Daily Fantasy NBA News and Injury Updates for FanDuel and DraftKings - 12/23/16

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

Dwight Howard has been ruled out with his ongoing

Howard has been out for a few games, and a few guys have benefited. Millsap and Muscala have benefited most, with Millsap playing 39 minutes in each of his last 2 games. We will touch on Millsap later, but he is in a terrific spot. I like Muscala, but he is a GPP only option.

Tony Parker and Pau Gasol will join Manu Ginobili and rest tonight

With all 3 of these guys out, the starters should get plenty of run. With that being said, you never know what the Spurs are going to do. If they do blowout the Blazers, the starters will still get rested early. If it does stay close, the likes of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge will get a bunch of shots. They both have plenty of upside against the Blazers, along with Patty Mills at the PG spot.

Victor Oladipo has been ruled out against the Celtics

Oladipo has been out for awhile now, so his return would just be a disruption. It will allow Avery Bradley to switch over to Westbrook, but I am not really bothered by that. Andre Roberson and Alex Albrines has also got some run. I wouldn't play them, but they could be worth a flier in tournaments.

Trevor Booker will rest against the Cavaliers

I am not sure why they are resting him here, but I am guessing they are just giving up. With Booker out, I expect Luis Scola and Anthony Bennett to benefit. Both of them make good plays, but I would probably be more comfortable with Scola in cash and Bennett in tournaments. The Cavs have a good defense, but can give up points to power forwards with Love out.

What We're Waiting to Know

Chris Paul is questionable against the Mavericks

If Paul plays, he is a great tournament play and can have a big night at any time, especially with Griffin. Now if he misses, we have a ton to look at. First of all, Austin Rivers and jamal Crawford would both pick up minutes, and I am more comfortable with them than I am with Raymond Felton. DeAndre Jordan is somebody I would avoid, as he relies on Paul for a lot of his production.

Kevin Love is listed as questionable against the Nets

I expect them to play it safe here and let Love get 110% before returning. They don't need him to win this one and everyone knows that. LeBron and Kyrie are good plays no matter what, but I am willing to play them in cash if Love is out. If he plays, I lose a ton of interest in this game as it would likely be over very quickly.

Evan Fournier is a GTD against the Lakers

Fournier was a favorite of mine coming into the day, so I was not happy when this came through. Even if he plays, he will be reserved for my tournaments. I just can't trust him to get the minutes with this news. If he misses the game, I look for D.J Augustin and Jeff Green to pick up his minutes. Both would be great GPP options.

Rodney Hood is a GTD against the Raptors

Hood missed last game, which resulted in Shlvin Mack picking up 34 minutes and Joe Ingles took 39. Both make good plays here if Hood misses again. If he plays, I will likely roster nobody from this game.

The "Every Lineup" Guys

Paul Millsap

Millsap is my top guy at the PF spot tonight, and it really isn’t close, obviously with price considered. Millsap and the Hawks get the honor of taking on the Nuggets, who have been atrocious against big men for a while now. This year has been no different, as they have ranked dead last against PF’s with pace adjusted. With Dwight Howard still battling an injury, I think they go to Millsap for more shots and usage. He is somewhat expensive, but offers a ton of upside and safety. I think his ceiling is around 60, but his floor is around 40. He is a cash game lock for me and I will have plenty of exposure in tournaments as well. With all of the value on this slate, you should have no problem fitting in a mid range PF.

Kent Bazemore

Bazemore is a guy who I love to roster, as he will be on the court and shoot while out there. Over the last 3 games since returning from injury, he has played 30 minutes in all 3 and scored 22, 29 and 30. He hit value in all 3 games and I would not be surprised to see him do it again. He is more of a cash game play to me as I am not sure he has the crazy upside we look for in tournaments. With that being said, I don’t mind him in tournaments if you need a guy to fill in the last spot. The Nuggets are a team that lacks defensive skill and gives up a ton of points in transition. Bazemore loves to run the court and could be in for a nice game here against a poor fast paced defense.

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