Miami Heats Hassan Whiteside, right, defends against Atlanta Hawks Kent Bazemore in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
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Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 34.47 DK - 36.66
Dragic and the Heat will travel to Portland tonight and take on the Trail Blazers. Dating back to the start of last season, the Blazers have given up an average of 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists to the PG position. Lillard is known as a poor defender, and Dragic should be able to take advantage. With all of the injuries on the Heat, you have to think Dragic will get at least 32 or 33 minutes. He has played over 34 minutes in 3 straight games, and if anything, there are more injuries now. Dragic is an extremely safe play tonight and also offers a ton of upside. You can play him across both your cash games and tournaments
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 31.02 DK - 33.54
With Wade out tonight, we have to bump up a few guy on the Bulls, one being Rondo. Wade is a ballhander, so I expect the likes of Rondo and Butler to benefit most. The Mavericks are an extremely slow team, but Rondo should be able to do enough to hit value. Rondo has been fantastic lately, hitting 30 fantasy points in 6 straight contests. He will look to make that 7 tonight and should be able to do it rather easily. He will be extremely high owned, so the fade in tournament makes sense. In cash games, just plug him in and move on.
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 32.66 DK - 35.7
Schroder is another guy that has been fantastic over the last week or so. He has been gaining a lot of usage in this offense, which is always good to see for a guy at this price tag. Kyle Lowry is a good defender, but the Raptors have actually been very average against the PG position, sitting at 16th. If Paul Millsap sits this one out, I think you can play Schroder in all formats. If Millsap happens to return tonight, you have to think his usage will drop a little bit. With that being said, he would still be a great tournament play as most will probably avoid him if Millsap is in.
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 30.96 DK - 33.1
Bradley has really changed his game this year, adding a ton of rebounds and taking a lot more shots. He has always been known as a defensive juggernaut and an offensive liability, but that has changed this year. He is shooting well, and doing enough elsewhere to give him a ton of upside, and safety. This match up with the 76ers sets up well, especially with Embiid out. There should be some easy rebounds here in this one and Bradley averages the most rebounds for the Celtics. he should also be able to get some open shots on the perimeter, and if those go in, he will likely destroy value. Shooting Guard isn't too fun of a spot tonight, so you will be in a great spot if you can get a guy that exceeds value.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 32.62 DK - 35.81
Thompson was having an atrocious beginning to the year, and has turned it around for about 2 weeks now. With the Warriors taking on the Suns, you have to consider Thompson, as well as all of the other Warriors in tournaments. Thompson is the cheapest of the bunch, and has similar upside. If he gets hot, the Warriors will feed him and we will see a few 50 fantasy point games out of Thompson this year. This could easily be on of those, as the Suns have been a top 5 team in PACE, and have given up the 3rd most fantasy points to shooting guards. Thompson is an elite play tonight and I like him in all formats. While there is definitely a blowout risk here, Thompson should be able to get his at such a low price.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 27.96 DK - 29.89
As we know, the Lakers are extremely banged up. With Russell and Young still out, Williams is guaranteed to play 25 minutes tonight. I know he hasn't done that every game with them out, but a game against Memphis will need some scoring, and Williams can score. This is a pure tournament play, as you never know what could happen with Lou Williams. Hypothetically, Tony Allen could match up with him and just shut him down, but I don't expect that to happen. He should come in with the second team and face off with the likes of Wade Baldwin and Troy Daniels. Williams has a bunch of upside, as well a low floor, so keep that in mind.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 32.71 DK - 34.3
Over the last 4 games, Harrison Barnes has 4 more mid-range shots than the Houston Rockets. Just thought that was insane. We are watching Harrison Barnes turn into a star, and there is a lot of promise. His shot percentage has increased from last by almost 10%, and his peripherals are way up as well. With Wade out, Butler may play the 2 for a while, which could take Butler off of Barnes. If that does happen, Barnes should be able to dominate and easily reach value. If you think Butler will shadow him all game, I would consider the fade in tournaments.
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 32.84 DK - 35.08
Jae Crowder is officially off of his minutes limit, and has played over 30 minutes for 3 straight games, topping 35 in the last 2. He will likely see around that tonight and against the 76ers, this one should be easy. His price is way too low around the industry, and I will have him everywhere. The 76ers have been the 8th worst team in the league to SF, and with Covington possibly out, they could get even worse with Hollis Thompson. Crowder should get plenty of corner 3s, transition scores and peripherals to hit value pretty early. In cash games, do not get cute here. In tournaments, I do see the reason to fade, but I will not be doing it as I expect his ownership to sit around 15-20%.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 22.08 DK - 24.32
Ingram has been playing huge minutes lately, and it looks like he is starting to get acquainted with the NBA. He has looked better every game and I expect him to be having some big games by the end of the season. As of right now, i think he is pretty safe and even though we haven't seen it, we know there is an upside there. Like I mentioned, the Grizzlies are a good defense, but with there injuries, there are a bunch of guys who cant guard in a good system. The Lakers should be able to keep this one very close and Ingram, should see at least 30 minutes once again. I don't think I will play him in cash games, but will have plenty of exposure in tournaments and qualifiers.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 31.04 DK - 32.62
The Hornets are a team I like to target down low, as they really don't have anyone that can shut down big men. Zeller and Kaminsky are decent defenders, but lack intangibles and struggle to stay with athletic big men. Dieng has been up and down this year, but the minutes have been consistent. Because of that, I am willing to keep throwing him out there. He did see only 18 minuteslast night, which is actually very good. Thibs should feel good throw him out there for a while and this is a good match up to have him on the floor. He is a good tournaent option, and Ireally don't hate him in cash games either, but it is admittedly risky.
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 28.74 DK - 30.01
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 19.48 DK - 21.18
5 games ago, Dwyane Wade didn't play. In that game, Nikola Mirotic was inserted into the starting lineup and had a big game. He finished with 15 and 15, in 37 minutes. If it is announced that Mirotic will start, you almost have to play him, especially on FanDuel where he is $4200. As for Gibson, he is more of a cash game play. You know what you are gonna get, and you will rarely not get it. If you are looking for 25-35 out of the PF position, Gibson is a good way to go. Even if Mirotic doesn't start, I think he is a great tournament play as he will be a little lower owned and still has plenty of upside.
Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 49.18 DK - 51.02
Hassan Whiteside has been oddly up and down recently, but it makes sense. His 2 bad games came against the Grizzlies and the Jazz, AKA the best 2 teams in the league against centers. Because of that, I am willing to throw those out. If you remove those 2 games, he has been fantastic recently and has shown his crazy upside. the Trailblazers are opposite of the Grizzlies, as they have the 3rd worst DVOA against the center position. Plumlee is more of a finesse guy, and will have a ton of trouble staying with Whiteside. He is my top option in both cash games and tournaments at center, and I will have a crazy amount of exposure. I don't see him struggling at all tonight.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 45.01 DK - 47.07
KAT is going to be very low owned, with Whiteside right around him on every site. I definitely prefer Whiteside, but I will definitely have some exposure to KAT in tournaments. He is too expensive, but sometimes that's not all bad. Because of his price, people will be more apt to ignore him, which will turn his ownership very low. If that happens and he has one of his big games, you are in a great spot. I don't expect him to struggle much with the likes of Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky. If you are on a site where KAT is a lot cheaper than Whiteside, I think you can consider him in cash games as well as tournaments.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 36.23 DK - 37.76
With the Grizzlies having barely enough players to make an NBA team, these guys are going to get guaranteed minutes until they get some healthy bodies back. Over the last 2 games, Gasol has held the highest usage on the team ,and rightfully so as he is really the only good one out there right now. He should be able to bully the Lakers, who have been the 5th worst team in the league to centers, giving up 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists on a nightly basis. If you are looking to "pay down" in cash or tournaments, Gasol is a great way to go. He has plenty of upside, but also holds a floor around 30 that will be just fine for you. He will rarely lose you a cash game, and will help you pay up elsewhere.
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View Comments
Great article today guys! Tonight is gonna be $$$$!
I went with a lot of the recommendations for tonight and when I was done, I had like $14,000 left over. I made a few adjustments!!
Wouldn't Butler be a good play with Wade out?
Butler is always a Gd play when priced below $8500 on DK!
Isaiah Caanan or however you spell it! Definitely likes to shoot. Good play or not?
Anyone else concerned about the blowout factor in the POR/MIA game? Whiteside would be an awesome pick at C.
I just think Portland might run them out of the gym and Whiteside only getting around 30fp.
No Canaan for me. Mirotic is likely to draw start and I like him a lot if he does. No way Portland blows out Miami with the putrid defense they play. IMO!
Last minute help people. Any value playing Exum? I need at 3100 or cheaper on DK. Right now Im playing Pascal Siakam. I know its minor but Im stuck here
Rondo was amazing against Dallas tonight....