Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes in for a dunk against the Chicago Bulls during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes)
It's the last Saturday before the break. The Clippers travel in to Charlotte for some early action with the Hornets, but the real fun begins with the 7 game main slate tipping off at 7ET. Let's get to the picks!!
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Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 57.41 DK - 61.4
Man, is it fun when these two teams get together. Golden State leads the season series 2 games to 0, but this time they travel into Chesapeake Energy Arena to face Russ and the Thunder on their home court and you can bet he'll be ready to put on a show for his home crowd against the team that ended their run to the Finals last May. Westbrook will come riding in to this game fresh off his 26th!! triple double of the season Thursday night against the Cavs. He finished that game with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 steals. The Thunder have lost the first 2 games against the Warriors this season by an average of of 23.5 points, but those games were both in Oracle. Vegas has this at a respectable 6.5 spread with one of the highest totals of the evening. These two teams like to play fast and tonight looks to be Westbrook's night. Lock him in your cash games.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 41.02 DK - 43.66
Early word was the Cavs were going to rest the big three against the Thunder on Thursday, but they ultimately wound up starting and getting their full compliment of minutes. Kyrie Irving dropped 28 points including 2 for 2 from the line and 4 of 5 from beyond in 34 minutes. Kyrie has seen at least 34 minutes in his last three outings, and scored an average of 27 points in that span. Tonight Cleveland plays host to the Nuggets. Neither of these teams are particularly adept at defending the position, more on that in a moment, and Denver's top 5 pace should have the Cavs hustling down the court, providing Kyrie a few more opportunities. There's blowout risk in this one, but I feel confident in Irving's minutes, he should have little trouble paying value tonight.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 22.79 DK - 24.75
Kyrie Irving will be facing off tonight with Jameer Nelson. While Emanuel Mudiay has been dealing with back spasms that have kept him out of 8 of the last 11 games, Nelson has been filling in with rather mixed results. As I mentioned above, Denver and Celeveland are pretty evenly ranked as a prime defensive point guard match up. Over the last 10 games they rank 1 and 2 respectively, so this could be one of Nelson's better nights. One thing that is almost guaranteed, is the minutes will be there. Aside from that ejection 4 minutes in against the Grizzlies, Nelson has played over 30 minutes in 7 of his last 8 games. I'd feel confident in Nelson in cash, with 5X being the floor, and could even see him potentially flashing 6X upside in tournaments.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 59.07 DK - 63.77
James Harden has 15 turnovers in his last 3 games and is only 36% during that period. For most players, that right there would be enough to have us moving along to the next guy. Not with Harden though. Even with the turnovers and poor shooting, he still finds ways to pay value even at these prices. He leads the league with 43 double doubles, the three most recent coming during that same span. The minutes are secure, hes seen less than 35 in 1 of his last five outings. That's particularly good news with tonight's match up with the Suns. The game has a 13.5 point spread which might cause us to tilt on this pick, until we consider Vegas has it as the highest implied point total of the night, and that is due more to Harden than anyone. This game will more than likely get out of hand, but Harden will be the one to put it there. Phoenix is an average match up defensively, and play at the third fastest pace in the league. If I had to choose I would go Russ in cash, beard in tournaments, but can see making an argument to reverse that as well. I also prefer Harden on FanDuel as opposed to DraftKings due to the price. Not saying I would fade him completely there, but I wouldn't blame you if you chose to.
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 51.87 DK - 54.35
The Greek Freak hasn't been the guy you look to for ridiculous upside at this price point, but if safety in minutes is your thing, and it should at least be one of your things, then Giannis is your guy. He's seen over 30 minutes of play and up to as many as 45 in 11 straight games. Now, during that stretch the results have varied. He put up a flat out ugly performance against the Jazz back on the first of the month. Since then he has flashed some signs of his old self including a double double against the Suns last Saturday. He finished that night with 30 points, 12 boards, 6 assists and 4 blocks. The loss of Jabari Parker is going to put the Bucks offensive game on Alphabets back. Last night he went off on the Lakers. Tonight he gets a league average match up with the Pacers. If you're not comfortable paying all the way up for Harden, then consider ABC. He should provide enough safety for your cash purposes and may even have the upside you need for your tournaments.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 30.37 DK - 32.49
The Nuggets are hurting, Danilo Gallinari has missed several games and now Kenneth Faried is going to miss his second game after rolling his ankle against the Hawks earlier this week. Look for Will Barton to benefit greatly from this. Even coming off the bench he was seeing starters minutes. In the last three games, he's averaged 36 minutes and scored a double double last night against the Knicks. He finished the night with 15 points and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 assists and 2 blocks. For world champions, the Cavs just aren't a strong defensive unit, and though this one will most likely get out of hand, Barton should manage to see his full run of minutes and have ample opportunity to crush value. A great play in all formats.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 28.37 DK - 30.53
Something has clicked recently for Trevor Ariza. From January 18th until February second, he ran a stretch of 7 out of 9 games with single digit scoring, but he has scored in double digits in the three games since. He also plays such a well rounded game, that even when the shot isn't dropping he has the opportunity to put up fantasy value. That said, if he can continue to keep his scoring up he has tremendous upside at his current price point. He's paying nearly 6X points per dollar over his last three games and looks to continue that upside tonight against Phoenix. These are two of the fastest paced teams in the league, and Phoenix is a bottom 10 team against opposing threes. Ariza has seen 36-42 minutes in his last four outings and could be in for a monster game. An excellent play in all formats.
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 33.12 DK - 34.83
Harrison Barnes dropped 31 points in 43 minutes in an overtime win against the Jazz. He finished the night 12-20 with 2 of 3 beyond the arc and 5-7 free throws. All of this against one of the toughest defensive match ups in the league. Over his last 3 games, Barnes has scored 69 points, nabbed 13 rebounds and contributed 3 assists and 3 steals. Tonight he draws the Magic who are a league average match up and are allowing 3% more rebounds and 4% more assists to opposing small forwards. The minutes are locked in the mid to upper thirties and if this type of performance continues then we are getting Barnes at a bargain before the price starts to rise.
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 24.55 DK - 26.94
Although listed as a small forward on FanDuel, C.J.Miles seems to be locked in as the Pacers starting shooting guard for now. Dependent on his shot for fantasy production, he can be a very boom or bust type of play, as evidenced by last nights bust against Washington. in a mere 21 minutes of run Miles only managed 3 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals against a Wizards team that has just been on fire recently. Tonight promises to be more promising, at least on paper as the Bucks are a bottom ten defense. Even at the price, I wouldn't chance it in cash games, but he could be the player to help boost your tournament above the field.
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 17.5 DK - 19.19
A simple case of price and opportunity, McGruder is seeing much extended run with Dion Waiters and Josh Richardson out and as long as that is the case at this price we have to give him a good hard look. In the past three games he's averaged 36 minutes, 12 points, 6 rebounds 3 assists, and 2 steals. This is good for over 7X points per dollar. Keep an eye on the updates tomorrow, Waiters is a GTD and if he goes this could hurt McGruders value, but if he sits another one, lock and load McGruder in a great match up against Philly.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 39 DK - 41.75
After all the chaos of will they or won't they play the big three on Thursday, the Cavs may have ended the night wishing they had just rested their studs. They lost to OKC 118-109 and Love for one did not look too hot, making less than 50% of his shots and missing his only three attempt. He made up for the shooting however with 12 boards and 3 steals. The Nuggets present a similar challenge as the Thunder, and play at a faster pace as well. Love has double doubled in 4 straight games since coming back from back spasms and with the minutes locked in the mid thirties as long as the shot is falling he should be able to provide enough value for cash games.
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 30.77 DK - 32.49
Outside of a game against Atlanta last Saturday where none of the Magics starters seemed to show up to play, Serge Ibaka has been the model of consistency in recent weeks. He's paid value in 5 of his last 6, the exception being the Atlanta game, and is locked in with minutes in the mid to upper thirties. In two of those games, he managed to pay over 6X points per dollar. Dallas presents one of the leagues tougher match up for forwards, but I don't see Ibaka being held back by Dirk. The slower pace may limit his up side, but Ibaka makes a fine play in cash.
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 29.33 DK - 30.96
Like his teammate McGruder, Joe Johnson is another case of price and opportunity mismatching. Dion Waiters will most likely sit another game and if he does, J.J. makes for a fantastic play. Last night against the Nets he paid 7.26X and I have a hard time seeing a Sixers team thats going to without the Process AKA Joel Embiid stopping him from repeating that performance again tonight. Again, keep an eye on Waiters, though even if he plays, I would expect a minutes restriction, but if the ankle does keep him out again tonight, then lock in J.J. in all formats.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 31.63 DK - 32.92
Clint Capela has been playing very well lately. Nene is a game time decision, but even if he plays, I would expect Capela to continue to draw the start at the five. He has paid or exceeded fantasy value in five straight games, and came a rebound shy of a double double in 3 of his last 4 contests. This is one of the highest scoring games on the night between two fast paced teams meaning there should be ample opportunity against a Phoenix defense allowing 8% more points and 6% more assists to opposing bigs. There's blowout concern in this one, but I don't see it impacting Capela before he has a chance to pay value. Love him in cash and if you think it stays close, then he makes for a great tournament play.
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 34.43 DK - 35.69
Myles Turner is a very shot dependent center. He really doesn't contribute a lot else to the game. He'll snag a few rebounds and shuffle out an assist from time to time, but there are games where he doesn't contribute anything to the Pacers defensive game. The thing I like most about Turner tonight is the match up. The Bucks are giving up the 8th most points to opposing big men, and the game looks to stay close meaning Turner should see his full run in the upper thirties providing safety for cash games. While there may not be a lot of up side, He should also go under the radar providing seperation if you wanted to lock him in your tournaments.
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 25.15 DK - 26.31
With Jabari Parker out for the season, Alphabet can't do it all himself, someone is going to have to step up and provide a boost to the Bucks in their time of need. John Henson may have to take on that role. In the game where Parker went down, he ran for 26 minutes and did just enough to pay value. In last nights loss to the Lakers he only managed 2 points, 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 15 minutes of play. While there's no guarantee here until we see exactly what Milwaukee's plan is moving forward, if you think the minutes are there tonight, Henson could make for a great under the radar tournament play.
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View Comments
Alright guys...you love Myles Turner. Problem: you can NOT win with him on most nights. The value just isn't there...let's move on. There are some decent options listed today though. Just thought I would check in.
Great insight sir.... I couldn't agree more.... I used to play him a lot because of the value but since I've kept him off and out of my lineups I have been winning more.
Good day Ryan what do you have for me today your pics were spot on yesterday I had everyone on fire but I put in javayle McGhee lol got me nothing who are you building around today
Not so sure about myles he has burned me several times I took your advice. and Henson disapointed last night
You call John Henson, Johnson, and you call James Johnson, Joe John. I'm sure you wrote this pretty quickly, but do a review before you post this. Appreciate the picks though.
U ever wonder if these articles r written with just enough good info to keep u coming back but just enough bad info so u can't cash? Not just this site or this article but all DFS articles. Think they know exactly who they r playing and they tell u one or two of them? Think they played Henson last night? Then have the stones to put him back on today? Anyone who has watched any NBA this season knows the bucks r crazy with minutes. Some guys play 30 one night and don't play 30 total in next 3 games. If u run a program it's almost always gonna put Henson in due to his one game replacement of Parker, which simply isn't reality. If u aren't using a program u either designed or can manipulate to adjust for he Jason Kidd factor than u will always get half line ups similar to dfs articles. Sure the freak may go off again but where was jokic or Davis? What about the day b4 when all the cabs weren't suppose to play but articles had the back ups littered across the mist starts but no one sent out an update that they were playing if u didn't get that info u got fucked. So eager to give out free info up to the point of actually making a difference. Feed the fish enough to keep them alive but don't let them get fat
I always read all these articles and "Picks" and then do my own research...i.e.: how did he play against them the last time they met? How actually played that night, because if a real scorer was out you have to take that into consideration as well. How has he played the last three games? You get my drift... I believe these articles are good (Not Great) information but you have to play your own lineup. Trust your gut and make it happen Captain!!! I don't win big money like some I see on here but I do win more than I lose and it doesn't cost me money to have DFS as an almost daily hobby! Good Luck everyone!
Amen Bill. This site cost me a lot of money until I started doing my own research 100% about a year ago. I have tried to warn others in the past on here. I do not even look at this site until I have completed my daily line-ups, and only then to get a sense of what the sheeple might be doing.
I would like to see a similar analysis (as with the basket ball players and teams) of the writers of the dfs articles across the board showing the actual lineups these guys run and how they are doing for the season, when they win and lose, and what their actual winning percentage is. Would be very enlightening.
Bill if you go to a free site and think you're gonna take down a tournament with their picks, you're a moron! You sound like a typical DFS player, who loses more than he wins, and then blames a website because you were either too lazy or too ignorant to do your own research. Remember, no one forces you to come to this website, and nowhere on this site does it guarantee their picks will all do well. Using this site as a guide is fine but to expect to win because you used their picks is just foolish. Any successful DFS player will tell you, you need to do your own research or you will lose way more than you win.
Hey duff what's ur pay? From this site I mean? Hahaha I never said that u should use this web site to make ur picks but as u said a guide. The problem is the guide is purposely written to mislead u. All of them. Do all the reading u want. I'm with Jerome just a waste of time to read it all. I do the same after my line ups have started to take shape i look here to see if there's something they may have thought of I didn't. I learned a long time ago that I don't know everything and maybe a new perspective can open a door I didn't know even existed! I also agree seeing their results would b nice but they would never give u the truth. They would create a parody acct to show mixed results but always in low but in GPPs and I know duff all players have one acct hahaha right!!
Agree with some of that Duff....then the purpose of this site is..???
.
.....IMO the purpose of any free site is to try and get the public on a player or two that is different than the one the author is playing. The author wants exclusivity as much as you and I do.
Man.... I'm starting to think Muleshoe Turner is Editor and Chief of this website. He's on here everyday. Don't expect, I'm still crunching dome numbers and waiting on injury stuff. But I like Kyrie, Booker, Barnes, Barton, and Whiteside tonight. I'll give you my locks after more injury stuff comes in
Awesome I have 3 of the ones you mentioned thanks buddy