NBA Injury Report & Starting Lineups Today

The NBA Injury Report is somewhat clear in the early going, at least towards the high end of the salaries. With this article, the work of the other staff members and the amazing NBA DFS projections, those scenarios can be handled much more easily. That allows for pivoting at the drop of a hat, and the NBA Starting Lineup page is an extremely important tool as well. There are nine games for NBA DFS and there are a ton of stars to choose from.

NBA Injury Report & Starting Lineups Today | Nov. 5

Remember to always place players from the later games in guard, forward and utility slots on DraftKings. Allow maximum flexibility to react to the news that comes out after lock, which will happen in NBA. Additionally, take advantage of the wealth of Awesemo NBA content to get ready for these slates.

Teams Playing the Second of a Back-to-Back

Detroit Pistons

Brooklyn Nets at Detroit Pistons

Nets – Kyrie Irving, Nic Claxton – Out

This has been the state of the Nets on the NBA Injury Report for the past couple of games. The rotations are still very volatile as Blake Griffin played 31 minutes in the last game and 20 the game before, while Bruce Brown has been between 23 and up to 35. There is no set value with Claxton still out because LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging around 18 to 20 minutes as well. The latter is the clear most efficient player in his minutes with 1.09 fantasy points per minute while Brown and Griffin are right around 0.75.

Pistons – Not Yet Submitted

There is not an official version of the NBA Injury Report, but coach Dwayne Casey stated that all restrictions are off from rookie first overall pick Cade Cunningham. He had a strong game for fantasy last night, scoring 39 DraftKings points across 32 minutes. Cunningham is still struggling mightily with his shot at 4-for-17 from last night, but there still were encouraging signs with his first career double-double. The Pistons team was fully healthy last night.

Memphis Grizzlies at Washington Wizards

Grizzlies – Dillon Brooks – Out

This has been the case since the season tipped off, so there are no changes for the Grizzlies tonight.

Wizards – Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans – Out

Thomas Bryant – IR

The Wizards enter this contest about as healthy on the NBA Injury Report as they have been. The split between Daniel Gafford and Montrezl Harrell came back towards 50/50 last game as Gafford played 20 minutes and Harrell played 27 minutes. Memphis is 24th in points in the paint allowed so this is a strong matchup for Harrell even though his salary is still high.

San Antonio Spurs at Orlando Magic

Spurs – Jakob Poeltl – Out

Thad Young and Drew Eubanks could be very popular once again although the salaries have come up on DraftKings. Both players were on the court for at least 19 minutes this past game and Young had a slight advantage at 22 minutes. They both have a fantasy points per minute over 1.10 and Orlando does have a strong front court. There is every reason to think both these players see at least 20-22 minutes once again.

Magic – Markelle Fultz, Michael Carter-Williams – IR

Gary Harris – Questionable

Harris has no real effects on the Magic, averaging around 15 to 17 minutes per game.

New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks

Knicks – None

Bucks – Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Donte DiVincenzo – Out

Jrue Holiday – Probable

Dating back to last season, Holiday has 1.25 fantasy points per minute when he is on the court and Middleton is off, to go along with a usage rate around 25-26%. Now, Holiday has only logged 21 total minutes this season so it could be fair to wonder if the Bucks limit him just slightly. Provided he does not have a setback during the day, Holiday will almost surely replace George Hill in the starting lineup. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the team with 75 touches per game and the Bucks need some ball handlers on the floor. Holiday is going to be a big help in that department without fail.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors

Cavaliers – Kevin Love, Lauri Markkanen, Isaac Okoro – Out

The answer to who matters the most between Cedi Osman and Dean Wade with the absence of Markkanen turned out to be Ricky Rubio. Cleveland is down to an eight man rotation and Rubio played 31 minutes, one of the five players to clear 23 minutes. His DraftKings score does not tell the story because Rubio did not make a single attempt last game, going 0-for-7. Some folks may see Dylan Windler scored 21.8 DraftKings points, but he went 4-for-5 from the field including 3-for-3 from 3-point distance. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen lead the team in court time in the sample they have right now, and Allen has a 1.26 fantasy points per minute compared to 0.64 for Mobley. The number of minutes the main cogs are playing are immense for this early in the season.

Raptors – Pascal Siakam – IR

Scottie Barnes is off the injury report and should go right back into his role on this team. He has had a 21.6% usage rate and 0.97 fantasy points per minute so far and Toronto is giving him all of the minutes for a young man at 34.5 through his first seven games. $6,800 on DraftKings does feel a touch high, but not crazy.

Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Clippers – Kawhi Leonard – IR

Serge Ibaka, Marcus Morris – Out

This is mostly a run it back spot for the Clippers, as they face the same opponent and the injuries are exactly the same. Nic Batum has seen minutes well over 30 without Morris and he can still hit the 3-point shot, while the Wolves are over 44% in frequency of 3-point attempts given up. One wrinkle that did come out of this past game was Ivica Zubac logged 34 minutes, easily his season-high. He is nothing special in the usage department at just 12.3% but his 0.83 fantasy point per minute is not that bad for his DraftKings salary. If Los Angeles feels the need to match him against Karl-Anthony Towns as much as he can, the value could wind up being there at just $4,000.

Timberwolves – D’Angelo Russell – Out

It should be expected that Patrick Beverly picks up another start after his performance last game in the place of Russell. What likely should not be expected is for him to flirt with a triple-double as he did. He only took six shots all game and with Russell off the floor, he only has an 11.7% usage. The fantasy points per minute look great at 1.14 but his true shooting rate is 77.3%, which is absurd. Beverly is still very affordable but planning on another 38 DraftKings points is not likely to pan out. Malik Beasley was disappointing as chalk last time and did only play 27 minutes, not much more than his average. That is notable because if his role does not change, the play is not that great for a 21.5% usage and 0.95 fantasy points per minute.

New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors

Pelicans – Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones – Questionable

Zion Williamson – IR

Ingram has missed the past three games so until he is confirmed to be back in the lineup, planning as if he is not playing and having pivots in mind is not a bad move. With both players out last game, Garrett Temple entered the starting lineup and played 34 minutes. His fantasy points per minute are a 0.90 in the sample with a 16% usage rate but with those minutes and a DraftKings salary of $3,300, it could work out again. Golden State has the best defensive rating in basketball but also play at the third-fastest pace.

With just Ingram off the floor, Jonas Valanciunas is still at 1.40 fantasy points per minute with a 25.7% usage rate. He burned a large portion of the field in the last game and the price went up, which is always interesting to see how a player like that gets treated. It is one thing when it is Cade Cunningham and he is only $4,000. Playing Valanciunas is an investment. He is also a big man that can get up and down the court so even with the Warriors being a small team, he can keep up.

Warriors – James Wiseman, Klay Thompson – IR

This is the same NBA Injury Report for the Warriors that is has been for almost the whole season.

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Charlotte Hornets at Sacramento Kings

Hornets – LaMelo Ball – Probable

P.J. Washington – Doubtful

There could be a value play that is the minimum salary on DraftKings if Washington does not play in Jalen McDaniels. Washington missed two games earlier this year and McDaniels played 22 minutes in each game and has 1.11 fantasy points per minute. Now, his true shooting in that sample is 84.5% but if he is projected for 20 to 22 minutes, he could still be interesting in a game that features two teams in the top 10 in pace.

Kings – None

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Indiana Pacers at Portland Trail Blazers

Pacers – T.J. Warren – IR

Jeremy Lamb – Questionable

Lamb’s presence on the NBA Injury Report means a lot less now that Caris LeVert is playing 30 minutes and Malcolm Brogdon is back healthy. The Pacers adding Chris Duarte has made them even deeper and there just is not much usage left.

Trail Blazers – None

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