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POINT GUARDS:
* ALL FORMATS
Tyus Jones (MIN @ MIL)
You know how they say a picture is worth a thousand words? These four games of Jones’ log are the only ones that Jeff Teague has missed this season. Jones is $3400 DK/$3600 FD.
Ish Smith (DET @ ORL)
Reggie Jackson is injured for about two months, so this gives Ish a great opportunity to strut his stuff once again. I can see some people overlooking him in order to go for the absolute cheaper options tonight, but ORL is the 2nd-best aDvP for PGs this season (best on this slate). Below, you’ll see a recent game log from Ish in games that he played decent minutes… I show his preseason game log because the first two were games that Jackson did not play – Granted, it’s preseason, but I think it’s important to show what Ish can do without Jackson in the lineup. PS, disregard the five turnovers in that first game… it was the first one of the preseason, give the guy a break!
Terry Rozier (BOS vs HOU)
I have been a Rozier fan for a while now, and last night was not the first time I’ve used this guy. He gets a nice boost in minutes for the second game in a row with Jaylen Brown and Semi Ojeleye inactive… Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart and Rozier will likely all split the minutes in the Celtics backcourt and I’m OK with that at $4300 DK/$3800 FD… there is some slight upside to Rozier here too if Smart’s ankle is still bothering him. The aDvP matchup for Celtics PGs is the worst in the league, but Chris Paul missing tonight’s game certainly downgrades those numbers.
* GPP
Eric Bledsoe (MIL vs MIN)
Everyone will be looking at the clear value options while Bledsoe will have himself a winnable matchup with Teague out for the T-Wolves. Tyus Jones does have the 11th-best DRPM rating this season, but I’m not buying it since he is only playing 16.6 minutes per game, usually up against the other team’s backup PG. You certainly don’t need Bledsoe, but he does have tournament-winning upside, especially if all the value PG options fall flat on their face.
* MULTI-ENTRY
Langston Galloway (DET @ ORL)
I really don’t think you need to go here, but what if Galloway outscores Ish? We’ll see what happens, but I would definitely have him in a handful of lineups if you’re one of those fancy 150-specialists.
SHOOTING GUARDS:
* ALL FORMATS
James Harden / Eric Gordon (HOU @ BOS)
Most of you know I’ll slander the Celtics defense every chance I get… I think them having the NBA’s 2nd-best defensive efficiency rating is fraudulent. Tonight, I’m going to look like a genius since they are on the back-end of a B2B, as well as playing their third game in four days and fourth game in six days – also short-handed two bodies. It’s kind of insane that the Rockets have lost three-straight games, so I think everyone (meaningful) in a Rockets uniform comes to play tonight in this national TV game. Both guys will play about 40 minutes and that’s really all you had to do to pull me in… I just really wanted to do that dramatic opening.
* GPP
Khris Middleton (MIL vs MIN)
MIN has been a great aDvP matchup for SGs this season, but I say GPPs only for Middleton because it’s always possible for The Greek to totally sweep up everyone else’s production.
SMALL FORWARDS:
* ALL FORMATS
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL vs MIN)
To be honest, I’m not totally crazy about The Greek in this matchup against Jimmy Butler, but the T-Wolves are on a tough scheduling stretch so we can give them a slight downgrade. Again, there’s some solid value on tonight’s slate so it may just be a luxury to have him anyways.
Trevor Ariza (HOU @ BOS)
The Rockets are short on bodies again, and Ariza has played at least 41 minutes in each of the last six games. I’m not worried about him breaking down because you know Mike D got these guys in shape.
Reggie Bullock (DET @ ORL)
I’m going to come clean with my audience… I don’t watch a ton of Pistons basketball. Furthermore, I’m not too familiar with Bullock’s game, but it’s hard not to like what you see on his game log for only $4000 DK/$4400 FD. It’s also worth noting that ORL is the best aDvP matchup for SFs this season.
POWER FORWARDS:
* ALL FORMATS
Tobias Harris (DET @ ORL)
ORL is the 3rd-best aDvP matchup for PFs this season – Harris will be returning to one of the NBA cities he used to call home, so while that narrative is always fun, there’s more to talk about. Harris came out like a man on fire vs IND on Tuesday, but slowed down in the second half to a screeching halt… I’ll forgive him, he still hit value. The most appealing thing to me is the absence of key contributors like Bradley and Jackson, so I expect him to keep rolling along. Just like LMA, I don’t mind paying up for safety at the PF position tonight… not sure if you can go with both guys, but I really do like one or the other.
****Late note: Aaron Gordon is expected to play for the Magic tonight, and that’s great news for Harris. Gordon has been one of the worst defenders in the NBA since coming into the league and this is his first game back from the foot injury which means he could be a little cautious at times.
LaMarcus Aldridge (SA vs NYK)
NYK is an eyelash away from being a favorable aDvP matchup, so they’re technically neutral… it’s not fair. There is so much value on tonight’s slate that you can actually pay up for safety at PF with a guy like LMA if you choose. One way or the other, the Spurs will need LMA for big minutes to counteract a talented Knicks frontcourt.
* GPP
Kristaps Porzingis (NYK @ SA)
I know it’s not the most glorious outlook for Porzingis on the back-end of a B2B at San Antonio, but it’s worth noting his history against the Spurs and he’s posted at least 40 fantasy points in each of his last three games. Note: That last game on the photo below, Porzingis only played 26 minutes because of foul trouble.
Ryan Anderson (HOU @ BOS)
He’s the least favorite of my four favorite Rockets tonight, but you know he’s going to play about 30-35 minutes with the Rockets short on bodies. Reserve the Rhino for GPPs only because this guy is very capable of being your enemy at the end of the night.
CENTERS:
* ALL FORMATS
Enes Kanter (NYK @ SA)
Just like Smart, Kanter was a guy that created hatewaves all over the joint last night. I don’t mind going back to him because the 21 minutes he saw last night feels like Jeff Hornacek wanted to save his energy for this matchup against the Spurs. Before last night, Kanter had 53 points and 38 rebounds in 56 minutes over the prior two games.
* GPP
Bismack Biyombo (ORL vs DET)
Need, is a huge reason why centers sometimes have these games that surprise us out of nowhere. It’s a similar situation for Biyombo once again as he took on Hassan Whiteside and the Heat last game, where he finished 3 points (which sucked), 12 rebounds and five blocks – this is how Biyombo will always get his fantasy points, which is kinda scary, but damnit he is good at what he does best. Tonight, the Magic will NEED Biyombo to solely deal with Andre Drummond, and that makes him incredibly valuable.
