Point Guard
Aaron Brooks ($4500, 23.7 USG) – Let’s just go ahead and assume Derrick Rose is out tonight. He’s currently listed as questionable but the Bulls will likely play it safe against a team like the Sixers and playing 4 games in 5 nights. Let’s just also assume the Bulls start Hinrich in Rose’s place. That won’t matter one bit. The upside lies with Brooks (34.32 DKPTS per 36). I think the real drama will be if Jimmy Butler plays or not because if Rose and Butler are both out, Brooks will be the lone remaining scoring threat in the Bulls backcourt. Either way, as long as one sits, Brooks is primed for a nice game against Philly. The Bulls are projected to score the second most points on the night at 107. Keep an eye out for injury news because this should be the game that provides the most value of the night.
Update: Rose is out, Butler plans on playing
Shooting Guard
Manu Ginobili ($4400, 24.2 USG) – We brought up Manu on Tuesday and he produced 28.8 DKPTS in 27 minutes. Look for the same in the game of the night with the Cavs visiting San Antonio. This guy just continues to play well despite being on the wrong side of 30. His PER (20.5) is his best since the 2011-2012 season, his true shooting percentage sits right about his career average at .585 and the same with his USG%. The only thing different is the minutes played. He’s playing about 6 minutes less than his career average of 26.5 mpg but his coach is Pop so it’s expected and quite honestly, it’s the main reason Manu has been able to produce for so long. But today’s game against the Cavs is different. Look for the stars to get heavier workloads in what could be a Finals preview. The Spurs are projected to score over 100, which is higher than usual for them so bump up all players from San Antonio that we’re used to staying away from.
Small Forward
Robert Covington ($4400, 21.9 USG) – Oh, how the might have fallen. It was just last month that Bob was priced around 7K. Then his confidence was shot and now he’s all the way down here again. Jerami Grant has been ruled out for tonight’s game and although JaKaar Sampson is starting, it’s Covington that benefits most. The Bulls rank 25th in DvP against SF and give up 41.7 DKPTS a game. It’s always hard trusting Brett Brown with his rotations but when one of his main players goes down like Grant, you’d have to think his hand is forced to play Covington a lot more.
Power Forward
Bobby Portis ($4100, 23.5.5 USG) – With Pau Gasol ruled out, Bobby Portis becomes instant value. If you’ve rostered Portis at all over the last couple of weeks, you’ve likely been bummed with his production but losing Gasol is much different than losing Noah for the Bulls. Noah and Gibson can not replicate what Gasol does for this team on the offensive end. The only guy in Chicago that can is Portis. There’s a reason his breakout game came when Pau sat about a month ago against the Knicks. With Rose and Gasol likely out and Jimmy Butler hobbled, the Bulls are going to be in dire need for some offense and what better matchup for Bobby than against this Sixers team that ranks 28th against PF’s? His price has come back down to provide some really solid value. The hope is that everyone who’s been burned by him recently stays away while you and I reap the rewards.
Center
Marreese Speights ($3800, 30.2 USG) – Let’s hope they were saving Marreese for tonight because the 6 minutes he played last night was not what anyone expected with Dray Dray out. Maybe the Warriors were playing it safe being a back to back. Just about a week and half ago against this same Lakers team, Speights scored 31 DKPTS in only 24 minutes. There’s not reason to think he can’t do that again tonight, main difference being Green not playing this game. He’s an elite tourney play tonight based on last night’s dud. I’d have to think the 6 or 7 percent that was on him yesterday are completely off him today. Even if he only sees 20 minutes, he could have himself another big game. I wouldn’t trust him for cash. Joakim Noah is the play tonight with Gasol out for only $5100.
