Daily Fantasy NBA News and Injury Updates - 3/19/18

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What We Know

Nicolas Batum has been ruled out against the Sixers

Batum has been playing some good ball for Charlotte, so there is something substantial to look at here. Usage-wise, Kemba Walker should have the ball in his hands and sees a slight uptick in an already solid match-up with Philly. Minutes-wise, Jeremy Lamb should do most of the damage. He’s getting the start and can be assumed to draw 30 minutes. Bacon and Graham will also pick up a few minutes, but you can do a lot better.

Bogdan Bogdanovic has been ruled out with a hamstring issue

Not to be confused with Bojan Bogdanovic, Bogdan grabs 25-30 minutes for the Kings on a nightly basis. Not necessarily huge in the DFS world, he’s a key cog of this offense. Be shots a ton and leaves a lot of opportunity on the table. On the surface, Buddy Hield is locked into 32+ minutes as a floor and Temple will get to 30. Carter and Sampson may also draw some minutes, but not enough to get my attention. Hield and Temple are both very viable in all formats at a weaker SG position.

What We're Waiting to Know

Kevin Love and Kyle Korver are questionable to play for the Cavs

Love has been out a while, so he probably wouldn’t get any more than 15-20 minutes. If it’s confirmed otherwise, you can play him, but I’d ignore the situation for now. As for Korver, I guess there’s a tad bit more to look at. With Rodney Hood and Larry Nance Jr. still out, J.R. Smith and Jordan Clarkson are both in play in cash games. Jeff Green would also grab some minutes and should be considered. For the Cavs, just keep playing LeBron and sprinkle in some necessary value. Tonight, that’s probably J.R. Smith or George Hill.

Marc Gasol and Andrew Harrison are questionable to play vs the Nets

The Grizzlies are all but out of contention this year, so they will refuse to push anyone. Especially Marc Gasol. He does see 30+ minutes a night and will leave behind a lot of shots. If he does miss, I’ll look to target both Jarell Martin and JaMychal Green. And a ton of both. Aside from both getting 30+ minutes, the match-up against Brooklyn is undeniable. With Harrison, he’s been out a while and the Grizzlies have somewhat adjusted. Tyreke will still lead the offense with 30+ minutes and we’ll see most of the hit go to guys like Selden, Simmons, and Weber. Evans, Green, and Martin are the three guys you’ll catch on my team from Memphis. Maybe an accidental sprinkle or two of Dillon Brooks.

Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez are both questionable to play

Kuzma and Lopez are two of the seven guys the Lakers like to run out for substantial minutes, so this changes everything. Let’s say just Kuzma misses and Lopez plays. It would give Travis Wear, Derrick Williams, and Alex Caruso a few minutes each. Not enough to make any of them relevant. If just Lopez misses, I think the same happens. Zubac could theoretically see big minutes and he’s a menace when on the floor, but I just can’t believe the minutes will be over 15. Now if both Lopez and Kuzma miss, Julius Randle is locked into 35 minutes and Travis Wear can be looked at. The Pacers, who have a questionable Myles Turner, leave a lot to be desired under the rim. Take advantage and use Randle in most spots. If you want to get crazy, a Wear or Williams in a Tournament is surely that. KCP, Lonzo, and Thomas are all other ways to get viable cash game exposure to the Lakers, who could be very short-handed.

Noah Vonleh is questionable with a toe injury vs the Knicks

This does a lot. With Markkanen already out, the Bills are short-handed down low. If Vonleh plays, this Bulls interior is one I ignore. It’s not a terrible situation, but you can do a lot better on this slate. If he’s out, Portis, Valentine, and Felicia are all in play for cash games. Portis has legitimate 60 point upside if given 33+ minutes again. Valentine and Felicio aren’t as promising, but Valentine as least showed some initiative to score last game. Personally, I love Bobby Portis. He will be in every lineup of mine if Vonleh is eventually ruled out.

Every Lineup Guys

Bam Adebayo FD - $3600 DK - $4900
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 24.08 DK - 23.68

There is no real "must play" on this slate, but Bam Adebayo is pretty close in the mid-$3k's. Seeing 24, 27, and then 34 minutes over the last 3 games and has been over 20 fantasy points in each. With Whiteside out, the minutes are a lock and the rebounds will be needed against Jokic and Millsap. The price is just nuts over on FD and I don't see how you pass him up with all the opportunity he hands you. Over on DraftKings, Jeremy Lamb is a stupid $4200. Take advantage.

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