Point Guard
Patty Mills (DK $3500, FD $3500, 17.8 USG) – Every time Tony Parker sits, we roster Mills and he ends up disappointing us. It’s not a comfortable feeling but Mills will be going up against a Suns team that gives up the second most fantasy points to point guards. This game will likely be over by the half (SA -16) so it maybe not a bad idea to roster Ray McCallum as well, considering garbage time. The Suns and Lakers are very comparable at defending PG’s and earlier this year, Parker sat against Los Angeles. In that game, Mills went nuts scoring 22 real points in only 22 minutes (33.3 fantasy points). As mentioned, the blowout factor is very real in this game so temper your expectations. I wouldn’t be opposed to stacking both Mills and McCallum in the same lineup to be honest.
Shooting Guard
Jamal Crawford (DK $4700, FD $4400, 23.6 USG) – In a vacum, I’d much prefer J.J. Redick but Crawford is a nice discounted alternative. Crawford has been playing a whole lot more as of late with the Clippers playing small ball. He’s played 30+ minutes in 4 out of his last 5 games and is shooting the ball at will, attempting 16.6 FGA (5.8 3PA) during that span. I usually don’t roster players against the Cavs because of my respect for their defense but the slate is small and the SG position is lacking options.
[Sign Up For FantasyHub To Play Daily Fantasy Basketball Tonight!]
Small Forward
Mirza Teletovic (DK $4700, FD $4000, 22.0 USG) – I NEVER target players going up against Kawhi Leonard. He’s the best wing defender in the league, it’s not wise, it’s dumb, borderline insane . . . you get the point. Today is such an awkward slate of games, I’m willing to make an exception. This Suns situation is something to monitor closely because of all the injuries they’re currently dealing with. Teletovic, Morris, Warren and Leuer all missed practice yesterday with injuries. We have literally no idea who is suiting up tonight for the Suns but if Mirza were to play and start, you’d have to consider him. For one, he may not be guarded by Kawhi. He maybe forced to play the 4 with how the Phoenix roster is looking at the moment. Two, he plays in blowouts. Mirza is one of the best garbage time players to roster as he averages nearly a fantasy point per minute. Lastly, he maybe looking at 36 min of playing time if everything works in his favor. The matchup is far from ideal, but this might not be as bad as it looks on the surface.
Note: Teletovic is PF eligible on FD
Power Forward
Boris Diaw (DK $3800, FD $4000, 17.8 USG) – You maybe noticing a trend by now. I’m literally banking on a blowout in Phoenix tonight. Most of my roster will be a reflection of it and it doesn’t stop at Diaw (see below). There is nothing you could say or do to convince me that the Suns somehow keep this game close. Unless Pop decides to sit his entire starting lineup minutes before tipoff or Steph Curry is miraculously traded to Phoenix after I finish writing this, this will end badly. The Suns have lost 9 out of their last 10 games and in terrible fashion, getting murdered in most of them. Diaw is the kind of player that flourishes in uptempo garbage time. He scored 21 fantasy points in under 20 minutes the last time these two teams faced each other.
Center
Boban Marjanovic (DK $3200, FD $3500, 27.8 USG) – A vote for a Spurs blowout is a vote for Boban. There’s no way in hell I don’t roster this dude tonight. He played only 15 minutes against the Suns on Dec 30th and scored 25.5 fantasy points. He’s the godfather of all garbage run and barely gonna cost you anything. It’s hard for me to roster Drummond tonight because Boban has been locked and loaded for me at C since pricing was announced. He’s most definitely cash game viable if you ask me. He’s averaging an insane 53.10 DKPTS/49.38 FDPTS per 36. He’s not gonna play 36 but he should play at least 15 which is more than enough time for Boban to be Boban.
Featured Image Credit: By photo taken by flickr user ReneS (flickr) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
