It’s Thursday and tonight’s NBA slate features three games, with a little bit of everything. Spreads are fairly narrow, with Washington at Cleveland leading the way with a 232 point total. All three games should be productive for fantasy, but again, Washington and Cleveland both rank in the Top 3 in overall fantasy points allowed. There aren’t too many injuries to watch for: C.J. McCollum, Nicolas Claxton and DeAndre Jordan are all questionable tonight, but Kyrie Irving and Hassan Whiteside are expected to play. In this column, I generally set $6000 FD/$5000 DK as the bargain threshold, and I try to indicate when I think a position is particularly well-suited--or not--to using the cheap plays given the landscape of the particular slate. Tonight’s slate tips at 7:00 pm EST.
Point Guard
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington ($4700 FD, $5500 DK)
This is a great game to draw from because as I mentioned, it has the highest point total, least defense, and most-generous fantasy matchups across the board. The Wizards rank fourth in terms of fantasy points allowed, and while Colin Sexton is also a viable option (at a higher price), Garland has carved out a solid role in over 30 MPG. The last time he played the Wizards, he put up 30 fantasy points.
Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas ($4000 FD, $4500 DK)
If McCollum remains out tonight, Simons would be in line for another great opportunity. That’s still an ‘if’, though and if McCollum is back, I would not trust Simons even on this short slate. Simons has contributed in a variety of ways and in the last two games is averaging 40 MPG. He has about 23 fantasy points per game in the last three. Obviously a low-ceiling option, particularly in this matchup, he still offers a decent floor for the price.
Shooting Guard
Jordan McRae, Washington Wizards at Cleveland ($4900 FD, $5000 DK)
Ish Smith is another possibility for the Wizards, of course, as Cleveland ranks either No. 2 or 3 against guards for fantasy. Smith is coming off a rough game, which might reduce his ownership tonight; something to keep in mind on a slate with limited options. McRae, however, has bounced back from his ankle sprain to play 34 minutes last night, and he’s shown off his impressive upside more than once this season. He’s a safe bet for around 25 fantasy points or more tonight.
Small Forward
Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks at Portland ($5500 FD, $4700 DK)
Hardaway just seems to fit tonight. He has a few things going for him, including two games against Portland in which he’s averaging 20 PPG and 25 fantasy points. Portland ranks seventh in overall fantasy points allowed, and sixth to small forwards. Hardaway has been pretty consistent through January so far, and I like him to keep it going in a close, high scoring game in Portland.
Cedi Osman, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington ($4400 both)
Osman is a cheaper way to fill your second SF spot (it’s a great night for LeBron James, of course), with a little bit of upside. I already mentioned the game factors; Osman has averaged a little better than his season average vs. the Wizards this season (24 fantasy points per game), and is averaging over 30 MPG in the new year.
[[ad:athena]]
Power Forward
Larry Nance, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington ($4200 FD, $5100 DK)
Nance double-doubled on Monday, the Cavs’ last game, and has now put together three straight positive games. I think he’s a bit overpriced on DraftKings with Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson on the court, but he’s another solid option on FanDuel given the plus matchup and positive game factors.
Kyle Kuzma, LA Lakers at Brooklyn ($4800 FD, $4600 DK)
You know what you’re getting with Kuzma – an unknown quantity. He’s been incredibly up and down this season and generally isn’t on the radar when both James and Anthony Davis are active. He’s interesting on this small slate in what should be a fast-paced game. I like his upside, but just know that 15 fantasy points is a possibility as well.
Center
Boban Marjanovic, Dallas Mavericks at Portland ($5000 FD, $3900 DK)
Expect Boban to be a popular play on DraftKings tonight. With Dwight Powell out, he should be playing around 20 MPG. He’s probably produced more double-doubles in less time than anyone, so whenever you can project him for that amount of court time, he’s worth his small salary. Tristan Thompson is my favorite center play tonight, so the inability to roster more than one on FanDuel, combined with his salary there, makes him a DK-only play tonight.
Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn Nets vs. LA ($5700 FD, $5900 DK)
DeAndre Jordan could be back tonight for the Nets, but if not, they will remain very shorthanded in the frontcourt. The Lakers are of course a very good defensive team, but Allen has been handling himself well in similar matchups with defensively talented but faster paced teams like Philadelphia and Milwaukee. He has two double-doubles vs. Philly in the last week, in fact and posted 10 rebounds with three blocks vs. the Bucks. If Jordan (and Claxton) are out, Allen should be a solid play for the price.
