Giannis Antetokounmpo available to play Saturday vs. Cavaliers [UPDATE]

UPDATE #5: Giannis will be available to play tonight vs. the Cavaliers.

UPDATE #4: Giannis is questionable to play Saturday vs. the Cavaliers after returning to the lineup last night. He scored 37 points with 11 rebounds in the win over the Grizz, so I think he’s OK. But still, keep an eye out tonight for his status, though I’d assume he’s going to play. I don’t know if I’d recommend him in DFS, his price is high and if the Bucks blowout the Cavs, there’s no reason for Giannis to be stretched out much.

UPDATE #3: Giannis is officially in the lineup for Friday night’s matchup vs. the Grizzlies.

UPDATE #2: Giannis is now listed as probable on the NBA’s 5:30 injury report, so it appears the Greek Freak will be able to return tonight vs. the Grizz.

So with Giannis likely to come back, this is not good for the Grizzlies, so expect the Bucks’ winning streak to hit 17 games. As for who is affected, Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton get slight downgrades in DFS, but are still viable plays. You’re going to roll all three out in season-long anyway. Ersan Ilyasova should go back to the bench, so he isn’t as good as value play, obviously.

UPDATE: Antetokounmpo (quad) is being listed as questionable for Friday’s game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, per the 5:30 NBA injury report. He missed Wednesday’s game due to a quad injury and the Bucks were fine without him, rolling past the Pelicans to extend their winning streak to 16 games. They’re now five off the franchise record of 21 set back in the 1970s.

With Giannis questionable, we can anticipate Ilyasova potentially starting again if the big man is out. If the Greek Freak plays, this would be a downgrade to Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe.

UPDATE: Ersan Ilyasova will start in place of Giannis tonight vs. the Pelicans.

Ilyasova, again, is cheap and in a good spot on DK as a value play. If you need a filler in season-long, I don’t mind him as a streamer for tonight — or for games Antetokounmpo ends up missing in the future.

Bucks SF/PF Giannis Antetokounmpo is dealing with a quad injury and will not play Wednesday night vs. the Pelicans.

This is huge news that will impact the slate immensely. The Bucks are on a 15-game winning streak heading into tonight and will be without their best player, and arguably the best player in the NBA. Antetokounmpo is likely just sitting out tonight for some rest, plus Milwaukee should be able to deal with New Orleans without Giannis.

Fantasy Basketball Analysis: Milwaukee Bucks SF/PF Giannis Antetokounmpo

So with Giannis out, in terms of DFS we can expect Eric Bledsoe ($6,000) and Khris Middleton ($6,400) to be chalk plays tonight. They’ll command insanely high ownership, but are in great spots. I love Middleton — I had him before this news dropped actually. We could see Donte DiVincenzo ($4,000) get into the starting lineup tonight. He had been starting with Middleton out earlier in the year. Ersan Ilyasova ($3,400) could also replace Giannis in the starting 5. Both would be viable value options on DK.

As for Sportsbook, DK has the Bucks still favored at -11.5, but the O/U and money line are currently down. I imagine they’ll adjust them slightly and the money will start trickling in on the Pelicans to cover. Don’t be a fool, the Bucks are a good team without Giannis, good enough to beat up on New Orleans. Maybe the Pels can cover, but really Milwaukee should win.