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Winners From Downtown is bringing the top daily picks for your cash games, alongside some value plays, and Vegas notes. Be sure to check out our minutes tool, and Colossus lineup optimizer.
Projections show DraftKings prices and fantasy points.
Vegas Notes
- Mavericks-Kings has the highest total on the night at 214.5, with the Mavs listed as 1.5 point favorites on the road. Thunder-Hawks isn't far behind at 211.5 (+2).
Top Picks
Kevin Durant (SF), Thunder | |||||||
Opponent | Minutes | Fantasy Points Per Minute | Defensive Efficiency Rating | Usage Rate | Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed | Vegas Team Total | Projection |
at ATL | 36 | 1.45 | 18.6 | 29.5 | 36.53 | 106.75 | 52.20 |
Salary: FD: $10,500 DK: $9,900
Durant has been nothing short of phenomenal since his return from injury, posting 45.5, 52, and 65.75 FP in three contests. Tonight he faces the Hawks, who have suddenly been an ideal target for opposing teams. They rank near the bottom of the league in rebounding, currently sitting at 25th with a -3.6 mark per game. Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha will see the bulk of the time on Durant, and while Thabo is a solid defender, Durant remains an elite player, and is in play in even the toughest matchups. This game has the second-highest total on the night and has a spread of just 2 points. This one should remain competitive throughout. Fire him up with confidence tonight.
James Harden (SG), Houston | |||||||
Opponent | Minutes | Fantasy Points Per Minute | Defensive Efficiency Rating | Usage Rate | Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed | Vegas Team Total | Projection |
at DET | 38 | 1.33 | 18.6 | 33.9 | 37.07 | 96.75 | 51.87 |
Salary: FD: $10,700 DK: $10,300
In cash games, you're looking for a high floor/upside combo, and Harden may be the best combo of it on tonight's slate. This game has a total of just 198 points, but Harden's enormous 33.9% usage rate makes him an elite play any time he touches the floor. Last night, he shot just 38% from the field, and still managed to hit 51.25 FP, his 4th consecutive game of at least 50 FP, and 8th in his last 10 games. There are other viable options for cheaper at SG tonight, but if you're looking for the highest floor and highest upside, lock in Harden.
Gordon Hayward (SF), Jazz | |||||||
Opponent | Minutes | Fantasy Points Per Minute | Defensive Efficiency Rating | Usage Rate | Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed | Vegas Team Total | Projection |
vs GS | 35 | 0.87 | 18.4 | 24.6 | 34.09 | 97 | 30.45 |
Salary: FD: $6,500 DK: $6,600
With the Jazz hosting the undefeated Warriors tonight, they will need their best players to step up if they have a chance of ruining the defending champs' incredible run. Hayward has been a great all-around player recently since his slow start to the season, with 29.75, 38.25, 32.25, 51.25, and 24.25 FP over his last 5 games. With Harrison Barnes likely to miss another game, Hawyard will see some Andre Iguodala, but G-Hay has remained one of the most reliable players on the Jazz once again. He can rack up fantasy points even when his shot isn't falling, and I'll be looking his way in all formats.
Draymond Green (PF), Warriors | |||||||
Opponent | Minutes | Fantasy Points Per Minute | Defensive Efficiency Rating | Usage Rate | Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed | Vegas Team Total | Projection |
at UTA | 35 | 1.13 | 17.7 | 17 | 43.59 | 104.5 | 38 |
Salary: FD: $8,200 DK: $7,700
Green is one of my favorite players to roster in cash games. Although his 17% usage rate seems low, he stuffs the stat sheet as well (or better) than any player on the planet. The DK bonuses for double-doubles and triple-doubles come into play in a big way for Green, as he has messed around and got a triple double in 2 straight games and 3 of his last 7. Tonight's matchup against the Jazz is less than ideal, but keep in mind that Dray doesn't need to score actual points to pay off his tag. He has made a grand total of 8 FG in his last 2 games and totaled 108.75 FP.
Damian Lillard (PG), Blazers | |||||||
Opponent | Minutes | Fantasy Points Per Minute | Defensive Efficiency Rating | Usage Rate | Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed | Vegas Team Total | Projection |
at LAC | 36 | 1.16 | 20 | 31.9 | 43.95 | 99.5 | 41.76 |
Salary: FD: $9,400 DK: $9,400
If you're looking for consistency (and you are), Lillard is your man. You'll have to pay a premium tag for him, but he has eclipsed 40 FP in 8 of his last 10 games, and is averaging 44.7 FP per contest on the season. He faces a tough matchup against Chris Paul tonight, but he has had success against him already this season, finishing with 44.5 FP despite shooting just 10-25. He has one of the best floors of any PG tonight, and I don't mind paying up if you aren't using some of the values below.
Value Plays
Patrick Beverley (PG - HOU) FD: $3,600 DK: $3,900
With Ty Lawson struggling, J.B Bickerstaff has announced that he would prefer to have Jason Terry next to James Harden which means more minutes for Beverley. In fact, Lawson had a DNP-CD last game, while Beverley over 30 minutes for the second straight game. He is more of a defender than offensive threat, but he can rack up points via steals and peripheral stats. He doesn't have much upside, but his floor is decent at this price tag.
O.J. Mayo (SG - MIL) FD: $3,600 DK: $4,000
Mayo earned the start last time out, and played a whopping 44 minutes, finishing with 29.25 DK points. Tonight the Bucks face defensively-inept Denver, and if he draws the start again, he makes for one of the best value plays on the board. He isn't an elite player in any one way, but if he is seeing big minutes, he can crush this salary if his shot is falling.
Gerald Green (SG - MIA) FD: $3,700 DK: $4,000
With Luol Deng ruled out once again, Green will likely draw the start against Boston. I don't like the matchup, as the Celtics are one of the better defenses in the NBA, but Green should see a full compliment of minutes. He is very scoring-dependent, but can light it up when his shot is going down, as evidenced by his 25 points in 27 minutes against the Knicks. He has a low floor, but that floor gets a bump with the injury to Deng.
Clint Capela (C - HOU) FD: $4,600 DK: $5,100
Capela is coming off his best game of the season, Capela now has a double-double in 3 of his last 4 games. He has been slotted into the starting lineup next to Dwight Howard, and is easily out-performing Terrence Jones. He will be a popular value play down low, and he'll be a very tough fade for me in cash games against Detroit.
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