Point Guard
Kemba Walker - Boston Celtics (vs. Toronto Raptors) DK: 7200 FD: $7800 Yahoo: $29
Without Gordon Hayward out, Kemba has been playing extremely well. Walker has totaled 97 DK points over his last two with 47 and 50 point efforts. I love targeting Kyle Lowry as a poor defender. Fred VanVleet will have to guard either Smart or Brown. Fred VanVleet is a top notch defender. As long as Kemba doesn’t see him we’re in the clear. At such reasonable pricing on DraftKings, Fanduel and Yahoo, Kemba becomes a must play on this three game slate. The line currently favors the Raptors at -127 with a 217 under/over.
Other PG Option: Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors (vs. Boston Celtics)
Shooting Guard
Donovan Mitchell - Utah Jazz - (vs. Denver Nuggets) DK: $9700 FD: $8000 Yahoo: $38
Mitchell is the X factor in tonight’s game. If Utah can close this out tonight, they move onto the semi’s. Mitchell has proven to be able to score at will. Over a three game span he’s averaging 46.7 DK points per game. His minutes are high at 34.3 MPG (minutes per game). Mitchell will produce tonight. He’s shooting 49 percent from the field resulting in 33.7 actual points per game. The Jazz are favored by - 2.5 points with a 219.5 under/over.
Other SG Option: Marcus Smart - Boston Celtics (vs. Toronto Raptors) [[ad:athena]]
Small Forward
Michael Porter Jr. - Denver Nuggets - (vs. Utah Jazz) DK: $5500 FD: $5700 Yahoo: $22
Porter Jr. is coming off the bench now. Honestly, I think he’s in a better situation coming off the bench. I think this move is less of a demotion and more of a strategic move to use Porter Jr. more. Denver will be using MPJ similarly to how they’ve used Will Barton in the past. The Nuggets love using a big, ball handling SF type on their second unit. Will Barton was a major piece of this offense and without him, their second unit is lacking. Michael Porter Jr. see’s a better matchup and more time off the bench. Don’t sleep on him. Playing Joe Ingles in the same lineup with MPJ makes a lot of sense. This will be a close one!
Other SF Option: Joe Ingles - Utah Jazz - (vs. Denver Nuggets)
Power Forward
Paul Millsap - Denver Nuggets - (vs. Utah Jazz) DK: $4900 FD: $5000 Yahoo: $11
In this new Denver lineup, Millsap is being used more and in a better way. Prior, he was a complete non factor. In his last two games he’s totaled 8.75 DK points and 35.25 DK points. The 35.25 point performance was their first game in this new look lineup and the 8.75 effort was the second. Denver needs to get Paul Millsap going. He’s a major piece of their offense and when he has these 8.5 point efforts, it doesn’t mean he was off, it just means their game plan was off. Look for Millsap to get more looks tonight resulting in 30 + fantasy points. Remember, if you’re not investing in Millsap, you should be considering Jerami Grant.
Other PF Option: Royce O’Neale - Utah Jazz - (vs. Denver Nuggets)
Center
Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz - (vs. Denver Nuggets) DK: $7800 FD: $7300 Yahoo: $32
Gobert has been playing Jokic much better as of late. His first few attempts at facing the Joker we’re not impressive. The main problem is that on a pick and roll Gobert is always going to drop back leaving the three pointer open for Nikola whenever he wants it. If Nikola’s three point shooting is on then it’s a Joker day and if he’s off it’s a Gobert day. It’s really a toss up. I’ll be investing in both sides today. Nikola should be rostered in more lineups. With that said, don’t sleep on Gobert as he’s beginning to figure out how to defend Denver’s big man.
Other C Option: Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets - (vs. Utah Jazz)
Bargain Bin
Ivica Zubac - Los Angeles Clippers - (vs. Dallas Mavericks) DK: $4600 FD: $4900 Yahoo: $16
Zubac has looked better and better this series. His minutes are hovering around the mid 20’s but we did see him play 30 minutes on the 21st of August. Zubac can realistically hit 30 fantasy points tonight, and at a salary of $4600 - $4900 on Draftkings and Fanduel, sign me up. The Clippers are favored by 10.5 points and Dallas is extremely banged up at the moment. Zubac is my GPP value play of the day.
Other Bargains: Marcus Smart - Boston Celtics - (vs. Toronto Raptors)
Pivot
Fade Dallas (vs. Los Angeles Clippers)
The Clippers are big favorites and the Mavericks are on their last leg. Porzingis is out, Luca is banged up, roll players like Hardaway, Finney - Smith and Burke all have landed on the injured list. This is why I like Zubac, when an offense can’t score the opposing center benefits off a variety of stats including, extra blocks, steals and rebounds. Love Zubac tonight, hate Dallas.
Other Pivots: Fade Siakam as he should be very popular.
