DFS Alerts
Festus Ezeli (knee) out for Saturday
Festus Ezeli will be missing his fifth consecutive game on Saturday. With Ezeli out of the lineup the Warriors have been forced into their small-ball lineup more often. The Warriors are destroying teams but face a great matchup against the Thunder on Saturday. Look for the rotation to be tightened with Warriors going small early and often.
As reported by: Anthony Slater
Kobe Bryant expected to play on Saturday
Kobe Bryant did not practice on Friday but is expected to play his final game in San Antonio on Saturday. Bryant has been dealing with an Achilles and shoulder injury all season long, so there will be a time in the near future he sits. For now, Bryant has been on a tear but will face a tough Spurs defense and is a tournament option only.
As reported by: Mark Medina Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Garnett "not any closer to playing"
Wolves coach Sam Mitchell has said that neither Martin, Pekovic or Garnett is any closer to returning to action, which would seemingly rule all three out for Saturday’s game. We’ll consider them doubtful until we get an official designation, but don’t expect to see any of the three in action this weekend. With Pek and Garnett out, Gorgui Dieng will continue to see big minutes in the front-court, while Kevin Martin’s absence will lead to increased run for Zach LaVine and Shabazz Muhammad.
As reported by: Darren Wolfson on Twitter Other tagged players: Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic, Gorgui Dieng, Zach LaVine
Jimmy Butler will play tonight
Jimmy Butler said he will play tonight, while teammate Pau Gasol is still questionable. Butler was a late-scratch on Wednesday which buried plenty of teams on FanDuel, and E’Twaun Moore proceeded to have one of the best games of his career in a plum matchup with the Kings. Moore still holds some value as he was starting with Butler in the lineup, but he won’t be counted on nearly as much offensively and his ownership level will be higher than it should be based on his last performance. Butler would become an elite play if Gasol sits, and he’s already a very strong option as it is. His presence does lessen the intrigue of Derrick Rose.
As reported by: Vincent Goodwill on Twitter Other tagged players: E'Twaun Moore, Derrick Rose Pau Gasol questionable for tonight's game against the Nuggets
Gasol is considered questionable with his injured hand for tonight’s game but if the past is any indicator he’ll play. Targeting bigs against the Nuggets is always a +EV situation in DFS and if Gasol does go he’s a consistent option to roll with. He’s scored at least 35 FanDuel fpts in his last six games. We’ll update you on his status as soon as we learn more.
As reported by: Nick Friedell on Twitter
Jimmy Butler a game-time decision for tonight
After sitting out last game with his sore knee, Butler is expected to play tonight against the Nuggets. He plans on testing the knee out during pregame warmups and making a decision then as to whether he will play or not. It’s a tricky spot for those in DFS as the game is a West Coast game that will not tip off until after most sites lock their rosters. It’s a plus play against a porous Nuggets defense that is 28th in SG DvP but if it’s not a late swap site understand the risk you’ll be taking by rostering him.
As reported by: Nick Friedell on Twitter DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, and Ben McLemore all probable tonight for Kings
All three battled through injuries and played in the last game for the team so this was to be expected but it’s good to have confirmation prior to tip-off. The Kings have a favorable match up against the Brooklyn Nets who are 24th in fantasy points allowed per game. Cousins, as usual, is a top option and Rondo isn’t too far behind squaring off against the likes of Donald Sloan and Shane Larkin.
As reported by: Jason Jones on Twitter Other tagged players: Rajon Rondo, Ben McLemore Amar'e Stoudemire to start again at center for Heat; Whiteside to come off bench
Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra stated that Whiteside would continue to come off the bench with the veteran Stoudemire getting the start in their game tonight against the Hornets. This diminishes the DFS value of both players – Stoudemire only played 17 minutes last game and while he’s productive (averaging well over a fpt/minute) in his time on the court his mid $4K price tag makes it to where you need more than 20 minutes to return value. The same can be said for Whiteside who nearly averaged 2 fantasy points/minute coming off the bench last game – the problem is he only played 17 minutes and at $7,900 on FanDuel and $7,400 on DraftKings, you need a minimum of 25 minutes to justify rostering the big man and that playing time is uncertain/shaky for sure at this time.
As reported by: Jason Lieser on Twitter Other tagged players: Hassan Whiteside Kemba Walker expects to play tonight against Heat
Walker told local media that he expects to play tonight against the Heat in what is a tough match up as Miami is 2nd in PG DvP and 3rd overall in total fantasy points allowed. Walker would make for a nice under-owned GPP target though as he put up 35.8 and 40 FanDuel fantasy points his first two games against the Heat and is capable of doing so again. That said he hasn’t topped 30 in his last three games so fading him completely has merit, especially given injury issues he’s been battling of late.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets official Twitter feed Matthew Dellavedova OUT tonight
Dellavedova missed the Cavaliers last game with an injured hamstring and has been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Celtics as well. It’s not huge news for DFS purposes as Kyrie Irving has dominated the playing time at PG for the Cavs of late (he played 36 minutes last game with Dellavedova out) – Mo Williams only saw 11 minutes last game so he’s not in play in what is expected to be a relatively close game. Irving’s also a player to avoid as the Celtics are the top team in basketball in regards to PG DvP.
As reported by: Chris Haynes on Twitter Jae Crowder expects to play tonight
Despite soreness and swelling in his ankle, Crowder stated that he expects to play tonight in the Celtics game against the Cavaliers. It’s a tough game for Crowder as the Cavaliers are top 5 in SF DvP and top 5 in overall fantasy points allowed per game. If for some reason Crowder can’t go expect Marcus Smart and Evan Turner to get an uptick in minutes. We’ll update Crowder’s status when we learn more later today.
As reported by: Jay King on Twitter Devin Harris out; Deron Williams questionable for tonight's game
The Mavericks have announced that Devin Harris is out for tonight’s game against the Spurs while Deron Williams is considered questionable. Regardless of who goes at point guard tonight, whether it be Williams or backups J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton, it’s a situation to be avoided as the Spurs are an elite defensive team (they are 1st in fantasy points allowed) and Vegas has the Mavericks with the second lowest team total on the board. We’ll update you on Williams status when we learn more later today.
As reported by: Earl Sneed on Twitter Other tagged players: Devin Harris, J.J. Barea, Raymond Felton Moe Harkless listed as the starter for Noah Vonleh tonight
Moe Harkless has been listed as the starter for tonight’s contest. Noah Vonleh was injured in the previous game and was ruled out of tonight. Moe Harkless is a risky play and will likely be tough to get in the lineup with the news coming so late.
As reported by: Erik Gunderson Rockets will start Brewer with Harden, Beverley, Ariza and Dwight Howard on Thursday
Even with Clint Capela back into the lineup, the Rockets will keep him on the bench. Dwight Howard returns to the lineup tonight after missing one game due to a suspension. Brewer and Ariza will be the forwards while Harden and Beverley start in the backcourt. This should be a high-scoring game and all the starters are viable options.
As reported by: Craig Grialou Other tagged players: Corey Brewer, James Harden, Clint Capela Noah Vonleh confirmed as out for tonight, no starter named in his place
Noah Vonleh has been confirmed out with an ankle injury. Coach Terry Stotts refused to name a starter in his place but it is likely going to be Meyer Leonard. Leonard was starting in the beginning of the season and lost it due to a shoulder injury. Leonard makes for an elite punt option on DK due to his $3,900 salary and expected high minutes in a close game.
As reported by: Joe Freeman Other tagged players: Meyers Leonard