It's Friday and I'm assuming (probably correctly) that while your work week isn't technically over, mentally you're cooked. It's the American way. That's fine. You put in a solid 2.75 days worth of actual working this week, spent some more surfing our picks, made some lineups and now you're ready to call it a week.
Fridays are always big days in daily fantasy basketball. With a huge slate of games, wind down "working" the right way. Luckily, a decent amount of the value is similar across sites.
Quick reminder about these picks. At DFSR we employ a system that seeks to gain the most points-per-dollar. When we give a recommendation, it’s because we believe that player has the best chance to meet or exceed his price. On any given the night the highest dollar player can be expected to score the most points, but that doesn’t always make him the best play for the money. Just something to keep in mind. On to the picks.
Warning, tons of PG value today.
Stephen Curry DS $19218 FD $9600 - We don't recommend Steph often, but tonight sure seems like the time to do it. He's playing OKC in what should be a high-scoring affair and the Thunder are below league average defending the point. Outside of Lebron (see below) Curry is the top big money option to get into lineups today.
Trey Burke DS $12866 FD $5800 - While I doubt he'd admit is publicly, it sure seems like Burke enjoys playing without Gordon Hayward. With Gordo out, Burke is averaging a 17/8/3 line. It's a super small sample size, but it would stand to reason that with Hayward out, more offensive responsibility has headed Burke's way. Hayward may play tonight, so adjust accordingly.
Darren Collison DS $13844 FD $7300 - Two days ago I said we were still buying low on Collison and that was correct. I still think it's true. Collison has been so solid in his time filling in for CP3 and has played and paid even in the blowouts. Tonight he gets the Knicks. The matchup isn't ideal, but I still like the price.
Mario Chalmers DS $12140 FD $5600 or Norris Cole DS $11454 FD $3600 - Call this the Phily effect. You will see it often here in this column. Whoever starts at PG for the Heat is a great option against the Sixers. It will most likely be Chalmers but keep an eye on it approaching game time. (Update: Chalmers has said he's starting tonight)
Ty Lawson DS $17134 - On DraftStreet, the difference between Curry and Lawson is almost marginal. I think I'd opt for Curry's upside, but you really can't go wrong with Lawson. A big part of me likes Lawson for a tournament play because I think he will get overlooked. He has a great matchup against Cleveland.
Brandon Jennings DS $13881 - Another solid option and may be easier to fit in for the dollars. Jennings faces a league average team in Utah and can well exceed this price.
Damian Lillard FD $7800 - He's the tenth most expensive PG on FD today, probably because he isn't exactly the safest guy in the whole world. But when he goes off, well he goes off indeed. The Spurs are actually well below average defending the point guard. Lillard is a great play here tonight.
JJ Redick DS $10435 FD $5300 - He's back and hasn't missed a beat. Redick is a fantastic value tonight against the Knicks. New York lets up tons of points to opposing SGs and Redick, if he gets hot, pays this going away.
Demar Derozan DS $15984 FD $8200 - Is pretty much the man with Gay gone. This price is getting a little steep and I like it a bit better on FD for not counting missed shots. But he's been going off.
Dwyane Wade DS $15002 FD $8200 - Like this price much better on DraftStreet but I'm obligated to put him on both because of the matchup. Wade doesn't excited me completely tonight for some reason, but our system like him a ton.
Randy Foye DS $10940 FD $5200 - Playing at such a high level right now. Price hasn't caught up completely to him being the starter in Denver. He isn't a threat to lose that spot and has been getting plenty of looks.
Gerald Henderson DS $10717 - Really love this price for Henderson tonight. He isn't a sexy name, but could put up 3x at this price. I will be putting him in some tourney lineups.
Lebron James DS $21505 FD $10300 - Ever heard of him? Philly started the year stinking on defense and they are actually regressing. Lebron is Lebron. I don't love the idea of fading him tonight, even on a big slate with the blowout potential there. His upside is just too great with an open transition game and a swiss cheese defense.
Shawn Marion DS $9214 FD $5200 - A DFSR mainstay. He usually just shows up on the FanDuel value spot, but tonight he's good to go across both sites. He came back from injury last game and played more than thirty minutes. That has me feeling he's safe enough. While Phoenix isn't a pushover from a defensive standpoint, this pick is as much about price as anything else.
Luol Deng DS $12909 FD $7200 -It appears Deng is the only person in the world who enjoys Cleveland. He's gone 26/6/3 in his last two games and the Cavs have kept his minutes high. Tonight he gets Denver who's trash against the SF.
Wilson Chandler DS $11229 FD $6000 - Larry Drew takes some heat around the DFSR offices for yanking around the Bucks' linuep all the time. But Brian Shaw is right up there with him. Dudes start, then they don't, then they do again. Chandler is back in the starting lineup (he was injured a little, then came off bench). Cavs are better defensively at SF wth Deng, but this price is still pretty sweet.
Trevor Ariza $11,927 - Without a ton of obvious punting situations on DS, middling might be an effective strategy, especially with some high upside options like Ariza.
James Johnson $4400 - I didn't start him the other night and you can see how that went. He put up a 15/6/5/6/2 line in 28 minutes that made me die a little inside.
Richard Jefferson $4000 - Just been so super solid at this price.
Jared Sullinger DS $11,189 FD $5400 - At DFSR we use an algorithm that spits out a number we think gives a clear idea of performance compared to dollar. Sullinger's number tonight is as high as I remember seeing. It's a combination of a couple of things. His FPPG jumped a bit after an enormous 25/20/4 performance against Toronto. Plus he gets the Lakers who have the interior defense of my wife during flu season (bad). Add in the return of Rajon Rondo (our system doesn't account for that, but I can't imagine it hurts Sullinger) and you have a great play.
Tristan Thompson DS $11821 FD $6100 - Oh man. Could grab 15+ boards tonight. Denver can't handle opposing PFs and Thompson is more than capable of putting up big lines. Love this play.
Josh McRoberts DS $9054 FD $5000 - Orlando has had all kinds of problems inside with Vucevic out. McBob is a great value play for that reason. I like him in cash games because he'll never go completely nuts, but this is safe price.
Dirk Nowitzki DS $15711 FD $7900 - I have a feeling Dirk won't be a big start tonight and that could be good for you. He's been able to pay heavily on this price in some of his last few games. Phoenix has dipped a bit lately guarding the interior which will help the big guy.
Derrick Favors DS $13003 FD $6700 - Been playing better of late, but also may be benefiting from Hayward's absence. I'm not super bullish on him if Hayward is back.
Zach Randolph DS $14438 - Such a great price for Z-Bo and might be because he was horrendous last game. I'm not worried about and he could feast (figuratively) on the Kings.
Kris Humphries $5100 - Has been just so productive at this price.
Chris Bosh DS $13337 FD $6700 - Another guy who gets an insane multiplier because the Sixers just lay down on D. I can see a scenario in which you fade him, but his upside is so great that man it'll be tough. In cash games I think I'd avoid him (it's close), but he's a tourney play for sure.
Andre Drummond DS $16436 FD $7800 - Is a threat to go 15/15 every night with the upside of big block numbers. Drummond is a manimal facing a Jazz team that lets up worse than average scoring to opposing centers. They also get blocked quite a bit. Look for Drummond to pad some of those stats in addition to his usual rebounding numbers.
Spencer Hawes DS $14946 FD $6900 - Scares me a little because Philly could get crushed, but Miami doesn't defend the center position in the slightest.
Al Jefferson DS $16106 FD $8200 - No Vucevic, no chance for Orlando inside against Big Al.
Anderson Varejeo DS $15173 FD $7500 - Must love having no Bynum.
Who'd I miss? What did I get totally wrong? Leave a comment down below or hit us up on Twitter @dailyfantasysr
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