Point Guard
Jeremy Lin (DK $4900, FD $4900, 22.1 USG) – The Hornets will be very short-handed tonight. With MKG out for the year, they traded for Courtney Lee, who will not be with the team against the Bucks, meaning Lin should draw the start at SG for them. We’ve seen Lin have some really nice games in the starting lineup this year (averaging 30.82 DKPTS in 11 starts). And it’s not just the start that excites me. It’s the position he’s in to succeed. MIL is 25th in DvP against SG’s and I’d expect Lin to play over 30 minutes in a game that’s predicted to stay close throughout (CHA -1). With 28 teams in action tonight, Lin isn’t a must start by any means but does provide us with some real solid value if you decide to save money at the position.
Lin is SG eligible on FD. I’d take a look at Darren Collison over there for $5000 with Casspi and Belinelli both doubtful against the Nuggets.
Shooting Guard
Gary Harris (DK $4300, FD $4600, 15.9 USG) – With Randy Foye being traded to the Thunder and Jameer Nelson out, Harris should continue to see minutes near the 40’s. It’s actually laughable how much this dude is playing, averaging over 38 minutes a game over his last 5. He hasn’t done much with it, but facing the Kings should fix that instantly. Sacramento gives up the 3rd most fantasy points to SG’s and this game has a very attractive over/under of 218. I love Will Barton as well for a bit more but if you can’t afford him, Harris is a fine play.
Small Forward
Luol Deng (DK $4900, FD $4800, 16.0 USG) – It’s never really fun rostering Deng. He doesn’t create much offense and tends to get his production playing off the ball, hence the low usage rate, but Deng is in position to produce tonight without needing the ball. With the Heat missing Chris Bosh for potentially the year and Whiteside due to suspension, Deng is going to be playing at the 4 for a lot of the night and likely going to see a huge amount of minutes (I always look for players I can roster slotted in at SG or SF that will be playing PG or PF). He’s going to be playing closer to the rim, with more opportunities for rebounds and blocks. Going up against an ATL team that’s allergic to rebounding, it’s a huge bonus.
If Mirza Teletovich draws the start in PHO, he’s also a great play for only $4000 on DK and $3800 on FD (PF eligible)
Power Forward
Amar’e Stoudamire (DK $4200, FD $4300, 18.7 USG) – Much like Luol Deng, Amar’e is in the perfect spot to have himself a nice game against a terrible rebounding ATL team. He drew the start against ATL earlier this year for Hassan Whiteside and put up a double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals in under 22 minutes (36.50 DKPTS, 33.40 FDPTS). Yes, minutes are always a concern for him but coming off the all star break and perhaps many wine baths, he should be good to see closer to 28 minutes or so. I’m expecting him to be a very popular play but my problem is that I really don’t want to go into tonight’s massive slate with so many enticing games and roster two guys from a game with an over/under of 197 points. Wade is also a game time decision (prolly means he plays) so if he sits out, I’m going to want to consider someone like Gerald Green as well. I’ve fallen in this trap many times before, never learning my lesson. Personally, I think they key to this is picking your favorite of the value in Miami and only rolling one of them out there. Stoudamire is the favorite of mine for now because of the price tag.
Center
Alex Len (DK $4700, FD $4600, 18.2 USG) – The Suns traded away Earl Watson‘s favorite starter, Markieff Morris to the Wizards yesterday which means there’s a void at PF in PHO. Early word is that it’ll be Jon Leuer or Mirza Teletovic drawing the start but there’s also a chance Watson does what Hornacek did before him and start both Len and Chandler together. Personally, I don’t think he’s that dumb to do that against a Rockets team that prefers to go small anyways but if he does, Len immediately becomes my favorite value on the board. We’ve harped on this before but the Rockets are terrible against opposing PF’s, allowing the most fantasy points to them. Len is an offensive minded big man and if he’s sandwiched between guys like Tucker and Chandler, you best believe he’s going to get his. Being only 8.5 underdogs to the Rockets, this is a very stackable game (214 over/under) and to be honest, even if he’s not starting, I still love the play.
Photo taken by flickr user ReneS (flickr) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
