Jaguar Lou’s Cheat Sheet – Main Slate 12/10/17
Jaguar Motto: 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: Dennis Schroder Mid-Range PG Play: Jeff Teague GPP Value/Punt PG play: Rajon Rondo **Favorite Play** Important note: J.J Redick & Rajon Rondo should be guarding each other – two of the weaker defenders in the entire league. Shooting Guard Elite SG Play: Jrue Holiday Mid-Range SG Play: Kent Bazemore GPP Value/Punt SG Play: J.J Redick & Timothe Luwawu – Cabbarot Small Forward Elite SF Play: Jimmy Butler Mid-Range SF Play: Courtney Lee GPP Value/Punt SF play: Taureen Prince/ Lance Thomas (Don't love this but if you need lower priced value play, not much else at SF) Power Forward Elite PF Play: Anthony Davis & Ben Simmons Mid-Range PF Play: Kristaps Porzingis GPP Value/Punt PF Play: Taj Gibson Center Elite C Play: Karl Anthony-Towns & DeMarcus Cousins Mid-Range C Play: Enes Kanter GPP Value/Punt C Play: Miles Plumlee
Fuego Steve’s NBA GPP Plays 12/9/17
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 Dennis Schroder – $8300 – Favorite overall for price tonight. Russell Westbrook – $10800 – Trying to think of funny things to put every time I recommend him. Suggestions welcome. Chris Paul – $8700 – Big game last time out, could be heating up. Kemba Walker – $8700 – Good matchup versus Lonzo Ball and the Lakers. Value/Punt Plays – Dejounte Murray $3600 or Patty Mills $4000, Jerryd Bayless $3900, Ricky Rubio $4900 Shooting Guard James Harden – $11200 – Might be a Harden day for me if I don’t fade him and Westbrook. Dwayne Wade – $6100 – Last time I recommended and played him he busted. Don’t think he does tonight. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – $5900 – Good spot versus Charlotte. C.J. McCollum – $6600 – See Dwayne Wade. Value/Punt Plays – Kent Bazemore $5400, Eric Gordon $4800, J.J. Redick $5400, Alec Burks $5100 Small Forward LeBron James – Can get it done back to back nights. Rudy Gay – Usage should be high tonight and has been playing well. Jonathan Simmons – $6100 – Ditto from two days ago… “Price is getting up there to match his play, but no Evan Fournier” Courtney Lee $5900 – Ride him while he’s hot with no Hardaway. Value/Punt Plays – DeAndre Bembry $4300, Josh Jackson $4800, MKG – $5200 Power Forward Ben Simmons – $10500 – Big floor, big ceiling. LaMarcus Aldridge – $8200 – Lots of people resting for the Spurs, usage should be through the roof. Kristaps Porzingas – $9100 – Still want to see the ceiling game before I go all in. Probably fading him. Marvin Williams $4400 – Price hasn’t changed with no Kaminsky. Value/Punt Plays – Williams $4400, Amir Johnson $3500, Jeff Green $4500 Center Dwight Howard – $7800 – Favorite overall. Clint Capela – $7300 – Savings off of Howard. Nikola Vucevic – $8500 – Ride the hot hand and he put up 63 FD points last game versus the Hawks. Kevin Love – $8000 – Should do well with no Embid tonight. Value/Punt Plays – Robin Lopez $5200, Richaun Holmes $4300
Fuego Steve’s NBA Cheat Sheet 12/8/17
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 Jamal Murray – $6000 – Favorite if paying down Elfrid Payton – $8100 – Favorite if paying up Eric Bledsoe – $7300 Kemba Walker – $8700 Khris Dunn – $6700 – Good mid-priced option Value/Punt Plays – Reggie Jackson $5800, De’Aron Fox $4800 or George Hill $4500 Shooting Guard Victor Oladipo – $9300 – Favorite overall Will Barton – $7200 Gary Harris – $6900 – Tonight I like both Harris and Barton Khris Middleton – $7600 Justin Holiday – $5500 – Favorite if paying down Value/Punt Plays – Avery Bradley $5300, Buddy Hield $4800, J.J. Barea $4900, Malcolm Brogden $4700 Small Forward LeBron James – Goudsaab’s call of the day, I like it Kevin Durant – If not paying up for Lebron, or get them both in for unique lineup construction Jonathan Simmons – $6100 – Price is getting up there to match his play, but no Evan Fournier Rudy Gay – $6300 – I could go him or Simmons at that price Value/Punt Plays – Andre Iguodola $4900, JaKarr Sampson $4200, Bojan Bogdanovic $4800 Power Forward Aaron Gordon – $9200 – If not playing Vucevic at center LaMarcus Aldridge – $8200 Tobias Harris – $6600 – It’s a Harris night (he says in a whisper) Thad Young – $6200 – Really like if Myles Turner is out Zach Randolph – $6700 – When he gets 30+ minutes he dominates Value/Punt Plays – Serge Ibaka $5100, Domantas Sabonis $4800, Jeff Green $4500, Marvin Williams $4400 Center Nikola Vucevic – $8400 – Favorite overall DeMarcus Cousins – $12000 – I am only paying up if Davis is out Andre Drummond – $9600 – Good spot in up pace game Kevin Love – $8000 – The Pacers are no good against the center, prefer him if MylesTurner plays Value/Punt Plays – Robin Lopez $5200, Pau Gasol $5900
NBA Today w special guest Goudsaab
Fuego Steve’s NBA Cheat Sheet 12/7/17
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 Russell Westbrook – $11500 – Short slate, though may not need him to win with other high-priced studs on the slate. Lonzo Ball – $6600 – Risky, but good upside tonight. Chris Paul – $8300 or Spencer Dinwiddie – $7200 Value/Punt Plays – Mikes James $4400, Tyler Ulis $4900, Ricky Rubio $5000 Shooting Guard Bradley Beal – $8600 – Big game the other night and in great spot versus the Suns James Harden – $11500 – Tough choice tonight between him and Russell. Donovan Mitchell – $7500 – Save some money off the above two. Value/Punt Plays – Jordan Clarkson $4500, Andre Roberson $4400, JJ Redick $5700 Small Forward Otto Porter – $7100 – Overall favorite at the position. TJ Warren – $8100 – Second favorite option. DeMarre Carroll – $5800 – Good savings off the above two with upside. Value/Punt Plays – Josh Jackson $4600, Joe Harris $3800, PJ Tucker $3700 Power Forward Ben Simmons – $10500 – Deciding who to pay up for tonight is the hard part. Carmelo Anthony – $6900 – Like the upside versus the Nets. Markieff Morris $4800 – Good value, good overall play. Value/Punt Plays – Julius Randle $4700, Marquese Chris $3700 Center Joel Embid – $10800 – Clearly best option if you can afford him. Steven Adams – $6900 – If not paying up for Embid, I am going Adams. Clint Capela – $7500 – Still producing even with Paul back. Value/Punt Plays – Tyler Zeller $3800, Brook Lopez $4500, Marcin Gortat $4800
Scouting The NBA – 12/7/17
Plays of the Day Value: Tyson Chandler should return to action tonight after resting on Tuesday and he’s been on fire with 21 points and 30 boards over two appearances prior to getting that maintenance day. Provided he plays around 30 minutes tonight, the big man is a good bet for a double double at a cheap price tag on DK. Fade: Russell Westbrook is coming off a couple of huge games as he’s led the Thunder on a winning streak, but OKC might win easily in Brooklyn and that could hurt his value. With elite options at SG tonight, it’s tough to pay all the way up for the top PG. Point Guard Mike James – (4,400 DK/4,400 FD) The PG position is a trick one on this short slate and it seems to make sense to go with a value play over the extremely pricey Russell Westbrook despite his obvious upside against the fast-paced Nets. Chris Paul ($7.6, $8.3k) is a decent cash play in the upper-tier range, but after getting his 45-day deal turned into a full-time contract, Mike James could be in line for an increased role. Devin Booker (groin) is out for at least two weeks and James boasts a 33 percent usage rate with Booker off the floor this year. Tomas Satoransky ($4.1k, $4.7k) is a low-upside cash play to consider if you’re worried about the risk with James. Spencer Dinwiddie ($6.5k, $7.2k) is another cash play at a slightly cheaper price tag than Paul, although he comes with more risk in a matchup against Westbrook. Shooting Guard Donovan Mitchell – (7,200 DK/7,500 FD) The rookie is taking the league by storm right now and he’s the best per-dollar option at a loaded SG position tonight. Matching up against James Harden ($11k, $11.5k) increases his offensive prospects as long as he can avoid foul trouble and the Jazz will continue to run the offense through Mitchell in what should be a high-scoring home tilt. Bradley Beal ($8.1k, $8.6k) is the other premier option in this price range after he went off for 51 points on Tuesday. It may be worth fading Beal in tournaments given his likely high ownership rate, but you can’t beat his matchup against a Suns team that gives up the most PPG (115.7) in the NBA and coughs up the third-most FPPG (44.32) to opposing SGs. For value, consider Troy Daniels ($4.1k, $3.7k) as a possible replacement for Devin Booker. He’s an excellent shooter and could try to slide into Booker’s role. Small Forward Brandon Ingram – (6,400 DK/6,800 FD) Ingram is an obvious play tonight in my opinion along with fellow young wing Kyle Kuzma ($5.5k, $5.4k), who is also under priced on both main DFS sites. Ingram had a coming out party with 32 points against the defending champion Warriors and continues to pour it in with 38 points over his last two outings. The Sixers have been generous to opposing wings all season, while the Lakers aggressive defensive style could help Robert Covington ($6.4k, $6.7k) get open looks as defenders collapse on Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($5.4k, $7.2k) is notably cheaper on DK tonight and Kelly Oubre Jr. ($5.0k, $5.3k) remains a solid mid-tier play with John Wall out for the Wizards. Power Forward Dario Saric – (5,300 DK/6,400 FD) If he’s able to suit up tonight and play through an eye injury, Saric will be a solid per-dollar option with a good floor in this matchup. The Lakers rotate too many bigs for any one to be considered safe, but Larry Nance Jr. ($4.9k, $4.7k) is probably the best bet for cash games. Ben Simmons ($9.9k, $10.5k) is the tournament play worth splurging for on DK and he stands well above the other PF options on FanDuel. It’s worth noting that T.J. Warren ($6.5k, $8.1k) actually sees a drop in usage rate when Devin Booker is off the floor, so he seems a bit over priced on FD tonight. Center Joel Embiid – (10,100 DK/10,800 FD) Embiid posted one of the most eye-popping lines of the season against the Lakers last month and there’s little reason to expect much less from The Process against a team that gives up the fifth-most FPPG (54.32) to opposing centers this year. Rudy Gobert ($6.2k, $7.6k) is not worth deploying yet until we see him play 30 minutes, but his presence makes Clint Capela far less desirable. Steven Adams ($6.1k, $6.9k) is a good GPP option against a Nets team that’s been completely porous in the paint and Tyson Chandler ($4.5k, $5.3k) is a viable option in any format provided he returns to the Suns SLU after sitting out Tuesday’s contest to rest.
Fuego Steve’s NBA Cheat Sheet 12/6/17
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 Rajon Rondo – $6000 – Uptick in usage with no A.D. Austin Rivers – $6200 – Also seeing more usage with no Blake Griffin Dennis Schroder – $8100 – Favorite higher priced option. Eric Bledsoe – $6900 – Good spot versus Detroit. Value/Punt Plays – Jamal Murray $5400, Reggie Jackson $5700, Tony Parker $3500 Shooting Guard Klay Thompson – $6900 – Usage goes up with no Curry. Victor Oladipo – $9400 – Expensive, but playing that way. Gary Harris – $6700 – Harris over Barton again for me tonight. Dwayne Wade – $6200 – Been playing like a young man again. Both Holiday brothers are in play Value/Punt Plays – Garrett Temple $4500, Kent Bazemore $5500, Danny Green $4500 Small Forward Kevin Durant – $10,000 – Almost must play. Jimmy Butler – $8900 – Second favorite option. The Freak/Lebron – If you want to pivot off Durant for ownership percentages. Rudy Gay – $6200 – One of the best mid-priced options. Value/Punt Plays – Jonathan Simmons $5800, Andre Iguodola $4000, DeAndre Bembry $3800 Power Forward Aaron Gordon – $8300 – Debating if he or Vucevic have better game. Think they both could go off. Thaddeus Young – $6000 – Good mid-priced option. Taj Gibson – $5700 – Keep going back to him and he keeps producing. Zach Randolph – $5900 – Another guy who keeps producing and usually low owned. Value/Punt Plays – Bobby Portis $4400, Daniel Theis $3500, Frank Kaminsky $4100 Center DeMarcus Couisins – $11300 – Get him in your lineup if you can afford him. Nikola Vucevic – $8100 – Should dominate against Atlanta. Andre Drummond – $9500 – No one on the Bucks can out rebound him. Kevin Love – $8200 – I never seem to get him right but in good spot versus the Kings. Value/Punt Plays – Aron Baynes $3700, Robin Lopez $5900, Mason Plumlee $5800
Jaguar Lou’s Starting Five – 12/6/17
Jaguar Lou's Starting 5 – 12/6/17 PG Dennis Schroder – 8,100 FD & 8,200 DK Dennis Schroder faces a Magic team that has allowed 54.9 points to opposing point guards over their last five. Considering Atlanta’s current injury situation, Schroder will need to increase his overall involvement in the offense. Schroder has a nice ceiling tonight and a safe floor against Elfrid Payton and the Orlando Magic. Other GPP PG Option(s): Austin Rivers & Jamal Murray (GPP) SG Victor Oladipo – 9,400 FD & 8,900 DK Victor Oladipo has an extremely favorable matchup against a Chicago Bulls team that just cannot guard the shooting guard position. Yes, he is priced up, but I think with his recent game logs paired with the favorable matchup we could be seeing a massive game out of Victor Oladipo tonight. Other GPP SG Option(s): Jrue Holiday SF Kevin Durant – 10,000 FD & 10,100 DK With Steph Curry out for tonight's game and Draymond Green currently designated as questionable, the Golden State Warriors will heavily rely on Kevin Durant. At a reasonable salary, Durant is somewhat of a lock/must play tonight considering his upside due to Golden States injuries. Other GPP SF Option(s): Jimmy Butler PF Kenneth Faried – 5,600 FD & 5,000 DK Kenneth Faried faces a New Orleans team that has allowed massive FD points to opposing Centers since Anthony Davis' injury. Faried has been getting ample minutes and should perform tonight in a nice matchup. Other GPP PF Option(s): Taj Gibson & Jordan Bell (if Draymond out) C DeMarcus Cousins – 11,300 FD & 11,300 DK DeMarcus Cousins is the easy lock of the night, if you can afford him. His usage is through the roof without Davis, if you have the salary roster DeMarcus Cousins – the safest play with the highest upside of the night. Other GPP Center Option(s): Robin Lopez (GPP)
NBA Today 12/6/17
Scouting The NBA – 12/6/17
Plays of the Day Value: Ersan Ilyasova is the best bet for frontcourt production with both John Collins (shoulder) and Dewayne Dedmon (leg) out over the next couple of weeks. Luke Babbitt continues to struggle with a back injury and Mike Muscala (ankle) has been ruled out, so even if he draws a tough matchup against strong young Aaron Gordon, Ersan has a great chance to meet value. Orlando gives up the third-most FPPG (50.59) to opposing PFs this season and has been horrendous overall on the defensive end. Fade: LeBron James failed to meet value in an easy win over Chicago and faces another inferior opponent at home tonight in the Kings. You can probably avoid paying up for him at this lofty price tag. Point Guards Elfrid Payton – (6,500 DK/7,600 FD) Payton could wind up outscoring his adversary in Dennis Schorder at a much cheaper price tag on DK tonight. He’s over his hamstring injury and producing with averages of 14.9 PPG, 6.3 APG and 5.1 RPG over his last seven appearances. While not as porous as Orlando’s defense, Atlanta ranks 26th in defensive rating and gives up the sixth-most PPG (108.6) this year. The Hawks also give up the third-most APG (28.6) and Payton is dominating dimes on his team with a career-high 37.5 percent assist rate thus far. Rajon Rondo – (5,500 DK/6,000 FD) Rondo is playing a full slate of minutes and that’s resulted in him routinely exceeding value. He should continue to feed DeMarcus Cousins for easy assists and might have Anthony Davis (back) for a matchup against the Nikola Jokic-less Nuggets tonight. Denver ranks 22nd in defensive rating and 29th in opponents FG shooting (48%), which bodes well for Rondo’s ability to crave up another unit in a fast-paced contest at home. Potential Value Jamal Murray – (5,100 DK/5,400 FD) Murray is seeing increased usage with Nikola Jokic (ankle) on the shelf. Longshot Jrue Holiday – (6,600 DK/7,100 FD) Holiday will remain a strong cash play and could be worth a look in any format if Anthony Davis (groin) misses another game. Shooting Guards Victor Oladipo – (8,900 DK/9,400 FD) The Bulls defense has been pitiful and shouldn’t be expected to improve anytime soon, making this road tilt against the fast-paced Pacers a great game to target on a full slate. Oladipo is posting a career-high 30 percent usage rate with his best shooting percentage (.483%) this year and shouldn’t have much trouble ripping through a Bulls team that ranks 25th in opponents FG shooting (47%) this year. Dipo went for 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in a meeting with Chicago earlier this season and is rolling right now while shooting 58 percent over his last five outings. Andrew Wiggins – (6,700 DK/6,100 FD) Lou Williams is drawing all the attention for carrying the Clippers offense in the absence of Blake Griffin (knee), but an overlooked factor is the Clips deteriorating defense with Lou-Will on the floor next to Austin Rivers for extended minutes. Wiggins and fellow guards Jeff Teague and Jimmy Butler are all worth a look in GPP formats since they may match up against Williams, one of the worst defenders in the league. The Clippers are now allowing the most FPPG (45.26) to opposing SGs this season and Wiggy is capable of piling up points with the best of them. Potential Value Danny Green – (4,600 DK/4,500 FD) Green should see plenty of usage and minutes with Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Anderson ruled out for the Spurs. Longshot Nic Batum – (5,700 DK/6,500 FD) Batum is ramping up and there’s a chance he holds his own tonight against Kevin Durant and the Warriors. Small Forwards Kevin Durant – (10,100 DK/10,000 FD) While he won’t necessarily force the issue now that he’s within a significantly more balanced offensive system, we could see Kevin Durant play like he used to as a superstar in OKC with Steph Curry on the shelf. He posts a 33.2 percent usage rate and averages 1.35 FPs per minute with Steph off the floor this year and is taking on a Hornets team that’s vulnerable on the wing with Nic Batum (elbow) clearly not back to full speed. Andre Iguodala – (4,100 DK/4,000 FD) Iguodala could serve as an unconventional PG for at least one game with Shaun Livingston suspended in addition to Curry’s injury. He sees a two percent rise in usage with those players off the floor and is averaging 8.6 points, 5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per 36 minutes this year. Due to these circumstances, Iggy could play over 30 minutes tonight and he’s facing a Hornets team that gives up the fifth-most FPPG (43.65) to opposing SFs this season. Potential Value Rudy Gay – (5,200 DK/6,200 FD) Gay produced a double double over 32 minutes on Monday and will clearly play a bigger role with Kyle Anderson (knee) out and Kawhi still a few days away from returning. Longshot Lance Stephenson – (4,400 DK/4,500 FD) His production’s been steady and Lance could find plenty of room to operate tonight against the Bulls porous defense. Power Forwards LaMarcus Aldridge – (8,100 DK/8,300 FD) Aldridge will have to carry the Spurs offense for a few more games until Kawhi Leonard returns from his mysterious quad injury. Miami has a great defensive reputation but is far more vulnerable down low when Hassan Whiteside is unavailable, and actually gave up the most FPPG (58.22) and PPG (27.75) to opposing PFs this past week. Aldridge is averaging 26 PPG on lights out 53.3 percent FG shooting over his last five appearances and is a great bet to lead the Spurs in scoring at home. Ersan Ilyasova – (4,800 DK/5,300 FD) While he was strangely ineffective in a 20-point loss to Brooklyn on Monday, Ilyasova remains the Hawks best bet for frontcourt production with both John Collins (shoulder) and Dewayne Dedmon (leg)