DFS Alerts
Sixers starting Smith, Stauskas, Sampson, Noel and Okafor
The Sixers will start Ish Smith, Nik Stauskas, Jakarr Sampson, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor on Thursday against the Hawks. Jakarr Sampson is the only starter here that we can immediately eliminate from the DFS conversation. Ish Smith is playable in any format, while Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas are all potential GPP options. Stauskas’ playing time may dip a bit with Hollis Thompson back, but it appears Robert Covington has more or less fallen out of favor, which opens up more time for the other Sixers wings.
As reported by: Tom Moore Other tagged players: Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, JaKarr Sampson, Nik Stauskas
Ben McLemore probable, Willie Cauley-Stein out
Ben McLemore has back spasms but is probable to play tonight, he will likely resume his starting position. McLemore is still not a play with Marco Belinelli being the better DFS option tonight. Belinelli is coming in hot but his salary has gone up $500 from his previous game on DK, still he should be considered a good punt option on such a small slate. Willie Cauley-Stein remains out with a finger injury, opening up some more time for Kosta Koufos. Koufos is still a risky GPP play tonight, with not much upside.
As reported by: Jason Jones Other tagged players: Willie Cauley-Stein, Marco Belinelli, Kosta Koufos
Rajon Rondo upgraded to probable, Omri Casspi still out
Rajon Rondo missed the last game with back spasms but looks ready to go tonight against the Lakers. Rondo is an elite option with a salary that gives you an opportunity to exceed. Rondo had 19 assists and was one rebound shy of a triple-double on Monday. With the game being played at home on TNT, expect Rondo to play his best on a national stage. Omri Casspi continues to be out with back spasms. Rudy Gay stepped up finally in his Casspi’s absence, but is a GPP play only tonight.
As reported by: Sacramento Kings on Twitter Other tagged players: Omri Casspi Emmanuel Mudiay questionable for Friday
Mudiay is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game with the Grizzlies. He was supposed to take the court last night but ended up feeling sore in the afternoon and was ultimately held out for precautionary reasons. Jameer Nelson will become unplayable once Mudiay returns, while the minutes of Will Barton, Gary Harris and Randy Foye may also fall slightly.
As reported by: Harrison Wind on Twitter Other tagged players: Jameer Nelson, Will Barton, Gary Harris, Randy Foye Steph Curry expected to play on Friday, Barnes expected to come off the bench
Steph Curry still has some discomfort in his shin but is expected to play against the Blazers. Curry is a game-time decision which may help keep his ownership down. Curry’s salary is $10.5k on DraftKings so if he ends up sitting your backup plan can be Russell Westbrook against the Lakers. Harrison Barnes is still likely to come off the bench while he recovers from an ankle injury that cost him 16 games. Barnes is a sleeper type option but will need to secure over 25 minutes to come close to value.
As reported by: Diamond Leung Other tagged players: Harrison Barnes Ty Lawson to begin serving 3-game suspension tonight
Ty Lawson will not be in uniform tonight when the Rockets take on the Jazz. He’s also going to miss the Rockets next two games, which opens up backup PG minutes for Jason Terry and will also lead to James Harden taking on slightly more of the ball-handling responsibility. Harden is an elite play on tonight’s short slate despite the bad match-up with a slow paced Jazz team. Terry is not a DFS option, but Patrick Beverley is in play as a dart-throw GPP option.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins Other tagged players: Jason Terry, Patrick Beverley Bradley Beal, Kris Humphries miss Thursday's practice; Drew Gooden expected to return tomorrow
Bradley Beal and Kris Humphries both missed Thursday’s practice. It doesn’t appear that either will return until sometime next week, which keeps Otto Porter (and Garrett Temple to a lesser extent) fully in play as he’ll continue to see all the playing time he can handle. John Wall’s usage will also remain sky high. With Drew Gooden expected back Friday against the Raptors, Marcin Gortat will have some more help down low with Humphries not expected to return. Gortat will still see his full complement of minutes with Gooden likely only seeing 15-17 minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Jorge Castillo Other tagged players: Kris Humphries, Drew Gooden Kobe Bryant will play and start Thursday
Kobe Bryant will be active and will start tonight against the Kings. He’s missed the Lakers last three games but will be back in action for a nationally televised game tonight. It’s unlikely that he’ll be limited and he actually makes for a very nice GPP target given that he sits a few tiers below Harden and Butler in terms of price. Sacramento struggles with SGs and doesn’t defend outside shooters very well, giving Kobe a nice ceiling on a short slate. His presence does eat into the production of Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson.
As reported by: James Ham on Twitter Rudy Gobert upgraded to questionable for tonight
Gobert has missed nearly 20 games with his injury but the team upgraded his status to questionable for their game tonight against the Houston Rockets meaning his return is getting nearer. He’s a game-time decision tonight but without knowing how many minutes he will play he’s not a viable DFS option other than the impact it will have defensively for the team. His presence would downgrade the Rockets players in general.
As reported by: Aaron Falk on Twitter
Rajon Rondo and Omri Casspi questionable for tonight's game
Two key cogs for the Sacramento Kings are questionable for tonight due to injury. If Rondo sits again, Darren Collison will again be an elite option at PG although his price did shoot up after his performance last game. He’s now up to $6,000 on DraftKings (up from $5,300) and $5,600 on FanDuel (up from $5,400). If Casspi sits, Marco Belinelli would be in line to continue his hot ways as he has put up over 23 FanDuel fantasy points his last four games out including 35.3 last game. His price has also risen but it’s still affordable at $4,300 on FanDuel and $4,400 on DraftKings. We’ll update you on Rondo and Casspi’s status as we learn more today.
As reported by: Joe Kaiser on Twitter Tiago Splitter probable for tonight's game
Splitter will return after not playing in over a week for the Hawks game against the 76ers. This isn’t relevant for DFS purposes even with Splitter at minimum price as his playing time is very inconsistent and even more uncertain returning from injury.
As reported by: KL Chouinard on Twitter Dwight Howard questionable for tonight's game with lower back tightness
The Rockets center left shootaround early this morning with lower back tightness and is considered questionable for their game tonight against the Jazz. He’ll likely still play but if that changes we’ll update you as soon as we learn of it. Clint Capela would likely see the biggest boost in minutes along with Terrence Jones if Howard can’t go.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins on Twitter Ty Lawson questionable for tonight's game
The troubled Rockets PG left shootaround due to illness and is considered questionable for their game tonight against the Jazz. While Lawson has shown signs of improvement, the match up and the amount of minutes he has been getting make him a risky DFS option tonight. If he does miss, Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry should see an uptick in minutes. Beverley is in play as a value option on this small Thursday night slate.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen on Twitter Elfrid Payton questionable for Friday
The Orlando Magic announced that Elfrid Payton and Jason Smith are both questionable for their game on Friday. Payton is the one to keep an eye on for the purposes of DFS as his absence leads to an opportunity to roster Victor Oladipo at SG when he will likely be starting at PG. We’ll keep you updated on Payton’s status leading up to tip off tomorrow.
As reported by: Josh Robbins on Twitter Paul Pierce starting at PF tonight
Paul Pierce is starting at PF tonight and makes for a good punt option. The Blazers struggle inside, but Pierce will likely be limited to short stints. Pierce is a risky play but makes for an decent option in the late slate.
As reported by: Ben Bolch