DFS Alerts
Kings likely to start Casspi at SF, Gay at PF, Koufos at C
With DeMarcus Cousins suspended tonight, the Kings are likely to move Omri Casspi into the starting lineup and shift Rudy Gay up to PF with Kosta Koufos starting at C. This would indicate that Willie Cauley-Stein will come off the bench, which makes Koufos the better punt play if you’re choose between the two Sacramento big men. Casspi is very much in play as a punt on a three-game slate, with Rudy Gay being the elite play of this group despite a tough match-up.
As reported by: Jason Jones
Kobe Bryant to play Friday
Kobe Bryant is expected to play on Friday against the Raptors. He will likely draw DeMarre Carroll who is a solid defender. The Lakers are at home and play a reeling Raptors team. While we can’t expect 81 points again, Bryant will likely play about 24 minutes and chip in across the board. He has been rebounding better and had a season-high 9 assists this past Sunday. Bryant will only be a late slate GPP option on Friday, with eleven games on the board.
As reported by: Mark Medina on Twitter
Kevin Durant out Friday
The Thunder have ruled Kevin Durant out of Friday’s game against the Knicks. Russell Westbrook draws a favorable matchup and will likely get another triple-double. D.J. Augustin is also in play, with Dion Waiters off the bench. Durant’s next opportunity to return is on Sunday, so look for a decision then.
As reported by: Rotoworld.com Aaron Brooks downgraded from doubtful to out
Aaron Brooks has been ruled out by the Bulls with a hamstring injury. Kirk Hinrich and E’Twaun Moore will get all the minutes at PG if Derrick Rose misses the game. The Bulls PG situation will be a game-time decision Friday, they are the last game of the day on Friday making Hinrich and Moore extremely risky options. If Rose misses you can plug in Hinrich or Moore as an elite punt options for the late slate.
As reported by: Nick Friedell on Twitter Manu Ginobili ruled out for Friday
Manu Ginobili will not play in Friday’s game with New Orleans. While Danny Green has had a rough start to the season in terms of shooting, he should see a slight uptick in minutes and is in play as a deep GPP option. Patty Mills also may see some extra run off the bench.
As reported by: Brett Dawson on Twitter Jrue Holiday playing Friday
Jrue Holiday will be playing against the Spurs on ESPN, Friday night. On a national stage against the turnstile defense of Tony Parker, Holiday could have his best game of the season. If Anthony Davis misses the game, Holiday’s value only increases. Holiday missed the last game due to it being on the second night of a back-to-back. He is still on a minutes restriction so it is likely he will be an under-owned guy.
As reported by: Brett Dawson on Twitter Anthony Davis and Omer Asik questionable Friday
Anthony Davis (shoulder) and Omer Asik (illness) are both listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Spurs. Alexis Ajinca had his best game of the season last night replacing Davis and Asik. Ajinca is only $3.5K on DraftKings for Friday’s games and makes for an elite punt option if Davis and Asik miss the game. Look for a game-time decision by the Pelicans.
As reported by: Brett Dawson on Twitter Joffrey Lauvergne out Friday
Joffrey Lauvergne has been ruled out of Friday’s game against the Suns. This will mark his 10th game missed on the season and makes Nikola Jokic a great DFS option. Jokic had his best game of the season last night with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He added 3 blocks and 2 steals to round out a 50 FPs DraftKings night. The 31 minutes marked a season high, and it should continue as long as Lauvergne is out. J.J. Hickson did start the last game, but only saw 16 minutes, leaving Jokic as the higher upside play on Friday.
As reported by: Rotoworld.com Derrick Rose upgraded to questionable
The Bulls have upgraded Derrick Rose to questionable for Friday after he missed last night’s game with an ankle injury. Kirk Hinrich is a solid option if Rose is to miss, with E’Twaun Moore also picking up more minutes with Aaron Brooks out. The Bulls will rely heavily on Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol to carry them in Oakland on Friday night if Rose misses.
As reported by: KC Johnson on TWitter DeMarcus Cousins suspended, will not play Thursday
With Cousins out of action, look for both Rudy Gay and Rajon Rondo to see bumps in usage. Omri Casspi, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos also benefit – the latter two will likely start in the front-court against Miami. This is a tough spot for Sacramento in general against a slow paced Heat team, but Gay now becomes an elite play at SF with Cauley-Stein and Koufos both acting as upside tournament punts. The Kings are 0-4 without Cousins this year.
As reported by: James Ham on Twitter Chris Paul, J.J. Redick game-time decisions for Thursday
This puts players on non-late swap sites in a tough spot, as this is the last game of the night. Paul appears to have a slightly better chance of suiting up, although Redick was spotted aggressively cutting, stopping and pulling up for jumpers during Thursday’s shootaround, so it would seem he’s getting close to a return. In the event that these two aren’t able to play, look for Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford to see a big bump in playing time with Lance Stephenson also a candidate for more work.
As reported by: Ben Bolch on Twitter Aaron Brooks "most likely" out Friday vs. GS
With Brooks doubtful and Derrick Rose listed as a game-time decision, Kirk Hinrich may see a large workload at PG against Golden State. Even in big minutes, it’s hard to label Hinrich as an elite punt play since his usage is much lower than that of Rose or Brooks when they are running the show. Jimmy Butler will see an increased usage rate assuming Rose sits, as will Pau Gasol.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson on Twitter Shaun Livingston doubtful tonight
Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton said Shaun Livingston is doubtful to play tonight. This gives a slight boost to bench players Leandro Barbosa and Andre Iguodala.
As reported by: Rusty Simmons on Twitter
Curry, Crawford, and LeBron headline key plays for Thursday night
It’s a small three-game slate, but there are plenty of key decisions to be made when it comes to putting together a DFS roster. The headliners are Stephen Curry and LeBron James who are always in play no matter the slate or the opponent. Curry likely won’t have to face Chris Paul who is doubtful and while Lebron will have a tough matchup against Giannis, it’s the type of match up that he usually performs best in. Blake Griffin’s usage should be through the roof tonight, but he does have a fairly tough matchup against Draymond Green. DeMarcus Cousins is another player who is always in play, but the prior three are preferred options over him tonight.
The biggest value play, and also likely the highest owned player, is Jamal Crawford who should see all the minutes he can handle with JJ Redick likely out. Austin Rivers is also another good value option although he’s not as enticing as Crawford as he only averages .6 DK points per minute. Mo Williams is questionable – if he sits, Matthew Dellavedova becomes a great value play at the PG position.
Mo Williams questionable for tonight's game
The Cavaliers current starting PG is questionable for tonight’s game with a sore right lower leg. If he is unable to go, Matthew Dellavedova will become an elite value play in a small three game slate.
As reported by: Chris Haynes on Twitter