NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 12/12

Dec 12th 2023Cooper Boni

Each day, this column will provide live updates for all NBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current NBA slate.

Key NBA News to Watch

  • Luka Doncic (back) — In

  • Kevin Durant (ankle) — Out

  • LeBron James (calf) — In

  • Anthony Davis (adductor, hip) — In

  • Jamal Murray (ankle) — Out

  • Aaron Gordon (heel) — In

  • Evan Mobley (knee) — Out

  • Grant Williams (knee) — In

  • Derrick Jones Jr. (quad) — Out

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — Out

  • Patrick Williams (ankle) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen

  • Evan Mobley (injury management) — Out

  • Caris LeVert (injury management) — Active

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

  • Ricky Rubio (personal) — NWT

The Cavs have played the last two games sans Mobley, and his status for the second leg of a back-to-back set has yet to be determined. Cleveland won the first contest without him but dropped a game to the Magic on Monday. Orlando scored 56 points in the paint in that outing, despite the Cavs allowing the 10th-fewest paint points per game (47.3) throughout the season. Regardless of Mobley's final status, Cleveland should fare better down low against the Celtics, whose 45.2 points in the paint per game are the fifth-fewest league-wide.

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: D'Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

  • LeBron James (calf) — In

  • Anthony Davis (adductor, hip) — In

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (back) — Out

  • Jalen Hood-Schifino (back) — Out

  • Gabe Vincent (knee) — Injured

Coming off of an In-Season Tournament Championship win, the Lakers are set to face the Mavericks, whom they've already lost to once this season. However, Dallas is injured, and the Lakers have been playing the best defensive basketball league-wide as of late. Over the last five outings, their 103.1 Defensive Rating has been the league's best. Notably, this game is the first leg of a back-to-back set for the Lakers, and Davis' listing is a downgrade as the team has consistently listed him as initially probable for the last few weeks. It'd be surprising if James and Davis didn't give it a go, given their history of playing through these tags and that it's a nationally televised game.

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Luka Doncic, Seth Curry, Dante Exum, Grant Williams, Dereck Lively II

  • Luka Doncic (back) — In

  • Tim Hardaway Jr. (back) — Available

  • Grant Williams (knee) — In

  • Derrick Jones Jr. (quad) — Out

  • Kyrie Irving (heel) — Injured

  • Josh Green (elbow) — Injured

  • Maxi Kleber (toe) — Injured

The Mavs were down multiple starters in the last outing and still came out victorious. Jaden Hardy saw an increased role in that contest, attempting 15 shots, and he could maintain a similar role until the team gets healthier. Doncic scored a team-high 35 points on 21 shot attempts and added eight rebounds. He should be able to find similar success against the Lakers, who allow the 10th-most points (24.8) and sixth-most rebounds per game (6.8) to point guards.

Denver Nuggets News

Confirmed Lineup: Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

  • Jamal Murray (ankle) — Out

  • Aaron Gordon (heel) — In

  • Vlatko Cancar (knee) — Injured

Chicago Bulls News

Confirmed Lineup: Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — Out

  • Patrick Williams (ankle) — Available

  • Torrey Craig (elbow) — Available

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Injured

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

  • Gary Payton II (calf) — Injured

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu, Jusuf Nurkic

  • Kevin Durant (ankle) — Out

  • Bradley Beal (back) — Available

  • Grayson Allen (groin) — Out

  • Nassir Little (concussion, face) — Out

  • Damion Lee (knee) — Injured

Beal has missed the previous 12 outings but will be on the court for Tuesday's contest. He could quickly see increased usage if Durant is ultimately ruled out, as he's seen a +5.9% usage rate increase in his limited minutes on the floor without Durant this season. When asked about his injury, Beal mentioned that it was "more than a strain" but also said that he couldn't elaborate. He's averaged 17.3 points per game in his three appearances this season, and in his return, he and the Suns will face a Warriors team that has allowed 22.0 points per game to shooting guards.

Sacramento Kings News

Confirmed Lineup: De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

  • Alex Len (ankle) — Injured

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, Terance Mann, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac

  • Bones Hyland (shoulder) — Available

  • Moussa Diabate (hip) — Out

  • Brandon Boston Jr. (illness) — Out

  • Mason Plumlee (knee) — Injured