Welcome to the Core 4! My name is Michael aka @MadnessDFS on Twitter, make sure to give me a follow as I’ll occasionally make updates to the article throughout the day as news breaks. But, you’ll mostly find me in our VIP coaching forums where I provide detailed lineup maneuvers and answer all lineup questions. With that said, let’s get it started!
Purpose of the Core 4: These four players are guys that I want to lock into my cash game lineups and if doing multi-entry, using the Domination Station lock them in or set high exposure percentages to them. These are players that I see as underpriced, in great matchups, in play because of injuries, increased usage, etc. I also need to mention that these plays are normally geared toward Draftkings pricing and scoring, I’m not a huge fan of NBA for Fanduel, so if you see my list has three small forwards or two centers, etc. it’s because of the multi-position eligibility on Draftkings. With that said, let’s jump right into it!
Tonight’s Core 4:
Steph Curry – $9,100
The Warriors will go on the road to take on the 76ers in tonight’s matchup. This will be one of the higher scoring games on the slate so getting exposure to it is certainly helpful. Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney have already been ruled out for tonight’s game. With those two off the court, this season Steph Curry is seeing a ridiculous 43.6% usage rate and is averaging 1.81 fantasy points per minute. In one matchup against the 76ers, this season Curry scored 59 Draftkings points. I don’t see a whole lot of downside with this play, accompanied by a massive amount of upside.
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Dennis Schroder – $5,000
If you know me at all you’ll know I attack the Spurs with opposing point guards every chance I get. Russell Westbrook is a great play in his own right, but you may not be able to get up to him given his salary. Which makes Schroder a perfect play tonight. Paul George has already been ruled out for tonight’s game, with George out last game Schroder drew the start and scored 27.25 Draftkings points. With Paul George off the court this season, Schroder is seeing a 34% usage rate and is averaging 1.12 fantasy points per minute. Along with this, the Spurs rank 29th against opposing PG/SG’s on the season. Dennis Schroder is a perfect play for tonight’s slate.
Nikola Jokic – $10,200
The Nuggets will host the Anthony Davis-less Pelicans tonight in what will be one of the highest scoring games on the slate. Nikola Jokic is simply too cheap for this matchup. In three matchups with the Pelicans this season, Jokic is averaging 54.3 Draftkings points per game. With Davis out for the Pels, they get really small in the front-court and will have almost no option for Jokic. He is scoring an elite 1.59 fantasy points per minute on the season and draws a Pelicans team that ranks 21st in defense against opposing centers. My bold call of the night is that Nikola Jokic goes for at least 65 Draftkings points tonight.
Jerami Grant – $5,100
We’re going to go back and attack that Thunder team with Paul George out. Grant is going to see 30+ minutes tonight and maybe even close to 40. He has scored at least 33.5 Draftkings points in three of his last four games and has averaged 37.3 Draftkings points in two matchups against the Spurs this season. The Spurs rank 27th in defense against opposing power forwards on the season. He’ll see more opportunities with George off the court and is more of a price play than anything. Go ahead and get yourself some Jerami Grant tonight.
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