NBA Winners From Downtown: 12-1-15

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

- Nets-Suns has the highest total tonight. (207) It has both teams over 100 points, which is the only game looking like that's the case.

- Cleveland is favored by 9, and with the way Washington is playing, I would not be surprised to see a blowout.

- With Damian Lillard's status up in the air, there is no spread for the Mavs-Blazers game.

Top Picks

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

Point guard is somewhat shallow tonight, especially if Damian Lillard sits. Brandon Knight is in one of the better matchups of the night, facing off against Brooklyn. They have allowed 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards. They also rank 22nd in defensive efficiency, and rank around the middle of the league for pace. With Phoenix pushing the tempo, this game should be high scoring. Knight is averaging 23 points in the last six games, and has delivered a very consistent floor. He is spreading the ball around, averaging 6.7 assists in that span, with two steals per game. With not much to off among other point guards, he is the safer option.

Salary: FD: $6,700 DK: $6,600

C.J. McCollum could be running the point guard position tonight, if Lillard is out. He notched his first double-double last night, when Lillard left the game. He finished with 12 points, and 10 assists. Regardless of where he plays, he will have an average matchup with Dallas. They have a league average defensive efficiency rating, and stand in the middle of the league in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing guards. McCollum is shooting 46% in the last five games, delivering a steady 30 fantasy point floor. I also love Jordan Clarkson on DK, who is shooting guard eligible.

Salary: FD: $6,400 DK: $6,600

If you are missing something right now, chances are Robert Covington stole it. He is averaging 4.5 steals in the last six games, to go along with a 16 points, and seven boards. Covington is playing phenomenal basketball right now. 21 steals in the last three games drives up his ceiling, but even if he has a down game in the steals department, he has a stable floor. Points-per-dollar, he is the best SF play tonight, in a game which features two of the worst defensive teams in the league. Lakers rank 29th in defensive efficiency, allowing the 10th most fantasy points per game to opposing SF.

Salary: FD: $8,300 DK: $8,300

Kevin Love just keeps on delivering. He is averaging 24 and 11 in the last five games, shooting 55% from three. Washington has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing power forwards, and rank 23rd in rebound differential. It is hard to not see Love ending up with another 20 and 10 type of game tonight. I do like him a bit more on DraftKings, with the double-double, and three point bonuses. Thaddeus Young is another great cash game play at PF, averaging 15 and 10 in the last five games, shooting 52%. This combo is ideal for cash games tonight.

Salary: FD: $8,400 DK: $7,400

There are a ton of center options, but playing it safe with Brook Lopez is the way to go. He is averaging 20 and 8 in the last five games, with 3.6 blocks+steals. The Suns have limited centers this season, but Lopez continues to dominate, and has the second highest usage rate among centers this season. In an up-tempo matchup like this, Lopez has higher rebounding upside, and continues to be the offensive threat in Brooklyn. Phoenix has allowed the 7th highest field goal percentage to opposing centers.

Value Plays

With the abundance of centers tonight, Gorgui Dieng stands out as one of the better values. He is averaging 10 and 7, with 2.7 blocks+steals per game in the last five. He is seeing 25 minutes per game, especially down the stretch. Orlando has a mediocre front court defense, allowing the 14th most fantasy points per game to opposing centers in the last ten.