Tonight’s Strategy
Tonight is about how much you want to spend. Do you use Russell Westbrook? James Harden? Or, do you go balanced? I am doing a little DFS experiment right now, so to keep it legit I am only allowing myself two lineups per night on FD right now. A cash, and a GPP. I will run a balanced LU for the cash, and load up with value in the GPP. I love six-game slates, so let’s get moving.
As always, all fantasy ppg numbers are FanDuel specific.
So, finally in the writing phase here at 1 p.m., I bring you today’s Position Coach Article.
Point Guard
Chris Paul tops my chart today as my numero uno. The Magic are allowing the sixth most fantasy ppg to the one while Paul is averaging near 50 fantasy ppg in his last two.
With the Cleveland-Portland game having the highest expected point total of the evening and a positive match-up to the one, Damian Lillard is a worth a look. I find him a bit overpriced right now for his recent production which should open the door for low ownership.
Mike Conley is facing a Thunder team allowing the ninth most fantasy ppg to the one, while averaging over 40 fantasy ppg in his last three. For the price, I am all-in here.
If Avery Bradley sits another night tonight, Marcus Smart is certainly a viable value play. He is averaging over 35 fantasy ppg in his last three, in what is slated to be a high-scoring game.
T.J. McConnell has a price tag slightly on the rise, but is still worth a look if you need to save. He is averaging over 30 fantasy ppg in his last four and believe it, or not? I think he has triple-double capability with the way he touches the gambit of offensive scoring.
| FD | DK | Aces | YTD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA | |
| Chris Paul | LAC | H | ORL | 33 | 31.4 | 87% | 2 | 17.7 | 5.3 | 9.8 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 47% | 23.68% | 41.3 | 43.7 | 41.6 | 42.3 | $9200 | $9400 | $6500 |
| Damian Lillard | POR | H | CLE | 35 | 35.9 | 89% | 2.6 | 26.5 | 4.7 | 6.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 45% | 30.96% | 40.9 | 43.8 | 41.1 | 42.2 | $9000 | $8500 | $6250 |
| Mike Conley | MEM | A | OKC | 28 | 31.9 | 86% | 2.3 | 18.7 | 3.6 | 6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 44% | 26.03% | 33.1 | 35.5 | 33.3 | 34.2 | $7200 | $6900 | $5100 |
| T.J. McConnell | PHI | H | NYK | 35 | 21.7 | 70% | 0.2 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.7 | 42% | 13.79% | 17.1 | 18.2 | 17.2 | 17.2 | $5400 | $5500 | $3900 |
| Marcus Smart | BOS | H | WAS | 35 | 30.1 | 76% | 1.3 | 10.2 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 38% | 18.1% | 23.1 | 24.9 | 23.3 | 23.7 | $5200 | $6300 | $4300 |
Shooting Guard
With no Eric Gordon, James Harden becomes the top play at the two, as usual. There is no other SG on the slate who can drop a 70-spot on a good night.
C.J. McCollum has turned into an absolute stud and is facing a Cavs team that has allowed the fifth most fantasy ppg to the two. He is averaging over 45 fantasy ppg in his last six.
I am planning to pair the two above tonight in cash games, but in GPPs I like all three of the following players, starting with J.J. Reddick. He is averaging near 25 fantasy ppg in his last four including a 35-spot in his last game versus Miami.
The Knicks are allowing the third most fantasy ppg to the two so why not throw Nick Stauskus in a GPP or two. At $3,700 on FD if he drops 25-fantasy points tonight, I can live with it.
In a boom-or-bust GPP I like Gerald Green, if Bradley sits tonight for Boston. He does have that 25-fantasy point upside for the minimum salary.
| FD | DK | Aces | YTD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA | |
| James Harden | HOU | A | MIN | 40 | 36.6 | 85% | 3.1 | 28.5 | 8.4 | 11.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 5.8 | 44% | 34.01% | 54 | 58.9 | 54.4 | 55.6 | $12400 | $12000 | $8400 |
| C.J. McCollum | POR | H | CLE | 40 | 34.8 | 90% | 2.5 | 23.7 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 1 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 48% | 28.29% | 34.7 | 37.3 | 34.9 | 35.9 | $8700 | $7800 | $5750 |
| J.J. Redick | LAC | H | ORL | 37 | 27.5 | 87% | 2.6 | 15.6 | 2.1 | 1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 46% | 22.82% | 19.7 | 21.8 | 19.8 | 21 | $4500 | $5500 | $4000 |
| Nik Stauskas | PHI | H | NYK | 33 | 26.4 | 81% | 1.6 | 9.3 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 43% | 15.98% | 15.6 | 17.3 | 15.7 | 16.4 | $3700 | $3900 | $3800 |
| Gerald Green | BOS | H | WAS | 20 | 11.1 | 90% | 0.9 | 5.9 | 2.1 | 1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 41% | 24.16% | 10.1 | 11 | 10.3 | 10.6 | $3500 | $3000 | $3000 |
Small Forward
LeBron James is the top play at the three tonight and my favorite to spend on for tonight’s slate. Portland is allowing the fourth most fantasy ppg to the three while LeBron is overdue to drop a 60-spot.
Otto Porter gets a great match-up tonight with the Celtics who allow the fifth most fantasy ppg to the three. I see an easy 35-spot here for under $6,000 on FD.
Robert Covington has been looking great and is averaging over 30 fantasy ppg in his last four for a deal.
Moe Harkless intrigues me as well in a positive match-up versus the Cavs. For the price in a GPP or two, I will have exposure to him and hope to grab a 25-spot for cheap.
Aaron Gordon gets a great match-up against a Clippers team that allows the seventh most fantasy ppg to the three. He can drop 35-fantasy points in a flash and is my favorite play at the position for his price.
| FD | DK | Aces | YTD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA | |
| LeBron James | CLE | A | POR | 34 | 37.1 | 69% | 1.8 | 26.3 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 4 | 52% | 30.47% | 48 | 51.3 | 48.4 | 48.9 | $10100 | $9700 | $7700 |
| Otto Porter | WAS | A | BOS | 37 | 33.9 | 83% | 1.8 | 14.1 | 6.5 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 54% | 15.45% | 27.9 | 29.5 | 28.2 | 28.8 | $5900 | $6200 | $4500 |
| Robert Covington | PHI | H | NYK | 32 | 30.2 | 80% | 1.7 | 10.3 | 5.8 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 35% | 18.44% | 22.6 | 24.7 | 22.9 | 23.4 | $5500 | $6000 | $4650 |
| Aaron Gordon | ORL | A | LAC | 39 | 26.4 | 64% | 1.1 | 11 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 43% | 20.29% | 20.6 | 21.9 | 20.8 | 21.2 | $4600 | $5200 | $4500 |
| Moe Harkless | POR | H | CLE | 39 | 30.8 | 68% | 1.2 | 11.8 | 5.1 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 50% | 16.57% | 22.1 | 23.6 | 22.3 | 22.7 | $4500 | $4000 | $4250 |
Power Forward
Kevin Love gets a great match-up tonight with Portland, a team that allows the most fantasy ppg to the four. With the Cavs having the highest implied team total on the slate I will be running either him or LeBron in my lineups.
Remember this: attack the Celtics frontcourt.
Markieff Morris has 40-fantasy upside for cheap facing a Celtics team which allows the sixth most fantasy ppg to the four.
The last time Zach Randolph faced OKC he dropped over 30-fantasy points. Factor in he is on fire after putting up 35.7 and 48.2 fantasy points in his last two, and I am all-in here tonight.
Ersan Ilysova has been an excellent fit in Philly. He is averaging over 30 fantasy ppg in his last six and is under $6K on FD.
If you really want to go boom-or-bust, Amir Johnson is only $4,100 on FD tonight and has 30-fantasy point upside while getting the best offensive match-up for the Celtics.
| FD | DK | Aces | YTD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA | |
| Kevin Love | CLE | A | POR | 33 | 32.2 | 88% | 2.7 | 21.5 | 10.9 | 1.7 | 1 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 44% | 27.42% | 37.8 | 40.7 | 38.3 | 39.1 | $8100 | $8100 | $6500 |
| Zach Randolph | MEM | A | OKC | 33 | 23.2 | 77% | 0.3 | 13.7 | 7.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 45% | 29.76% | 26.1 | 27.2 | 26.4 | 26.2 | $6000 | $5800 | $4800 |
| Ersan Ilyasova | PHI | H | NYK | 3 | 20.7 | 0% | 1 | 5 | 5.3 | 0.3 | 1 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 38% | 14.21% | 13.2 | 14.7 | 13.5 | 13.7 | $5900 | $6100 | $4550 |
| Markieff Morris | WAS | A | BOS | 36 | 31.1 | 80% | 0.7 | 13.2 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 44% | 20.65% | 24.3 | 25.9 | 24.6 | 24.7 | $5100 | $5600 | $4350 |
| Amir Johnson | BOS | H | WAS | 38 | 20.5 | 69% | 0.3 | 6.6 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 53% | 13.99% | 16.5 | 17.3 | 16.7 | 16.6 | $4100 | $4100 | $3500 |
Center
Joel Embiid, besides having the highest true usage rate among centers on the slate, also benefits from a great match-up with the Knicks who allow the third most fantasy ppg to the center position.
What did I say? Attack the Celtics frontcourt.
The Celtics are allowing the eighth most fantasy ppg to the center position and Gortat, on a good night, can easily drop 35-to-40 fantasy points for a decent price.
Montrezl Harrell is not only under $5,000 on FD, but he is also averaging over 30 fantasy ppg in his last two. He has a great match-up tonight against Minnesota.
| FD | DK | Aces | YTD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tm | H/A | Opp | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PT/G | Pts/G | Reb/G | Ast/G | Stl/G | Blk/G | TO/G | FG% | Usage | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | Pts/G | $FD | $DK | $FA | |
| Joel Embiid | PHI | H | NYK | 25 | 25 | 78% | 1.1 | 19.4 | 7.3 | 2 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 47% | 35.99% | 33.6 | 36.4 | 34 | 34.2 | $7500 | $8000 | $5750 |
| Marcin Gortat | WAS | A | BOS | 37 | 36 | 63% | 0.0 | 11.5 | 11.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 58% | 14.09% | 29.7 | 31.2 | 30.3 | 29.7 | $6400 | $6000 | $5100 |
| Montrezl Harrell | HOU | A | MIN | 31 | 18.8 | 61% | 0.0 | 9.6 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 67% | 18.45% | 17.3 | 17.9 | 17.5 | 17.3 | $4800 | $5300 | $4350 |
Good luck tonight, any questions email me JCFantasyAlarm@yahoo.com, or hit me up on Twitter @RealJerryColvin