RADIO
Dennis Clausen looks at what NBA players will benefit most from an increase in playing time due to injuries on their team to help DFS players build their lineups on November 28th, 2018.
In this article, I will be examining injuries throughout the league with the prime focus being on who will benefit if a specific player is not able to suit up. Please utilize this column as a reference for your NBA DFS lineup on Wednesday November 28, 2018.
Also, be sure to check out our DraftKings lineup picks, and FanDuel lineup picks and make sure to monitor injury updates before opening tip as their availability may negate some of the picks listed below.
Give me a follow on Twitter @Den_Clausen and say hello. Let's get started!
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NBA Injuries and DFS Beneficiaries
New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers
Though Courtney Lee (neck) is technically listed as a game-time decision, he is not likely to play.
Markelle Fultz (shoulder) will also be absent once again with his return to the team still up in the air if he returns at all.
However, none of these injuries are anything new, and the rotations for both teams will remain as is.
Atlanta Hawks @ Charlotte Hornets
No significant injuries to report.
Utah Jazz @ Brooklyn Nets
DeMarre Carroll (foot) is listed as a game-time decision. Since returning from an ankle injury that forced him to miss a significant portion of the season, Carroll is averaging 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds throughout 20 minutes. If he is not able to go, expect Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($5,800 FD/$5,200 DK), who got the start at the four against the Sixers on Sunday, to continue to see the bulk of the minutes with Ed Davis (3,800 FD /$3,800 DK) and Jared Dudley ($3,500 FD/$3,100 DK) also seeing a slight bump.
For the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell (ribs) will make his return on Wednesday night after missing two games, meaning Royce O'Neal will head back to the bench.
Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets
The Mavs are loaded with ailments as Dirk Nowitzki (ankle), Luka Doncic (illness), Dwight Powell (knee), and Dennis Smith Jr. (Wrist) are all listed on the team's injury report. While Dirk and Powell are both listed as potentially participating against the Rockets, they will likely not be available, while Doncic and Smith may find themselves back on Wednesday night. If Doncic or Smith are out, however, expect Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,200 FD/$3,800 DK), who has started in the team's last four contests and averaged 34 minutes, 10 points, five boards, and 1.5 steals during that span, to get another spot start. J.J. Barea ($4,700 FD/$5,000 DK) will also benefit off of the bench.
For the Rockets, Chris Paul (leg) and Gerald Green (ankle) are in danger of not playing. Paul has missed the team's past two games while Green has played sparingly this season. In their stead, expect Eric Gordon ($5,500 FD/$5,800 DK) to continue to see significant minutes with the newly-signed Danuel House Jr. ($3,500 FD/$3,000 DK), who produced only four points over 28 minutes against the Wizards, to see additional floor time.
Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks
No significant injuries to report.
Washington Wizards @ New Orleans Pelicans
Dwight Howard (lower body) is once again out and is not expected to be back until the team's Friday night matchup with the Sixers. Though Thomas Bryant ($3,500 FD/$3,300 DK) has been getting the start in his place, his lack of minutes should keep him off of your fantasy radar. The team instead has been playing smaller, distributing the additional minutes to Jeff Green ($4,200 FD/$4,000 DK) off of the bench with Markieff Morris ($6,500 FD/$5,100 DK) also enjoying a minutes increase.
As for the Pelicans, there are no significant injuries to report.
San Antonio Spurs @ Minnesota Timberwolves
No significant injuries to report.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Oklahoma City Thunder
David Nwaba (knee) missed Monday's game against the Timberwolves but may return on Wednesday night. Same for George Hill (shoulder) and Sam Dekker (ankle), who could both also return against OKC. If one, or more of those guys miss time, look for Kyle Korver ($3,800 FD/$3,500 DK) to pick up some more time.
The Thunder aren't reporting any significant injuries unless you consider Nerlens Noel significant.
Orlando Magic @ Portland Trail Blazers
For Orlando, Aaron Gordon (back) is a game-time call. Gordon was forced to leave Monday's game against the defending champs early with his minutes being scooped up by Jonathan Isaac ($4,700 FD/$3,700 DK), who logged 30 minutes and dropped 15 points by way of 5-for-9 shooting from the field and an impressive 3-for-3 from deep. If Gordon is out, look for the shots to be distributed among the starting unit in addition to Terrence Ross ($4,800 FD/$4,400 DK) getting a sizable jump in usage.
The Blazers are indicating that Jusuf Nurkic (shoulder) is probable. The big man missed the second half of Sunday night's contest with the Los Angeles Lakers with Meyers Leonard ($3,800 FD/$4,000) filling in for him. Look for Leonard to start if Nurkic doesn't suit up. Seth Curry (illness) is questionable, and if he doesn't play, Evan Turner ($4,400 FD/$4,100 DK) will serve as the primary beneficiary.
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Clippers
No significant injuries to report.
