Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic, left, of Serbia, looks to pass the ball as Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, in Denver. The Nuggets won 127-120. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 35.94 DK - 37.53
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 37.84 DK - 38.26
Ja Morant who? The Grizzlies are 6-1 since their superstar went down with an injury and have scrapped out wins over teams who, at least in theory, should be much better than them. Now, they’ll get another scrappy team that’s putting up a fight recently as well. But the Rockets, for all their punch, remain one of the best DFS matchups around. Jones is averaging 11 points and more than seven assists per game over the last five and the minutes have been more consistent in the short-term as well. Getting up double-digit shots in two of the last three helps with the scoring and he’s had two or more steals in five of the last six. He’s a pretty easy play in this situation.
Meanwhile, De’Anthony Melton got the starting nod on Thursday against the Lakers when the Grizzlies also lost Dillon Brooks. The latter is going to be out again this game so Melton should be running with the starting unit again. The fantasy points per minute weren’t as amazing for him in that game compared to his bench role, but I still think he’s a pretty easy play here once again. The DraftKings price is especially cheap for what he can provide when given the run.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 40.26 DK - 42.62
The second-year shooting guard has been something of a revelation for this team, especially as they keep losing players. Over the last four games, when Memphis has really needed offense, he’s taken 15 or more shots each time and is averaging 22 points per game in that stretch. He’s shot close to 50% from three in the short-term which is a little run hot, but this guy has just looked like an NBA scorer when given the chance. And he’s able to contribute across the box score as well. He’s averaging five rebounds and two steals over the last four games with the workload increasing because Memphis is missing two of their starters.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 25.38 DK - 27.25
Brooks has been in the starting unit for the Rockets while they wait for Kevin Porter Jr to return from injury. The latter is questionable for this game which would probably take Brooks off the table. But if Armoni is in the starting lineup again we are getting him at a steep discount based on the production. He played 34 minutes against the Bucks on Friday and was excellent, scoring 21 points while adding five points and three assists. The 17 shots are very encouraging as well considering he’s getting up volume scoring attempts within the offense. Keep an eye out for the Houston injury news in this one because it will really matter.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 25.17 DK - 25.88
DraftKings didn’t adjust Caleb Martin’s price enough and we can take advantage here. The Heat are still going to be without Jimmy Butler in this game and the last time around Martin got the start in his place. He took full advantage. Martin ended up playing 34 minutes against the Bucks and scored 28 points on 9-12 shooting (6-8 from three). That is above his pay grade for sure, but you like to see the volume and his DK price could handle significant regression on those numbers. He also added eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals so it wasn’t all about the scoring. He is an easy punt play on DraftKings. I don’t think I want to go there on FanDuel though.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 27.4 DK - 29.62
Davis is another one that DraftKings has dropped the ball on in terms of price adjustments. He’s been in the starting lineup over the short-term for the Kings and has really shown the ability to score in bunches. Over the last four games, Davis is averaging 22 points and five rebounds. He’s taking almost eight three-point attempts per game and only lost minutes on Friday against the Hornets because of foul trouble. The DK price is way, way too low for him in the starting lineup, playing meaningful minutes and getting shots up in the offense.
Consider Will Barton (FD 6000 DK 7000)
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 61.33 DK - 65.9
Jokic is the clear superstar pay-up on this slate and I think he will be a popular play. Considering the Nuggets and Spurs are on the second half of a home-and-home, they just played the other night. And Jokic was his fantasy dominant self putting up a triple-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Denver lost the game, but Jokic won the box score. He’s expensive for sure, but he’s also one of the few guys in basketball (Giannis is the other) who can sustain production in this price tier. He just does it all and considering the amount of middle and lower-tier savings we are getting at other positions, this is a pretty clear play in cash games.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 44.97 DK - 44.85
At this point, you just have to live with the threat of foul trouble and hope that it doesn’t happen when you roster him in cash. It bit him early last game and he lost minutes because of it. But when it is right for JJJ, he has about as much upside as anyone in this price tier. He can pile on the defensive stats in the right matchup (this is one of them) and 18 blocks+steals in the last six games. He’s also scored 25 or more points in three of those. The FanDuel price is a total lock. It’s a little closer on DraftKings where the salary has been adjusted some, but I still think he’s a play there as well.
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 43.23 DK - 44.97
Considering some of the savings we are getting at the other positions, I think it’s more than reasonable to go expensive at the PF/C slots on this slate. Allen and the rest of the Cavaliers’ starters lost minutes on Friday because they were blowing out the Timberwolves. This should be a closer game against the Kings who can bring some bigger bodies on the interior, but who also aren’t that good. Allen is having a career year, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game, playing major minutes at center for Cleveland. Having Evan Mobley back cuts some into the production, but not tons. Considering he is PF eligible on FanDuel, I think we can roster him in cash with the other two above because we don’t have to spend at the guard positions.
Consider Aaron Gordon (FD 5600 DK 6400)
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