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Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury News and Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 3/30/16
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
Justin Anderson and Dwight Powell will start again tonight for the Mavs.
And they'll send Salah Mejri back to the land of obscurity from whence he came. Both Powell and Anderson are capable of having excellent games against the Knicks today, with Powell being the safer of the two on account of his longer track record and better rebounding ability. Anderson has flashed some significant upside, though - he's cheaper than Powell, and seems to have the ability to rack up defensive stats. Both are worth of consideration even in a big daily fantasy basketball slate tonight.
Raymond Felton and J.J. Barea keep their bumps since Deron Williams has been ruled out
Williams has missed three games now, but in case you missed it, both Barea and Felton have been generally excellent in his absence, and both are in a lovely spot against the Knicks' generally lousy back-court today. Felton is more of the steady-Eddie of the two, putting up 30, 30, and 25 fantasy points in each of his last three games, but Barea's role as the primary ball-handler gives him 40+ fantasy point upside when his teammates are knocking down shots.
Paul Pierce is out, so we're bumping Jeff Green
The little injuries are sometimes the most significant when it comes to winning big tournaments, and that could be the case here. Green played 32, 27, and 45 minutes in the last three games Pierce missed, and while he wasn't a consistent performer in those games, we know he has it in him to put up reasonable point and rebounding totals. I suspect he won't be a very big play at all, and while I wouldn't play him with your money in 50/50s, he'd be a mandatory part of a Clippers/Wolves stack for a big tourney.
Jrue Holiday will miss the rest of the NBA season.
This leaves the Pelicans with something like 2 guards total to play against the Spurs. Yes, they are going to lose by ~20,000,000 points tonight, but some human beings will have to stand out on the court tonight, and presumably they will try and score and rebound and all the rest. That looks to be Tim Frazier and Toney Douglas tonight, and while I get it if you don't feel like they're safe, they just can't be priced to where there production will wind up until the Pelicans sign someone else to take some of the burden.
What We're Waiting to Know
Will Kristaps Porzingis' shoulder keep him out of this one?
Porzingis got dinged up blocking an Alonzo Gee dunk, and he's now being listed as doubtful for tonight's game. Some people are citing Melo as a big beneficiary here, but the numbers don't really bear that out - he gets just a 1% usage increase with Staps off the floor. The big winner, of course, is Derrick Williams, who both plays more minutes and sees a higher usage when the Zinger is MIA. Williams is very affordable and could have huge upside (and a healthy floor) against Dallas tonight. UPDATE: ZINGER is out. Derrick Williams starting. Probably a must play at these prices
Kyle Lowry's status
Lowry's elbow is clearly bothering him right now, and the Raptors obviously have big time playoff ambitions. Lowry missed shoot-around on Wednesday, and is currently listed as questionable for tonight's game with the Hawks. He's an easy fade even if he does play, but if he is absent tonight, both DeMar DeRozan and Cory Joseph become intriguing. DeRozan has an astronomical 39% usage with Lowry off the court this season, and Joseph put up 22 fantasy points in 32 minutes when Lowry missed the Celtics game last week. Keep a close eye on this one, as we should know something in advance of lineup lock. UPDATE: Lowry will play
Will Zach Randolph return?
Z-Bo's been dealing with a bum ankle, and it's freed up significant playing time for JaMychal Green and Chris Andersen (PSA: make sure you keep kids under 13 out of the room when Birdman is getting extended minutes). Randolph was a participant in shoot-around today, and for safety's sake, our lineup optimizer is assuming he'll be out there. Neither Andersen nor Green were really putting up safe enough numbers for your 50/50 purposes, but if Randolph is out again either makes a somewhat interesting speculative big tourney play. I wouldn't bother with Randolph either way, since he could easily be on limited minutes even if he does play. UPDATE: ZBO will play
Will Tyson Chandler play?
Chandler's back is acting up again, and he's being listed as questionable for tonight's game as of this writing. If he's out, things get a little messy. Jon Leuer has been great in the past when he's gotten the start, but he's been dealing with illness issues and his minutes have been very erratic. Mirza Teletovic is capable of a big game thanks to his ability to stretch the floor, but things are far from certain for him as well. Unless we get some pretty clear news that Leuer is better and starting, the rest of these guys look like big tournament candidates only. It's worthwhile to point out that a lack of big depth also increases PJ Tucker's role, so he might be a guy to look at if Chandler AND Leuer are somehow ruled out early. UPDATE: Mirza out, Chandler GTD
Will Goran Dragic's illness keep him out again?
Because if it does, we might be looking at another D-Wade everywhere situation. Wade's got a ridiculous 40% usage with Dragic (and Bosh) off the court this season, and he obviously has a beyond great match-up with the Lakers. Josh Richardson was also great against the Nets, and this is a similarly great match-up with LA. The lineup optimizer is assuming Dragic playing for now (as of 1:30 PM EST), but we'll keep an eye on things as they get closer to lock as well.
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 10600 DK 10200
Opponent - WAS
FD Proj. Pts - 50.56 DK Proj. Pts - 51.17
The Boog stands alone at the top of the lineup optimizer heap today - he's the only player in each of the top 8 optimal lineups. This speaks to an important point, by the way - on huge slates like this, there are a TON of possible directions you can go in the mid-range and punt range, but you're going to frequently want to build around the same big ticket guys. Cousins in a fast paced match-up where the Kings are less likely than usual to get blown out looks good from here.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - FD 9200 DK 9300
Opponent - PHX
FD Proj. Pts - 43.94 DK Proj. Pts - 45.05
The Greek Freak has taken a few games off from being as freakish, but this should be a great opportunity to get back to work against the Suns. He's now cheap relatively to what he can do in a perfect spot, and this is most certainly that. Throw in Jason Kidd's announcement that Giannis will be the Bucks' point guard next season, and I think we see him featured even more often than usual. Monster game coming, mark my words.
Good luck out there today! If you want access to all of our numbers, get started with a free trial below of our daily fantasy basketball lineup optimizer, on us!
image sources
- Raul Neto, Deron Williams: (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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I wish a bunch of these games were on the East Coast. So many juicy plays that are sort of risky because of the late starts. Take the Heat for example. They play 3 games in 4 days. Not going to be shocked one bit to see a guy like Wade sit tonight in the easiest match-up of the 4 games even if Dragic sits. 5 of the games tonight don’t tip till an hour after lock. Fingers crossed we get some news early for most of these games. Bunch of games that don’t matter and then games like MIA/LAK SAS/NO where the favorite is such a heavy favorite you’d almost expect some maintenance days.
Dragic if he plays or Rubio against the LAC?
About to give in to the membership, does the interactive lineup builder come with the standard or only the pro? Thanks
You have access to the lineup tool with the classic – the pro adds the optimizer.
I don’t think that wade is gonna sit tonight knowing that is his last game against koby.
Kobe is GTD, He could barely shoot the other night against UTAH because he’s so banged up. The Lakers don’t play again till Sunday against the Celtics so if Kobe sits tonight he’d basically get almost a week off since Utah game. Big picture in the farewell tour playing against the Celtics more important because of the rivalry then a last game against D Wade imo.
Wade may very well play just imo some risk if they don’t announce anything prior to lock..
Thoughts on joe Johnson tonight? I really don’t want to take Babbit. Also what about Mack against GS tonight?
Lowry OUT!
Dragic playing.
I think we have to play Babbitt on DK 3800
Lowry out ? So derozan for sure. How bout Joseph in cash games anyone going there??
DeRozan burned some folks last week when Lowry sat. ATL has been REALLY good lately. DeRozan not chalk for me…
Looking like Leuer drifting closer to must play territory. Chandler questionable and now Teletovic listed as questionable as well.
Ya good call Thomas. I was one of them. Thanks for opening my eyes to that
I think I’ll take my chances on some DeRozan tonight, remember that one of those games was against the Pelicans and the dude didn’t see the court the fourth quarter even though he was shooting 9/11 on the day, I know this matchup is way tougher against Atlanta but I see a big game coming against Kyle Korver.
Belinelli out so Curry gets a boost.
I have a choice between 2, Rudy Gobert or Goran Dragic. Which one should I play tonight?
So whose won big on tourneys , share your stories so I know there is a chance lol
I turned $15 into $1750 last night on DraftKings. 5 $3 entries finished top 25. Won all my GPPs on a night in September that paid close to $13K. Usually play $20-$40 a night GPP only and a little more after a win and a little less if I hate a slate.
That’s awesome! Did u put multiple duplicate lineups in one tourney or spread them out etc?
Thanks! I’m a one lineup guy. Use the same lineup in all my GPPS. Believe I read some math out there that if you only run a few lineups you are betting against yourself. To do the multiple lineup thing the “right” way you have to run 10+ lineups to make the math work. Too much work for me 🙂 Single lineup thinking is like betting big in Vegas. When you win you want to really win.
I have a serious question for anyone and everyone. I tend to spend on centers the most out of any position but it seems I constantly get burned not getting the player to get his projection or better. Sometimes, not even close as in the case with Brook Lopez last night. Is Center the hardest to predict statistically or is it just me?
Can’t speak to how anyone else does it but for me I don’t look at positions. I look for value guys $5K and less that can get me 30 points. Then roster in those guys and build from there. I looked at the games yesterday and no matter what anyone told me I knew Mahinmi was my guy. He was going to pay 5x-6x value. I don’t like Lopez and won’t pay for him so he’s not a guy I would ever play. If I’m paying $8K and up for a guy I want zero risk and a HIGH floor.
I’ve won 1st and 4th in same night took 20 stacks on fandual.. So yeah u can win… Haven’t even come close sense… But tonight’s my nite… Lmao
I like faried tonite and randolph
Yeah. Lowry definitely NOT confirmed out yet. The line has moved to the Hawks being favorites, which should make you think Vegas thinks he’ll sit, but he’s still Questionable right now. More pre-mature news. Weeee…
How’s the safest punt tonight thus far? Powell Anderson or d Williams? Double ups?
In the last 10 days, ATL has been the worst defending the PG. Cory will be in all my lineups
Playing in. Survivor tonight on fantasy feud. Last week before I am guaranteed money still have cousins and Leonard. Do you think they will both play tonight. Best other center choice is white side and best other forward choice is draymond green. Plan on using Chris Paul is my guard only option is derozan
What’s up with tony Allens minutes lately? Was it because of the Spurs . I thought he was solid for getting plenty of court time?
Hey doug I’m trying to sign up for the tool but it’s not taking my card. Keeps saying it’s pre paid and it’s not. Is there another way u can sign me up for the pro version. Need it before 7 today
I had that same problem so I didn’t get the optimizer
Thinking about throwing this lineup in a few tournies, punts and stars. What you guys think? DK
C joseph
Booker
Cunningham
Boogie
Aijna
Cp3
D.Williams
Greek freak
and this is why I hate late games. Earlier he was good to go and just now Dragic told Miami beat reporter “I feel much better today. I still need some time, but I’m hoping to play tonight.”
Chandler upgraded to probable.
With the current news, who’s the best bargain plays for tonight? I am going for Norman Powell if Ross & Lowery both sit, but it’s not looking likely with Ross now Probable.
Steve, DWill is out.
guessing he means dwill for the knicks? but can’t hurt to check 🙂
Appreciate that gentlemen!!
Wait yea meant derrick williams ha thanks though
Dropping an entry into the mega slam tonight so I hope the optimizes good to me tonight lol. Good luck everyone!
Frazier or Farmar? Any advice is appreciated.
Anthony, i am high on Farmar and it feels i haven’t seen him mentioned anywhere. I see a 20 pt floor, which may not be quite enough at his slightly increased price, but i think he could be a nice GPP play since ownership should be low and i see 30pt upside. Despite all the obvious value salary vs minutes wise with the Pels, i am wary of them due to the matchup. I’d think Frazier is the cash play, Farmar the GPP play.
Frazier
Thomas miller what’s ur take on this lineup for fd double up. U seem to know what’s going on. Paul Felton Matthews deroz melo Greek freak Powell d will horford. Thanks!
I’m not the best guy to ask for CASH games, don’t play em 🙂 My two cents and this would apply to everyone in CASH and GPP… at this point Porzingis is only doubtful. If he suddenly plays rostering Derek Williams puts you behind the 8-ball. May not be as simple as pivoting to Powell because of the $600 difference. So have a backup plan just in case just before tip Porzingis suddenly is a go.
Luis Scola OUT
Lowry is playing. Incorrect report earlier.
Good to know jay
Deng or Jabari?
I like Parker DK – Deng FD
Glad it’s a 7:30 lock. So far not loving the news we have and don’t have to this point.
Kobe or Wes Matthews in a GPP?
I don’t mind Kobe to be different and the upside at the price.
I have the Chrome extension but can’t submit my lineup to fanduel. Any help is greatly appreciated!
For those of you with Williams for the Knocks. IF PORZINGIS is a go then you can pivot to Patterson I think last few games Lowry has not put up too many shots he would still be a good min play last second switch I think. Also is anyone liking Hensen at Pf for Mil on Fanduel? He has been looking good lately..
quiet on that Henson talk 😉
Dwight Powell too.
I’m thinking he plays more due to Scola being out cmon guys is the punt of the night!!
Where is Wayne with that good advice?! Anyone think Babbit will be killer tonight for NO??
I think Babbitt can be ok relative to price. Just nearly impossible to trust the Pelicans but I wouldn’t be shocked to see one or even two in a top GPP lineup tonight.
I like Babbit generally speaking but if he draws a matchup against Kawhi (even for just 2.5 – 3 quarters), you could end up with a real rough night. This has been a dilemma for me all day.
ZBO playing..
Thomas, where do you get your news from? I’m refreshing rotoworld and rotogrinders every minute or so have have not seen anything regarding Z Bo
Great resource
https://basketballmonster.com/statusupdates.aspx
David West OUT tonight.
Yeah I would think Patterson would get a bump, RotoWire has him starting…
How do u feel about knight ?
I need help on three punt players. As of now I am going with Hamilton, Henson, & Powell. Anyone think of something better?
Zinger OUT officially
What are thoughts on Wall tonight?
Porzingis OUT
So many errors in the write up. Mirza is out. Been out since afternoon. Zbo is a tough dude. Also ABC isn’t playing 76ers
All of this info is updated in our system. Correcting the article now. But system always up to date. Thanks for correct on Philly, meant Suns obv
Thoughts on Sets Curry? Rotorwire has him starting
I don’t love him getting many minutes
DWill Starting
Must start.
Frazier. Will get more minutes.
Seth Curry or Frazier? GPP
Sorry. Wrong thread. Frazier will get more minutes.
What’s a must start Doug?
No booker love?
Hope players don’t get scrapped at last second again.. drives me nuts!!
Anyone confident that Beal actually plays tonight as the second game in a back to back? He sat out the last time a couple weeks ago..
Tourney!
PG Chris Paul LAC $9,400
PG John Wall WAS $9,700
SG Devin Booker PHX $7,000
SG Bradley Beal WAS $5,700
SF PJ Tucker PHX $4,700
SF Jeff Green LAC $4,500
PF Derrick Williams NY $3,500
PF Markieff Morris WAS $4,900
C DeMarcus Cousins SAC $10,600 50.0
Good Luck everyone!! And thanks for everything.. oh, and that lineup optimizer… yes, it’s a great thing!
Good luck everyone
Good Luck to everyone tonight. Just have a bad feeling some late game scratch is going to screw over a lot of people in the big $25 FanDuel Mega.
Let’s win some $$$$$$
Hope it ain’t me. Won 4 tickets for the Mega.
Cp3
Knight
Beal
Hood
Jeff Green
Greek Freak
Lauer
Powell
Cousins
Here we go!!
Hated Center tonight. Not paying up for Cousins and a bunch of middling guys made it tough position tonight.
Last 5 minutes were a mad dash. Im on the 3 day trial, does the “pro” membership allow you to save and enter a lineup at the last second directly to fan duel? I was scrambling back and forth between tabs to enter names.
Good Luck everyone- let’s win some $$$ tourney
Kyle Lowry
Steph Curry
Rodney Hood
Brad Beal
Giannis Anty
Jeff Green
Luol Deng
John Henson
Robin Lopez
Good luck guys. 730 st time helped tonight as long there is no west coast bugs going around. Did most lineups for me I’ve done before at 5. Man that is some last minute shuffling. Can only imagine what you guys with way over that are doing.
Gotta believe beal going full strength with min. Wiz 3 games back can’t afford to rest him now with season almost over.
Powell is literally destroying the lineup single handily
Yeah he was pretty chalk. Nothing to be done there. The bigger mystery is Tim Frazier getting less minutes when there are even less Pels’ players around
I took Barea over the 2 N.O. Guys so far it looks like a great choice
Tonight was, by far, the most difficult night all season to disperse minutes
Didn’t take him but man sure seems like Brandon Knight is playing DFS and fading himself. Looks to have no interest in the game against a below avg team in MIL.
Getting destroyed, hopefully things change the second half. Ready for MLB.
Rough night. No doubt about it. this is our biggest buy in night in a while so rest assured the feeling is mutual.
Wouldn;t give up just yet. Late West Coast games are typically a heavy fade and the top scores right now aren’t very high. Low 300s might win some things tonight with cash lines in high 280s ( if that) We’ve got one game almost done and 3 more heading to the 4th adn 2 at half and the cash line in the slam is 133 ( REALLY low) for how much bball has been played.
Wow tonight is a train wreck overall. Especially if wall drops the ball then it will be like a 200 point money line LOL
Naw man it’s gonna take a good 400 to win tonight in at 220 right with 3 studs left on the west coast and my other 6 guys are just in the 3rd quarter so I’m sure I’ll atleast end up with 375 minimum
If you hit 375 you’ll be cashing LARGE tonight. 45K people in the slam and only about 1000 of them over 200 right now and Boogie is only 11% owned. As Peter said above if Wall and Boogie come in around 4x the cash line is going to be LOW
I’m done with Greek Freak. I hadn’t played him all year until I played him one night and he had 70 something FDP but since then he’s done nothing but piss me off.
He’s still priced too high. I like him but wont touch him till he’s 7k or so.
Oh don’t get me wrong, I love him as a player.
Wow Alex Len is putting up a monster tonight
Fraizer explodes out of nowhere. Now boogie get me 100. If anyone can you can LOL. Only 13% in cash
Only my first season doing NBA DFS but pretty sure never saw such low scores on a big slate like this on FanDuel. Only thing I can think is everyone wanted that big mega payday and took more risks than normal and the punts plays have pretty much stunk up the joint. So much dead money with dud punts and a few guys injured like Wiggins. 4 games are finals and 2 more in the 4th and we still haven’t hit 200 cash line in the MEGA. Crazy! It’s always over 300.
Thomas isn’t it crazy? I’m so used to 300+ money line in double ups and often times having a higher line then the tourneys because the consensus is correct. Tonight I’m at 185 and cashing by quite a bit with beal and boogie still playing very weird night
Just proof you never know what’s going to happen. If you told me 30 minutes before tip you could guarantee me 305 I would have said no thanks… not enough…. but then this happens. I’d kill for 305 right now.
Come on Knicks we need overtime maybe 2 or 3 overtimes
Never even thought about Tucker and Len and they each have 40+ FD points ughhhhhh never playing another Slam again
No way to plan for this sort of stuff.
Tucker, Len and Chandler 18% owned combined..
14k to own all three…
125 combined fp tonight…
basically 9x if you stacked the Suns 🙂
If I’m not mistaken the first optimal today had Paul Middleton derozan and cousins I could be wrong about Middleton but the other three were there. We shoulda stuck with that I don’t care who was around them we would be cashing in lol
Ha this is true. I feel somewhat sick about this. I downgraded CP3 minutes to actually the correct level. But he was amazing.
Derozan was a usage dip just a tad based on Lowry full go.
Tomorrow I’m going strait double ups and get it back , I faded the double ups today and the only one I entered I’m easily cashing
Lots of snowflakes in my lineup!
This is by far the toughest night in forever. Giannis, Powell, and LaVine have all killed me tonight. I am still not doing awful but I’m on the outside looking in on everything I entered. Rough Rough night….
What a horrendous night! J wall can’t get it together against the Kings? Craaaaazy!
FD Optimal Lineup getting home no problem. DK dusted.
That kind of night and why it’s good to play on different sites as a natural hedge.
Made it up in afterhours. It’s freaking murphys dfs law. Worked all day on main slate lineup to the tune of 250+. Realized I wasn’t going to make a dime in GPP so at 7 till 10 rushed and entered a GPP in the after hours. Rocked a 311 just picking from the two late games. Crazy!
I did 335 last two games if I would have ran that all day I woulda killed it ,