Sam Merrill Sidelined For Friday
Sam Merrill (rest) will be out of action for Friday's matchup with the New York Knicks. Merrill gets the evening off to rest after posting 15 points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in a losing effort to the Indiana Pacers 114-112 on Thursday. With Merrill sidelined, 24-year-old forward Isaac Okoro will likely see an uptick in minutes on the floor and extra scoring opportunities during tonight's contest.Source: NBA Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Pascal Siakam Won't Play Against Orlando
Pascal Siakam (elbow) won't play on Friday against Orlando. The former Raptor had 10 points and eight boards in Thursday's win over the Cavs. However, the Pacers are locked into a playoff spot, so Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton (back), Aaron Nesmith (rest), Andrew Nembhard (thumb), and Myles Turner (knee) also won't suit up. Obi Toppin, averaging 28 points and seven rebounds in two starts this season, will likely fill the void at the four spot.Source: NBA Injury Report
Indiana Pacers forward Myles Turner Ruled Out On Friday
Myles Turner (knee) won't play on Friday against the Magic. The Pacers are going to the playoffs. As a result, Tyrese Haliburton (back), Pascal Siakam (elbow), Aaron Nesmith (rest), and Andrew Nembhard (thumb) also won't suit up. But as far the middle is concerned, Thomas Bryant, averaging 12.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in seven starts this season, will likely get all the minutes he can handle on Friday night.Source: NBA Injury Report
Indiana Pacers center Josh Hart Considered Questionable Against Cavaliers On Friday
Josh Hart (knee) is one of four starters listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to head coach Tom Thibodeau, Hart, OG Anunoby (thumb), Jalen Brunson (ankle), and Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) are all considered game-time decisions. The Cavaliers are resting a couple of players since they have the East locked up, but the Knicks are only one game ahead of the Indiana Pacers for the third seed. If Hart can't suit up, Mikal Bridges and P.J. Tucker will likely soak up some of those minutes. Tucker shouldn't be considered for a streaming option or value play in DFS after registering just three points and six rebounds across 27 minutes in their last game.Source: SNY TV
New York Knicks forward Tyrese Haliburton Won't Face The Magic
Tyrese Haliburton (back) won't play on Friday against the Magic. He had an excellent game in Thursday's win over the Cavs, amassing 23 points, 10 assists, and eight boards. The Pacers are expected to enter the postseason as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, so Myles Turner (knee), Pascal Siakam (elbow), Aaron Nesmith (rest), and Andrew Nembhard (thumb) also won't suit up. As a result, T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, Thomas Bryant, and Obi Toppin should all make excellent value plays for DFS managers.Source: NBA Injury Report
Indiana Pacers guard OG Anunoby Considered A Game-Time Decision Against Cavaliers
OG Anunoby (thumb) has been listed as questionable for Friday's contest with the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. He's a true game-time decision according to head coach Tom Thibodeau, along with Karl-Anthony Towns (knee), Jalen Brunson (ankle), and Josh Hart (knee). Anunoby was forced to miss their last game due to the same thumb sprain that he's dealing with now. If he's unable to play again, Mikal Bridges would likely soak up a lot of minutes while P.J. Tucker and Landry Shamet get some more run off of the bench. Tucker clocked 27 minutes in their last game and registered three points and six rebounds, so finding a streaming option may be better elsewhere.Source: SNY TV
New York Knicks forward Max Strus Slated To Suit Up Friday
Max Strus (knee) is available for Friday's matchup with the New York Knicks. Strus will be on the floor this evening after missing the first leg of the Cavs' back-to-back set due to a knee issue. During his last outing, the 29-year-old finished with nine points, five assists and four assists across 25 minutes in a 135-113 win over the Bulls on Tuesday. He will likely start tonight with Donovan Mitchell (ankle) still on the shelf.Source: NBA Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Jalen Brunson Questionable On Friday Against Cavaliers
Jalen Brunson (ankle) has been given a questionable status for Friday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Head coach Tom Thibodeau stated that he's a game-time decision along with OG Anunoby (thumb), Josh Hart (knee), and Karl-Anthony Towns (knee). One thing to consider for fantasy managers is that Brunson sits at 64 games played right now. That means he only needs one more game to qualify for regular season awards and All-NBA teams. If they hold him out of this one, he does have one more game to play. In that case, Miles McBride and Cameron Payne could both be solid options. McBride posted 12 points, six assists, two rebounds, and four steals alongside Brunson in their last game.Source: SNY TV
New York Knicks guard Wendell Carter Jr. Sidelined Versus The Pacers
Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) won't play on Friday against the Pacers. He logged 22 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Boston Celtics. However, the Magic are locked into the Play-In tournament, so Orlando also won't have Franz Wagner (knee), Paolo Banchero (ankle), and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) in the lineup on Friday evening. But as far as Carter is directly concerned, Goga Bitadze will likely fill the void in the middle, with the 25-year-old averaging 9.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 41 starts this season.Source: NBA Injury Report
Orlando Magic center Karl-Anthony Towns A Game-Time Decision On Friday
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Head coach Tom Thibodeau clarified that Towns is a game-time decision, as well as OG Anunoby (thumb), Jalen Brunson (ankle), and Josh Hart (knee). With four of the starting five considered game-time decisions, the Knicks' lineup could look drastically different by the time they tip off. If Towns doesn't suit up, Precious Achiuwa would be the best value play for DFS lineups. In 40 minutes during their last game, Achiuwa posted 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks.Source: SNY TV
New York Knicks center Franz Wagner Won't Play Against Indiana
Franz Wagner (knee) won't play against the Pacers on Friday. Orlando is already locked into the Play-In tournament. As such, Paolo Banchero (ankle), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee), and Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) will join Wagner on the shelf. With that in mind, Cole Anthony is still available, so it's logical to assume he could be the most productive on the offensive end. However, guys like Caleb Houstan, Anthony Black, and Goga Bitadze could easily surpass the 5x value mark for DFS participants.Source: NBA Injury Report
Orlando Magic forward Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Available Against Pistons On Friday
Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) will be available to play on Friday against the Detroit Pistons. Head coach Doc Rivers told reporters that the former MVP is suiting up and ready to go. These last two games against the Pistons are important for playoff seeding and the Bucks are still without Damian Lillard (calf). Antetokounmpo will likely be a popular play in DFS lineups since he'll be the focal point of the team yet again.Source: Eric Nehm
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ty Jerome Unavailable For Friday
Ty Jerome (knee) will miss Friday's contest against the New York Knicks due to left knee injury management. Jerome will be out for the second half of back-to-back games after finishing with 24 points, six assists, two rebounds, and one block in 26 minutes against the Pacers on Thursday. The Cavs will likely rest several players for their last two games as they prepare for the playoffs. Jerome's last chance to suit up is during the team's regular season finale on Sunday afternoon versus the Pacers.Source: NBA Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Paolo Banchero Ruled Out Against Indiana
Paolo Banchero (ankle) won't play on Friday against Indiana. The Magic are bound for the Play-In tournament, so the team will give Banchero, Franz Wagner (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee), and Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) the night off. As a result, DFS managers could see increased production from Cole Anthony, Goga Bitadze, Caleb Houstan, and Anthony Black.Source: NBA Injury Report
Orlando Magic forward Isaiah Stewart Won't Suit Up Against Bucks
Isaiah Stewart (knee) has been ruled out of Friday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to right knee inflammation. Since he's been playing more of a backup role, it shouldn't cause too much of a shakeup in the rotation. Jalen Duren should see a big chunk of minutes and Paul Reed will likely get some more playing time as well. The Bucks have a lot of size in the frontcourt, so Reed may be a sneaky, yet risky, play in DFS. Reed has only played more than 19 minutes in a game one time this year, so the safest bet is finding a different option.Source: NBA Injury Report
Detroit Pistons center/forward