DFS Alerts
Jonas Valanciunas makes for a great GPP pivot
There are several intriguing options at the center position today, but someone that seems to be ignored a bit is Raptors’ Jonas Valanciunas. He has been nursing a right thumb injury for awhile now and is probable to play tonight, so make sure you check back here before tip-off just to double check he is playing. Valanciunas gets a horrific Denver interior defense that allows the sixth most points to opposing centers in the league. Other than the last outing vs. the Knicks, Valanciunas has been fairly consistent posting numbers right around the 30 fantasy point mark in his last ten games. Toronto has a generous 105-point team total, and Valanciunas will certainly look to have a big part of that, and he is a nice target tonight that will likely be low-owned in tournaments. Again, make sure you check back tonight before games start just to make sure Valanciunas is in the starting lineup.
Derrick Favors is back seeing a full allotment of minutes for the Jazz
Derrick Favors has been out for over a month now with a back injury, but has returned this past week and is now back into the starting lineup seeing his full number of minutes restored. Favors contributed 20 points and nine rebounds in 35 minutes vs. Minnesota tonight and it looks like he is full-go from here on out. Because of the time off, his price has dropped dramatically and is sitting at only $6,600 on DraftKings. In the time before his injury in early December, Favors was priced up over $8,000 on DraftKings. The matchup with Chicago isn’t bad, but to get Favors at this price will likely not happen again. We will almost for sure see his price rise quickly in the near future, so snatch Favors up at this price while you can and reap the benefits.
Khris Middleton looks to get back on track vs. weak Kings defense
Khris Middleton put up a dud in last Friday’s game vs. the Heat, but gets the best matchup you could ask for tonight vs. the Kings. He will look to get back on track after shooting just 2-13 in Friday’s game. Middleton plays a ton of minutes, over 36 per game as of late. Other than the last performance vs. Miami, he has been about as consistent as it gets night in and night out. SG is a fairly thin position tonight, and Middleton is one of the top options at a relatively nice price throughout the industry. Like I said earlier, the Kings are horrible defending opposing SGs ranking third to last and will be without DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore tonight. This will likely be a high scoring shootout and with a spread of only two points along with some of the injuries to the Kings, this could be a sneaky game to target tonight and look no further than Middleton.
Kevin Durant is worth spending up vs. a weak Wizards' wing defense
Kevin Durant has been unstoppable as of late, and he will look to continue his dominance tonight vs. the Wizards. There has been a lot of speculation that after Durant’s contract expires this season that he will be inclined to head back to his hometown, Washington D.C. Durant may look to put on a show for his possible future team, but more so than that the Wizards are just flat poor at defending SFs. Ranking 29th in DvP, SFs have had their way all season vs. Washington and it likely won’t change tonight. Durant is the most expensive SF on the board, but he has the highest floor as well as the highest ceiling of maybe anyone on the slate today. Go ahead and target him with confidence tonight.
Kobe Bryant (shoulder) questionable for Tuesday
Kobe Bryant is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s contest against the Timberwolves. If Bryant does not play on Tuesday, Anthony Brown would get another start but is not a DFS option at all. Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson would see a bump in value in Bryant’s absence. D’Angelo Russell could also see some extra shots but has been struggling lately, which has opened the door for Nick Young to get some minutes. Williams has the highest floor out of any Lakers player with Nick Young being the highest risk.
As reported by: Eric Pincus Other tagged players: Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell
Marco Belinelli (illness) probable for tonight
Marco Belinelli missed Saturday’s game with an illness and is probable for tonight’s game against the Bucks. Belinelli is a viable punt option tonight with Cousins and McLemore out of the lineup. James Anderson who is averaging 17 minutes a game over his last three games might start as he did earlier in the season when Ben McLemore was benched. Anderson is a very low-end option and Darren Collison along with Belinelli should see a bump in value with McLemore out.
As reported by: Kings Blog Other tagged players: Darren Collison, James Anderson Ben McLemore (wrist) has been ruled out tonight
Ben McLemore will be missing his first career game due to a wrist injury. McLemore is a boom-or-bust player that seemed to be trending up over his last couple games. With Cousins also out of the lineup, expect to see a whole new starting five that we have yet to see this season.
As reported by: James Ham Amar'e Stoudemire listed as starter for Tuesday with Hassan Whiteside still questionable
Hassan Whiteside is still dealing with a knee injury that has caused him to miss the last fives games. The Heat currently are listing Amar’e Stoudemire as the starter for Tuesday’s game against the Mavericks. Stoudemire had his best game on Sunday against the Hawks with 13 points and 11 rebounds. In Whiteside’s five-game absence, Stoudemire has averaged 9 points and 8 rebounds, making him a useful punt option against his former team if Whiteside sits again.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Hassan Whiteside Larry Nance (knee) has been shut down until after All-Star break
Larry Nance will be out for the next two weeks with a sore knee. Nance has missed five games in January due to the injury, which opened the door for Julius Randle to start. Randle has been playing extremely well and his salary increase reflects that. The Lakers host the Timberwolves on Tuesday and Randle will have a tough matchup if the T’Wolves start Karl-Anthony Towns at PF.
As reported by: Eric Pincus Other tagged players: Julius Randle DeMarcus Cousins ruled out for Monday
DeMarcus Cousins has been ruled out for Monday’s game with the Bucks. In his absence, look for Rudy Gay to pick up a considerable amount of usage/shot attempts, with Willie Cauley-Stein likely to see bigger minutes in the front-court. Gay is an elite play in all formats at this point, and his sub $7K price tag on DraftKings makes him nearly a must play in cash games. WCS is an elite punt play on a night without a ton of available value, and he’s also playable in any format. Rajon Rondo’s outlook doesn’t change much with Cousins out of the lineup – he’ll likely see an uptick in shot attempts but may also see a decrease in his assist total.
As reported by: Marc Spears
John Henson ruled out for Monday
John Henson will not play on Monday against the Kings. His absence could lead to extended minutes for Greg Monroe if the game stays close, and now that DeMarcus Cousins is ruled out, foul trouble is less of a concern for the Bucks big man. Monroe is a solid play in any format tonight. Miles Plumlee has worked his way back into the rotation with Henson out and has played well over the past two games, so expect him to see 12-15 minutes of run tonight.
As reported by: Aron Yohannes Cameron Payne (concussion) will play tonight vs. Washington
Cameron Payne will play Monday against the Wizards. He missed Friday’s game with the Rockets and played just 5 minutes in the previous game, which allowed D.J. Augustin to work his way back into the rotation. With Payne active, Augustin will likely ride the pine while Payne soaks up the back-up PG minutes. Neither are DFS relevant.
As reported by: Anthony Slater Jonas Valanciunas dealing with sprained right wrist, but listed as probable for tonight
Jonas Valanciunas is apparently dealing with a minor sprain of his right wrist, but he’s fully expected to play tonight against the Nuggets. This injury doesn’t appear to put Valanciunas’ playing time in any jeopardy, so utilize him as you planned on. He’s a very nice GPP target against the weak Nuggets interior that ranks 23rd against the center position this year. Valanciunas is a great pivot off of Jordan Hill on FanDuel, considering Hill’s price will lead to him being a very popular selection in tournaments.
As reported by: Ryan Wolstat Jose Calderon appears likely to play tomorrow
The Knicks point guard practiced Monday and feels confident that he will play tomorrow for the team after missing the last three games with an injured groin. This will be a hit on the DFS value of Langston Galloway who has excelled in Calderon’s absence, and to a lesser extent Jerian Grant. We’ll update you tomorrow on Calderon’s status.
As reported by: Ian Begley on Twitter
Bradley Beal to be on 28 minute limit tonight off bench against Thunder
The Wizards guard stated that he would come off the bench again tonight and be limited to around 28 minutes. Beal, who is $6,000 on FanDuel and $6,200 on DraftKings could be an interesting GPP option tonight if he hits that 28 minute mark in what is expected to be a shoot out. The Thunder are 20th in DvP against SG’s and while Beal has struggled the last three games, he has the potential to put up 30+ fantasy points, especially given the match up.
As reported by: Jorge Castillo on Twitter