One of the best ways to optimize your NBA lineups is to keep close track of potential scratches and to adapt quickly to changes. Every Wednesday and Friday, I'll give you a few things to watch for based on players with statuses that could indicate they won't play -- and what that could mean for adjustments to your lineup. I'll also answer questions on Twitter closer to lock @cfrelund.
Good luck!
The Memphis Grizzlies host the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night in a game that Vegas anticipates will be a close one (Memphis is favored by 2) and a potentially high-scoring affair (the over/under is 203 total points). If Zach Randolph plays, and he has reportedly participated in shootaround . . .
. . . then I'd consider him a great GPP option. Strained ankles scare me in cash games, but the Nuggets have gone from around a league-average defensively against opposing power forwards to last in the league since losing Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Randolph's averages in six games in March: 34.2 minutes, 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
If Zach Randolph doesn't play . . .
. . . then Matt Barnes gets a boost. He's already a good pick, especially on DK where he's only $5,300. Again, the Nuggets have gone from about league-average to last against power forwards since losing Gasol and Conley. Barnes' averages in his past nine games: 33.2 minutes, 14 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
If Kyle Lowry doesn't play . . .
. . . then consider DeMar DeRozan for GPPs. The Toronto Raptors host the Atlanta Hawks in a game where Vegas has set the over/under to 201 total points, with the host Raptors favored by only 1 point. Atlanta has a tough defense, but it has been most generous to opposing shooting guards (they are below average for the season). DeRozan's use goes up by almost 10 percent when Lowry is out. In his past nine games, DeRozan has averaged 36.9 minutes, 23.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Quickies:
If DeMarcus Cousins plays . . . then I like him for a GPP.
No Kristaps Porzingis gives Carmelo Anthony a boost -- and it helps Dirk Nowitzki, too.
Goran Dragic is playing, so adjust your expectations with Josh Richardson (it's still the Lakers, though).