Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury Report: Friday 12/23/16

With 14 games on the slate tonight, finding value should not be a problem. Several high-dollar players have already been ruled out with others listed as questionable, meaning this could end up being a wild night of NBA DFS.

Notable Injuries

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are still the most banged up team in the league, and it's going to be another short bench for them on Friday. Not only is George Hill still out, but Dante Exum will miss at least the next week with tendinitis in his knee. With Rodney Hood under the weather and questionable. If he misses, the Jazz backcourt is paper thin tonight.

Shelvin Mack is going to play all the minutes he can handle, and Gordon Hayward should have the ball in his hands quite often. If Hood is out, Joe Johnson should be a solid value play, and Raul Neto may see a little run, although the latter is not on the DFS radar.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are completely healthy, but they are also old. After a loss last night, they are resting their key three veterans. Manu Ginobili was out last night and will miss tonight, as well, while Tony Parker and Pau Gasol will sit tonight for rest.

With Gasol out, LaMarcus Aldridge gets a boost, as does Kawhi Leonard. Two of the better value plays of the night should be Dewayne Dedmon and Patrick Mills. Both should see some increased run, and the matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers is a good one. A Spurs stack might win all the money tonight.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat haven't updated the public on the statuses of Rodney McGruder and Wayne Ellington. They both missed last night, and James Johnson ended up being the steal of the day. Both Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson had to play heavy minutes, as well, so any of these three guys could end up as strong values if McGruder and Ellington are out again on Friday.

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

By far the biggest individual injury question mark tonight is Chris Paul. Paul exited Thursday's game and did not return with a strained hamstring. Paul said he is good, but he is day to day at the very least. With the quick turnaround on Friday, if Paul is out -- and with Blake Griffin out, as well -- it could open up a ton of usage for a bevy of different players.

Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford would be forced to handle the ball for the majority of game. J.J. Redick, DeAndre Jordan and Raymond Felton would all likely see a bump in usage if Paul is out.

Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers

Julius Randle very recently became a new dad, and he is not going to play tonight for the Los Angeles Lakers. With the other frontcourt injuries the Lakers are dealing with, they could be very thin in that area tonight. Timofey Mozgov played well last night and might be forced to play big minutes again on the second night of the back-to-back set. Luol Deng may have to play a lot of power forward. Of course, the Thomas Robinson death train is ready to leave the station again after 8 points and 12 rebounds in 18 minutes last night, but he is a tournament option only.

Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

After it looked like he would be out on Friday, apparently Draymond Green got on a plane early this morning that was headed for Detroit. Double-check his status, but it looks like he will play.

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Kevin Love has missed the last two games and is officially questionable for Friday night with a knee bruise. Coach Ty Lue did say he expected Love to play Friday, but it's best to wait and confirm Love's status tonight. If he sits again, it could lead to a lot of value opening up for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Dwight Howard, Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have already ruled out Dwight Howard for Friday night. They opted to go small the last game he missed with Paul Millsap playing center, but after that backfired, they might choose to start Mike Muscala instead. However, Millsap and Dennis Schroder should see the biggest increases in value tonight.

Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic

Evan Fournier played last night, but he popped up on today's injury report with a right heel contusion. Fournier has been the top option offensively for the Orlando Magic lately, so if he is out, it could put some added offensive burden on guys like D.J. Augustin, Nikola Vucevic and Serge Ibaka. Check back on his status, but if he's out, look for Mario Hezonja to potentially join the starting unit.

J.J. Barea, Dallas Mavericks

J.J. Barea recently made his return, but he is questionable tonight with a leg injury that required an MRI. If he is out, Seth Curry might be one of the best value plays of the night while Deron Williams might have to play a few more minutes. Dirk Nowitzki is also questionable tonight.

Victor Oladipo, Oklahoma City Thunder

Victor Oladipo is still out on Friday for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Alex Abrines ended up as the value play of choice in the Thunder's last game without Victor Oladipo, but it's hard to tell whether or not that will continue. Either way, he could be worth a shot in a tournament.

Otto Porter, Washington Wizards

Otto Porter will play on Friday after some concerns with back spasms. Lock him back in your season-long leagues, but he will be tasked with stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight, which could get dicey.

Trevor Booker, Brooklyn Nets

Trevor Booker is getting the night off on Friday for the Brooklyn Nets. That might lead to Justin Hamilton being a fine value play for Brooklyn.

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have yet to give an update on Rudy Gay and Omri Casspi for Friday, but after Gay looked ready to play on Wednesday, it remains a fluid situation. Double-check their statuses tonight before rosters lock.

Brandon Knight, Phoenix Suns

Brandon Knight and Leandro Barbosa are both questionable tonight. If they are both out, Eric Bledsoe might be forced to play more minutes in a prime matchup. Devin Booker might see a slight bump, as well.

Evan Turner, Portland Trail Blazers

Evan Turner has been ruled out for Friday, so Allen Crabbe gets a slight bump without him. Shabazz Napier is also seeing more minutes, but he is not in DFS consideration.