After getting burned by the Tyreke Evans late scratch last night, and Denzel Valentine busting, it is time to set our sights on tonight's six-game slate while hoping that we get accurate injury news before lock. We have some excellent games to target, with four games over 215 points, and two games at 208 points. The Pelicans, Timberwolves, Raptors, Jazz, and Rockets all have totals over 110 points, so those are great places to start. The Celtics continue to be decimated by injuries, with Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, and Daniel Theis all out, the Hawks are decimated as well, and there is a chance that the Trail Blazers could be without Damian Lillard as his wife is expecting the birth of their child soon.

DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers

Projected Minutes

Team Total

DvP

FPPG Allowed

Usage Rate

DK Projection

FD Projection

32 111.25 13 47.2 16.06 32.89 32.82

DK Salary: $7,800 / FD Salary: $8,200

The Los Angeles Clippers head into a very important game tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a game that could have major playoff implications if they are able to pull out a win. They suffered a double-digit defeat at the hands of Portland last game, so they will be looking to come out with energy and bounce back against the Wolves tonight. DeAndre is going to play a vital role in Los Angeles keeping this game close, if they are going to, and he has been playing outstanding basketball recently. He played limited minutes in Sunday's double-digit loss to Portland but was able to pull down 16 rebounds while scoring just seven points. Prior to the Portland game, Jordan had pulled down at least 18 rebounds in a staggering six-straight games and had reached double-digits in points in four of those games. He has been more involved in the offense recently, posting at least two assists in five straight outings, as well, and has posted at least nine field goal attempts in six of the last ten games. He has shown off massive upside of late, with at least 50 fantasy points in three of the last ten games and faces off against a very weak Minnesota Timberwolves interior defense. The Wolves have ranked 30th in defensive efficiency to centers over the last ten games, giving up 27.3 points and 13.7 rebounds per game over that span. They have surrendered 54.59 fantasy points per game to centers over that span, as well, which is a four point increase over their season average. I expect that Jordan will come out with a very strong performance tonight and he is someone I will not be passing up on.

Josh Jackson, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns

Projected Minutes

Team Total

DvP

FPPG Allowed

Usage Rate

DK Projection

FD Projection

35

-

27

42.99

25.43

31.50

31.50

DK Salary: $6,300 / FD Salary: $6,500

The Detroit Pistons head into Phoenix tonight, on the second-half of a back-to-back, and that presents a spot that we can attack tonight. In addition to the potential for tired legs, the Suns will be without T.J. Warren tonight, and potentially Devin Booker, which will open a lot of minutes for Josh Jackson. Jackson has been a great fantasy option when starting in place of either option and he is coming off one of his best games of the season with 36 points and six rebounds against Warriors and has scored in double figures in three-straight outings. With Warren off the floor this season, Jackson is averaging 1.01 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 28.6 percent. Those numbers climb to 1.06 fantasy points per minute and a 31.7 percent usage rate. He gets an excellent matchup against the Pistons tonight, as Detroit has ranked 27th in fantasy points allowed to small forwards, allowing 42.99 fantasy points per game. They struggle to protect the rim, allowing opponents to shoot 66.5 percent near the basket, which is where 42 percent of Jackson's field goal attempts have taken place this season. Jackson should have no issues racking up peripherals here, as well, and has a massive ceiling tonight.

Nemanja Bjelica, SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Minutes

Team Total

DvP

FPPG Allowed

Usage Rate

DK Projection

FD Projection

37

114.75

26

43.9

14.12

32.19

31.45

DK Salary: $5,800 / FD Salary: $6,100

When Jimmy Butler went down with a devastating injury, many people wondered who would step up to shoulder the load offensively for the Timberwolves. Some thought it would be Wiggins, some thought it would be Jeff Teague, while some thought it would Karl-Anthony Towns. Alas, it was none of those options. It was the one and only Nemanja Bjelica who has stepped up for the Wolves and is carrying them to playoff glory. Okay, okay... I am mostly kidding there.. but Bjelica has been outstanding over the last nine games with Jimmy Butler out. He is averaging 13.2 points, eight rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in those nine games, which represents all around increases on his season averages, and he is averaging almost 38 minutes per game over that span. Bjelica has flashed major upside of late, as well, with 51.5, 34.75, and 41.5 fantasy points in three of his most recent five games. The Clippers present a great matchup for Bjelica, as they rank 26th in fantasy points allowed to small forwards, and their 43.8 rebounds allowed per game this season gives Bjelica upside, as well. Bjelica is a little too cheap for the 40-plus point upside he has in this spot.

J.J. Barea, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks

Projected Minutes

Team Total

DvP

FPPG Allowed

Usage Rate

DK Projection

FD Projection

24

105

21

48.3

27.17

28.18

26.91

DK Salary: $4,800 / FD Salary: $6,000

The Dallas Mavericks will be shorthanded for tonight's game against the New Orleans Pelicans, as Dennis Smith Jr. will be out, which means J.J. Barea should find himself the beneficiary of extra minutes and usage. Barea, himself, is questionable with a rib injury but should be able to suit up here. With Dennis Smith off the floor this season, Barea is averaging 1.07 fantasy points per minute with a 26.4 percent usage rate in 543 minutes. He is averaging almost 28 minutes per game in the nine games that Smith has missed, as well, which is an increase of about two minutes from his season average. He is averaging 27.4 fantasy points per game in those outings, which is also a two-point increase over his season average. Only one of those games, however, has taken place since Devin Harris was shipped out of town. That game was a 114-80 thumping of the Memphis Grizzlies where Barea played 24 minutes and notched 33 fantasy points. The Pelicans have struggled against point guards this season, allowing 48.3 fantasy points per game to the position, and they have been terrible against spot-up shooters, which accounts for about 15 percent of Barea's possessions this season. Barea is averaging 26.9 fantasy points in three previous meetings against the Pelicans, in just 22.5 minutes, so a few extra minutes bodes extremely well for his ability to crush his salary tonight.

Ish Smith, PG, Detroit Pistons

Projected Minutes

Team Total

DvP

FPPG Allowed

Usage Rate

DK Projection

FD Projection

28

-

30

50.2

16.17

26.04

26.4

DK Salary: $4,400 / FD Salary: $5,000

After playing 34 minutes last night against the Kings, and 28 against Portland the game prior, it is possible that we are starting to see Ish Smith gain the trust of head coach Stan Van Gundy once again. Obviously, that could change with SVG's fickle nature, but at his current price, Smith is way too cheap tonight to overlook in tournaments. He comes in a mere $4,400 on DraftKings, and $5,000 on FanDuel, is coming off a big game against the Kings, and he is facing off against the league's worst point guard defense. Smith has been volatile, and so have his minutes, which is why rolling him in any other format than GPPs is risky, but for a guy with 30-plus fantasy point upside at his price, it may very well be worth the risk tonight. Smith has seen his fantasy point per minute totals plummet recently, as he is now averaging just .88 fantasy points per minute, but historically he has been a guy that has averaged around .95 fantasy points per minute over the last three seasons. Over the last two seasons against the Suns, Smith is averaging 27.8 fantasy points per game, in just 25.4 minutes, and he torched them to the tune of 28 fantasy points in just 20 minutes earlier this season. Smith matches up well against their inability to defend in transition and against the pick-and-roll, so he should be able to score with ease, and it is very likely that he goes completely overlooked as a fantasy option tonight with options like Yogi Ferrell and Rajon Rondo in the same price range.



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