NBA Injury Roundup: 3-18-15

7:00 PM ET

Nets @ Cavaliers, Pistons @ 76ers

DET

Injured: Greg Monroe (Probable)

Beneficiaries: PF Anthony Tolliver (DK:$3,100,FD:$3,600), C Andre Drummond (DK:$7,500, FD:$8,300)

With Greg Monroe out yesterday, Anthony Tolliver slid into the starting lineup and produced 15 points, 4 threes, 7 rebounds and a steal against the talented Grizzlies frontcourt. If Monroe is out again tonight, he'll get an even easier assignment about the 76ers, making him a great near min salary player to use on DK and FD. Andre Drummond would also get a slight uptick in value should Monroe be sidelined again. On the year he's averaging 1.17 fantasy points per minute at DK and 1.13 at FD, but with Monroe off the court he's up to 1.22 fantasy points per minute and 1.17 fantasy points per minute at DK and FD, respectively. The key with Drummond, as always, is staying out of foul trouble. Against a weak Sixer frontcourt I like Drummond a lot.

7:30 PM ET

Trail Blazers @ Heat, Timberwolves @ Raptors

MIN

Injured: Nikola Pekovic (Questionable), Ricky Rubio (Questionable), Gary Neal (Questionable), Kevin Garnett (Questionable)

Beneficiaries: PG Zach LaVine (DK:$4,000, FD:$4,200),PF Aderian Payne (DK:$4,100, FD:$4,300), C Gorgui Dieng (DK:$5,900, FD:$6,400), C Justin Hamilton (DK:$4,500, FD:$5,600)

Opportunities abound in this one if all of the injured players miss the contest. Zach LaVine stepped up in Rubio's absence in the Timberwolves' last game and scored 20 points with 4 threes, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal but turned it over 6 times. It was his second straight strong start, and given his small price tag and upside -- as well as his volatility -- he's a strong GPP option.

Aderian Payne is too erratic with too low of a ceiling to endorse in daily contests tonight, but his frontcourt mates look awesome. Gorgui Dieng has flourished this season during Nikola Pekovic's numerous absences, and as a starter he's averaged 32.9 minutes, 9.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 blocks and 10.7 points per game, per ESPN. His value will be directly tied to Pekovic being sidelined.

Ditto for Justin Hamilton. If Pekovic suits up, he's a non-factor. If, however, the starting center remains out then the emerging Hamilton is a usable daily game choice. In five games with the Timberwolves he's averaged 28.2 minutes, 0.4 threes, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks and 12.0 points per game.

8:00 PM ET

Pacers @ Bulls, Spurs @ Bucks, Celtics @ Thunder, Magic @ Mavericks

CHI

Injured: Jimmy Butler (Out), Taj Gibson (Out)

Beneficiaries: PF Nikola Mirotic (DK:$7,200, FD:$6,700), SG (FD)/SF (DK) Tony Snell (DK:$4,600, FD:$4,100)

Tony Snell has filled in as a starter in Jimmy Butler's stead admirably. This month he's played in nine games averaging 34.9 minutes, 2.2 threes, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 10.2 points per game while committing only 1.4 turnovers per game. He's a low-end cash game consideration, but not a must roster player by any means. March has been a magical month for the rookie forward. Nikola Mirotic remains a beast with expanded run. He's scored over 20 points in four games in March and outside of a 10 point clunker, he's scored no fewer than 15 points in a game. He's also done a good job of stuffing the stat sheet. Mirotic's averages for the month are 32.3 minutes, 1.7 threes, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks and 20.3 points per game. He's a strong play at both sites, but a steal at FanDuel.

SA

Injured: Manu Ginobili (Out), Aron Baynes (Out), Tim Duncan (GTD), Tony Parker (GTD)

Beneficiaries: PF Boris Diaw (DK:$3,500, FD:$3,700), PG Cory Joseph (DK:$3,000, FD:$3,700), PG Patty Mills (DK:$3,100, FD:$3,500), Tiago Splitter (DK:$3,600, FD:$3,900)

The Spurs played last night and it's late in the season. That's a formula for getting Pop'd with him resting starters if I ever saw one. You'll want to be on the lookout for his starting lineup in advance of tonight's contest. Cory Joseph and Patty Mills would make for intriguing near minimum salary options with Tony Parker out, and expanded roles for Boris Diaw and Tiago Splitter would also be strong daily game choices if Tim Duncan received rest.

MIL

Injured: O.J. Mayo (Out), Jared Dudley (Out)

Beneficiary: SG(DK)/SF(FD) Khris Middleton (DK:$6,800, FD:$6,800)

Khris Middleton is the beneficiary who matters with his fellow wings out. Much virtual ink has been spilled at the Daily Cafe from my colleagues singing the praises about Middleton. Scott Malewig's piece yesterday is a perfect example. His playing time is way up and he's a great choice at his current price.

BOS

Injured: Isaiah Thomas (Out)

Beneficiaries: SG Avery Bradley (DK:$5,800, FD:$6,200), PG Marcus Smart (DK:$4,900, FD:$4,900), PG(DK)/SG(FD) Evan Turner (DK:$5,800, FD:$5,700)

Even with Isaiah Thomas out, Brad Stevens is using a deep rotation in Beantown. I'll pass on Marcus Smart and Evan Turner, but Avery Bradley is enticing and in the daily mix for me. His minutes and production are steady relative to his peers, and in four games since missing the game Monday, March 9, he's averaged 15.75 points, 2.25 threes, 5.75 rebounds, 2.75 assists and 1.75 steals per game.

OKC

Injured: Kevin Durant (Out), Serge Ibaka (Out)

Beneficiaries: PG Russell Westbrook (DK:$12,600, FD:$13,200), C Enes Kanter (DK:$6,600, FD:$6,500), C Steven Adams (DK:$4,000,FD:$4,600)

Russell Westbrook is a stud without Kevin Durant, we know this. However, his monstrous price tag and heavy usage could warrant fading in GPPs. In cash games, though, it's hard to avoid what is essentially a lock of a huge point total from a player who will be used by so many gamers.

Serge Ibaka's recent injury paves the way to big value in the frontcourt. Enes Kanter looks like the primary beneficiary. My colleague, Justin Elick, sung his praises earlier today and I'll make it a duet singing them as well. Get him in your lineups.

Coach Scott Brooks willingness to play his big men together is a boon for Steven Adams' value. Over his last two games, Adams has played a combined 63 minutes reeling in 19 rebounds with 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 29 points. Adams should provide a hearty return on a minimal investment in him.

ORL

Injured: Tobias Harris (Questionable), Dewayne Dedmon (Quesitonable), Willie Green (Out), Devyn Marble (Out), Evan Fournier (Out)

Beneficiaries: PG Elfrid Payton (DK:$6,200, FD:$6,600), SG Victor Oladipo (DK:$7,700, FD:$7,700), C Nikola Vucevic (DK:$8,300, FD:$8,400), Channing Frye (DK:$3,600, FD: $3,500), PF Aaron Gordon (DK:$3,000, FD:$3,500)

Frontcourt minutes are there for the taking if Tobias Harris and Dewayne Dedmon are out. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean Channing Frye and Aaron Gordon are great plays even at their cheap costs. Gordon flashed his potential in 20 minutes against the Celtics March 13, but he's been too quiet even when he's gotten playing time to be trusted in daily games. Frye's three point shooting prowess gives him the potential to hit the necessary point threshold to warrant usage, but his ceiling is low.

The backcourt of Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo continues to be force fed minutes. Oladipo's price tag has finally caught up to his production, but his upside remains great enough to include on some rosters. Payton's ceiling trails that of Oladipo due to his lower point scoring output, but his price also lags behind his backcourt mate. There are other options at point guard who will preclude me from using Payton tonight.

Nikola Vucevic is the player I'm most interested in on the Magic. With a thinned out frontcourt rebounds aplenty will be available to lasso in. Furthermore, the absence of Harris should award Vucevic more point scoring chances. He's one of the better looking center options tonight.

10:00 PM ET

Clippers @ Kings

LAC

Injured: Jamal Crawford (Out), Matt Barnes (Questionable)

Beneficiaries: SG J.J. Redick (DK:$6,500, FD:$6,400), SF Hedo Turkoglu (DK:$3,000, FD:$3,500)

Just because Hedo Turkoglu projects to start if Matt Barnes is out doesn't mean he needs to start on your daily teams. Even at the minimum salary on both DK and FD, he's a non-option. J.J. Redick, however, remains a point scoring stud with Jamal Crawford hurt. This month he's scoring 20.0 points per game with a shooting slash line of .463/.359/1.000. An efficient scorer like Redick is always a threat for a big fantasy point output. The return of Blake Griffin could cut into his scoring chances, but Redick is a strong play at shooting guard in cash games and GPPs across all DFS sites.

SAC

Injured: Rudy Gay (Questionable), DeMarcus Cousins (Questionable)

Beneficiaries: SG Ben McLemore (DK:$4,400, FD:$4,300), PF Jason Thompson (DK:$3,300, FD:$4,200), PF Reggie Evans (DK:$3,000, FD:$3,500)

Rudy Gay has missed back-to-back games and is in danger of missing a third. DeMarcus Cousins has been playing through injuries and a strained right calf could finally sideline him for tonight's game. If both of the top scorers are out for the Kings, the blowout potential would be high, therefore limiting the value of all players involved in the game. Ben McLemore is the beneficiary listed above who will get a look from me if Gay and Cousins are out. Someone will need to score, and the sharpshooting guard is the most obvious candidate to step up.

10:30 PM ET

Hawks @ Warriors, Wizards @ Jazz

ATL

Injured: Kyle Korver (Out)

Beneficiary: SG Kent Bazemore (DK:$4,000, FD:$5,500)

With Kyle Korver out, Kent Bazemore is drawing starts. The high-energy guard has made six starts this year and averaged 32.5 minutes, 1.0 threes, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 blocks and 10.0 points per game. He's played 67 minutes in two games since Korver went down, making him a nice punt play.

GS

Injured: Klay Thompson (Out)

Beneficiaries: SG(DK)/SF(FD) Justin Holiday (DK:$3,200, FD:$3,800), SF Andre Iguodala (DK:$4,100, FD:$4,900), PF(DK)/SF(FD) Draymond Green (DK:$7,200, FD:$7,800), PG Shaun Livingston (DK:$4,000, FD:$4,300)

With Klay Thompson out, the primary beneficiary is Justin Holiday, who Justin pointed out may start -- in the words of head coach Steve Kerr. As my colleague said, he'll be one of the best value plays on the board tonight. Losing such a premium scorer will also result in others needing to pick up some of the scoring duties, and Draymond Green looks like a strong candidate to do so. Andre Iguodala remains unexciting, but Shaun Livingston is a heck of a value play in light of his second half success. Since the All-Star break he's averaged 22.5 minutes, 3.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 8.5 points per game.

Utah

Injured: Elijah Millsap (Out)

Beneficiaries: PG Trey Burke (DK:$4,000, FD:$4,900), SF Joe Ingles (DK:$3,000, FD:$3,500), PG Dante Exum (DK:$3,200, FD:$3,600)

Elijah Millsap will miss tonight's recovering from a concussion. He's averaged 20.9 minutes per game, and those minutes will be absorbed by the combination of Trey Burke, Joe Ingles and Dante Exum. Burke's shooting has been woeful and his lack of secondary stats makes him a non-option in daily games. Ingles showed off a well rounded skill-set in January, but he doesn't do anything well enough to pile up the points necessary to do much more than break even, even at the min salary. Exum is in play, though, as he's averaged 31.6 minutes, 2.6 threes, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.6 blocks and 10.2 points per game in his last five games.