NBA DFS Position Coach: November 22, 2016

I like Thanksgiving as much as the next guy, but I don’t like the way it affects the NBA schedule. I hate that there aren’t at least one or two NBA games on Thanksgiving for when the late game is inevitably a dud, but I especially hate that there are so few games on Tuesday and Saturday. With that being said, there are still some decent DFS options despite only four games on the docket Tuesday, so let’s get right to them.

Point Guard

The Lakers have allowed the fourth-most points and third-most assists in the NBA this season. Russell Westbrook has an excellent shot at this third consecutive triple-double, especially if D’Angelo Russell sits. Are Jose Calderon, Jordan Clarkson or Lou Williams really going to slow Westbrook down? No one in the slate has Westbrook’s upside except for maybe Anthony Davis.

Rajon Rondo’s scoring comes and goes now more than ever, but he has at least seven rebounds in four consecutive games after topping five just once in his first six games. A triple-double is probably coming sooner or later, and at the very least his rebounds and assists make him pretty safe, and only three teams have surrendered more steals than the Nuggets this season.

Only four teams are allowing opponents to shoot a better percentage from three this season, and none of them play Tuesday. If you cannot afford Russell Westbrook, you can save a ton of money and hope Damian Lillard gets hot from deep. Lillard isn’t a great cash game play, but Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings are not known for their defense, and Lillard is capable of going for 30+ on any given night.

Shooting Guard

It probably isn’t a coincidence Jordan Clarkson had his third 20-point game of the season with D’Angelo Russell out Friday. If Russell sits Tuesday, Clarkson would pretty much be a must-start.

Dwyane Wade finally sat out the second half of a back-to-back Sunday, and I suspect he will be all the better for it Tuesday. Wade is averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals on two-or-more days’ rest this season.

The Lakers began the season playing pretty well defensively, but they have given up at least 116 points in four consecutive games. Victor Oladipo got one of his four 20-point games against the Lakers, and there is no reason to believe Nick Young or Lou Williams will slow down Oladipo in this game, either.

Small Forward

The injury to Joakim Noah basically forces Jeff Hornacek to do what he should be doing anyway, which is play Carmelo Anthony at the four and Kristaps Porzingis at the 5. Anthony tied a season high with 31 points Sunday with Noah out, and there could be another big game coming Tuesday.

When every small forward is risky, you may as well go with one of the cheaper guys with significant upside. Moe Harkless has scored 17-or-more points four times this season, and he will be an absolute steal if he makes it five times Tuesday night.

Danilo Gallinari has scored at least 11 points in every game this season, and in such a volatile slate, I will happily take his high floor. Wilson Chandler may be a slightly better GPP play, but I’ll probably role with Gallinari in most of my lineups.

Power Forward

Julius Randle led the Lakers with seven assists Friday with D’Angelo Russell out. While Randle is often a facilitator, it is fair to expect him to assume an even greater role if Russell sits again Tuesday.

I worry a bit about Kristaps Porzingis when he has to bang against big bodies inside, but that won’t be an issue Tuesday against the Trail Blazers. Portland is 25^th in fantasy points allowed to power forwards, and only the Pelicans have allowed more opponents’ rebounds this season.

On the one hand, I’m tempted to fade Anthony Davis, especially in cash lineups. I really like the guys at this position I listed above, and the Hawks are one of just 10 teams allowing fewer than 100 points per game. On the other hand, Anthony Davis has upside unmatched by anyone in this slate outside of Russell Westbrook. I don’t know if Davis can score 38 points for a third consecutive game, but at the very least he is worth taking a shot if you feel like fading Westbrook in a GPP.

Center

With just four games on the slate, the center position comes down to playing Dwight Howard or going cheap. The Pelicans have been pretty stingy to opposing centers this season, but they have also allowed more opponents’ rebounds than anybody. Dwight has nine double-doubles in 11 games this season and should be much safer than teammate Paul Millsap.

Robin Lopez has scored at least 10 points in six consecutive games, with 11 or more rebounds in four of those. Lopez is the safest non-Dwight option at center, and he won’t break the bank.

Timofey Mozgov has scored double-digit points in three games this season, and he was in my position coach on two of those occasions (I didn’t write this article the other day). Mozgov is always my go-to cheap center, especially on a short slate. He had eight points and five rebounds the first time the Lakers faced OKC, and If he can do that again, which I believe he can, he will be the perfect punt play to allow you to pay up at other positions.