Point Guard
Isaiah Canaan ($4300, 20.58 USG) – This is a position I would recommend paying up for tonight with all the real value everywhere else but if you’re looking to go contrarian, you might want to take a flier on Canaan. Most of the fantasy world has rightfully been on T.J. McConnell as of late. He’s been a consistently cheap value play ever since being named the starter (He costs $5300 now by the way) but don’t overlook what Canaan’s been doing when relieving him. In the last two games, he’s averaged 20 points. With exception to only one game this season, he’s been averaging 30 minutes. The Bulls are 9 point favorites meaning there’s a strong likelihood the Sixers bench should get some quality playing time tonight. No better option in that unit than Canaan.
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Shooting Guard
Austin Rivers ($3000, 17.29 USG) – Chris Paul is listed as doubtful for tonights contest versus the Grizzlies. Rivers will likely get the start in his place and is cheap as it gets. His USG rating jumps to 23.1 whenever Paul sits. If last game was any indiction (31 min), he should continue to play a majority of the game. Don’t be fooled into thinking this Memphis team is still some sort of defensive monster they’ve been in the past. They’re 26th overall in defense efficiency and 10th in overall points allowed to opposing point guards (which is the position he will be playing despite him being slotted in at shooting guard). Only thing that worries me here is the game script. Grizzlies are going to play slow. They’re 26th (out of 30) in overall pace and the over/under is only 197, which is low for a Clippers team that ranks 8th in overall pace. Still though, he only costs $3000. He’ll exceed value easily.
Update: Chris Paul has now been upgraded to probable. Rivers loses all value if Paul plays. Keep an eye out for any late breaking news. I’d look at Will Barton if still looking for value here.
Small Forward
Andre Iguodala ($4600, 13.02 USG) – Not surprisingly, Warriors are tonight’s heaviest favorite (-13) against a Pistons team who’s on the second end of a back to back and playing their third game in 4 nights. As usual, look for the bench to get some significant run here. Iggy played 34 minutes against Sacramento on Saturday and filled up the box score with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. It’s highly unlikely he gets 4 steals again but all the other peripherals will be there. His floor is high as well. With exception to opening night, he hasn’t scored below 20.8 DK points all year. Having said that, this is also a position I’m likely to pay up for tonight.
Power Forward
Nemanja Bjelica ($4300, 12.52 USG) – Coming off his best game of his young career, Bjelica scored 17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and a block in Minnesota’s overtime win against CHI on Saturday (43.8 DK points in 40 minutes!). Every time he checks in for KG, the Wolves offense looks so much better. He’s a fundamentally sound playmaking big man who is a threat to make an open shot. I think he’s going to be an integral part of this offense moving forward. I like attacking trends before they become a trend, if that makes any sense. I was the guy who played Mirotic a lot last year before his price reached $5000. I think I’m going to be doing the same with Nemanja.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIab_Ly_sv8&w=560&h=315]
Center
Meyers Leonard – ($3900, 15.30 USG) – Denver is always a target of mine when looking at big men. They give up an average of 52 DK points against opposing centers (59.5 in their last 5). Warning: that stat totals up opposing centers points combined for that game. This contest has the 2nd highest total for tonights slate and offers plenty of fantasy gems everywhere. Denver will be without Joeffrey Lauvergne for the 4th straight game moving Kenneth Faried to center. It’s finally a matchup to not be overly concerned about if you’re leaning towards playing a Blazers’ big man. I’d prefer Mason Plumlee if pricing wasn’t an option but for $1500 less, Leonard is the better play. I’ve asked this before and I’ll ask it again; Do you really want to fade Andre Drummond right now? I’m cautiously optimistic that my answer is yes. As mentioned above, Detroit should be tired as hell, the matchup isn’t a favorable one and there’s a real risk of blowout potential. I’m fine going cheap here.
Featured Image Credit: By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (Andre Iguodala, Kris Humphries) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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