Daily Fantasy NBA News and Injury Updates – 10/30/17

Daily Fantasy NBA News and Injury Updates - 10/30/17

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What We Know

Hassan Whiteside has been ruled out for at least 1 more game

For an injury that looked to be very minor, I guess not. It's held Whiteside out nearly all season now and he's going to miss at least 1 more. 1 very important one. The T-Wolves come into town and bring Karl Anthony-Towns with. Towns will now be defended by Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk. Adebayo could be a good defender in 5 years, but is like a college kid trying to cover KAT right now. Towns is an elite play in all formats. On the Heat side, James Johnson and Kelly Olynyk stand to benefit most, with Adebayp getting a tough match-up for 25ish minutes. I don't personally have any exposure, but could see James Johnson going off in this type of game.

Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valunciunas will both sit out against the Blazers

Lucas Nogueira is also questionable, so things may get ugly. If he is out, Pascal Siakam and Jacob Poeltl will see big minutes. Siakam is my favorite PF play for the $. I think the Raptors are set on not letting Poeltl go over 25 minutes, but it could also just be a sample size issue. I'll have exposure to him if Nogueria is out, but could see them each getting 22 minutes if he plays.

What We're Waiting to Know

Marc Gasol is questionable to play with a left ankle injury

Gasol is obviously the biggest part of this entire offense, so he'll leave a huge hole in the case he sits out. I first look towards Mike Conley, who will see a huge uptick in usage against a weak defender in Kemba Walker. I then get to Jarell Martin, who should see 30+ minutes at dirt cheap. The downside to it all is the slow-paced match-up with the Hornets. I don't think you need to go crazy here, even if Gasol misses, but getting exposure to Conley or Martin could do you well.

Dennis Smith Jr. went through shootaround, but remains questionable to play vs the Jazz

Smith Jr. is already getting dinged up a lot, which is quite annoying for fantasy prospects. It's never fun to play a guy coming off an injury. We've already seen Smith sit a few times this year and Barea/Ferrell are the guys that take advantage. Against the Jazz, however, I don't think it's necessary. There's better value on this slate and while I get it in tournaments, I don't personally have any Dallas exposure, no matter Smith Jr. status.

Frank Kaminsky is questionable against the Grizzlies

The Grizzlies may be without Marc Gasol, which is a huge deal. Obviously. If Kaminsky plays, I don't have any interest in this frontcourt. They will each get close to 30 minutes and it's not easy to predict which one will get the weird 3's to fall. If Kaminsky is out, Marvin Williams will step up and play 30 minutes. He's not necessary, but perfectly fine. If Gasol is out, I have more interest in everyone on this Hornets team. It should keep the game close and give them the opportunity to score in the paint against fa inferior defenders.

J.J. Redick is questionable vs the Rockets

Redick shoots a lot in this offense, so his absence means a lot more to them than it did the Clippers. At least from a fantasy perspective. Redick sat out last game and it let Dario Saric get the start. The Rockets match-up fine with Saric and I'd expect him to get matched up with Ryan Anderson if Redick is out. He saw close to 30 minutes last game and is way too cheap. We were paying $8k for Saric last season when he was getting similar minutes. I get he has a much different role, but a 25 fantasy point floor at his price is hard to look past.

Every Lineup Guys

Jarrett Jack FD - $4200 DK - $4300
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 23.39 DK - 23.49

Jack is still too cheap if he's going to remain in the starting lineup and play 30ish minutes. He's a guy that doesn't play much anymore, but has always been a very consistent fantasy producer. He will very rarely disappoint when given the minutes. He scores, passes and the big one with a guard is rebounding. He doesn't wait past the 3-point line and hope a big gets it. He's trying to hang onto this starting role and has a very good shot to do so if he keeps playing this way. I suspect Jack will be in the upper $5k's pretty soon and I think that's where he belongs. Until then, I'll play him in every format if the match-up is decent. The Nuggets aren't anything to be scared of.

Pascal Siakam FD - $4300 DK - $3800
Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 16.03 DK - 14.88

Siakam has been seeing 20-25 minutes before Ibaka got hurt, so you have to project him for at least 30 tonight. Against the Blazers, it's nearly impossible to dislike him. They have a good rebounding interior, but Nurkic, Davis, and Aminu aren't the greatest low-post defenders. Siakam is also one of those guys that does a lot when on the court. He gets involved on both sides of the floor and it pushed the FP total up quickly. You have to think this fast-paced match-up with the Blazers will stay close and with both big men out for the Raptors, someone will go off and benefit.

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Austyn Varney