Daily Fantasy NBA News and Injury Updates - 1/12/18

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What We Know

Stephen Curry has been ruled out against the Bucks

Curry missed last game, so this isn't a huge surprise. We know what to expect for the most part and we definitely don't want to overreact. Patrick McCaw and Shaun Livingston will both see 20-25 minutes, but I don't have a desire to play either. Instead, I'll look towards one of Thompson, Durant, and Green. Durant sees the biggest bump of all and is in play in all formats in what should be a close game. With a 223 over/under, this is a game you'll want exposure to and this Curry news just concentrates the Warriors.

Marquese Chriss has been ruled out against the Rockets

Chriss played just 10 minutes before getting hurt last game. Dragan Bender came in and ended up playing 39 minutes, putting up 43 fantasy points. He's always productive when on the floor and it just comes down to the minutes. He's the top play on this slate and we'll get to him in a minute. Len, Chandler, or Monroe could pick up some minutes, but you have more testicular fortitude than I if you can roster any of them. The Suns big men are still unpredictable and Bender is the only guy I have much interest in.

Gary Harris has been ruled out for personal reasons

Harris is a guy we ignore on most slates, but he plays huge minutes and takes a lot of shots. Will Barton is the easy pick to take over and he should get close to 40 minutes. Other than him, Beasley and Mudiay may pick up a few. I have no interest against a Grizzlies defense that is better than any other on the slate. Barton is fine in tournaments, but you can probably do better.

What We're Waiting to Know

Anthony Davis is questionable against the Blazers

AD ended up sitting against the Grizzlies and it allowed a few guys to go off. We know DeMarcus Cousins is the biggest benefactor here and he will be one of the top plays on the slate if Davis is ruled out. He sees his usage go from 32% to 38% and also sees a couple extra minutes. His ceiling rises to 80-90 and it's not even a crazy number if it stays close. Holiday, Moore, and Miller will also see huge upticks and are in play against a weak Blazers defense. If Anthony Davis plays, ignore everything I just said. Cousins would still be a fine play, but nowhere near where he'll be if AD is out.

Tim Hardaway Jr. is questionable to return after missing over a month

I don't really understand why a guy would play off of an injury that's not 100%, but I guess that's what's going on here. Either that or the Knicks are just really dumb and don't understand how injury labels work. If Hardaway returns tonight, he'll eat into Courtney Lee. The same Courtney Lee who sees 40 minutes a night and remains irrelevant. Hardaway won't see a full allotment of minutes no matter what, so I'll take a wait and see approach on him. there isn't much opportunity cost in this news vs a stingy T-Wolves perimeter.

Every Lineup Guys

Dragan Bender FD - $3500 DK - $4300
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 13.91 DK - 14.29

This is right up there with Shabazz Napier a couple days ago as one of the easiest plays of the season. With Chriss leaving in the 1st quarter last game, Bender stepped in and played 39 minutes. You have to think he at least gets to 35 tonight and could get over 40 if he's on fire. The Rockets play extremely fast and it plays right into his game. Bender is close to minimum-price on both sites and will have 0 issue reaching value. He's the safest play on the slate and a guy I'm going to have exactly 100% of. I will be SHOCKED if he doesn't get to at least 20 FP.

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