NBA GPP Green Light 1-26-18

After a week's worth of "meh" slates, we wrap up the work week with a ten game slate. Every game is over a 210 total outside of the games in San Antonio and Toronto. We have three games with a total over 220, with the games in Indiana, New Orleans, and Chicago. As far as injury news is concerned, Tyreke Evans, T.J. Warren, Alex Len, and now Dwyane Wade are some of the bigger names that are questionable. The Knicks are on a tough back-to-back, traveling out of Denver last night, and into a fast paced game in Phoenix. We have seem teams before struggle coming in and out of Denver on back-to-backs. Outside of that, we have an excellent ten game slate ahead of us, and these be sure to note some of the honorable mentions in each writeup.

DK Salary: $11,400 / FD Salary: $11,400

This game features big names of Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins. All with monster upside tonight, but James Harden is the one I am keying in on. While Houston's team did not have Paul last year, Harden dropped 67, 29, 83, and 80 fantasy point games. This season he dropped 66 fantasy points, which Paul was on the court for. The Pelicans struggle against opposing shooting guards, despite Jrue Holiday being a decent defender. Over the last ten games, they are allowing the 7th most fantasy points per game to the position, and rank dead last in defensive efficiency. Harden has played over 30 minutes in each of the last three games, and looks back to his usual self after missing some time with an injury. Per Swish Analytics, when game totals are 215 or higher, Harden averages 57 fantasy points per game. The scoring should be there tonight, and his defensive stats have been excellent returning. He has totaled seven steals and seven blocks in the last four games. Harden can certainly break a slate.

DK Salary: $4,900 / FD Salary: $5,700

Before I dive into the next two bigs I don't mind targeting tonight for cheap, Dwight Howard is going to be a higher priced center I want exposure to. Howard should be somewhat popular tonight, as he said he wants to "kill" the Hawks after trading him to Charlotte. Howard has already been dominating, averaging 16 and 14 with 2.9 blocks per game over his last ten. He gets a weak Hawks front court that he should dominate.

Milwaukee shook things up this week, firing Jason Kidd. I am very curious to see how this team plays out moving forward. We have always seen Kidd have a revolving door of centers, and Henson might be in line for more stable minutes moving forward. Henson has played 30+ minutes in three of the last four games, but has only topped 5x value just once in that span. However, we have seen Henson capitalize on good matchups, and that is the case tonight. Henson has put up 30+ fantasy points in his last three meetings against Brooklyn, and he didn't play over 28 minutes in any of those games. The Nets continue to struggle against opposing centers, allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game in the last ten. The Nets have also allowed the fifth most blocks per game to opposing centers (2.2), which is a big aspect of Henson's potential upside.

DK Salary: $5,700 / FD Salary: $4,700

We need to monitor Alex Len's status for tonight's game, who is currently questionable with an ankle injury. Len has battled injuries before, so I am not expecting him to suit up tonight. Tyson Chandler will likely still draw the start, but Greg Monroe would play some backup minutes. Monroe got the start against Milwaukee, hitting 34 fantasy points, and then played 29 minutes against Indiana, dropping 40 fantasy points. Chandler was in foul trouble, and we saw Phoenix run with Monroe after that. We are looking at 9x in those two games. I will say, Monroe's price is a lot more appealing on FD tonight in terms of reaching that potential return, but DK I wouldn't rule him out either. The Knicks are on the second night of a back-to-back, as mentioned above, and their defense has taken a nosedive. Over the last ten days, they rank 27th in defensive efficiency as a team. Against centers, they rank 26th in defensive efficiency and are allowing the tenth most fantasy points per game to the position. We have been getting the Suns news fairly early in the day, so I will update when I come across it.

DK Salary: $6,200 / FD Salary: $5,800

I needed to see Brandon Ingram's minutes get back up again, after being banged up the last week. He played 33 minutes against Boston, and shot just 18% from the field. We haven't seen Ingram hit 30+ fantasy points since 1/11, and people will be overlooking him tonight. While we are looking at guys like Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson as well, do not forget about Ingram. The former Blue Devil put up 38 fantasy points last time these two met, and has that type of upside. Given his price is dropped down across the industry, that 30-40 fantasy points goes further. Chicago is a fantastic matchup for any position, and the Bulls have allowed the 10th most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards over the last ten, and rank 28th in defensive efficiency. Chicago also ranks 21st in rebounding, which is an area Ingram can attack from time-to-time.