TUESDAY’S 6-GAME SLATE
Updated 5:40 pm EDT
Update 5:40 PM EDT: Big news here with the first B2B out-of-the-blue DNP with no Jimmy Butler. Coach Spo has usually went to Derrick Jones Jr. to fill in for Jimmy Buckets, and we’ll see more Tyler Herro, Andre Iguodala and maybe even Meyers Leonard is back.
Update 2:40 PM: The Mavs pulled a fast one with J.J. Barea starting over Trey Burke.
Update 1:25 PM: Cory Joseph is starting over Nemanja Bjelica, but not much here unless you were rolling with Bjelica.
Update 1:15: Lou Williams is going to play, so Reggie Jackson and the second unit guys aren’t attractive plays.
Update 1:00: Robin Lopez is starting for Brook Lopez, Eric Bledsoe is starting for Donte DiVincenzo, and George Hill is starting for Wes Matthews
Morning Update: Malcolm Brogdon was talking about playing in back-to-backs after Monday’s game, so expect him to be a go. Victor Oladipo is fully expected to play.
Top Injuries to Watch
1. The Nets will be gutted in this one with no Caris LeVert (thigh contusion), Jarrett Allen (rest) and Joe Harris (hamstring, back) all sitting out in a game they’d have almost no chance of winning. Jamal Crawford (conditioning) is also listed as questionable and coach Jacque Vaughn didn’t have an update on him. So, what does that mean for rotation? Well, it’s actually not terrible and let’s first assume Crawford sits here. We know the guard rotation will be including Chris Chiozza, Tyler Johnson and Jeremiah Martin will be in the mix. It makes sense to shift Tyler Johnson over to SG more after his start at PG on Sunday, and start Chris Chiozza with Martin as his backup (was slotting in at straight PG2 before Johnson got into the mix in scrimmages). Johnson could be a sixth man, but chances are he starts because the Nets have previously wanted to try to use Dzanan Musa as a PG back before they added Kyrie. If Crawford is a go, Tyler would be much more likely to start, and that would make it really tough to go with Martin as a desperation play. Moving to the forwards, it’s pretty much a lock that Garrett Temple is going to start here, and he’ll likely have Musa help spell him with Timothe Luwawu-Cabbarot and/or Justin Anderson helping fill in to soak up minutes with Lance Thomas. You would assume that Rodions Kurucs is going to have to start at the five and Donta Hall would be behind him. TLC has also talked about playing some five, and the same for Justin Anderson. In other words, it’s gonna be tough to play Hall. This might be the biggest blowout of the bubble.
UPDATE: Jamal Crawford is IN and will play. That should really take out Dzanan Musa, but it could also cut into Jeremiah Martin if they wanted to start Tyler Johnson at the point. Chiozza and Johnson are still in play.
2. Seth Curry (right leg soreness) is doubtful for this one. Assuming he’s out, the two winners here would easily be Delon Wright and Trey Burke. The Mavs like Delon’s flexibility in lineups, so it kind of makes sense to start Trey Burke. Delon is still a solid option for DFS off the bench, or maybe the Mavs go bigger with Maxi Kleber or they might start Justin Jackson to keep some continuity. If the Mavs did go with Kleber, it would be Boban Marjanovic time. Kleber would be in play, too.
UPDATE 2:05 PM ET: Trey Burke is getting the start for Seth here, so that takes Boban off the board. Burke is still an option here and this doesn’t really change Delon.
3. The Bucks have taken Eric Bledsoe (conditioning) and Pat Connaughton (conditioning) off the injury report. They may be limited in their returns, so they’ll be risky plays. Wes Matthews (calf soreness) is out for this one to open up some minutes on the wing. Donte DiVincenzo is a candidate to start for him and he likely wouldn’t play in garbage time, so he’s not the strongest play.
Update: Bledsoe is in the starting lineup, but he will have limited minutes. George Hill is starting for Wes Matthews, and Brook Lopez is likely sitting with Robin in the starting lineup.
Brooklyn Nets (B2B) vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 1:30 PM ET
From up top: The Nets will be gutted in this one with no Caris LeVert (thigh contusion), Jarrett Allen (rest) and Joe Harris (hamstring, back) all sitting out in a game they’d have almost no chance of winning. Jamal Crawford (conditioning) is also listed as questionable and coach Jacque Vaughn didn’t have an update on him. So, what does that mean for rotation? Well, it’s actually not terrible and let’s first assume Crawford sits here. We know the guard rotation will be including Chris Chiozza, Tyler Johnson and Jeremiah Martin will be in the mix. It makes sense to shift Tyler Johnson over to SG more after his start at PG on Sunday, and start Chris Chiozza with Martin as his backup (was slotting in at straight PG2 before Johnson got into the mix in scrimmages). Johnson could be a sixth man, but chances are he starts because the Nets have previously wanted to try to use Dzanan Musa as a PG back before they added Kyrie. If Crawford is a go, Tyler would be much more likely to start, and that would make it really tough to go with Martin as a desperation play. Moving to the forwards, it’s pretty much a lock that Garrett Temple is going to start here, and he’ll likely have Musa help spell him with Timothe Luwawu-Cabbarot and/or Justin Anderson helping fill in to soak up minutes with Lance Thomas. You would assume that Rodions Kurucs is going to have to start at the five and Donta Hall would be behind him. This might be the biggest blowout of the bubble.
From up top: The Bucks have taken Eric Bledsoe (conditioning) and Pat Connaughton (conditioning) off the injury report. They may be limited in their returns, so they’ll be risky plays. Wes Matthews (calf soreness) is out for this one to open up some minutes on the wing. Donte DiVincenzo is a candidate to start for him and he likely wouldn’t play in garbage time, so he’s not the strongest play.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings, 2:30 PM ET
From up top: Seth Curry (right leg soreness) is doubtful for this one. Assuming he’s out, the two winners here would easily be Delon Wright and Trey Burke. The Mavs like Delon’s flexibility in lineups, so it kind of makes sense to start Trey Burke. Delon is still a solid option for DFS off the bench, or maybe the Mavs go bigger with Maxi Kleber or they might start Justin Jackson to keep some continuity. If the Mavs did go with Kleber, it would be Boban Marjanovic time.
Alex Len (conditioning) is questionable for this one, but he may not play after Harry Giles put up a career-high 23 points.
LA Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns, 4:00 PM ET
Montrezl Harrell (personal) remains out, but Lou Williams (quarantine) is questionable. Lou should be out there in this one, but he may have some limits after missing so much time. Reggie Jackson won’t be in play anymore and there’s not as much upside on Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. They’re still fine plays in a great matchup.
Kelly Oubre (knee) is out again, and the Suns won’t update Aron Baynes. Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges should continue to be busy along with more Dario Saric. Not the best matchup for the young wings because they are likely guarding PG and Kawhi a bunch and may see them on the other end, too.
Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers (B2B), 6:00 PM ET
Jonathan Isaac (knee) tore his ACL and is out for the season. That will keep James Ennis in the starting lineup with more Wes Iwundu, Michael Carter-Williams and Gary Clark. Really nothing to see here DFS wise.
The Pacers play on Monday, so we’ll get their report likely in the 11-1 ET window.
Boston Celtics (B2B) vs. Miami Heat (B2B), 6:30 PM ET
The Celtics have no players on their injury report.
Miami played on Monday, so we’ll get their report in the afternoon on Tuesday. Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo were probable, so their names may be on there.
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 9:00 PM ET
Eric Gordon (ankle) remains out, so Danuel House is still in the starting lineup with big minutes headed his way.
Jaylen Adams (back) is probable.
