Basketball Picks Daily Fantasy Expert Advice
Daily Fantasy NBA News and Injury Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 12/28/16
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
Chris Paul is officially questionable, but closer to doubtful
Paul will likely be out again tonight, which means Austin Rivers and Raymond Felton are both in play. I prefer Rivers, but see the merit in both. They would both get a bump if J.J. Redick misses as well. If Paul somehow returns, they are all out of play.
Damian Lillard is out against the Kings
Lillard missed last game, and C.J. McCollum took advantage. Playing most of his minutes at point guard, McCollum finished with 29 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. He is in line for another big game tonight and is a good play across the board. Allen Crabbe is also in play, as he saw 35 minutes last game.
Jeremy Lin did not travel and will miss the next two games
Jeremy Lin just returned from injury two weeks ago, so they will be delicate here. Sean Kilpatrick has the most to gain, as the ball will be in his hands more now. He is a decent play tonight, but there are better ways to go.
What We're Waiting to Know
Evan Fournier is questionable against the Hornets
Fournier has been injured for a week and a half now, and is likely going to miss his 3rd straight game. If he does, Jodie Meeks becomes a great value play. he will play close to 30 minutes, and would have plenty of opportunities against the Hornets. If he plays, the Magic don't offer too much appeal to me.
Monta Ellis has been upgraded to questionable
Ellis has been gone for a while, so his return would mess things up. If he returns, I would downgrade all of the starters just a little bit, and Glenn Robinson the most. I am not too interested in any of these guys tonight, outside of tournaments.
J.J. Redick is a GTD
With Paul already doubtful, there could be a ton of minutes up for grabs. If Redick is in, you can still play Felton and Rivers, but are not elite plays. If Redick misses, you can play Rivers, Felton and Crawford. They all will play 30 or so minutes and should be in for good games against the Pelicans.
The "Every Lineup" Guys
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is the guy I am going to make sure I have tonight. He will be taking on the Blazers, who he just destroyed a week ago. Tempers were flared, and he still has beef with both of these big men. Cousins has been amazing this season with his new 3 point shot that has opened up a ton of driving lanes. The Blazers offer up one of the weakest interiors in the league, and Cousins is going to take advantage once again. He is my top option in both cash games and tournaments.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is on the same level as the superstars today, but is not priced like it. The Nets will have no answer for Butler, who is shooting a ton and handling the ball more than ever. He is a lock for 40 fantasy points tonight, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him flash his upside once again. The Nets have ranked 20th against SG's, and last in rebounds and assists. That is due to high pace and low efficiency, which guards can take advantage of. Butler is a safe play in cash and certainly has the GPP upside.
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image sources
- Joey Dorsey, DeMarcus Cousins: (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)