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Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury News and Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 4/1/16
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
April Fools Day is arguably the dumbest holiday, and it's been made worse by social media.
Nothing more fun that watching all of your uncreative friends make transparent and dumb April Fools "jokes," only to double down on their lack of a sense of humor by tacking on a "JK GUYS!! We're not actually having Sextuplets!!" Those of us who are old enough to remember April Fools Days of yore when you could go until, say, noon without even realizing it was going on will hardly be believed when we explain to our grandchildren how much less torturous it used to be. Deep breaths. On to basketball.
DeMarcus Cousins is out, and Kosta Koufos looks delicious
Cousins has missed 2 of his last 5 games, and we've seen what Koufos can do when the Boogie disappears. He paid 6x and 8.5x points per dollar on his FanDuel price in those contests, and his erratic role has him priced at a deep discount to what he can do as a starter. Great play in any format. Rudy Gay was a chalk play the last time Boogie missed one, and was truly terrible. Gay has played a much smaller roll in the offense in general recently, and I'm not sure he warrants even his current discounted price.
Deron Williams is out, JJ Barea is playing
Barea's price continues to climb, but frankly, he's earning it right now. He's on back to back games with 39+ fantasy points, and the Pistons are basically a league average match-up for opposing point guards. Increased price means increased risk on Barea, but he's so involved right now that it's hard to imagine him not having a respectable floor here regardless given than he's paid 6x+ points per dollar in three of his four games in this role.
Zaza Pachulia is starting
Zaza's been on up and down minutes recently, and the point-per-minute production has been similarly erratic, but this will likely just serve to spook people away from him. You probably should be spooked if you're looking for safety here, but if he hits the upper end of his minutes he could turn in a true monster performance as well. Big tournament play only.
Brook Lopez is back, and I'm mad
So long, Thomas Robinson. We hardly knew ye. Lopez returns to a decent match-up against Lesser Lopez, but it's hard to stomach playing a guy who just missed a game and left the game before than early. Not much to see here, unfortunately.
Jerami Grant will play, rendering Carl Landry as pretty useless
All the analysis is in the header of this one. You can't play Grant because his minutes will almost certainly be on some manner of limit.
What We're Waiting to Know
Kristaps Porzingis looks doubtful tonight
Porzingis' potential absence is very significant tonight, largely because Derrick Williams played 35 minutes and paid almost 7x points per dollar on his basically minimum prices against Dallas. It's a great match-up with the Nets tonight, and Williams would be fine for any format if he draws another start. UPDATE: Porzingis is out. Williams is a great play again.
Derrick Favors is questionable with knee soreness
This means A) I won't play him even if he is declared active and B) we could see a nice opportunity for Trey Lyles tonight. Lyles has been very solid in his last 5 games on a per-minute basis, and 30+ minutes could make him something like a must-play for me tonight. You might not know Favors' status by the main slate line-up lock, though, so this might be just a flyer play or one for the later slates.
Jeremy Lin's status
For a guy that plays 25 minutes a game at a relatively high usage, Lin's absence means precious little for daily fantasy basketball purposes. He missed last game and it opened up some space for Jorge Gutierrez to play 12 minutes and Jeremy Lamb to play 20. Now, Lamb actually has put up some decent totals when he's played 20+ minutes in the past (especially on a minimum salary), but I don't think we can count on him as anything other than a big tournament flyer. UPDATE: Lin is playing
Will Jose Calderon start, and if he doesn't, who will get his minutes?
Calderon had to leave Wednesday's game with the quad contusion, and the Knicks surprised me by trotting Jerian Grant out as the 2nd half starter in spite of Langston Galloway performing decently in the role earlier this season. Then I find out on Rotoworld that the Knicks have to pay Galloway a bonus if he crosses a certain limits threshold, and they may be actively sitting him more so that he doesn't hit it. Embarrassing. Either way, if Calderon sits I'd be intrigued by either Grant or Galloway as a flyer if one is announced as the starter. UPDATE: Calderon is out. Jerian Grant starting in his place
Jerryd Bayless and Tyler Ennis are both doubtful
We're also waiting to know how this would actually change things. Rasahd Vaughan has been somewhat uninspiring in his recently foray into greater minutes, and Greivis Vasquez has played 13 minutes in the last 15 years it seems like. Still, Vasquez has been decent on a points per minute basis in the past, and either would be interesting if named the starter if both Bayless and Ennis were officially out.
Will Jae Crowder sit the 2nd half of a back to back?
Might be somewhat inconsequential, given who the opponent is, but he would free up significant minutes for guys like Evan Turner and Avery Bradley, who'd become off-beat upside plays in a risky match-up with the Warriors.
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.
Derrick Williams - FD 3600 DK 3500
Opponent - BKN
FD Proj. Pts - 28.06 DK Proj. Pts - 29.71
The easiest punt play going for me if Porzingis is out, and it's not really even close. We have a nice long track record of what Williams can do on a per-minute basis, and an unintimidating match-up with the Nets adds to his security. Great play in any format, as I've said before.
Brandon Knight - FD 6900 DK 7100
Opponent - WAS
FD Proj. Pts - 37.42 DK Proj. Pts - 39.82
John Wall - FD 9600 DK 10300
Opponent - PHX
FD Proj. Pts - 46.71 DK Proj. Pts - 48.06
It's always nice when the every lineup guys face each other - it means we can transfer a lot of the optimal lineups to big tournaments as well as 50/50s. Both are playing big minutes, and the irrelevance of their respective teams means defensive is scarcer than usual. Love both.
Jason Smith - FD 4100 DK 3800
Opponent - MIL
FD Proj. Pts - 17.92 DK Proj. Pts - 18.38
April Fools'. You should see your face right now.
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
- Joey Dorsey, DeMarcus Cousins: (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
132 Visitor Comments
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What was yesterdays optimal line up with IT and D Lillard at PG. I feel like everyone I match up in H2H must use your line up cause I seem to always lose. I am not a member yet but if that was the optimal line up yester day I am sold. IT Lillard at PG, SG Harden Crawford, SF J Geen P George, PF Portis Thad Young C Aldrich was that the optimum line up yesterday for the main slate? Keep up the great right ups, Love the Updates Page!
I am using the 3 day free trial, does it automatically cancel?
No, you have to cancel it inside your account.
No you have to cancel it..
Not sure how much attention this warrants, but the Memphis backcourt is a mess right now. Bryce Cotton has signed a 10 day contract and Ray McCallum didn’t have his contract renewed. As a PC grad I hope Bryce gets some run and that he can do something with it but we’ll see
What about Green tonight vs the celts?
Why is Cauley-Stein being ignored as a cheap play along with Koufos given Cousins’ absence?
Mostly because he’s not that cheap anymore. At 4900 coming off the bench he’s not exactly safe. Good play, but I have just a few reservations.
Anybody like Markieff against his old team?
From DeRozan, Wade, Thompson, and Middleton, which two do you take tonight?
Whiteside and Deng since Boogie is out? Anyone’s thoughts?
WALL, PAYTON, BEAL, HOOD,ANTHONY,BATUM,YOUNG,CAULEY-STEIN AND KOUFOS, Is that a good line up for tonight?
Would Andrew Nicholson be a good start at $3,600 on DK? He’s had some good run of late and made the best of it…
Whiteside gonna kill it tonite
I like Henson at power tonite just my opnion
Wade is doubtful. Who gets the biggest uptick?
Dragic big time. Joe Johnson as well. Plus minutes bump for Richardson
Hey guys, any sites that you know of that keeps track of who guards who during a game? Curious wether Bradley would be on curry or Thompson tonight. Thanks
Last time these teams played Bradley was on Curry almost exclusively and he did a very good job. I came away thoroughly impressed with his play. Curry did get 60+ fantasy points, but i think it was an OT game and he shot like 9/27 or something from the field.
My guess is they put Bradley on Curry, Crowder on Thompson, and try to hide Isaiah wherever they can. But of course they may run into trouble trying to hide Isaiah…. so can’t say all this with total certainty. But i’d be surprised if Bradley wasn’t on Curry for the majority of the game.
Who starts in Wade’s place Richardson maybe
Hey just want to let all Pro Members know that our Optimal MLB lineups are up! Pushed live this afternoon. We are pumped. Check them out.
Excellent. When did FanDuel change their MLB scoring? I ran a quick optimizer and saw 100+ and thought that can’t be right?? but looks like FanDuel changed scoring at some point? Can’t wait to give it a live go.
Go to the stats page on NBA,com , sportvu. Pretty decent stat tracking that can be sorted off, def, etc and vs teams, though I do t believe it does player match ups in regards to guarding certain guys.
U da man Doug. MLB is my game
SG blows right now. Hopefully some news shakes some things out. Just looks like a bunch of guys who are going to do 20’ish fantasy points in the 4x range.
Looks like Calderon sits tonight, who becomes a more attractive play Jerian or Langston? Agree with Thomas that SG is rough. Making me want to pencil in Langston Galloway at site minimums if he can get 30 minutes.
Im looking to do my first double/quintuple ups today. What is the average score (for a slate like this) to take home some winnings? Im worried Im jumping in with only elite players and will get stomped with even 300+
Will the optimizer ever support FantasyAces? As a NY resident I have limited choices as to where I am able to play and DK/FD are not available. Just wondering, would love to support you guys and what you do for the community.
Best
If you need a SG I’d recommend Bradley Beal tonight. He has the highest floor/ceiling at his price range and gets a plus match-up at PHO with high pace/bad defense.
Damn I was rolling with wade. Switch to josh Richardson and put the money elsewhere? Also with the Warriors Celtics, will Isaiah guard Barnes? I think they go smal with GS and put turned on klay, Isaiah on Barnes, Bradley on curry, and crowder on draymond.
I like where you are going with GSW/BOS. Could make Barnes an interesting play if that pans out. 30 minutes, cheap price, a few bully ball easy buckets….
Turner not turned. And just got the update that crowder is out tonight so there goes that
Optimizer down again?
Brandon Knight doubtful!!! This guy… Lol
best news of the day because there was zero chance I was playing him. brandon knight sports hernia….doubtful
Thomas, i’m now looking hard at Devin Booker for this SG spot. I’m thinking he shots 25 times tonight, and that’s only like 5% hyperbole
Yup, and with Leuer out as well going to be lots of shots for guys like Len, Booker and Tucker.
Imo without crowder… Whos holding multi tool beast Draymond? When they want that record? Hes BEASTING tonight. Simple as that
Leuer out for PHO.
Crowder OUT
Knight is now Doubtful
I am definitely going to play the 3 game late slate only on both sites. That way I can catch some late news. Apparently knight is doubtful with a hernia and leuer is out. With wade doubtful God only knows whAt may happen next.
Deng or Len tonight with most likely no Wade, Knight, or Luer
Anyone having trouble with the optimizer? I get the reload button every 15 seconds, but when i reload it appears nothing has changed
Same here…
important to remember with the optimizer… new info doesn’t always mean new lineup. You get the refresh button every time there is new information but that could just be minutes for a few guys that don’t effect best total score.
Something is definitely up…it hasn’t stopped in the last 20 minutes.
So I just upgraded to pro! Looking for a solid night.
Yeah, definitely something up. Only been using the optimizer for a few weeks, but this seems excessive. No news breaking at any of the news sites either…
FYI everyone. We seem to be experiencing an issue with the “Reload Page” Feature. It’s prompting even when not pushing new data live. We are working on a fix now.
Does everyone go with the optimizer all the time or do you switch it up?
Depends. There’s always a guy or two I like they don’t like and vice versa. Like if the optimizer spits of Brooke Lopez I hit the x next to his name and fresh. I’ve got a list of guys I just won’t ever play. So never go with straight optimizer picks. Good tool though to get you close 🙂
Okay I’m glad it’s not just me, cause I’ve been waiting for Devin Booker’s projection to jump and literally nothing changes.
I get an error when I try to view more lineups in addition to the “Reload Page” feature.
What specific error message do you get?
went from cashing out games to a drought this week… hopefully it ends tomight!! Happy Friday
DFSR you guys are great with your info! keep it up
Thoughts on aaron Gordon? Bucks are 5th worst at defending the pf.
Doug – Are there any data issues or just a functionality issue?
Data is fine. Working on projections always, but that’s no issue right now.
Functionality pieces related to our MLB rollout today. But we think we are good now. The “Reload Page” issue seems to be fixed now
that’s what I was just going to ask?? Seems like Booker hasn’t moved an inch since this morning even with the Knight news…
Devin Booker should have a LOT higher usage along with Len without knight. should definitely be thought about. Remember before Knight came back? the Booker Len combo??
Booker’s usage rate climb has been accounted for in the system (it’s not a ton without Knight 15% or so bump). He isn’t cheap like he was before.
Zinger and Calderon officially OUT
Any word on teletovic? If he ends up sitting too would lens min push up to the 40 range considering they have no other real depth with leuer out too?
Listed as probable…
Thomas you’ve been like my #1 source for injury updates lately…thanks man! These guys should compensate you. 🙂
No problem. Idea of any community is for everyone to contribute and everyone to make $$$$$$ 🙂 I get tips/hints from the stuff other folks post so it’s all good.
Any info on pros cons of dk head to head compared to the 50 50 double ups etc. gpp excluded
Optimizer is giving almost all of Calderon’s minutes to Galloway, which i want to believe, but game log, rotoworld and rotogrinders are all indicating those minutes will go to Jerian Grant. Anyone have thoughts on this?
Yes. This was a default projection based on the assumption he’d be starting. I think it’s actually a conservative run on his minutes (28)
Thanks for the explanation, Doug. Appreciated.
Don’t sleep on Gianni’s tonight
D Williams starting for the Knicks…. chalk away
Grant also starting for the Knicks..
Yup. Already updated minutes.
Projected highest ceiling L/U for Aces tonight…any feedback appreciated (there is no Aces tool here so I have to take projections and put into a spread sheet I made…exhausting!)
G. V. Oladipo 33.34 $5,700
G. G. Dragic 30.10 $5,000
G. E. Turner 24.57 $4,700
FG. Antetokounmpo 38.27 $6,550
FD. Green 39.49 $6,250
F N. Batum 31.74 $5,300
C. D. Williams 16.75 $3,600
Util B. Beal 24.41 $4,500
Util K. Koufos 13.13 $3,300
Welcome to the late season NBA everyone. If it’s your first ride, buckle up because things get very weird, very quick
UPDATE! My…that didn’t last long.
G G.Dragic 30.10 5,000.00
G E.Turner 24.57 4,700.00
G S.Larkin 16.83 3,950.00
F G.Antetokounmpo 38.27 6,550.00
F C.Anthony 39.97 6,300.00
F N.Batum 31.74 5,300.00
C D.Green 39.49 6,250.00
Util D.Williams 16.75 3,600.00
Util K.Koufos 13.13 3,300.00
Trying the 3 day any help would be nice
THAD and BOJAN are OUT
T Rob!!!!!
That would explain the T rob love on the optimizer. Lot of good cheap plays at PF tonight. Henson an interesting guy too with the roll he’s on
If you play the right NY/BK players…can be a big night! Might play a little extra…it’s friday why not?
Is the optimizer really worth the money? Just curious because I really don’t know if I should or not. Please guys give me your opinion. Thank you
Right now Lowry is in top DK lineup. I don’t mind him there if he plays, though there’s some concern he gets rested. If worried, keep him in G or UTIL slot on DK so you can swap if need be
With t rob and d will starting pf’s. Do u pull Len? Fd
That’s exactly what I’m doing, and I’m spending up on Melo, I wouldn’t mind a flat 40 fpt night against the lowly Nets.
I know Koufos looks amazing, so does Zaza ::knock on Turkish wood::, but with young and bog out, and his recent atrocity, Bro-Lo is such a sweet low percentage play!!!
Doug, curious how the optimizer factors in guys in late games that are sort of “iffy”? Like Favors and Wade tonight. Is it as is until hard news comes out? or do you sort of downgrade minutes? Not looking for the secret sauce 🙂 Just trying to get an idea if guys like Deng, Whiteside and Hayward have a factor’d in bump already with possible late news?? Thanks!!!!!!
And…. i’m sweating
First night with the optimizer. Fingers crossed. Im the 6of8 guy. Always 2 guys off and this site gives my options I normally wouldnt consider. For that alone I love it. Thx y’all
Just downloaded The Force Awakens. Once I lock my lineup too nervous to look at the NBA till later tonight 🙂 Won a monster ticket for FanDuel tonight and reality tells me it’s a $2 but my stomach/nerves tell me the winner gets $150K and just cashing is $600…. Nervous 🙂
With Covington moving to the bench (i know he’ll still play 30+ min) would that make him much less appealing? Had him in a SF spot, now wondering if i should swap for Deng and leave the $400 on the table, or roll as-is.
Oladipo, Thompson, or Derozan? Always that last key decision LOL
Gotta choose 2 from Melo, Batum, and The Greek Freak, what do you guys think?
I have one in each of my 3 lineups next to Lebron
Just so you guys know, Melo asked for him minutes to be reduced of all the Vets to develop the young players. Coach said he’d oblige.
Don’t be surprised if Melo doesn’t play his normal mid to high 30’s.
I just now read that, and I’m switching him for Giannis, I know Giannis has been garbage lately but with the Melo news I’m not sure if I can count on those 40 fpts I mentioned earlier.
source on that?
Doug, I read the info on Rotoworld just a few minutes ago.
http://nypost.com/2016/03/31/carmelo-convinces-rambis-to-do-the-abundantly-obvious/
Doug. It’s been widely reported… he went to Rambis who passed it up the chain to Phil. CBS Sports had a piece on it this morning.
Having said that most of the “kids” who need minutes ( Grant, Williams, O’Quinn) don’t play SF 🙂
Ok. Yeah. Had missed this news. I took him to 35 min. He’s still in top FD lineup and I’m tempted to keep him there with that projection. Late season NBA, it’s FAN-tastic!
Thanks for asking that Thomas. I’ve been wondering the same. Enjoy yourself some Star Wars tonight
Thanks! 🙂
With Porzingis and Calderon out, there will be plenty of minutes for the young guys. Still taking Melo over Giannis.
Love the Greek freak tonight
Question will opt. Continue to change after first game is started?
Last minute FD question- Ish Smith or Dragic with Wade looking doubtful?
Dragic
JC, I’m all over Dragic tonight (though i play DK). But fast pace, no wade, they want to win for home court advantage in 1st round of playoffs. Also, and i have no numbers to back this up, but i am of the belief that the Heat play faster without Wade in the lineup. Dragic likes to push, and without Wade holding the ball, he will do that.
Looks like TOR sitting Scola..
http://www.chatsports.com/new-york-knicks/a/source/knicks-vets-look-to-reduce-minutes-provide-opportunities-for-young-players-12348548
ooooh… Late PG news. Felton OUT… Queue up JJ
Felton out
Josh Richardson worth A look? Can’t seem to shake him! Or Courtney lee? Thanks
these last second line up changes kill me!!
Good luck tonight gentleman!
Good Luck, guys.
Thanks for the replies, Doug.
couldn’t get JJ in quick enough. But I like the Wall / Dragic combo anyway. Good luck!
Whoa baby. I pushed through the Barea news as quick as humanly possible. I’d suggest finding a way to late swap him in on DK if you can.
I swapped Lowry and Horford for Barea and Whiteside
Always interesting to see ownership percentage once lineups locks. Looks like the majority of people faded SF and then paid up for Whiteside. big nights from James, Melo and Koufous and we could be in rare air..
Good luck to everyone tonight.
Wish I could have…and sucks being a 7:30 game, so can’t even play him in the late slate. Oh well.
Crap, I was considering JJ. Gonna have to start doing DK next season too
Any boost for G Hayward if Favors is out?
Yes definitely.
Favors out
Landry has 15 points already DAMN IT
Lyle and Wall… Hayward and Dragic or Beal and Draymond
Koufos not starting…what the heck.
220 points with wall beal booker and whitesife left ? What do you guys think any chance to hit big?
i would like my chances in your situation Nicholas!