Brooklyn Nets vs. Portland Trail Blazers

 

Spread: Brooklyn -9.0

Total: 228.0

 

Injuries:

Brooklyn

Portland

 

MVP/Captain

Kevin Durant, SF/PF – We only have a one-game sample with Kyrie Irving on the floor this season, but in the last road game for the Nets, Irving played 32 minutes while Durant played 41. Durant’s production actually increased to 59 fantasy points including 32% usage. Irving’s game looks to have more of an impact on Harden, so Durant is safe to roll out in your MVP spot, even at $17,700. Durant is working on a streak of at least 26 points scored in 10 straight games. 

Jusuf Nurkic, C – If these were normal times for the Trail Blazers, we would probably be looking at this back-to-back for Portland and wondering if they would rest key guys like Nurkic. But with 60% of their starting lineup missing and also without their sixth man/back up big guy, this looks like a spot Nurkic has to play even with 38 minutes last night. He certainly delivered against the Kings with 53 DK points, and he looks to be primary beneficiary again with all the high-usage players missing. Monitor his news, however, as he has only played 38 minutes one other time this season. It just so happens, however, that the other game was also the front end of a back to back. In the second game, Nurkic played 31 minutes and scored 36 fantasy points. 

 

Utility

James Harden, PG – In the game played with Irving last week, Harden did log 40 minutes on the floor, but his usage dropped to 19% and he only scored 35 fantasy points. The assists, especially, were affected as his six in that game were his lowest since November 16th. He had more than the five rebounds he grabbed in 14 of 15 games prior to the Pacers’ game with Irving. Harden is clearly still incredible, but a $11,600 UTIL salary is much more digestible than a $17,400 MVP tag. With all their injuries, Portland is the fourth-worst team against point guards in the last seven games. 

Anfernee Simons, PG/SG – With Lillard out of the lineup, Simons has seen a massive increase in usage rate, not dropping below 23.9% in his last five games. That has led to an average of 42.4 DK points per game in that span. The salary has, of course, exploded in that time frame, so you’re now going to need $7,400 to roster Simons. But he has paid that off and more over the last week and the Nets allow the fourth-most fantasy points to point guards in their last 30 games. 

Robert Covington, PF/C – Mr. Do Everything stepped up in the lineup with Larry Nance going down and has produced all over the box score and has given us 22, 35 and 28 fantasy points in his last three games. At just $5,600 tonight, that seems like a steal, especially considering he played 34.5 minutes per night the last two games with all of the injuries piling up. Over the last month, the Nets have allowed top-ten numbers to power forwards in points, assists and blocks. Especially considering he will be needed against Durant, this is a matchup where we could see a lot of Covington. 

 

Value Tier

Ben McLemore, SG – McLemore also didn’t miss his shot last night after he was inserted into the starting lineup when Norman Powell was ruled out. McLemore contributed 19.5 fantasy points in 25 minutes and that was with foul trouble plaguing him all night long. At just $2,400 the likelihood that McLemore fails at that salary is remote. Considering the rest of the starting lineup played big minutes last night, Portland may need a major contribution from McLemore today. 

DeAndre’ Bembry – Even with a zero in one of his games, Bembry is still averaging 14.1 fantasy points and 18 minutes per game in his last 10 days. In six of his last eight games he has been above 19 minutes per night and will look to keep that streak alive tonight. Even if this becomes a blowout, Bembry will see plenty of court time and can take advantage of the absolutely horrible defense Portland plays against small forwards this season. They allow the second-most points scored and allow the fourth-most fantasy points overall.