Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo drives against Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lamb during an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
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Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 46.87 DK - 46.23
Welcome to Saturday basketball! We have a healthy 9-game slate that’s full of opportunity at different spots. Well start out in Philadelphia, where the Sixers will host the Hornets in a game that opened with a 229 total. Both the Hornets and Sixers play fast and the Hornets rank 26th against opposing point guards. Ben Simmons is way too big for Walker and should bully him in the paint. Simmons returned from injury like it was nothing, putting up a triple double in just over 30 minutes of work. These two teams are both top 10 in pace and this game will be very high-scoring. Simmons is a great play in all formats and a guy I think will be less popular than deserved.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 33.51 DK - 36.16
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 30.23 DK - 30.39
The game that opened with the highest over/under on the board is CHI @ ATL. Neither team play much defense and both are willing to run. A 232 total is not something to ignore in the slightest. Let’s start with Trae Young. He’s the more expensive PG here and has already shown his ability to breakout with ease. Cameron Payne is a terrible defender and Young will have more than plenty of space on the perimeter against Chicago. He’s always going to be hit or miss with the jumpers, but I firmly believe this is a top 5 match-up for him. Speaking of Cam Payne, he’s a great play in his own right. Since Dunn went out, he’s average well over 1 FP per minute. With last night being an utter blowout, I look for him to get close to that 30 minute mark and pay off value. Both of these guys are options in all formats, depending on your budget.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 40.82 DK - 41.98
LaVine has been forced into a role that he had no intent on playing to start the year. With Kris Dunn out for the near future, the Bulls have turned to LaVine to run the offense. Hoiberg has already said that LaVine will run the point and has complete reins to the offense. He’s surely good enough to run point and has plenty of upside, as shown by his 40+ fantasy points in 4 of the last 5. He now gets a match-up with the Hawks and Trae Young, who don’t play much defense and play faster than 25 teams. LaVine is still affordable on both sites and I’m a fan of the play in both cash games and tournaments. You won't find many lineups of mine without him, if any.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 40.02 DK - 40.66
It was less than a week ago when these two teams faced off in Los Angeles. DeRozan and Aldridge were the starts of the show, putting up respective 50+ FP burgers. DD is putting up a far more balanced stat lines than ever before and it pays off. The Spurs play faster than they ever have and are starting to join the rest of basketball in terms of PACE. The likes of Josh Hart and KCP will cover DeRozan, who are good defenders but nothing to worry about in a game with a 330 total. DeRozan is one of the top plays in both cash games and tournaments and should go for 50+ again.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 21.31 DK - 21.34'
If you're looking for someone cheap, Garrett Temple is a great target. He's been picking up 30 minutes almost every game and the Grizzlies see their fastest pace game of the season against the Phoenix Suns. It'll be a close game without Devin Booker and the points should pour in. Temple isn't going to give you 40 FP, but he has a 20 point floor and is super cheap on both sites. I prefer paying up at SG, but Temple will be on a few of my lineups.
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 59.2 DK - 60.29
The first true expensive option we're going to take a look at is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He's been stellar to start the season and is touching the ball on basically every single possession for the Bucks. He was phenomenal last night in just 23 minutes and was able to sit down for the entire 4th. He's now fully rested for tonight and ready to go his normal 34-38 minutes. The Orlando Magic play 7th fastest so far and don't have anybody to cover Antetokounmpo. He's going to cost you and arm and leg, but a 70 burger is in the books and 50 is a very fun floor to play with thanks to a significant increase in rebounding this season. Giannis is fairly priced on both sites and shouldn't be over 20% owned.
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 23.6 DK - 22.57
The Cavs will spread their minutes around this season and it won’t be common to see guys play 35+ minutes. Kevin Love sat out last night and Nance Jr. benefited with 27 minutes off the bench. He’s always a great point per minute option and his price is too low if he’s going to get that same opportunity against an even faster Pacers team. We don’t know much about PACE this early on, but early signs are pointing towards Indiana playing relatively fast. Nance loves the up-tempo and fastbreak style of play and could hit value in 20 minutes at his price. He’s dependent on the status of Kevin Love, so make sure to pay attention.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 21.52 DK - 22.33
Bobby Portis has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL and will miss the next couple weeks. In his absence last game, Chandler Hutchinson stepped in and played 27 minutes. He isn’t an electric offensive player, but he can shoot and will be in there for his defense. At a bare minimum on both sites, you’re not taking much of a lass no matter the circumstance. The Bulls are without much right now and have no option but to play Hutchinson at least 25 minutes. In a fast-paced game against the Hawks, I think enough peripherals fall in his hands to pay off.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 45.07 DK - 46.06
DeRozan and Aldridge were the two guys that brutalized the Lakers just a few few days ago on the road in L.A. The latter didn't have any answer on the interior for LMA and he ended up putting up 37/10/5 on his way to 60 fantasy points. Kuzma, LeBron, and McGee will all take their turns and neither will have a chance against the footwork of Aldridge. He's somewhat expensive, but still blows away value with 55+ (2 of 4 games so far). The Spurs are in a fast-paced match-up at home against a bad defense that gives it up down low. If you have the funds to spend on power forward and can't get to AD, I'll take Aldridge over Griffin.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 32.74 DK - 34.38
Saric is cheap on both sites and we know exactly what to expect from him. He'll be out there for 30-35 minutes and will shoot 10-15 times. Facing off with the Hornets, he'll see the likes of Marvin Williams . Saric is a solid offensive talent and can put up 40 fantasy points in the blink of an eye. The Hornets aren't a fast team over the past few seasons, but have turned it around this year and are in the top 10. Saric is too cheap on both sites and a very fair play in all formats.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 12.07 DK - 11.81
Yes, Omari Spellman is way off the board. On FanDuel, however, you need a minimum guy anyway and he has legitimate potential. With John Collins remaining out and Poythress now getting hurt, I could see Spellman reaching 20 minutes against a Bulls front court that’s allowed the 3rd most FP to power forwards. He could easily get you 7 fantasy points, but 24 is just as well in the realm of possibilities and the price is too solid to pass up. I’m not proud of this one, but I don’t think you’ll find this guy anywhere else and he could pay off against a weak frontcourt.
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 35.97 DK - 33.54
There's no real explanation as to what's going on here. Outside of McGee always being very good and the rheotic around his name ruining everything. I think it has to do some with that and some with the opportunity given next to LeBron James. Javale has now put up 30+ fantasy points in 5 straight and has shown no signs of slowing down. The Spurs are weak down low and while McGee may be embarrassed by LMA on defense, Mcgee will do his own damage on offense. His price is finally up there, but he's been consistent and the minutes aren't going anywhere.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 10.23 DK - 10.3
Joel Embiid rolled his ankle during practice yesterday and is currently listed as questionable to play in this game. If he plays, you can completely ignore this recommendation. Mike Muscala has picked up 16 and 18 minutes in each of the last two games and has always been productive when on the floor. If Embiid is out, I see his minutes floor at 25 with the upside for 35 if they don’t like running Amir. Muscala is way too cheap on both sites and a great play in all formats if Embiid is ruled out.
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View Comments
Wow. SA and Lakers game has a 330 total? That's more than the NBA All Star game. I'm in!