Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo drives against Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lamb during an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
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!
Bayless will remain out for the 5th straight game. The recent minute production for the Bucks should remain the same which puts Tyler Ennis and Rashad Vaughn into consideration. Ennis has picked up over 30 minutes in 2 of the last 3 games and Vaughn has picked up 40 in the same time span. These guys have a prime match-up with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Both of these guys are key components to the Magic offense and leave a void that will need to be filled. The void for Oladipo is a little clearer and will be mainly filled by Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier. You can expect both of these guys to have a very high usage % and take upwards of 15 shots each. The situation at power forward is a bit more cloudy. I will likely stay away here as the Magic will likely throw 3 or 4 players to split the 48 power forward minutes.
Khris Middleton has had a lingering thigh injury throughout this season and it looks like the Bucks want to make sure he doesn't hurt it seriously at this point in the season. With Middleton is out, I am comfortable playing Vaughn in both cash games and tournaments as he has seen over 40 minutes in 2 straight games.
Kristaps Porzingis has been held out of 5 straight games but may come back before the season ends. While I do not see the point of bringing a rookie back from an injury at this point, the Knicks feel otherwise and seem to want him to come back before the season end. If Porzingis plays, he will likely be on a minutes limit which will take both Derrick Williams and Porzingis completely out of consideration. If Porzingis misses, Derrick Williams continues to be a strong value play.
As of now, both J.J. Barea and Deron Williams are listed as questionable. This is a situation that could be key as we could see a guard or two play over 35 minutes if both of these guys are out. If both of these guys are out, Devin Harris and Raymond Felton immediately jump into huge minutes in a decent match-up with the Clippers(prefer Harris as Felton will likely be guarded by Chris Paul). If either one of these guys play, I am going to be avoiding the situation as Barea will be covered by Paul and Harris/Felton will split minutes.
Jose Calderon has no incentive to come back this year and I don't expect him to do so. Jerian grant remains a strong value play at point guard if Calderon misses again. If Calderon happens to come back, Grant is wiped out of consideration as he would likely only play around 15 minutes.
Opponent - PHI
FD Proj. Pts - 46.02 DK Proj. Pts - 47.19
Giannis has picked up his play over the last 4 games after going cold there for a bit. Here he runs into an amazing match-up with the 76ers. I expect the 76ers to put Robert Covington on Antetokounmpo, which will not end well for Covington. The 76ers are a bottom 5 team against point guards and Antetokounmpo is basically a point guard that can also rebound over centers. This is a perfect recipe for success and am comfortable with Giannis in both cash games and tournaments.
Opponent - UTA
FD Proj. Pts - 38.11 DK Proj. Pts - 38.63
At first look you may see the Jazz and wonder why he is in a good spot. Nurkic has been playing power forward and will be getting the average defense of Derrick Favors, not Rudy Gobert. Nurkic should be able to use his length and athleticism to get around Favors and score with ease. The Nuggets have some some real initiative to get Nurkic playing time. The experiment to play both Jokic and Nurkic at the same time paid off and will lead to both of them receiving over 30 minutes.
Opponent - IND
FD Proj. Pts - 31.28 DK Proj. Pts - 31.85
Thomas Robinson has been a pleasant surprise towards the end of the season and has likely earned himself a bigger role somewhere next season. This match-up against the Pacers is an average one as the Pacers have ranked 17th against power forwards on the year. Robinson is just playing too well at this point and I don't see a scenario where he doesn't get a double double here.
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View Comments
Any concern about nurkic and his tendency for foul trouble? You guys are spot on about him, he's a per minute beast. But i remember watching a stretch like this last year where they gave him minutes for a while. He'd have a big game, then pick up two quick ones the next time out and sit for a while. He's one of those high emotion guys that can get himself in trouble. Favors is no slouch on D, but he is a bit hobbled right now, so not too concerned about the matchup. And the price / opportunity mismatch is just incredible. So anyway, I guess just curious if his previous foul trouble issues and boogie-esque head games come into consideration at all or are you 100% on board the nurk tonight?
I always find it pretty tough to predict foul trouble. You are basically predicting 3-4 plays which is very difficult in basketball. On the other hand, if he was facing someone Like DeMarcus Cousins I would be much more worried.
Thanks Austyn. Makes perfect sense.
Great first night using the optimizer last night! Cashed 6/10 lineups even though rose, price and ajinca played like trash. Looking forward to tonight
Wall out. Bump sessions or Beal?
They both are in play. Our system had already accounted for Wall not playing.
If Barea and Williams out is Justin Anderson a safe cash play?
Yeah optimizer keeps giving me Anderson. I don't know enough about him to feel comfortable. Absolutely love everything about the DK optimal lineup except Anderson and Jokic (going with either Felton or Wes Matthews for Jokic). Seems like there just aren't any good swaps for Anderson.
Curious to hear thoughts on him.
does anyone know whats going on with the clippers? Are they gonna sit cp3 tonight and if so should i be trying to roster crawford-rivers-or j.j. reddick?
My guess is they don't rest guys outright since they just had a rest day on the last game, and because they want to get Blake and the rest of the starters in a rhythm going into the playoffs. That said, they could easily sit their starters in the 4th quarter, or just play them slightly reduced minutes, since the game is pretty meaningless. It's a stay-away situation for me.
Thanks Reid appreciate the help
If CP3 does sit, I would first look at Crawford and then Rivers if he plays.
I'm wondering why J Crawford isn't more of a must play today is LAC starters back or something and are they fighting for a better spot why would they play there top dogs I guess is what I'm asking
FINALLY SOME T ROB!!! LET'S GO!!!! lol
Devin Harris / Tyler Ennis / Jabari Parker
or
Raymond Felton (could also be Wes Matthews) / Evan Fournier / Justin Anderson
Looking for some feedback. Thanks in advance guys and good luck today.
Should clarify this is a cash play on DK.
Also do you think Toronto will rest K Low and deroz and if so how do you think Joseph will fair