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Tonight’s Strategy
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Seven game slates are ideal for me, especially ones with no Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, or Anthony Davis. Lineup construction seems rather simple tonight, especially if you play several mid-priced players. My only problem is, I am going to play much heavier than I should.
As always, all fantasy ppg numbers are FanDuel specific.
So, with a busy Saturday that includes bringing four little girls to a wrestling event, I bring you today’s Position Coach Article.
Point Guard
With an elite match-up, a 232 O/U, and a close -2.5 spread, Eric Bledsoe tops the list tonight. Did I mention he is averaging over 45 fantasy ppg in his last six?
There is not a lot of offensive power in the Miami starting lineup most nights, which makes Goran Dragic a viable play daily. He gets a positive match-up and has averaged over 45 fantasy ppg in his last two.
Austin Rivers continues to draw the start at PG with Chris Paul sidelined. The match-up is less than favorable but Rivers is consistently averaging around 25 fantasy ppg with a 40-point ceiling.
My man Darren Collison is coming off back-to-back games in which he scored over 35 fantasy points and is now in a decent match-up versus the Hornets tonight for under $5,000 on FD.
Jameer Nelson should see plenty of minutes again tonight while averaging over 30 fantasy ppg in his last two. He is the player I currently have paired with Bledsoe in my main lineup tonight.
| FD | DK | Yahoo | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $Y | |
| Eric Bledsoe | PHX | H | DEN | 46 | 33 | 85% | 1.5 | 21 | 5 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 45% | 27.84% | 36.9 | 39.5 | 37.7 | $9700 | $8900 | $39 |
| Goran Dragic | MIA | H | DET | 39 | 34.5 | 79% | 1.6 | 19.6 | 4 | 6.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 3.2 | 47% | 26.67% | 33.2 | 35.8 | 34 | $7500 | $7500 | $32 |
| Austin Rivers | LAC | A | GSW | 45 | 27.1 | 72% | 1.6 | 11.9 | 2 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 45% | 19.82% | 18.6 | 20.2 | 19.4 | $5900 | $6000 | $19 |
| Darren Collison | SAC | A | CHA | 38 | 29.8 | 86% | 1.2 | 13 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 1 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 48% | 19.35% | 22.4 | 23.9 | 23 | $4900 | $4900 | $12 |
| Jameer Nelson | DEN | A | PHX | 45 | 25.4 | 71% | 1.2 | 8.8 | 2.1 | 4.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.9 | 45% | 16.73% | 17.9 | 19.6 | 18.6 | $4700 | $5300 | $11 |
Shooting Guard
Once again, the two has plenty of “Stars and Scrubs” potential tonight, though I am taking the more cautious approach myself.
With few players to really spend up for tonight, Giannis Antetokounmpo should be highly owned facing a Celtics team allowing the ninth most fantasy ppg to the PG position, where he is starting.
Devin Booker is facing a Nuggets team allowing the third most fantasy ppg to the two and is easily a lock for a 30-spot.
Dion Waiters may be starting in the three tonight, but he is number one in my book, and already locked in my main lineup. Prior to last night, he had three-straight games in which he scored 40 or more fantasy points.
Getting back to the huge O/U in the Nuggets-Suns game, Wil Barton is a great way to gain some cheap exposure. Although hit-or-miss, he has the ability to drop a 40-spot, or not. I am currently pairing him with Waiters in my main lineup.
Time for the SG value parade tonight in order from best to worst. Wayne Ellington, Jalen Brown, Sean Kilpatrick, and Randy Foye are all in positions tonight to exceed value, or make you cry. Stars and scrubs anyone?
| FD | DK | Yahoo | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $Y | |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | H | BOS | 45 | 34.9 | 79% | 0.7 | 23.4 | 8.8 | 5.5 | 1.8 | 2 | 3 | 53% | 28.7% | 46.9 | 49.2 | 47.3 | $10500 | $10300 | $53 |
| Devin Booker | PHX | H | DEN | 45 | 34.5 | 84% | 1.9 | 20.7 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 2.9 | 42% | 27.76% | 28.2 | 30.8 | 29.2 | $6800 | $7100 | $29 |
| Dion Waiters | MIA | H | DET | 27 | 30.3 | 65% | 1.6 | 15.1 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 2 | 41% | 25.97% | 25.1 | 27.1 | 25.9 | $6500 | $6900 | $20 |
| Will Barton | DEN | A | PHX | 33 | 28.5 | 76% | 1.4 | 13.5 | 4.3 | 3 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 46% | 20.02% | 24.1 | 25.8 | 24.8 | $5400 | $5400 | $20 |
| Sean Kilpatrick | BKN | A | MIN | 45 | 27 | 83% | 1.6 | 14.2 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 42% | 24.37% | 22.3 | 24.5 | 23.1 | $4000 | $4400 | $17 |
| Wayne Ellington | MIA | H | DET | 27 | 27.3 | 89% | 2.1 | 11.3 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 41% | 17.81% | 17.5 | 18.9 | 18.6 | $4000 | $4300 | $10 |
| Randy Foye | BKN | A | MIN | 33 | 18.4 | 79% | 1.1 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 36% | 15.67% | 11.5 | 12.8 | 12 | $3500 | $3000 | $10 |
| James Young | BOS | A | MIL | 14 | 6.3 | 80% | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 38% | 12.76% | 3.6 | 3.9 | 3.8 | $3500 | $3000 | $10 |
Small Forward
With Stephen Curry a little banged up, the player I see benefiting the most is Kevin Durant. He has the best defensive match-up for the Warriors tonight while having the ability to drop a 60-spot, which I feel he is overdue for tonight. I have him locked in my main lineups already.
Andrew Wiggins should feast tonight facing a Nets team allowing the most fantasy ppg to the three. He also has the second highest true usage rate at the position just under Durant.
I am not looking for a ton of Detroit exposure tonight but for the price, I am currently rostering Marcus Morris. He benefits from the best defensive match-up for the Pistons while averaging over 33 fantasy ppg in his last four.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is one of my go-to guys who I will have some exposure to tonight. He drops 30-spots on a regular basis and should have no problem again tonight in a great match-up versus the Kings.
If you are looking to really save with a little risk, I would look at either P.J. Tucker, or T.J. Warren tonight for Phoenix. One thing is for sure, one of them should have a good night. Flip a coin.
| FD | DK | Yahoo | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $Y | |
| Kevin Durant | GSW | H | LAC | 46 | 34.3 | 87% | 2 | 26.2 | 8.4 | 4.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 54% | 27.76% | 46.8 | 49.4 | 47.8 | $10400 | $9500 | $51 |
| Andrew Wiggins | MIN | H | BKN | 46 | 37 | 74% | 1.2 | 22 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 45% | 27.74% | 30.6 | 32.6 | 31.2 | $7300 | $7200 | $31 |
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | CHA | H | SAC | 46 | 30 | 76% | 0.0 | 9.3 | 7.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 1 | 0.8 | 46% | 14.6% | 23 | 23.8 | 23 | $5700 | $5300 | $17 |
| Marcus Morris | DET | A | MIA | 45 | 32.6 | 82% | 1.6 | 13.7 | 4.4 | 2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 41% | 20.18% | 23.1 | 24.6 | 23.9 | $5400 | $5700 | $20 |
| P.J. Tucker | PHX | H | DEN | 46 | 28.1 | 76% | 0.7 | 6.6 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 41% | 11.21% | 17.8 | 18.8 | 18.1 | $4500 | $4400 | $10 |
| T.J. Warren | PHX | H | DEN | 33 | 29.5 | 76% | 0.5 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 46% | 20.42% | 21.7 | 22.6 | 22 | $4300 | $4600 | $13 |
Power Forward
I don’t know about you, but I’ve missed having Blake Griffin to roster in late games. I would still hold off a few more before spending here though.
Attack the…you get the picture.
Jabari Parker is facing a Celtics team allowing the 10th most fantasy ppg to the four tonight. He has an elite true usage rate at the PF position while providing a 30-point floor versus a 50-point ceiling.
The other player in the absence of Curry who could see an uptick in production tonight would be Draymond Green. While everyone will scramble to roster Shaun Livingston in Curry’s absence, I will spend up for Durant and Green and hope to maximize the upside of the Warriors 118.5 implied team total.
One way or the other, either Green, or Parker, will spearhead my main lineup tonight at PF.
With the Nets allowing the third most fantasy ppg to the four, Gorgui Dieng should be another popular play tonight. He is averaging well over 30 fantasy ppg in his last two, a trend that should continue.
With Nikola Jokic ruled out, the big question is, who benefits? The player I am going all-in on tonight, foolishly more-than-likely, is Darrell Arthur. When he gets the minutes, he produces, and minutes should be available tonight. He will be the player I pair with either Parker or Green.
Jon Leuer, he just always manages to suck me in, just saying.
| FD | DK | Yahoo | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $Y | |
| Jabari Parker | MIL | H | BOS | 46 | 34.3 | 74% | 1.4 | 20.5 | 6 | 2.9 | 1 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 49% | 25.96% | 33.2 | 35.1 | 33.9 | $7900 | $7100 | $35 |
| Draymond Green | GSW | H | LAC | 44 | 33.3 | 67% | 1.1 | 10.7 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 45% | 15.58% | 36.6 | 38.7 | 37.1 | $7800 | $7700 | $36 |
| Gorgui Dieng | MIN | H | BKN | 46 | 32.2 | 76% | 0.1 | 10.8 | 7.5 | 1.9 | 1 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 54% | 14.96% | 25.6 | 26.7 | 25.6 | $5700 | $5700 | $19 |
| Jon Leuer | DET | A | MIA | 40 | 26.7 | 90% | 0.9 | 11 | 6 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 51% | 16.96% | 21.7 | 22.8 | 22.1 | $4600 | $4500 | $17 |
| Darrell Arthur | DEN | A | PHX | 21 | 15.4 | 100% | 1.4 | 6.7 | 2.5 | 1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1 | 51% | 16.75% | 11.7 | 13 | 12.4 | $3800 | $3000 | $10 |
Center
Tonight, the center position seems easy to me. You either spend up for Karl-Anthony Towns facing a Nets team allowing the second most fantasy ppg to the position, or, drop all the way down to Tyson Chandler in a great match-up tonight versus the Nuggets. I am going with Chandler hoping to cash in on 35-to-40 fantasy points.
If you want to go even cheaper at center tonight take a look at Willie Reed facing the Pistons who are allowing the 10th most fantasy ppg to the position.
Even cheaper still? Although I am scared he still does not get enough minutes, in a stars and scrubs lineup, I would take a shot on Jusuf Nurkic tonight in a great match-up.
| FD | DK | Yahoo | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $Y | |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | H | BKN | 46 | 36.2 | 82% | 1.2 | 22.7 | 11.9 | 3 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 50% | 27.34% | 42.9 | 45.4 | 43.4 | $10700 | $10600 | $45 |
| Tyson Chandler | PHX | H | DEN | 37 | 28.3 | 70% | 0.0 | 8.7 | 12.1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 68% | 11.54% | 25 | 26.3 | 25 | $6000 | $6000 | $17 |
| Willie Reed | MIA | H | DET | 38 | 14.6 | 56% | 0.0 | 5.7 | 4.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 59% | 15.47% | 13.8 | 14.2 | 13.8 | $4300 | $4800 | $10 |
| Jusuf Nurkic | DEN | A | PHX | 39 | 18.5 | 50% | 0.0 | 8.6 | 6.1 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 53% | 22.91% | 18.8 | 20.1 | 18.8 | $4000 | $4300 | $10 |
Good luck tonight, any questions email me JCFantasyAlarm@yahoo.com, or hit me up on Twitter @RealJerryColvin