Hopefully everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. After watching hours of football and eating more turkey than I thought was possible, I’m ready to get back at it tonight. There are 12 games on the schedule in what should be a high-scoring night of basketball. Here are the top plays for that slate on FanDuel.
Point Guard
Rajon Rondo vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary $8,400
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 17.5 | Last Five Games: 14.9
Min/Game -- Season: 36.8 | Last Five Games: 39.7
FP/Game -- Season: 42.6 | Last Five Games: 44.6
The Kings have one of the highest team totals on the board tonight, as they square off against the Wolves. This should be a close, fast-paced, and high-scoring game, which should create a lot of fantasy options. Rondo has been terrific over his last five games, averaging 44.6 fantasy points per contest. His price continues to rise, but he is one of the top fantasy options at any position tonight, especially if DeMarcus Cousins is ruled out.
Brandon Knight vs. Golden State Warriors
Salary $7,900
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 23.1 | Last Five Games: 24.3
Min/Game -- Season: 35.7 | Last Five Games: 38.5
FP/Game -- Season: 40.3 | Last Five Games: 41.5
Knight may not have the best matchup on paper, but the Warriors have struggled on the defensive end of the floor recently. They don’t mind getting into a shootout with teams, which can be good for their opponent’s fantasy production. Knight is averaging over 40 fantasy points per game this season and he is still priced at an affordable $8,200 on FanDuel.
Shooting Guard
Kevin Martin vs. Sacramento Kings
Salary $4,500
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 21.0 | Last Five Games: 19.2
Min/Game -- Season: 25.4 | Last Five Games: 24.3
FP/Game -- Season: 19.1 | Last Five Games: 16.2
Martin was inserted into the starting lineup two games ago. While he has been awful in both of his starts, he is seeing 30+ minutes now, which should soon translate into more fantasy production. Martin is dirt cheap on FanDuel at a price of only $4,500. As mentioned above, we should try to get as much exposure as we can to the Wolves/Kings game tonight.
Gerald Green vs. New York Knicks
Salary $3,500
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 20.2 | Last Five Games: 19.5
Min/Game -- Season: 21.1 | Last Five Games: 20.8
FP/Game -- Season: 13.7 | Last Five Games: 13.5
With Kevin Martin in a good spot and Gerald Green potentially drawing another start, this looks like a good night to take the value route at shooting guard. Green played 38 minutes in his first start of the season, scoring 22 fantasy points. With Luol Deng ruled out tonight, Green should be in the starting lineup again tonight against the Knicks.
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard vs. Denver Nuggets
Salary $8,800
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 22.2 | Last Five Games: 20.9
Min/Game -- Season: 34.9 | Last Five Games: 38.3
FP/Game -- Season: 41.6 | Last Five Games: 41.3
Leonard has been one of the most consistent options in daily fantasy basketball this season. He has basically been a lock for 35+ fantasy points every time he takes the floor. His usage rate has gone up this season and he has the ability to fill up all areas of the stat sheet. Leonard also draws a terrific matchup tonight against the Nuggets, who are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA.
Rudy Gay vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary $7,600
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 22.4 | Last Five Games: 22.5
Min/Game -- Season: 32.6 | Last Five Games: 33.0
FP/Game -- Season: 31.9 | Last Five Games: 37.3
This pick hinges on the healthy of DeMarcus Cousins, who sat out Wednesday’s game with a back injury. Gay would see a major boost in usage rate if Cousins were unable to play tonight. Throw in the fact that the Kings have one of the highest team totals on the board tonight and Gay becomes close to a must play. Even if Cousins is in the lineup, Gay is still a borderline elite play at small forward.
Power Forward
Anthony Davis vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Salary $11,000
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 24.5 | Last Five Games: 22.9
Min/Game -- Season: 34.3 | Last Five Games: 30.9
FP/Game -- Season: 47.1 | Last Five Games: 42.5
Davis has scored at least 20 points and has grabbed at least 15 rebounds in each of his last three games. He has topped 49 fantasy points in each, which has been his best three-game stretch of the season. The Pelicans head to Los Angeles tonight to take on the struggling Clippers. This should be a close, high-scoring game and Davis is one of the top plays at any position tonight.
Tristan Thompson vs. Charlotte Hornets
Salary $5,700
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 10.4 | Last Five Games: 10.5
Min/Game -- Season: 27.2 | Last Five Games: 31.7
FP/Game -- Season: 24.2 | Last Five Games: 27.1
This pick hinges on the availability of Timofey Mozgov. He was expected to be out until at least December, but he has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game. If Mozgov is unable to play, Tristan Thompson becomes one of the safest plays on the board tonight. In his three starts, he has played at least 34 minutes and has scored at least 26 fantasy points in each.
Center
Dwight Howard vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Salary $8,100
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 14.0 | Last Five Games: 9.4
Min/Game -- Season: 32.7 | Last Five Games: 36.3
FP/Game -- Season: 36.8 | Last Five Games: 30.6
There aren’t any obvious plays at center tonight, which should lead to a nice variety in both cash games and tournaments. One player that is on my radar is Dwight Howard. He has not played well recently, but has averaged 36.8 fantasy points per game this season. He also draws a terrific matchup against the Sixers, who are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA.
DeAndre Jordan vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Salary $7,800
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 11.3 | Last Five Games: 12.3
Min/Game -- Season: 32.5 | Last Five Games: 34.2
FP/Game -- Season: 35.7 | Last Five Games: 35.9
Jordan has been productive recently and no one seems to have noticed because of how bad the Clippers have been playing. In his last five games, he has averaged 34.2 minutes in 35.9 fantasy points per contest. Jordan should get plenty of easy buckets tonight against the Pelicans, who have been downright awful defensively this season. New Orleans is ranked dead last in points allowed per game and defensive efficiency.