This article aims to highlight some of the best plays at each position for today’s main NBA slate. Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop. Tonight’s mains slate on FanDuel, Yahoo and DraftKings includes all five games starting at 1:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
Damian Lillard - Portland (vs. LAC) – Yahoo: $48, DK: $10,000, FD: $9700
Tonight is rife with bargain options, making it pretty simple to build around hot hands like Lillard’s. If you missed his monster, 80-fantasy point game Thursday night, take a peek. Portland is 3-1 in the bubble and they are currently the biggest threat to the flailing Grizzlies for the eight-seed. This game has a 232.5-point total, should be played at a fast pace, and with Patrick Beverley, a tenacious defender, out tonight, Lillard should come pretty close to a repeat of Thursday’s heroics.
Also Consider: Malcolm Brogdon, Eric Bledsoe
SHOOTING GUARD
Paul George – LA Clippers (at Portland) – Yahoo: $36, DK: $8000(SF), FD: $7700
If this article consisted of only one play of the day, it would have to be Paul George for me today. His salary is way low, his production way consistent and his matchup with the Trail Blazers a dream from a fantasy standpoint. Yes, the Blazers are winning games, but they still rank 26th in defensive efficiency, 21st in rebounding, and give up the seventh-most overall fantasy points to opponents.
Also Consider: Luka Doncic, Devin Booker
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SMALL FORWARD
Giannis Antetokounmpo– Milwaukee (at Dallas) – Yahoo: $57, FD: $11,000
Given the values available tonight and the paucity of strong SF options, I’ve settled on Giannis to fill this slot. He does chew up a lot of budget, but with Kawhi Leonard out and T.J. Warren questionable tonight, you might want a little security. Dallas should keep this game close and the last time these teams met, Antetokounmpo went off with 48 real points and 14 rebounds. Note that on DraftKings, Antetokounmpo is only PF eligible, but you can use George here.
Also Consider: see Bargains, below
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POWER FORWARD
Marcus Morris Sr. – LA Clippers (at Portland) – Yahoo: $11, DK: $4500, FD: $4300
I was pretty high on Morris before Leonard was ruled out for tonight, so along with George, I think he’s a steal to fill your PF slot in any contest tonight. He’s played at least 28 minutes in the last two games, and is putting together a solid stat sheet. Both of those trends should continue in this plus matchup, a game I’m targeting heavily tonight.
Also Consider: Anthony Davis, Michael Porter Jr.
CENTER
Jusef Nurkic—Portland (vs. LA Clippers) – Yahoo: $39, DK: $8900, FD: $8500
Yep, another one. Nurkic has been a breath of fresh air for a Trail Blazers team that many people didn’t really give a chance in this bubble restart. Now they’re within one game of the Grizzlies for the eight-seed and although Lillard has been amazing, Nurkic is also averaging about 50 fantasy points per game in the bubble. He’s an especially nice option on Yahoo, but is worth fitting in on all three sites.
Also Consider: Nikola Jokic
Bargains of the Night
Tyler Herro (PG/SG - MIA) Herro should be a popular bargain option tonight as Miami could be without Jimmy Butler, Kendrick Nunn and Goran Dragic. There should once again be plenty of minutes available to the versatile guard, who’s salary has jumped a bit too much on DraftKings ($5100), but is still very nice on FanDuel ($4500) and Yahoo ($13).
Cam Johnson (SF - PHX) At just $4500 (FD), $5200 (DK), and $15 (Yahoo), Johnson is one way to solve the SF conundrum today. Phoenix, like Portland, is close to a play-in scenario. They haven’t lost in the bubble, and motivation is an important consideration for DFS in this second week of the restart. Johnson hasn’t posted less than 21 fantasy points through four games, and has played between 36 and 40 minutes in the last three.
Zach Collins (PF/C - POR) will also be a popular salary-saver tonight ($5100 FD, $4300 DK, $13 Yahoo), with Hassan Whiteside doubtful. The Trail Blazers don’t have a lot of big man options, which means Collins could see time at the four and the five. Though he isn’t likely to win a tournament for you, Collins has provided stats in four or five categories every game so far, averaging about 22 fantasy points per game.
Also Consider: Monte Morris (if Jamaal Murray is out), Kyle Kuzma, Justin Holiday (if T.J. Warren is out), Jae Crowder, Reggie Jackson
GPP Pivots of the Night
Anthony Davis (PF – LA Lakers) I’m nervous about Davis due to the aforementioned motivation consideration, but he’s going to play tonight, he’s expensive and James is playing as well. Together, these factors suggest an upside player with relatively low ownership. Davis has only reached value once since the restart but he’s about as cheap as he gets as a result. A matchup with Indiana, who ranks 23rd in rebounding, could result in tonight making that twice.
