Point Guard
Cory Joseph (DK $3900, FD, $3900, 16.3 USG) – I rarely enjoy rostering Cory Joseph. ย Every time I watch the Raptors play and he’s in the game, he kind of just stands around watching DeRozan and Lowry do all the work. ย But because of the lack of value at PG under 5K tonight, we’ll look at him because of the matchup. ย It’s hard to find a team playing worse than the Suns at the moment, so you want to take advantage of them whenever they pop up on the slate. ย Only the Lakers give up more fantasy points to PG’s and Joseph has been getting lots of playing time lately (He’s played 28 min in back to back games). ย He may even see more time tonight with James Johnson being ruled out. ย As of now, Terrance Ross (see below) is listed as the projected starter but either way, you’ll see lots of 3 guard lineup variations in TOR. ย Also in Joseph’s favor is the potential for a blowout as you have one of the hottest teams in the league going up against the coldest. ย The Raptors are the biggest favorites on the board tonight (-9.5). ย Having written all that, I’d try to find saving elsewhere and move up to the middle tier of PG’s.
Shooting Guard
Terrence Ross (DK $4000, FD $4200, 16.4 USG) – As mentioned above, Ross is listed as the projected starter for an injured James Johnson tonight. ย Over their last 10 games, the Suns have given up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing SF’s (where Ross should be playing if starting). ย The Suns opponents on the year average .378% from three (second worst behind WAS), which bodes well for a player like Ross who attempts 6.7 3PA per 36 minutes. ย Also, Ross was already playing fairly well (with exception to the Detroit game on Jan 30), averaging 24.2 DKPTS in 4 of his previous 5 games so getting the start in a very favorable matchup only puts him in play even more.
On FD, I really love the price for LaVine ($4700) who has seen a significant minutes boost with Kevin Martin out. ย Playing both SG and PG, I prefer him to Rubio on both sites to save some salary.
Small Forward
Justise Winslow (DK $4400, FD $4200, 12.2 USG) Luol Deng (DK $4800, FD $4800, 15.8 USG) – Deng and Winslow are in a very similar situation with Hassan Whiteside being ruled out again. ย They’ll both see big minutes (Winslow has played more than Deng in 3 of the last 4 games) and matched up against a Rockets team that gives up the 5th most fantasy points to SF’s. ย They’re similarly priced but if you can afford the extra $400, I’d pay for Deng. In the span of Whiteside’s absence over the last 4 games (when both have played), Winslow owns a 9.98 USG% compared to Deng’s 19.43 USG%. ย That difference in USG means a bit more when going up againstย a terrible defense like Houston’s.
Power Forward
Amar’e Stoudamire (DK $4400, FD $4200, 18.7 USG) – Don’t go into this chasing points and expecting a similar performance to the one against ATL, where Stoudamire recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. ย As long as you temper your expectations, Amar’e provides real solid value at his price. ย He’s averaged 1.14 FPPM over his last 4 filling in for Whiteside, in about 23 minutes. ย The minutes is the only concern here. ย You can’t roll him out there for 30+, I get it . . . it’s Amar’e Stoudamire. ย But if you give us 23 minutes of 1.14 FPPM, you’re looking at 26.22 fantasy points. ย Then you throw in the fact that the Rockets give up the most fantasy points to power forwards in the league, and will be without Dwight Howard . . . well then, you should be looking at close to 30 fantasy points which puts him at near 7X value. ย Minutes aren’t everything.
Center
Gorgui Dieng (DK $5400, FD $5500, 17.0 USG) – Sometimes it’s not really worth it for me to post a value play under 5K when you have one sitting around that price range looking at you dead in the eyes begging you to roster him. ย That today, is Gorgui Deng. ย With Garnett ruled out again tonight, Dieng should continue to start at the 4 next to KAT against the Lakers (the dream matchup for big men). ย If you haven’t noticed what Dieng has done over his last 4 games without Garnett, allow me to give you a refresher.
- 1/25 vs CLE – 13 points, 6 rebounds 2 assists & 2 steals (26 DKPTS, 24.2 FDPTS)
- 1/27 vs OKC – 21 points, 9 rebounds 1 assist, 1 block & 1 steal (37.3 DKPTS, 36.3 FDPTS)
- 1/29 vs UTA – 20 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists &ย 2 steals (47.3 DKPTS, 45 FDPTS)
- 1/31 vs POR – 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists &ย 1 block (31.5 DKPTS, 29 FDPTS)
On FD, I understand the dilemma that comes with rostering either Dieng or KAT (I’d probably go with Dieng) but on DK, the no-brainer move is to roster both and build around them. ย Minnesota is only a 5 point favorite so feel free to deploy as many Wolves and Lakers you choose without worrying about a potential blowout.
