DFS Alerts
Cameron Payne (concussion) out for Friday
Cameron Payne was limited to 5 minutes of action last night after suffering a concussion. D.J. Augustin was able to step in and play some backup PG minutes but didn’t have an impact in 6 minutes. Russell Westbrook will likely see a slight bump in minutes with Payne out and is an elite stud against the Rockets on Friday.
As reported by: Anthony Slater Other tagged players: D.J. Augustin, Russell Westbrook
Kevin Garnett and Kevin Martin doubtful for Friday
Kevin Garnett is doubtful with a knee injury and Kevin Martin is doubtful with a wrist injury for Friday’s game against the Jazz. Both their absences from last night’s game were a reason Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine were able to explode. LaVine had a season-high 43.5 FPs on DK and Dieng scored a season-high in points with 21 last night. Both players salaries will likely shoot up after this game but LaVine will be the best option for tomorrow. If Dieng starts again he would have to face Rudy Gobert, which will limit his upside.
As reported by: Timberwolves PR Other tagged players: Kevin Martin, Gorgui Dieng, Zach LaVine Jon Leuer probable, T.J. Warren questionable for Friday
After missing the Suns past five games, Jon Leuer looks set to return tomorrow night against the Knicks. With Markieff Morris now back in the rotation and both Alex Len and Tyson Chandler playing well, don’t expect Leuer to see more than 22-24 minutes of court time. He’s not a DFS option with the Suns finally getting healthy in the front-court. If Warren is unable to play tomorrow, P.J. Tucker should continue seeing big minutes at SF. Sonny Weems would figure to pick up some of the slack off the bench.
As reported by: Paul Coro on Twitter Other tagged players: TJ Warren
Tim Duncan unlikely to suit up on Saturday
Tim Duncan is unlikely to play Saturday against the Cavs. The Spurs started Kyle Anderson in a small lineup yesterday that featured LaMarcus Aldridge at center, but they likely will go back to David West in order to match-up with the fairly big Cleveland front-court (Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson). West is a viable cash game punt play, but his ceiling is limited due to his court time being held under 26-28 minutes even as a starter. Boban Marjanovic will continue to see some run as well, and he’s been an absolute monster in terms of per minute stats. Like West, he suffers from a lack of playing time.
As reported by: @ESPNCleveland Zaza Pachulia, Devin Harris questionable for Friday
Zaza Pachulia and Devin Harris are both questionable to suit up on Friday. If Zaza can’t go, Salah Mejri will likely draw another start at center. Mejri has played more minutes on the most recent road trip (66) than he had played in his entire NBA career before those three games, and he’s been a solid per minute producer over that span. The issue is that he’s not seeing upwards of 28-30 minutes even as a starter, so his ceiling is somewhat limited. If Devin Harris isn’t able to play, his minutes will continue to be consumed by Raymond Felton and J.J. Barea.
As reported by: Tim MacMahon Other tagged players: Devin Harris Hassan Whiteside still uncertain for Friday
Hassan Whitside’s status for tomorrow remains up in the air after he was only able to complete about half of the Heat’s practice on Thursday. We’ll have to wait until after tomorrow’s shootaround to have any real idea of his status, but in the event that he’s unable to suit up again, Chris Bosh will be an elite target with Amar’e Stoudemire likely drawing another start. Stoudemire has played an average of 24 minutes over his last two starts, so he’s not a recommended DFS option at this point.
As reported by: Jason Lieser on Twitter Goran Dragic likely to play tomorrow
Goran Dragic is looking likely to play tomorrow night against the Bucks. His presence will lead to Beno Udrih resuming a bench role with Tyler Johnson’s court time also taking a dive. Dragic won’t be a recommended DFS option tomorrow given that it’s his first game back from injury in a relatively tough match-up, but he may be an interesting target a few games from now when he’s back to playing a full allotment of minutes. Dwyane Wade will be the only targetable Heat guard tomorrow night.
As reported by: Jason Lieser on Twitter Julius Randle to remain the starter ahead of Larry Nance tonight and tomorrow
Julius Randle will play tonight and is going to continue starting over Larry Nance both tonight and tomorrow. Randle is coming off of a very solid 16 pt, 11 reb game in 31 minutes of court time against the Mavericks, but the issue with him remains the capped playing time. He’s rarely seeing more than 30 minutes in a game regardless of whether he starts or not, so that does limit his ceiling. The Chicago front-court isn’t great defensively so this is a decent spot for Randle, but he’s probably a better target on a site like FanDuel where he’s still under $6K.
As reported by: Mike Bresnahan on Twitter Kobe Bryant (shoulder) will play tonight
Kobe Bryant (shoulder) will play tonight against the Bulls. With Lou Williams unlikely to play, Kobe should see a decent amount of run if he’s able to avoid nagging his shoulder in-game. Bryant’s playing time has been sporadic of late and he hasn’t been producing stat lines that would make him at all valuable in DFS, but Williams’ likely absence coupled with the game being on national TV does add some intrigue.
As reported by: Mike Bresnahan on Twitter John Henson's status for Friday still up in the air
Henson has already been ruled out for tonight’s game, but his status has not yet been determined for Friday. If he’s also unable to play tomorrow, Greg Monroe may see a modest minutes bump with Johnny O’Bryant and potentially Miles Plumlee acting as the reserve centers.
As reported by: C.F. Gardner on Twitter Lou Williams doubtful for tonight
Lou Williams is doubtful to play tonight due to an upper respiratory infection. While Kobe Bryant has been deemed healthy enough to play tonight, Williams’ absence does open up opportunity for D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. Both of them should receive modest projection bumps as each should see an extra 4-5 minutes of court time as a result and will be called on to be the primary ball-handlers, especially when Kobe isn’t on the floor. Bryant himself is a decent contrarian GPP play, but his playing time has been so sporadic lately. He’s exceeded 20 FPs just twice in the last seven games he’s played in.
As reported by: Mike Bresnahan on Twitter E'Twaun Moore probable for Bulls tonight against Lakers
Bulls Head Coach Fred Hoiberg stated that Moore will likely play tonight against the Lakers. He’s not a viable DFS option despite facing the team that is ranked dead last in PG DvP.
As reported by: Nick Friedell on Twitter
Derrick Rose playing tonight against Lakers
Rose and his sore hamstring will give it a go tonight against the Lakers in what is a very plus match up as the Lakers are dead last in PG DvP. Rose, who is $5,800 on FanDuel and $6,000 on DraftKings, has only topped 30 FD fpts three times in the last 16 games he has played. That said, he’s definitely worth putting in a lineup or two in GPP’s given the match up.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson on Twitter Jameer Nelson and Nikola Jokic upgraded to probable for tonight's game
Nelson and Jokic had both been previously listed as questionable for the Nuggets game tonight against the Wizards but that status has been upgraded to probable for both. Neither player are viable targets for the purposes of DFS tonight and Nelson’s return negatively impacts Emmanuel Mudiay’s value as well.
As reported by: Harrison Wind on Twitter Other tagged players: Nikola Jokic Bradley Beal to play tonight against Nuggets
After suffering a concussion and broken nose Monday and missing the team’s last game, Beal will wear a protective facemask and play tonight against the Nuggets. While the Nuggets are 28th in SG DvP, Beal has not topped 26 minutes or 28 FanDuel fantasy points since returning from injury and it’s hard to justify paying $6,300 on FanDuel or $6,400 on DraftKings for that type of production.
As reported by: Jorge Castillo on Twitter