Last night I was freezing sitting in Gillette Stadium watching the Patriots struggle to beat the Buffalo Bills. It was cold. At one point I was so cold the only thing I could think about was the soldiers in World War II who were stuck in the Ardennes in the dead of winter surrounded by German soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge. I kept telling myself if they could survive without the luxury of fire (they had to keep them out so the Germans could not zero in on their positions) for quite some time, I could make it through a football game. I could not. We left at halftime because neither my wife nor I could feel our fingers.

The first thing I did when I got to the car after praying the heat would hurry up and get going was check my phone. The next lines of my conversation are far from suitable for this article or any article that does not involve proof of age. Eric Bledsoe did not play. I instantly lost. For the night, every lineup, GPP, cash, you name it. So then I checked ownership percentages and found I was not the only one who made this mistake. Still, a zero will get you nowhere. The thing is, guys play banged up all the time. He was listed as day-to-day but the lineup I checked 10 times yesterday did not have a “GTD” next to his name. The result was I assumed he was playing. You know what they say about assumption. I wonder if the percentage of us who had him all use that same site? Anyhow, I apologize to any of you who lost due to this oversight on my part and I will make sure to list any injury status when writing my position coach article.

Tonight we have some great options and great values I plan on taking full advantage of in both cash and GPP play. Let’s cash some lineups.

Point Guard

Tonight I am spending up at the PG position and going with value in a few others. The one guy I will have in my lineup for sure is Chris Paul. In the three games since his return he has scored 59 points with 27 assists while averaging around 32 minutes playing time. Tonight the Clippers are (-7) favorites in a game with a high expected point total (207) and with the Nuggets allowing over 25 ppg to the PG position and allowing the 28th-most fantasy ppg as well it is hard not to roster Paul.

Even though Golden State is heavy favorites tonight versus the Lakers the other guy I will be using is Stephen Curry. Even though he may see reduced playing time in a blowout scenario Curry always seems to get it done. He has scored over 30 points in nine games this season and I cannot imagine why he will not get at least that tonight facing a Lakers team allowing the second-most fantasy ppg to the PG position. It is expensive but with value everywhere I am using him with Paul in my cash games.

If you want to try and save or have other ideas, take a gander at Emmanuel Mudiay. With Denver being the underdogs tonight Mudiay should see plenty of playing time. He scores double-digit points on a nightly basis and is averaging over 13 points, six assists, three rebounds, and averagine 26 fantasy ppg. The Clippers are allowing 23.1 ppg to the PG position and Mudiay should see all of that for a decent price.

Damian Lillard most nights scores closer to 30 points than he does 20. He is actually averaging 25.2 points, 7.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and over 40 fantasy ppg. Tonight he is facing a banged up Bulls team who are allowing the 24th-most fantasy points to the PG position on the season making Lillard a viable option in all formats.

Mike Conley continues to take the forefront in the Grizzlies' scoring efforts. He is averaging almost 15 points, seven assists, and 30 fantasy ppg. I am not big on many players in this game tonight, if any at all, but Conley deserves serious consideration facing a Mavericks team allowing 22 ppg to the PG position.

            FanDuelDraft Kings
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
Stephen CurryGSWLAL35.074.935.25.732.60.23.8732.672131090049.241090053.9
Damian LillardPORCHI37.5334.27.131.270.273.6725.53201940040.67900044.22
Chris PaulLACDEN32.21.43.68.31.5 2.816.9207890033.87850036.15
Mike ConleyMEMDAL31.861.572.866.571.360.071.7114.93196.5690029.36660031.14
Emmanuel MudiayDENLAC30.4313.796.431.140.934.2912.86207620026.9590029.74

Shooting Guard

You know who put up 28 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists versus the Warriors on Friday night? Jimmy Butler. In this case The Butler did do it and should tonight as well. He is averaging over 20 points and 36 fantasy ppg facing a Portland team allowing 24.1 ppg to the SG position. In a close game (-2 CHI) Butler should get plenty of minutes and is the most expensive player at his position tonight for a reason.

Although I will be running Butler in my GPP lineup the guy I am using in my cash games is none other than Will Barton. Barton is averaging over 25 minutes nightly off the bench and should see all that and more tonight as the Nuggets struggle to keep up with the high flying Clippers. In the last six games Barton has failed to score less than 25 fantasy ppg with four of them over 30 and one over 40. All in on Barton tonight.

The other fellow who is hanging out with Barton in my cash game lineup tonight is his opponent J.J. Redick. He played 29 minutes on Sunday versus the Raptors scoring 17 points with two rebounds. The problem with Reddick is that it seems you get little but scoring out of him which he should get plenty of tonight facing a Nuggets team allowing 23 ppg and the most fantasy points to the SG position in the NBA. *Keep in mind he has had recent issues with his back.

It is no secret my love for the Boston Celtics. Someday I might even be tempted to get the logo tattooed on my left arm to accompany the Los Angeles Dodgers one on the right. With Marcus Smart banged up Avery Bradley is getting his fair share of minutes. As a matter of fact Sunday night versus the Nets he played 40 minutes and scored 27 points. The Hawks are allowing over 21 ppg to the SG position and Bradley should see all of that tonight. The only thing keeping him at No. 4 on my list and not No. 3 is price.

Bradley Beal has been dealing with some shoulder issues and had a less-than-stellar performance Saturday versus the Pistons, scoring only seven points in 28 minutes. We know he is way better than this and after having a few more days rest should see more minutes tonight and should be low owned facing a Pacers team allowing the 24th-most fantasy ppg to the SG position. He makes a great GPP play tonight.

            FanDuelDraft Kings
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
Jimmy ButlerCHIPOR36.51.55.53.331.920.751.521201840036.43810038.21
Bradley BealWASIND33.862.294.292.2910.29320.43204.5690028.57670031.43
Avery BradleyBOSATL28.552.273.092.181.450.181.3615202600023.89550025.86
Will BartonDENLAC26.711.21521.290.640.9314.43207540026.36580027.68
J.J. RedickLACDEN27.821.21.50.60.21.314.2207450018.19430019.9

Small Forward

Even though Paul George is at PF tonight FanDuel has him at SF, making him the top play at the SF position. George is averaging over 42 fantasy ppg and tonight is facing a Wizards team allowing its share of points to the PF position. If you want to spend up here I cannot see a better option. He makes a great cash and GPP play depending on how you want to spend.

Both Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala come in at a tie today in my list for the No. 2 spot. Barnes has scored over 20 points with two near double-doubles in two out of the last three games and Iguodala is playing nearly 28 minutes per night averaging 23 fantasy ppg. They both get a Lakers team allowing the 24th-most fantasy ppg to the SF position and 20 real points. Call me crazy but you could use both of these guys in the SF slot and save a fortune. After all, someone still has to play in a blowout.

Al-Farouq Aminu has two double-doubles in the last three games and is averaging over 25 fantasy ppg. He is an absolute rebound machine and tonight, facing the Bulls who are allowing the 25th-most fantasy points and 21 ppg, he is hard to ignore. His price remains fair and he is a great cash game and GPP play in what is slated to be a close shootout.

If you want to take a shot at a boom or bust GPP play for peanuts then how about Thabo Sefolosha? He is slated to start tonight for the low price of $3,900 on FanDuel and is averaging almost 18 fantasy ppg. He has played 30 minutes in two out of the last three games and tonight faces a Celtics team allowing over 20 ppg to the SF position. Real cheap risky play with a chance of getting over 20 fantasy points (which is only twice so far).

            FanDuelDraft Kings
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
Paul GeorgeINDWAS35.542.698.464.851.620.153.5424.85204.5950042.27990045.81
Al-Farouq AminuPORCHI32.931.67.731.870.60.931.9312.67201600025.88640028.03
Harrison BarnesGSWLAL31.21.275.072.130.930.21.0714.2213550024.68560026.1
Andre IguodalaGSWLAL28.931.334.334.21.470.21.139.33213490023.03520024.49
Thabo SefoloshaATLBOS22.170.674.751.251.580.516.92202390017.66400018.73

Power Forward

Blake Griffin, I have come to the conclusion, is quickly becoming a must play almost every night. He is averaging over 40 fantasy ppg and putting up huge numbers almost nightly. He is coming off a poor nine-point performance on Sunday versus Toronto and I suspect the Nuggets, who are allowing 23.9 ppg to the PF position are going to pay for it. If you can afford him, play him tonight.

For some reason, even though he plays center nightly FanDuel simply refuses to put Pau Gasol in the center position slot. The Trailblazers are allowing the 28th-most fantasy ppg and over 22 real points to the center position on the season and I well imagine Gasol will have his way with them tonight. He has had five double-doubles in the last seven games and just missed with the other two and is a great play in any format.

Another guy who is now playing center is my man Sully. Or, Jared Sullinger to all of you who are not up on the Jerry lingo. Sully is averaging over 10 points and eight rebounds nightly with two double-doubles in the last four games. The Hawks are allowing the most fantasy points in the NBA to the center position and Sully should run all over them.

The next two guys are both situational value plays depending on whether or not they start. The Clippers are allowing 21.8 ppg to the PF position making Darrell Arthur a viable punt play tonight for the low price of $3,800. It also helps he scored 21 points versus the Warriors on Sunday with eight rebounds.

If you want to spend even less, then take a look at JaMychal Green. With Zach Randolph a GTD Green could draw the start for the near minimum across the industry. The Mavs are allowing the 27th-most fantasy points to the PF position on the season which gives Green some credence for a great boom or bust GPP play.

            FanDuelDraft Kings
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
Blake GriffinLACDEN33.920.158.384.540.850.462.2324.85207920042.1940043.72
Pau GasolCHIPOR29.25 9.672.250.8321.4213.83201780033.06710034.25
Jared SullingerBOSATL24.770.858.852.461.150.771.3110.92202600027.77630029.29
Darrell ArthurDENLAC18.310.313.8510.460.770.385.08207380013.27350013.81
JaMychal GreenMEMDAL18.430.364.930.430.50.51.146.57196.5360013.99340014.99

Center

Without a doubt if you want to spend up tonight at center then Al Horford is the way to go. He is averaging over 16 points, seven rebounds, and 33 fantasy ppg. The Celtics are allowing 20.9 ppg to the center position in what should be a close game with lots of shot opportunities.

Next in line would have to be DeAndre Jordan. He is averaging over 10 points and 13 rebounds per game and tonight is facing a Denver team who is allowing a ton of fantasy points (20th) to the center position the season. He makes a fine cash or GPP play tonight if you want to pay.

Mason Plumlee continues to put up great numbers without all the attention. He has had double-doubles in two straight games while scoring nearly 20 points. His price is fair and the matchup could not get any better facing a Bulls team allowing the 24th-most fantasy ppg on the season. I see no reason why Plumlee will not get it done tonight and he makes a great cash game play for the price.

Want to really save? Take a look at this guy. In both games where he has gotten more than 25 minutes Nikola Jokic has had double-doubles. He is slated to start tonight facing a Clippers team allowing over 20 ppg to the center position in a game where the Nuggets will be playing from a deficit. You just have to hope he gets the time.

            FanDuelDraft Kings
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
DeAndre JordanLACDEN33 131.080.382.851.3810.38207760032.68740034.02
Al HorfordATLBOS31.871.277.133.070.731.731.5316.67202740033.23 34.99
Mason PlumleePORCHI28.2 8.072.61.21.131.8710.33201600026.71570028.05
Nikola JokicDENLAC16.380.085.080.7710.460.857.23207430016.55400017.27

Well that is it for today. Good luck and I will be back later to take any backlash or comments you may have. Keep in mind, I am only human. Mistakes and brain farts happen to the best of us.