Happy April Fools’ Day!
I’d make up some crazy story, but the internet is running rampant with those today. Instead, I will give you my favorite plays for tonight’s ten-game NBA slate on FanDuel.
Point Guard
John Wall vs. Phoenix Suns
Salary $9,600
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 24.7 | Last Five Games: 22.4
Min/Game -- Season: 36.1 | Last Five Games: 38.7
FP/Game -- Season: 42.4 | Last Five Games: 40.4
Wall has scored at least 38 fantasy points in each of his last four games. While that doesn’t quite live up to salary expectations, we should still consider Wall to be in good form. He is markedly cheaper than Stephen Curry tonight and given the matchup difference, I prefer Wall for both cash games and GPPs. The Suns are ranked 29th against point guards this season.
Brandon Knight vs. Washington Wizards
Salary $6,900
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 22.2 | Last Five Games: 22.8
Min/Game -- Season: 36.0 | Last Five Games: 35.9
FP/Game -- Season: 31.6 | Last Five Games: 32.9
Knight has been inconsistent recently, but his production has been fairly predictable. He struggled against the Bucks and Celtics, but had big outings against the Wolves and Lakers. The Wizards are a favorable matchup for fantasy production and the fact that this game is being played at home only helps Knight’s fantasy appeal.
Value Option: Shane Larkin: $3,900
Shooting Guard
Devin Booker vs. Washington Wizards
Salary $7,000
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 18.9 | Last Five Games: 24.3
Min/Game -- Season: 27.1 | Last Five Games: 38.0
FP/Game -- Season: 19.7 | Last Five Games: 34.4
Booker has been playing all of the minutes that he can handle. Over his last five games, he is averaging 34.4 fantasy points in 38 minutes per contest. He has an elite usage rate and he draws a favorable matchup against the Wizards. Booker should be the chalk play at shooting guard tonight, but he is an excellent play in all league formats.
Brad Beal vs. Phoenix Suns
Salary $5,900
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 21.3 | Last Five Games: 18.6
Min/Game -- Season: 31.1 | Last Five Games: 34.6
FP/Game -- Season: 26.4 | Last Five Games: 24.9
Beal is no longer on a minute restriction. Over his last five games, he is averaging 24.9 fantasy points in 34.6 minutes per contest. While consistency has been an issue for Beal, it has kept his price down. He draws one of the best matchups on the board tonight, as the Suns are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed to shooting guards.
Value Option: Wesley Matthews: $5,000
Small Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Orlando Magic
Salary $9,200
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 18.6 | Last Five Games: 18.2
Min/Game -- Season: 35.2 | Last Five Games: 34.7
FP/Game -- Season: 34.2 | Last Five Games: 31.6
Giannis was one of the highest owned players on Wednesday and he fell short of salary expectations by more than 20 fantasy points. His ownership should be deflated tonight thanks to recency bias. This is a good spot for him to bounce back though, as he gets to face a struggling Magic team at home. He also sees a small boost with Jerryd Bayless out.
Gordon Hayward vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary $6,900
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 21.8 | Last Five Games: 20.1
Min/Game -- Season: 36.1 | Last Five Games: 33.9
FP/Game -- Season: 31.4 | Last Five Games: 30.0
Hayward is one of my favorite plays on the board tonight, especially if Derrick Favors is ruled out. With Favors off the floor this season, Hayward has a usage rate of 32, while averaging 1.08 FP/min. The Jazz are in a must-win situation tonight against the Wolves and Hayward could end up playing minutes in the upper-30s if it stays close.
Value Option: Otto Porter: $5,500
Power Forward
Draymond Green vs. Boston Celtics
Salary $8,600
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 15.8 | Last Five Games: 13.2
Min/Game -- Season: 34.7 | Last Five Games: 37.5
FP/Game -- Season: 38.8 | Last Five Games: 42.8
Green has been terrific over his last five games, averaging 42.8 fantasy points in 37.5 minutes per contest. While the Warriors haven’t been playing their best basketball, it has allowed their starters to play more minutes and in turn, provide more fantasy production. Green draws a great matchup against the Celtics, who have struggled to contain opposing frontcourts this season.
Jabari Parker vs. Orlando Magic
Salary $6,300
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 17.1 | Last Five Games: 16.4
Min/Game -- Season: 31.3 | Last Five Games: 34.5
FP/Game -- Season: 23.5 | Last Five Games: 27.0
Parker may seem a bit overpriced tonight on FanDuel, but given the lack of options at power forward, he is one of my favorite targets. Even despite a string of difficult matchups, Parker is averaging 27 fantasy points over his last five games. He should see 35+ minutes of action tonight against the Magic.
Value Option: John Henson: $4,400
Center
Andre Drummond vs. Dallas Mavericks
Salary $8,100
TO-Adjusted Usage -- Season: 20.3 | Last Five Games: 19.1
Min/Game -- Season: 33.1 | Last Five Games: 32.7
FP/Game -- Season: 39.5 | Last Five Games: 40.7
I’m interested to see how the ownership will shake out at center tonight. Kosta Koufos and Zaza Pachulia are both interesting plays under $4,000. If you want to spend up at the position, Drummond is my favorite target. The Mavericks don’t really have anyone that can match up against him and he comes into the game in great form, averaging 40.7 fantasy points over his last five.
Value Option: Kosta Koufos: $3,900
Note: This is not meant to be a full lineup. The picks are my favorite targets at each position.