Tastefully curated M-F by LineStar fantasy experts.

Enjoy the weekend + Projections are live for "The Big Game", but given the new single game format it's somewhat limited. We're working on supporting this type of game mode and will have some updates soon.

Guards

Russell Westbrook, OKC [vs NO] (DK: $11.6k, FD: $12.3k)

This is the rare sighting of Westbrook on a large slate but based on the number of injuries to significant players there should certainly be value available by game time tonight that fitting Westbrook into a lineup shouldn't be too hard. The Pelicans are ranked 27th versus starting point guards and we all know Rondo defense isn't stopping anyone, especially Westbrook. This is currently the 2nd highest point total of the night at 219 with the Thunder being favored by 6.5.

Jrue Holiday, NO [@OKC] (DK: $7.7k, FD: $8.2k)

The Pelicans don't expect to have Mirotic available for this game so things will mostly stay the same. Holiday is seeing +4% usage and +10 FP/48 mins without Cousins on the court. He even comes with a little price drop today and has 50 point ceiling upside in these situations without Cousins and in a high scoring game. The Pelicans also dealt away Jameer Nelson who was seeing a bump in minutes with Cousins out, so Ian Clark could make for a cheap play tonight if you're looking for more value.

Khris Middleton, MIL [vs NY] (DK: $7.3k, FD: $7.5k)

There is a good chance the Bucks are going to be without Giannis, Brogdon, and Bledsoe tonight. Though Jabari Parker is expected back to play 15 minutes tonight. Without just Giannis on the court Middleton is seeing +6% usage and +17 FP/48 mins. The Knicks are ranked 27th versus starting small forwards allowing 31 fantasy points a game. Middleton will be handling a large part of the offense tonight with these injuries in what is slated to be a close game with the Bucks only being favored by 2.5 points.

Forwards

Nicolas Batum, CHA [vs IND] (DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.1k)

It's hard to argue with what Batum has been doing, he's gotten hot and scored 39+ fantasy points in 3 of the last 7 games. The matchup versus the Pacers is not ideal for him as they rank 10th versus starting shooting guards, but Batum actually has a solid history against them scoring between 29-40 fantasy points in the last 4 meetings. Vegas is signalling this as a good game as well with 210.5 total points and a close 3 point spread in favor of the Hornets.

Josh Jackson, PHO [vs UTA] (DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.3k)

It looks like the Suns are starting to give the right guys more time on the court. Jackson is one of those guys who has seen 25+ minutes in 4 of the last 5 games. They just lost Isaiah Canaan for the season with a broken leg which opens up around 20 minutes a game to be sprinkled around. They would be wise to give some more time to Jackson who has been playing great. He's averaging over a fantasy point per minute, and has taken 11+ shots in each of the last 5 games.

Ersan Ilyasova, ATL [@BOS] (DK: $4.4k, FD: $4.7k)

Dennis Schroder is dealing with a shoulder injury that he was struggling through on Wednesday. If he doesn't play some value will open up in this game and one of the options is Ilyasova who could see his role increase. Ersan was tossing up games in the mid 30 fantasy points regularly earlier in the season. It's possible without Schroder that could happen again at his current low salary. Boston is also dealing with multiple injuries on their side of the ball tonight which could improve his matchup. Watch for Schroder news before playing Ersan, and Bazemore would be a prime target tonight as well if Schroder is ruled out.

Centers

Dwight Howard, CHA [vs IND] (DK: $9.2k, FD: $10k)

Howard is just a cash game play tonight, he's too expensive to use in a tournament without a higher ceiling. He should be the safest center on the slate though in a close game with the Pacers there is 210.5 total points and a close 3 point spread. He's been cruising lately, averaging 48 fantasy points per game over the last 5. They return home and look to get some revenge against the Pacers who beat them just 4 days ago.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR (DK: $5.8k, FD: $6.3k)

Just keep throwing him into tournament lineups, the ceiling is there and he's consistently seeing more minutes lately. He could go under-owned on this big slate as people have gotten bored with his 3 mediocre performances in a row, but he's got the ability to go nuts at any time. Vegas has this as one of the better games to target with 215 total points and only a 4 point spread.

Aron Baynes, BOS [vs ATL] (DK: $3.8k, FD: $3.6k)

There is a good chance Marcus Morris is out tonight after taking a very hard fall last game. With Morris off the court over the last month, Baynes is seeing +5% usage and +14 FP/48 mins. He doesn't have a super high ceiling at just around 30 fantasy points but at this low salary he can help you afford someone like Westbrook tonight. It's a nice matchup against the Hawks as well who rank 24th against starting centers.

Injuries 🤕

NEW INJURIES (1-2 games)

• GTD: (MIL, SF/PF) Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10.8k) [Upgrades: Khris Middleton + Tony Snell + Thon Maker]

• GTD: (BOS, PG) Kyrie Irving ($8.7k) [Upgrades: Terry Rozier]

• GTD: (ATL, PG) Dennis Schroder ($6.7k) [Upgrades: Malcolm Delaney + Isaiah Taylor]

• GTD: (IND, C) Myles Turner ($6.3k) [Upgrades: Domantas Sabonis + Al Jefferson]

• GTD: (MIL, PG/SG) Eric Bledsoe ($6.1k) [Upgrades: Matthew Dellavedova + Sean Kilpatrick]

• PROB: (POR, C) Jusuf Nurkic ($5.9k) [Upgrades: Ed Davis + Zach Collins]

• DOUBT: (MIL, PG/SG) Malcolm Brogdon ($5.5k) [Upgrades: Matthew Dellavedova + Sean Kilpatrick + Sterling Brown]

• DOUBT: (BOS, SF/PF) Marcus Morris ($5.4k) [Upgrades: Jayson Tatum + Semi Ojeleye]

• PROB: (CHA, PF/C) Frank Kaminsky ($4.7k) [Upgrades: Johnny O'Bryant III]

• GTD: (PHO, C) Alex Len ($4.4k) [Upgrades: Marquese Chriss + Tyson Chandler]

• OUT: (CHA, SF/PF) Marvin Williams ($4.2k) [Upgrades: Frank Kaminsky + Treveon Graham]

• GTD: (TOR, PG) Fred VanVleet ($4.2k) [Upgrades: Kyle Lowry + Delon Wright]

• OUT: (GS, PG/SG) Shaun Livingston ($3.3k) [Upgrades: Nick Young]

• GTD: (POR, SF/PF) Maurice Harkless ($3.1k) [Upgrades: Evan Turner]

• OUT: (PHO, PG/SG) Isaiah Canaan ($3.0k) [Upgrades: Tyler Ulis + Josh Jackson]

ONGOING INJURIES (3-6 games)

• PROB: (SAC, C) Willie Cauley-Stein ($6.5k) [Upgrades: Zach Randolph + Kosta Koufos]

• OUT: (BKN, SF/PF) Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($6.2k) [Upgrades: Jarrett Allen + Allen Crabbe]

• OUT: (UTA, SG/SF) Rodney Hood ($5.0k) [Upgrades: Joe Ingles + Alec Burks]

• OUT: (BOS, SG/SF) Marcus Smart ($4.9k) [Upgrades: Terry Rozier + Jaylen Brown]

• GTD: (BKN, SG/SF) Caris LeVert ($4.8k) [Upgrades: Allen Crabbe + Isaiah Whitehead]

• OUT: (SAC, PF/C) Skal Labissiere ($4.8k) [Upgrades: Zach Randolph + Willie Cauley-Stein + Kosta Koufos]

• OUT: (GS, PF/C) Jordan Bell ($4.0k) [Upgrades: David West + Zaza Pachulia]

• PROB: (CHA, C) Cody Zeller ($3.8k) [Upgrades: Dwight Howard + Frank Kaminsky]

• GTD: (TOR, SG/SF) C.J. Miles ($3.5k) [Upgrades: DeMar DeRozan + Delon Wright + Norman Powell + OG Anunoby]

• OUT: (OKC, SG/SF) Andre Roberson ($3.0k) [Upgrades: Raymond Felton + Jerami Grant]

• OUT: (NO, PF/C) DeMarcus Cousins ($3.0k) [Upgrades: Anthony Davis + Darius Miller + Dante Cunningham]

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