Fuego Steve’s NBA GPP Cheat sheet – 11/9/17
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. These are my favorite plays at each position and maybe a value play or two. The players listed are in no particular order, as I am giving choices to help build your lineups. Listen to podcast for myself and Lou’s best takes on the slate. Completely different lineup construction tonight than last night. Curry was must play last night. There is no must play tonight imo, several high priced decisions to be made. Point Guard John Wall – Like him slightly more than Westbrook for the small savings Russell Westbrook – Pairing them both may be the road to victory tonight T.J. McConnell – Like the DVP matchup and price Jrue Holiday – Favorite of the mid-priced options Kyle Lowry – Don’t love it, but don’t hate it with more upside than paying down Shooting Guard Shooting guard is pretty deep tonight. Lots of places you could go. Jordan Clarkson – At only $4400, best bang for your buck. Could also go KCP Iman Shumpert – Min price on Fanduel and is starting Dwayne Wade – Looks like I am paying down at the position tonight Eric Gordon – The one guy I may pay slightly up for, or possibly DeMar Derozen Norman Powell – Listed as SG, but plays SF. Pelicans don’t defend that spot well Small Forward Brandon Ingram – Price is still right, been consistent Lebron James – Clearly best player at position tonight Kelly Oubre – Punt play Robert Covington – Could pair him with Ingram if not going Lebron Power Forward Ben Simmons – Off to one of the best starts of a rookie season ever! Otto Porter – Has the ceiling for GPPs Dario Saric – Favorite cheap option, just needs the minutes Zach Randolph – Going back to ZeBo tonight is in play still at low price Julius Randle – Lower owned than Kyle Kuzma (though like him too), if he only got 25+ minutes Center DeMarcus Cousins – never can you rule him out of your lineups. May be tough to squeeze him in though if paying up at other spots Clint Capela – man if he could get his ceiling game tonight we would be golden Kevin Love – killed it last game, can he keep it rolling? Jonas Valanciunas – could have ok game opposite Boogie, value play Marcin Gortat – if paying down, don’t mind his price of $5500
NBA Pod w JaguarLou and FuegoSteve – 11/9/17
Scouting the NBA – 11/9/17
Plays of the Day Value: Ryan Anderson is a solid value tonight since Cleveland’s coughed up the most 3PTM per game (13.4) at the highest percentage (.419%) this season and the Rockets is posting the best effective FG percentage (.590%) of his career right now. Fade: DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis continue to pile up huge stat lines, but their price tags are rising accordingly, and Boogie is particularly risky to target against a Raptors team that can hold its own down low. Point Guard De’Aron Fox – (4,900 DK/5,400 FD) It’s preferable to roll with James Harden at PG where eligible on DK, or find other values on FanDuel tonight because there are several non-traditional PGs worth paying up for in LeBron James, Ben Simmons and Harden. Fox is a nice source of salary relief with a decent floor-ceiling combination that’s heightened by his matchup, as he faces the turnover-prone young Sixers at home. The rookie’s sporting an impressive 34.2% assist rate and averaging 10 assists per 100 possessions, while he starred as a defender in college and should be able to pile up steals as the season progresses. Potential Value T.J. McConnell – (5,000 DK/5,400 FD) McConnell will be forced to fill in for the Sixers with Jerryd Bayless (wrist) and Markelle Fultz (shoulder) ruled out. Longshot John Wall – (9,500 DK/10,000 FD) Wall didn’t flash much upside in a matchup with the Lakers earlier this season but he could have a huge game at home tonight. Shooting Guards James Harden – (10,700 DK/11,200 FD) Taking Harden tonight against the worst rated defense in the league is an obvious choice tonight. He dropped a career-high 56 points against the fourth-ranked Jazz defense on Monday and remains relatively affordable on DK. Cleveland’s hemorrhaging FPs to all positions and the backcourt in particular, as the Cavs allow the most APG (11.27) to opposing PGs and sixth-most PPG (25) to opposing SGs this season. Harden plays a combination of the two as the primary scorer and facilitator for a Rockets team that is ranked fourth in offensive rating. J.J. Redick – (4,600 DK/4,900 FD) Redick played 35 minutes in a win at Utah and is averaging 32.4 MPG, which is a marked jump from the 28.2 MPG he logged with the Clippers last year. He’s more involved as a playmaker as well with a 15.4% assist rate and draws a good matchup tonight against a Kings team that ranks 22nd in opponents three-point shooting (.373%) this season. Redick averaged 21 PPG on 52.6% FG shooting over three meetings with Sacramento last year and comes into this contest 11-for-19 from deep over his last two games. Potential Value Dwyane Wade – (4,700 DK/4,700 FD) Wade remains a bit under priced as the primary scorer off the bench for a Cavs team that needs to find offense somewhere while its defense continues to struggle. Longshot Eric Gordon – (6,500 DK/6,300 FD) Gordon is actually a very safe play against the weak Cavs defense tonight and he has enough upside to warrant GPP consideration as well. Small Forwards LeBron James – (10,800 DK/11,800 FD) At $600 cheaper on DK than he was on Tuesday night, LeBron is an easy choice to pair with James Harden for a superstar stack in Houston tonight. With a 228-point Over/Under and the Rockets (-5) slightly favored, this is a contest to target on both sides of the ball and even though Houston’s posted a much better defensive rating, the Rockets still have no answer for King James along with the rest of the NBA. His improved post game will make it brutal for skinny Trevor Ariza to try and stop him and despite the Cavs overall struggles, LeBron’s been transcendent with a career-best .673% true shooting percentage and 45.8% assist rate. Robert Covington – (5,500 DK/6,400 FD) It’s hard to recommend Redick based on his three-point shooting prowess and ignore Covington in the same matchup. The Sixers wing is 14-for-25 from deep over his last three appearances and has a much higher floor than Redick with averages of 5.7 RPG and 1.5 SPG on the season. His responsibilities increased a bit with Joel Embiid resting on Monday, and he came through with a double double, but that’s not outside of the realm of possibilities in a fast-paced matchup at the Kings tonight. Potential Value Jerami Grant – (3,400 DK/4,100 FD) Grant is a low-upside punt play to consider as his athleticism will be needed in a matchup against the young Nuggets. Longshot Otto Porter – (6,700 DK/6,700 FD) Porter mysteriously disappeared down the stretch in his last meeting with the Lakers, but is quite capable of producing against an inexperienced team that’s on the second half of a road B2B set. Power Forwards Ben Simmons – (9,000 DK/9,900 FD) The Sixers big names are very appealing tonight against a Kings team that’s been brutal on both sides of the ball this year. Sacramento gives up the seventh-most APG (9.10) to opposing PGs this season and Simmons is running the show for Philly with a 36.1% assist rate. He’s an excellent rebounder with his 7-foot wingspan and the defensive stats are starting to come for Simmons, who has topped 51 DK points in four of his last five outings. Ryan Anderson – (4,400 DK/4,300 FD) Again there are two games that really beg to be targeted tonight and one involves a Cavs team that’s ranked 30th in defensive rating but third in offensive rating to produce games with tons of DFS goodness. Cleveland’s coughed up the most 3PTM per game (13.4) at the highest percentage (.419%) this season and Anderson’s a sharpshooter, who is posting the best effective FG percentage (.590%) of his career right now. He matches up well against Potential Value Julius Randle – (4,800 DK/4,500 FD) Randle dropped a double double and was
NBA Cheat Sheet – Join NBA Chat also from 6-7
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. These are my favorite plays at each position and maybe a value play or two. The players listed are in no particular order, as I am giving choices to help build your lineups. Listen to podcast for myself and Lou’s best takes on the slate. Porzingas, Durant, and Horford out. Chandler doubtful. Payton in with no limits. We will be in chat from 6-7 to answer your questions Point Guard Steph Curry – get him in your lineups, his usage is outrageous with no KD Kyrie Irving – pairing him with Curry will be popular tonight Goran Dragic Jeff Teague Mike James – could go Jarrett Jack also if paying down, probably paying up though at the position Shooting Guard Klay Thompson – should get more usage with no Durant Tim Hardaway Jr – think his usage goes way up with no Porzingas, watch the blowout though. Courtney Lee is another good option for the Knicks Devin Booker – he’s Booker, highest ceiling on the slate at position Marcus Smart – lower owned option at the position Small Forward Andre Iguodala – some usage increase with no KD Evan Fournier – not as worried as blow out as Lou, can still have good game Jaylen Brown – usage should increase with no Horford Jimmy Butler – debating this one, still can’t find his place in offense. Probably fading him T.J. Warren – probably higher ceiling than Butler at this point Power Forward Draymond Green – doesn’t get too much increase with no Durant. Just like him cuz I always do Tobias Harris – always like him, you should know that by now Jayson Tatum – should definitely see usage increase with no Horford Marcus Morris – decent punt play with upside James Johnson – the eternal debate, to play him or not to play him Center Karl Anthony-Towns – we love to play centers versus Golden State Andre Drummond – Hoping is less owned than KAT Alex Len – Chandler is doubtful, like him a lot with no Tyson Aaron Baynes – obligatory add to write up since he is starting with no Al Horford. Don’t love it though, prefer the above three https://dev.fulltimefantasy.com/nba/chat/
NBA Podcast w FuegoSteve and JaguarLou – 11/8/17
Scouting the NBA – 11/8/17
Plays of the Day Value: Marcus Morris has established a role as a valuable rebounder for the under sized Celtics and should produce against a Lakers team that plays at the third-fastest pace in the NBA this year. He sat out Monday’s game to rest and that bodes well for his ability to play more minutes this evening. Fade: Kevin Durant remains a very solid cash game play, but as the most expensive option on the board, he’s tough to pay up for in a matchup against elite defender Jimmy Butler and the Wolves. Point Guards Steph Curry – (9,300 DK/9,500 FD) Steph is due to erupt after a rare off night shooting the ball on Monday as he’s often had some of his best scoring games right after going 1-for-10 or 0-fer in recent seasons. The two-time MVP also draws a great individual matchup against Jeff Teague while Jimmy Butler should try to slow down Kevin Durant. Minnesota allows the third-most FPPG (51.62) and APG (10) to opposing PGs this season while ranking dead last in opponent’s FG shooting (.495%), so the Splash Brothers could light them up while Karl-Anthony Towns and company keep the game close enough to earn Steph a full slate of minutes. Jeff Teague – (6,500 DK/6,900 FD) Teague has emerged as a great GPP play at the helm of an exciting Wolves team and he makes for a great correlation play if you’re using any of the Warriors big names in this contest, which has been assigned a 229.5-point Over/Under. Golden State’s giving up the ninth-most PPG (108.5) and is only winning by an average margin of 3.2 PPG at home this season, as compared to their 15.9 PPG margin of victory last season. The first place Wolves are capable of running with the champs and Teague would have to lead the way against Curry and the Warriors defense. Potential Value Frank Ntilinka – (3,800 DK/4,400 FD) Ntilinka handed out 8 assists over 26 minutes last night to meet value and it won’t be tough for him to do so again at this price tag. Longshot Elfrid Payton – (6,300 DK/7,400 FD) Payton could return tonight after a multi-week absence and he would serve as a great bargain on DK if active against the Knicks. Shooting Guards Evan Fournier – (6,700 DK/6,100 FD) Shut down by the top-rated Celtics defense on Sunday, Fournier could definitely bounce back against a much weaker defensive team tonight. The Knicks are giving up the third-most PPG (22.38) to opposing SFs this season and Fournier averaged 22.7 PPG on 53% FG shooting over three meetings with New York last season. He’s actually seen a drop in usage rate with Elfrid Payton (hamstring) off the floor this season and might benefit from the point guard’s prospective return tonight. Dion Waiters – (5,700 DK/6,000 FD) Waiters is expected to return for the Heat after missing two games for the birth of his child and we’ve seen plenty of players turn up in their first game as a new father. Regardless of his motivations, Waiters could have a huge game against a Suns team that ranks 27th in defensive rating, gives up the second-most PPG (114.8) and the third-most PPG (26.18) to opposing SGs this season. With a career-best .520% true shooting percentage and solid 24.3% usage rate, Waiters is carrying the load for Miami’s backcourt and could have even more responsibilities if Hassan Whiteside remains in Eric Spoelstra’s doghouse. Potential Value Marcus Smart – (5,300 DK/5,900 FD) The Cobra should come up with a few steals and plays in transition against a young Lakers team that is turnover prone. Longshot Tim Hardaway Jr. – (6,100 DK/6,000 FD) Hardaway’s been red hot over his last six appearances after a slow start to the season and faces a generous Orlando defense tonight. Small Forwards T.J. Warren – (5,700 DK/6,300 FD) Warren is locked in as the starting SF on a fantasy-friendly team, a role in which he’s averaged 22.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals/blocks per 36 minutes this year. Newly acquired big man Greg Monroe (calf) isn’t ready to suit up yet even if he were officially cleared via a team physical, so Warren’s in line to see close to the 36 minutes he played on Monday against Brooklyn, and he’s averaging 22.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per 36 minutes this year. Give him a look at slight discount as he works his way back from a head injury sustained last Friday. Marcus Morris – (4,000 DK/4,100 FD) After sitting out the second half of a B2B set on Monday, Morris should be good to go on two days full rest and is still under priced as a starter on a very good offensive team. Kyrie Irving is drawing tons of attention, which led to open shots for rookie Jayson Tatum on Monday, and now Morris could cash in on those looks from three. In any case, he’s established a role as a valuable rebounder for the under sized Celtics and should produce against a Lakers team that plays at the third-fastest pace in the NBA this year. Potential Value Jayson Tatum – (6,200 DK/5,700 FD) Tatum remains a superior cash game play to teammate Jaylen Brown because of his elite rebounding ability. Longshot Tobias Harris – (6,600 DK/6,900 FD) Harris has been a boom-bust option this year but he has a chance to produce a big line against a fantasty-friendly Pacers team. Power Forwards Kristaps Porzingis – (9,500 DK/9,800 FD) Porzingis dropped 28 points and sealed a Knicks win with a huge three last night and is young enough to roll with on the second half of a B2B set without much concern. He dropped 38 in his only game on zero days rest this season and actually leads the league with a 35.5 percent usage rate right
Fuego Steve’s NBA GPP Plays – 11/7/17
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. These are my favorite plays at each position and maybe a value play or two. The players listed are in no particular order, as I am giving choices to help build your lineups. Big ten game slate tonight, value already presenting itself. Keep an eye on the news as it could create more value. Could go Stars and Scrubs or could go balanced. I would get at least one stud in your lineup. Will update my article if things change. Point Guard Westbrook – $10200 – favorite overall Jerian Grant $4900 – favorite value Ricky Rubio – $7100 – I would pair him with Rudy Gobert Darren Collison – $6000 – this guy, great game, bad game. Which one tonight? Kemba Walker – $7400 – like the price and the matchup versus the Knicks Kyle Lowry – $7500 – should bounce back after being ejected last game Shooting Guard D’Angelo Russell – $7300 – price dropped $700, why? I don’t know Will Barton – $5700 – He’s the Denver SG I am choosing tonight Victor Oladipo – $7300 Khris Middleton – $7500 – looks like I am paying up for SG if I can Tyreke Evans – $6200 Tim Hardaway Jr. – $6000 – picked up his play over the last four games Small Forward Lebron James – $11300 – favorite high priced, but don’t mind The Freak at 11700 Robert Covington – $6500 – usage goes up with no Embid Allen Crabbe – $4300 – risky, but usage should go up with no RHJ Joe Harris – $3200 – projected to start with no RHJ. 8X is not out of the question Joe Ingles – $5200 Paul George – $7800 Power Forward Kristaps Porzingas – $9800 – talked myself into liking him best overall on podcast Paul Millsap – $7400 Zach Randolph – $4500 – favorite value Quincy Acy – $3000 – punt play Ben Simmons – $9300 Carmelo Anthony – $6900 – like his price Center DeMarcus Cousins – $11800 Rudy Gobert – $8100 – should eat with no Embid playing tonight, overall favorite Steven Adams – $6200 Enes Kanter – $6200 Jonas Valanciuanas – $4700 – punt play with upside
Jaguar Lou’s Cash game plays – 11/7/17
PG Kyle Lowry – 7,500 FD & 7,200 DK Other Cash PG Option(s): Russell Westbrook SG Bradley Beal – 8,500 FD & 8,300 DK Other Cash SG Option(s): D’Angelo Russell SF Robert Covington – 6,300 FD & 5,300 DK Other Cash SF Option(s): Lebron James PF Anthony Davis – 11,700 FD & 11,200 DK Other Cash PF Option(s): Paul Milsap C Nikola Jokic – 9.500 FD & 8,500 DK Other Cash Center Option(s): Rudy Gobert
NBA Pod w FuegoSteve and JaguarLou – 11/7/17
Scouting the NBA – 11/7/17
Plays of the Day Value: Donovan Mitchell has stepped into an increased role because the Jazz have a flawed roster with Ricky Rubio and Rodney Hood hardly complementing each other in the backcourt and he draws a juicy matchup tonight against a Sixers team that allows the most FPPG (47.7) and PPG (29.67) to opposing SGs this season. Fade: DeMarcus Cousins is always capable of posting monstrous lines, but his price tag remains a bit too high considering the wealth of options at other positions tonight and the Pacers got Myles Turner back recently, so they could slow down Big Cuz. Point Guards Damian Lillard – (8,700 DK/9,800 FD) Lillard’s price tag is so low on DK that his matchup is almost irrelevant. He’s been absolutely en fuego lately, averaging 34.25 PPG while shooting 55% from the floor over his last four games. Memphis is actually giving up the sixth-most PPG (23.9) to opposing PGs this season as Mike Conley’s been bothered by an Achilles issue recently. Some of Lillard’s big games have come against top 10 defensive teams, such as the Jazz, Raptors and Clippers, so this home tilt against the Grizzlies fifth-rated defense is no reason to ignore Dame Dollar. Kemba Walker – (7,300 DK/7,400 FD) Kemba and the Hornets travel to his home-away-from-home tonight in Madison Square Garden, where he first broke into the national spotlight with arguably the best run ever in the Big East Tournament a decade ago. Now the focal point of a Hornets offense that’s short on playmakers with Nic Batum (elbow) out indefinitely, he’ll look to torch a Knicks defense that’s giving up the sixth-most FPPG (49.14) and most APG (11.67) to opposing PGs this season. Walker went for 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in his last trip to MSG and draws an even better matchup this time against inexperienced backup Frank Ntilinka or slowing veteran Jarrett Jack. Potential Value Frank Ntilinka – (3,800 DK/4,300 FD) The Knicks rookie is playing his way into a timeshare with Jarrett Jack and that makes him a solid value with upside. Longshot Ricky Rubio – (6,900 DK/7,100 FD) Rubio could have a big night in a Jazz-Sixers game that could be full of DFS goodness. Shooting Guards Donovan Mitchell – (4,600 DK/5,200 FD) The Sixers are playing close and exciting games with partial defensive indifference and that’s led to great results in DFS contests. Philadelphia allows the most FPPG (47.7) and PPG (29.67) to opposing SGs this season and Mitchell has stepped into an increased role because the Jazz have a flawed roster with Ricky Rubio and Rodney Hood hardly complementing each other in the backcourt. The rookie out of Louisville spent a post-graduate year at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, the nation’s premier prep school for basketball players, which partially explains why he seems so NBA ready. Dwyane Wade – (4,800 DK/4,600 FD) Wade took over as the leader of the Cavs second unit and he’ll need to continue producing if Cleveland is going to pull out of its tailspin. LeBron’s workload is unsustainable, Kevin Love (illness) is questionable and Tristan Thompson (calf) is out multiple weeks. Of course Isaiah Thomas (groin) isn’t ready to help share the load and Derrick Rose is on a minutes limit until he inevitably suffers his next injury. D-Wade stepped up and dropped 25 points with 11 rebounds and 6 assists in a comeback effort against the Hawks and Cleveland needs him to build on that momentum against the Bucks 24th-rated defense. Potential Value J.J. Redick – (4,500 DK/5,000 FD) Redick could find space to fire tonight against a Jazz defense that’s taken a step backwards in terms of defending perimeter players. Longshot Will Barton – (5,900 DK/5,700 FD) Barton thrives in fast-paced games and the Nuggets host a Nets team that leads the league in pace and happens to be on the second half of a B2B set. Small Forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo – (10,800 DK/11,700 FD) The Greek Freak’s price tag is down on DK after a couple of relatively quiet games, but he draws a mouth-watering matchup tonight against the Cavs 30th-rated defense. He burned the Cavs for 34 points on 15-of-22 FG shooting earlier this season and Antetokounmpo stepped up with averages of 24 PPG, 9.3 RPG and 4 STL/BLK per game over 4 meetings with the Cavs last year, so clearly the future MVP gets up for show downs with the incumbent in King James. Ben Simmons – (8,800 DK/9,300 FD) Simmons continues to lead the exciting young Sixers and he should see a marked increase in usage with Joel Embiid (rest) ruled out tonight. Simmons boats a 33% assist rate and 29.1% usage rate while averaging 1.35 FPs per minute with Embiid off the floor this season and the Jazz gave up huge lines to James Harden and Damian Lillard recently as the focal point of their respective offenses. His price tag is still too low on DK given his ability to flirt with triple doubles and his scoring will increase as he figures out the NBA game. Potential Value Wesley Johnson – (3,400 DK/4,400 FD) Danilo Gallinari (hip) is doubtful tonight and Johnson is a candidate to soak up his minutes against the vulnerable, Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs. Longshot Khris Middleton – (7,000 DK/7,500 FD) If you can’t afford Giannis, use the Bucks second-most effective offensive player against the league’s worst defensive team right now. Power Forwards Kristaps Porzingis – (9,400 DK/9,800 FD) Porzingis continues to exceed value just about every time the Knicks get into close games and there’s a “Pick ‘Em” line on tonight’s tilt at Madison Square Garden. Charlotte’s defense is down from last year and like most teams, they don’t have an answer for The Unicorn because Dwight Howard isn’t quick enough at this stage in his career, while Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller don’t