Only 5 games in the NBA tonight, but there are still plenty of good tournaments like the Draftstreet $5 5K tournament or the 12.5K Pick and Roll at DraftKings. Here are my top plays for tonight to help you win some cash.
Tonight is a good night for studs and Duds(cheaper players)
Cheap plays for tonight:
Jason Thompson- J.T. has been pretty consistent lately outside of the Indiana game. He is a lock for 30+ minutes in the Kings rotation and the Pelicans just allowed Z-Bo to go 20/20 vs them last night. He won't cost a lot and has the potential for 30 fantasy points (FPTs).
Mario Chalmers- His price has plummeted on DraftKings($3,900 on DKs and $10,135 on DraftStreet) because he was hurt. Chalmers has played in the last 3 games for the Heatles and is averaging 12 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.6 assist during that span. While those aren't amazing numbers, it is hard to find better players for that price.
Alan Anderson- This is just a hunch. Add in the fact he has 3 straight games hittin 3 or more 3 pointers while avergaing just over 14 points during that span. He won't do anything amazing but can be a solid contributor.
Andray Blatche- He has been awesome the last 2 games averaging 19.5 points, 12 rebounds, and 45 FPTs during that span. Tonight, Brooklyn faces Orlando who literally have Glen Davis as their best rebounder. Blatche could go for another 30+ FPTs tonight.
Also like Ray Allen if D-Wade Sits.
MId- Tier plays
Arron Afflalo- One of the most known unkowns, Afflalo has scored 20+ points in 3 out of his last 4 games and is only $5,500 on DraftKings. Afflalo is Orlandos best player and his price is at its lowest. He is a must play tonight
Tyreke Evans- Another must play for his price is Evans who plays his former team tonight. The only time he has played them he 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assist. Also, he is only $4,800 on DraftKings.
Also, like Gordon Hayward a lot tonight as long as he plays and Joe Johnson is a lock to produce big numbers as long as that game stays close.
Higher tier plays
Kevin Durant- No brainer as he is the most expesnive player around, but also think he has the most fantasy points tonight as OKC faces Portland which is known for giving up a lot of points. Durant could easily score 40+ points tonight while getting close to 60 FPTs.
LaMarcus Aldridge- In 2 games vs the Thunder he is averaging 31.5 points,13.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assist. Look for him to duplicate those numbers tonight as he will likely finish in the top 3 in FPTs.
DeMarcus Cousins/ Anthony Davis- Both are great options tonight so don't be scared to play either one. I am giving the edge to Cousins as he put up ridiculous numbers the last time these 2 teams faced off with 24 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks/steals.
Player News
Devin Carter accounted for 10 points (3-of-5 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 22 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
Carter’s rookie season ended on a positive note individually, as he reached double figures for the fourth time. Offseason shoulder surgery delayed his NBA debut until after the New Year, with Carter playing 36 regular-season games. While he was worth stashing in dynasty league drafts before this season began, the former Providence standout did not deserve a look in redraft leagues. That will likely remain the case next season, but the Kings need to make a decision regarding their head coaching position, as Doug Christie was only the interim. Add in the need for an experienced point guard, and Carter’s fantasy outlook isn’t great.
Keegan Murray recorded nine points (3-of-9 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and two three-pointers in 36 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
Murray recorded a complete stat line on Wednesday, but the impact was muted. That was a fitting end to the season for the Kings forward, whose fantasy value took a significant hit. The signing of DeMar DeRozan during free agency did Murray no favors, and that was also true for the addition of Zach LaVine just before the trade deadline. While he did approach his Yahoo! ADP (87) in nine-cat formats, Murray failed to crack the top-100 in eight-cat. Murray is extension eligible this summer, but the Kings have many questions to answer, including who the head coach will be and the future of lead executive Monte McNair. How that impacts Murray remains to be seen, but he’s worth selecting with a top-100 pick in drafts.
Domantas Sabonis tallied 11 points (5-of-13 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 37 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
It’s fitting that Sabonis would finish his season with a double-double, as he recorded 61 during the regular season. However, his impact was limited, with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford combining to control the paint for most of Wednesday’s Play-In tournament matchup. Regarding fantasy value, Sabonis was a top-25 player in eight- and nine-cat formats for the season. However, his value took a significant hit after the trade deadline, with the De’Aaron Fox deal leaving the Kings with two high-scoring wings (Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan) and no legitimate point guard. How Sacramento addresses that decision during the offseason will impact Sabonis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.
DeMar DeRozan shot 13-of-28 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, tallying 33 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two three-pointers in 43 minutes.
DeRozan went out firing on Wednesday, shooting just under 50 percent from the field and finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Like other key Kings players, his fantasy value took a hit after De’Aaron Fox was traded to San Antonio. The lack of a point guard who can set up others consistently proved problematic for the Kings, who now have some significant decisions to make this offseason. DeRozan can approach top-50 fantasy value, but the task gets much easier when on the court with a legitimate lead guard.
Zach LaVine logged 44 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, tallying 20 points (8-of-19 FGs), three rebounds, nine assists and four three-pointers.
LaVine led the Kings in assists on Wednesday, but inefficient play was an issue in the Play-In tournament defeat. The turnover count was worse than the field goal percentage, as LaVine committed five. After being traded to the Kings, the veteran guard was an eighth-round player in nine-cat formats, and a fifth-round player in eight-cat. While reuniting with DeMar DeRozan gave the Kings two high-scoring wings to pair with center Domantas Sabonis, the lack of a legitimate point guard was an issue. LaVine can approach top-50 value, but the task became more difficult when he was traded.
Keon Ellis shot 3-of-4 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, scoring nine points with one rebound, one assist and two three-pointers in 18 minutes.
Ellis’ 2024-25 season ended with a whimper, as he provided limited value as the Kings’ fifth starter. He played 80 games this season, providing slightly higher fantasy value in his 28 starts. In those outings, Ellis averaged 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers in 31.1 minutes. Regarding playing time, he benefited from the decision to trade De’Aaron Fox. However, Sacramento must address the point guard position this offseason, which would limit Ellis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.