Point Guard
D.J. Augustine (DK $3500, FD $3700, 20.7 USG)
D.J. logged 36 minutes in Denver’s last game against the Mavericks and is somehow still priced ridiculously low. I’m amazed that DK hasn’t pushed him over the 4K range by now with Shelvin Mack priced at $4600. I mean, just look at his production since being traded to the Nuggets. He’s scored in double figures 3 out of his first 5 games, played 30 min or more in 2 of them and is coming off his best game of the year with 30 DKPTS/27.9 FDPTS. Jameer Nelson is doubtful for tonight’s game against the Grizzlies and Danilo Gallinari will be out for the next month, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Nuggets continue to play small, which is what led to Augustine’s 36 minutes of playing time.
Shooting Guard
Vince Carter (DK $3900, FD $3800, 17.1 USG)
Let me begin by telling you that there’s a chance Will Barton is starting tonight with the injury news to Gallinari. Whether he starts or not, he’s my go to guy for only $5600 on DK. But IF HE DOES START, just lock and load. We’ve waited all year for the chance to play Barton at a reasonable price when starting. If he doesn’t and his minutes insecurity still scares you off, maybe take a look at Vince Carter. I think this play hinges on the availability of Tony Allen and I believe he’ll sit. Half 39 year old man/half amazing, Vince has scored 25+ fantasy points in 3 out of his last 5 games. He’s burnt us in favorable matchups against the Suns and Lakers but otherwise, he’s still playing over 20 minutes and we’ve been targeting guards against Denver all season. You’re likely to get him relatively low owned with everyone being sour on him, so he’s a fine tournament play but for cash, I’d just try and find away to fit in Barton.
Small Forward
Otto Porter (DK $4900, FD $5000, 16.7 USG)
Otto has given us back to back games of 30+ fantasy points and gets the same matchup he had just 3 days ago against Philly when he produced 31 DKPTS in under 30 minutes. His price has come down to the point where he won’t kill you if he puts up a mediocre performance, but also possesses the upside to get you 7 X’s value. The concern here mainly lies with blowout potential. Philly is playing their second end of a back to back (both road games) and the spread reflects that as Washington is favored by 13 points. Both teams are terrible against wings so I wouldn’t even mind targeting Robert Covington for a bit more but the Sixers minutes have been hard to predict over their last few games. The SF position is the toughest for me to figure out on this slate. Durant is obviously in play but I’m likely to spend up for Westbrook. LeBron and PG13 have tougher matchups against one another, Rudy Gay is questionable and missed shootaround, Giannis is priced way too high, so I’m looking at the middle and lower tiers. Porter might make his way into my lineups by default with obvious plays everywhere else on the board.
Power Forward
JaMychal Green (DK $4300, FD $4000, 18.0 USG)
I haven’t been able to get Green right ever since Brandon Wright has returned from injury but Wright is out tonight (likely the next 2 weeks) and the Grizzlies are running out of big men to throw out on the court. Chris Anderson played more than Green did last game against the Suns so that worries me a bit but even if I can get close to 25 minutes from JaMychal against this Nuggets front court, it deserves consideration. We’ve seen him have some really nice games recently against BKLN, MIN and LAL so the upside is there for a potential double double and more. The Nuggets give up the most blocks to opposing teams and 9th most steals. If he gets the start at C tonight for MEM, I’m willing to give him a try at his modest price.
Center
Steven Adams (DK $4300, FD $4400, 12.1 USG)
Another guy I haven’t been able to get right on the season is Steven Adams. So why am I recommending him? Results. In the two games these teams have played against each other, Adams is averaging 27.4 minutes and 29 DKPTS. I think it’s obvious to say at this point that the only person who is capable of stopping Boogie is Boogie. But Adams is more needed in these matchups than Kanter because of Boogie. Foul trouble aside (3 in GM1, 5 in GM2), Adams will need to be on the court to have some sort of defensive presence because Ibaka is not the kind of defender than can stay with Cousins 1 on 1. His price has dropped but Adams continues to do what he does, which is play hard defense, rebound and blocks shots. If you’re lucky, he scraps his way to double digit points and gets you that double double bonus. He’s never a sexy play but I believe he’s a safe play at his price point tonight and allows us to fill out the rest of our rosters with top tier options.
Featured Image Credit: By Amin Eshaiker (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
