NBA LIVE AT 5
Jaguar Lou’s Top Plays – 1/2/18
Jaguar Lou’s Top Picks for 1/2/2017 PG Dennis Schroder – 7,700 FD & 7,300 DK Dennis Schroder is a safe play with GPP upside at reasonable pricing. That basically sums it up. Look at his last four game logs; 48.1, 37.3, 36.5 & 37.2. Schroder has been the center of this Atlanta offense as of late and with the variety of stats that he’s capable of, Dennis Schroder is just a smart play at 7,700 on Fan Duel and 7,300 on Draft Kings. Not to mention his favorable matchup against the 5’ 10’’ Tyler Ulis. Other GPP PG Option(s): Kemba Walker SG C.J. McCollum – 7,100 FD & 7,300 DK With Damian Lillard returning from a five-game absence tonight, C.J. McCollum finds himself in a nice matchup against J.R Smith/Dwayne Wade. Although I expect Lillard to play his full allotment of minutes, I’m also expecting him to ease back into rhythm tonight with a pass first style of play. In my opinion Lillard’s return makes C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic great plays on tonight’s five game slate. Other GPP SG Option(s): Dwayne Wade & Garret Temple (Value GPP) SF Lebron James – 11,500 FD & 11,700 DK With Kevin Love designated as questionable with an illness, I’m assuming he’s going to be out for tonight’s game. This is the first game, so we will get the confirmed lineup prior to lock. But under the assumption that Love is out, Lebron James is a lock on all sites. His usage is off the charts without Love on the court and that won’t change tonight if Kevin Love is confirmed out. Other GPP SF Option(s): Evan Turner PF Jae Crowder – 4,300 FD & 4,000 DK *If Kevin Love is OUT* Jae Crowder would see an uptick in minutes, shot attempts and overall usage if Kevin Love does not play in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Crowder will need to be on the court simply because he’s a big bodied defender on a Cavs’ team that is currently plagued by injuries. Other GPP PF Option(s): LaMarcus Aldridge & John Collins C Jusuf Nurkic – 6,500 FD & 7,000 DK With Damian Lillard returning from a five-game absence tonight, Jusuf Nurkic also finds himself in a nice spot tonight. Nurkic becomes a solid play for many of the same reasons as the aforementioned C.J McCollum. Lillard will be easing himself back and I expect him to be primarily looking for his teammates creating offense. In a solid over-under of 212 favoring the Cavs’ by 8.5 points, there is more than enough fantasy goodness to go around. Other GPP Center Option(s): Dwight Howard (Chalk) & Pau Gasol (GPP)
Scouting the NBA 1/2/18
Plays of the Day Value: Evan Turner is coming off a huge game against the Bulls last night and while he might take a hit in usage with Damian Lillard (hamstring) expected to return, he’s still quite cheap on both main DFS sites. Fade: DeAndre Jordan and Marc Gasol face off tonight and neither center seems like a great play based on their respective defensive talent. Plus, Blake Griffin is back for the Clippers to take rebounds and usage away from Jordan and Tyreke Evans is controlling the ball for Memphis. Point Guard Dennis Schroder – (7,300 DK/7,700 FD) Schroder is the engine behind the Hawks offense and should be productive in a game to target tonight. The Hawks and Suns are both top 10 in pace and rank 28th and 29th in defensive rating, while Phoenix has struggled to defend the PG position and allowed Schroder to score 54 points over two meetings last year. Damian Lillard ($8.5k, $8.9k) is expected to return from a hamstring injury and is worth using as a GPP play alongside a couple of Cavs star. Isaiah Thomas ($5.9k, $5.5k) should play limited minutes in his first game back for the Cavs, but he has a good chance to meet value at this price tag even if he sees 20-25 minutes of run. Milos Teodosic ($5.7k, $5.7k) is a solid cash option, who actually sees a boost with Blake Griffin back in the Clippers lineup and George Hill ($4.6k, $4.7k) becomes a very solid value out of necessity with De’Aaron Fox (quad) questionable and Frank Mason III (heel) ruled out. Shooting Guard Devin Booker – (9,000 DK/8,100 FD) Booker’s become an absolute scoring machine and he hasn’t missed a beat while averaging 30 PPG over three appearances since returning from a groin injury. As mentioned above, the Hawks are ranked 28th in defensive rating and they are 29th in opponents 2PT shooting (.532%) this season, so Booker shouldn’t have much trouble meeting value while carrying the Suns offense. Tyreke Evans ($8.2k, $9.0k) destroyed the Clippers defense en route to 30 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds last month and he continues to dominate touches in the Grizzlies offense, giving him appeal in any format. Despite playing limited minutes, Jeremy Lamb ($5.2k, $5.6k) has been outplaying Nic Batum from a DFS perspective and he’s worth a look in GPP formats at Sacramento. The Kings are using Bogdan Bogdanovic ($4.5k, $4.8k) for about 30 MPG and he’s rewarding them with solid production. Garrett Temple ($3.8k, $4.5k) is also worth a look as a punt play with the Kings missing their two young PGs. Small Forward Evan Turner – (3,800 DK/3,700 FD) Turner is such a stark value right now because he faded away in a crowded Blazers rotation, but things have opened up with Mo Harkless (quad) limited and Damian Lillard (hamstring) inactive over their past couple of games. Turner topped out at 38 minutes last night with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds and he’ll probably see a dip in usage with Lillard back, but could easily meet value if he sees 25-30 minutes of run. LeBron James ($11.7k, $11.5k) is clearly the stud worth paying up for at this position, but it’s worth noting that the Cavs are on the front end of a B2B set and will face their rival in the Celtics tomorrow night, so LeBron might not go all out against Portland. The pace of play in Atlanta should mean good things for Kent Bazemore ($6.0k, $5.8k) as an athlete, who thrives in the open court. The same goes for T.J. Warren ($6.8k, $7.5k) on the Suns side of the ball. Lastly, Michael Beasley ($4.6k, $5.3k) is worth GPP consideration after blowing up against the Spurs last week, although you can expect San Antonio’s coaching staff to adjust. Power Forward Blake Griffin – (8,400 DK/9,000 FD) Griffin appeared to bide his time in returning from a knee injury and he seems to be all systems go while pouring in 49 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists over 65 minutes in two appearances. Memphis is down a bit defensively and much more vulnerable at the PF position, especially in this matchup, which will force Marc Gasol to battle with DeAndre Jordan. Kristaps Porzingis ($8.3k, $9.5k) is a bit pricey on FanDuel based on his ability to block shots, but he’s worth using on DK despite facing a tough Spurs defense. The public might chase Michael Beasley’s production from when these teams met last week, but Porzingis should have a much better game at home tonight. Ersan Ilyasova ($5.1k, $5.7k) is a good value with upside as a pure scorer for the Hawks and Al-Farouq Aminu ($4.8k, $4.6k) is coming off a big game last night, plus he matches up well against the small-ball Cavs. Center Dwight Howard – (7,400 DK/8,900 FD) He struggled in his last outing but Howard is definitely worth using tonight against a Kings team that gives up the second-most FPPG (56.15) and most RPG (17.31) to opposing centers this year. Willie Cauley-Stein is playing much better at center for Sacramento, but lacks the experience necessary to contain Howard. Pau Gasol ($6.9k, $6.2k) is a solid cash play as a facilitator for the Spurs facing a Knicks defense that gives up tons of assists. Consider Alex Len ($4.7k, $5.0k) in tournaments as a cheap play against a Hawks team that’s struggled to guard opposing centers with Dewayne Dedmon (leg) inactive.
Fuego Steve’s NBA Cheat Sheet 1/1/18
NBA GPP Cheat Sheet Prices listed are Fanduel unless otherwise noted. My NBA articles will mostly focus on Fanduel lineup construction since besides center, you need to play two at each position. The players recommended are usually still good plays on DraftKings unless the pricing is drastically different. Also, many players on DraftKings have dual position eligibility or may be listed at a different position. I will try to mention if there is a specific good play on DK based on price or position eligibility. The players listed are in no particular order, as sometimes I am giving choices to help build your lineups at all price points. Point Guard Jordan Clarkson – $7400 – Riskier play, but has the ceiling we look for in GPPs. Eric Bledsoe – $6900 – Should bounce back from poor performance last game. Elfrid Payton – $8000 – Not loving the price, but am loving his recent play. Has triple double ceiling. Point guard is pretty deep. Could see playing Lowry, Dinwiddie, Dunn, Jones. Lots of places you can go tonight. Napier if Lillard is out. Value/Punt Plays – Tyler Ennis $3500 – Don’t expect 44 fantasy points again. I think I am fading him. Shooting Guard Khris Middleton – $7100 – You know I like playing him especially if not getting The Freak in my lineup. DeMar DeRozen – $8100 – Not sure I am paying up this high, but has the ceiling. Caris LeVert – $5800 – Like the matchup versus Orlando and has been playing well. Three straight games over 35 FD points. Evan Fournier – $6100 – Always like the upside in GPPs. Still good price. C.J. McCollum – $7300 – Like more if no Lillard again. Value/Punt Plays – Josh Hart $4400 – Like him decent amount tonight if you want to pay down for a shooting guard spot. Small Forward Brandon Ingram – $6800 – Favorite overall play at the position. The Freak – $10900 – Scares me to fade him on this slate. Debating what percentage of lineups to put him in. Jimmy Butler – $9300 – Logical pivot if not playing The Freak. DeMarre Carroll – $5200 – Price is right, find him in some lineups just due to this. Jonathan Simmons – $6100 – Like all the Orlando players tonight basically. Value/Punt Plays – Not my favorite spot to punt tonight, maybe CJ Miles at $3500 Power Forward Aaron Gordon – $7900 – Saw what he can do last game. Love the ceiling for the price. Serge Ibaka – $5700 – Good price and rested from being suspended last game. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – $7400 – Playing well, would like to see 40 though to pay off his ceiling. Kuzma, Gibson and Mirotic are all in play as well. Maybe Aminu or Henson for cheaper. Value/Punt Plays – Also not my favorite value spot. Larry Nance Jr. $4400 Center Julius Randle – $6200 – He didn’t disappoint last night helping myself and the guys in chat cash with 55 Fanduel point. I wouldn’t expect 55 again like last night, but 30-40 will get you 5-6X. Jusif Nurkic – $6300 – Been playing well the past few games. Has a decent matchup versus Robin Lopez and the Bulls. Prefer him with no Lillard as his usage has been up. Karl Anthony Towns – $9500 – Highest ceiling of all the centers on the slate. I like Biyombo on DK more than I do Fanduel. Value/Punt Plays – Robin Lopez $4600 – Only guy I would go to under $5000. Hit me in Slack chat with questions
NBA Live at 5 with Willie Walls
Fuego Steve’s NBA GPP Plays 12/28/17
NBA GPP Cheat Sheet Prices listed are Fanduel unless otherwise noted. My NBA articles will mostly focus on Fanduel lineup construction since besides center, you need to play two at each position. The players recommended are usually still good plays on DraftKings unless the pricing is drastically different. Also, many players on DraftKings have dual position eligibility or may be listed at a different position. I will try to mention if there is a specific good play on DK based on price or position eligibility. The players listed are in no particular order, as sometimes I am giving choices to help build your lineups at all price points. Point Guard Damian Lillard – $8800 – The only point guard I would pay up for tonight. I am paying down at the position on Fanduel. Terry Rozier – $3800 – With Jaylen Brown out, his usage goes up. Tyus Jones – $3600 – We have seen what he can do when given the start and the opportunity. Will be super highly owned. But he’s good chalk. Kyrie Irving – $8600 – Pivot off of Lillard, or if you wanted to be contrarian and pay up for both point guards. Value/Punt Plays – Tony Parker $4100, TJ McConnell $4600 Shooting Guard Kris Middleton – $7500 – Favorite play if not paying up for The Freak. Marcus Smart – $5600 – Disappointed last night, think he bounces back against the bad DVPs of the Rockets versus the position. James Harden – $12500 – Just may need him to win tonight. Usage up with no Paul or Cappela. Eric Gordon – $5800 – Same thing about usage as Harden. Andrew Wiggins – $5400 – Think he gets 5-6X tonight. Punt Plays – Jamal Crawford $3700 Small Forward The Freak – $11900 – Currently leaning Harden over him if I must choose. Putting both in your lineups is not a bad idea. Jimmy Butler – $8900 – Still liking the upside at his price. Been playing well. Trevor Ariza – $5500 – Usage should also go up some. Don’t love the ceiling though. Jonathan Simmons – $5800 – Let us down recently. Look for a bounce back game even with Evan Fournier back. Value/Punt Plays – Reggie Bullock $4400, Stanley Johnson $4000, PJ Tucker $4000 Power Forward Jayson Tatum – $5700 – Played well last game with no Brown. Taj Gibson – $5500 – Good value play and good play overall. Tobias Harris – $7400 – The thing that bothers me is that his price jumped. Ben Simmons – $9000 – Not sure I am paying up at the position tonight, though he is a decent play with upside. Dario Saric – $6200 – Like the risk/reward at the price. Value/Punt Plays – Ryan Anderson $4200, Ed Davis $3900 Center Andre Drummond – $9500 – Like the price break off of the other two high priced centers tonight with similar ceiling. Al Horford – $7100 – Good matchup versus the Rockets and Nene starting. Bismack Biyombo – $5500 – Still decent price for a starting center, even against Drummond. Karl-Anthony Towns – $10000 – Has been playing better lately and still good ceiling. Value/Punt Plays – Nene $3500 Hit me in Slack chat with questions before lock. If you haven’t been added, send an email to support@fulltimefantasy.com with your email you want added to list.
NBA Today 12/28/17
Scouting the NBA 12/28/17
Plays of the Day Value: Terry Rozier is a quintessential Celtics player right now and he’s seeing extended run with Jaylen Brown (knee) and Marcus Morris (knee) out. If both players sit tonight against the fast-paced Rockets, look for Rozier to exceed value once again. Fade: Ben Simmons is really struggling to produce offensively as teams adjust to his inability to shoot the ball. Portland ranks third in defensive rating this year and should do a good job of corralling the limited PG to hold him in check. Point Guard Ish Smith – (4,900 DK/5,500 FD) Smith will take over as the Pistons starting PG over the next month with Reggie Jackson (ankle) out and he’s an easy value option tonight against a Magic team that gives up the most FPPG (50.59) to opposing PGs this season. Damian Lillard ($8.4k, $8.8k) definitively under priced after missing a couple games with a hamstring injury and Lillard is apparently ready to go full throttle in an appealing matchup against the fast-paced Sixers. Give him a look as a strong tournament play. T.J. McConnell ($4.2k, $4.6k) is a great value on the other side of the ball in that game since he should be tasked with guarding either Lillard or C.J. McCollum for extended minutes. Eric Bledsoe ($7.1k, $7.3k) is a solid cash option against the smaller Jeff Teague and Chris Paul ($8.8k, $9.8k) would become a great GPP play on DK if he’s able to return from his injury for a showdown against the Celtics. Also, Elfrid Payton ($6.8k, $7.4k) is a good bet for production as one of the few starters left standing for Orlando. Shooting Guard Terry Rozier – (4,300 DK/3,700 FD) Another great value at the guard position, Rozier should see extended run tonight against the high-scoring Rockets as long as Jaylen Brown (knee) is unable to return. The second-year man has produced 31 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals/blocks over his last two appearances to exceed value by a wide margin in both. James Harden ($11.4k, $12.5k) simply isn’t worth his price tag on FD, but he’s a solid option on DK, especially if Chris Paul sits this game out. You can use Reggie Bullock ($4.0k, $4.4k) and Stanley Johnson ($4.1k, $4.6k) as low-cost options for the shorthanded Pistons while Avery Bradley (groin) remains out. Small Forward Tobias Harris – (6,600 DK/7,400 FD) He’s never a reliable option, but you can count on Harris bringing the motivation into a road game at his former team in Orlando. It certainly helps to note that the Magic play at the sixth-fastest pace in the NBA and have given up a whopping 111.4 PPG since November 1, while they could be missing PF Aaron Gordon (calf) and will be without Nikola Vucevic (hand) tonight. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10.9k, $11.9k) continues to get cheaper on DK and he’s definitely worth a look in cash games at this price tag. He’s more reliable than Ben Simmons at this point in their respective careers, since the Sixers combo guard can’t shoot whatsoever. Jayson Tatum ($5.5k, $5.7k) remains a reliable option with Marcus Morris (knee) out and Jaylen Brown (knee) questionable tonight. P.J. Tucker ($4.7k, $4.8k) should see a bump in playing time and grab a few more rebounds with Clint Capela (face) out for Houston. Power Forward Kristaps Porzingis – (7,900 DK/9,300 FD) While this game could get out of hand with the Knicks (+11.5) checking in as heavy underdogs in San Antonio, Porzingis has a great chance to exceed value at a modest price tag on DK. LaMarcus Aldridge is an average defender and obviously The Unicorn has a versatile skill set that makes him a tough cover for any team, even the disciplined Spurs. Aaron Gordon ($7.6k, $7.4k) appears close to making a return and he’d be worth a look in any format tonight if he starts and likely carries the offense with Vucevic out indefinitely. Dario Saric ($6.0k, $6.2k) shot the ball very poorly on Christmas but will pay solid dividends at this price tag if he can find the range in Portland. Al-Farouq Aminu ($4.8k, $4.6k) is a solid value in that game against the Sixers. Center Karl-Anthony Towns – (8,900 DK/10,000 FD) This is the position at which you must pay up tonight and it probably makes sense to spring for two elite centers on DK with Joel Embiid ($9.6k, $10.7k) and Andre Drummond ($9.4k, $9.5k) also possessing monstrous upside as double double threats. Towns faces the weakest rebounding team on the slate, as the Bucks are giving up the second-most RPG (16.47) and fourth-most FPPG (55.53) to opposing centers this season. Al Horford ($7.1k, $7.3k) is a sneaky contrarian play to consider against a Rockets team that will be without its starting center, while Bismack Biyombo ($4.6k, $5.5k) is the best punt play to consider as Orlando’s starter with Vucevic out.
Jaguar Lou’s Early Morning Cheat Sheet – 12/28/17
Early Morning Jaguar Lou’s Cheat Sheet – 12/28/17 If you’re not max entering GPP tournaments, I strongly recommend only playing single entry and 3-5 person leagues. Point Guard Elite PG Play: Damian Lillard & Elfrid Payton Mid-Range PG Play: Tyus Jones **Only Teague is OUT** & Ish Smith GPP Value/Punt PG play: Jarret Jack/Frank Ntilikina Shooting Guard Elite SG Play: Mid-Range SG Play: GPP Value/Punt SG Play: Marcus Smart **Only if Brown is OUT** & J.J. Redick Small Forward Elite SF Play: Giannis Antetokounmpo Mid-Range SF Play: Jonathon Simmons & Robert Covington GPP Value/Punt SF play: Trever Ariza Power Forward Elite PF Play: LaMarcus Aldridge Mid-Range PF Play: Tobias Harris & Dario Saric GPP Value/Punt PF Play: Ryan Anderson Center Elite C Play: Andre Drummond Mid-Range C Play: Al Horford GPP Value/Punt C Play: Bismack Biyombo & Nene Hilario
NBA Today with Willie Walls 12/27/17