Point Guard
Norris Cole (DK $3800, FD $4100, 21.2 USG) – I don’t get why Draft Kings lowered Cole’s salary the day after starting for an injured Tyreke Evans. This pick really hinges on Evans’ availability for tonight (currently questionable) but if he’s ruled out, Cole and Jrue Holiday instantly becomes top value plays tonight. Obviously Holiday has a much higher ceiling than Cole but he’s also going to cost you a lot more. The Pelicans will be playing the Minnesota Timberwolves, who give up the 5th most fantasy points to point guards. Cole ranks 3rd on the team in USG% when Evans is out behind Holiday and Davis, but ahead of Ryan Anderson, who costs $6200 on DK and $5800 on FD.
If Evans ends up playing, I’d look to Mudiay or Johnson on FD and LaVine on DK. I actually prefer Johnson and Mudiay on FD even if Evans is out.
Shooting Guard
Gerald Green (DK $4600, FD $3700, 20.2 USG) – Green really makes for an elite value play on FD for only $3700 but on DK, I’d just find a way to roster Tyler Johnson for only $500 more. The Miami backcourt is on life support with injuries to Dragic, Udrih and Wade. Wade continues to play through his shoulder injury but Dragic and Udrih are missing games, which is why guys like Johnson and Green need to be considered until the team gets healthier. Now a lot of people are gonna be off Green with two duds in a row but he left Sunday’s game early with knee tendinitis, so it looks worse than it really is. (Never just look at game logs when making roster decisions!) We’ve all seen the upside that he brings to the table when his shot is falling. If you choose to roster him over Johnson tonight and Green has one of those nights, you have yourself quite a leverage play over anyone who will be rostering Johnson, like myself.
Small Forward
Luol Deng (DK $4500, FD $4300, 15.2 USG) – You’re never going to get excited targeting Luol Deng but he really is a nice filler tonight in your lineups at such a low price. He’s still getting the minutes and likely even more now that the Heat are dealing with so many injuries. The Bucks are terrible at defending the wings, giving up the 4th most fantasy points to SF’s. The hope is that Lu tries to take advantage of that though. He’s only attempted double digit field goal attempts twice over his last 10 games so it really caps his upside but he’s still capable of racking up peripherals to make up for his offense.
Power Forward
Markieff Morris (DK $4800, FD $4900, 26.3 USG) – I don’t believe the Suns are fooling anyone here. It’s well documented that Morris and Phoenix are a match made in hell and both sides want out. You don’t just sit guys for no reason and then re-insert them back into the starting lineup. You can try and convince me that all is well between the two and that they’ve squashed their beef but I won’t buy it. What I do buy is that the Suns are in a downward spiral and beginning to showcase their guys for trade bait. I’ve seen it happen to so many guys in this league before but hey, there’s nothing wrong with that in DFS. As long as you’re giving the guy minutes, I’m in. Morris has averaged nearly 30 fantasy points a game since returning to the starting lineup and his price is only going to get steeper as long as they keep showcasing him so jump in while the water is hot.
Center
Nikola Jokic (DK $4800, FD $4900, 19.9 USG) – Joseph Nurkic is available to play tonight but will be on a minutes limit, which means Jokic should continue to see solid playing time. And when he gets playing time, he gets fantasy points. This guy averages about 40 fantasy points per 36 and even though he rarely ever plays over 30 min, he doesn’t need much time to produce. He averages 1.12 DKPTS/1.7 FDPTS per minute whenever Nurkic sits, which is more than anyone else on the Nuggets roster. He’s enjoying a nice 4 game stretch where he’s averaging 27.45 DKPTS. He’ll even surprise you with an occasional made three pointer which is more valuable on a site like DK. The matchup against the Thunder isn’t ideal but Jokic has proven to me time and time again, that he can produce in any situation as long as he’s playing.
