DFS Alerts
Marcin Gortat has a high floor at his price vs. the Blazers
The center position is up for grabs tonight, as there isn’t really a clear cut option at the top. While there aren’t necessarily any chalky options, Marcin Gortat is likely one of the safest options on the board. The Trail Blazers are really bad at defending opposing centers as they are 23rd in DvP vs. them over the course of the season. Furthermore, the Blazers are one of the worst teams in the league at defending cuts and pick and rolls, second worst behind the Cavaliers. Gortat thrives in a pick and roll setting, and attributes 268 of his points over the season to plays that involve cutting, including pick and roll action. When certain positions are a little muddy like center is tonight, these are the kinds of advanced stats that we can use to our advantage to find the best play. The Wizards will also be shorthanded tonight with Bradley Beal out. Between Beal’s absence and Otto Porter’s minutes trending down, Gortat will likely see a bigger role in the offense.
Ty Lawson (ankle) expects to play on Saturday
Ty Lawson sprained his ankle in his first appearance for the Pacers on Monday. He did not go through practice today but was able to shoot without a limp. Lawson is not DFS relevant just yet but he can help Indiana’s second unit play better. Look for an update on Lawson’s status this weekend.
As reported by: @Pacers
Andre Iguodala questionable for Wednesday
Andre Iguodala is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game with the Jazz. He was unable to go on Monday night but his participation (or lack thereof) in tomorrow’s shootaround should help determine his availability. If he’s unable to go again, look for Harrison Barnes and Brandon Rush to see extra run.
As reported by: Diamond Lueng Other tagged players: Harrison Barnes, Brandon Rush
Brandon Knight practicing Tuesday
Knight practiced today for the first time since his injury, and it appears that he’s inching closer to a return. We still don’t have a definitive timetable, but his return will lead to a reduction in playing time for Ronnie Price and Archie Goodwin. Price has played 81 minutes over the last two games so he’ll remain a viable punt play until Knight is back in the lineup, but once his minutes begin to dwindle he won’t be an option. He’s not producing at a solid per-minute clip to date.
As reported by: Paul Coro Other tagged players: Ronnie Price, Archie Goodwin Alan Anderson's minutes limit has been upped to 24
Anderson’s minutes restriction has been increased to 24, and he may actually be an option as a GPP punt play with Bradley Beal and Gary Neal out tonight. He’ll obviously need a lot to go right in order to make himself valuable in 24 minutes, but he’s been a fairly solid per-minute producer to this point (0.84 FD points per minute). He comes with a ton of risk and we certainly don’t recommend playing him heavily, but Anderson holds some contrarian appeal tonight.
As reported by: Jorge Castillo Lou Williams out through at least Thursday, may return this weekend
Williams won’t return to the Lakers lineup until this weekend at the earliest, and it’s very possible he ends up sitting out beyond then. The Lakers are in full-swing with their youth movement and judging by the success D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson are having right now, there isn’t any real need to rush Williams back into action. Russell and Clarkson remain strong mid-range targets while Marcelo Huertas and Nick Young are also candidates to see extra run while Williams and Kobe Bryant are banged up.
As reported by: Mark Medina Other tagged players: D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Marcelo Huertas, Nick Young Kobe Bryant "50-50" to suit up tonight
Byron Scott has said there’s a “50-50” shot that Kobe takes the floor tonight. Even when he’s been active recently his minutes have been down, so both D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson remain very solid mid-range targets. Bryant isn’t a recommended play in any format even if he’s active, as he hasn’t played more than 30 minutes in a game in nearly a month. Russell is an option in any format while Clarkson is especially appealing at $6K on FanDuel, where you’re required to roster two SGs. If Kobe sits, Nick Young may draw the start at SF with Anthony Brown out of the lineup.
As reported by: Mark Medina Other tagged players: D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all ruled out for Tuesday
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will be held out tonight due to rest, while Tony Parker is out due to a left toe contusion. With Parker and Ginobili out, look for Patty Mills and Danny Green to be the two biggest beneficiaries with Jonathan Simmons also likely to re-enter the rotation. Look for David West to draw the start at center for Duncan while LaMarcus Aldridge gets a slight value bump as his playing time becomes a little more secure. Aldridge, Mills and Kawhi Leonard are the top targets here as this game should be more competitive with the Spurs shorthanded.
As reported by: @Spurs Other tagged players: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, David West Norris Cole, Luke Babbitt questionable for Wednesday
Norris Cole and Luke Babbitt are questionable for Wednesday’s game with the Hornets. Cole put on a show against the Kings on Monday despite being considered questionable all day, and he appeared to come out of the game unscathed. He’s likely closer to probable than questionable against Charlotte. If he’s unable to go, Jrue Holiday gets a small value bump while Toney Douglas would become one of the better punt plays on tomorrow’s slate. Luke Babbitt’s status holds no DFS impact.
As reported by: Brett Dawson Other tagged players: Luke Babbitt, Jrue Holiday, Toney Douglas Alexis Ajinca ruled out for Wednesday
Alexis Ajinca has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game with the Hornets. With Omer Asik back, Ajinca wasn’t going to see the floor for more than 10-12 minutes anyway, so this news doesn’t hold any real DFS relevance. Asik will continue to start at center while Ryan Anderson will continue to eat up the PF minutes behind Anthony Davis. Kendrick Perkins will also remain in the rotation as a backup center.
As reported by: Brett Dawson Jimmy Butler might play Thursday; Bobby Portis day-to-day
It’s still a couple days off but Bulls Head Coach Fred Hoiberg stated he was optimistic that Butler would play on Thursday. He added that Portis was day-to-day with his eye injury. We’ll update the status of these two players closer to game time on Thursday when more information becomes available. Butler’s status, of course, is the more important of the two for DFS purposes as his absence affects the usage of players like Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol and he himself is always one of the top SG options out there.
As reported by: Nick Friedell on Twitter Other tagged players: Bobby Portis
Nemanja Belica doubtful, Greg Smith questionable for Tuesday; Garnett, Pekovic remain out
Bjelica continues to struggle to return from injury and is listed as doubtful for the Timberwolves game tonight against the Spurs while recently signed Greg Smith is questionable. Neither player is DFS relevant or has much of an impact on other players in the Twolves rotation. Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Garnett continue to remain out for the team.
As reported by: Jerry Zgoda on Twitter Other tagged players: Greg Smith, Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic Jared Sullinger questionable for Wednesday
The Celtics big man was hospitalized yesterday for a skin infection. While he has been released, he has missed practice the last two days and his status for tomorrow is uncertain. We’ll update as soon as more information comes in. If he is unable to go, the return of Kelly Olynyk could see him getting a few more minutes than normal with Tyler Zeller also likely getting a boost in playing time.
As reported by: Jay King on Twitter Kelly Olynyk questionable for Wednesday's game
Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens stated that Olynyk is “50-50” to play tomorrow after going through practice today with some tentativeness. Olynyk has missed the last month and won’t be much of a DFS option immediately as his playing time will be limited and Jared Sullinger has been performing admirably in his absence.
As reported by: Jay King on Twitter Kristaps Porzingis expects to play tonight
Porzingis missed the Knicks last game on Saturday but expects to play tonight against the Nuggets. If he does go he makes for an intriguing GPP play against a team that is 25th in PF DvP but his recent production suggests that he might be overpriced at $6,300 on FanDuel and $6,500 on DraftKings. He’s only topped 30 DK points in two of his last seven games. That said, he’ll certainly be under-owned so he could make for a nice play if he is able to produce against the Nuggets porous front court defense.
As reported by: Al Iannazzone on Twitter