Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Spread: PHX -5.5

Total: 228.0

 

Injuries:

Phoenix

New Orleans

 

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MVP/Captain

 

Devin Booker really isn’t getting much love in the MVP conversation this year, but perhaps he should, considering what he has done with Chris Paul out of the lineup and the Suns with a massive lead in the Western Conference playoff race. All he has done in DFS is score over 51 fantasy points per game in his last 10, including 25 points per game on 51% shooting. And he has taken on more of a playmaking role as well, averaging 8.7 assists in that span as well. Booker is the clear spend-up choice for MVP tonight, especially as oddsmakers predict this one will be a close game for the Suns on the road. 

 

 

It’s been quite the ride for those who rostered Jonas Valanciunas the last five games. His fantasy scores are: 54.5, 22.5, 62.25, 13, and 40. The common trend there? Minutes. In games where he played 27+ minutes, he scored more than 40. In games under 27, he gave us two duds. With this game projected to be close and a formidable center on the other side, this looks like a game where Valanciunas can give us 28-30 court minutes tonight. His last game against Phoenix? He played 33 minutes and scored 41.75 fantasy points. 

 

 

Speaking of the center on the other side of the court, Deandre Ayton looks to take advantage of some suspect frontcourt defense by the Pelicans these days. On the season, the Pelicans have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to centers, giving up 23.6 points and 14 rebounds per game. Ayton dropped 35 on them the last time these two played and with an MVP salary that is only eighth-highest on this slate, he could return strong value. 

 

Utility

 

During the absence of Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum, Devonte' Graham has been more of a solid floor play instead of a touch-the-sky ceiling plan on most nights. In his last 10 games, he averages 25.8 fantasy points per game, with just one game going more than 30. But that has kept his salary reasonable at $7,800 and Graham does have a usage rate of at least 19% in four of his last five games. 

 

 

CJ McCollum is now listed as available to play tonight as the Pelicans were waiting to see if he could be cleared from Health and Safety Protocols before tonight’s game. If we learn there are no limitations he will be an automatic plug-and-play and can seriously be considered in your MVP spot. In his last 10 games before the absence, all McCollum did was average 48 fantasy points per night while touching at least 30% usage six times in that span. He is the unquestioned alpha on this team until Ingram returns.

 

 

Speaking of high-usage players, Cameron Payne has not seen a usage below 23% since his return from injury and insertion into the starting lineup. In those seven games, he scored below 31 fantasy points one time and reached at least eight assists six times. But perhaps the most important number is that before last night’s blowout win against the Lakers, Payne played at least 31 minutes in five straight games. 

 

Value Tier

 

This may not continue tonight, but Jaxon Hayes’ fantasy points have gone up in four straight games, culminating in 35 points in 27 minutes against Houston on Sunday. Even with McCollum making it back tonight, Hayes is likely still locked into the starting lineup while Naji Marshall will go back to the bench. That means Hayes should still be in line for 24+ minutes tonight which should give us all we need. Hayes scores more than a fantasy point per minute in his three games against Phoenix this year. 

 

 

With Ayton around, we never expect too much from JaVale McGee, but he has scored double-digit fantasy points in 25 of his last 28 games and the price is right at just $3,800. There won’t be many (or any) rotational players with a lower salary tonight, so McGee might be necessary, especially if McCollum plays. In his two games against the Pelicans this season, McGee scores 14.9 fantasy points in 14.5 minutes per game. That 5x his salary is all we need if it allows us to fit in more studs. 

 

 

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