I may have arrived late to the party but I have arrived nonetheless. My lovely wife Jennifer gave birth to my greatest creation of all time, Samantha Christine Colvin. She was born on November 4th and has managed to restore my smile to my Facebook photos. With life well at hand, I decided it was time to return to writing a few days per week here at Fantasy Alarm which, by the way, I still consider the best Fantasy Sports website. Hence, why I choose to write here.

If you are not familiar with my work you should understand how to use my articles, they are nothing more than a guideline for you to use when constructing your own lineups. When discussing offense versus defense, fantasy points per game (fantasy ppg), I use FanDuel. Keep in mind, the numbers are usually similar across the sites. Fifteen is my divider. For instance, if I say a team is allowing the fifth fewest fantasy ppg, then that team has the fifth best defense. If I say a team is allowing the 16th most fantasy ppg, that means the team has the 16th best defense. The higher number, the better for your offensive player. Now and again, when a team is dead last, or 30th in fantasy ppg allowed, I may use the term, they are allowing the most fantasy ppg to the position. So, with a fresh cup of coffee, and the quiet of my office deep in the bowels of my basement at the bar, I bring you today’s DFS NBA Position Coach Article. It is great to be back.

Tonight’s Strategy

I must tell you that I prefer the six-game slate much more than the slates with nine or more games. It can become maddening near tip-off if you are running multiple lineups as you try to keep up with all the value popping up on the board at the last minute. If I had a nickel for every time I have had to pull over while driving to change lineups I would have a lot of nickels. As a DFS player, especially a GPP player like myself, I am always looking for a way to snag 30 fantasy points for $3,700 on a site like FD, so I can upgrade a player like Markieff Morris to Kristaps Porzingis. Paying attention to who is sitting last minute is the key to finding that value, and it is almost impossible to pinpoint it at 7am, my current time writing this. If you are a newer player, I would suggest maybe playing the split slates such as the early, late, express, etc. to learn the ropes. My main goal tonight is to cram at least three superstars into my core lineup, if not more.

Point Guard

The easiest and most obvious choice, each and every time he takes the court, is Russell Westbrook. The truth is, the Thunder have Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, crap, crap, sometimes Enes Kanter, and more crap. The guy is averaging a triple-double per game right now and, despite his high salary, I never fade him in any lineup regardless of match-up. Factor in that this game has the highest expected point total of the evening at 224, as well as the closest line with Houston being -1 favorites, it would be foolish to not begin all your lineups with Westbrook.

Kemba Walker also has a nice match-up tonight with the Magic allowing the 24th most fantasy ppg to the PG position on the season. He has the third highest true usage percentage on the slate and on most nights, can easily get you to the 40-fantasy point mark. He has been quiet over his last six games, failing to score over 40 fantasy ppg in each, which really tells me he is overdue for a huge game. If you are the stubborn type and want to be the “innovative” DFS player who fades Westbrook, Walker should be low-owned tonight.

Kyrie Irving seems like a deal tonight considering he has scored over 30 fantasy ppg in seven out of his last 10 games, even hitting the 40- point mark twice. Even though the Heat are allowing the third fewest fantasy ppg to the PG position on the season, with the usage Irving gets, his history versus some tough teams and that the Cavaliers having the second highest implied point total of the evening at 112, for $7300 on FD, he is a major steal. People will try and tell you to avoid games with high lines like this one where the Cavs are -13.5 favorites. I say, to get your team a 14-point lead, you have to be having a great night.

Patrick Beverley is dirt cheap and on fire for his price-point. The Thunder are allowing the 28th most fantasy ppg to the PG position, and Beverley benefits from the same high expected point total as Westbrook tonight. Houston has the highest implied point total of the night at 112.5, and I plan to get some exposure to it. Beverley had a double-double on Wednesday night versus the Lakers putting up 37.4 fantasy points on FD. He is the guy I am pairing with Westbrook in my main GPP lineup right now and I fully expect him to give me 30 fantasy points.

Another guy who has piqued my interest tonight is Deron Williams. The Mavericks offense is pretty banged up at point guard leaving Williams with some major minutes these last few games. He has scored over 25 fantasy ppg in four-straight games and has gone over the 30 mark twice. His price is reasonable and he gets a favorable match-up with the Pacers who have allowed the 19th most fantasy ppg to the PG position.

A few others I like tonight are Matthew Delladova (who is actually playing in the two) and Marcus Smart. Ultimately, their history of reaching the 30-fantasy point mark (Delladova 0, Smart 2) relegated them to the boom or bust play.

               FDDKAcesYTD   
 TmOppGPMPGFT%3PT/GPts/GReb/GAst/GStl/GBlk/GTO/GFG%UsagePts/GPts/GPts/GPts/G$FD$DK$FA
Russell WestbrookOKCHOU2235.781%1.931.010.911.31.30.45.643%24.53%58.863.159.459.8$12700$12800$8900
Kemba WalkerCHAORL2233.578%2.723.64.05.01.60.32.147%17.09%37.640.237.839.0$8400$7200$5800
Kyrie IrvingCLEMIA2034.088%2.624.63.14.80.60.22.548%17.36%34.537.234.635.8$7300$7100$5700
Deron WilliamsDALIND1329.088%1.511.92.46.50.30.22.439%12.24%23.125.223.323.9$6000$6000$4700
Marcus SmartBOSTOR1930.164%1.39.94.03.91.20.41.837%9.39%22.023.822.222.7$5100$5500$4250
Patrick BeverleyHOUOKC1129.063%1.27.54.74.61.50.61.543%7.09%22.724.323.023.3$4900$4800$4300
Matthew DellavedovaMILATL2028.486%1.28.72.75.70.90.12.142%9.11%20.221.920.320.8$4200$4000$4000

Shooting Guard

James Harden, aka, Fozzy the Beard, is the other top play next to Westbrook on the slate. Not only does he have the highest usage percentage among shooting guards, he is also match-up proof most of the time. Even though the Thunder are allowing the third fewest fantasy ppg to the SG position, which showed in his last matchup versus them where he barely scored 40 fantasy points, I look for him to come out tonight and compete in what is supposed to be quite the shootout. I will be splitting my lineups tonight, half with Harden, half without.

The player I will be using in my no-Harden lineups is actually playing in the one. Giannis Antetokounmpo is facing an Atlanta team that is allowing the 29th most fantasy ppg to the PG position. He has put up over 40 fantasy ppg in eight of his last 10 games and has gone over the 50-point mark five times, while hitting 60 twice. With a $1,200 savings from not using Harden and a better matchup, he is certainly at the top of this position tonight.

Eric Gordon is playing some heavy minutes off the bench and has a low price-point across the industry for a player who has scored over 30 fantasy ppg three times in his last six games with a minimum of 24 in each. The more exposure to this game the better, which is tough with limited decent cheap options available.

In a pinch for savings, I really like Wayne Ellington tonight. The Cavs are allowing the 27th most fantasy ppg to the SG position on the season, and Ellington is playing heavy minutes. He has played 34, 39, 33, and 41 minutes in his last four while scoring over 20 fantasy ppg in his last two. I generally look for players with 30 fantasy ppg upside, and he has shown flashes of it. If there is ever a night where he will hit that mark again, I see it tonight.

Depending on what you want to spend, I love both Devin Booker and Brandon Knight. The Lakers are -1.5-point favorites and are rolling out quite the cast of characters as of late. Los Angeles is allowing the 28th most fantasy ppg to the SG position and both players, although different prices, offer the possibility of having a great night with similar upside. In cash games, I would go Booker, in GPPs, Knight.

A few other guys who just missed tonight were Courtney Lee and Victor Olapido. I would have no problem running Oladipo out (The Rockets are allowing the 21st most fantasy ppg to the SG position.) in some cash games, while reserving Lee for some boom or bust GPPs.

               FDDKAcesYTD   
 TmOppGPMPGFT%3PT/GPts/GReb/GAst/GStl/GBlk/GTO/GFG%UsagePts/GPts/GPts/GPts/G$FD$DK$FA
James HardenHOUOKC2236.784%3.028.57.511.41.50.35.645%21.83%52.757.353.054.1$11500$11500$8350
Giannis AntetokounmpoMILATL2034.577%0.622.08.96.12.22.33.452%18.52%47.349.747.747.6$10300$10000$7200
Victor OladipoOKCHOU2235.262%2.217.04.53.01.00.31.746%11.33%27.729.928.028.8$6500$6500$5150
Devin BookerPHXLAL2132.979%1.619.02.62.70.90.32.542%14.51%26.028.226.126.8$5900$5900$4700
Eric GordonHOUOKC2231.080%3.417.02.92.50.70.51.944%12.16%24.727.424.826.4$5400$5500$4500
Wayne EllingtonMIACLE634.071%3.015.51.82.01.00.00.347%8.75%22.424.122.523.9$4800$4500$3700
Brandon KnightPHXLAL2224.986%1.113.02.92.90.60.02.137%13.7%19.921.720.020.4$4400$4600$4400
Courtney LeeNYKSAC2029.893%1.49.83.02.01.00.3145%7.39%17.719.117.918.4$4100$3800$3500

Small Forward

I find this position to be one of the hardest to nail down most nights. It seems like all the expensive players, save for LeBron James, just do not give me enough bang for my buck. So, I will be going cheap at this position tonight and hoping to hit.

LeBron James, even though I find him pretentious, is easily the top play on the slate at the SF position. Not only are the Heat allowing the 21st most fantasy ppg to the SF, LeBron also finds himself under $10,000 tonight on FD. Although his production is up and down, he is the only guy at the position tonight who can get you 60 fantasy points. I will be splitting my lineups tonight with LeBron as well. Half with, half without.

With no Isaiah Thomas tonight, and Avery Bradly in a tough match-up, it could open the door for a big game for Crowder. The truth is, Toronto is one of the better defensive teams but someone has to score right? Why not Crowder? He has scored over 30 fantasy ppg in four of his last seven games and I fully expect this trend to continue tonight for a reasonable price of $5,600 on FD.

Thabo Sefolosha is the winner with Kent Bazemore sidelined. He is playing near 30 minutes most nights and faces a Bucks team allowing the 24th most fantasy ppg to the SF position. For $4,200 and a reasonable price across the industry, I plan on having a lot of exposure to him on this fine Friday evening and fully expect at least 25-to-30 fantasy points out of him tonight.

Continuing with savings, P.J. Tucker, although inconsistent, is one of the last men standing in a dicey Phoenix offense. In his last five games he has scored over 20 fantasy ppg three times, hitting the 30 mark once. The Lakers are allowing the 26th most fantasy ppg to the SF position so the matchup is certainly a good one. The biggest problem is, he has that ability to come out on the floor and straight put up a zero, regardless of minutes. This makes him a much better boom or bust GPP play, and a complete fade in cash games.

Another hero or zero I like tonight is the up-and-down Andre Roberson. Remember when I said Westbrook, Oladipo, sometimes Kanter, crap, crap, and more crap? While Roberson is some of that crap. He is dirt cheap facing a Rockets team that has allowed the 25th most fantasy ppg to the SF position in what is slated to be a huge shootout. He has managed to score over 20 fantasy ppg in four of his last seven games, hitting 27 on one occasion. Not a great cash game play, but a great GPP for sure.

               FDDKAcesYTD   
 TmOppGPMPGFT%3PT/GPts/GReb/GAst/GStl/GBlk/GTO/GFG%UsagePts/GPts/GPts/GPts/G$FD$DK$FA
LeBron JamesCLEMIA1936.472%1.523.97.69.11.10.5450%18.89%45.949.146.346.7$9800$9600$7400
Jae CrowderBOSTOR1429.791%2.113.35.12.41.10.41.250%10.21%24.726.624.925.7$5600$5700$4750
Thabo SefoloshaATLMIL2024.964%0.57.44.61.92.10.3149%7.97%19.320.319.619.6$4200$4400$3700
P.J. TuckerPHXLAL2224.376%0.55.85.51.01.00.20.937%6.26%15.416.415.615.6$4100$4000$3850
Andre RobersonOKCHOU2230.929%0.87.14.51.11.21.10.647%5.73%18.119.118.418.5$3900$4200$3900

Power Forward

I love Kristaps Porzingis, so much so that at one time, I was writing a whole fictional story about him involving his enemies, the Elves of Keebler, his minions, Snap, Crackle, and Pop, and his luxurious life high above in his mountain castle in Latvia. When I left off, he had defeated the Keeblers only to find his territories under attack once again by a new enemy, the Dwarves of Snow White. Anyhow, I will continue this in another format, sometime, somewhere. My editor has enough to do and I am already known for my long-winded articles. So, to be continued…

Porzingis is my top play tonight at the PF position by far on FanDuel (DeMarcus Cousins is only eligible at Center). The Kings are allowing the 25th most fantasy ppg to the PF position and old Kristaps is due for one of those 40 fantasy point games he puts up every few games. He has two double-doubles in his last three games and I see another one in store tonight.

Kevin Love gets a tough match-up, but is safe as safe can be on most nights. In fact, over his last 10 games, Love has scored over 30 fantasy points in seven of them, hitting 40 and 50 twice. On most nights, you can count on the Irving, James, Love stack, and tonight is no different.

Paul Millsap has a great match-up with the Bucks who have allowed the 22nd most fantasy ppg to the PF position on the season. He is also hotter than, I don’t know, something really, really, hot, as he has scored 40 and 45.8 fantasy points in his last two while facing tougher defenses in the form of the Heat and Thunder.  His price is a bit high for me and he is battling a little hip issue, which bumps him below both Porzingis and Love.

Tobias Harris has logged some heavy minutes in his last three games -- 35. 40 and 39 to be exact. The list goes on here which suggests to me that, at some point, he is headed for a night where he plays fewer than 30. I believe that night is tonight and, for that reason, I am using Jon Leuer. He has been quiet as of late due to the heavy minutes by Harris. If he gets those minutes tonight he can easily drop a 30-spot for peanuts across the industry. Certainly not a great cash game play, but a wonderful GPP.

With Dallas a mess, Dwight Powell has been starting at center. His price is dirt cheap across the industry, including a nice $4,000 tag on FD in the PF slot. He has averaged over 25 fantasy ppg in three-straight and benefits from a great match-up with the Pacers who allow the 26th most fantasy ppg to the center position. If there is a night he hits 30, its tonight.

The only Laker I would play tonight is Julius Randle and I would do so with much apprehension. He has a great match-up with the Suns who allow the 21st most fantasy ppg to the PF position, but feels a little expensive for a player who has barely scratched the 30 fantasy-point mark the last two. I think you can get what you get from him, or so much more for a little more or little less, kind of leaving him in DFS limbo. But certainly, worth a shot in a GPP tonight, and he should be lower owned.

I have to say real quick, Ryan Anderson is also really cheap and may be worth a shot in this game in a GPP.

               FDDKAcesYTD   
 TmOppGPMPGFT%3PT/GPts/GReb/GAst/GStl/GBlk/GTO/GFG%UsagePts/GPts/GPts/GPts/G$FD$DK$FA
Paul MillsapATLMIL2032.874%1.016.78.03.51.80.92.446%13.89%34.436.534.834.9$8000$7500$5600
Kevin LoveCLEMIA2031.986%2.721.410.31.61.00.4245%15.57%36.739.637.238.1$7800$7600$5900
Kristaps PorzingisNYKSAC2233.977%2.119.97.41.30.61.71.546%13.39%33.836.034.234.9$7400$7700$5900
Julius RandleLALPHX2127.968%0.112.98.93.30.70.52.851%14.47%28.030.028.528.1$6400$6000$4850
Jon LeuerDETMIN2426.686%0.910.36.71.60.40.5148%9.65%21.622.821.922.0$4600$4300$4200
Ryan AndersonHOUOKC2230.791%2.512.95.51.10.40.1140%8.72%21.123.121.422.3$4500$4700$4500
Dwight PowellDALIND2120.671%0.06.84.90.81.40.70.447%8.87%17.518.017.817.6$4000$4700$3700

Center

Tonight, my friends you are left with a tough decision to make. To Boogie or not to Boogie. I will be running four lineups tonight, I will Boogie in two. DeMarcus Cousins has scored more than 60 fantasy points in three of his last five games with the other two falling in the 50’s range. Even though the matchup is not favorable up against old Kristaps, he is matchup proof and the key drive in the Kings offense. It all runs through him, much like Westbrook. If you can find a way, use him tonight. I am.

The other Celtic I really like tonight is none other than Al Horford. He will also get more shot opportunities with the absence of Thomas, the matchup for Bradley, and has the fourth highest usage percentage among centers on the slate. His numbers are a little up and down like any other player at the disposal of Brad Stevens, but he can also easily put up a 50 spot if things go right. For his price, I am taking the chance in one of my four lineups.

The last center I will be using myself as of right now, depending of course on what may or may not pop later is Myles Turner. His price on FD is under the $6,000 mark and he is facing a banged-up Mavericks team tonight. For the price, he has that ability to put up 35 fantasy points, something he has done four times this season with a bunch of near misses.

               FDDKAcesYTD   
 TmOppGPMPGFT%3PT/GPts/GReb/GAst/GStl/GBlk/GTO/GFG%UsagePts/GPts/GPts/GPts/G$FD$DK$FA
DeMarcus CousinsSACNYK2134.475%1.828.810.63.41.11.42.746%21.78%49.151.949.750.0$11200$10900$8000
Al HorfordBOSTOR1232.490%1.315.06.45.30.62.61.449%11.32%35.537.235.836.2$7900$6900$5900
Myles TurnerINDDAL2128.478%0.414.67.21.00.92.21.653%13.73%29.530.929.829.7$5900$5900$5500

Good luck tonight, any questions email me JCFantasyAlarm@yahoo.com, or hit me up on Twitter @RealJerryColvin