Plays of the Day
Value: Bogdan Bogdanvoic has been one of the more consistent scorers for the Kings and he’s a comfortable mid-tier play against Minnesota’s struggling defense, which will now be without elite defender Jimmy Butler (knee) for a month or two.
Fade: Kevin Durant started hot on Saturday but didn’t have to do much down the stretch as the balanced Warriors rolled to another win. Expect more balanced production in New York tonight, leaving both Steph Curry and KD short of value.
Point Guards
Jeff Teague – (7,400 DK/7,500 FD)
With Jimmy Butler (knee) out indefinitely, the Wolves 26th-ranked defense could decline further, leading to potential shootouts. Teague stepped up with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists with Butler out on Saturday and he’s a strong option in most formats against a Kings team that’s allowing the second-most FPPG (53.98) to opposing PGs over the last month. Teague sees a 5.6 percent increase in usage rate (to 26.7%) when Butler is off the floor this season.
Rajon Rondo – (5,800 DK/6,000 FD)
Rondo bounced back from a lackluster game against Miami’s stout defense to produce 16 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds last night and he draws an even juicier matchup tonight. Phoenix ranks dead last in defensive rating, gives up the second-most RPG (45.5) and SPG (8.6) overall and the fourth-most FPPG (48.69) to opposing PGs this season. Rondo produced 6 points, seven assists and four rebounds over just 24 minutes in a meeting with the Suns earlier this year and he’s been playing a bigger role with Boogie Cousins out for the season, giving him appeal as a stacking partner in this premium game to target.
Potential Value
Trey Burke – (4,600 DK/4,900 FD)
Burke is coming off consecutive 26-point games and should at least be able to meet value in a fast-paced matchup against the Warriors.
Longshot
Andrew Harrison – (5,100 DK/5,600 FD)
Harrison stands to benefit with Tyreke Evans (rib) out and that makes him worth using in GPP formats even in a tough matchup at Boston.
Shooting Guards
Devin Booker – (8,300 DK/8,400 FD)
Pelicans’ games have been producing fantastic DFS results and clearly Booker is the player to target on the Suns side of the ball in a potential shootout tonight. He managed 30 points in a narrow loss to the Blazers Saturday and now faces a Pelicans team that gives up the second-most PPG (111.2) overall and third-most PPG (23.47) to opposing SGs this season. Phoenix gives up the most PPG (25.77) to that position, so both Booker and New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday ($8.1k, $8.5k) should eat in this matchup, but Booker is the safer bet with a sky-high 31.7 percent usage rate this season.
D’Angelo Russell – (6,300 DK/7,200 FD)
Russell continues to ramp up as he works his way back from injury and he’s still a very solid mid-tier option at his price tag on DK. The crafty lefty should be able to outperform his salary tonight against a Bulls team that ranks 24th in defensive rating and is playing at the ninth-fastest pace in the league while moving in an increasingly youthful direction. Russell played 32 minutes in his first game out of the break despite battling foul trouble and his role his secure as a two-guard next to Spencer Dinwiddie, especially with Caris LeVert (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) likely limited or inactive.
Potential Value
Bogdan Bogdanovic – (5,400 DK/5,400 FD)
Bogdanovic continues to produce for the Kings and he sees a serious matchup upgrade with Jimmy Butler out for the Wolves.
Longshot
Jamal Crawford – (3,800 DK/4,900 FD)
Crawford has a good chance to exceed value tonight even if he plays limited minutes off the bench.
Small Forwards
Brandon Ingram – (6,600 DK/7,000 FD)
Lonzo Ball (knee) is back and worth deploying in GPP formats, but Ingram remains one of the more consistent options in a Lakers uniform. The Duke product is averaging 18.3 PPG. 4.7 RPG and 5.6 APG while shooting an impressive 53.4 percent from the floor over his last nine appearances and faces a Hawks team that’s giving up the second-most FPPG (43.66) and most PPG (23.07) to opposing SFs this season. Give him some run in cash games if you can’t figure out what to do at SF tonight.
David Nwaba – (4,900 DK/5,000 FD)
Nwaba started and logged 33 minutes in a bad loss for the Bulls at Minnesota, so clearly the coaching staff wants to give the second-year man an extended look during the second half. That makes him an exploitable value until his price tag rises, as Nwaba draws a good matchup tonight at a Nets team that ranks 22nd in defensive rating, while coughing up the most 2PTM (32.1) and rebounds per game (46.4) this season. Nwaba is averaging 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes this year and appears locked into that type of workload on a nightly basis.
Potential Value
Dillon Brooks – (4,300 DK/4,500 FD)
Brooks will also have to step up for Memphis with Tyreke Evans unavailable.
Longshot
Taurean Prince – (5,400 DK/4,800 FD)
Prince is another young player to consider in what should be a track meet between Atlanta and the Lakers.
Power Forwards
Anthony Davis – (11,700 DK/12,500 FD)
There’s a chance that New Orleans wins in blowout fashion over the lowly Suns tonight, but they’ve been giving up such ridiculous offensive production of late and are coming off a tiresome game last night. With averages of 40.5 PPG, 14.6 RPG and 6.2 STL/BLK per game over his last five appearances, Davis is obviously worth paying up for against the league’s worst defense. The scorekeeper at the Pelicans’ home venue is notably generous in rewarding blocks to Davis, who averages 28.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.2 APG and 2.5 BPG over 26 appearances at home this season.
Aaron Gordon – (7,200 DK/7,900 FD)
Gordon is a quality play in most formats at a relative discount because he’s still working his way back from a hip injury. The Thunder is 4-6 while coughing up 110.5 PPG over 10 contests this month and should be a bit gassed after facing the Warriors Saturday. Meanwhile, Gordon flashed his versatility with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists over 31 minutes at Philadelphia Saturday and he’s a bit of a matchup problem for OKC considering natural SF Carmelo Anthony starts at the four and is backed up by the slender Jerami Grant.
Potential Value
Serge Ibaka – (5,300 DK/5,600 FD)
Ibaka struggled in his last meeting with the Pistons, but now faces Blake Griffin – one of the most widely disliked players in the NBA – which could add to his focus and motivation.
Longshot
Bobby Portis – (6,300 DK/7,100 FD)
Portis should bounce back after an off-game against Minnesota.
Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns – (9,900 DK/10,000 FD)
Already one of the most consistent options out there, Towns becomes even more reliable with Jimmy Butler out multiple weeks for the Wolves. He’s produced a double double in 12 of his last 13 appearances and sees a 2.3 percent increase in usage rate (to 26%) while averaging 1.29 FPs per minute when Butler is off the floor this season. Tonight he’ll face a weak Kings defense that gives up the fifth-most FPPG (53.39) and second-most RPG (16.37) to opposing centers this season. KAT has produced 59 points, 22 rebounds and 11 assists while shooting 63.2 percent from the floor in two meetings with Sacramento this year and should run the offense even more with Butler out.
Marc Gasol – (7,100 DK/6,900 FD)
Boston struggles on the defensive interior and will face a well-rested Gasol, who sat out Saturday’s contest after getting blown out by Cleveland Friday. Already shorthanded, the Grizzlies should be without Tyreke Evans (rib) tonight and Gasol posts a 31.4 percent usage rate (2.8% increase) while averaging 1.14 FPs per minute when Evans is off the floor this season. He managed 30 points on 11-of-19 FGs shooting against the Celtics earlier this year and is worth a look in tournaments only since the Grizzlies could get blown out on the road.
Potential Value
Alex Len – (5,600 DK/5,200 FD)
Len will look to solidify his role as the Suns center of the future the rest of the way.
Longshot
Nikola Vucevic – (7,500 DK/7,900 FD)
Vucevic should continue to ramp up for Orlando and is worth a look against the Thunder’s struggling defense.
