Welcome to NBA DFS in January! I've been waiting and dreading a day like this for some time. Considering there are a ton of injuries tonight, finding value will not be a problem.
Keeping up with the injuries and the potential value replacements is going to be crucial to DFS success tonight.
Notable Injuries
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are the first of many teams with a batch of injuries tonight. On the second night of a back-to-back, Dwyane Wade will not play, and Jimmy Butler is out as well after falling ill and having to leave last night's game.
It's pretty hard to predict what the Bulls will do tonight. Doug McDermott might be in for the game of his life, while Michael Carter-Williams and Jerian Grant will have to do a lot more on the offensive end.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is also under the weather, and after missing Sunday's game, he is a game-time decision tonight. He missed shootaround, which is never a good sign, so it might be more of the Jabari Parker show tonight, with Greg Monroe, Michael Beasley, and Malcolm Brogdon all getting boosts in usage.
LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
LaMarcus Aldridge is out on Tuesday with, you guessed it, an illness. David Lee looks ready to go and should be used heavily along with Dewayne Dedmon with Aldridge off the court. Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard will also have to do some more on offense.
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are giving Klay Thompson a rest tonight, and the word on the street is that Patrick McCaw might get the start in place of Thompson. He will be one of many value options tonight, while the other Warriors starters will get a boost in usage.
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal sprained his ankle over the weekend, but Scott Brooks claims his shooting guard is fine. Check for confirmation that he is starting, because it would make John Wall almost a must play if Beal is out.
Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics
Avery Bradley has been ruled out for Tuesday but is hopeful for Wednesday's game. It will be another episode of the Isaiah Thomas show on Tuesday. If Marcus Smart gets another start, he too will be a nice play, as could Al Horford.
Trevor Booker, Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are listing Trevor Booker as questionable for Tuesday. If he is out, Justin Hamilton will likely be the best source of value from Brooklyn.
Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
Eric Gordon missed practice on Monday and did not go through shootaround on Tuesday morning, so he might be out tonight. If that's the case, Patrick Beverley could end up getting the biggest boost, but it's tough to predict how Mike D'Antoni will rotate his guards off the bench.
Jon Leuer, Detroit Pistons
Jon Leuer is also out tonight, so Tobias Harris becomes a great target on Tuesday as the starter. There might be some backup center minutes available too, but Aron Baynes is back, so we likely won't get another surprise Boban Marjanovic double-double tonight.
Lesser Injuries
Josh Richardson, Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have a handful of injuries tonight, but the biggest is Josh Richardson, who is doubtful. He is still in a walking boot, so look for Dion Waiters and Wayne Ellington to pick up minutes.
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets
Cody Zeller has been demoted to the lesser injuries section, but his absence still has a lot of impact on the Charlotte Hornets frontcourt rotation. Spencer Hawes and Frank Kaminsky are still flier tournament options.
Kyle Korver, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyle Korver is ready to suit up for the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight after Mike Dunleavy passed his Atlanta Hawks physical. However, it's unknown how much he'll play, but minutes in the high teens or low 20s is definitely possible.