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Point Guard
Ricky Rubio - Cleveland Cavaliers (vs. Milwaukee Bucks)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable tonight. Tonight’s chalk will depend solely on the information from this matchup. Does Antetokounmpo play or not play? We’ve seen that Milwaukee can produce without him as long as Holiday, Middleton, and Portis are left to pick up the slack. Cleveland has been impressive but Milwaukee should match up just fine against the Cavaliers. I expect a close game. The Cleveland Cavaliers have played superb defense this season allowing just 102 points per game (which is ranked second-lowest in the NBA). On the flip side, Cleveland is allowing the second-most steals in the league at 9.0 per game, and 4.8 allowed blocks per game which ranked 12 highest in the NBA. Grayson Allen also comes into this game with a questionable tag. Make sure to monitor Milwaukee’s lineup leading up to this 8:00 pm ET start. If these two scorers hit the bench, I expect Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Bobby Portis to be three of the most popular players on this slate, and for good reason. So, how can we pivot off of this? Well, despite being 6.5 point favorites, Milwaukee always can get blown out. Cleveland has won four of their last five games with their only loss being a narrow one-point defeat by the Utah Jazz. Over this streak, Cleveland has beat the Heat, Magic, Mavericks, and Wizards. If you’re making a lineup based on the narrative that Cleveland blows out, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen would be the logical benefactors but for GPP purposes, check out Ricky Rubio. Rubio is capable of racking up steals and blocks in the right situation. By coming off of the bench, Rubio avoids matching up with Jrue Holiday. His minutes remain high despite coming off of the bench. Rubio would benefit greatly if Cleveland wins easily tonight. He could see extended minutes, shot attempts, and a significantly better matchup than starting point guard Darius Garland. Love Rubio tonight. Lock him in!
Other PG Option: Ish Smith
Shooting Guard
Isaac Okoro - Cleveland Cavaliers (vs. Milwaukee Bucks)
In addition to Ricky Rubio benefiting from a potential Cleveland blowout, Isaac Okoro would be an interesting investment in this narrative as well. Okoro is a lengthy small forward capable of hitting the mid-range, grabbing defensive and offensive rebounds as well as scoring. The perfect trio for a potential GPP blowout benefactor. Okoro sees ample minutes but tends to not produce. In his last six games, he’s averaged 28.6 MPG but has only produced an average of 16.9 DK FPPG. He’s due to produce. Considering his time on the court, Okoro’s current salaries are clearly only reflecting his game totals as he sits near-minimum salary. I see GPP potential in him tonight with low roster percentages.
Other SG Option: Pat Connaughton
Small Forward
Landry Shamet - Phoenix Suns (vs. San Antonio Spurs)
The Spurs are allowing their opponent to shoot 34.9 % from beyond the arc. This is ranked 9th highest in the NBA. The Suns will be without Devin Booker tonight allowing Shamet to enter the starting lineup. Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton will be popular rosters but don’t forget Landry Shamet. Shamet averages 14.6 FPPG. His minutes are high when injuries present opportunities. With Booker out, Shamet will get the opportunity to produce tonight. Will he execute is the real question.
Other SF Options: Anthony Edwards
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Power Forward
Nick Richards - Charlotte Hornets (vs. Philadelphia 76ers)
I know Richards is a Center but he deserved the write-up. Nick Richards got the start last night but only received 7 minutes of play. He totaled 7.8 DK FP at a minimum salary of $3,000. Since he disappointed yesterday, I expect most to bail on Richards tonight. The truth is, that wasn’t the matchup for him but starting or not, Charlotte will need big bodies to cover Embiid. Richards saw 19 minutes in garbage time against Sacramento back on November 5th. Pairing Embiid and Richards is a solid pivot/GPP strategy that I expect to pay off tonight. This pairing only succeeds in a 76er blowout, but on the backend of a back-to-back without Ball AND facing Joel Embiid, I think a 76ers blowout is exactly what we get tonight.
Other PF Option: Evan Mobley
Center
Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers (vs. Charlotte Hornets)
Joel Embiid‘s roster percentages have remained low this season. This is surprising to me considering his massive ceiling (in the right situations). Embiid has an expensive salary tonight on both DraftKings, Yahoo, and FanDuel (which will hopefully keep his percentages lower than deserved). His last three-game logs have been mediocre considering his high salary but I’m expecting Philadelphia’s big man to exceed expectations tonight against a Charlotte Hornets team who will be without Superstar LaMelo Ball for a second straight game. So, why Embiid? Good question. Although the Hornets performed last night, size was an issue. It’s one thing to maintain Clint Capela and John Collins put a completely different monster trying to defend Joel Embiid. If you look at the players who make up the Hornets starting lineup tonight, there is not one viable defender for Philadelphia’s All-star center. Coming off of a back to back I expect the Hornets to struggle tonight. Yes, I expected them to struggle last night as well but they were able to keep pace with a smaller Atlanta team. Against Embiid, they will have a problem. Tobias Harris is questionable for tonight. If he sits, usage will increase for Embiid in an already stellar matchup. P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges will be no match for Joel Embiid.
Other C Option: Nick Richards
Bargain Bin
SF Derick Jones
PF JaVale McGee
