DFS Alerts
Harrison Barnes out Wednesday, likely out Friday as well
Harrison Barnes has been ruled out of Friday and will likely also not play on Christmas day. Brandon Rush will continue to start in his place and could be decent after his back to back games with 10+ points. The Warriors will continue to lean on Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, and so should you. The Warriors host the Jazz on Wednesday and there is no way Raul Neto and Rodney Hood can cover Curry and Thompson, Then add in that Draymond Green will stuff the stat sheet whether Trevor Booker or Trey Lyles guards him. Therefore making all three players elite options on Wednesday due to their abilities to attack Utah’s weaknesses.
As reported by: Rusty Simmons
Andrew Bogut questionable for Wednesday
Andrew Bogut did not participate in contact drills today in practice and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game. Bogut injured his back which limited him to 5 minutes in his last game. Festus Ezeli becomes an elite option for Wednesday if he Bogut does indeed miss. Ezeli played 27 minutes after Bogut’s exit and had 14 points and 10 rebounds, he also contributed with 2 assists and steals, so he would become an elite option if he starts.
As reported by: Rusty Simmons on Twitter Nikola Mirotic may start over Tony Snell tonight
Per Zach Lowe, Nikola Mirotic may end up in the starting lineup tonight over Tony Snell. With Jimmy Butler set to match-up with Joe Johnson, the Bulls don’t really need Snell in the starting lineup to match-up with an offensively minded SF/SG, so the Bulls are able to get more offensive punch in the lineup tonight with Mirotic if they choose. Not only that, but playing Mirotic at SF also allows for the Bulls to free up some minutes for Bobby Portis. This would certainly raise Mirotic’s floor and ceiling and probably at least guarantees him 25 minutes of court time barring an injury or foul trouble. We’ll provide an update later today when we have official confirmation.
As reported by: Zach Lowe
Monta Ellis probable to play tonight
The Pacers guard, who admitted he has been struggling with a knee injury, participated in the teams shootaround and is probable to play tonight in their game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are basketball’s best defensive teams in terms of fantasy points allowed as a team and to shooting guards and with Ellis battling through an injury it’s best to look elsewhere for DFS purposes tonight.
As reported by: Candace Buckner on Twitter
Tyler Johnson and Josh McRoberts questionable for tomorrow's game
The Miami Heat announced that Tyler Johnson (missed last two games) and Josh McRoberts (missed last six games) were both limited in practice today and are questionable for the teams game tomorrow.
As reported by: Miami Heat official Twitter feed Jonas Valanciunas cleared to practice
The Toronto big man has been cleared to practice after missing 15 games with a fractured hand. No time table on when he’ll return to action but this is a sign that it’ll be sooner rather than later.
As reported by: Gary Washburn on Twitter Shane Larkin to miss fourth straight game tonight
Not a huge surprise but Shane Larkin will miss his fourth consecutive game tonight as the Nets take on the Chicago Bulls. Donald Sloan and Wayne Ellington should be the two players that benefit most from his absence but neither are viable DFS match ups as they are inconsistent and can’t be relied upon for significant minutes or production.
As reported by: Mike Mazzeo on Twitter Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum both OUT for tonight's game
The Blazers two best players are both out for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. Lillard with a plantar fascia injury and McCollum with ankle sprains. The only other point guard on the Blazer’s roster is Tim Frazier but he hasn’t topped 11 minutes yet this season. Still that should change as he will be the projected starter and he might be an intriguing value play at minimum price. Allen Crabbe was already getting significant playing time but that might go up even more tonight and he too makes for a good value play. Lastly, Gerald Henderson should also see a bump in minutes and usage and he too is in play if you are looking to punt a position. Who is going to score for the Blazers tonight will be an interesting thing to see with their two leading scorers out.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl on Twitter Doug McDermott will play Monday
McDermott was previously listed as doubtful to play today against the Nets today but the team reports that he will be available to play. McDermott is a hit or miss player but has some value as a minimum priced punt play. Worries about his knee and how long he’ll be able to hold up today mean it’s probably better, however, to hold off on rostering him for DFS purposes today.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson on Twitter Jason Terry returns to practice
The Rockets veteran guard returned to practice today and is probable for their game against the Charlotte Hornets. Terry has topped 20 minutes only once in his last eight games and is not a viable DFS target.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins on Twitter Three Wizards players doubtful for tonight
Drew Gooden, Nene Hilario, and Otto Porter all missed shootaround this morning and are considered doubtful to play tonight in their game against the Sacramento Kings. With Bradley Beal also out Garrett Temple and Ramon Sessions make for excellent value plays in a game that has a huge total. Pretty much anyone who is donning a Wizards uniform tonight is in play including Kelly Oubre and Kris Humphries as the Wizards are thin on their bench.
As reported by: Jorge Castillo on Twitter Alexis Ajinca out Sunday
As expected Ajinca will miss his second straight game with a calf injury. Omer Asik will likely start, but he isn’t a fantasy option. Last game with Ajinca out, he played 21 minutes, and only finished with 13 FD points.
As reported by: John Reid
Giannis Antetokounmpo out Sunday, O.J. Mayo to start
Antetokounmpo will miss Sunday’s game with a sore knee. With him out, O.J. Mayo will return to the starting lineup. Mayo makes for a nice GPP play today, not a lot of people will be on him considering his minutes were down the last game. He is just $5,100 on FD. Jabari Parker should also get some more looks tonight.
As reported by: CF Gardner Elfrid Payton good to go Sunday
Payton told Scott Skiles that he is ready to play Sunday against the Hawks. Payton had a minor injury on Friday. Payton makes for a nice GPP play tonight, not a lot of people will be on him. His price hasn’t gone up that much with his recent uptick in production.
As reported by: Josh Robbins Giannis Antetokounmpo a game-time decision Sunday
Antetokounmpo will be a game-time decision Sunday, when the Bucks take on the Suns. His knee is bothering him. If he does play, he is an easy fade, because his minutes may be cut. If he doesn’t play, O.J. Mayo will start in his place. He has a nice price on FD at just $5,100.
As reported by: Bucks