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Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury News and Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 3/15/16
Welcome to the daily updates and injury news article. We'll try and update it right up to line-up locks with as much information as comes across our desks. Let's get to it!
Last night's picks can be found here, so you can wrap your mind around what you need to be looking at before lineups lock tonight.
By the way - we keep our projection system updated with all of the changes as they occur throughout the day right up until lineup lock. Every day. If you want access to that system so you can cut out a lot of the research element, click the button below!
What We Know
Elfrid Payton and Nikola Vucevic are out again
Enter CJ Watson! If he plays. He's got the NBA Flu, and this might just be Brandon Jennings instead. But Jennings also has Achilles issues. Maybe Shabazz Napier? Oy, what a mess.
If he does play, Watson is very interesting. He was bad against Portland, but great against the Kings. It's clear that the Magic are content to play him high 20s low 30s minutes if things are going well, but that makes me a lot more confident to deploy him in big tourneys than in 50/50s. Meanwhile, Vucevic's continued absence makes way for more shots for everyone, and increased playing time for Dedmon and Jason Smith. Smith put up one monster game in this role, and both have been fairly solid. But the combination of getting Skilesed and generally low minutes to begin with has me a little cautious with playing either in a 50/50.
Hollis Thompson, Nerlens Noel get bumps with Covington and Grant out again
All three have shown big fantasy upside, and Landry and Noel have shown great safety as well. Terrific match-up for all of them, and I'd be happy to play them anywhere.
Lou Williams screwed up everyone's minutes in LA
Well, him and Kobe playing together did. It's a real shame, because this is an awesome match-up for guards, but I'm not sure you can trust anyone to play more than 30 minutes. And their various prices, that leaves only Kobe Bryant as a consideration for me on the Lakers tonight. Brandon Bass sitting (more on that later) would free up some of the big minutes, but the guard situation is just a quagmire right now.
What We're Waiting to Know
Kobe Bryant - a "game time decision"
The Lakers have slapped Kobe with a GTD every day it seems, but we often know well before tip-off what the real story is. As of now I'm assuming he's going to play, which makes all the other guards a lot less attractive. But if they're calling him a game time decision, you probably can't play him on sites like FanDuel that don't have late swap. Monitor this one, though, because news of Kobe's absence would make guys like Lou Williams and D'Angelo Russell excellent plays.
Update: Kobe is now doubtful. Meta World Peace is starting for him, which actually could mean something. I'm giving D'Angelo Russell a big boost as well because he's the primary usage benefactor when Kobe's out.
Will Bismack Biyombo get the start for Valanciunas?
JV left last night's game after ten minutes, and he's hurt his hand in this exact spot before. They're calling him day to day, but the tone of the reports I've read lead me to believe he's more doubtful than questionable. If he's out, Biyombo has put up big numbers as a starter in the past, and he's basically a minimum priced guy. Keep an eye on this one.
Will Kelly Olynyk play?
Seems like kind of small potatoes, but he's a direct competitor to Jared Sullinger for minutes, and as of now, our projection system loves Sullinger. If we got word that Olynyk was back from his shoulder injury, Sullinger would be a less attractive option for sure.
Brandon Bass miss tonight's game?
Also sounds like small potatoes, but the Lakers are playing a lot of guys 20-25 minutes right now, and freeing up Bass' 25 minutes for guys like Randle and Nance should make a big difference in a fast paced match-up with the Kings. Randle becomes interesting in particular, since he had been playing bigger minutes before Lou Williams returned against the Knicks. Why Lou Williams would impact Randle's minutes is anybody's guess, but Bass' absence should move things back toward the minutes equilibrium Randle had before Williams returned.
The "Every Lineup" Guys
These are players that show up in each of the top 10 lineups as produced by our lineup optimizer. This doesn't necessarily mean that they're "safe," it just means that their projected weighted-mean point total is a solid building block for a great lineup foundation today.
DeMarcus Cousins - FD 11100 DK 10500
Opponent - LAL
FD Proj. Pts - 52.31 DK Proj. Pts - 52.95
To absolutely no one's surprise. It's really hard to spend up today - our system is bearish on Chris Paul and Giannis, and Boogie has one of the best match-ups in the league. Yes, he's expensive - but he's worth every penny.
Victor Oladipo - FD 7000 DK 7400
Opponent - DEN
FD Proj. Pts - 34.9 DK Proj. Pts - 36.54
I wasn't surprised by this one, either. Shooting guard is tough, and Oladipo stands to be running the point a decent amount today with the considerable point guard woes the Magic have right now. It's also a terrific match-up with the Nuggets, who have wing problems of their own.
Darren Collison - FD 5300 DK 5200
Opponent - LAL
FD Proj. Pts - 27.46 DK Proj. Pts - 28.99
This one is cheating, since Collison only shows up in the top 7 lineups. But with Ben McLemore injured and Marco Belinelli out of favor, Collison stands to reap 30-37 minutes of action against the NBA's 2nd worst shooting guard defense. I'd be happy playing him anywhere.
Good luck out there today! If you want access to all of our numbers, get started with a free trial below - on us! You can also get started with DFSR pro - our brand new lineup optimizer!
image sources
- Joey Dorsey, DeMarcus Cousins: (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
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Better combo:
Lowry, Thad Young, Sloan or
Boogie, Collison, B. Jennings?
I’m not sure I love either, unless we find out that Jennings is starting. I’d prefer CJ Watson and that second group if he were back from illness though.
Right now I have 2 lineups depending on if Biyombo starts or not:
Mudiay
Ish
Olidipo
G Harris
Kawhi
George
Sully
Thad Young
Biyombo
Or
Mudiay
Collison
Olidipo
G Harris
Giannis
Hollis
Thad Young
Landry
boogie
Ya know what’s funny?? “Waiting to see if Biyombo starts”…LOL. This is the NBA and realistically you have to sit by your computer at 7pm Eastern time and wait to see if EVERYONE starts!! No joke. I’ve lost more than once when a player out of absolutely no where Sits at the absolute last possible second with the “flu” or “cramps”. It is imperative to know and fully understand just how temperamental and soft these “million dollar babies” truly are. If you play DFS NBA and you come away from basketball not loathing and despising certain teams,coaches, and players, then all I can say is you just must be doing it all wrong!!! Lol..post is a TAD bit sarcastic, but is chock full of NBA truth. Leave your ‘puter at 7:00 eastern at your own risk!!!! Good luck to all of us fellas!
Yep – you simply can’t win at this if you’re not there at least 30 minutes (and realistically, probably an hour) before tip off time for the slate you’re playing. It’s crazy!
I like all these pieces, except it’s tough to imagine not playing Boogie tonight given how bad the other expensive options are. I won’t be playing Giannis, either.
I’m not so sure that Brook Lopez isn’t the way to go over boogie at center…you could actually make a case for both as both have cupcake match ups but Brook is 2,500 cheaper and is certainly capable of a 50 point night tonight …both games sold be close and competitive ….2,500 also gives you a lot more flexibility in adjusting your LUs to fit more talent elsewhere
Fournier or Gay?
Seems like Lopez is the cash play and Cousins is the GPP hope you hit your two punts with Cousins play. it’s tough to spend up but if you take Cousins you still have to sacrifice somewhere ( PF or SF) most likely.
Looking at This on DK
Collison
H. Thompson
Gay
Cousins
Lopez
Thomas
Turner
Biyombo
Further mud to the Lakers lineup. Reports Kobe out Metta World Peace starting.
Just saw that and updated the system – Metta doesn’t even have a projection at the moment. Doug is trying to figure out why and getting it updated.
Also, Jesus.
Yup, i refuse to play avery Bradley because he’s burned me so many times. Hence the Harris play today. But nothing will chap your ass more than a late scratch that there was no sign of prior. Kawhi a few weeks ago comes to mind, nothing more frustrating than a wasted lineup because of 1 guy. Always try to make sure I check my lineup 1 hr, 30min and 10min prior to lock
Yeah – if you’re inside the tool you should get a notice when we’ve updated projections as well. The safest is always just to refresh Twitter and Rotoworld or wherever as well.
No love for jokic tonight,, who on Orlando is going to guard him
Collison Oladipo Gay Cousins Lopez Turner Landry Biyombo in a 50/50 tonight?
Was thinking the SAME thing
I prefer sullinger over jokic. Confused which guards to take from lakers. I like Lou as Russell seems overpriced
No ones talking about Evan Turner. With Crowder out, is he not a great start?
If he was starting I’d say so, but he’s still coming off the bench. Smart starting.
Leonard seems safer then George to me. Opinions?
I agree with this.
I agree that about an hour before tip you have to be laser focused. I’m on multiple sites and Twitter watching everything.
That being said what about Mahimi tonight?
Not enough projected minutes for me.
I learned the hard way several times by not being online from 645-7 having just started daily nba few months ago.
Hate to pass on boogie tonight but if Jonas is out, biz is beyond intriguing to me for blocks and reb alone. Any word on him?
Looks like some good plays tonight with bad defenses in sac/la and bk/phi
SO is horrid tonight other than Alphabet and George what option is there?
Even Giannis I see as risky for that price point.
SF damn spellcheck
Spurs sitting peeps again now feel confident Leonard at sf
Maybe Aldridge as well?
Those who are slow on news. Draftkings updates the Spurs on point? Parker Duncan Manu sitting
Well the Spurs just made it interesting. Getting easier and easier as the day goes on to pivot away from Boogie.
brandon jennings starting for Magic… we’re heading into lots of cheap punts big score territory once again. Looks like Jordan Hill might sit as well for Indy.
He’s showing up in every optimal lineup now.
Just curious M.Brown or N.Stauskas for my fit in spot I’m going big and only can fit those 2 I know most will say stauskas but I have that feeling Brown is due for that kind of game he had against Denver also I have $6,700 left for power toward spot as of now should I stick with Gordon or go Parker?
Both risky. Stauskas not starting fwiw.
There are no Spurs players sitting tonight. Don’t spread false information.
Thoughts on lou Williams
Mudiay or ish
A lot of options at guard what are the best 2?
Sullinger or Noel?
Who put that Spurs stuff up kick them off the site lol gotta go back and redue my lineups !!!!
So is pop resting guys or not?
With hill in do I sit Ellis
Smart starting for boston.
Is Biyambo in the must play category now that JV has been ruled out?
Spurs have zero reason to rest guys. They have an off day tomorrow and it’s not a B2B tonight. Only Simmons is Questionable and he’s irrelevant to DFS.
Rolling with smith, Jennings, derozan, dipo, Giannis, Leonard,Landry, young, biyombo.
Lowry resting