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Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury News and Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 3/20/16
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
Anthony Davis is out
The Pelicans are considering shutting down Anthony Davis for the rest of the year. This decision will have huge implications on how we attack this team the rest of the way. Ryan Anderson is the direct beneficiary as he will step up and play 35 minutes and shoot 20 times. This will also give a huge boost to Jrue Holiday and whoever ends up starting at point guard. Anthony Davis being out opens up a total of 15 shots and 33 minutes that will need to be filled. I look for the majority of those to be taken up by Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson. The Pelicans take on the Clippers tonight in a game that will be filled with fantasy goodness. Ryan Anderson will immediately immersed into a terrific match-up. The Clippers have given up over 50 fantasy points to Serge Ibaka, Zach Randolph and Paul Millsap in just the month of March. Anderson is a phenomenal play tonight in all formats.
What We're Waiting to Know
Will Carmelo Anthony play?
Carmelo Anthony has been diagnosed with a migraine and is officially questionable for the Sunday tilt against Sacramento. I would generally ignore this and fully expect him to play, but I don't think you can do that here due to the situation the Knicks are in. The Knicks have been virtually eliminated from the playoffs which may result in some of the veterans resting towards the end of the season. If Melo does sit, I like Derrick Williams to get a huge boost in minutes and production. I would be comfortable playing Williams in cash games and tournaments.
Will Norris Cole play?
Norris Cole has pulled his back and is questionable for tonight. This directly correlates with Anthony Davis being out and has a huge impact on Jrue Holiday. The Pelicans have been on record saying they want to limit Jrue Holidays' minutes. They might not have that option. If both Anthony Davis and Norris Cole are out the Pelicans are going to need a guard that can score the ball. You can expect Holiday to get 35 minutes if Cole is out which is plenty to hit value. Tim Frazier is a viable tournament play as well if Cole is out.
Will Omri Casspi play?
Casspi is officially questionable for the game against the Knicks. This is a tricky one due to Casspi being the Kings sixth man. If Casspi is out, you can look at James Anderson as a good tournament play in a game that should be close and high scoring. This would also solidify minutes for Rudy Gay and Darren Collison.
Will Elfrid Payton play?
The status of Elfrid Payton has a huge role on the entire offense of the Orlando Magic. Victor Oladipo is the main beneficiary if Payton is out as he will take over as the primary ball-handler. Brandon Jennings will also come into play as he will step into the starting lineup and pick up a ton of minutes. I see Victor Oladipo as a near must play if Payton is out and Jennings as a strong tournament play.
The "Every Lineup" Guys
Ryan Anderson
Opponent - LAC
FD Proj. Pts - 30.26 DK Proj. Pts - 33.09
Ryan Anderson will be in every single lineup I make tonight. Anderson has proven time after time his ability to produce when given the opportunity. He is also in arguably the best match-up possible against the Clippers without Blake Griffin. Anderson is projected to play 36 minutes and I fully expect him to shoot over 20 times. The Clippers will likely throw a combination of Paul Pierce and Mbah a Moute at Anderson. Good luck. I am looking at a floor of 28 here with a ceiling around 45.
Isaiah Thomas
Opponent - PHI
Proj. FD Pts - 37.20 DK Proj. Pts - 39.74
Jrue Holiday
Opponent - LAC
FD Proj. Pts - 39.77 DK Proj. Pts - 41.39
This is one of those site-dependent kind of things. The little bit of savings you get on each guy depending on the site matters. Holiday is coming in all of the FanDuel lineups right now on the expectation he sees more shots and playing time with Anthony Davis out of the lineup.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics will be taking on the 76ers and their horrid defense tonight. Thomas will be matched with two poor perimeter defenders in Ish Smith and Isaiah Canaan. I expect this game to stay relatively close which will result in Thomas getting around 33 minutes. Thomas has averaged 40.3 fantasy points in his 3 previous games against the 76ers this year. IT2 will be able to get open shots on the perimeter and get to the rim with ease and regularity. Thomas is a great cash game and tournament play.
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.
Good luck out there today! If you want access to all of our numbers, get started with a free trial below of our lineup optimizer, on us!
image sources
- Rodney Hood, Anthony Davis: (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
60 Visitor Comments
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What about the Bismack and Jonas situation?
Looks like JV is unlikely to play, and Bismack is going to keep his huge pile of minutes.
Any thoughts on Kyle Lowry tonight ?
Is Lowry a go for today?? Anyone know?
The Raptors have been saying they want to sit Lowry soon but have not specified at all. I would expect him to sit out one of the next couple games. I would certainly keep an eye on it.
-Austyn
Does anyone know if Lowry is a go for today?
i read a couple of days ago that lowry may get rest today.
Do you guys think Raymond Felton and David Lee get boosts with Parsons out? I’m planning on playing both unless someone talks me out of it lol
Also I think Matthews and D Williams being hobbled could boost Felton as well.
I think this news solidifies the minutes for Raymond Felton and David Lee, absolutely.
Need one punt option for cash games. Looking at these three: Zaza in starting role, Derrick Williams or Tim Frazier.
@Michael Homonnay
I prefer Williams in cash if Melo is out and Frazier in tournaments.
– Austyn
lowry
lillard
mccullum
oladipo
fournier
Aminu
dirk
lee
zaza
what u guys for an early line up
Lowery out
That’s my exact lineup! Looks good on paper,they always do!
Very popular lineup
val playing
So Zaza is the Ringer today? I am also throwing in D Williams to be Grannis, Lowry and Holiday and Anderson
wasnt sure about lee or gordon
I just read not only is AD out but now Anderson is too. Anyone have news or can confirm this?
I haven’t seen that anywhere
Anderson is out! Jesus
Where is this confirmed at?
I saw it on Ritogrinders
Rotoworld
Ugh Jabari Parker vs the Jazz it is lol!
Anderson is out and Davis is shutdown for the year….smh
Information that could have been brought to our attention on, say, Thursday!
AD shut down for season.
No Anderson really hurts. Makes those Clips less attractive as well in a game that should be over at half. vegas line hasn’t moved so makes me wonder if some Clips might be sitting as well. 9pts is WAY too low as is..
Ugh, I think I have anderson in almost all lineups…
ANDERSON SITUATION ADDRESSED HERE
I am now looking at this game in a very different light. This game is much less attractive at this point and i expect it to be a blowout. However, Jrue Holiday will shoot plenty of times and is almost a guarantee to hit value. The Clippers are all less appealing. Cunningham will get over 30 minutes against a weak frontcourt.
– Austyn
Babbitt is starting tonight – I like but don’t love him, given that he won’t be anything like the primary ball handler this time around.
Frantic updates coming in – Jeff Green out. Updating as fast as it comes, but make sure y’all keep reloading the optimizer when the little box comes up!
Really think there will be a need to pick a unique lineup tonight with so few options. Thoughts on this :
Mack
Douglas
Middleton
Stauskus
Hollis Thompson
Carmelo
Noel
Sullinger
Cousins
Yeesh,, PELS starters Jrue Holiday, Toney Douglas, Dante Cunningham, Omer Asik, Luke Babbitt
Tonight is a great night to look for a game you like and attack it strong. If it ends up staying close or going to overtime you are in a great spot.
optimizer putting in ajinca and melo.. are they even playing? they both listed as GTD
The Pelicans will likely force Ajinca to play. They need the size badly tonight. I would keep an eye out for Melo but i expect him to play.
Ajinca is available. Understandable to fade him if the risk is too high. But SOMEONE is going to have to play those big minutes.
So what NO players do you guys think are the best starts? I thought Cunningham, but does Babbit seem better because he is starting?
My 3 favorite are Holiday, Cunningham and Asik. All 3 will be forced to play big minutes and Holiday will have a insane usage % tonight.
– Austyn
@VarneyDFS
I like Holiday and Babbitt, but man, they could lose by a zillion.
Cunningham has a 9.9 usage with the roster that will be out there tonight. Very likely to be garbage, but all those minutes should theoretically coincide with SOME floor.
what about gee?
Alonzo Gee is a 1 way player and that 1 way is definitely not offense. Gee is the type of player that can play 35 minutes and shoot 3 times. I do think Tim Frazier could come into play if this turns into a blowout quickly.
– Austyn
@VarneyDFS
What is everyone thinking on Langston Gallaway? I think he is a great play if either Calderon or Melo is out.
Offering downward guidance on Melo, because it seems like even if he plays, he could be limited minutes-wise.
Does Rotowire know something? They have Williams projected at 27fp and 7x value….maybe Melo is sitting or limited??? Should help Zinger as well if true… too much late stuff to think about 🙂
At this point it does not look too good for Melo. I expect at the very least for his minutes to be limited.
Rondo or Thomas pure points
I definitely prefer Thomas. The Kings are playing in a pace down game.
Rolling the dice Melo doesn’t play and Afflalo and Zinger become great plays.
Holliday, Douglas, Bradley, Afflalo, Gay, Hayward, Zinger, Noel and Boogie
Best of luck to everyone!
Also hoping earlier game on a back to back and Clips come out lethargic for the first half.
Ugh, I HATE NBA. all the work in am/afternoon erased last few minutes. I don’t even know what my LUs are now.. frantically swapped out Melo with Haywood last seconds.. had no choice, not knowing if Melo will play or not. no watch him up 50pts.
Good Luck to everyone tonight!
– Austyn
Freaking Robin Lopez. 17 shots the last 3 games and then goes off and chucks up 20 tonight. Crushed all the NYC punt plays with Melo sitting.
What did they optimal line up score tonight ?
@nicholas not much lbvfs
What time should you run the optimal and is the optimal just created by running optimize on the standard setting