Nikola Jokic will return to lineup for Monday’s game vs. Heat [UPDATE]

Update, Nov. 29 — Jokic is going to return to the lineup for Monday’s game vs. the Heat. Jokic had missed the past four games due to a wrist injury. The Nuggets lost every game without Jokic in the lineup and have lost six games in a row overall. With Jokic back, the Nuggets will have a good shot at ending the losing streak given Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro will sit for Miami.

Update, Nov. 28 — Jokic is questionable for Monday’s game against the Heat. There’s some added drama here with Jokic’s hard foul in the team’s last game against Miami, so it’ll be interesting to see if the center does suit up for the game.

Update, Nov. 26 — Jokic is officially out for Friday’s game. This was expected, as the center has missed the last two contests. This development should swing the line towards the Bucks even more, as Milwaukee was already favored heading into the day.

Update, Nov. 25 — Jokic is once again being officially listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Bucks. He’s missed the last two contests and it doesn’t seem like the Nuggets are going to take any chances with their MVP.

Update, Nov. 23 — Jokic has been ruled OUT for Tuesday’s game vs. the Trail Blazers. This will be his third straight missed game due to a wrist injury. If you can jump on Portland at -7, that isn’t a bad side to take with the team at home. The other favorable line would be the under on whatever the Nuggets team total is if it isn’t adjusted. JaMychal Green and Jeff Green will continue to get more run in the front court. Will Barton is the go-to scorer with no Jokic.

Update, Nov. 22 — Jokic is being listed as questionable to play in Tuesday’s game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. Jokic was ruled out for last Friday’s game vs. the Bulls due to a wrist injury. He then missed the next game against the Suns, both losses for the Nuggets. Denver has now dropped four straight games to fall to 9-8 on the season.

Denver Nuggets C Nikola Jokic is being listed as questionable to play in Friday’s game vs. the Chicago Bulls due to a wrist injury. The Nuggets are also saying G/F Will Barton is probable to play while dealing with a back issue. Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland is also probable with a hip injury.

Denver has lost back-to-back games after winning five straight heading into Friday night. Let’s take a look at the fantasy basketball and gambling impact on a potential Jokic absence.

Fantasy basketball impact

With Bones and Barton set to play, both will be decent options on DraftKings. Barton is a bit priced up, so he’s more of a GPP play at $6,800. Bones is down under $4K and is a good value play. Jeff Green ($3,600) and JaMychal Green ($3,400) are both going to be popular plays if Jokic is ruled out. The Nuggets lack size down low, so Green and Green are the two bigs to compensate along with Aaron Gordon ($5,300).

Betting impact

The Bulls were getting three points on the spread on the road vs. the Nuggets. If Jokic sits, expect that number to swing in favor of Chicago, potentially by a wide margin. Jokic was the one advantage the Nuggets had on the Bulls with Nikola Vucevic still out and the team lacking size. Getting the Bulls on the ML or spread at this point would be favorable. We had the Bulls +4 in our picks piece before the Jokic news. Without Jokic, the Bulls should bounce back after a tough loss to the Blazers on Wednesday.