Point Guard
Cory Joseph (DK $3600, FD $3700, 16.2 USG) Jerian Grant (DK $3100, FD $3800, 18.7 USG) – You’re going to want to keep tabs on injuries throughout the day because as of now, Kyle Lowry and Jose Calderon are both questionable. These 2 are the ones that excite me most because if both are ruled out, I’m probably going to be building around Cory Joseph and Jerian Grant (if starting). I wouldn’t expect either of them to have ridiculous stat lines or anything as both only average about .70 fantasy points per minute, but if playing close to 30 minutes, you’re expecting about 21 to 23 FP which is fine for players priced in the 3K range. If you can solidify value with your punts, it should put you in great position to let the guys you’re paying up for push you over the cash line.
Also . . . Roster DeMar DeRozan if Lowry is out. DD owns a ridiculous 36.6 USG% (Boogie leads the league with a 35.8 USG%) minus Lowry on the year (44.0% since Jan 1!).
Shooting Guard
Terrence Ross (DK $4000, FD $4200, 16.4 USG) – I never feel right rostering Ross and it’s awkward recommending him but he’s been running hot over his last 5 games. He’s averaging 27.6 minutes played (over 30 min in his last 2) in that span and 22.62 DKPTS (he’s much more valuable on DK because of the 3P bonus). Been in double figures scoring in each of the 5, averaging 3.2 three pointers a game. Now, I don’t enjoy rostering guys who are this scoring dependent (recorded over 2 rebounds or assists just one time over his last 11 games) but if Lowry does miss this game, they’re going to need some sort of offense besides DeRozan and whether he makes his shots or not, Ross will definitely try to be that guy.
Small Forward
Derrick Williams (DK $5500, FD $4900, 24.3 USG) – I was gonna recommend Jeff Green at $4900 for DK but said the hell with it. Why recommend someone just cause they’re under 5K when you only have to spend an extra $600 to roster Derrick Williams. On FD, the decision is easier at under 5K but he’s also PF eligible over there, where there are many other enticing options to consider. On DK, the decision is easy as it gets. With Melo out tonight and the position not really offering many exciting plays, Williams deservingly is the chalk of the night. Over his last two games without Melo, Williams is leading the Knicks in USG% (26.5) and averaging 1.27 fantasy points per minute (44 DKPTS). It’s an easy decision, just plug him in and move on.
On FD, I wouldn’t be mad at throwing Lance Thomas in your rosters, who filled in admirably starting for Melo his last game with 25.3 FDPTS
Power Forward
Bobby Portis (DK $3500, FD $3500, 23.8 USG) – We’re back here again. This time though, Bobby Portis really has been freed. The Bulls front court went from being one of the deepest in this league to needing Bobby Portis play valuable minutes. Already shorthanded with Joakim Noah out for the year, the Bulls learned yesterday they’d be without Nikola Mirotic for the next 3 weeks (appendectomy). That leaves them with just Pau, Taj and Bobby. I suppose they could play Bairstow or Felicio but those guys have yet to play any meaningful minutes all year. So we’ll project Portis to get about 20 minutes tonight against the Lakers, averaging close to a fantasy point per minute without Niko and Jo (.96), we’re looking at close to 20 fantasy points. Add in the fact that he’ll be playing against the worst defense in the league and has a shot at garbage time, the upside is there as well. In my opinion, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Portis reach 8X’s value tonight. I expect him to be a really popular play tonight.
Center
Myles Turner (DK $4600, FD $5000, 21.0 USG) – This one is quite easy on DK. Turner the GOAT has been on quite a tear over the last 2 weeks. Since his coming out party against the Nuggets on Jan 17 (25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks), Turner’s averaged 34.36 DKPTS per game. Now, the return of Ian Mahinmi to the lineup clouds things up a bit but if this is any indication, the future may very well be in Turner’s hands.
The Hawks give up the 4th most fantasy points to big men so let us just get at least 25 minutes of Turner. If we get that, we should be good.
On FD, Turner is PF eligible so the value at center is tough to find. I’d look at Alexis Ajinca or Omer Asik if Anthony Davis is ruled out. Ajinca has more upside which would be ideal for tourneys & Asik is safer cash play
Featured Image Credit: By Chris Green (Chrisg21090 at en.wikipedia) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
