Point Guard
Mario Chalmers ($4600, 24.3 USG) – Rio drew the start on Wednesday for an injured Mike Conley and paid huge dividends to anyone who rostered him (52 DKPTS in 39 minutes). Well, not only is Conley out today but Courtney Lee likely is as well. Chalmers is the chalkiest of value plays tonight. He’s going to play major minutes against a Nuggets team who gives up the 5th most DKPTS to PG’s. The Grizzlies are only 5 point favorites so I like this spot a lot for the Grizzlies due to these injuries they’re dealing with. Rio’s going to be nearly 85% owned. He’s a free square so just slot him in and move on.
Shooting Guard
Rodney Stuckey ($4000, 20.3 USG) – We love to target players going up against the Pelicans. It’s thin near the bottom at shooting guard so we’re just going to go with a matchup based value play here. Stuckey has been playing about 28 minutes a game as of late and been a bit unpredictable but you’re getting someone who isn’t afraid to shoot against a Pelicans team ranked 27th against SG’s. I like the over on this game too (205) as both teams are ranked in the top half in pacing. I don’t really prefer Stuckey as a player this year though. His PER of 12.7 is the worst of his career, worst TS% in about 7 years and shooting fewer than he ever has. His salary reflects that but it’s the Pelicans we’re talking about.
Small Forward
James Johnson ($3500, 15.8 USG) Tony Allen ($3800, 15.6 USG) – James Johnson is going up against the worst defense against SF’s and Tony Allen is going up against the Nuggets, who gives up the 6th most DKPTS to SG’s (He’s listed as SF but likely the starting SG tonight). Both guys here are in extremely favorable situations (starting due to injuries against terrible defenses) and ridiculously cheap. I’m trying to figure out which one I prefer most but it’s driving me mad. I may just roster both of them and live with my decision afterwards. At the end of the day, I definitely think tonight is a night to spend down at SF.
Power Forward
Darrel Arthur ($3900, 17.1 USG) – Kenneth Faried is out (personal) so Arthur should start in his place. Arthur averages 28.57 DKPTS per 36 and should see close to 30 minutes against a Memphis team that’s 12th in DvP. In the 2 games Arthur has played 28 minutes or more, he’s scored 42.5 and 28.5 DKPTS. Even though it’s not the most ideal spot to be in, going up against a big MEM front court (I think Z-BO plays a lot tonight), he should reach value with ease but it’s always a risk projecting minutes for DEN big men so tread lightly.
Center
Enes Kanter ($4700, 22.5 USG) – In the 2 games the Lakers and Thunder have played this year, Kanter has been awesome (averaged 38.4 DKPTS). In both contests, Lakers kept things close till halftime and got blown out in the 3rd quarter. Both teams emptied the bench in the 4th which allowed Kanter to do some serious bum-slaying. I don’t see any reason things change tonight. The Lakers are traveling back home on the second end of a back to back after a heartbreaking loss to the Kings. The Thunder are the largest favorites on the night. I love playing Kanter when the Thunder don’t have to worry about guarding the opposing teams center. They tend to let Adams play more against threatening centers, which Hibbert is not. Kanter makes for a great GPP play and even cash now that his price has dropped down a bit.
