Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
This was one of the craziest weeks of the NBA season, with the trade deadline on Thursday mucking up the whole league. It felt like every role player was shipped to a new city, and it's taken a few days to adjust to these new-look teams. Most acquisitions finally suited up on Saturday, but we don't have much of that here. In fact, we have just two games in total because it's the NFL's day to shine. They are two interesting matchups, though, and we still have plenty to discuss!
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Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 40.22 DK - 40.64
VanVleet hasn't played up to the All-Star level we've become accustomed to, but this point guard is starting to turn his season around. The stat-stuffing guard is averaging 46 DraftKings points per game across his last 13 outings. He's also scored at least 61 DK points in three of those, flashing a 73-point upside in that span. That's brilliant from a $9K player, and it should be easy to duplicate against Detroit. The Pistons rank 29th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency. In their most recent matchup, FVV finished with 24 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists en route to 53 DK points.
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 27.21 DK - 27.59
Hayes was horrible in a bench role when he returned from an injury, but we have to assume he'll return to his early-season form since he's been reinserted into the starting lineup. In his 34 starts this season, Hayes is averaging 30 DK points per game across 30 minutes a night. He's done that with some lackluster shooting, and the stat-stuffing ways have made Hayes an excellent value in this $5K price range. He's also posting a 28-point average across his last three outings and played a career-high 39 minutes in his most recent outing. If this guy is going to play 35-40 minutes as the Pistons starting point guard, Hayes needs to be $1,000 more on both sites.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 35.54 DK - 35.49
The common perception is that Malcolm Brogdon would see the biggest boost with Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart out, but it's been more beneficial for White. That's moved the former San Antonio guard into the starting lineup, scoring at least 27 DraftKings points in nine straight games. He's also got at least 36 fantasy points in four of his last five games, generating a 39-point average in that span. The boost in minutes, shot attempts, assists, and usage has been massive for White with Smart and Brown out, and we expect it to continue with how shorthanded this Celtics team is right now. Memphis is not an easy matchup, but they own a 21st OPRK against opposing guards.
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 28.09 DK - 29.12
It looks like Detroit is going to ride these youngsters in the backcourt. Ivey has been starting next to Hayes recently, scoring at least 23 DraftKings points in 15 of his last 17 games. The rookie is also registering a 29-point average in that span while playing 31 minutes a night. His most recent game is the most encouraging sign, collecting 17 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists across 44 minutes. He did that damage despite missing 12 of his 15 shots, and it's scary to think how good he could be if he finds a more consistent jump shot. That's great news since Ivey scored 39 fantasy points in his one matchup with Toronto.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 54.73 DK - 56.45
On a short slate like this, it will be impossible to fade Tatum. This guy would be the best option on the board if Boston were at full health, but he needs to be in every lineup with Brown and Smart both sidelined. That means JT is looking at 35-40 minutes, 20-25 shots, and a 30-40 percent usage rate in this spot. He's been rolling no matter who's been in the lineup anyway, scoring at least 56 DraftKings points in nine of his last 12 games. Tatum has also totaled a 54-point average in that span and has scored at least 49 DK points in three straight matchups with Memphis since the start of last year.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 36.37 DK - 35.73
This 2021 Rookie of the Year got off to a rough start, but he's been rolling over recent weeks. The playmaking forward has scored at least 26 DraftKings points in 25 straight games, averaging over 40 fantasy points per game in that span. That directly correlates with an injury to OG Anunoby, guaranteeing Barnes more ball-handling duties and a 40-minute role on a nightly basis. If this guy plays 40 minutes against the second-worst defense in the NBA, Barnes should stuff the stat sheet en route to another 40-point gem.
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 27.39 DK - 28.19
We were worried about Beef Stew when Detroit tried to acquire James Wiseman, but Stewart should continue to start at power forward with that deal in limbo. The versatile big man has scored at least 26 DK points in all five games since his reinsertion into the starting lineup, amassing a 32-point average across 31 minutes a night. Those are all absurd totals from a sub-$6K player, but we saw him average 26 DK points per game as a starter through the opening two months of the season. The diminished price tag is hard to figure out, but the Pistons will play Stewart sizable minutes against this stout Toronto frontcourt.
Opponent - BOS
Proj Pts FD - 24.91 DK - 24.21
We were hoping Clarke would become a 30-minute center in the absence of Steven Adams, but we'll take the 25-minute bench role and build off of his recent resurgence. BC has scored 26 and 30 DraftKings points over his last two games, averaging 25 DK points per game across 22 minutes a night over his last eight outings. We've seen this guy perform at that sort of elite per-minute level in the past, and we have to assume he'll play 25 minutes a night as long as Adams remains out. He actually played 32 minutes in his last game against Boston, and if we get that again, Clarke could be one of the best bargains on this slate.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 45.91 DK - 46.86
It's been a bit of a struggle for Siakam over the last few weeks, but this guy is an All-Star for a reason. Sia is averaging 25.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists en route to nearly 50 DraftKings points per game. He's also scored 57 and 64 DK points in his two most recent outings, and that mid-season slump might be a thing of the past. The best part is this matchup with Detroit, who owns a 21st OPRK against opposing big men. We expect Siakam to slice through the second-worst defense in the NBA, averaging 47 DK points per game against them in their three meetings last year.
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 26.24 DK - 25.78
It's hard to believe that this kid is just 19 years old. This guy is an absolute animal in the paint, collecting 30 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks in Detroit's most recent game. We were concerned about his role due to the Wiseman trade, but Duren should be locked into a 30-minute role since that looks unlikely to go through. That's what we've seen over recent weeks, with Duren averaging 32 DK points per game across his last 26 outings. That alone is amazing from a sub-$6K player, and we have to assume he'll build off of his career night on Friday. If they keep giving this kid 30-35 minutes, Duren will be a $7K player in no time.
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