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Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury News and Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 3/31/16
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
Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick will sit
This one will obviously have major ramifications on both the Clippers starting lineup as well as how OKC deploys its starters. It appears as if Austin Rivers, Cole Aldrich and Jamal Crawford will see big boosts in both minutes and usage without 3/5 of the starting lineup running in this game. In some ways I'm not worried about the blowout from the Clippers' perspective because they have so few players dressing that the minutes should be there no matter the game flow. For the Thunder it's a little different. The opening line on this game is only OKC -8.5 which seems low considering the LAC news was available. It's hard to imagine the Clippers keeping it close, but Westbrook and Durant could do their thing even in limited run.
The Pelicans are a mess
Last night they somehow hung with the Spurs until the end even though they were running with a makeshift D-League team. Some of their guys found ways to hit value simply because with enough minutes just about anyone in the NBA can pay off a minimum salary. I don't mind playing some of these guys again today with the assumption they run major-ish minutes against the Nuggets. Jordan Hamilton and Alexis Ajinca aren't looking too bad relative to price.
Brook Lopez will sit
He didn't start the second half of last game (much to my chagrin) and will sit out today as well. Henry Sims picked up extra minutes in the game against Orlando and was moderately productive relative to price. Thad Young sees a not-insignificant usage bump with Bro-Lo off the court and I think he's in play as well today too.
What We're Waiting to Know
Will Taj Gibson play?
He only played ten minutes last game, giving way to Mirotic who ran 37 and put up a 28/10/2 line. Of course I don't totally trust that and Mirotic has pulled his share of disappearing acts. But if he was drawing the start in place of Taj and you thought the former would run in the low 30's then he's a bargain against a weaker defensive team in the Rockets. UPDATE: Taj is out. Portis start and he's pretty much at a must play on this slate.
Will Kyrie Irving and/or J.R. Smith play?
They both missed shootaround this morning with the sniffles or something like that. If neither were to play (or really just if Kyrie sat) then Lebron would get moved up to about must-play territory. The only reason he isn't there right now is because of some blowout concerns.
The "Every Lineup" Guys
James Harden - FD 10900 DK 10600
Opponent - CHI
FD Proj. Pts - 53.21 DK Proj. Pts - 55.97
Russell Westbrook - FD 10600 DK 10500
Opponent - LAC
FD Proj. Pts - 58.37 DK Proj. Pts - 60.22
With a ton of cheap value already established on this slate, I think we can safely run these two guys out there as high floor dudes and feel confident in them in cash games. There's some concern about getting burned off of minutes with Westbrook if you think the game gets completely out of hand. But he's been know to go nuts even in limited run.
Harden's been playing so many minutes of late with the Rockets fighting hard for the last playoff spot in the West. I think you'll see that continue as long as they are in the hunt which could go down to the last game of the season. Harden is a must play on this slate.
Update: I know some folks are concerned with the blowout in OKC. I understand. If you firmly believe Westbrook and Durant will get buzzed in minutes then I would suggest excluding them from lineups and running the optimal lineup generator that way.
Cole Aldrich - FD 3500 DK 3000
Opponent - OKC
FD Proj. Pts - 29.24 DK Proj. Pts - 29.69
The last time DeAndre Jordan sat out, Cole stepped in and played 29 minutes with a 19/10/2 line that more than paid his salary. We can't pencil him in for that exact production again because in that game CP# played and the latter is sitting today. But Cole's a min guy staring down the barrel at major minutes regardless of how the game goes down.
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!
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I have a fear that they will sit Westbrook today after resting Durant. It’s a perfect spot to rest him against a resting clippers team…
If I’m constructing a GPP roster with the Pro optimizer how should I go about it. I’m on a terrible losing drought.
I suggest you play cash games to knock you out the drought.
Thomas Robinson is a since Brook Lopez is out.
I think he could be a strong play, but I wouldn’t pencil him in for the same amount of minutes last time. He’s more a 4 than a 5 and the Nets would be incredibly small with both he and Thad on court at same time.
Lock
I agree Carnisha Bolden!!!
OKC game should be interesting. That screams rest for a bunch of OKC guys. But it’s basically their last regular season home game. They have one more the second to last game of the season against the Lakers in a game you would imagine they would sit everyone because it would be meaningless. Still though seems like an easy spot to give a guy or two the night off.
Who would you say is the better punt play at PF tonight: Thompson, Robinson, Ed Davis, or Amir Johnson? Thanks
This has a ripple effect. Not starting but available off the bench…. Nikola Vucevic….
Got a feeling like tonight’s a big studs-n-duds night
What are the cash games you guys talk about?
GPP is tournament games… CASH games are 50/50s and head to heads. Different strategies to both so important when you see a pick suggestion on here to figure out if the pick is GPP CASH or both.
i’m not really feeling to confident on your Harden Pick i mean i’m 100% aware of what Harden Has Been Doing Lately But With News that Butler Could Be Traded And The Bulls Still Essentially in the playoff race compound with the fact that Harden Has Never Had A Good Game against him i’m just unsure over 6 meetings Harden has only averaged 31.6 ftpts against the bulls and at a price tag of $10,900 that’s not good at all
Thanks the lively discussion as always!
Not exactly sure why the Jimmy Butler off-season trade rumors would effect Harden in any way. The Harden historical stats against the Bulls have little weight. Those teams had different coach, personnel, styles, etc.
Harden is a very difficult fade tonight considering implied totals and his current usage rates.
I didn’t win last night …. Faried and Douglas really stuck to me … My losing streak still continues ???
I love my line-up, but I have a fear it’ll turn into Tuesday night all over again 15 minutes before lock and I’ll be scrambling to put together a mess that didn’t even get me to 200.
Clips announced their starters and Vegas just moved the game to 15.5 points…
Rivers, Crawford, Johnson, Mbah a Moute and Aldrich
I hear you Doug on the coaching styles I’m in Chicago and I hate the coaching change. But jimmy butler is jimmy butler he will defend harden as usual so don’t be surprised to see harden end up with about 35 fspts tonight I’m gonna fade him and go for a lebron & durant with Westbrook attack Barton has totally crushed N.O. In the last 6 meetings averaging over 40.0 fspts in those contest. This is purely from a tourney standpoint tho and remember I told you last night to fade the N.O. Guys and go for Barea I did that and cashed out nicely in my tournaments
Ajinca or Aldrich?
Aldrich imo
Awesome stuff so far guys. With Nurkic out is anyone looking at Jokic? So many cheap plays this slate…
Sitting at SF on Fanfuel is Bogdonovich and Jeff Green at $4500… Does Bogdon get a good bump even though he’s going against LBJ or is Jeff Green a better option?? I just don’t know how much green can do considering he played around 20 mins a game already and isn’t starting…thanks for any thoughts
I personally like Aldrich over Jokic as Den still has Lauvergne and he costs more so I feel you can do better with Alfrich. More minutes less options around him cheaper…
Thanks Jesse. So who’s going deep punt with Mbah tonight?? Lol!
WHOA! DraftKings and FanDuel just announced not College contests starting right now. NCAA wants to get paid basically so no contests till deal is worked out.
Hey Doug or James – Can you let me know how to use the Google Chrome extension to enter the lineup on FanDuel. I have the icon installed in top right corner but can’t get it submit. Thank you!
Wow that news is shocking! They are getting punched from every side it seems. Greed always rules the world. I live in Texas and our attorney general ( who is under indictment for investor fraud) said we can’t play either as of May 1st. Meanwhile horse racing is about to start back up and I just lost a scratch ticket. Lol The ONLY reason I’m not doing the lineup pro on this site is they are cutting me off in a month. Would love to keep playing if anyone has any ideas besides moving???
I’m in Texas as well and the articles that I keep reading make it all less and less clear as to why they’re doing this, but we’ll see in the near future if they will be able to reverse this.
Probably should add Jae Crowder up there to the waiting to know section. Celts moved him to GTD and said he’s either playing tonight or tomorrow ( not both). If he plays natural ripple effect.
Boston sports radio says jae is a go tonight
Anyone think Westbrook might sit? Sucks being a late game, could mean a late scratch.
The game is pretty pointless. They have a 4.5 game lead with 7 games to go and it’s not exactly murderers row ( Clips b team, Portland, Denver, Lakers, Houston, Kings and end with the Spurs who will sit their entire team). They can’t catch the Spurs or GSW. They don’t play again till Sunday so a night off tonight is a really nice break. I’d sit a bunch of guys.
Cunningham, Johnson, or Robinson at PF on FanDuel?
Playing Russ tonight is worrying me more as the day goes on. He may still put up 50 FP, but poss of a blowout and/or him getting a late scratch or early seat in the game is a concern. KD just sat, so would think of the 2, he probably gets more run tonight. Who knows?
man im not even looking at amir johnson no more, he has been a total no show lately
What you think on Westbrook, Wayne? He in your heavy hitters?
Thoughts on jordan Hamilton tonight
Thanks Jared
Who goes everyone like tonight at SG other than Harden for GPP?
McCollum or Barton
I do not think Westbrook will sit tonight. It’s TNT Wednesday these big guys, especially Westbrook will be putting on a show tonight. Plus IMHO there is no need to rest the madman. He will go HAM tonight, I think.
Normally I’d agree about the TNT thing but then how do you explain the Clippers? They are sitting everyone and waiving a white flag. You’d actually have a better game and better ratings if Westbrook sits. Last time they played OKC was up 10 at the end of the 1st quarter with Paul, Reddick and Jordan. I’m not even sure I’d turn it on if OKC rolls their starters because it should be a laugher by halftime.
I know you remember the beginning of the game but do you remember the ending? They ended up throwing it away in the fourth quarter and the Clippers won.
Wrong game. You’re talking about two match-ups ago. Again though they were up 22 at one point. The teams just aren’t a good match-up starter vs starter.
That’s a good point.
Anyone know if taj is gonna play? Mirotic a good play if he doesn’t??
I think Westbrook playing or not playing will make or break everyone’s lineups. If you have him and he doesn’t play you’re done. If you don’t have him and he plays you are done too. After this game they have two days off and don’t play till sunday, and Russell doesn’t strike me as a player that wants to miss games for no reason at all. Durant and Ibaka sat because of the back to back. BUT WHO KNOW?!
Doug? What say you. I’m not trying to flip a coin on Westbrook tonight.
I think he plays and I have him in all of my lineups
That’s a good point.
Amir and Rivers or TRob and Crawford
Portis and Crawford
Gibson out and Bulls going with Portis as the starter.
Portis a must play
amir just dosent try to get involved in games to me lately ..coulda been a bad matchup but either way ill say trob n crawford
Henry Sims starting instead of Robinson. Should Robinson be completely replaced by Sims?
I wouldn’t play either in any kind of safe situation
@Cory I’m going to pull the trigger on Westbrook I just don’t see him sitting today
I agree man. I am looking at this like a practice game for the beast. If not a last sec announcement I think he will get his minutes.
they named Reed as the starter for LOPEZ. I think hes a great contrarian to Portis
Sims i meant sorry
Optimizer has Irving but Irving is gtd
Right. He’s expected to play. I think the optimal lineup will change though between now and game time. Still making some updates.
Mike – Fantasy Labs says Sims will start so that’s confusing. What’s your source?
Irving and JR to play…. here we go again 🙂 Late news lineup changing madness 🙂
Thoughts on Adams or Kanter tonight? Either of them worth playing?
MahinMike or Kanter?
Mahinmi*
Im locked with the following
PAYTON
WESTBROOK
HARDEN
CRAWFORD
Green
James
Gordon
Portis
Aldrich
Optimal lineup does not have Westbrook anymore, is he sitting now?
It has him.
Hey Doug or James… Or anybody, lol. Got a decent chunk of change going into tonight and I’m starting to freak out about this Westbrook thing. Is he still safe?? Please and thanks!
Is he safe? No. I am playing him on FanDuel, but with line movement his minutes ticked down a bit and he’s no longer in DK lineups.
Is anyone nervous about playing Lebron? The Magic smoked the Nets the other day…can’t see Lebron playing more than 3 in this one.
It too am rollin some bucks tonight. Never nervous about Lebron. Will be checkin the optimizer till lock!
Lebron and Harden are locks for me. Portis as well. This is a scary night for sure, can’t lie. I don’t mind not being totally tied to Westbrook though I do think he has a high floor even in limited minutes if that were to occur.
Hey guys look at past games in the nba recently a lot of times starters rest the games have been much tighter then the line. Okc doesn’t wanna get beat by the b squad lol and that b squad are playing for contracts
I set Westbrook’s minutes line with this in mind. A bit higher than the implied spread would indicate, but not in the realm of a close game with full squad Clips
Opinions please on choosing between Evan Turner or Will Barton?
Tic for Tac
Such a tough night. You can argue against LeBron, Love, Durant and Westbrook because of blowouts but then what are you left with? Got to get points. You got big dogs and punts and and an iffy 5K-7K range. Tough.
Full disclosure. For FanDuel tonight I split 50/50 buyins between the top system in the lineup and the top non-Westbrook lineup. Felt this was an okay hedge all things considered and the lineups are exactly the same outside of the two PGs.
Hey. Doug for cash games Portis, D Arthur,Cunningham
Portis.
Doug… Dante Cunningham or Thomas Robinson since he is not starting
Cunningham, but I like Portis significantly more than both
In my opinion I don’t think the Beverly pick is a good idea t I’ve been watching the pattern he puts up and as I put Tuesday he’d have a big game and he did. I think tonight he’s going to put up a dud 15 to 20 pts. Not gonna kill you with how cheap he is tho I guess
Been reading the last couple days. On a cold snap on DK. Trying to get it back.
But l like Dougs info and might hop on pd sub for baseball!
Good luck to all tonight.
Cunningham will be my money maker when portis puts up a dud!
Good luck everyone go get this money lol
It’s so stressful seeing that “reload” button pop up so close to lock in. LOL
Yup. We are working on that functionality so it’s a little more specific about what is being reloaded. Not all data pushes are created equally.
WESTBROOK
IRVING
BARTON
CRAWFORD
LBJ
DURANT
CUNNINGHAM
PORTIS
ALDRICH
Not happy about it
Mad scramble at the end. As the day wore off just couldn’t shake Aldrich. Seems to chalk so decided to go another way.
Best of luck to everyone tonight. Lets win some $$$$$
WHY DID I PICK PORTIS
Wish I had seen that REALLY late tidbit about Drose being good to go but that he was going to be limited offensively. Running everything through Mirotic.
Portis might not play 10 minutes in this thing.
Looks to be another dud night for me. Portis is hurting me
Portis on the side of a milk carton at this point.
Yup. Brutal. Gets start and is in line to play significantly less minutes than his season average.
That’s a good one
DRose not being able to go on offense just killed Portis. A Gibson for Portis swap was easy but once Hoiberg saw DRose couldn’t play offense he had to roll McDermott and Mirotic out there to get some scoring. If Portis doesn’t start the second half he may be done for the game 🙁
Kicking myself for missing the Rose news that came out after 6pm but before tip…
My winnings right now $2.50 lol
Remember Portis is a must play!! If he can only double his 1st half output he will be good for 6.4 FD points.
Lol yup. I stand by the call. Starting and coming near punt prices. He was pretty chalky but the production is brutal.
There’s still hope for Portis 🙂 This could get out of hand and he could sneak some points in scrub time in the 4th. Even if he could get 10fp I’d take it.
Great call on Portis
Ha yup. Again, made reasonable assumptions about his minutes running with the starters. Fred Hoiberg had different ideas.
Assumptions are the mother of all fuck ups….under siege 2
Haha. Seagal on a train is where we can take all of our life lessons.
Cold, cold cooooold streak. Somebody tell me a feel good story, please
Hey Doug recall what I said about Harden I called it exactly that was too high for him going against jimmy Butler told you to go with Victor
I played Oladipo & kept Robinson in my thing is minutes don’t always equal points the player gotta have skill and a ok matchup to really pay off
Cool
Going to be close coming down to the wire. Even with Portis, lineups looking ok as of now. Hamilton and Love as lower owned in cash on FD helps.
Yea it’s close
People talk a lot of trash on here , we can’t win every night but I have been winning more times then not keep up the good work
Agreed. To say that a 78% chalk punt was sarcastically a “great” call bugs me. Logic was sound and you would have been crazy to fade him in cash.
For sure. FD optimal lineup got home easily. DK not as much.
Portis killed me tonight. I officially despise mirotic now since I missed on him again. Even with that, 5-20 pts out in 3 entries from cashing something so it will be tight at the finish. Good luck guys!
Solid night for me. Won Slam #2 after hours. Like everyone else Portis killed me main slate but he was doomed from the start because Rose couldn’t play. No way to know that was going to happen. On to tomorrow!