Point Guard
Beno Udrih ($3100, 14.2 USG) – Goran Dragic has been ruled out for the rest of Miami’s road trip. Â No one knows exactly who’s going to draw the start for him but I’d be shocked if it wasn’t Beno. Â Tyler Johnson plays both guard spots and will likely backup Udrih and Wade whenever needed. Â 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. Â Ask all the 73% who rostered Archie Goodwin last night (I was the 27%). Â 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. Â Two of the 4 worst defenses going head to head in the marquee fantasy game of the night. Â Eric Gordon has really struggled as of late, failing to make value in 7 straight games (lots to due with Jrue Holiday). Â I wouldn’t recommend him necessarily for cash games, but this matchup is just so freaking pretty. Â The Kings give up the 4th most DKPTS to SG and are 29th in DvP. Â He’s not gonna get you the peripherals, very shot dependent and rarely gets to the foul line. Â Like I said, I wouldn’t use him in cash but he could be a sneaky tourney play. Â Everyone will have lots of exposure to this game but will have very little Eric Gordon. Â If his shot is on, there’s your leverage play of the night. Â 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. Â 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. Â Despite Jae Crowders respected defense, the Celtics give up the 8th most DKPTS to SF’s. Â 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. Â Nene will probably get the start but continues to be on a strict minutes limit. Â It was a very profitable Monday for me once the Wizards announced Nene as the starter, scaring a lot of the action off Gooden. Â At 34, Gooden continues to play solid basketball once given the opportunity. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â As chalky as it’ll likely get tonight.
CenterÂ
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. Â Without Green, it jumps to 31.3% (second behind Curry’s insane 37.3%). Â He averages a fantasy point per minute and facing a Nuggets team that gives up the 3rd most fantasy points to power forwards. Â 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. Â Both are fine plays.
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