Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury Report: Friday 11/18/16
Daily fantasy basketball slates of 10 or more games always have a ton of injuries, and tonight is no exception.
Several teams are dealing with potentially very shallow rotations tonight, which is going to open up a ton of value for DFS. Here are some of the most important injuries you should know while making your lineups.
Notable Injuries
Al Horford, Boston Celtics
Al Horford looked like he was about to get back on the court Wednesday, but he was held out for his eighth straight game. He is officially a game-time decision on Friday, so double check his status before roster lock. However, considering it's an 8:00 p.m. start time for Boston, that information might not even come until after rosters lock. Jae Crowder is also still out tonight.
Dwight Howard, Atlanta Hawks
After sitting out a game with a quad issue, Dwight Howard is set to get back on the court tonight for the Atlanta Hawks. Mike Muscala is no longer a value play for Atlanta, and Paul Millsap takes a hit as well.
Tyson Chandler, Phoenix Suns
Tyson Chandler returned to the court on Wednesday and played 20 minutes, but word now is that he will miss Friday's game for personal reasons. Look for Alex Len to take over the starting duties with Marquese Chriss getting a nice boost in value as well.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of four Western Conference teams with long injury reports, but they have the most room for optimism too. Anthony Davis sat out Wednesday, but he told beat writers at shootaround that he plans to play on Friday night. Tonight also looks like it will be the return of Jrue Holiday, who will come off the bench in his first game of the season. Alexis Ajinca is listed as questionable too.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks on the other hand might be really shorthanded on Friday. Jose Juan Barea has been ruled out for the next six weeks after tearing a muscle in his calf. Deron Williams has also been ruled out for tonight, so welcome, everyone, to the Seth Curry value train! Dirk Nowitzki is out as well, which essentially means that Curry, Harrison Barnes, and Wesley Matthews are going to have to carry the Mavs on offense tonight.
Memphis Grizzlies
Much like the Pelicans, the Memphis Grizzlies' outlook for tonight is looking better after morning shootaround. Mike Conley, Chandler Parsons, and Tony Allen will all play tonight. James Ennis is questionable, but with Allen coming back, he was set to take a hit anyway.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are down their top two shooting guards tonight in Will Barton and Gary Harris, and they will be without reserve wing Mike Miller too. Luckily, Wilson Chandler and Darrell Arthur will play tonight. This could end up hurting Kenneth Faried the most with both Chandler and Arthur probable. However, with the injuries to the above three guys, Chandler will have to still play big minutes as will the struggling Danilo Gallinari.
Lesser Injuries
Thabo Sefolosha, Atlanta Hawks
Thabo Sefolosha will miss Friday's game due to a sprained left knee, which should open up some minutes on the wing for the Hawks. Kent Bazemore might see a few more minutes, while Tim Hardaway Jr. might be the player in line for the biggest boost.
J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers
J.R. Smith went through shootaround this morning for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he is still listed as questionable. Participating this morning is a good sign for his availability, but if he sits, Iman Shumpert, Richard Jefferson, and DeAndre Liggins would soak up more minutes.
Dewayne Dedmon, San Antonio Spurs
Dewayne Dedmon has also been ruled out tonight for the San Antonio Spurs. While it seems meaningless, it could once again make Pau Gasol a fine DFS option tonight against his old team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
