NBA GPP Green Light: 2-9-18

After a somewhat hectic trade deadline, which was more designed around the Cavs throwing everyone out for some fresh bodies, we have to deal with the aftermath tonight. Guys like Derrick Rose, Larry Nance, and Jordan Clarkson will not be playing in tonight's games. Dwyane Wade will be for the Heat, and is the only one I know of at the moment to be playing fresh off a trade. Tonight's slate features some high scoring games, including LAC-DET, NOR-PHI, DEN-HOU, and MIN-CHI has totals over 215. Joel Embiid is the biggest injury news so far to pop up during the day, as he is questionable with an ankle injury. If Embiid sits out, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric are excellent high upside plays.

There are also plenty of revenge game narrative games tonight, as Minnesota heads to Chicago, which means Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson get some revenge. We also have Zach LaVine on the other side of that game, Jrue Holiday in Philly, and Kyle Korver in Atlanta. Oh, and there is even more. Avery Bradley and Tobias Harris head to Detroit to take on Blake Griffin and the Pistons. The narrative might be driving up the ownership on some of these guys, but I don't see a potential matchup reason to fade them.

DK Salary: $8,900 / FD Salary: $9,900

Over the last ten games, Denver is averaging 110.6 points per game, while Houston ranks just ahead of them with 111.3 points per game. This game should be back and forth tonight, and produce a ton of fantasy goodness. Of course you have James Harden and Chris Paul on the Houston side of things, who both present huge GPP upside we are looking for. However, Nikola Jokic is going to be an interesting pivot away from Anthony Davis tonight, who is going to carry high ownership moving forward without Cousins, and also as long as there is a functioning roof working above him. Jokic is averaging 35 minutes and 46.1 fantasy points per game over his last five games this season. Over his last three games against Houston, Jokic has posted 51, 61, and 34 fantasy point games. The 34 fantasy point game was due to him just playing 25 minutes. Houston ranks 13th in defensive efficiency against opposing centers over the last ten games, and a small note here with them allowing two steals per game to opposing centers in that span. Jokic averages 1.17 steals per game this season, which is fourth among qualified centers this season. We have seen Jokic rack up points, rebounds, and assists, but he has seven steals and three blocks in the last three meetings vs. Houston. You definitely want some exposure to this game tonight.

DK Salary: $7,800 / FD Salary: $7,600

New Orleans should be well rested after having their last game PPD. Jrue Holiday is logging heavy minutes, averaging 36 over his last five games. He is averaging 39 fantasy points per game and 17 field goal attempts per game in that span. Of course Davis is great GPP exposure to this game, but Holiday is a cheaper alternative to getting exposure, and has the revenge game narrative here. Philadelphia ranks 9th in defensive efficiency against shooting guards over the last ten games, but are allowing the fifth most fantasy points per game in that span. Holiday's scoring should be there tonight, but he has 23 assists over the last three games, and has a steal in every game but two over the last ten games. Philly allows the third most steals per game to opposing SG, and the fifth most rebounds. Holiday should be able to rack up a full line tonight against his former team.

DK Salary: $5,900 / FD Salary: $6,100

Okay, I know Jimmy Butler and Zach LaVine are going to be the featured plays from this game, and both are terrific options even with higher ownership. Not saying to fade either of them, but you can play multiple players from this game as it should stay close. Minnesota and Chicago both rank 27th and 28th in defensive efficiency over the last ten games. Jeff Teague is finally coming off a strong game, and it was unclear if he was going to be losing minutes moving forward. The Bulls have been better against point guards of late, allowing the fifth fewest fantasy points per game over the last ten games, and rank 19th in defensive efficiency. Teague has potential to rack up plenty of assists in this game, and doesn't have to be a focal scorer to generate upside. At these price tags, you are looking for around 35 fantasy points tonight, and anything more would be a bonus. While I love the narrative names in this game, Teague has a solid matchup to give you an even better points per dollar return.

DK Salary: $6,500 / FD Salary: $6,700

This is another scenario where you have some revenge narratives. Blake Griffin, Tobias Harris, and Avery Bradley would be the revenge narratives to target, and Griffin would be the highest upside choice. On the Clippers side of things, Danilo Gallinari draws a lot of interest for me. He has scored 28 and 24 real points in the last two games, and is shooting over 50% since returning from injury. His minutes were into the mid 30's last game, which is positive moving forward. Coming off back to back games over 35 fantasy points, he should continue that trend tonight against the Pistons. Detroit has struggled tremendously this season against SF, and that continues to be the case. Over the last ten games, Detroit ranks 30th in defensive efficiency against SF, and are allowing the second most fantasy points per game in that span. Looking at seasonal numbers, both those numbers stay the same. Gallinari should go overlooked on this slate, and the Clippers have a sneaky 107 team total.