Point Guard
Elfrid Payton - New York Knicks (vs. Houston Rockets)
Mitchell Robinson will be out tonight. Nerlens Noel is expected to start. This should have the Knicks utilizing RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Elfrid Payton significantly more in a game that is expected to go down to the wire. Julius Randle will be a popular play but Elfrid Payton could be the perfect pivot. Robinson is the ultimate rim protector. He averages 1.5 blocks per game and 8.4 rebounds per game so far this season. With that said, Noel is a capable replacement even against the size of DeMarcus Cousins. At valuable salaries, lock in Randle and Noel but don’t forget Payton, who has been known to have massive ceiling games in daily fantasy. The Knicks are slightly favored at -110 with a 213.5 O/U courtesy of Pointsbet.com.
Other PG Option: Kendrick Nunn - Miami Heat (vs. Utah Jazz)
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Shooting Guard
Andrew Wiggins - Golden State Warriors (vs. Brooklyn Nets)
Having exposure to both sides of this game is very important. If you’re investing in the Brooklyn Nets, you’re hoping the game stays close for some 4th quarter run. If the game stays close, you’re going to want to have some Golden State Warriors in that lineup. Daily fantasy lineups are all about the game narrative that you’re creating, or basically, how you see the game playing out. Andrew Wiggins is a solid pivot off the chalky matchup that most of the field will have a piece of which is, Stephen Curry against Kyrie Irving. I’m not saying Curry won’t kill it because I believe he will. How could he not? We have a fast pace game between two of the best point guards of all-time with a massive 245 O/U. All that said, Wiggins could still steal the show. His matchup with James Harden does not concern me. He’s averaging 34.1 minutes per game over his last six games. Over that six-game span, he’s averaging only 29.1 DK points per but showed up in the Warrior’s last game on 2/11 with 39.25 DK points over 34 minutes of play. This pivot play off of the more common Steph Curry play is risky but could pay out in a big way with most DFS players flocking towards Steph Curry.
Other SG Option: RJ Barrett - New York Knicks (vs. Houston Rockets) [[ad:athena]]
Small Forward
Bruce Brown - Brooklyn Nets (vs. Golden State Warriors)
The Brooklyn Nets will face off against the Golden State Warriors at 8:30 pm EST on ABC. The Golden State Warriors are allowing a league-high 11.3 offensive rebounds per game. It’s often beneficial to monitor “team stats” but more specifically, “allowed team stats”. These stats show what a given team allows on average to their opposition. For example, the Warriors also allow 48.4 total rebounds per game, which is tied for the highest in the NBA. The Warriors can’t seem to bring in offensive or defensive rebounds. Knowing this, investing in Brooklyn’s big men would be a logical move. DeAndre Jordan will not play and Jeff Green is expected to take over his starting role. Here’s the thing, the Nets are amongst the worst rebounding teams in the league. They averaged only 8.4 offensive rebounds per game and 44.4 total rebounds per game. Without Jordan on the court tonight, I am expecting someone to step up and capitalize on the boards. Bruce Brown leads the Nets with 1.2 offensive rebounds per game and 103 total rebounds this season. Brown is my best bet to most benefit from these stats. Brown has averaged 21.4 minutes per game over his last five. Brown has major potential tonight at low salaries around the industry. The Nets are favored by -4 points with a 245 O/U courtesy of Pointsbet.com.
Other SF Options: Bojan Bogdanovic - Utah Jazz (vs. Miami Heat)
Power Forward
Jeff Green - Brooklyn Nets (vs. Golden State Warriors)
Green is expected to start for DeAndre Jordan tonight. I mentioned Golden States’ issues with offensive rebounding and for that matter rebounding in general. Jeff Green should see ample minutes tonight as well as increased usage with DeAndre Jordan sidelined. The Nets are limited when it comes to size at the moment. Green MUST stay out of foul trouble and contribute tonight in order for Brooklyn to keep up with Golden State. Starting or not, Green should see a significant amount of run tonight in a close, high-scoring affair.
Other PF Option: Kevin Durant - Brooklyn Nets (vs. Golden State Warriors)
Center
Nerlens Noel - New York Knicks (vs. Houston Rockets)
Mitchell Robinson is confirmed out after fracturing his hand Friday night. This allows Nerlens the start. Can Nerlens Noel handle DeMarcus Cousins? I believe so. It won’t be easy but in the end, considering his salary, I do expect Noel to reach value for all DFS formats. Make sure to hedge this (most likely) chalky play by rostering another popular player in Cousins. At reasonable salaries, these two big men have massive ceilings but only one is expected to go off tonight. The Knicks are slightly favored at -110 with a 213.5 O/U courtesy of Pointsbet.com.
Other C Option: DeMarcus Cousins - Houston Rockets (vs. New York Knicks)
Bargain Bin
SF Bruce Brown
