NBA Winners From Downtown: 2-8-16

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

- The teams with the three best matchups tonight have the three biggest spreads, go figure. Cleveland, Indiana, and Oklahoma City are all favored by double-digit points. It will be hard for me to fade any of them in any format. The Clippers are nine point favorites against the Sixers, but you can wrap the blowout factor into that one as well.

- Those teams are your highest projected scoring teams of the night, while Minnesota, New Orleans, Charlotte, Atlanta, Toronto, and Denver are your other high projected scoring teams with closer spreads.

- Nobody has a team total below 95, so if you can navigate through blowouts, you will be in good shape according to Vegas.

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $6,900 DK: $7,000

Of course Russell Westbrook is your top option tonight, but you know the story by now, especially against the Phoenix Suns. I will be heading down a price tier to Derrick Rose, who will lead the backcourt again without Jimmy Butler. He had a 36% usage rate in the last matchup against Minnesota where Butler sat out, and you can expect another high usage game tonight. He is averaging 19-5-6 in the last six games, and squares off against an average Charlotte defense. For what Rose's production/usage will be tonight, these are great prices, so get him while you can.

Salary: FD: $8,200 DK: $8,000

Shooting guard is a crapshoot tonight, and unfortunately if you want safety you will have to pay up. DeMar DeRozen is averaging 26-2-3 in the last five games, shooting 48% from the field. I love the Raptors because it is easy to find the fantasy production, just like the Thunder. If Toronto has a 104 team total, you can expect big things from the backcourt. It is very concentrated. DeRozen will also be matched up with Stanley Johnson, a more unexperienced defender. Detroit has allowed the 12th most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards this season. If you want to come off DeRozen for some cheaper mid-priced SG, Andrew Wiggins and Victor Oladipo are intriguing options.

Salary: FD: $10,200 DK: $9,800

I can't remember the last time I have chosen LeBron James over Kevin Durant, but I will tonight. I like the price difference between the two tonight, especially on DraftKings at $900 cheaper. James is averaging 35-6-6 in the last six games, logging heavy minutes. (37.5) He is shooting 47% from the field in that span, but has been horrendous from three, making 2-22. I love James tonight in a high paced game against the Kings, who have the league's worst defense. They are also on the second night of a back-to-back, and you saw Boston shred them for 128 points. I like all three of the big stars in this game, but James is my favorite. The Kings have allowed the 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing SF in the last ten games.

Salary: FD: $7,800 DK: $7,900

Much like the Rose play, Anthony Davis is your top option at PF tonight, but I am not forcing him into any of my lineups. Paul Millsap's price has come down some with his recent play since the ankle injury, but bounced back against Orlando yesterday. He went 14-9-2-2-2. He has averaged a double-double against Orlando in three games this season, also tacking on 3.7 blocks+steals per game. Orlando has allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards this season, and the 5th most in the last ten games. Look for Atlanta come out with some fire after losing on a buzzer beater yesterday.

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

I was very excited to see Karl-Anthony Towns taking on New Orleans today. I will definitely be paying the high prices to get him in my lineups in all formats. Towns is averaging 22-12-1 in the last five games, shooting 59% from the field. He is also playing big minutes again. (35.4) New Orleans ranks 22nd in rebounding, and have allowed the third most fantasy points per game to opposing centers this season. They have allowed the second most in the last ten days. This is one of my favorite games to target tonight, and there are plenty of solid matchups all around.

Value Plays

Emmanuel Mudiay (PG - DEN) FD: $5,400 DK: $5,600

Emmanuel Mudiay had his first zero turnover game of his career yesterday, as Denver beat the Knicks, and drove Derek Fisher out of town. Mudiay is averaging 13-2-6 in the last six games, and has taken better care of the ball. He is taking on the Nets, who have allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards. Brooklyn also is known to force mistakes, so look for Mudiay to keep the turnovers down again.

E'Twaun Moore (SG - CHI) FD: $4,100 DK: $4,900

Jimmy Butler is already ruled out tonight, and E'Twaun Moore will step into a bigger role again. Charlotte has allowed the 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards this season. He has seen 38, 31, and 38 minutes with Butler's knee issue, shooting over 50% in two of those games. He has made an average of three three pointers in that span, which gives him some upside if he gets hot. Charlotte ranks 18th in opposing 3-pt%, so Moore is definitely on my radar.

Wesley Johnson (SF - LAC) FD: $4,200 DK: $4,300

We have been on the Stanley Johnson wagon the last few games, and we will continue to be tonight. If you need to go a bit cheaper, Wesley Johnson is on my radar in this matchup, especially at these prices. He is averaging 9 and 4 in the last five games, but adds 3.0 blocks+steals per game. He ran into some foul trouble yesterday, and still put up 23 fantasy points in 18 minutes. He has seen 25+ minutes in three of the last five. The 76ers have allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing SF, and rank dead last in turnovers.