Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, is tied up by Denver Nuggets forward Joffrey Lauvergne, of France, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 53.61 DK - 56.2
Welcome to Saturday NBA! We have a ton to look at on this slate and there are a bevy of options at every position. We're going to kick things off with Russell Westbrook, who heads this article more than any other player out there. He deserved every bit of attention last night, putting up 60 fantasy points with a 30/12/6 line. He now gets a very similar match-up with a Nuggets team that ranks middle of the road (19th) against point guards. Jamal Murray is nothing special and the only reason they aren't one of the worst is because of the PACE change. With a 220 total, there will be enough tempo in this game for Russ to flourish. He's a lock for 50 fantasy points and has the upside for 70. The game holds the 3rd highest total on the board and Westbrook still isn't as expensive as he will be soon. He's always an elite cash game option in this offense and now jumps into the all lineup consideration in a friendly match-up against a squad that lacks interior defense. The Nuggets have been better against PGs this year, but no PG goes in the paint more and plays outside less.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 49.75 DK - 51.61
If you don't like Westbrook for whatever reason or just don't have the funds to pay for him, John Wall is a phenomenal alternative. He's in a rock solid match-up against a Pelicans team that has ranked 2nd worst in all of the NBA. Jrue Holiday hasn't held his own on the defensive side in the absence of Elfrid Payton, allowing 50.87 FP per night to the position. Wall is an all-around superstar that can attack in a ton of different ways. He thrives in the open floor when he's able to run and distribute with ease. He's been shooting a bit more this year and it's opened up his scoring abilities. He's still the same passer he has always been, and if his recent games are any indicator, the increase in time of possession could mean we see him return to 2016-2017 assist levels. Wall is a whole lot cheaper than Westbrook on both sites and Wall can easily get to 60 in this match-up. They are both great plays across the board and it may be worth jamming both in a small tournament. On DraftKings, where Wall is $8500, he's going to be in every single lineup of mine. His floor is a nice 45 with a ceiling we haven't seen yet.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 41.36 DK - 41.63
We like spending up at point guard tonight. There are a couple of ways to save salary, but there are better ones at other positions. Chris Paul hasn't been explosive on offense, but he's been the definition of consistent. His price is at an all-time low, but like Wall, he's seeing a time of possession that should mean more performance is on the way. The Cavs are atrocious on the wing, they turn the ball over a ton and play no defense at all. Paul will once again see 30+ minutes and will be on his way to 35-45 fantasy points. We haven't seen it recently, but he is capable of getting hot and winning you a tourney. If you're looking to pay down a bit more, Jeff Teague is a stellar option in the mid-range.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 56.56 DK - 58.25
It's hard not to love James Harden if you think this game stays close. With only a 10 point line, that certainly isn't out of the question. That means Harden would get his 35 minutes of run against a backcourt that plays no defense and turns the ball over at close to a 10% clip. With Hill out and Sexton running the point, that will only worsen. Harden is going to do whatever he wants on offense and I don't see much in the way of the Cavs ability to stop him. Hood is a fine defender, but nothing James Harden will sweat about. If you have the funds, he's right up there with Russell Westbrook in all formats. I personally prefer Westbrook, but he's on the backend of a back to back, so it's really anyone's game.
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 37.31 DK - 39.15
Playing Thompson against the Kings is always a must. This is the team he put up 37 in one quarter against and 50+ real-life points. They just can't stop him in Sacramento and you know Klay loves slaying this team. He's going to shoot a ton and it looks like he's just now starting to find his rhythm. He's put up 35 fantasy points in three of the last four games, eclipsing 45 in the last one. The Kings rank 26th in the league against shooting guards and give up the 2nd most threes. There isn't much to dislike about Thompson tonight. He's cheaper than he should be and I think this is the best match-up out there for Thompson. I will have Klay Thompson in every lineup of mine. I just don't see him hurting anyone at this price.
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 55.23 DK - 56.16
We'll stay in Golden State and grab Kevin Durant, who faces off with the same Kings team that loves to run and gun. They rank second in PACE behind just the Hawks, but barely. They are the only two teams in basketball with a PACE rating over 106. Vegas hasn't dropped a line for this one yet, but I think it's fair to say we can no longer just expect a blowout every time this team plays an average squad. They've let teams stick around and while I think GS wins here, it should allow Durant and Thompson to get a full compliment of minutes. Durant will put up 50+ fantasy points with ease if stays close and could get over 70. His price is low on both sites and he'll only need you 50-60 to pay off. I don't think he has much trouble getting there in this style of game.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 25.86 DK - 26.84
With Osman playing these huge minutes, we are forced into liking him. He was on every lineup of mine a night ago and I think you're crazy not to go back to the well. If you've watched the Cavs at all, you can see he's a huge part of what's going on. He's not only involved on offense, but covers the opponent's best player, making him a guarantee for minutes on the floor. The Rockets like to run and give up plenty of peripherals for a guy like Osman to succeed. His price is still far too low on both sites and he's just a lock and load cash game option until we see something different.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 34.56 DK - 33.91
RoCo is a dream come true for Tom Thibodeau and the Minnesota coaching staff. He's a defender than can play big minutes, all the while stretching the floor and making a huge difference on offense. He's played 37 minutes in each of his last three games and has followed that up with 35 fantasy points in two of them. He now draws a match-up against a lifeless Bulls team that he's seen a ton of in the Eastern Conference. They like to run a little and rank 21st against SF's. A 217 over/under is solid and this game as a whole is one that will go overlooked. Outside of the obvious Covington, this entire game is in play if you think the Bulls can keep it close.
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 40.62 DK - 40.45
At power forward, there is a lot to look at. Of course Anthony Davis is in play at the high-end, but he left last game with an injury and is now on the second leg of a back to back. If he does play, I will reserve him to tournaments. If he's out, look at Mirotic, Holiday, Moore, and anyone else who would fill in some minutes. We'll instead pay up for LaMarcus Aldridge, who has been great and steady to start this campaign. He's putting up 50+ in good match-ups and will rarely fall below 40. He gets to face off with a Bucks team tonight that doesn't have much on the inside. They're middle of the road in terms of fantasy point per game allowed, but Aldridge is going to bully an interior defense that just can't field a good body against him. The Spurs are smart enough to play their match-ups, and if last night is any indicator, Aldridge could put up huge numbers once again.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 22.36 DK - 22.66
Power forward is not a spot to write home about on this slate. In fact, it’s easily the ugliest position on the board. Ideally, AD is in a solid match-up and we just find a way to pay up. I just think there’s too much uncertainty with him leaving dinged up last night and it being the second head of a back to back, which he’s sat a few times already this season. If you want to go cheaper, P.J. Tucker is seeing increased minutes and is always safe when on the floor. The Cavs are going to play the Rockets somewhat tight according to Vegas and that would leave Tucker in there for his normal 35-40 allotment. They don’t play any defense and he’ll have as many open corner threes as he can take. His price is dirt cheap on both sites, so you’re not needing much more than 20-25 to make you happy. It’s an ugly position, but we should be able to scrape value out of it.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 48.92 DK - 50.45
I’m in love with the fact that KAT has had two bad games in a row. That will drive his ownership way down in a match-up that he will destroy in. The Bulls will toss Robin Lopez and Cristiano Felicio our there to stop Towns, or at least try their best. They rank 26th against the center position and dead last in terms of scoring. Towns is going to obliterate this defense and could reach his ceiling if the game stays close. Towns is easily my favorite center and could be my number one play of the night. I just think he goes overlooked and has a great chance to put up 55-65.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 43.31 DK - 42.94
Clint Capela is a way to save some funds while still getting the same upside. He’s put up 70,56, and 57 over the last three games. I couldn’t tell you what the hell is going on, but I guess we’re going to ride the wave. In reality, we’re not just chasing points here. Capela is finally getting huge minutes and he’s making them worthwhile. He faces off against a wimpy interior defense of Cleveland that won’t give him much resistance. If he’s going to rebound 20+ against Drummond two games in a row, give me him 100 times over against this interior. It’s going to be a tough decision at center tonight.
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Date is wrong on the title. Its always some minute little detail....