Point Guard
J.J. Barea ($3600, 23.3 USG) – If Deron Williams and Devin Harris (both are questionable with hamstring issues) are unable to play tonight, J.J. Barea could see close to 30 minutes in a fantastic matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. If you can afford Felton, I’d much prefer that route but Barea shouldn’t be a bad alternative. The Nets give up the 7th most DKPTS to point guards and are 27th overall in DvP. He hasn’t quite looked the same since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him about 2 weeks, but his salary reflects that and he’s met or exceeded value in 4 out of his last 5 games. Barea has proven in the past that he’s capable of putting up big numbers if given the opportunity. Tonight presents himself quite a favorable opportunity.
Shooting Guard
Allen Crabbe ($4400, 17.7 USG) – Crabbe has exceeded value in 11 out of his last 12 games and most of those games included Damian Lillard. Lillard (foot) was out on Monday and Crabbe flourished in his place. Inserted into the starting lineup and playing 32 minutes, he scored 28.5 DKPTS. The good news for him tonight is that Lillard has already been ruled out again tonight, meaning he’ll earn another start alongside C.J. McCollum (must own player). The Suns are extremely generous to opposing backcourts and give up the second most DKPTS to shooting guards. Crabbe isn’t one to shy away from an opportunity like this. He attempted 18 FGA on Monday.
Small Forward
Kelly Oubre Jr. ($3700, 18.5 USG) – Otto Porter is doubtful for tonight’s game against the Grizzlies meaning Oubre Jr. should earn another start in his place. I don’t necessarily like the upside of him but he provides a safe floor at his price point if he’s starting. He played 33 minutes against Sacramento in his last start and scored a a respectable 21 DKPTS, but Gortat and Wall did everything for WAS that game. Tonight, he gets to face a Grizzlies team that gives up the 12th most DKPTS to small forwards and 19th overall in DvP. I wouldn’t worry too much about the matchup against MEM. The Wizards implied team total sits at 202 which is what they’ve been averaging on the season.
Power Forward
David Lee ($4300, 22.8 USG) – With Amir Johnson already being ruled out against the Hornets, Lee should see a slight uptick in minutes even with Sullinger probable to play tonight. Lee earned the start in Johnson’s place on Monday and scored 28 DKPTS in only 22 minutes. Lee is fantasy point per minute guy so anytime he can get an extra 5 minutes of run, you want to take advantage of it (averages 37.08 DKPTS per 36) . The Hornets have been playing a lot of small ball since the injury to Al Jefferson and Lee’s playing style fits right into that. I’d like him a whole lot more if he was starting (Olynyk might) but he’s still a viable punt even coming off the bench.
Center
Enes Kanter ($4200, 22.6 USG) – Let me start with this: If Olynyk starts in place of Amir Johnson, he’s a much safer cash game play.
We’re going to try and roll with the predicted game script here. The Thunder are 13 point favorites against the Lakers and personally, I think that’s Vegas being a bit generous. These two teams met in OKC on Saturday and this game was over by halftime. Kanter only needed 23 minutes to score 42.5 DKPTS. Remember that we like to target centers against the Lakers (give up the 2nd most DKPTS to centers), it’s not a bad idea to target backup centers in a projected blowout.
Featured Image Credit: By Chris Green (Chrisg21090 at en.wikipedia) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
