Hi there! I’m Glen but I go by Blande and you can find me on twitter as @DfsBlande . I’m a contributor and coach over here at the DFS Army.
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It’s a six-game slate with a lot of interesting pieces. the 1st Look, Free Squares, 6th Man, and Donuts Shop articles are already out, make sure to read those. We will also have coaches noted provided tonight so stay tuned to the #nba-coaches-notes and #nba-breaking-news channels! Let’s get into this slate breakdown.
Shoutout to hbk6666 for this awesome job on Thursday!
Los Angeles Lakers @ Charlotte Hornets
CORE/CASH: LeBron James is the top play in this game on both sites. His floor and ceiling are high, and the matchup is a good one for him. Kyle Kuzma has been phenomenal in his last 7 games. The lowest he has scored in that period is 36.4 FDPs. Both sites have jacked up his price to the point where he is priced right at value, but his consistency makes him a good cash play. The final play here is Jeremy Lamb who has been extremely consistent for the Hornets. While he occasionally lays a dud here and there, the matchup is a great one and he has a relatively high floor and ceiling.
GPP: Kemba Walker is your ultimate GPP play from this game. He covers the entire spectrum of results you can expect. For his price, he is not a safe play but does have good upside. Since Ingram went down, Lonzo Ball has been playing much better, occasionally flashing the upside potential he has. While you won’t expect Ball to break the slate anytime soon, he is very cheap on DK for what he is capable of. Nicolas Batum is the definition of inconsistent, however, he does have upside.
Boston Celtics @ Detriot Pistons
CORE/CASH: Kyrie Irving gets a good matchup here against the Pistons and makes for a solid core/cash play. He is affordable on both sites, although he is a better play on FD. Blake Griffin is another solid cash option here. The matchup is not the best, but he is a stud having a great season. His consistency and high floor warrant him a spot here. Marcus Morris has taken on a larger role with all the injuries on this Celtics team and he has excelled in it. He’ll be called on to do some more heavy lifting today, making him a solid core play on both sites.
GPP: Andre Drummond is an excellent GPP option tonight, especially on DK where he is priced a little too low. He makes for an excellent pivot off the chalkier Towns and is in a good matchup. Terry Rozier cuts an interesting picture here in GPPs tonight. This play is extremely risky, but he has been playing well and will perform if given the minutes.
Houston Rockets @ Memphis Grizzlies
CORE/CASH: There is nothing to be excited about this game from a core/cash standpoint. Absolutely nothing!
GPP: James Harden is a stud who can go for 70+ on any given night. While I’m not fun of his price tonight, he does have the potential, making him a good GPP play. Marc Gasol’s consistency has been severely limited by the acquisition of Joakim Noah and injuries. In this matchup, we could get the best from Gasol. This is a risky play given his price, but it is a good spot for him. The only other option of interest here is JaMychal Green who has good upside and is cheap on DK. He could help afford other studs in your lineups and has potential.
Chicago Bulls @ San Antonio Spurs
CORE/CASH: DeMar DeRozan is the top core play from this game. The matchup is excellent, and his floor and ceiling are high. This could be a ceiling-type game for DDR. With Lavine doubtful, Kris Dunn is in line for an increased workload. The Spurs can’t defend opposing PGs, this makes Dunn an excellent value play tonight. I love Justin Holiday today. If Lavine is out, Holiday will need to be a scoring option for the Bulls tonight. He’ll be locked into massive minutes here.
GPP: The Bulls have been awful against centers this year, which brings LaMarcus Aldridge into play today. The only reason he isn’t a core play is how underwhelming he has been for the last third of the season. However, this is the kind of matchup that could awaken him. In the same light as LMA, Jakob Poetl could find himself enjoying a very good night against the Bulls. Bobby Portis is another solid option here. He’s been very good in his two games so far this season. If you really want to get crazy and weird, Jabari Parker could see some more minutes if Lavine is out.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Phoenix Suns
CORE/CASH: Karl-Anthony Towns is in a fantastic spot here against the defense-allergic Suns and makes for an excellent core play on both sites. I shouldn’t have to sell you on this. TJ Warren has been doing everything for the Suns recently, with Booker likely back this will take off some pressure from him, but he still makes for a good play. He is a cash staple on both sites. Finally, Jeff Teague brings some consistency at the guard position, making him an interesting cash play here today with some upside.
GPP: Richaun Holmes could see some good minutes tonight with Ariza gone. He could also be called on to deal with KAT a little. He makes for a good GPP play. Deandre Ayton is in an interesting spot here against KAT, as centers have been known to perform here. I’m not a huge fan of the play, but it is GPP-worthy and will be low-owned. Robert Covington is another player with upside in a good spot. He deserves GPP consideration. Dario Saric is likely to get the start for Taj Gibson, he is averaging about 1.0 ppm, making him a solid GPP option as well.
Los Angeles Clippers @ Oklahoma City Thunders
CORE/CASH: Russell Westbrook is the first name off the board here. Everything screams highest scorer of the slate! I love it on both sites. Steven Adams is extremely consistent and affordable, playing a team that can’t stop bigs in general. Pairing him with Westbrook sounds appealing.
GPP: Paul George has the upside, but it is limited by RWB. Given his price on both sites, he can only really be rostered in GPPs where you are hoping he has a ceiling type game. Danilo Gallinari will need to score for the Clippers to keep this game close. When he is on, he can put up points in bunches, making him a good low-owned GPP play here. Jerami Grant gets the weak Clippers PF defense and will virtually be unowned here. He is especially cheap on DK at just 3900. It’s hard not to just plug him in.
Stay tuned to slack for the coaches notes and good luck out there!