Daily Fantasy Basketball Injuries and Updates for 2/22/16
In daily fantasy basketball, every edge matters.
One of the easiest ways to find an edge is to understand what happens to a team when injuries occur. Who stands to benefit? Who might struggle as a result? That's all vital information during the lineup-building process.
What should you know about tonight's slate of games? Let's break it down.
As always, you should make sure to double-check our NBA Player News page before finalizing your lineup.
The Definites
Anthony Tolliver has already been ruled out for tonight's game. His absence opens up a door for the newly added Tobias Harris to start for the Detroit Pistons. Since he joined Detroit, Harris has averaged 18.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Harris should get some extended court time with Tolliver sidelined.
Jeff Teague is "good to go." This news isn't really about Teague. In fact, the biggest impact here is that Dennis Schroder will have to play second fiddle again. When Teague is out, Schroder sees more minutes and usually turns that into value. Last game, Schroder saw 40 minutes of action in a double-overtime game while putting up a 25-point, 8-rebound, 10-assist line. But don't expect him to repeat that performance with Teague in the lineup.
The To-Be-Determined List
George Hill is questionable tonight with an elbow injury. Rodney Stuckey is also out, and C.J. Miles is doubtful. All of this adds up to Monta Ellis having a great opportunity. Ellis played 39 minutes last night, but he may do that again due to all of the backcourt injuries in Indiana. Keep an eye on Hill as the game gets closer to tip off.
Chris Paul left Saturday's game against Golden State with a thigh injury. He is expected to be okay and could play tonight but is listed as questionable. If he can't go, Jamal Crawford will likely benefit the most. In the last three games this year that Paul sat out, Crawford is averaging 36 minutes, 28 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 20.6 shots per game. If Paul is sidelined for tonight, Crawford may be able to provide a lot of value on his relatively inexpensive price tag.
Dwyane Wade is listed as questionable for Monday's game. Wade went through shootaround this morning and has officially been ruled as a game-time decision. It sounds like Wade may return to the court tonight. He has sat out the last two contests while dealing with left knee soreness. Luol Deng has been amazing with Wade on the bench. Over the last two games, while Wade sat out, Deng has averaged 36.5 minutes, 28.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. If Wade can't go, Deng will have another opportunity to shine.
Kyrie Irving sat out the second half against Oklahoma City yesterday and is questionable tonight. Unfortunately for us, Cleveland usually spreads out their minutes if someone can't play. If Irving sits, Matthew Dellavedova will get some extended court time, but besides him, both J.R. Smith and Richard Jefferson will likely get a few more minutes as well.
Tyson Chandler left Friday's game after just eight minutes and then sat out of yesterday's game completely. Whenever Chandler can't go, Alex Len usually sees a big increase in value. Len was dealing with an injury himself and played just 24 minutes yesterday. However, he was very productive in those minutes, finishing with 23 points and 13 rebounds. If Chandler sits out tonight, Len has a good opportunity to be a value play at his $4,600 price tag on both FanDuel and DraftKings.
As always, make sure to check our player news section for the latest notes and updates from around the league. Good luck tonight!
