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Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury News and Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 4/6/16
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
Carmelo Anthony will play
But that doesn't mean you should trust him. I'll be taking a game to see if he's going to get his pre-rest minutes. I wouldn't even touch him in a big tournament tonight. This also depresses scoring dependent guys like Arron Afflalo.
Bojan Bogdanovic is playing
Yes, this qualifies as news! Not because you want to play Bogdanovic necessarily, but because this should take minutes away from speculative guys like Sean Kilpatrick and Markel Brown.
What We're Waiting to Know
Will the Clippers, Cavs, or Thunder rest anyone today?
Arguably the biggest unknown, and biggest needle mover of the day. All three teams played yesterday, and don't seem to have a lot to gain by playing anyone big minutes on the second half of a back to back. Then again, teams are weird, and I'm prepared for anything. Still, if I had to choose a big money player for safety tonight, I'd be starting with teams with something to play for (like Harden or Lillard) and steering clear of the locked in squads.
Nicolas Batum's status
Batum was a late-ish scratch last night, and freed up significant fantasy value for his teammates. Jeremy Lamb got a slight boost, but Jeremy Lin was the big beneficiary. In spite of a little elbow tendinitis, Jeremy Lin went out and played 40 minutes against the Raptors, pouring in 34 fantasy points with a well rounded 21/4/7 line. This is no fluke - Lin has put up numbers like these as a starter in the past - so monitor this situation closely.
Jose Calderon and Kristaps Porzingis's availability
Both are listed as doubtful, but it's not a sure thing just yet. Derrick Williams has provided solid value on nearly minimum prices, and is certainly capable of a monster if things break just so. On the point guard side of things, it's a little bit murkier. Jerian Grant looked to be the big winner, but Langston Galloway put up a monster night in the Knicks last go-round. Either point guard should be considered a speculative play.
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.
James Harden - FD 10900 DK 10800
Opponent - DAL
FD Proj. Pts - 53.65 DK Proj. Pts - 56.67
James Harden is showing up in every optimal lineup on both DK and FD. The Rockets are still in the hunt and will be running him into the ground. Spend money saved elsewhere right here.
Jeremy Lin - FD 4200 DK 4100
Opponent - NYK
FD Proj. Pts - 22.29 DK Proj. Pts - 23.33
Lin is also showing up across the board, on both sites. Pair him with Harden, and shooting guard is full on FD. You can work him into your lineup in several places on DK. As mentioned above, this is dependent on Nic Batum’s status, so be sure to come back for an update later.
Markieff Morris - FD 5500 DK 5300
Opponent - BKN
FD Proj. Pts - 29.63 DK Proj. Pts - 30.73
Markieff is a must-play everywhere. The minutes are key here, and we think he’s very likely to get back above 30 tonight. Note that he’s slotted into the generic Forward slot on DK.
Henry Sims - FD 4000 DK 3500
Opponent - WAS
FD Proj. Pts - 23.6 DK Proj. Pts - 24.29
Sims is your Center in all lineups on DK and most on FD. You can find the cash for Harden (and at least one more big ticket item) right here. The alternative on FD is Alexis Ajinca.
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!
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I wasnt too sure on picking Frazier last night, but i went with the optimizer. won some cash pairing him with harkless and the curry bros. so i will follow your advice with H Sims!
you guys rock!!
thanks guys! what do you guys think about Barea in a must win game? in an up paced game with a close spread?
LOVE Barea today.
Jeremy Lin a GTD
I saw about Lin too. It is leaning on side of “probable” tho. I hope so. I have him in my lineups. Was hoping for a semi revenge game…
TOBIAS HARRIS against his old team screams revenge narrative, but for some reason it seems like a good spot for a let down. Played last night, 2 good games in a row (I’ve sorta noticed a your turn my turn thing with him and the morris twin). Thougts?
I love Tobias tonight. He has been hot lately and playing a ton of minutes. Although he’s due for a let down game soon, He’s found a spot in most of my lineups.
I’m assuming Lin will play tonight.
I’m done with Beal, he kills me all the time
Where is the GTD tag for Lin? All i’ve seen is “probable”. I’m trying to stay off Lin tonight (worried about elbow issue and him being able to make shots, not playing time), but if Clippers news never comes, i may be forced back to him.
Look him up on FD
Chris Paul, J.J Redick, and Jordan all QUESTIONABLE tonight REST
How do you know this Carnisha Bolden????
I have an app on my phone call Bleacher Report team stream
What about Payton tonight? He absolutely torched the Pistons last time he played them.
Yes…sans the V’Dipo and Vuc. Payton’s usage is WAY down with these 2 back in the lineup.
Thanks my man
Going to be a tough day to spend money. The “right” guys at most positions aren’t expensive..
Sidenote. I have been playing DFS for just under a year now and remember last season NBA was “easier” and WAY less crowded in the contests. Seems to be the exact opposite this year with NBA being the hot ticket and MLB, at least the first week, struggling to fill up contests. There was so much overlay last night in MLB it was crazy.
Why does everyone seem to like Jordan Hamilton over Luke Babbitt today? Just because he’s slightly cheaper, or am I missing something?
Anyone have eyes on Justin Anderson as a cheap SF option..??
Leaning towards Harkless and Hamilton as my SF combo, but Babbitt and Anderson sounds just as appealing, haha.
put Barea in the optimal! make me feel better lol!!
I hate the pelican guys besides Ajinca tonight. Justin Anderson is intriguing because I think Ariza guards Matthews and harden takes Anderson.
Do we feel like Williams is going to get some real run in this game? Don’t figure zinger starts, but Knicks did us no favors by benching Williams whole 4th qu the other day.
Little wary of LBJ on B2b even though he didn’t play a ton of min last night.
What does everyone think about Kilpatrick from Brooklyn as a value play? My system is pointing to him tonight. (Annadad71) “Alchemist Algorithm” on Twitter
Not with Bojan back for Brooklyn. He’ll be in the 15-20 min category.
Lebron OUT
James out
And Lebron resting per rotoworld. Fire up Love and Irving
finally some news!!
FantasyAces NBA L/U as of right now…assuming Batum is OUT and LeBron is OUT…favors Love with Irving drawing a plus defender in George Hill.
G J.Harden 49.69 7,550.00
G J.Wall 43.78 6,550.00
G J.Barea 19.37 4,500.00
F K.Love 31.67 5,800.00
F D.Nowitzki 31.28 5,450.00
F T.Robinson 14.66 3,700.00
C H.Sims 14.44 3,000.00
Util T.Frazier 14.67 4,300.00
Util J.Lin 19.75 3,850.00
Kevin love confirmed starting with lebron out. John Wall Questionable. OKC may rest a star… need more info!!
The King is resting. Lin is probable and John Wall is questionable.
DK Lineup
PG – Lillard
SG – Harden
SF – George
PF – T. Robinson
C – Ajinca
G – Rivers (pending no Paul)
F – T. Harris
UT – J. Anderson
Thoughts?
jeckel, i’m on DK too (seems like most people here are FD). Like the lineup. I’m personally going Irving/Love stack, because i just think they are the safest guys around now that LBJ is out. I seem to be higher on Robinson and Ajinca than the DFSR crew is. Have them locked in as well. And if we never get that coveted Clippers news, you can swap Rivers for Galloway (same price at G spot) just before lock. I currently have galloway in that spot, but ready to swap for Rivers if the news ever comes.
Right now this is my cash lineup, of course pending further news
K. Irving
J. Harden
P. George
T. Robinson
A. Ajinca
L. Galloway
K. Love
D. Williams
I think what you have above will work fine though
Swapped Galloway for Sessions and Williams for Wes Matthews (who will later be swapped for Jamal Crawford, if that news ever happens).
Porzingis out !!!
Feels like one of those nights to take all East Coast guys. If we’re lucky there will be news prior to tip for the late games but Clips and Thunder could easily sit lots of bodies. The Thunder game “sort of” matters though. Thunder can’t move out of the third spot but depending on who they’d rather play in the first round ( portland or memphis) they could try and win or waive the white flag to help those odds one way or the other. I’d imagine they would want to play Portland so maybe they roll regular lineup and hope for the win.
Simms not starting? robinson moved to center and boggy starting. reported by fantasy labs
I downgraded Sims some. I’d probably go with Ajinca now though I do think Sims will play enough to hit value
Porter/Fournier & Sims or Babbitt & Ajinca. For GPP on Fanduel
Porter and Fournier but not sims
I need help for FD GPP
Batum OUT. Lin looking nice.
Is Bradley Beal a good play with Wall out? I’m deciding between him and J Randle on DK for my utility?
Haha, was looking through centers on DK to have a last minute swap ready in case Clippers don’t rest players (gonna throw Aldrich and Crawford in 1 GPP lineup for fun, hoping to get lucky that others don’t play them and we get late news after first games lock), and noticed that Hibbert is $100 cheaper than Aldrich…. And he’s a regular starter. Amazing….
Yes Batum out Lin starting
JOHN WALL OUT!!!
Wall out tonight
John Wall out tonight!
I love the site. I joined yesterday, but can’t seem to find the ‘optimizer.” Am I clueless or do I need to upgrade to premium for this feature. Thanks.
FantasyAces updated optimal w/ injury news. Beal/Sessions stack is EVERYWHERE!
G J.Harden 49.69 7,550.00
G J.Barea 19.37 4,500.00
G B.Beal 24.58 4,500.00
F K.Love 31.67 5,800.00
F D.Nowitzki 31.28 5,450.00
F T.Robinson 14.66 3,700.00
C A.Drummond 36.80 5,900.00
Util J.Lin 19.75 3,850.00
Util R.Sessions 14.91 3,750.00
Util J.Grant 11.40 3,000.00
Doug, is Russ in play tonight?
sessions a play? crap im scared of westbrook sitting. I dont think i can risk it tonight… with all this value…
tim frazier is on the bench
I understand the Russ fear. We aren’t going to downgrade him without solid news, but if worried just x him out and hit calculate. I think that’s a totally reasonable concern.
Babbitt and Frazier to the bench. Seems like easy money because they should still see minutes and now get to run against second team.
Lillard is my biggest concern with all of my lineups
Thomas,
What’s your optimal gpp lineup looking like with frazier and babbitt in?
Is Lin a must start now?
I think so
I’m with Thomas tonight. Might be a night to roll with east coast games only where starters confirmed and hope the WC games mess some people up
Sorry if this comes through as a repeat comment, but the top non-Westbrook lineups look good if you are worried about him at all.
Who you got filling his spot.
I’m not spending too much on Westbrook tonight
I’m gonna say what everyone else is thinking: Today sucks.
maybe screwed…..Lin not starting…..concerns?
Does ajinca playing PF decrease his value at all?
Also love the site and optimizer, guys. With the optimizer and about an hour of research a night after work, I’ve been not only cashing in 90% of tournaments but I’ve been able to win a lot of money and place in the top A LOT.
I think the personal research is key, but the optimizer cuts out a lot of the time you’d have to spend
Thanks a bunch
if you have this lineup on FD….
Sessions
Lillard
Harden
Lin
George
Porter
Williams
Love
Drummond
prepare to take an ass whippin’
Looking like back to back days SG sinking my lineup. Butler no showed last night and Lin so far tonight. 🙁
I’m just hoping Lin doesn’t completely ruin my night
Lin stinkin
Love hurtin
typical dfs evening right?
Westbrook out…
Just when I was about to give up on tonight I see OKC is sitting EVERYONE and threw me and anyone else who faded that game a bone. OKC guys all get 0’s and should trickle down to low scores for Blazers as well in a blowout.
Can you update the system
Second the update request. Could be some easy money late night because so many people set their lineups and check back in on them in the morning. With so many guys sitting need to know the plays 🙂
Wesley Johnson and Crawford now out too
Jeremy Lin deciding he wasn’t getting paid enough to play well 2 consecutive games is going to hurt………anyone agree?
Yeah i had Wes Matthews in at UTIL on DK, just swapped for Kanter on the Thunder news. Was curious to see what the optimizer thinks. Thanks guys.
Doug are u updating system with all these whacky a changes.
I’m only doing A late lineup tonight. Looks juicy with a lot of guys out.
Well i certainly didn’t see the clippers resting their bench. interesting move.
I think that may be a Blake thing??? They need to get that starting five use to playing with each other again.
Should make late night entries for anybody so inclined an adventure
Please update running out of time Doug
Agree. We need an update. I’m sure anyone who played earlier has to recoup some cash.
Good call Thomas. Probably is a Blake thing.
Probably get the starters for the first half, then its Prigioni time. I’m sticking with my Kanter play and staying away from the rest of it. Good luck.
Well if we don’t get the optimizer what are your guys thoughts on at 930 LU?
Looking like we aren;t getting an update 🙁 rolled with..
barea
lillard
harden
bryant
green
ariza
dirk
randall
kanter
Hoping with this being a Lakers “home” game Randall and Kobe and the team show up for the fans.
Good Luck to everyone tonight.. Here;s hoping some of the OKC are heavy owned in late night with people who missed the late scratches 🙂
Well my opinion, because i don’t have a life and comment on here all day, is that i’d stay away from the clippers. any lakers you like are probably fine plays against a half interested clippers team. i don’t like any of the lakers too much, except randle is probably a solid play at this point. And then Kanter is taking the offense over for OKC while the rest of the blazers have both an easier time in a game they want to win, but more blowout risk. I play DK and just swapped Kanter into my utility slot for main slate cash and GPP’s and i’m not touching anything else.
Poor job tonight guys you usually are on top of things it’s what makes you stand apart
Hey everyone. Stepped away thinking we were in the clear on news. Got back to OKC sitting everyone. Know it wasn’t in time for the 9:30 but should be good to go for 10PM
I bumped Payne, Morrow, Foye and Kanter for OKC. Kicked Blake up a bit.
Traditionally, we’ve stopped running updates after the main slates kick off. Though these late season changes are a bit out of hand.
Yeah its nuts right now. I can’t remember this many late scratches either. Can’t fault anyone though, obviously the coaches want to win games and aren’t going to give away their game plan for free.
Doug, did I read that correctly?? You guys step away at main lineup lock?? Meaning when I go to the optimizer at 9:50pm for a 10pm team the ladt time that has been updated was before 7pm normally??? That would be nice to know if that’s the case.
Apologies. That came out wrong. I meant that in the past we hadn’t traditionally updated beyond that time. BUT with the LineupLab integration we have been updating well beyond as we get news as it’s warranted. Those that are on here a lot will see updates pushing through throughout the night.
In the optimizer?
Not sure I understand that question
The optimizer is updated throughout the night? Not just updated comments here, right?
Cody, It’s not letting me reply to your comment for some reason. Hope you see this. The answer is yes. We push data live all day and night. The optimization programming simply runs off new data sets we’ve pushed out.
Like I said last night…we all need to yell loud for Fanduel to allow changes of players up until tip. The late OKC news is complete BS…a few of my early lineups are shot with zeros in them. I for one am going to submit a strong email to their site…anyone else agree??? If so, let them know!
Brad, I’ve submitted that suggestion twice to FD! I agree. Complete BS!
I doubt FD will ever pivot to that.
Resting your whole squad? Not only bs to is but also to fans who buy tickets to their games. Bogus.
I like lineup lock for fanduel that’s why I prefer it to draftkings
Got absolutely burned with Russ. My heat can’t handle this stuff!!!! Lol you win some you lose some. Name of the game. Still love it. Thanks for all the work you guys do!!!!
Same. We’ve said it before, late season NBA is a true dice roll.
looks like Harden might be pullin a Butler tonight……………………….anyone have thoughts?
Lillard and harden both terrible tonight… Combine that with Jeremy Lin laying an egg and u can guess how well my lineup is doing
As a rockets fan Never talk about harden having a terrible night until the game ends because he can have 25 in the 4th
As a Houston native I can agree. The man has 9 points in the first 3 minutes of the fourth.
My Westbrook lineup went off of course
right…harden is turning it up now
I had lin and lillard too……..rough
Glad this DFS day is over. Brutal. Baseball and Basketball tanked. Better thing tomorrow 🙂
Hey Thomas. Did you play early MLB or are just referring to evening MLB?
Same here Thomas. Should have listened to u guys about just stacking up on early games this time of year