Point Guard
Eric Bledsoe seems to have finally found his groove. He’s scored over 37 fantasy points in three straight games and will look to keep it rolling tonight against the Hawks. He’s a high upside pick at $7,600.
Russell Westbrook will be squaring off against John Wall in what should be on one of the most entertaining matchups of the night. Wall and the Wizards have done fairly well against PGs but Westbrook will likely get a triple-double no matter what. We need a bit more value to open up to feel confident enough to roster him in GPPs so stay tuned.
On the opposing side, John Wall is also a great play. Westbrook must be going too hard on offense because he hasn’t been defending opposing PGs all that well. It’s the highest total of the night and you can bet these two guys will have the ball in their hands a ton.
Goran Dragic easily has the best matchup of the night against the Nuggets who can’t stop a PG to save their life. Dragic is coming off that monster 27-17 game but I still think he should be able to hit 5x value with ease.
Darren Collison is a decent value play against the Sixers as he’s relatively cheap on both sites. His minutes are still a bit low and it’s a bit puzzling that the Kings are still limiting his playing time a bit. He should be able to hit 5x value but he doesn’t have too much upside.
Update: Sergio Rodriguez becomes the best value PG play with Bayless out.
| Player | Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | FDPts/G | DKPts/G | AcePts/G | YPts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Russell Westbrook | OKC | H | WAS | 19 | 35.4 | 82% | 1.8 | 30.9 | 10.3 | 11.3 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 5.5 | 43% | 24.47% | 58.1 | 62.3 | 58.6 | 59 | $12400 | $12600 | $8600 |
| John Wall | WAS | A | OKC | 14 | 34.8 | 83% | 1.2 | 23.1 | 4.4 | 8.9 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 4.7 | 45% | 19.87% | 42.3 | 45.5 | 42.5 | 42.9 | $9200 | $9300 | $6600 |
| Sergio Rodriguez | PHI | H | SAC | 18 | 27 | 83% | 1.1 | 7.7 | 3.1 | 6.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 2.7 | 38% | 9.83% | 21.1 | 23.2 | 21.3 | 21.7 | $4400 | $4300 | $3800 |
| Eric Bledsoe | PHX | H | ATL | 18 | 32.7 | 79% | 1.2 | 19.2 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 45% | 15.99% | 34.3 | 36.9 | 34.6 | 34.9 | $8100 | $7600 | $5600 |
| Darren Collison | SAC | A | PHI | 10 | 30 | 84% | 0.8 | 12.9 | 2.2 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 49% | 12.28% | 23.6 | 25.2 | 23.7 | 24 | $5800 | $5300 | $4900 |
Shooting Guard
DeMar DeRozan has came back to Earth a bit and so has his price. He’s just $8,000 on DK and that’s a great price against a Grizzlies team that has somehow struggled against opposing SGs. DeRozan is a solid cash play due to his deflated price.
If you’re looking for 5x value, Avery Bradley may be your guy. His price has dropped significantly as the Celtics are finally healthy again. Even with Crowder and Horford back in action, Bradley should be able to hit value pretty easily in this one.
Andrew Harrison is the only true value play at SG at this point in the day but I’m still not excited about it. He’s up to $4,000 and his usage rate and peripheral stats show he shouldn’t be much more than that. With Conley out, he’s well worth considering but he’s not a lock by any means.
| Player | Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | FDPts/G | DKPts/G | AcePts/G | YPts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| DeMar DeRozan | TOR | H | MEM | 17 | 36.4 | 82% | 0.5 | 29.2 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 2.6 | 48% | 21.15% | 42 | 43.8 | 42.3 | 42.2 | $9000 | $8000 | $6400 |
| Avery Bradley | BOS | H | DET | 17 | 35.9 | 73% | 2.1 | 17.9 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 47% | 12.13% | 32.6 | 34.9 | 33 | 33.6 | $6600 | $6200 | $5000 |
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard is coming off two subpar games but he’s on my radar again. The only issue here is that the Mavs flat-out stink. It’s only a nine point spread so Leonard shouldn’t be faded because of the potential for a blowout. He’s definitely worth considering tonight.
I’m not sure why I’m drawn to players facing each other but it tends to work out. Harrison Barnes is worth considering in cash despite facing Leonard as he’s been fairly consistent this season. He’s fairly cheap and should hit 5x value tonight if the game stays close.
Tobias Harris remains a solid option as another cash game option. He’s facing the Celtics who haven’t been as good as advertised in terms of defense this season. Harris gets a solid matchup so he’s an option tonight despite his recent inconsistency.
Jae Crowder’s minute restriction is gone and he hasn’t missed a step. Crowder is the ultimate three and D guy so if he can hit you a couple threes and rack up a couple steals, there’s a good chance he’s hitting value that night.
| Player | Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | FDPts/G | DKPts/G | AcePts/G | YPts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Kawhi Leonard | SAS | A | DAL | 18 | 34.1 | 92% | 1.9 | 24.6 | 6.0 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 46% | 17.64% | 39.7 | 41.9 | 40 | 40.6 | $8400 | $8100 | $6350 |
| Jae Crowder | BOS | H | DET | 9 | 27 | 91% | 2.1 | 13.0 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 52% | 11.33% | 24.1 | 26.1 | 24.3 | 25.1 | $5200 | $5500 | $4400 |
| Harrison Barnes | DAL | H | SAS | 16 | 37.3 | 87% | 0.9 | 20.8 | 5.8 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 46% | 14.2% | 29.9 | 31.3 | 30.2 | 30.3 | $6100 | $5900 | $5100 |
| Tobias Harris | DET | A | BOS | 19 | 32.9 | 92% | 1.1 | 16.8 | 4.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 49% | 12.9% | 26.2 | 27.8 | 26.5 | 26.8 | $5300 | $5700 | $4700 |
Power Forward
DeMarcus Cousins is nearing $11,000 and it’s basically impossible to construct a lineup with both Cousins and Westy. Tonight’s game against the Sixers should remain very close so Cousins is one of the best plays of the night. He has insanely high ceiling and he’s been rolling lately.
Speaking of rolling, Kristaps Porzingis has been killing it lately. He’s still under $8,000 on DK despite scoring over at least 34 fantasy points in eight straight games. Joakim Noah is questionable tonight so if he ends up sitting, Porzingis would get a slight boost.
Taj Gibson will have his hands full since he has to guard youngster Julius Randle. Gibson should hit 30 minutes tonight but there’s some blowout potential here so be cognizant of that. He doesn’t have much upside but he’s a solid bet for cash game value.
Gorgui Dieng has finally found some consistency but he has a tougher assignment tonight. There’s a good chance Dieng actually guards Noah (or whoever replaces him if he’s out) while Towns would have to guard Porzingis. Throw Dieng in some GPPs because he has pretty sizable upside with his ability to rack up blocks and steals.
| Player | Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | FDPts/G | DKPts/G | AcePts/G | YPts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Kristaps Porzingis | NYK | A | MIN | 17 | 33.6 | 79% | 2.3 | 20.9 | 7.1 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 49% | 14.04% | 34.4 | 36.5 | 34.7 | 35.5 | $7500 | $7700 | $5800 |
| Taj Gibson | CHI | H | LAL | 16 | 28.3 | 68% | 0.0 | 11.8 | 7.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 54% | 11.96% | 24.9 | 26.2 | 25.3 | 24.9 | $5600 | $5500 | $4500 |
Center
Dwight Howard is fitting the bill for players I’m looking for tonight. He’s going to have to play a bit more than usual due to the size that the Suns have in Alex Len and Tyson Chandler. The Suns have actually defended the center position quite well but Howard should be able to snuff out 5x value in this one.
A player with another tough matchup is Al Horford. Luckily, he makes his owners their money with his surround stats. He’s way too cheap for someone who will likely get you a block, steal, a few assists and 5-10 boards. Because of this, his floor is fairly high and Horford’s price is just too enticing.
Here I am again, Andre Drummond catches my eye. The Celtics are giving up the most boards per game and that’s what Dre’s game is built on. He’s a GPP play only and hopefully he doesn’t get suspended for his elbow on Roy Hibbert last night.
Mason Plumlee is rolling over his last few games and he’s one of those guys that contributes across the board. His minutes tend to fluctuate a bit from night to night but he’s played 32 minutes in his last two games and they’ll likely need him against Myles Turner and Al Jefferson.
| Player | Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | FDPts/G | DKPts/G | AcePts/G | YPts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| DeMarcus Cousins | SAC | A | PHI | 18 | 34.1 | 74% | 1.7 | 28.7 | 10.4 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 47% | 22.46% | 47.9 | 50.7 | 48.4 | 48.8 | $10900 | $10800 | $7900 |
| Al Horford | BOS | H | DET | 7 | 32 | 75% | 1.3 | 14.7 | 6.9 | 5.1 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 52% | 11.44% | 35.5 | 37.2 | 35.9 | 36.2 | $7500 | $6600 | $5900 |
| Dwight Howard | ATL | A | PHX | 17 | 28.9 | 48% | 0.0 | 14.4 | 12.8 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 61% | 16.3% | 34.6 | 36.5 | 35.2 | 34.6 | $7900 | $7200 | $5550 |
| Andre Drummond | DET | A | BOS | 18 | 29.2 | 46% | 0.1 | 14.0 | 13.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 51% | 14.87% | 34.9 | 36.5 | 35.5 | 34.9 | $8100 | $7400 | $6250 |
| Gorgui Dieng | MIN | H | NYK | 17 | 31.8 | 76% | 0.1 | 10.6 | 8.3 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 53% | 10.17% | 27.4 | 28.9 | 27.8 | 27.5 | $6100 | $6100 | $4900 |
| Mason Plumlee | POR | H | IND | 19 | 27.2 | 50% | 0.0 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 55% | 11.36% | 26.9 | 28.0 | 27.2 | 26.9 | $5800 | $5800 | $4900 |
Player News
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 34 points (11-of-13 FGs, 11-of-11 FTs), four rebounds, eight assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 win over the Nuggets in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Aside from Game 4 against Memphis, SGA hasn’t been his typical uber-efficient self during the playoffs so far. Well, that changed in Game 2, which contributed to a dominant win for Oklahoma City. This was his fourth straight 30-point game, and that helped OKC bounce back from a two-point loss in Game 1. He only played 30 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter, but SGA did plenty of damage when he was on the floor. The series will now shift to Denver, and OKC will need to win a road game to retake homecourt advantage in this series. Game 3 will be on Friday.