NBA DFS Position Coach: February 29, 2016

Happy Leap Day! I hope you take advantage of the extra day by playing some extra DFS lineups. There are actually a lot of really nice plays Monday despite only seven games on the slate, so let us get right to it.

Point Guard

There are a few studs I really like Monday, including another point guard, but Russell Westbrook stands out above them all. Westbrook is averaging 18.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 12.5 assists against the Kings this season. Just about everyone will play Westbrook Monday, and that is just fine.

Westbrook’s value may take a slight hit if Rajon Rondo sits, but not enough to make me play somebody else. On the other hand, Darren Collison would be a nice play with Rondo out. Collison is averaging 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals as a starter this season.

If you aren’t playing Westbrook, John Wall is a reasonable alternative. He nearly had a triple-double against the 76ers Friday, and he is averaging 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.5 assists in two games against Philadelphia this season.

Isaiah Canaan is one of two 76ers who looks poised to have a big game Monday. Canaan scored 18 points in 34 minutes Sunday while Hollis Thompson dealt with an upper respiratory infection, and would likely see similar minutes if Thompson sits Monday. The Wizards are allowing the second-highest three-point percentage in the NBA this season, and Canaan is averaging 2.2 made threes per game.

Shooting Guard

Seth Curry scored 19 points in a career-high 26 minutes with Rajon Rondo out Friday, and it is worth a shot to see if he can put up similar numbers if Rondo sits Monday. The other Curry is probably more of a GPP play, but I am fine using him in a cash game if it means you have room for somebody like Russell Westbrook or James Harden.

Harden had 30 points, five rebounds and eight assists against the Bucks last month, and I see no reason why he wouldn’t put up similar numbers Monday. If you don’t play him, you will have to make up that production at another position, because it is doubtful any other shooting guard will come close.

The best bet to approach Harden’s production at shooting guard is probably Khris Middleton. The Rockets have allowed the third-most opponent’s threes this season and fifth-most opponent’s points. Middleton is averaging 19.4 points and 1.6 threes over the past two weeks.

Much like Russell Westbrook, I will have Will Barton in nearly all of my lineups Monday, especially on DraftKings. Danilo Gallinari is out for three-to-four weeks, and Barton has averaged 22.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in six games with Gallinari out this season.

Gary Harris has seen a more modest bump in production with Gallinari out, averaging 13.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Of the two I prefer Barton, but you could easily play both guys together, especially in cash games.

Small Forward

If for some reason you don’t play Russell Westbrook, I strongly urge you to play Kevin Durant. The Kings are nearly as bad against small forwards as point guards, and you absolutely have to get some exposure to Sacramento’s defense.

As for Sacramento’s offense, Rudy Gay is a worthwhile play if Rondo is out. Gay doesn’t get to hold the ball and work his magic as much with Rondo in the game, and I don’t think anybody would be shocked if Gay scored 30 points Monday. I like him in any format, but he is especially appealing for GPP lineups.

Robert Covington is the other 76er who could benefit if Hollis Thompson is out. Like Canaan, Covington is averaging 2.2 made threes per game, and Covington played 30 minutes Sunday. Covington costs far more than Canaan, but he is probably safer.

I don’t feel great about recommending Lance Stephenson, but he is very cheap and is averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in four games with Memphis. The Grizzlies are really struggling to find scoring, and they have little choice but to let Lance continue to take 10 shots per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is basically a poor-man’s Kevin Durant, at least for Monday’s slate. No team has allowed as many fantasy points to opposing small forwards as the Rockets, and while Giannis won’t make threes, he could benefit from Houston’s fast pace, as Giannis thrives in transition. Giannis is cheaper than Durant and safer than Rudy Gay.

Power Forward

I liked Derrick Favors even before it was reported Trevor Booker would miss Monday’s game, and that news could mean even more playing time for Favors. The Celtics have allowed the fifth-most opponent’s rebounds this season and the ninth-most blocks, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Favors, Trey Lyles and Rudy Gobert all have big games. Lyles is risky, but he costs the minimum on DraftKings and he is the most likely recipient of Booker’s usual minutes.

If there weren’t so many other players I really like, I would consider playing Milwaukee’s entire starting lineup. Jabari Parker is averaging 20.2 points and 8.8 rebounds over the last two weeks, and his double-double potential is especially enticing.

Only the 76ers have allowed more fantasy points to opposing power forwards than the Bucks this season, and Josh Smith will likely get most of the power forward minutes in Houston with Clint Capela out. Donatas Motiejunas will likely be involved as well, and the Rockets could go small with Trevor Ariza at the four, but Smith is worth a shot given his tiny salary. These are the risks you have to take if you want to fit two or three superstars in your DFS lineup.

The other cheap power forward option Monday is JaMychal Green. Green will likely see most of Brandan Wright’s minutes, and while he may not have Josh Smith’s upside, Green is more likely to at least get you some production.

Center

Unfortunately, considering all of the expensive players I like at other positions, I think you pretty much have to pay for one of the better centers. On top of the numbers I mentioned above, the Celtics have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season, and you can’t go wrong with Rudy Gobert.

The Wizards are basically a lesser version of the Thunder for Monday’s slate. They have a great matchup, but only two players you can really count on to capitalize on it. I want to get at least one of Westbrook and Durant in my lineups, and the same goes for John Wall and Marcin Gortat. The 76ers are 24^th in fantasy points allowed to opposing centers, and Gortat is averaging 16.5 points and 12.0 rebounds against them.

Dwight Howard is $700 cheaper on DraftKings than FanDuel, and I don’t know how you can pass on that value with Clint Capela out. Howard has double-doubles in six of his last seven games, and he has played at least 35 minutes in four of his last five. I suspect he will get 35+ against with Capela out.