Today, my friends,  is not the best day for your chubby friend here. Not only am I fighting with my wife, but I also have a house full of sick kids and a temperature hitting the “you really need to lay down mark.” So being the hardcore DFS writer I am, neither rain nor sleet nor snow, fevers come and go but DFS is every day. So with a head that weighs about 200 pounds right now I will keep the intro short and get right into it.

Point Guard

Russell Westbrook had a horrible night Friday versus the Pistons. He scored a measly 14 points while racking up 11 turnovers. If we were talking about the delicious apple-filled pastries this would be great, but not in the NBA. The good thing is he gets another shot tonight in what Vegas has deemed a close one (OKC -2) with the second-highest expected point total of the night at 211.5. Westbrook has nine double-doubles in his last 14 games with two triple-doubles thrown in for good measure. He is averaging over 50 fantasy ppg and is the guy I am running in my cash games tonight.

I have stated that I am riding the Gollum or Rajon Rondo until he gets his next triple-double. The Kings are two-point underdogs tonight facing the Mavericks in what is expected to be the highest scoring game of the evening with a 214 O/U. He had an off night against the Warriors on Saturday scoring only seven points but prior to that, in the three previous games, he averaged 46.9 fantasy ppg on FanDuel. His price versus the upside is extremely low and with the Mavs allowing 21.8 ppg to the PG position Rondo should feast tonight. I am pairing him with Westbrook tonight in cash games hoping to hit the 100 fantasy point mark with the two.

There is an enormous amount of value tonight in Chris Paul. His price in my opinion is also low coming in at $8,900 on FanDuel. The Portland Trailblazers are surrendering 23 ppg to point guards and Paul has scored more than 30 fantasy ppg in five straight with most being closer to the 40 mark. He is averaging over 17 points, eight rebounds, and 35 fantasy ppg and is a great play in all formats to have that “late bullet” in your lineup.

I love chocolate. The sad part is after my bypass surgery if I eat more than a tiny bit of it I get sick. Very sick. So even if they did still make them I would not be able to enjoy one of my childhood favorites the Reggie Bar. I can however enjoy watching the modern day Reggie Jackson play basketball. Reggie is averaging over 18 ppg and tonight is facing the Houston Rockets who are allowing the most fantasy points overall in the NBA. He should see plenty of minutes tonight in what should be a close game where the Pistons are four point favorites. He makes a great GPP play.

You want to save? Michael Carter-Williams has been abysmal. So bad in fact he was benched in favor of Jarryd Bayless. Not only is the salary low on Bayless ($4,500 on FanDuel), he is averaging over 29 fantasy ppg in the last four while playing more than 30 minutes in each game. I will have exposure to him tonight in my stars and scrubs GPP and I believe he can hit 30 fantasy points tonight facing the Nuggets who are allowing an incredible 25.1 ppg to the PG position.

            FanDuel Draft Kings 
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
Russell WestbrookOKCATL34.411.657.249.942.470.355.2427.24211.51100051.241060055.05
Chris PaulLACPOR31.791.213.578.431.64 2.4317.5206.5890035.29870037.29
Rajon RondoSACDAL36.110.837.28111.780.113.7212.44214830037.73900040.38
Reggie JacksonDETHOU30.651.474.356.0610.123.4118.41198750031.55700034.21
Jerryd BaylessMILDEN31.592.293.063.651.410.181.8812.12200.5450022.55490024.79

Shooting Guard

You want to talk thin? The shooting guard position today could have Sally Struthers as the spokesperson. The obvious top dog on the slate is James Harden. He has scored 54.4, 57.5, 63.8, and 49.9 fantasy points on FanDuel in the last four games. Even though the Houston / Detroit game does not have the highest expected point total I believe it could along with the Milwaukee / Denver be among the highest fantasy point games on the slate. I find cheaper is better at this position today myself but I certainly could not blame anyone for playing Harden in any format.

The other guy if you want to spend up today to look at is the Greek God Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is actually playing in the three but FanDuel has him in the two much to my chagrin. Milwaukee is only three point favorites tonight in a game with an expected point total of 200. With the Nuggets allowing 20.6 ppg to the SF position and Antetokounmpo averaging over 30 fantasy ppg it is certainly a matchup made in heaven for the price and makes a fine play across the board depending on how you are spending.

With the Oklahoma City game being a slated high scoring affair and the best matchup of the game being at the two I want exposure to it in cash games. Now I would never under any circumstance recommend Andre Roberson and that will not change tonight. He has no upside. The guy I am using tonight in my cash games is Dion Waiters. His price on FanDuel is only $4,700 and over the last five games is averaging over 23 fantasy ppg with one game going over 30. He is playing nearly 30 minutes per night and I see no reason why he will not do so tonight.

I love to have that guy or two in the last game of the night to give me the feeling of still being in it right up until the end. Well, most nights anyway. J.J. Redick knows how to score points. The problem is that is all he does. You will get very little in the way of rebounds and assists here. With this being said I reserve using him for when he is in a situation that affords him the chance to score those points. Tonight is that night. The Trailblazers are allowing 24.6 ppg to the two which is the highest in the NBA and are allowing the 25th most fantasy ppg to compliment it. He is dirt cheap across the industry and I am gunning for 25 fantasy points tonight from him. He is the guy I am pairing with Waiters.

Kyle Korver is a great boom or bust GPP play tonight. The Thunder are allowing 21.4 ppg to shooting guards and Korver scores close to 20 points on most nights. He has been quiet the last two games but in the two prior to the last two he scored over 25 fantasy points in each. I expect him to get back on track tonight putting up around 15 points, six rebounds, and 5 assists for mere peanuts.

            FanDuel Draft Kings 
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
James HardenHOUDET39.472.716.356.591.940.884.8229.821981070048.151030052.24
Giannis AntetokounmpoMILDEN340.566.252.691.061.062.3117.13200.5700030.59700032.34
Dion WaitersOKCATL27.881.063.5921.180.181.7611.18211.5470019.42440021.02
J.J. RedickLACPOR27.521.211.430.570.141.3614.21206.5460017.89440019.63
Kyle KorverATLOKC31.591.8841.940.760.241.4110.59211.5450018.89440020.74

Small Forward

Kawhi Leonard tonight is facing the Chicago Bulls who are allowing the 24th most fantasy points versus the SF position and allowing 21 ppg to go with it. Leonard is averaging over 47 fantasy ppg over the last four and I see no reason why he will not achieve that tonight. He is a great option in both cash and GPP play if you want to go the expensive route.

One of the two guys I am using tonight in cash games is actually playing in the two tonight. Khris Middleton is facing the Nuggets who are allowing the most fantasy points in the NBA to shooting guards and surrendering 22.2 ppg as well. Middleton is averaging well over 30 fantasy ppg in the last three for the low price of $5,600 on FanDuel. If you were to look up the word value in the dictionary you would see a picture of Khris Middleton.

Well Middleton needs a buddy. Perhaps he can hang out with Marcus Morris tonight. With the Rockets / Pistons game being a treasure trove of value tonight I have little choice but to capitalize on Morris in cash games. He is averaging over 25 fantasy ppg and has that over 30 upside for a low price. With the Rockets allowing the 3rd most fantasy points to the SF position and the most ppg in the NBA as well at 21.5 Morris is a must play.

Justise Winslow in the last three games has averaged over 34 minute’s ppg. In two of them three games he scored over 20 fantasy points. For the low price of $3,800 on FanDuel tonight he could free up just enough cash to get the other big guy in your lineup that just pushes you over the edge in GPP. With the Celtics allowing 20.9 ppg and the 23rd most fantasy ppg to the SF position he is worth a flyer in a stars and scrubs format.

The “Italian Stallion” or Danilo Gallinari is averaging over 17 points and six rebounds per game and has had three double-doubles in the last five. The Bucks are allowing the 27th most fantasy ppg to the SF position and Gallinari should dominate in this prime matchup. Price is all that keeps him from being the top play tonight at the three.

            FanDuel Draft Kings 
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
Kawhi LeonardSASCHI34.3827.752.441.941.381.3822190.5910040.21860042.28
Danilo GallinariDENMIL34.181.596.762.350.470.651.4717.71200.5710030.12680031.99
Marcus MorrisDETHOU36.711.066.121.761.410.291.5313.88198590025.75570027.35
Khris MiddletonMILDEN33.882.123.182.941.410.181.3514.53200.5560024.58570026.47
Justise WinslowMIABOS28.80.475.331.40.60.21.537.27194380015.83400017.1

Power Forward

In the last six games Paul Millsap has scored more than 40 fantasy ppg five times. The Thunder are allowing 22.7 ppg to the PF position and in a game with such a high expected point total I want to make sure to get some of it. You add in the fact that Millsap is averaging over 18 points and nine rebounds per game and carry over the four double-doubles in the last six and you have one hell of a great cash game play.

Dirk Nowitzki scares me more than being the young guy at a cougar convention. Well maybe. Tonight however I am pairing him with Millsap in my cash games. His price is low at $6,500 on FanDuel and the Kings are allowing the 4th most fantasy points to the PF position. In five of the last six games Dirk has reached the 30 fantasy point mark and should continue to do so tonight.

Blake Griffin is more awesome to watch than videos of little kids swearing. Which even though it is wrong cracks me up when I see them. He is averaging over 25 points, eight rebounds, and 43 fantasy ppg and should hit the 40 mark tonight. If you wanted to spend he is certainly a great play in any kind of format.

The next two plays are both extreme value plays and both come with risk. Ersan IIysova is facing the Rockets who are allowing the most points in the NBA to the PF position at 24.9. They also are allowing the second most fantasy ppg to go with it. Ilysova has hit the 20 fantasy ppg mark four times in the last 10 games even getting to 30 once. You could get 25 fantasy points tonight for cheap or eight points making for an unhappy customer.

If Ilysova is not the answer you are looking for my pad wans then Darrell Arthur could be your savings answer. He has played more than 30 minutes in three of the last four games and gives you a solid chance of cashing in for 30 fantasy points if he gets the time tonight. The Bucks are allowing the second most points to the PF position at 24.5 and Arthur should see plenty of action tonight with Kenneth Faried being highly suspect.

            FanDuel Draft Kings 
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
Blake GriffinLACPOR34.060.248.534.710.760.652.2425.12206.5910043910044.66
Paul MillsapATLOKC33.6319.533.471.951.052.4718.21211.5860038.38770040.59
Dirk NowitzkiDALSAC29.751.697.131.560.750.50.9417.13214650029.58640031.25
Ersan IlyasovaDETHOU25.531.533.651.240.470.351.129.53198420016.29430017.79
Darrell ArthurDENMIL20.250.254.060.940.560.750.695.94200.5390014.16430014.83

Center

This position is loaded tonight. We have several players all under the $5,000 mark on FanDuel who are viable starting options. If you want to spend up I believe the best buy to do it on tonight at center is Greg Monroe. He remains mid-priced around the industry and is averaging over 33 fantasy ppg. The Nuggets are allowing the second most fantasy points to the center position on the season and are among the highest in actual points allowed at 21.6 ppg.

If you insist on spending even more in a stars and scrubs GPP you should check out DeAndre Jordan tonight facing a Trailblazers team allowing 21.3 ppg to the center position and rank 23rd at defense. With Jordan averaging over 10 points and 12 rebounds per game he cannot be ignored. He may not be Michael but neither is Michael anymore.

I am not spending at center tonight. Instead I am using a guy who is playing in the four. Clint Capela scored 18 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes versus the Knicks on Sunday night and should continue to see the time tonight facing a Detroit team ranked 21st versus the PF position for the low price of $4,600 on FanDuel.

Two other cheap options tonight are Kosta Koufos who has scored more than 25 fantasy points in four straight games eclipsing the 30 point mark twice. For $4,500 tonight on FanDuel what is not to like.

The other cheapie to look at is Nikola Jokic. The bucks are allowing the most points to centers in the NBA at 21.7 and are allowing the 21st most fantasy points to compliment it. When he gets the time he puts up numbers. The question is how many minutes does he get? A great GPP punt play.

            FanDuel Draft Kings 
PlayerTmOppM/G3PMREBASTSTLBLKTOPTSSpread$PTS$PTS
DeAndre JordanLACPOR32.06 12.411.120.592.761.2410.47206.5760032.51710033.75
Greg MonroeMILDEN31.35 9.822.651.180.941.8215.71200.5750033.88690035.28
Clint CapelaHOUDET18.88 6.820.470.821.470.768.35198460021.07510021.79
Kosta KoufosSACDAL24.33 6.940.280.831.060.789.22214450020.97520021.71
Nikola JokicDENMIL16.810.1350.750.880.381.137.75200.5400016.25470017.13

Well that concludes today’s position coach article. Now I have to go package about 12 sports cards I sold on Ebay and run a bunch of errands for my bar. Then I am going to take some Nyquil and nap till around five or so. Then, I will be back. Good luck.