Point Guard
Beno Udrih ($3100, 14.2 USG) – Goran Dragic has been ruled out for the rest of Miami’s road trip. No one knows exactly who’s going to draw the start for him but I’d be shocked if it wasn’t Beno. Tyler Johnson plays both guard spots and will likely backup Udrih and Wade whenever needed. I don’t particularly like targeting point guards going up against CP3’s defense but Beno is pretty much the minimum on DK and a starting PG that cheap is just really too valuable to pass up sometimes regardless of the matchup. Ask all the 73% who rostered Archie Goodwin last night (I was the 27%). I wouldn’t expect him to crush value or anything but if he plays about 28-30 minutes, there’s no reason to think he won’t get you at least 15 DKPTS
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Shooting Guard
Eric Gordon ($4800, 20.2 USG) – Go ahead and roster as many guys from this game as possible. Two of the 4 worst defenses going head to head in the marquee fantasy game of the night. Eric Gordon has really struggled as of late, failing to make value in 7 straight games (lots to due with Jrue Holiday). I wouldn’t recommend him necessarily for cash games, but this matchup is just so freaking pretty. The Kings give up the 4th most DKPTS to SG and are 29th in DvP. He’s not gonna get you the peripherals, very shot dependent and rarely gets to the foul line. Like I said, I wouldn’t use him in cash but he could be a sneaky tourney play. Everyone will have lots of exposure to this game but will have very little Eric Gordon. If his shot is on, there’s your leverage play of the night. I also like Afflalo a bit if Melo were to be ruled out.
Small Forward
C.J. Miles ($4600, 21.9 USG) – Rodney Stuckey has already been ruled for tonights game against the Celtics meaning Miles should get a bump in minutes along with Monta Ellis and George Hill. Here’s a guy who’s averaging 9.5 3PA per 36 minutes so any increase in playing time always needs to be considered on a site like DraftKings who gives out the 3 point bonus. Despite Jae Crowders respected defense, the Celtics give up the 8th most DKPTS to SF’s. If you need to save some more money, look at Shabazz Muhammad (a player we wrote up yesterday) or Derrick Williams (if Melo is out).
Power Forward
Drew Gooden ($3800, 16.5 USG) – We saw what happened last time Gortat was out (Gooden scored 33 DKPTS) and it looks to be more of the same tonight. Nene will probably get the start but continues to be on a strict minutes limit. It was a very profitable Monday for me once the Wizards announced Nene as the starter, scaring a lot of the action off Gooden. At 34, Gooden continues to play solid basketball once given the opportunity. He’s averaging 32.32 DKPTS per 36 and going up against a soft Bucks front court that gives up the 4th most fantasy points to power forwards. He’ll be playing a lot of center as well, either way … he’s pretty much the only big man they have and will continue to see near 30 min as long as Gortat is out. He owns an elite 18.8 TRB% (which ranks 11th behind Julius Randle) and going up against the 3rd worst rebounding team in the league. As chalky as it’ll likely get tonight.
Center
Marreese Speights ($3300, 30.0 USG) – With no Dray Dray tonight, look for Speights to enter the starting lineup and boy does that USG percentage stick out. Without Green, it jumps to 31.3% (second behind Curry’s insane 37.3%). He averages a fantasy point per minute and facing a Nuggets team that gives up the 3rd most fantasy points to power forwards. I look at the center position tonight like this:
- Pay up for Howard
- Settle for Mahinmi
- Punt with Speights
I’m likely to punt so I can squeeze in Curry and Boogie into all my lineups but I wouldn’t fault you for going with Mahinmi or Howard. Both are fine plays.
Featured Image Credit: By photo taken by flickr user ReneS (flickr) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
