DFS Alerts
Kobe will play Saturday
Byron Scott has said that Kobe will play Saturday against Portland, but it’s still unclear how Scott will handle Kobe on the upcoming back-to-back. Kobe’s presence makes it hard to target any of the Lakers guards (even in tournaments), and his poor shooting dampers his own value. He does still possess contrarian GPP upside against the Blazers on Saturday.
As reported by: Mark Medina
J.J. Barea to miss at least three games
Barea will sit out Saturday and may end up missing most of next week as well. With him on the shelf, Devin Harris and Raymond Felton should see more run behind Deron Williams, but there isn’t much in the way of DFS relevance here.
As reported by: @dallasmavs Kenneth Faried questionable, will be a game time decision for tonight
The ailing Nuggets forward has been upgraded to questionable with his ankle injury after taking part in shootaround this morning. He’ll be a game time decision and is expected to play if he feels good in warm ups. If he is able to go that removes Darrell Arthur as one of the better value plays at the PF position tonight.
As reported by: Chris Dempsey on Twitter
Joffrey Lauvergne likely to play tonight
After taking part in practice yesterday and today’s shootaround with no issues, Joffrey Lauvergne is probable to play in tonight’s game against the Spurs. Targeting players against the Spurs is usually not a good idea in NBA DFS, especially those coming off of a 10+ game absence. Any value J.J. Hickson had is now gone as well.
As reported by: Chris Dempsey on Twitter Kent Bazemore to play and start for Hawks tonight
Bazemore had missed the last five games due to injury but the team has announced that he will play and start in tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s a tough match up that should eliminate Bazemore from play for DFS purposes while also reducing the value of players, like Thabo Sefolosha and Dennis Schroder, who had picked up the extra minutes due to Bazemore’s absence.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore on Twitter Victor Oladipo to come off bench again
As expected, the star Magic guard will again come off the bench tonight. He was effective in that role last time out scoring 24 points in just 26 minutes. At his price point, however, he’s only a GPP play and there are probably better options out there considering his new role.
As reported by: John Denton on Twitter Luol Deng out for tonight's game
The Heat have reported that Luol Deng will miss tonight’s game. Gerald Green, assuming he starts again like he did the last time Deng was out, is the biggest beneficiary and is one of the elite value plays for tonight’s slate.
As reported by: Ira Winderman on Twitter Timofey Mozgov questionable for tonight's game
The Cavaliers big man has missed the last three games and is considered questionable for tonight’s game. If he plays, his DFS value is in the negative impact he has on Tristan Thompson. Mozgov playing removes both from the DFS equation. Mozgov sitting keeps Thompson in play as a medium value PF option.
As reported by: Jason Lloyd on Twitter Duncan, Ginobili (rest) out on Friday
Both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili did not join the team on their trip to Denver, so they won’t play Friday. It’s simply an extended rest period for both players, and opens up opportunity for several Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge should see an uptick in usage with Duncan out, while David West is likely to gather another start in the front-court. West is playable as a cash game punt, but his ceiling is still fairly limited. Manu’s absence puts more work on the shoulders of Tony Parker, Patty Mills and Danny Green. All three are options in tournaments.
As reported by: @Spurs Faried and Lauvergne ruled out for Friday
The two Nuggets big men will miss tomorrow night’s game against the Spurs. Darrell Arthur and J.J. Hickson are probably the biggest beneficiaries of this news but it’s a tough match up against the slow-paced, defensive-minded Spurs and they are probably best avoided for DFS purposes.
As reported by: Harrison Wind on Twitter Wesley Johnson making second start in a row
Wesley Johnson will be making his second start in a row for the Clippers. Paul Pierce will still be playing but coming off the bench. Johnson had 11 points in 25 minutes in his previous start. His 6 shot attempts prove he is not an offensive option for the Clippers and only in the starting lineup for his strong on-ball defense.
As reported by: Ben Bolch on Twitter
Tyreke Evans out tonight
Tyreke Evans was questionable to play tonight and has been officially ruled out. He has yet to play so with him missing the game it does not change the Pelicans rotation.
Raymond Felton starting Wednesday
Raymond Felton will be inserted into the starting lineup for the resting Chandler Parsons. He will start alongside Deron Williams in the backcourt but does not make for a great late-swap option. Felton did score 16 points in his last game but was held to single digits in the previous four.
As reported by: Earl Sneed on Twitter Eric Bledsoe will play Wednesday
Eric Bledsoe will play tonight after being ruled a GTD all day. No word has been mentioned on his minutes but does have a great matchup against the Pelicans. Brandon Knight is the elite play in Phoenix with Bledsoe likely deferring to him. Bledsoe is a risky late-swap play, but could pay off because he will be extremely under-owned.
As reported by: Suns Basketball Kings starting Kosta Koufos and Willie Cauley-Stein
As we mentioned earlier, the Kings will start Kosta Koufos and Willie Cauley-Stein in the frontcourt. Omri Casspi returns to the bench and will likely come in the game with Marco Belinelli. With both big men starting, Koufos is the more offensive-minded player with Cauley-Stein being the defensive anchor. Rudy Gay will get most of the shots with Rondo and McLemore picking up the rest of the scoring load.
As reported by: Sacramento Kings on Twitter