DFS NBA Position Coach: March 27

Yesterday my friend Jerry Colvin had a rough day. Not only did the poor fellow work until 4 am the previous night but he also had to return to work at 7 am followed by writing a Position Coach Article. After spending about an hour and half researching and another hour writing he received a phone call from work. A phone call that forced Jerry to abandon over two and half hours of Fantasy Alarm work to go cover a bar for a few hours until he could find someone to come in. It turns out even though Jerry tried to get some rest around 5 pm, once again, he would have to wait. Needless to say my buddy Jerry is absolutely exhausted not actually getting a chance to relax after working around 90 hours in five days until almost 10 pm last night. So even though this is my busiest day of the year I decided to help my friend out and take over his article today.

I myself have been up all night hiding things around people’s houses and yards and making baskets. But hey, it’s for the kids. Something I have been telling myself for hundreds of years. Do you have any idea how many Peeps I make per year? I had to mate over 700 times last year to produce the offspring to provide Howard Bender with enough Peeps for Peepapalooza16. The other thing I like to do each year over the last three is play DFS. While the kiddies are all eating chocolate goodies made in my image I am usually rolling out some lineups.

We have five games today but the Trailblazers-Clippers game for the most part is useless for DFS purposes unless you want to play in a three game early slate. Which I do not. We also have tons of superstar firepower all over the board in good matchups. This is one of them slates where you want to throw in 25 lineups but you need to exercise caution. We have some substantial blowout risks today so going easy with bankrolls would be advised.

So while helping out a friend and eating a nice fresh carrot in celebration of having finished working my only day of the year I bring you todays Position Coach Article.

I believe that is how Jerry starts these.

As always all fantasy point references are FanDuel specific.

Point Guard

Solid Chocolate Bunnies

Well the good news is you have a value play tonight under $5k who is more than cash game viable. The strategy seems simple at point guard today to me, pair one expensive player with one cheaper player. How cheap? That depends on how much you plan on spending at the two and three which both have several mid-priced options.

Peeps

Anytime anyone faces the Lakers you have to instantly put them to the front of the line for consideration purposes. The Lakers are after-all the team that allows the most fantasy ppg overall in NBA. They have a young team that is still learning the ropes which opens up the door for players like John Wall to absolutely feast on them. The Lakers are allowing the most fantasy ppg to point guards and Wall over his last 10 games has scored over 40 fantasy ppg eight times hitting the 50 mark versus the Trailblazers (50.1), Bulls (59), and Hawks (51.6). The Wizards are only six-point favorites tonight with an expected point total of 212. Everything about Wall screams top play tonight.

One of the reasons myself and the rest of my kind love Stephen Curry is he looks like one of us. We actually sit around somedays fine dining on carrots talking about how awesome “Steph Cottontail” is. The ceiling is the limit with Curry as he has that ability to drop over 60 fantasy points on any given night. In his last five games he has scored over 50 fantasy ppg three times and he has the highest usage rate on the slate. Tonight he faces a Sixers team allowing the 28^th most fantasy ppg to point guards in a game with a high 226 expected point total. Here is the catch, Steph Cottontail could be on the bench early with the Warriors being favored by a whopping 20.5-points. Either way unless he sits altogether he should have no problem hitting the 40 mark tonight which could go a long way.

I honestly believe the safest play on the slate today is Ish Smith. Smith has that ability to drop a 40 spot on any given night and his salary on FanDuel is only $6,300. Speaking of 40 spots, check the game log for last night as he put up 46.3 fantasy points versus the Trailblazers in 36 minutes. The Warriors are allowing the 26^th most fantasy ppg to point guards and in this projected high scoring affair I cannot imagine a better option at this price point.

Hidden Eggs

Why mess around right? Although we have the possibility of Shaun Livingston in a blowout scenario playing more minutes I prefer with my money to save where I know the minutes are available. J.J. Barea will be starting again today facing a Kings team allowing the 25^th most fantasy ppg to point guards. His price is only $4,000 on FanDuel and in his last game versus the Warriors on Friday night he scored 31.6 fantasy points in 32 minutes. If you read Jerrys articles I believe he has mentioned something about fantasy points per minute production and how it’s a great indicator to find value. Well the meter is in the red here tonight in this game with a high 217 expected point total with the greatest line in the world attached, a pick.

Shooting Guard

Peanut Butter Filled Bunnies

A lot of the strategy around the shooting guard position is whether or not to spend up or go middle-of-the-road. The two is loaded tonight and you should not have any trouble finding a player in a good matchup for a decent price that fits into the flow of your lineup as you develop it.

Peeps

Anytime you have James Harden on the slate he instantly becomes the top option. “Fozzy the Beard” (that is for you Jerry) missed practice with an illness on Saturday and at the moment is a GTD but if he plays tonight on this small slate he could be really hard to fade. Although the matchup is not great with the Pacers allowing the eighth fewest fantasy ppg to shooting guards we are talking about a player that has dropped over 60 fantasy ppg in two straight versus the Jazz and the Raptors who in case you have not been keeping track are also great defensive teams. The price is high but if he is healthy and ready to go you play him.

Klay Thompson is facing the Sixers tonight. The same Sixers who are allowing the 29^th most fantasy ppg overall. Thompson has scored over 90 fantasy points combined in his last two games versus the Clippers (40.3) and the Mavericks (50.5). His price is just a touch over $7k and if you want some Golden State exposure tonight he is a safer option in a blowout than Curry.

Both Bradley Beal and Jordan Clarkson score the same today in the Bunny model. They both have the same price on FanDuel at $5,500 and both can easily hit that 30 fantasy point mark we hope for.

Beal is facing the Lakers who are allowing the 29^th most fantasy ppg to shooting guards and has scored over 30 fantasy ppg in three of his last five. He is red hot and right now and if you see anyway the Lakers cool him off than please post it.

Clarkson is getting plenty of run right now and could get more minutes if D’Angelo Russel is out tonight which at this time seems likely. Either way Clarkson has scored over 30 fantasy ppg now in three of his last nine and has a real shot tonight in a wide open Lakers backcourt facing a Washington team allowing the 19^th most fantasy ppg to shooting guards.

Hidden Eggs

With two players both for $5,500 in great matchups and situations with decent upside I see no reason to go into this under $5k range tonight. I will say in the most contrarian situations we do have a few players who are GPP worthy but none I will have exposure to or would take a chance on with this small slate.

Small Forward

White Chocolate Bunnies

This seems easy tonight. We have only one superstar and he has the best matchup ever making him a no brainer and two great options to pair with him.

Peeps

Paul George tonight is facing a Houston team tonight that defends forwards horribly. They are allowing the most fantasy ppg to small forwards on the season and when you insert a player like George into a situation like this he usually comes out smelling of roses. He dropped 61.4 fantasy points versus the Thunder on March 14^th and if he can get anywhere over the 40 mark tonight for $8,700 on FanDuel he will be more than worth the salary. He will be highly owned and for a good reason in this slated shootout with the Pacers being three-point favorites. The only way I fade him is in a GPP if I am trying to be cute. Which I have been told I am. Everyone loves a bunny.

Otto Porter who I always find it funny to read about in Jerrys articles with his witty Otto Pop references is playing the Lakers tonight. Basically if you are a player on the Wizards you are in play tonight. As long as the minutes are there. The Lakers are allowing the 28^th most fantasy ppg to small forwards and Porter is back to form having scored over 30 fantasy ppg in two of his last three versus the Hawks (38.5) and Timberwolves (33.1). He is the best option on the slate to pair with George tonight or the player below. Just be mindful of overexposing yourself to the Wizards side of things. I would use no more than three players maybe four if one is coming off the bench.

Hidden Eggs

Although Robert Covington is back and dropped over 30 fantasy points in his last game I still much prefer Hollis Thompson for the low price of $4,400. He has managed to score over 20 fantasy ppg now in six straight games going over the 30-mark last night versus the Trailblazers. In three of these six he scored over 25 fantasy ppg and he is a great cheap option to gain some safe minutes of exposure to the high 226 expected point total here.

Power Forward

Krackle Bunnies

Once again much like the three we have options at all price-points that are viable at the four. I much prefer trying to get the big dollar upside player in with one of the cheaper plays.

Peeps

Much like the three this one is a no brainer. The Kings are allowing the most fantasy ppg to power forwards opening the door for none other than the recently re-formed superhuman Dirk Nowitzki. I am not sure what got into his Wheaties but as of late Dirk has been stellar scoring over 40 fantasy ppg in five of his last seven games going over the 50 mark (57.6) versus the Trailblazers on March 20^th. It could be hard to fit him in with Harden, Wall, and George but it is more than do-able with a little risk.

Julius Randle regardless of matchup is at the point by sheer number of minutes and talent where he is a top play for his salary across the industry most nights. Well tonight is no different. With the likes of Brandon Bass and Larry Nance Jr. waiting in the wings Randle’s minutes appear more than secure at this time. He has scored over 35 fantasy ppg in three straight going over the 40 mark versus the Grizzlies (43.3) and Nuggets (49.6). Sign me up for two things, a chance to punch the Cadbury Bunny in the mouth for trying to steal my life and Julius Randle tonight.

With Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel eating marshmallow eggs on the sidelines Jerami Grant should continue to start in the four. In his last five games Grant has scored over 20 fantasy ppg in four of them going over the 30 mark versus the Thunder (30.4) and the Trailblazers (31.9). As with most nights you have a chance at some points and rebounds here and that should continue tonight with the Warriors running in the middle allowing the 16^th most fantasy ppg to power forwards. He should get plenty of minutes and be considered a premiere source of salary relief.

Hidden Eggs

If Jared Dudley starts tonight he of course is a great play for under $4k on FanDuel and across the industry facing a Lakers team allowing the 19^th most fantasy ppg to power forwards. Truth be told I believe more than should will gravitate to Dudley tonight and be let down. Big time.

The player I am eyeing for $3,900 on FanDuel tonight is Willie Cauley-Stein. With the backcourt wide open for minutes and the likes of Quincy Acy who is nothing more than a warm body on the floor Cauley-Stein should continue to see 20-minutes or more off the bench and provide an average floor of 20 fantasy points with a the high but unlikely upside of 40. The Mavericks are allowing the 27^th most fantasy ppg to power forwards and I plan on using him myself in my $10 single entry NBA Dime Entry on FanDuel tonight.

Center

Dark Chocolate Bunnies

With Jerry taking an Easter hiatus I am going to spoil you and give you three centers tonight instead of Mr. Cheapies usual two. The question is to Boogie? Or not to Boogie?

Peeps

Although I do not find it necessary to win tonight DeMarcus Cousins is the top center on the slate and among the top tier of players in the overall pool. Boogie has scored over 40 fantasy ppg in eight straight going over the 50 mark three times with seven double-doubles. He has the highest usage rate among centers and the Mavericks are allowing the 16^th most fantasy ppg to centers which is less than stellar. Boogie regardless should easily dance all over them tonight at home and as for the high price I could not care less (@Courtney).

Martin Gortat looks like the must play at center to me for the price. He is only $6,400 on FanDuel which allows you to really spend elsewhere while shooting for a 40 spot. The Lakers are allowing the 28^th most fantasy ppg to centers and Gortat has scored over 30 fantasy ppg now in three of his last four. If he does not hit 40 tonight he should come damn close.

Hidden Eggs

Ian Mahinmi is the player I would take a stab at for under $5k tonight if I was to do such a thing. Although the matchup is just favorable with Houston allowing the 18^th most fantasy ppg to centers Mahinmi does have the ability to net you 30 fantasy points when he gets going.

GO HOME CADBURY BUNNY!

Good luck tonight. I just got the word from our purchase department that Howard Bender has doubled his Peep order for next season. Oh, boy. I better get to work.

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