Note: The Brooklyn Nets vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves has been postponed.
Point Guard
Tyus Jones - Memphis Grizzlies (vs. Chicago Bulls)
Tomas Satoransky is a solid defender and has the length and speed needed to limit a player like Ja Morant. Expect Memphis’ second unit to be an important factor in tonight’s game that has them slightly favored by - 2.5 points with a 228.5 O/U Courtesy of Pointsbet.com. Memphis has favorable matchups down low but LaVine and Satoransky have the advantage over Memphis’s starting guards. Look for Jones to have extended minutes and usage tonight with Melton missing his fifth straight game (and Ja’s tough matchup). Over these five games, Jones has produced 18.7 points per game with a 25 point ceiling. At close to minimum salaries across the industry Jones becomes a viable but risky GPP play. He has consistently seen 16+ minutes per game and has the better matchup. I’d rather invest in Jones against White as opposed to Morant against Satoransky. The Grizzlies are by - 2.5 points with a 225.5 O/U Courtesy of Pointsbet.com.
Other PG Option: Elfrid Payton - New York Knicks (vs. Los Angeles Lakers)
Editor’s Note: Dominate daily with our premium DFS Tools that are packed with our lineup optimizer, a salary tracker, projections, and much more. And don’t forget to use promo code WELCOME10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
Shooting Guard
Donovan Mitchell - Utah Jazz (vs. Washington Wizards)
The NBC Sports Edge NBA Optimizer has Mitchell in the optimal lineup projected for 53.1 fantasy points at a salary of $9,200 on DraftKings. The Jazz are currently favored by -11 points with a high 235 O/U on Pointsbet.com. Man, that O/U is high for a game that includes a Jazz team that allows their opponents to score only 107.4 PPG (4th lowest in the league). I think Vegas is accounting for some garbage time scoring in a blowout. Mitchell should benefit from this matchup regardless of the narrative. Lock in Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz at - 11 confidently.
Other SG Option: Josh Richardson - Dallas Mavericks (vs. Philadelphia 76ers) [[ad:athena]]
Small Forward
DeMar DeRozan - San Antonio Spurs (vs. Orlando Magic)
With the Orlando Magic down another forward defending the glass is going to start getting difficult. Players like Keldon Johnson and DeMar DeRozan will benefit greatly with solid matchups against James Ennis and possibly Okeke (if he’s not hurt). The San Antonio Spurs are favored by - 7 points with a 217.5 O/U. DeMar DeRozan has averaged 39.2 fantasy points per game this season and over his last six games has averaged 40.7 DK fantasy points per game. In his last two games, he has totaled 50.25 fantasy points against the Dallas Mavericks and 47.75 points against the Denver Nuggets. Despite those massive efforts, his salary has remained low. The San Antonio Spurs are one of my top picks of the night but for daily fantasy purposes, DeRozan comes in as a solid mid-range play with 50 fantasy point upside.
Other SF Options: Deni Avdija - Washington Wizards (vs. Utah Jazz)
Power Forward
Julius Randle - New York Knicks (vs. Los Angeles Lakers)
Julius Randle used to be a Los Angeles Lakers some time ago. While I don’t really believe in revenge narratives anymore, Julius Randle will enjoy leading the Knicks to a win tonight against a Laker team that will be without LeBron James and Anthony Davis (of course) but now we add names like Dennis Schroder and Kyle Kuzma to the injured list (potentially). I really like the Knicks to win tonight’s game. The Lakers are banged up and New York is favored by -2 points with a 205.5 O/U on Pointsbet.com. When the Knicks win, it’s usually on the back of Julius Randle. Randle has averaged 48.0 FPPG (fantasy points per game) so far this season. Over his last six games, he has averaged 48.5 FPPG at an average of 36.3 minutes per game. Randle has looked incredibly stable over his last five games with a floor of 41.5 fantasy points and a ceiling of 61.75 FPPG. Julius Randle will be the Knicks X-Factor tonight against a Laker team that will be without most of their top players. For some reason, Randle has yet to gain “elite player” status from many people out there. His percentages are often low and people are shocked when he goes off for 60 + fantasy points at low roster percentages. It’s time to start believing in Julius Randle and the New York Knicks as they set to grab a win tonight against a Laker team that has lost two of their last four.
Other PF Option: Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans (vs. Sacramento Kings)
Center
Jonas Valanciunas - Memphis Grizzlies (vs. Chicago Bulls)
The NBC Sports Edge NBA Optimizer has Valanciunas projected for 50.1 fantasy points on DraftKings for a salary of $7,300. He will match up against Nikola Vucevic. Going back to last season, Valanciunas has great averages against Vucevic. In two matchups throughout the 2019-2020 regular season, Valanciunas averaged 21 PPG, 10.5 APG, and 10.5 RPG against Vucevic and the Orlando Magic. I don’t think the fact that Chicago is coming off of a back-to-back will help those averages (although Vuc only played 27 minutes last night). Valanciunas’ salary is too low considering his recent production and upside. Lock him in!
Other C Option: Wendell Carter Jr. - Orlando Magic (vs. San Antonio Spurs)
Bargain Bin
PG Tyus Jones
SG Desmond Bane
SF Deni Avdija
If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out our Top NBA Plays by Spencer Limbach.
