NBA Winners From Downtown: 2-23-16

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

- Kings-Nuggets is the big one tonight, with a 222 game total, and just a 1.5 point spread. Get some exposure.

- Every game is over 200, but Utah-Houston is the least favorable. I will pass on Houston in cash games.

- Portland are 11.5 point favorites tonight, so some blowout concern here. Just a note that Lillard and McCollum have only played under 30 minutes just three times each this season.

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $9,500 DK: $9,600

There are a couple point guards up top to roll with, and not much separates the three. I will be rolling with Mr. Popular in cash games tonight, as Damian Lillard is cruising in the last ten games. He is averaging 26-3-8, and has dropped at least 30 real points in each of the last four games. Shooting at least 20 times in each of the last six games will also help his cause. Brooklyn has allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season, and the 3rd highest FG%. Look for Lillard to light it up again tonight. If you are playing on DraftKings, the $1,000 difference from Rajon Rondo is noteworthy, who is another safe option tonight.

Salary: FD: $5,400 DK: $5,800

I will be staying in this range for shooting guards tonight, while Rodney Hood, and Will Barton are honorable mentions as well. All three have enticing matchups, but I will breakdown Evan Fournier. He played 34 minutes last game without Tobias Harris, and was playing heavy minutes with him injured before the trade. Fournier has earned the starting role with his consistent play. He is averaging 16-3-3 in the last ten, shooting 50.5% from the field. Fournier is playing SF for Orlando, while Philly has allowed the 6th most fantasy points per game to opposing SF.

Salary: FD: $7,100 DK: $7,100

This is a game you want exposure to this evening, and Danilo Gallinari is a good place to grab it from the Nuggets' side. He is averaging 22-3-3 in the last ten games, shooting 40% from three. The Kings have allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing SF this season. Sacramento also ranks 28th in turnovers, so there is hope Gallinari can grab a few peripheral stats to match his scoring tonight. This position is extremely weak tonight, and paying up for one of the few small forwards is wise. Also taking shots at the highest team total of the night is wise.

Salary: FD: $6,100 DK: $6,300

You are looking at the definition of consistency right now. Aaron Gordon has scored 30+ fantasy points in seven of the last ten games, and has double-digit rebounds in the last five. He will likely keep up the rebounding rate against the league's third worst rebounding team. Philly has also allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this season. Get some shares of Orlando for consistency tonight in cash games, especially with this matchup. Gordon's ability to put up fantasy points without scoring is one of the reasons I like him so much.

Salary: FD: $7,100 DK: $6,600

If you are wondering where DeMarcus Cousins is, well he is an obvious play. If you can fit him in, fire him up. Marcin Gortat draws a favorable matchup against New Orleans, who rank 22nd in rebounding, and have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers this season. Gortat is averaging 15 and 10 in the last ten games, shooting 61% from the field. If you have the extra cash to spend, Nikola Vucevic is a great choice as well. I thought I would limit myself to just three Magic players in the article.

Value Plays

Brandon Jennings (PG - ORL) FD: $3,900 DK: $4,600

There isn't much value tonight, but Brandon Jennings is very interesting at these prices. He has seen 25 minutes in each of the two games with Orlando, putting up 30 and 28 fantasy points. He has seen a 24.8 and 27.8 usage rate in the two, and expect much of the same tonight. He gets an A+ matchup against Philly, and should easily surpass value.

Gary Harris (SG - DEN) FD: $4,700 DK: $4,700

Gary Harris is not going to win you a GPP with his upside, but if you need a punt at shooting guard, he is worth a look. Harris has played 35+ minutes in eight of the last ten games, and more on the closer side to 40. He has put up double-digit points in six of those games, and has four straight games above 20 fantasy points. Harris is the only viable cheap option at SG tonight.

Maurice Harkless (SF - POR) FD: $4,400 DK: $4,400

Even with Noah Vonleh back for Portland last game, Maurice Harkless saw 25 minutes, which is encouraging. He has 29, 28, and 42 fantasy points in the last three games, and has seen 25 or more minutes in each. If I am paying down at SF tonight, Harkless is the option. He gets an above average matchup against a bad Brooklyn defense. Look Harkless' way if you need some extra salary.