Per usual Friday tradition, we have a full slate of NBA games on tap tonight and FanDuel has a ton of great contests to take part in. There are some games that can be avoided altogether (Knicks/Spurs) and a few others that stand out from a fantasy perspective. As always, make sure to keep your eye on the Player News page here on Rotoworld. Injuries can change the entire landscape in daily fantasy basketball.
Point Guard
Michael Carter-Williams vs. Dallas Mavericks
Salary $7,100
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 18.7 | Last Five Games: 18.2
Min/Game -- Season: 30.4 | Last Five Games: 34.7
FP/Game -- Season: 27.5 | Last Five Games: 38.7
A lot of people are going to target Kyrie Irving tonight after his monster outing against the Wizards, but I’d rather save $700 and target Carter-Williams. He has been terrific over his last five games, averaging 38.7 fantasy points per contest. MCW would also see a sizable boost if Jerryd Bayless (questionable) is ruled out.
Mario Chalmers vs. Denver Nuggets
Salary $4,900
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 19.5 | Last Five Games: 22.9
Min/Game -- Season: 20.1 | Last Five Games: 24.8
FP/Game -- Season: 18.4 | Last Five Games: 26.7
Mike Conley and Courtney Lee both missed this morning’s shootaround. They are both listed as doubtful. Conley will likely draw the start at point guard and see all of the minutes that he can handle. He is close to a must play tonight against the Nuggets, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to point guards.
Shooting Guard
Victor Oladipo vs. Brooklyn Nets
Salary $6,000
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 20.4 | Last Five Games: 20.4
Min/Game -- Season: 29.1 | Last Five Games: 29.9
FP/Game -- Season: 25.9 | Last Five Games: 26.8
Elfrid Payton is highly unlikely to play tonight, which means Oladipo will have another opportunity to start at point guard and potentially see minutes in the upper-30s. He has played well in his last two starts, averaging 33 fantasy points in 38 minutes per game. His price has come up, but he is still one of the top plays on the board.
Devin Booker vs. Miami Heat
Salary $3,900
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 14.5 | Last Five Games: 16.5
Min/Game -- Season: 17.5 | Last Five Games: 31.7
FP/Game -- Season: 11.4 | Last Five Games: 22.3
The Suns draw a difficult matchup against the defensive-minded Heat, but Booker is still an excellent value play. He is coming off of a monster game against the Hornets and he has averaged 31.7 minutes over his last five games. I’m debating between Booker and Tony Allen as my favorite value play at the position.
Small Forward
Paul George vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Salary $8,800
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 25.6 | Last Five Games: 24.7
Min/Game -- Season: 35.8 | Last Five Games: 37.1
FP/Game -- Season: 39.7 | Last Five Games: 41.3
George has picked up his play recently, averaging 41.3 fantasy points in his last five games. He draws a favorable matchup tonight against the Pelicans, who have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA this season. George has tremendous upside in what is expected to be a fast-paced, high-scoring game.
Jeff Green vs. Denver Nuggets
Salary $4,800
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 16.1 | Last Five Games: 17.9
Min/Game -- Season: 29.1 | Last Five Games: 32.1
FP/Game -- Season: 19.6 | Last Five Games: 23.0
Assuming Mike Conley and Courtney Lee are out tonight, there are going to be plenty of minutes that open up in the Grizzlies’ backcourt. Green will likely slide over and spend some time at the two and three. He could see 35+ minutes in a favorable matchup against the Nuggets.
Power Forward
Anthony Davis vs. Indiana Pacers
Salary $10,400
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 23.7 | Last Five Games: 23.3
Min/Game -- Season: 36.6 | Last Five Games: 37.9
FP/Game -- Season: 44.7 | Last Five Games: 44.4
Davis has been a frustrating fantasy play this season. He seems to underwhelm (or get hurt) in favorable matchups and play well in tough matchups. Davis is the premier play at power forward tonight, as he draws a favorable matchup against the Pacers at home.
Tristan Thompson vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary $4,600
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 10.3 | Last Five Games: 10.7
Min/Game -- Season: 27.6 | Last Five Games: 32.4
FP/Game -- Season: 21.3 | Last Five Games: 21.2
Thompson is one of the safest plays on the board tonight. He is a monster on the glass and he is averaging minutes in the low-30s since entering the starting lineup. He is a bit underpriced on FanDuel and he draws a nice matchup against the Wolves, who are ranked 22nd against centers.
Center
Marc Gasol vs. Denver Nuggets
Salary $7,500
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 19.4 | Last Five Games: 21.3
Min/Game -- Season: 34.5 | Last Five Games: 33.5
FP/Game -- Season: 32.1 | Last Five Games: 29.1
If Mike Conley and Courtney Lee were ruled out tonight, the Grizzlies’ offense would likely run through a combination of Mario Chalmers and Gasol. He is a great passer and he could post something close to a triple-double tonight against the Nuggets.
Note: This is not meant to be a full lineup. The picks are my favorite targets at each position.