Basketball Picks Daily Fantasy Expert Advice
Daily Fantasy NBA News and Injury Updates - 12/11/17
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What We Know
Kyrie Irving has been ruled out against the Bulls
The Celtics threw a wrench into things here with Kyrie. Al Horford is also questionable, which makes it a lot more of a hassle. I'd Horford plays, he'll be the number 1 option and a tremendous option against the Bulls. Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, and Jaylen Brown will also benefit with minutes and usage. Kyrie hasn't been a ball hog this year, but still holds a 22%+ usage. The Bulls are weak against the perimeter and I'm a fan of all these guys. Rozier and Smart are the 2 guys I currently have in every single lineup.
Marcus Morris has been ruled out with knee discofort
Marcus Morris is still dealing with some knee pain from the injury that held him out a few weeks ago. He'll take the night off against the Bulls and most of his minutes will fall to Baynes and Theis. Baynes started yesterday and played 29 minutes, but he's still strictly a tournament play. Nobody would be surprised if he saw 16-20 here and the rest were spread between Horford, Tatum, and Theis. The Bulls are an average defense and this news probably shouldn't put you on anyone you weren't otherwise paying attention to.
Nicolas Batum will sit and Jeremy Lamb will play
Both Lamb and Batum missed last game, so I'm not too enthused with anyone here. Lamb would be nice, but I'm not big on a guy off an injury. Kemba may see some extra usage, but I don't know if his upside is any different. If he gets hot, nobody is getting the ball anyway. Howard could also see some extra usage, but don't let this news put you on anyone.
What We're Waiting to Know
Anthony Davis is questionable to play against the Rockets
Davis ended up getting stretched out for 40 minutes last night. It had a lot to do with Cousins being in foul trouble, but I still don't get it. At all. He should sit tonight and we know what it means if he does. Jrue Holiday and DeMarcus COusins get very nice bumps and become 2 elite plays in all formats. Rajon Rondo, E'Twaun Moore, and Darius Miller will see slight bumps and will draw ownership against a Rockets squad that doesn't love defense. If Davis plays, al these guys are still in play as he would only get 25-ish minutes, but are just slightly less appealing. This is a game you'll want exposure to.
Paul George missed shootaround and remains questionable
Billy Donovan and the Thunder pulled a Tom Thibedoeu last game against the Grizzlies and ended up playing their starters 40+ minutes. Including Alex Abrines and Andre Roberson (Q). It's tough to expect that again, but Melo is the obvious guy that gets a bump if George is out. He goes from the 3rd option to the 2nd and 3rd and has seen 5+ extra shots at least in each. Russ Westbrook also sees a spike in usage, but George doesn't take away from him all that much. I think this game ends up staying close and it has a lot of potential for value to emerge. If George plays, Westbrook is the only guy I have interest in from this team.
Al Horford is questionable to play against the Bulls
With Kyrie Irving out, this news matters. If Horford sits, Baynes will pick up 30+ minutes and becomes a tremendous play against a Bulls team that warrants his size. Theis and Tatum would also pick up some extra minutes and become strong cash game plays. Smart, Rozier, and Brown will also see extra usage and would be even better plays than they are now with Kyrie out. If Horford ends up missing, you'll need exposure to the Celtics. it's just a fact. If Horford plays, he is a good play, but I would be scared to target him outside of tournaments with the injury tag.
Every Lineup Guys
Terry Rozier FD - $4000 DK - $4100
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 20.73 DK - 20.81
With Kyrie out, Rozier is locked into 28+ minutes. The Bulls rank 6th worst against point guards, allowing 47 FPPG. Dunn is a great defender, but Grant is horrible and RoLo doesn't do much at the rim. Rozier is always producing when on the floor and it's just a matter of minutes for him. He may also see an uptick in usage if Horford is out, but that's just gravy. Under $4.5k on both sites, Rozier is as close to a must play as you'll find in NBA DFS.
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image sources
- Rodney Hood, Anthony Davis: (AP Photo/Max Becherer)