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We’ve got a relatively loaded NBA slate Friday with nine games, centering around ESPN’s doubleheader featuring Bucks-Bulls and Knicks-Suns. Here’s the day’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.
NBA Injury Report: March 4
Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons
Chris Duarte (toe) OUT
Update - Duarte has been ruled out, but both Lance Stephenson is available to play. Hield is likely going to see extended minutes in Duarte’s absence, though Stephenson has some intrigue as a low-cost DFS addition.
With Duarte questionable, Indiana’s guard rotation continues to be a solid fantasy/DFS producer. Malcolm Brogdon, Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield are the plays on this team.
Cade Cunningham (wrist) available
Update - Cunningham is available to play, and will be Detroit’s second scoring threat alongside Jerami Grant.
Cunningham is a new add to the report with the wrist issue. If he can’t play, look for Killian Hayes to take over as the lead guard.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Caris LeVert (foot) OUT
Rajon Rondo (toe) OUT
Update - Rondo has been formally ruled out, so Goodwin and Garland will see elevated values in fantasy/DFS contests.
LeVert and Rondo are unlikely to play, so Darius Garland and Brandon Goodwin are the two point guard options for Cleveland. Garland has more upside, but Goodwin would be the value add tonight.
Tobias Harris (illness) questionable
If Harris doesn’t play, look for Georges Niang and Furkan Korkmaz to take more wing minutes in Philadelphia’s rotation. Both would be fringe value plays.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards
John Collins (foot) available
Onyeka Okungwu (concussion) OUT
Update - After a lengthy absence, Collins is back in the lineup for Atlanta. He’s a nice middle-tier option for fantasy/DFS purposes, and will take minutes away from Gallinari.
If Collins doesn’t suit up, Clint Capela and Danilo Gallinari continue to be Atlanta’s primary frontcourt options. Both are strong fantasy/DFS adds.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls
No notable day-to-day injuries for either team at this time.
Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors
Wendell Carter Jr. (illness) OUT
Update - Carter Jr. is out, so Bamba gets elevated in fantasy/DFS contests a bit.
If Carter Jr. sits, look for Mo Bamba to be the primary big man for Orlando in what looks to be a favorable matchup.
Fred VanVleet (knee) OUT
OG Anunoby (finger) OUT
With VanVleet and Anunoby out, Gary Trent Jr. and Scottie Barnes should see better numbers on the stat sheet. Those guys are nice filler options in DFS lineups tonight.
Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans
No notable day-to-day injuries for either team at this time.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Anthony Edwards (knee) OUT
Edwards is out, so Taurean Prince and Jaden McDaniels are in line for big minutes against a favorable opponent.
Lu Dort (shoulder) OUT
Josh Giddey (hip) OUT
Giddey is out, so Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be the lone Thunder player worth rostering in fantasy/DFS formats.
Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic (illness) OUT
Austin Rivers (illness) OUT
Update - Rivers has also been ruled out with an illness, making Monte Morris and Bones Hyland viable options for Denver in fantasy/DFS formats.
Update - Jokic has been ruled out with an illness, which he apparently picked up today. That’s a tough break for a lot of fans and bettors. Look for Aaron Gordon to be a decent pick-up for fantasy/DFS purposes.
Well, this is bad news for bettors who were backing the Nuggets with a Jokic prop involved. The big man is questionable with an illness, while Rivers is again questionable with what is likely the same illness. We’ll see what happens here.
New York Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns
Derrick Rose (ankle) OUT
Quentin Grimes (knee) OUT
Obi Toppin (hamstring) OUT
Update - Toppin has been ruled out, opening up more minutes for Reddish and Barrett on the wing.
Update - Toppin has been added to the injury report and is listed as questionable. If he doesn’t go, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish will see extended minutes against the Suns.
With Rose and Grimes out, Immanuel Quickley continues to be a value add. Tom Thibodeau usually doesn’t play his young guys much, but Quickley is showing some promise over the last few games. Alec Burks is also a nice option, as he’s likely to start.
Devin Booker (protocols) OUT
With Booker still in protocols, look for Cameron Payne and Aaron Holiday to be the primary guards on the team. They’re unlikely to be big scorers, so be cautious on the price point for either player when making the addition.