It seems like it has been rare, even in the larger slates, to have more than a few really solid options at any given position. Tuesday’s slate can be considered an exception, then. Outside of small forward, which is pretty sparse, there are a lot of options at every position. Point guard has the most solid options, so I am probably filling that position last. That being said, I am also most likely to fill my guard and UTIL positions with point guards.
Point Guard
Mike Conley might be safer, but there is no doubt Kemba Walker has the better matchup. Since the All-Star Break, only the Lakers and Suns have allowed more points than the Wizards. I feel more confident in Walker than any of his teammates, though that confidence comes with a fairly hefty price tag.
I don’t know that I will ever be comfortable playing the same for Elfrid Payton as it costs for Mike Conley or Kemba Walker. That being said, Payton has two triple-doubles in his last five games, and Orlando is unlikely to get Cleveland’s best effort coming off a double-overtime game Sunday and with Boston looming Wednesday. Payton is a GPP play, but I prefer Walker for cash.
Emmanuel Mudiay was great Sunday with Jameer Nelson and Will Barton out, with 17 points, nine assists and four rebounds in 32 minutes. Mudiay had been pretty terrible leading up to that game, but if Nelson and Barton are out again, Mudiay should at least be considered a GPP play.
Matthew Dellavedova is far safer than Emmanuel Mudiay, but he has some upside, too. Dellavedova is averaging 10.0 points and 6.5 assists with Malcolm Brogdon out the last two games, and those are fine numbers considering his price is so reasonable.
I feel similarly about Rajon Rondo as I do regarding Elfrid Payton. Rondo hasn’t actually had triple-doubles lately like Payton has, but Rondo is cheaper. Like Payton, I think Rondo has a great matchup. Who is going to chase Rondo around pick-and-rolls and slow him down in transition? Ron Baker?
Jeremy Lin is probably the most boring point guard on my list, which is pretty remarkable considering I just got done writing about Matthew Dellavedova. Lin has scored double-digit points in six of his last seven games, and he is always good for a handful of rebounds and assists as well. Lin and Brook Lopez are the only Nets you can reasonably expect to take advantage of a nice matchup against the 76ers.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Jeremy Lin | BKN | A | PHI | 32 | 23.9 | 80% | 1.5 | 13.7 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 43% | 26.40% | 25.9 | 28 | 26.7 | $6,100 | $6,600 | $19 |
| Kemba Walker | CHA | A | WAS | 76 | 34.6 | 85% | 3 | 23.1 | 4 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 44% | 29.10% | 36.6 | 39.4 | 38.1 | $7,600 | $8,000 | $41 |
| Elfrid Payton | ORL | A | CLE | 77 | 29.5 | 69% | 0.5 | 12.6 | 4.7 | 6.3 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 47% | 21.40% | 28.8 | 30.4 | 29.1 | $7,600 | $7,900 | $31 |
| Emmanuel Mudiay | DEN | A | NOP | 51 | 25.9 | 79% | 1 | 11 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 37% | 22.60% | 20.5 | 22.3 | 21 | $3,700 | $3,900 | $10 |
| Matthew Dellavedova | MIL | A | OKC | 72 | 26.3 | 85% | 1 | 7.6 | 1.9 | 4.8 | 0.7 | 0 | 1.8 | 39% | 16.20% | 16.8 | 18.3 | 17.4 | $3,500 | $4,200 | $10 |
| Rajon Rondo | CHI | A | NYK | 67 | 26.8 | 60% | 0.7 | 7.8 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 41% | 17.80% | 24.7 | 26.6 | 25.1 | $7,100 | $7,100 | $23 |
Shooting Guard
How is it possible Wayne Selden is only 22 years old? Wasn’t he at Kansas for roughly six years? In any event, Selden got the start Sunday and played 27 minutes, and while his line of five points, two rebounds, three assists and five fouls was underwhelming, to say the least, anyone who plays 27 minutes should at least be considered a punt play. If Tony Allen is out Tuesday Selden will likely have to play 27 minutes or more.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has played at least 32 minutes and taken at least 10 shots in four consecutive games, and that is unlikely to change with Robert Covington out for the season. Luwawu-Cabarrot is a bit risky, but he had at least 17 points in three of those four games, including one against the Nets last week. He is a bit expensive on DraftKings but I love his price elsewhere.
DeMar DeRozan had at least 22 points, three rebounds and four assists in each of his games against the Pacers this season. I will gladly take that line on a day where shooting guard is pretty weak, and we all know his ceiling is considerably higher than that.
If I’m not paying up for DeRozan or punting the position, I want a safe shooting guard who won’t cost too much. Victor Oladipo is the only player who fits the bill for me. Oladipo has scored at least 13 points in seven consecutive games, and he had 18 points, five rebounds and four assists against Milwaukee earlier this season.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Wayne Selden | MEM | A | SAS | 6 | 8.7 | 75% | 0 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0 | 0.5 | 31% | 15.50% | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.6 | $3,500 | $3,000 | $10 |
| Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot | PHI | H | BKN | 64 | 16 | 83% | 0.6 | 5.6 | 2.1 | 1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1 | 39% | 17.30% | 9.5 | 10.4 | 9.8 | $4,200 | $5,100 | $10 |
| DeMar DeRozan | TOR | A | IND | 70 | 35.4 | 84% | 0.5 | 27.3 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 47% | 34.10% | 39.6 | 41.3 | 39.8 | $9,200 | $8,600 | $42 |
| Victor Oladipo | OKC | H | MIL | 61 | 33.4 | 77% | 2 | 16.4 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 45% | 21.30% | 26.7 | 28.8 | 27.7 | $5,900 | $5,900 | $22 |
Small Forward
Spurs reserves are notoriously impossible to trust for DFS when a starter goes down, but that has changed a bit for Kyle Anderson. Anderson has played at least 31 minutes in four consecutive starts, averaging 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over those four games. Anderson should start again Tuesday with Danny Green out, making Anderson a solid punt play.
James Ennis could be a safer version of Kyle Anderson. Ennis has played at least 32 minutes in three consecutive games, averaging 10.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists over that span. Ennis might have to play 40+ minutes if Tony Allen is out, and while Ennis is a bit expensive on DraftKings, I love his price on FanDuel and Yahoo.
Jimmy Butler is averaging 29.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 8.7 assists over the last two weeks. It would be pretty shocking if he were to stumble against the Knicks, even considering Chicago’s propensity to play down to their opponent.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Kyle Anderson | SAS | H | MEM | 66 | 13.4 | 82% | 0.2 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 45% | 11.50% | 9.7 | 10.2 | 9.8 | $3,500 | $3,000 | $10 |
| James Ennis | MEM | A | SAS | 61 | 23.7 | 78% | 0.8 | 6.9 | 4 | 1 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 46% | 13.10% | 14.3 | 15.4 | 14.8 | $3,600 | $4,200 | $10 |
| Jimmy Butler | CHI | A | NYK | 71 | 37 | 86% | 1.2 | 23.9 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 2 | 45% | 26.50% | 42.1 | 44 | 42.7 | $10,000 | $9,800 | $48 |
Power Forward
David Lee is averaging 11.8 points and 9.3 rebounds as a starter this season. If LaMarcus Aldridge is out again and Lee gets the start, Lee could provide a cheap double-double.
Aaron Gordon has at least 22 points and 15 rebounds in each of his last two games. I don’t necessarily expect that streak to continue, but there is a good enough chance of it happening to make him a worthy GPP play. The only Cavalier who can match Gordon athletically is LeBron James, and it is hard to imagine LeBron is going to spend his energy chasing Gordon around the court. The Cavs’ rebounding of late is nearly as poor as their defense, and none of the power forwards in Gordon’s price range can match his upside.
Anthony Davis is riding a streak of nine consecutive double-doubles, and there is no reason to believe that will end Tuesday. The rest of the power forward class is pretty underwhelming, and there are plenty of punt plays who will allow you to afford Davis.
Kristaps Porzingis has taken at least 10 shots in four consecutive games, and that is unlikely to change with Derrick Rose out. The Bulls do not have anyone who can match up with Porzingis, and he had 27 points and five rebounds in his only game against the Bulls this season.
Dirk Nowitzki is questionable Tuesday, and Dwight Powell figures to gain the most playing time if Dirk sits. I would rather pay up for David Lee, but Powell would be a fine punt play, especially in a GPP.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| David Lee | SAS | H | MEM | 73 | 18.5 | 71% | 0 | 7.4 | 5.6 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1 | 61% | 16.80% | 17.2 | 17.9 | 17.2 | $4,200 | $4,100 | $10 |
| Anthony Davis | NOP | H | DEN | 73 | 36.2 | 80% | 0.5 | 27.8 | 11.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 51% | 32.30% | 50 | 52 | 50.2 | $11,200 | $10,100 | $55 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | NYK | H | CHI | 66 | 32.8 | 79% | 1.7 | 18.1 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 2 | 1.8 | 45% | 24.30% | 32.5 | 34.6 | 33.4 | $7,200 | $7,400 | $33 |
| Aaron Gordon | ORL | A | CLE | 75 | 28.4 | 70% | 0.9 | 12.4 | 4.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 45% | 20% | 22.6 | 23.9 | 23.1 | $5,800 | $6,400 | $20 |
| Dwight Powell | DAL | A | SAC | 71 | 16.7 | 77% | 0.1 | 6.3 | 3.9 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 53% | 16.20% | 14.2 | 14.7 | 14.3 | $3,500 | $3,000 | $10 |
Center
Brook Lopez has scored at least 23 points in four of his last five games, and we should ignore that I included him in this space when he only managed 11 points against the Pistons. Lopez is averaging 24.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in three games against the 76ers this season, and he had 26, nine and six against them a week ago.
Jonas Valanciunas had double-doubles in each of his games against the Pacers this season. Valanciunas is pretty cheap and if he gets another double-double he will be well worth his price.
Meyers Leonard and Noah Vonleh are getting the center minutes in Portland with Jusuf Nurkic out, and there is a zero percent chance they can slow down Rudy Gobert. Gobert is averaging 12.5 points and 13.0 rebounds against the Trail Blazers this season, and I would take the over on both of those numbers.
Nerlens Noel is averaging 9.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a starter in Dallas. Noel would presumably reenter the starting lineup if Dirk is out, and if that is the case, he would be a great value on DraftKings.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Brook Lopez | BKN | A | PHI | 71 | 29.6 | 81% | 1.8 | 20.8 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 47% | 29.50% | 32.8 | 35.2 | 33.7 | $7,900 | $7,300 | $27 |
| Jonas Valanciunas | TOR | A | IND | 75 | 25.9 | 82% | 0 | 12 | 9.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 56% | 19.50% | 25.8 | 26.9 | 25.8 | $5,500 | $5,900 | $16 |
| Rudy Gobert | UTA | H | POR | 76 | 34.1 | 65% | 0 | 13.9 | 12.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 66% | 16.60% | 36 | 37.6 | 36 | $9,200 | $8,300 | $37 |
| Nerlens Noel | DAL | A | SAC | 29 | 19.4 | 68% | 0 | 8.9 | 5 | 1 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1 | 61% | 19.40% | 20.1 | 20.8 | 20.1 | $6,200 | $4,800 | $18 |