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POINT GUARDS:
* GPP – I’m not in love with the position tonight, and I consider everyone to have some kind of flaw. We’re looking for the guys with the fewest flaws.
Chris Paul (HOU @ MIA)
Not the greatest matchup, situation, yada yada yada… However, CP3 is clearly the best PG on this slate and could create some nice separation in GPPs if he has one of his better games.
Spencer Dinwiddie (BKN @ DET)
I’ll reserve Dinwiddie for GPPs since the Nets are on a B2B, but he’ll have the opportunity for a boost in production with Caris LeVert out of the lineup. I don’t see the Nets running D’Angelo Russell ragged in this scenario, so look for Dinwiddie to get 30+ minutes, barring any unforeseen events. Dinwiddie is a former member of the Pistons and posted 34 DKP/29.3 FDP in the last meeting against them.
Isaiah Thomas (CLE @ MIN)
MIN: Best aDvP matchup for PGs this season – It sucks that the Cavs are in a tailspin and playing their second game in as many nights, but the price ($6000 DK/$6500 FD) is right on both sites.
Ish Smith (DET vs BKN)
This is an excellent matchup against a Nets team playing their second game in as many nights. Ish does get a slight downgrade (not as many minutes) with Dwight Buycks and Luke Kennard healthy again, but he could certainly get hot in this spot.
Dejounte Murray (SA vs PHX)
PHX defense has been terrible all year, add in the fact they’re on the back-end of a B2B and we have the potential for fireworks. I do have some worry about Murray’s declining minutes so that’s why he’s a GPP play for me.
Tyler Johnson (MIA @ HOU)
My love of cheap point guards brings us to TyJo, and he could potentially have a huge share of minutes if Wayne Ellington and Justise Winslow are inactive. TyJo should also avoid the Chris Paul matchup for most of the night, and that is bueno.
Corey Joseph (IND @ NO)
I know he chumped it last game, but I’m willing to go back to a guy that will play 30+ minutes in a solid matchup.
SHOOTING GUARDS:
* ALL FORMATS *
James Harden (HOU @ MIA)
This is my guy tonight… if I still did cover photos on the articles, Harden’s picture would be up there. MIA has been absolutely shredded by SGs at times this season, and they could be without capable defenders like Wayne Ellington and Justise Winslow. Harden really didn’t exert a ton of energy last night in Brooklyn, so I’m not terribly worried about him being on the back-end of a B2B. Last season vs MIA, Harden went bananas in the two meetings… this season’s meeting was one of Harden’s first games back after the hamstring injury, so that’s why there was a slight downtick in production.
Victor Oladipo (IND @ NO) – DraftKings: $8600 / FanDuel: $9700
I’m not worried about Oladipo missing last game… it was due to an illness. This matchup is perfect with the fast tempo and he could pick up some steals here as the Pelicans have the 4th-highest turnover ratio this season.
Andrew Wiggins (MIN @ CLE)
Wiggins always likes to remind LeBron that he was shunned, ultimately used as a trade chip to acquire Kevin Love. Revenge is always fun, but so is using backcourt players against the Cavs.
* GPP *
Danny Green (SA @ PHX)
It’s usually a guessing game with his erratic production, but I would rather take my chances on Green now against the Suns at a nice discount.
SMALL FORWARDS:
* ALL FORMATS *
Jimmy Butler (MIN @ CLE)
Who would have thought going against LeBron James would be one of the best matchups in the league? The T-Wolves have a massive rest advantage over the Cavs tonight, coming in fresh off a three-day break while their opponents played on the road last night.
* GPP *
TJ Warren / Josh Jackson (PHX vs SA)
Brutal matchup for the Suns on the back-end of a B2B, but Warren is starting to figure out how to thrive with Devin Booker out of the lineup. Jackson contines to get about 30 minutes on the regular and he’s producing now like a seasoned vet.
Stanley Johnson (DET vs BKN) – DraftKings: $4700 / FanDuel: $5700
That price on DK is stupid cheap, facing the Nets who are on the back-end of a B2B. Johnson hasn’t hit that massive ceiling mark in the last three games, also coinciding with all of Blake Griffin’s games as a member of the Pistons. It’s a matter of time before Johnson hits that massive ceiling once again.
Gerald Green (HOU @ MIA) – DraftKings: $5000 / FanDuel: $4200
The Rockets are already without Trevor Ariza and could be without Ryan Anderson. Green only played 17 minutes last night in Brooklyn, so it would make sense for the Rockets to use him more this time around. Needless to say, he’s a much better value on FD.
POWER FORWARDS:
* ALL FORMATS *
LaMarcus Aldridge (SA @ PHX)
PHX: 5th-best aDvP matchup for PFs this season – I can’t believe it’s not the best matchup, whatever. This is still a great spot for LMA and he’s coming off an excellent performance against the Jazz on Saturday.
James Johnson (MIA vs HOU)
The absence of Kelly Olynyk should give JJ a nice amount of run this evening in the up-tempo setting. Just based on game theory, you have to think the Heat use the much more versatile JJ over guys like Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo.
Luc Mbah a Moute (HOU @ MIA)
Love this dude… so cheap ($4000 DK/$4300 FD) and has posted 20 fantasy points in four of the last five games. Ryan Anderson could miss tonight’s game and that would make my favorite name to say much more appealing with Trevor Ariza already out as well.
* GPP *
Nikola Mirotic (NO vs IND) – DraftKings: $6500 / FanDuel $7200
Rough game last time out against the Jazz, but I think tonight will be much more different. Whether it’s Bojan Bogdanovic or Thad Young that defends Mirotic… advantage: Mirotic. GPP only for Mirotic since his production could get swallowed up by AD.
* SITUATIONAL *
Blake Griffin (DET vs BKN)
Griffin should be a safe bet to be somewhere in the 5x-value range this evening – I would, however, first see what happens with the Nets lineup. Griffin isn’t cheap and could draw a matchup with DeMarre Carroll if Quincy Acy misses tonight’s game. It’s not a huge detail in the grand scheme of things, but I would just rather spend top dollar in a better situation.
CENTERS:
* ALL FORMATS *
Andre Drummond (DET vs BKN) – DraftKings: $9800 / FanDuel: $11,000
BKN: Best aDvP matchup for centers this season – The Nets did hold Drummond to a measly total in their last meeting, but I would be incredibly shocked if they did it once again. Drummond is in such a great spot here, and if he doesn’t post 50+ then it’s just not your day. I don’t even want to discuss the other centers on the slate… but I will. Drummond also comes at an $1800 DK/$900 FD discount compared to AD.
Anthony Davis (NO vs IND)
AD has amazing upside in this matchup, and the only bad thing I have to say about him is that Drummond is cheaper.
* GPP *
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN @ CLE)
I really really really like Drummond tonight, but I suppose KAT is a decent option on FanDuel where you can save nearly $2k worth of cap space.
Alex Len (PHX vs SA)
If Tyson Chandler is inactive, that should set up some decent minutes for Len. It’s been a whacky season for this Suns rotation of centers, so even with the possibility of more playing time I have to keep Len as a GPP play only.
