days
Zach Randolph has missed the last seven games due to a sore knee but is a game-time decision against the Clippers. Vince Carter has missed four games with a strained calf and will also be a game-time decision. If Randolph returns to the lineup, JaMychal Green would see his production decline. We should have an update on their status tomorrow. P.J. Hairston continues to be out with a strained groin.
As reported by: NBA.com Other tagged players: Vince Carter, P.J. Hairston, JaMychal Green Kent Bazemore (knee) probable for Saturday
Kent Bazemore was out against Denver with a sore knee. Tim Hardaway Jr. replaced him in the starting lineup and was one of the top value plays of the night. With Bazemore probable, Hardaway Jr. is expected to go back to the bench. Bazemore will likely be under-owned on Saturday due to his absence on Thursday. Bazemore should be considered a strong tournament option since his salary has not been this low since the first week of November. The Rockets are traveling to Atlanta on the second night of a back-to-back, providing an exploitable matchup.
As reported by: KL Chouinard Other tagged players: Tim Hardaway Jr. Ian Mahinmi, Ty Lawson questionable for Saturday
If Mahinmi isn’t able to go tomorrow, both Jordan Hill and Myles Turner will provide solid value as the minutes for both would become much more secure. Turner was a huge letdown on Thursday night, but he ran into early foul trouble and never was able to dig his way out of that. He’s an excellent bounce-back candidate in the event that Mahinmi isn’t able to return. Jordan Hill’s price across the DFS industry remains far too low if he’s anointed the starter on Saturday. Lawson’s absence (or presence) doesn’t have any DFS impact.
As reported by: @Pacers on Twitter Other tagged players: Ty Lawson, Jordan Hill, Myles Turner Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli probable for tonight
Rajon Rondo and Marco Belinelli are both probable for tonight’s game with the Pistons. Rondo missed the Kings tilt with the Pelicans earlier this week, but it appears that he’ll tough it out and play against Detroit. Darren Collison’s value takes a hit, but he’s still going to see massive minutes at the SG spot and remains in play in any format. Rondo is more of a contrarian option that works better as a stacking play with DeMarcus Cousins. Belinelli is a very low-end punt play.
As reported by: James Ham on Twitter Other tagged players: Marco Belinelli, Darren Collison Markieff Morris may be suspended Saturday
We’ll update this situation as more news unfolds, but it looks like Morris may be suspended for at least a game after his Flagrant 2 foul last night. If that happens, the value of Nene Hilario and Otto Porter would rise, with Jared Dudley also a candidate to see his minutes spike.
As reported by: @CSNWizards