DFS Alerts
Kobe, Lou Williams, Julius Randle all questionable for Thursday
The Lakers injury report is a bit of a mess right now with Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams and Julius Randle all being considered questionable. Williams is dealing with an illness while Kobe is dealing with a shoulder issue, but the fact that tomorrow’s game is nationally televised may give Kobe extra incentive to suit up. Julius Randle is dealing with a leg issue and if he were to sit out, Larry Nance would become a very strong value target.
As reported by: Mike Bresnahan on Twitter Other tagged players: Lou Williams, Julius Randle
Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lamb both game-time decisions tonight
Both Batum and Lamb are game-time decisions for tonight’s game with the Jazz. It’s not a good spot for the Hornets as a whole as they have a team total of just 92 points and come in as 6.5 point underdogs, so they may be a team to avoid as a whole if Batum and Lamb play. If one or both end up sitting, Jeremy Lin’s value would spike (he’d benefit more from Batum sitting) and Kemba Walker’s shot attempts would remain sky high. Kemba takes a backseat to the likes of Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul tonight, but Walker would inch closer to CP3 if Batum were to sit.
As reported by: Rick Bonnell on Twitter Other tagged players: Jeremy Lamb Tyreke Evans' MRI reveals no structural damage, likely to play Thursday
We’ll still have to wait until after tomorrow’s shootaround to have a better picture of Evans’ status, but it appears that he is on the right side of the questionable tag heading into Thursday. If he’s able to play, the value of both Jrue Holiday and Norris Cole takes a hit, but the fact that Anthony Davis may sit keeps Holiday squarely in play until we get more information. If both Davis and Evans are out, Holiday and Cole would both become very strong $/point plays.
As reported by: John Reid Festus Ezeli doubtful for tonight
Festus Ezeli is considered doubtful for tonight’s game with the Mavericks. Marreese Speights appears to be next in line for minutes behind Ezeli, and given the massive spread on tonight’s game (17.5 points in favor of GS), Speights is actually in consideration as a dart-throw GPP play at minimum price, particularly on a site like DraftKings. Andrew Bogut’s playing time likely won’t be affected by Ezeli’s absence.
As reported by: Rusty Simmons on Twitter Other tagged players: Marreese Speights Jameer Nelson doubtful, Kenneth Faried probable for Nuggets tonight
It looks as if Nelson will miss his sixth straight game for the Nuggets in their game against the Boston Celtics meaning Emmanual Mudiay will likely draw the start and 30+ minutes again as he has the past five games. However, it’s a tough as nails match up against a Celtics defense that is tops in the league in PG DvP. Faried is listed as probable and has a much more favorable match up as the Celtics are 26th in PF DvP. Faried is a decent medium priced option, especially in GPP’s. Joffrey Lauvergne (toe) is also questionable, and his absence would lead to more minutes for a combination of Darrell Arthur and Nikola Jokic.
As reported by: Harrison Wind on Twitter Other tagged players: Emmanuel Mudiay, Jameer Nelson
Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans questionable for Thursday's game
Anthony Davis, with a concussion, and Tyreke Evans, with a sore knee, are both considered questionable in advance of the Pelicans Thursday night game with the Kings. If Davis can’t go, Ryan Anderson would be an intriguing DFS target as he has excelled when Davis has been unavailable. The same could be said for Jrue Holiday if Evans is unable to go. Holiday has topped 30 fantasy points in 5 of his last 6 games including 50+ in his last game when Evans was limited due to his knee. We’ll update you on Davis and Evans availability tomorrow when more information comes in.
As reported by: Brett Dawson on Twitter Other tagged players: Tyreke Evans, Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday Kyle Lowry questionable for Raptors on Thursday
The Raptors starting point guard is questionable for their game tomorrow against the Knicks after not practicing today with a sore left wrist. If he is unable to go, Cory Joseph would become an elite value option. We’ll update you on any Lowry news as soon as it comes in.
As reported by: Ryan Wolstat on Twitter Other tagged players: Cory Joseph Rudy Gay out for Kings game on Thursday
While it’s not definitive, Gay is being listed as out for tomorrows game against the Pelicans. If that remains true, Omri Casspi would likely get the start and be an excellent option in what should be a high scoring game. We’ll update Gay’s status tomorrow when more information becomes available.
As reported by: Brett Dawson on Twitter Other tagged players: Omri Casspi Jon Leuer expected to be out, Markieff Morris probable for Suns tonight against Cavaliers
Pregame reports have listed Jon Leuer as out and Markieff Morris as probable for the Suns tonight in their game against the Cavaliers. Alex Len will likely get the start at power forward as the team continues to give Morris an uncertain role. His playing time has fluctuated between 6 minutes on January 9th to 33 minutes on January 17th. If we knew he would get 30 minutes plus, he’d be worth rostering at a sub $5K price tag. That’s not something you can count on though so he’s a very risky DFS play especially in a very tough match up against a Cavaliers team that is top three in the league in fantasy points allowed per game. Len, on the other hand, is very much in play even with the tough spot as he has put up 30+ fantasy points his last three games and has seen 33+ minutes in each of those outings.
As reported by: Amico Hoops Other tagged players: Markieff Morris, Alex Len Dirk Nowitzki, Zaza Pachulia ruled out for Wednesday
Dirk Nowitzki (rest) and Zaza Pachulia (lower leg soreness) will both miss tonight’s game with the Warriors. The Mavericks were already big underdogs in this game (the line is sitting at 17.5 in favor of GS right now), so targeting any of the Mavericks veterans is a risky proposition. Dwight Powell seems like the top $/point play on the Dallas side, as he’ll see a minutes bump with both Dirk and Zaza out – he’s not nearly as appealing when only one of the two sit. Salah Mejri will continue to start at center, but he isn’t expected to see more than 22-25 minutes of court time against a GS team that likes to run.
As reported by: Earl Sneed on Twitter Other tagged players: Zaza Pachulia Joffrey Lauvergne a game-time decision for tonight's game
The Nuggets did not have a shootaround today and Lauvergne is considered questionable for their game against the Celtics. Lauvergne has potential when given the playing time but those opportunities have been few and far between this season. He’s only topped 20 minutes once this month (in 8 games) and has six games out of those eight where he scored fewer than 13 FanDuel fantasy points. He’s best avoided for DFS purposes tonight. We will update his status when we learn more.
As reported by: Chris Dempsey on Twitter Jason Terry will play tonight
Terry will play tonight and Friday but will sit out Saturday’s game. He’s not a viable DFS option tonight, especially going against the Spurs, other than reducing slightly the number of minutes Patrick Beverley and Ty Lawson will get.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins on Twitter Dwight Howard will start tonight
After missing the last three games, Howard will play and start tonight for the Rockets in their game against the Spurs. This likely moves Clint Capela back to power forward and reduces the DFS value of players like Josh Smith, Terrence Jones, and Corey Brewer as they will all see a reduction in playing time. It’s not a great match up for Howard against the elite defense of the Spurs (they are top 5 in DvP against every position and 1st overall in fantasy points allowed) and there are better options at the position tonight.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins on Twitter Zaza Pachulia and Devin Harris doubtful for Mavericks tonight against Warriors
Both players missed last nights game and look as if they will not be able to play tonight as well. Pachulia’s absence probably means Salah Merji will get the start again but he’ll likely split minutes with JaVale McGee. Mejri only played 22 minutes (putting up 14.3 FanDuel fantasy points) while McGee played 10 minutes (putting up 14 FanDuel fantasy points). It’s hard to trust either for DFS purposes tonight. If Harris doesn’t play his minutes will likely be split between the two backup point guards, J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton. Barea is coming off a 28 minute, 29.8 fantasy point performance but that was against the woeful Lakers defense. Still he’s a value consideration if he will get that kind of playing time again.
As reported by: Tim MacMahon on Twitter Other tagged players: Devin Harris, Salah Mejri, JaVale McGee, J.J. Barea, Raymond Felton Zaza Pachulia and Devin Harris out tonight
Zaza Pachulia has been confirmed as out and Salah Mejri will likely start in his place. Mejri is going to be a chalk play since Zaza was expected out. Devin Harris is dealing with a toe injury and will also be out. Raymond Felton and J.J. Barea will play the backup PG minutes tonight.
As reported by: Earl Sneed Other tagged players: Devin Harris, Salah Mejri, Raymond Felton, J.J. Barea