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With guys like Russell Westbrook and James Harden dropping 60+ fantasy point games, they will be staples in the lineups for many of us. But... To grab those players, value is crucial in NBA, just like any other DFS sport. Value opens up through injuries, site pricing, and rotational changes. We are staying on top of that for you here, talking about the best value at each position.
Afternoon/Evening Updates
Given this article is posted in the morning or early afternoon, I will do my best to keep you posted as the day moves on. News occurs throughout the day, and up until lock altering values plays for the slate. You can find notes in this section here.
- Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan, Avery Bradley, Deron Williams, Derrick Favors, Robert Covington, and Joel Embiid are ruled out.
- Kristaps Porzingis and Stephen Curry are questionable.
Point Guard
Brandon Jennings, New York Knicks ($5,600 FD - $5,200 DK)
The price tag didn't move on FanDuel from last night for Brandon Jennings, and it only went up $100 on DraftKings. He dropped 21-5-2 with four steals against Washington, and now will see the easiest matchup for fantasy production, in Brooklyn. I love Jennings again tonight, and he should be the chalk play yet again. The Nets allow the most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season, and play an up-tempo game. The Knicks have the second highest team total behind the Warriors tonight as well. To update yesterday's line, Jennings is now averaging 16-4-5 in seven games without Rose.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 32.76 - DraftKings: 37.80
Honorable Mentions: Yogi Ferrell
Shooting Guard
Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors ($4,200 FD - $5,500 DK)
We just went through this stretch without DeMar DeRozan, and now we will go through it again. He is ruled out for tonight's game against Boston, as is the other opposing shooting guard, Avery Bradley. Norman Powell is a plug and play again, especially over on FanDuel where the price was dropped back down. He is appropriately priced on DraftKings. Powell has averaged 18-5-2 over four games DeRozan has missed, with a 23.9% usage rate. He put up similar numbers last night against New Orleans.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 26.60 - DraftKings: 29.40
Honorable Mentions: Gary Harris, Wesley Matthews
Small Forward
P.J. Tucker, Phoenix Suns ($4,500 FD - $4,200 DK)
Small forward value has been pretty ugly of late, and I prefer the mid-range of Jae Crowder, and even an under-priced Gordon Hayward on DraftKings. If you need to dive down, P.J. Tucker is a decent punt option at the position. I also don't mind Dario Saric on DraftKings with Robert Covington out. Back to Tucker, who has averaged over 20 fantasy points in two games against L.A. this season. He is also putting up 20+ fantasy points in six of the last ten games. At the moment Tucker is in play, but if Curry sits out, I do prefer Andre Iguodala over him. He saw 36 minutes with Curry out, and will take times on ball-handling duty.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 21.00 - DraftKings: 22.80
Honorable Mentions: Andre Iguodala (If Curry is out)
Power Forward
Ersan Ilyasova, Philadelphia 76ers ($5,800 FD - $5,800 DK)
Two big usage guys are off the court for Philadelphia tonight, Covington, and Joel Embiid. The Philly power forward is coming off of a low minutes game against Sacramento and is in a good spot to bounce back tonight. As are the other two power forwards. Ilyasova is averaging about 28 fantasy points per game over the last ten games, and rounds out as a pretty solid Cafe Value play on tonight's slate. His teammate Nerlens Noel is also in play, and should see around 25 minutes tonight. He has been in foul trouble the last two games, yet has still shown a respectable floor.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 26.32 - DraftKings: 29.40
Honorable Mentions: Dario Saric, Nerlens Noel
Center
Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors ($5,800 FD - $5,400 DK)
Out of the Raptors guys I am targeting tonight, Jonas Valanciunas played the fewest minutes, which is usually the cash. Despite lower minutes, Valanciunas should be able to flirt with a double double tonight. Boston ranks 26th in rebounding, and allow the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing centers. The Toronto center has averaged 12 and 16 against Boston in two games this season. If Kristaps Porzingis is out, Guillermo Hernangomez would be an elite value.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 27.81 - DraftKings: 29.70
Honorable Mentions: Guillermo Hernangomez (If Porzingis is out).
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