DFS Alerts
Jameer Nelson is doubtful for tonight
Jameer Nelson will likely miss third consecutive game with a wrist injury allowing for rookie Emmanuel Mudiay to start again. The Nuggets face the Grizzlies who are a tough defensive team but struggle to guard PGs, making Mudiay a viable option on a short slate. Mudiay has scored 28.5 fantasy points in his last two starts but with his salary having risen, he will need 30+ FPs to exceed value tonight.
As reported by: Harrison Wind Other tagged players: Emmanuel Mudiay
Willie Cauley-Stein is a viable GPP punt
We have finally seen what “Will Trill” has been capable of with a spectacular outing last night. He had 12 points and collected 10 rebounds to go along with a couple of blocks and a couple of steals in 29 minutes vs. the Lakers to put up 35.5 DK points. As long as he gets the minutes, Cauley-Stein can produce and at only $3,400 on DK again tonight with a good matchup vs. the Hawks, he looks to have another great performance tonight. Atlanta and Sacramento has by far the highest projected total of the day at 215.5 and is a very intriguing game to target tonight. Cauley-Stein’s ownership percentage might be a little inflated because of his huge game last night, but for a price this cheap it may be worth rostering him in some GPPs again tonight. He has great potential for another big game as long as George Karl gives him the minutes.
Norris Cole starting for injured Eric Gordon; Jrue Holiday off the bench
Norris Cole will start at SG for the injured Eric Gordon tonight against the Pistons. While Jrue Holiday will come off the bench, his DFS value doesn’t take much of a hit. Tyreke Evans isn’t expected to play big minutes tonight and Holiday has still been a force off the bench and will get to face off with the Pistons second unit more often than Evans or Cole. Cole is a solid punt play tonight in all formats, but be aware that the Pistons do have a few solid wing defenders and that may give Evans and Cole some trouble. The saving grace is that the Pistons are on the back-end of a B2B, so they may be playing on tired legs.
As reported by: John Reid Other tagged players: Jrue Holiday
Patty Mills is an excellent option with Tony Parker out
Tony Parker has been ruled out for Thursday’s matchup vs. the Suns, one of the worst defensive teams in the league. That leaves Patty Mills ($3,500 on both sites) and Ray McCallum ($3,000 DraftKings, $3,600 FanDuel) as the likely players to see most of the run at PG tonight. I say likely because you never know what Coach Pop will do, but McCallum was called up from the D-League on the 4th and has only seen two games of action since, making Mills maybe slightly more likely to play more minutes. Both are viable punt options, but Mills has been averaging 19.3 DK points per game with Parker off the floor as compared to 15.3 with Parker. The Suns are second to last in the league at defending opposing PGs, and Mills should be able to reach value fairly easily. He is a great, safe cash game pick tonight on a semi-short slate and will enable you to pay up at another position.
Other tagged players: Ray McCallum Gerald Green and Josh McRoberts questionable for Friday
Gerald Green is dealing with knee tendinitis and has been listed as questionable for Friday. Josh McRoberts has been upgraded to questionable and could play due to all the injuries the Heat have been faced with. Green’s absence would likely put Josh Richardson back in the starting lineup if Wade also missed the game. He makes for a viable punt play but will have to guard DeMar DeRozan which could end up leaving him in foul trouble. Richardson and McRoberts are GPP plays only and you should likely look elsewhere on a nine-game slate.
As reported by: Jason Lieser Other tagged players: Josh McRoberts Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic ruled out on Friday
Both Whiteside and Dragic have now been ruled out for Friday due to their injuries. Whiteside will likely be replaced by Amar’e Stoudemire with Tyler Johnson continuing his starting position at PG for Dragic. Stoudemire played 21 minutes last night and was still not able to exceed value with 12.5 fantasy points. Stoudemire might play more than that but considering his age he is nothing more than a minimum priced tournament play. Tyler Johnson has seen his salary skyrocket and is no longer a punt play for Friday. Johnson is a risky GPP play due to Kyle Lowry’s defense. Johnson might still be able to hit value but is not a true point guard and can be hounded all night.
As reported by: Jason Lieser Other tagged players: Goran Dragic, Amare Stoudemire, Tyler Johnson Spencer Hawes and Jeremy Lin likely to start on Friday
Spencer Hawes will be making his first start for the Hornets on Friday. Hawes is basically a minimum priced option and should be considered an elite punt option. Hawes played 27 minutes in the on Wednesday and was able to score 17.5 fantasy points. Hawes doesn’t have that high of a ceiling but can allow for other studs to be fit iin around him. Jeremy Lin will likely also start for Batum and he is a solid option. Lin will likely see over 30 minutes if Lamb is also ruled out. If Lamb is indeed ruled out Lin can be used in both cash games and tournaments against the Magic.
As reported by: Rick Bonnell Other tagged players: Jeremy Lin Dwight Howard now being listed as out for Friday
Howard was injured in the first minute of last night’s game against the Pistons and has been ruled out of Friday’s contest. Howard is dealing with an ankle injury which will likely cause Clint Capela to slide over to C against the Bucks. Clint is an elite target against a Bucks team that struggles to rebound the ball. Capela has played well most games that Dwight has missed, thus making him a chalky play on Friday. Terrence Jones will likely start at PF and he is also a solid punt option. Starters will likely be announced early tomorrow so we’ll have an update then.
As reported by: CF Gardner Other tagged players: Clint Capela, Terrence Jones Jeremy Lamb (sprained toe) questionable for Friday
Jeremy Lamb is still questionable with his toe injury but would make for a nice sleeper pick if did play on Friday. The Hornets are suffering from injuries to key players on their roster and could really use Lamb back in the mix. We should have an update on his status tomorrow.
As reported by: Hornets PR on Twitter Nicolas Batum and Cody Zeller both ruled out for Friday
Nicolas Batum has been listed as out due to his toe injury and Cody Zeller has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury. Jeremy Lin will likely start in Batum’s place and makes for a nice upside play against the Magic on Friday. With Zeller being ruled out, rookie Frank Kaminsky makes for a solid play. Kaminsky has averaged 26.70 FPs on DK over his last 6 contest and should be able to exceed value with some extra minutes.
As reported by: Hornets PR on Twitter Other tagged players: Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, Jeremy Lin Rudy Gay (heel) questionable for tonight
Rudy Gay is being listed as questionable for tonight’s contest against the Hawks. If Gay ends up missing the game, Omri Casspi would likely start in his place and makes for a good DFS play. Casspi has been struggling off the bench but would likely have a strong showing in the start. Even if Gay ends up starting, Casspi has seen 30 minutes in the last 2 games and will likely be asked to play a few more with Gay limited.
As reported by: Sacramento Kings on Twitter Other tagged players: Omri Casspi Dragic, Deng, Wade, Whiteside, Udrih all listed as questionable for Friday
Dragic was listed as out but has been upgraded to questionable with his calf injury. Udrih has a neck injury that has caused him to miss three games and he is being listed as questionable for Friday. Deng was poked in the eye in last night’s game, so he is being listed as questionable. Wade was not able to play last night with both his shoulders hurting and is also being listed as questionable. Hassan Whiteside strained his oblique in the first half of last night’s game and is also being listed as questionable for Friday’s contest against the Raptors. With so many people being listed as questionable, look for a huge update tomorrow regarding availability and replacement starters.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside, Beno Udrih George Hill not playing Friday, likely to play Saturday
George Hill will miss another game due to personal reasons and Monta Ellis will start in his place. Ellis has been playing great in Hill’s absence and has averaged 22 points, 4 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Ellis should be in your lineups on Friday when the Pacers take on the Warriors in Oakland. Even if the Warriors end up blowing out the Pacers, Ellis should have a good showing in an uptempo game.
As reported by: Candace Buckner Other tagged players: Monta Ellis Larry Nance misses Thursday's practice, considered doubtful for Friday
Larry Nance is doubtful to play Friday against the Spurs. Julius Randle will likely draw another start in his place, but Randle’s playing time doesn’t change much as a starter and he’ll have to do battle with the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan, assuming the Spurs don’t rest players on the back-end of a B2B. Brandon Bass put up the bigger fantasy effort last night (18 pts, 7 boards, 2 assists, 3 blocks) in 30 minutes, and he may be the better GPP target of the two; the Lakers may be showcasing him for a trade. Randle saw 31 minutes on Wednesday but shot just 2 of 11 from the field, but he was able to rack up 12 boards, 2 dimes and a block.
As reported by: Mark Medina Other tagged players: Julius Randle, Brandon Bass Brandon Knight, Mirza Teletovic and Markieff Morris all questionable tonight; Jon Leuer doubtful
Brandon Knight has been added to the Suns injury report today with an adductor strain – he’s officially listed as questionable. If he can’t go, Archie Goodwin would likely start at the point while Devin Booker would also see an uptick in playing time. Sonny Weems would also be a candidate to see more court time. Almost the entire Suns front-court is questionable/doubtful tonight; while it’s safe to assume Jon Leuer won’t suit up, Markieff Morris, T.J. Warren and Mirza Teletovic are all genuinely questionable. If any combination of them can’t go, P.J. Tucker would likely see huge minutes again tonight. The two centers may also see increased court time as a result.
As reported by: Paul Coro Other tagged players: Markieff Morris, TJ Warren, P.J. Tucker, Jon Leuer, Mirza Teletovic, Archie Goodwin, Sonny Weems, Devin Booker