NBA DFS Position Coach: March 11, 2016

Friday is a very full NBA slate, and there are a lot of ways to go about constructing a roster. Stars and scrubs makes a lot of sense, especially considering some of the scrubs who should get a lot of playing time while the normal starters are out. I would caution against sticking to that strategy exclusively, however, because there are mid-priced guys I really like, especially at the forward positions.

Point Guard

As is usually the case, there are point guards I like all over the place, though I highly recommend finding room for one of the expensive guys.

I have noted a couple of times in this space Stephen Curry has played particularly well following his rare poor-shooting nights. He had 41 points and 13 rebounds Monday after he was 6-for-20 from the field Sunday, and I feel comfortable predicting another big game Friday after he was 4-for-12 Wednesday. Curry and the Warriors were embarrassed in their last game against Portland, and in a long season, I could see that providing a little extra motivation at home.

This could be an expect showdown with Damian Lillard, as Lillard has at least 40 points in seven assists in each of his games again Golden State this season. It doesn’t appear the Warriors have an answer for Lillard, and while Curry is probably safer, Lillard is likely the better value, especially on FanDuel.

Darren Collison has at least six assists in three consecutive games, with at least 12 points in two of them. The Magic have allowed the seventh-most assists and points since the All-Star break, and Collison will be a nice value if he can hit those marks again Friday. Collison could see fewer minutes with Marco Bellinelli listed as probable, but he will be a fine play if Ben McLemore and Seth Curry are out again.

Finally, I really like a pair of Pelicans’ point guards, and I think you could reasonably consider playing them together. Toney Douglas and Jrue Holiday played 37 and 38 minutes respectively Wednesday with Norris Cole out, and both would be strong plays against the shorthanded Grizzlies if Cole is out again. Holiday is a strong play regardless, and he should get a ton of shots again.

Shooting Guard

Usually when I look to spend up at shooting guard it is because I like James Harden, but that isn’t the case Friday. I actually like two second-tier shooting guards, as well as two guys who could potentially match up with Harden.

No team has allowed as many fantasy points to opposing shooting guards as the Warriors, and C.J. McCollum is averaging 19.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in two games against them this season. McCollum has at least 17 points in six consecutive games and 10 of his last 11, and at the very least he should provide solid scoring with a few assists and a few threes.

Klay Thompson is averaging 29.5, 4.5 and 3.0 in two games against Portland this season. Like McCollum, Thompson doesn’t provide much beyond points and threes, but he does both of those things as well as almost anyone.

You should probably get at least one Celtic in your lineup against the horrible Houston defense, and shooting guard is a great place to do it. I slightly prefer Evan Turner if you can afford him, but I have no problem with Avery Bradley if you want to save a little money.

Small Forward

Lance Stephenson was absolutely dreadful his last time out, but he still topped 20 minutes for his fourth consecutive game. He will likely be the Grizzlies de facto point guard if Ray McCallum and Mike Conley are unavailable, though Briante Weber will be involved as well. Stephenson had at least 13 points and five rebounds in three consecutive games before Wednesday’s clunker, and his price is low enough to make him worth playing again Friday.

Rudy Gay is averaging 18.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in nine games with DeMarcus Cousins out this season. Two of Gay’s three 30-point games have come with Boogie out, and Gay is a strong play in both GPP and cash games.

If you need a slightly cheaper alternative to Gay—at least on FanDuel—Robert Covington is worth a look. He is averagine 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in March, and while his shooting is a bit inconsistent, he should continue to score most nights while Jahlil Okafor is out.

I prefer to spend up at other positions Friday, but if you need to spend, I like Carmelo Anthony. Anthony should get even more shots than normal with Lance Thomas and Arron Afflalo out, and I don’t see how anyone on the Clippers can match up with Carmelo defensively.

Power Forward

Draymond Green is averaging 12.5, 12.5 and 9.0 in two games against Portland this season. I love Green for tournament lineups because he is cheaper than Anthony Davis and he will probably lead the position in fantasy points if he gets his league-leading 12th triple double. He is fine for cash games too, especially now that his price has come down, but there are cheaper options I like as well.

JaMychal Green has at least 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in each of his last two games with Chris Andersen and Zach Randolph out. His price has skyrocketed, so he pretty much needs a repeat performance to be worth it, but somebody has to get the shots and rebounds for the depleted Grizzlies, and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be Green.

Like Green, Aaron Gordon may be a better GPP than cash game play Friday. He has scored 18.5, 44.0, 5.5, 38.25, 20.75 and 41.75 fantasy points in his last six games, and there is little reason to think he will suddenly become consistent down the stretch. That being said, he will likely be worth his price if he reaches 20 points or 10 rebounds, and he has a chance to do both against the terrible Kings. No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing power forwards.

The 76ers have been nearly as bad as the Kings against opposing power forwards, and Thaddeus Young is averaging 20.0 points and 10.5 rebounds against his former team. He is also averaging 15.9 points and 10.1 rebounds on two days rest, and like Gordon, I love Young’s chances to get a double-double.

I don’t trust him nearly as much as Rudy Gay or Kosta Koufos, but Quincy Acy is pretty cheap and could have a big night with Cousins out. Acy has played at least 23 minutes six times this season, and he scored at least 10 points in five of those games. 

Center

I’m likely either spending a ton or next to nothing at the center position Friday, and I would probably be fine with either one.

Hassan Whiteside in his lone game against the Bulls, just 10 days ago, Whiteside had 26.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks. He is averaging 18.5, 15.0 and 4.1 since the All-Star break, and it would be pretty shocking if he doesn’t have another huge game Friday.

If you are looking for a lesser-owned alternative to Whiteside, Dwight Howard is interesting, especially for tournament lineups. Howard has gone for 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in three of his last five games, and while he probably needs to do it again to justify his price, he is certainly capable. The Celtics have allowed the fifth-most opponent’s rebounds since the All-Star break, and they are 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing centers.

Kosta Koufos is averaging 11.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals with DeMarcus Cousins out. I will gladly take those numbers from somebody who costs the minimum.

No one will ever feel great about playing Ryan Hollins, under any circumstances, but you could do worse Friday. He played 25 minutes Wednesday, and should see similar playing time if Chris Andersen and Zach Randolph are out again. The Pelicans have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season, and if Hollins can eke out a double-double he would be a steal.