Fantasy

Fatigue should not play a major role in Wednesday's seven-game NBA slate. None of the 14 teams played on Tuesday, so daily fantasy basketball players should enjoy an expanded array of well-rested options.

Injuries, on the other hand, present obstacles and opportunities when filling out a lineup on DraftKings or FanDuel. Pay particularly close attention to the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans, as both Western Conference squads hobble into Wednesday night.

There's a chance Anthony Davis plays his first game since Jan. 18. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the superstar is questionable to return from a finger injury that has cost him the last eight games.

While it would be too risky to immediately toss him into cash-contest lineups, his return would take Jahlil Okafor off the radar and affect the opposing Chicago Bulls.

Should Davis and other key contributors sit again, some flourishing replacements make excellent DFS plays.

In an evening graced by James Harden, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, it's imperative to find bargains that clear up enough budget for at least one superstar. 

Let's highlight some of Wednesday's top plays to utilize on FanDuel and/or DraftKings.

       

DraftKings Lineup

PG Chris Paul ($7,100) at SAC

SG Malik Beasley ($5,700) at BKN

SF Kevin Durant ($9,300) vs. SA

PF Kenneth Faried ($7,000) at SAC

C Marvin Bagley III ($5,800) vs. HOU

G Marco Belinelli ($4,000) at GS

F Rudy Gay ($5,900) at GS

UTL Kenrich Williams ($5,000) at CHI

        

FanDuel Lineup

PG Stephen Curry ($9,200) vs. SA

PG Chris Paul ($7,600) at SAC

SG Buddy Hield ($6,700) vs. HOU

SG Ian Clark ($3,600) at CHI

SF Kevin Durant ($9,600) vs. SA

SF Rudy Gay ($6,000) at GS

PF Jeff Green ($5,800) at MIL

PF Kenrich Williams ($5,400) at CHI

C Jarrett Allen ($6,100) vs. DEN

       

Chris Paul, PG, Houston Rockets (at Sacramento)

The Houston Rockets rested Chris Paul on Saturday, the second game of a back-to-back, but he should get the green light to exploit an opportune matchup against the Sacramento Kings. 

Per DraftKings' data, no team has allowed more fantasy points per game to point guards than the Kings, who rank 19th in defensive rating. While the Rockets have slowed down their tempo this season, they'll have to keep up with an opponent playing at the NBA's second-fastest pace.

When last facing Sacramento, Paul posted 24 points (six three-pointers), nine assists and four rebounds in a 132-112 win. In four games back from a hamstring injury, he has averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 assists and 4.5 boards in 28.3 minutes. 

The 33-year-old logged his most minutes (33) since December on Saturday, so the Rockets could rev him back into full gear unless they earn another blowout victory.

Having posted at least 31 FanDuel and DraftKings points in every bout since his return, Paul at least offers a high floor at a price that hasn't fully risen to pre-injury norms.

       

Kenrich Williams, G/F, New Orleans Pelicans (at Chicago)

Even if Davis returns, the Pelicans will have plenty of vacant minutes to fill. They could also be without E'Twaun Moore (quads), Nikola Mirotic (calf) and/or Julius Randle (ankle).

Should they all stay sidelined, turn to the battered squad for cost-effective options. He's not as cheap as Ian Clark, Darius Miller or Cheick Diallo—all worth considering depending on the final injury report—but Kenrich Williams should still validate his escalating price.

Given little to no chances for most of the season, one of New Orleans' last men standing has logged at least 30 minutes in each of the last four contests. While he most recently went 3-of-13 from the field on Monday, the 24-year-old has snagged 40 rebounds and dished out 15 dimes during this extended audition.

Helping out his cause, the Chicago Bulls have permitted the fourth-most rebounds (47.2) per game, as of Tuesday. The Bulls and Pelicans respectively rank 23rd and 24th in defensive rating, so the lottery-bound opponents should deliver a high-scoring bout.

Beware that DraftKings slots him as a shooting guard and small forward but FanDuel lists him at power forward. 

       

Rudy Gay, F, San Antonio Spurs (at Golden State)

According to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, the San Antonio Spurs will sit DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge against the Golden State Warriors: 

Aldridge and DeRozan are out tomorrow night at GSW due to "load management," per Spurs. Remember, it's the first of a b2b that ends in Portland.

— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) February 6, 2019

The duo leads the squad in minutes, points, field-goal attempts and usage rate by comfortable margins. Even if the Spurs are essentially waving the white flag in hopes of instead winning Thursday's game, somebody is going to play and score some points in a lopsided loss.

The best bet is Rudy Gay, who places third on San Antonio in every aforementioned category besides minutes. Playing time won't be a problem with the two stars sidelined and Derrick White nursing a heel injury.

In three games without DeRozan late last month, Gay averaged 35.2 DraftKings and 35.1 FanDuel points. He attempted 41 field goals, and that was with Aldridge roaming the paint as the clear top option.

Priced similarly on both platforms, the 32-year-old forward should have no trouble at least hitting value. The rest of the competition will likely also turn his way in cash contests, but the usage upside is too tantalizing to resist at his mid-level price.  

       

Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Sacramento Kings (vs. Houston)

Coming off Monday's career-high 24 points, Marvin Bagley III's price jumped to $6,800 on FanDuel. On DraftKings, however, he remains an affordable $5,800.

The rookie, who has recorded three straight double-doubles, opened February by playing at least 30 minutes in consecutive games for the first time since November. He's averaging 15.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 15.3 field-goal attempts in Sacramento's last six games.

Houston wields the NBA's third-lowest rebounding percentage (69.4), so the 19-year-old could snag at least a dozen rebounds for the fourth straight time. He should also receive more chances to throw down highlight-reel dunks.

Woefully undersized without Clint Capela, the Rockets have relinquished an NBA-high 53.4 points per game in the paint. 

Along with the $1,000 reduction, Bagley also holds the benefit of center eligibility on DraftKings. He's best reserved for those contests, but there's enough upside to justify some FanDuel exposure as well.

       

Note: Advanced stats, updated as of Tuesday night, are courtesy of NBA.com. 

For all the available betting methods, some fans just want to test blind luck with Super Bowl box squares.

It's a popular, but entirely random proposition involving no skill. In most cases, participants don't even have the option to choose their numbers, meaning some players have virtually no chance before the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams even start.

Since 2000, only one team (New England in 2004) finished with a point tally ending in a two. The wheel stopped at five and six just once apiece, twice at nine, and strangely only three times on zero.

Weird things can happen, but it's even weirder to project such improbable outcomes. The following predicted box score by quarter is boring, which would ultimately be bad news for anyone saddled with an unconventional number. 

Squares are the equivalent of a scratch-off ticket, so let's instead forecast fantasy performances for every notable offensive player.

       

Projected Box Score

First Quarter: Patriots 7, Rams 3

Second Quarter: Rams 10, Patriots 3

Third Quarter: Patriots 7, Rams 7

Fourth Quarter: Patriots 14, Rams 7

Final Score: Patriots 31, Rams 27

     

Fantasy Predictions

Quarterbacks

Tom Brady: 29-of-44, 335 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Jared Goff: 24-of-37, 270 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 FL

      

Tom Brady has set a Super Bowl record for passing yards in each of the last two years. After throwing for 691 combined yards in the last two wins, he has eclipsed 285 in 12 of his past 13 postseason contests.

Yet despite attempting 90 passes, he mustered one touchdown strike in each triumph.

After averaging 272.3 passing yards in 35.6 pass attempts per game during the regular season, the extra volume is nevertheless encouraging. With Josh Gordon's suspension eliminating a legitimate deep threat, he'll likely continue to methodically move the chains against a defense that has permitted a 64.9 completion percentage. 

The Patriots shouldn't match the AFC Championship Game's 97 offensive plays, but they should stay on the field long enough to satisfy every key contributor.

Jared Goff, on the other hand, has not played his best football of late. In eight games since losing Cooper Kupp to a season-ending knee injury, the 24-year-old has registered a pedestrian 59.6 completion percentage and 6.9 yards per pass attempt.

While countless onlookers have noted the importance of Aaron Donald and Co. pressuring Brady, the Rams are in trouble if a sizzling Patriots pass rush gets to Goff:

Over their last six games, the #Patriots front seven has forced pressure on 36% of dropbacks (leads NFL).

Per Next Gen Stats, Jared Goff ranks 27th-of-35 in success rate when pressured. Goff tied for the 5th-best SR when he's kept clean behind Brees, Mahomes, Wentz, and Rivers.

— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) January 30, 2019

Despite completing half of their combined passes, Philip Rivers and Patrick Mahomes each tossed three touchdowns in a high-scoring loss. Perhaps Goff takes a similar path to fantasy success, but the Rams have looked more committed to the run in recent weeks.

             

Running Backs

Sony Michel: 19 rushes, 100 rushing yards, 1 TD

Todd Gurley: 16 carries, 65 rushing yards, 1 TD, 3 catches, 35 yards

James White: 4 rushes, 30 yards, 6 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD

C.J. Anderson: 11 rushes, 45 yards, 1 TD

Rex Burkhead: 7 rushes, 25 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches, 25 yards

              

Heading into Super Bowl LIII, the Rams and Patriots have already posted a combined 12 postseason rushing touchdowns. Aside from James White, every listed running back has found the end zone at least twice.

In four games since getting plucked off the scrap heap, C.J. Anderson has accrued 466 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries. He received 16 handoffs in the NFC Championship Game, with an ineffective Todd Gurley limited to four.

Earlier this week, per Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams, Rams coach Sean McVay said a fully healthy Gurley should "play a big role" Sunday night. The Saints' stellar rushing defense also deserves credit for silencing the star back, so expect far more opportunities against the Pats.

That doesn't necessarily mean Anderson will vanish, as both backs cleared 100 rushing yards on a combined 39 carries against the Dallas Cowboys. The duo will test New England despite January's success against the run.

For the Patriots, any one of White, Sony Michel or Rex Burkhead could assume a starring role. Michel has thus far played the postseason hero with five end-zone visits. Yet Burkhead submitted the AFC Championship Game's final score, while White has secured 19 of 23 playoff targets.

Since the Rams relinquished 5.1 yards per carry during the season, the matchup aligns best for Michel to handle another 15 to 20 runs. White and Burkhead, however, should still remain involved in a fairly even snap distribution.

      

Wide Receiver

Julian Edelman: 8 catches, 105 yards

Robert Woods: 8 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD

Brandin Cooks: 4 catches, 55 yards

Chris Hogan: 3 catches, 40 yards

Josh Reynolds: 3 catches, 45 yards

Phillip Dorsett: 2 catches, 30 yards

             

After burning the New Orleans Saints for 107 receiving yards in the NFC Championship Game, Brandin Cooks gets another chance to embarrass a former team.

The big-play threat recorded 1,082 receiving yards in his one season with the Patriots, but he settled for one 23-yard grab in Super Bowl LII. He could again go quiet on the grand stage if covered by Stephon Gilmore.

Per USA Today's Henry McKenna, the All-Pro cornerback had nothing but kind words for his former teammate.

"He's got elite speed," Gilmore said last week. "He's one of the fastest guys in the league. He's where he's at for a reason. He's been putting in the hard work, and he's had a good season."

It's a tough matchup for Cooks, as New England limited Tyreek Hill to one grab (albeit for 42 yards) in the AFC Championship Game. Sunday lines up better for Robert Woods, who has drawn 19 targets in two postseason wins. Before settling for 33 receiving yards against the Saints, the 26-year-old had exceeded 60 yards in 15 of the previous 16 games.

On New England's end, expect another heavy dosage of Edelman. While out of action for last year's title run, the reliable slot wideout has received double-digit targets in five of the last six games and each of his last 11 playoff outings.

His 105 career postseason receptions rank second behind Jerry Rice.

Although Phillip Dorsett has found the end zone in three straight contests, Edelman remains Brady's clear go-to target. He should flirt with 100 yards and perhaps give Brady the most MVP competition if New England prevails.

      

Tight End 

Rob Gronkowski: 5 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD

Gerald Everett: 3 catches, 25 yards

     

Rob Gronkowski isn't done just yet.

Targeted once against the Los Angeles Chargers, the tight end caught six of his 11 looks for 79 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. A key third-down grab helped New England punch a ticket to Atlanta in overtime.

As for whether the jovial 29-year-old will hang up his cleats after Sunday, he has kept his options open during the week:

Rob Gronkowski was asked if he's retiring.

"Yes, no, maybe so."

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 30, 2019

Per Yahoo Sports, only the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans yielded more yards to tight ends than the Rams (1,075) during the regular season. Kansas City ranked fourth, and New England exploited the vulnerability. 

Expect a similar result. The Patriots are light on wide receivers, and Gronkowski—who should benefit from an extra week of rest—doesn't need to preserve any energy for the next game.

NBA teams and viewers don't wait long before deeming a disappointing prospect a bust. In the moment, everyone hastily believes it's now or never for a young player to prosper.

Fantasy basketball managers are especially prone to impatience. Why waste a roster spot on a raw talent when no-name gems exist on the waiver wire? That's a fair mindset as long as you don't dismiss those discarded players forever.

There's no better source of value in fantasy sports than a post-hype prospect. Just because the breakout doesn't occur immediately doesn't mean it never will. Just look at two college superstars, highlighted below, who have capitalized on enhanced playing time recently.

The following players, all available on more than half of ESPN.com leagues as of Wednesday night, have made the most of vast minutes and usage upticks. If this blend of opportunity and performance persists, they will quickly become accounted for in every competitive league. 

              

Shabazz Napier, PG, Brooklyn Nets (6.3 Percent Owned)

Already without Caris LeVert, the Brooklyn Nets lost Sixth Man of the Year candidate Spencer Dinwiddie to a right thumb injury. The two fallen guards have combined for 30.2 percent of Brooklyn's field-goal attempts.

Even with D'Angelo Russell now headlining the offense, Shabazz Napier has assumed a meaty role. Over the past three games without Dinwiddie, the 27-year-old has averaged 20.7 points on 15.3 shot attempts and a 31.0 usage percentage, per NBA.com.

As of Wednesday, only four teams have attempted more three-pointers per game than the Nets. Inserted into Kenny Atkinson's up-tempo offense, Napier promptly drained 10 of 24 shots from downtown in those three games. 

The two-time NCAA champion logged 25 minutes off the bench in each bout. In nine games when meeting that mark, he has registered 17.6 points and 4.1 assists per contest.

He has never mustered double-digit points or more than 2.5 dimes in an NBA season, but the former UConn standout has demonstrated another improvement to trust in a high-volume assignment. Napier will at least offer a short-term scoring jolt while LeVert and Dinwiddie recover. 

Other guards to add: Tomas Satoransky, WAS; Patrick Beverley, LAC; Avery Bradley, LAC; Allonzo Trier, NYK.

                 

Cedi Osman, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers (20.8 Percent Owned)

Someone has to occasionally score for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That someone is often Cedi Osman.

An inefficient scorer for most of the season, the 23-year-old has suddenly posted 14.9 points per game on a 48.2 field-goal percentage in January. He has deposited 97 points on a whopping 64 field-goal attempts (31 from three-point range) over the past four games while pickpocketing two steals in each of the past three bouts.

All of these long-distance opportunities seem misguided for Osman, a career 33.7-percent shooter from beyond the arc. Yet despite trying more of them, his three-point conversion rate has skyrocketed from 26.4 percent in December to 38.2 in 2019's opening month.

Perhaps this is merely an unsustainable hot streak from 2015's No. 31 pick. Yet unless they are worried about him getting too good and damaging their odds of winning another lottery, the 11-41 Cavaliers have every incentive to ride the hot hand.

Osman is going to keep getting ample opportunities to succeed, so grab him in case even a semblance of this recent surge sticks.

Other forwards to add: Kenneth Faried, HOU; Jonathan Isaac, ORL; Josh Jackson, PHO; Noah Vonleh, NYK.

                

Jahlil Okafor, C, New Orleans Pelicans (36.7 Percent Owned)

A 23-year-old once drafted No. 3 overall is shocking the NBA by playing well.

The Philadelphia 76ers didn't want Jahlil Okafor, who quickly fizzled out in Brooklyn. Left to rot on another bench, he scored six points in November.

Then Anthony Davis injured his finger.

In six games since losing their superstar, the New Orleans Pelicans have allotted Okafor 32.5 minutes per game—he averaged 10.0 minutes in December. He has responded by producing 20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

While post-up players have fallen out of favor, it's foolish to ignore someone who has made 54 of his past 78 field goals. Per the New York Post's Kyle Schnitzer, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry praised the big man for "doing a good job within the confines" of their offense.

"Well, he just played—he's been really good in what we're trying to do," Gentry said. "It's not like we're just taking the ball and every time throwing it to him in the post. He's been stepping out on the floor, screening. He's done a great job of rolling in the pocket and catching the basketball."

Had he arrived a decade ago, Okafor would have posted double-doubles from the start. Yet to many teams, a defensive liability with no perimeter shot is about as useful as a cassette tape in 2019.

Fantasy managers, on the other hand, only share those concerns when it affects playing time. Since Davis has requested a trade while on the shelf, the Pelicans should see whether Okafor garners a place in a future without the Unibrow.

If he keeps playing, the Duke alumnus should remain a double-double machine.

Other centers to add: Ivica Zubac, LAC; Dewayne Dedmon, ATL; Ante Zizic, CLE.

Recent Super Bowls, especially those involving the New England Patriots, have not skimmed on points.

Since Tom Brady's crew suffered a 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in 2012, five of the last six title contests have had more than 50 points. New England's three outings, including last year's 41-33 shortcoming to the Philadelphia Eagles, saw a combined 188 points.

Brady has guided the Pats to 78 points in two postseason victories, and the Los Angeles Rams are averaging 32.4 per game following their 26-23 overtime triumph over the New Orleans Saints. That's why, courtesy of OddsShark, the most common over-under lines are above 55 points.

If anything like last year's shootout, Super Bowl LIII will light up the box score with just about everyone joining the fun. Let's determine how three marquee stars in particular will fare on Sunday night.

      

Super Bowl LIII

Date: Sunday, February 3 at 6:40 p.m. ET

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

TV: CBS

Spread (via OddsShark): New England (-2.5)

Final Score Prediction: Patriots 31, Rams 27

    

Fantasy Predictions

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Brady continues to outdo himself on the grand stage.

Two years ago, he set a new Super Bowl record by registering 466 passing yards in a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons. That milestone didn't last long; he recorded 505 passing yards last year.

After clearing 300 aerial yards five times in the season, Brady comfortably surpassed the benchmark with 343 passing yards against the Los Angeles Chargers and 348 in an overtime win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He hasn't gone any lower than 287 in his previous 10 postseason bouts:

Tom Brady’s last 16 PLAYOFF games, the equivalent of an NFL regular season:
W-L 12-4
Pass yds 5,284
TD-Int 32-14

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2019

The Rams' secondary, which contained Drew Brees to 249 yards, two touchdowns and a pick on 40 pass attempts, is hardly a pushover. Per Football Outsiders, they finished the regular season ninth in Defensive-adjusted Volume over Average (DVOA) against the pass.

Yet Brees, Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson all engaged them in shootouts during the regular season. They're beatable but also far weaker on the ground. Before improved performances against the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, they placed 28th in DVOA against the run.

If Brady throws another 45-50 times, it should only be because New England once again methodically picks apart a defense with gradual gains. While those yards will add up, he has settled for one touchdown in each playoff triumph.

He may keep moving aside for Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead in goal-line situations. Yet throwing two scores instead of one would yield a profitable fantasy line for the iconic quarterback.

Prediction: 29-of-44, 335 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

        

Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams

A fantasy cheat code throughout the regular season, Todd Gurley watched most of the NFC Championship Game from the sideline.

Following two early drops, the star running back tallied just 13 yards (and a touchdown) on five touches against the Saints. Per Pro Football Reference, he played five fewer snaps (32) than C.J. Anderson.

Sean McVay made the bold call to favor Anderson, who amassed just 44 yards on 16 carries. According to Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register, the Rams head coach praised Gurley's professionalism and predicted a bounce-back outing.

"The way that he's handled himself has been nothing but a stud, a pro and when you hear him talk, you can tell it's real," McVay said. "That's what you love about it. I've got a funny feeling he's going to be ready to go and play a big role in this (Super Bowl) and do a great job for us."

Yet even when dismantling Dallas for 115 rushing yards and a score, Gurley received 16 handoffs to Anderson's 23. Although the 24-year-old should receive more opportunities, he won't swiftly reclaim a bell-cow role.

Another impediment to redemption, the Patriots stuffed the Chargers and Chiefs to 60 combined rushing yards in the playoffs. Don't expect an eye-popping yardage tally, but Gurley—who has found paydirt in 14 of 16 games with 23 touchdowns—should at least remain a potent red-zone threat.

Prediction: 14 carries, 62 rushing yards, 1 TD

       

Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots

While the sudden Hall of Fame discussion is silly, Julian Edelman has undoubtedly delivered in big moments.

New England's unquestioned top wide receiver in light of Josh Gordon's suspension, Edelman secured 16 of 23 targets for 247 yards against the Chargers and Chiefs. He has compiled 105 catches for 1,271 yards in 17 career playoff bouts.

Opportunity plays a substantial part. The slot wideout has Brady's trust, as he has received double-digit targets in each of his last 10 postseason outings. Don't expect that to change; Edelman is averaging 10.3 targets and 93.7 receiving yards over the past six games.

Given his inclination to manufacture motivation from perceived slights, one must wonder if Brady will have extra interest in targeting Nickell Robey-Coleman. In Tyler Dunne's Bleacher Report feature, the slot cornerback suggested the 41-year-old is "definitely not the same quarterback he was."

For those undeterred by bulletin-board storylines, avoiding star outside cornerback Aqib Talib presents a more concrete reason to expect ample Brady-to-Edelman connections.

Prediction: 12 targets, 8 receptions, 105 yards

While every NBA team has surpassed the unofficial midway mark, the All-Star break isn't due until mid-February. The intermission can't come quickly enough for some battered stars.

The Association's growing injury report steers beyond the usual stream of calculated resting. Kawhi Leonard and Al Horford took a breather on Wednesday. Jimmy Butler (wrist) and Kyrie Irving (flu) should also soon return to action. Others aren't as fortunate.

Key absences will damage plenty of fantasy basketball rosters. They also, however, open the door for waiver-wire gems to receive expanding minutes. Let's highlight a few, available in more than half of ESPN.com leagues, after examining some of the NBA's most significant injury developments.

              

Guard

Injury Report

On Wednesday night, Victor Oladipo suffered a ghastly injury. The Indiana Pacers said they will know more after the star guard undergoes an MRI, but they described the issue as "serious":

Injury update: After suffering a serious injury to his right knee, Victor Oladipo will have an MRI tomorrow and an update will be provided then.

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 24, 2019

A season-ending blow would devastate both the Pacers and fantasy investors. Although his scoring average (18.8) dipped from last season's career-high 23.1 points per game, the 26-year-old was setting personal bests in rebounds (5.6) and assists (5.2).

Already treading water without LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers must fight for their playoff lives without Lonzo Ball. The sophomore point guard, who was beginning to build some momentum, with 52 assists in his last six games, will miss four to six weeks with an ankle sprain. 

Investors in a roster bind may have no choice but to drop the 21-year-old, whose points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks have all declined this season.

On a brighter note, Chris Paul could soon return from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 20. Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the star point guard could play as soon as Friday. James Harden may have to settle for 34 points per game instead of the 44.2 he has posted in the past 16 games without his star teammate.

                            

Add: Rajon Rondo, PG, Los Angeles Lakers (24.9 Percent Owned)

Shortly after losing one point guard, the Lakers are preparing to welcome back another. Per Spectrum SportsNet's Mike Trudell, Rajon Rondo hopes to return from a broken right hand on Thursday:

Rajon Rondo said he “hopes for the best tomorrow,” in terms of returning, but it’s not certain yet that he’ll be able to play. He said Thursday will be 3 weeks and 4 days into a 4-5 week original prognosis. He’ll go through shootaround and pregame warm ups, then we’ll see.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 23, 2019

Limited to just 14 games this season, the 32-year-old tallied 8.4 points, 6.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per contest. Most of that sample, however, occurred on the bench behind Ball. He accumulated 21 assists in two starts.

Rondo will now steer a Lakers offense operating at the NBA's third-fastest pace. A 36.4 assist percentage will elevate him closer to his career 8.5 dishes per game, if not higher.

Grab him before the competition gets a chance to see him back on the court.

Others to Add: Tyreke Evans, IND; Emmanuel Mudiay, NYK; Dwyane Wade, MIA; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC.

               

Forward

Injury Report

While managers should prepare to play without Anthony Davis, he appears to have avoided the worst-case-scenario. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski offered a relieving update on Wednesday:

After conferring with a specialists, Pelicans star Anthony Davis could return as soon as next week with finger injury and will be re-evaluated again on Friday, agent Rich Paul tells ESPN. “It’s a better outcome than we originally feared," Paul says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2019

Anyone waiting for Davis won't feel any sympathy for those missing Danilo Gallinari. Yet the 30-year-old was hitting his stride, accruing 19.0 points per game with career highs in three-point percentage (44.6) and rebounds per game (6.0).

That progress has paused, as he has missed the Los Angeles Clippers' past three games with a back ailment. Per The Athletic's Jovan Buha, Gallinari is expected to miss Friday's final game of their road trip. Keep the All-Star candidate stashed on the bench.

                  

Add: Dragan Bender, PF, Phoenix Suns (0.1 Percent Owned)

Some impatient onlookers have already dismissed Dragan Bender as a bust. After all, the No. 4 pick from 2016's draft has averaged a paltry 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds over 141 disappointing NBA bouts.

He also turned 21 in November.

The 7'1" big man has posted double-doubles in back-to-back games without DeAndre Ayton (ankle). He logged 21.22 combined minutes over the Phoenix Suns' past 19 games (playing in just five) before playing 29.22 and 30.0 minutes on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. 

His role should not vanish once the prized rookie returns. After Ayton, Richaun Holmes—who has also missed the past two games with a foot injury—leads the Suns with 4.4 boards per bout. The Suns hoist the NBA's third-worst defensive rating, and only the Washington Wizards have recorded a lower rebounding percentage as of Wednesday. 

Even if Bender isn't ready to deliver on a nightly basis, the Western Conference's worst team has no reason to put him in street clothes. With or without Ayton, he should see an expanded role over the final three months of the campaign.

That may not come with resounding efficiency, as his shooting categories are abhorrent across the board. Yet he could rack up some points and boards on a tanking team. And hey, maybe a 21-year-old could pick up a thing or two when given a chance to learn on the job. He's an intriguing deep-league flier, especially if someone already abandoned hope in dynasty leagues.

Others to Add: Kelly Oubre Jr., PHX; Kenneth Faried, HOU; P.J. Tucker, HOU; Al-Farouq Aminu, POR.

             

Center

Injury Report

While Paul should soon return to Houston's backcourt, the frontcourt recently took a massive hit when Clint Capela injured his thumb recently. The center is expected to miss four to six weeks. 

The Rockets don't have an archetypal center to fill the void left by his absence, but defensive specialist P.J. Tucker and the recently signed Kenneth Faried can both stuff the stat sheet in a high-octane offense. Give both tenacious forwards a look if still available.

Ayton has missed two games with an ankle ailment. While managers should not panic just yet, the last-place Suns have no reason to rush their franchise cornerstone back to action.

The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, haven't exuded the same caution with Joel Embiid now they are contenders. A game-time decision because of a back injury, the center briefly left Wednesday's game but returned to register 33 points and 19 rebounds in a 122-120 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

He's a franchise player with an extensive history, so don't be surprised if the 24-year-old rests at least once during Philadelphia's four-game road trip.

                 

Add: Thomas Bryant, C, Washington Wizards (28.6 Percent Owned)

Thomas Bryant somehow remains available in most leagues despite emerging in December. 

Over the past 14 games, the 21-year-old big man has compiled 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 68.4 percent from the floor. He has averaged more minutes each month, expanding to 23.9 in nine January tilts.

The 2017 second-round pick has even drained four of his past five shots from downtown.

A wreck to start the season, the Washington Wizards have gone 7-4 since losing John Wall to a heel injury, averaging 113.8 points per game while breaking 100 in each of the past 10 contests. Bryant has played an integral role in that unlikely success, so fantasy managers should hop on board and see how long the ride lasts.

Others to Add: Ante Zizic, CLE; Jahlil Okafor, NO; Ivica Zubac, LAL 

             

Note: Advanced stats courtesy of NBA.com.

Sunday's second pair of NFL divisional-round showdowns should keep the points flowing.

The two games feature three future Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks, and don't forget about Philip Rivers. Just kidding, but Nick Foles could produce plenty of fantasy points as a sizeable road underdog.

Plenty of marquee names will compete when the New England Patriots face the Los Angeles Chargers. Daily fantasy football (DFS) contestants, however, should judiciously target the NFC clash between the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Saints and Eagles respectively ended the season 29th and 30th in passing defense. As a result, OddsShark shows that bookmakers anticipate more scoring in the Big Easy. All of the highlighted plays hail from this matchup.

           

Sunday Divisional-Round Schedule and Odds

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (-4, 47.5 O/U): 1:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (-8, 51.5 O/U): 4:40 p.m. ET on Fox

         

Top Fantasy Picks

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

The quarterback choice is obvious for DFS participants solely playing Sunday's slate. Pay up for Drew Brees, who gets the postseason's weakest secondary inside the Superdome.

While the Eagles rank a decent No. 15 in Defensive-adjusted Value over Average (DVOA) against the pass, according to Football Outsiders, they yielded the NFL's third-most passing yards per game (269.3) during the regular season. Take away two matchups against Washington, which had already lost quarterback Alex Smith, and Philadelphia has surrendered 339.4 passing yards per bout to its last seven opponents.

Brees compiled 363 of them while also tallying four passing touchdowns in Week 11's 48-7 laugher. The dominant display was nothing new for the soon-to-be 40-year-old, who posted 2,251 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, one pick and a 133.3 quarterback rating in seven home starts.

An aggressive Eagles pass rush did not muster a single sack in the blowout loss. Per Dave Spadaro of the team's official site, defensive end Chris Long addressed the challenge of pressuring Brees.

Having notched at least 17 fantasy points in every Superdome showcase, Brees is a safe selection who warrants the hefty investment in cash contests. 

               

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

The Saints are heavy favorites at home, where they garnered 37.0 points per game with Brees. They should manufacture enough scoring opportunities for the quarterback and his running backs to coexist.

Some will see this as a justification to deploy Mark Ingram, who stomped the Eagles to 103 rushing yards and two scores on Nov. 18. He has since collected 297 yards and two scores on 69 touches in six games.

Because of his lower floor, Ingram works better for tournament lineups. Alvin Kamara, on the other hand, carries a towering floor and ceiling to trust anywhere.

Touchdowns will reign supreme in a microscopic slate. That makes it imperative to play the second-year rusher, who found pay dirt 18 times in 15 games.

That garish outcome was no fluke. Per Pro Football Reference, he tied Saquon Barkley for the second-most red-zone rushes (50). Only teammate Michael Thomas secured more receptions (24) inside the 20 than his 21.  

The Eagles concluded the season seventh in rushing defense before stuffing the Chicago Bears to 65 yards on the ground. Yet they also tied the Indianapolis Colts for the second-most catches ceded to running backs (6.9 per game). 

Snagging 81 catches during the season, Kamara should far exceed Week 11's one target. He also converted that opportunity into a 37-yard touchdown, so expect a busy day from the second-year standout.

             

Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Thomas is the top wideout on Sunday's slate. Yet you already get that the Saints offense is good. The Eagles defense, not so much. Besides, money will get tight when trying to play them all.

Luckily, there are plenty of cheap wideouts to target from the same contest.

Activated from injured reserve in Week 16, Ted Ginn Jr. promptly caught five of eight targets for 74 yards. Dating back to last season and including the playoffs, the speedster is averaging 69.5 yards in his past 10 home games.

He's justifiably drawing interest as a cheap DFS pivot. So is Golden Tate, who turned his eighth Wild Card Weekend target into a game-winning touchdown. That timely play is drawing gamers away from Nelson Agholor, who has caught 13 of 19 targets for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the past three games.

The 25-year-old managed a tame three catches for 32 yards against a stout Bears secondary, but no team permitted more receiving yards (209.1) and fantasy points (36.2) per game to wideouts than the Saints.

Although the wide range of outcomes works better in tournaments, Agholor is likely to register a significantly lower ownership rate than Tate, who has compiled 36.0 yards per game with the Eagles. 

                 

Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Those playing the entire divisional-round slate could have played Travis Kelce or saved some salary on Eric Ebron. On Sunday, however, there's no viable alternative to Zach Ertz.

Rob Gronkowski recorded 45 combined yards—including zero in Week 16—over his final three games. Even under point-per-reception (PPR) scoring, he reached a double-digit output just five times. The Chargers boast the NFL's top DVOA against tight ends.

Benjamin Watson, meanwhile, has recorded six yards or fewer in five games. Including Wild Card Weekend, Antonio Gates is averaging 2.0 catches for 23.0 yards per contest. If he returns from a torn ACL to play his first game in more than a year, Hunter Henry is at best a tournament flier.

That leaves Ertz, who gets a Saints defense ranked No. 4 in DVOA against tight ends. They stymied him to 15 yards on a season-low two catches and three targets in Week 11.

This would normally be a situation to fade, as Philadelphia's receivers are again better situated for success against the Saints. Yet given the lack of viable Sunday alternatives, managers will have to trust more typical volume from Ertz, who set the single-season record for receptions (116) at the position.

                    

Note: Fantasy football scoring data obtained from Yahoo Sports unless otherwise noted. DVOA courtesy of Football Outsiders.  

The NBA regular season is halfway done. Rookie Luka Doncic quickly developed into the steal of season-long fantasy basketball leagues, while anyone who grabbed Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George will be happy with his MVP-level production.

The stars are coming out in full force this year as usual, but if you're looking for some extra Week 13 reinforcements, consider a few of these players below.

         

Atlanta Hawks G Jeremy Lin: Away at Philadelphia (Friday), Home vs. Milwaukee (Sunday)

Over his past two games, Atlanta Hawks guard Jeremy Lin has averaged 18.0 points, 6.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per night. He's also played an average of 31.5 minutes.

Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce has given more playing time to Lin of late, and the 30-year-old has produced. The Hawks need some scoring help, with Kent Bazemore (14.0 points per game) and Taurean Prince (15.0 points per game) both injured. Lin has stepped up with his extra time.

While Linsanity probably isn't coming back, Lin can clearly fill out the stat sheet. He's still coming off the bench, but he is running some with point guard Trae Young and is establishing a rapport with the first unit.

In a 104-101 road loss to the Toronto Raptors, Lin dished five assists to Young and power forward John Collins combined. He finished with 20 points and nine dimes on the night, an impressive feat considering the 32-11 Raps own the league's best record.

Lin's upcoming schedule isn't easy, as the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks are top-three Eastern Conference teams who also rank top 10 in defensive efficiency. But if Lin gets 30-plus minutes each night, then he should have chances to rack up fantasy points.

           

Phoenix Suns G/F Kelly Oubre Jr.: Home vs. Denver (Saturday)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has battled a back problem that forced him to miss games on Tuesday and Wednesday. In his absence, the newly acquired Kelly Oubre Jr. has received more playing time off the bench.

Oubre, who had averaged just 24.1 minutes per game with Phoenix prior to Booker's injury, dropped 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting in 30 minutes against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. He wasn't as successful from the field on Wednesday at the Dallas Mavericks (14 points on 6-of-14 shooting), but he was second on the team in minutes with 33.

It's clear the Suns are relying on Oubre as an offensive source in Booker's absence. The team needs scoring help, as Booker is averaging a team-leading 24.8 points per game.

Oubre has a tough matchup ahead on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets, who are first in the Western Conference. But if the Suns somehow keep the game close at home, then Oubre should see 30-plus minutes again if Booker misses his third straight matchup.

Success isn't a guarantee, especially with the Nuggets allowing the fourth-fewest points per game, but Oubre should have ample opportunity to score.

             

Philadelphia 76ers SG Landry Shamet: Home vs. Atlanta (Friday), Away at New York (Sunday)

Philadelphia shooting guard JJ Redick has missed two straight games with a sore back. Thankfully, the injury doesn't seem too serious, as Redick was listed as questionable on Wednesday before missing his team's game against the Washington Wizards.

If Redick is out for any more time, look to add guard Landry Shamet, who scored 29 points and hit eight three-pointers in a 132-115 win over the Wizards on Tuesday. He was on the floor for just 24 minutes.

The rookie out of Wichita State has made 39.9 percent of his shots, so if you are looking for some scoring punch, consider adding him to your lineup. The 76ers play the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks on Friday and Sunday, respectively, teams in the bottom six in defensive efficiency. Shamet will have a chance to get cooking again.

Consider guard Furkan Korkmaz as well, who has started in place of Redick. Korkmaz has scored 16 points in each of his past two games and has made 10 of 19 field goals. He can also contribute fantasy scoring through other means, as he's dished six assists and added seven rebounds during the 76ers' home-and-home set with the Wizards.

Korkmaz's shot has been off this year (39.6 percent from the field), but he's produced over his past two games and can benefit from the 76ers' softer schedule as well.