Point Guard
Ray McCallum (DK $3000, FD $4100, 18.3 USG w/ MEM)
If there was ever proof that DraftKings pricing algorithm is based on player popularity, this is it. Ray McCallum has just been added to the player pool for the first time as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. Because no one has been able to roster him since he’s signed his 10 day contract with MEM, they’ve priced him at the bare minimum He’ll be over 90% owned tonight and then next time you’ll want to roster him, he’ll be over $4000 and so on. On FD, his pricing makes a little more sense and makes him fade-able but still recommended for cash. Being the only natural point guard on the team, he played 27 minutes in his Grizzlies debut on Saturday, scoring 27.50 DKPTS/24.80 FDPTS. Today, Memphis faces the Rockets in a game that has a healthy over/under of 210 with HOU being 10.5 favorites (winning 6 out of their last 10, I kinda like the Grizz to cover despite the injuries).Houston is 23rd overall in DEF EFF and 14th in DvP. McCallum’s per 36 numbers (26.05 DKPTS) and USG% (17.6) through the years suggest to us that he’ll likely have a low ceiling as the season goes on, so let’s temper our expectations once he gets near the 5K range. For now though, deploy in all formats.
Shooting Guard
Josh Richardson (DK $3800, FD $3900, 12.8 USG)
I’ll just state that I much prefer Richardson if Wade sits again with his bruised thigh. If Wade plays, he’s not nearly as attractive but also not terrible considering he gets decent playing time anyways. We’ve targeting this Denver backcourt over and over again, and they continue to give up fantasy gems to guards (26th in DvP against SG’s). You have to go into this knowing that he doesn’t do much in the scoring column, but does a lit bit of everything else. He’s only taken double-digit shot attempts once all season (3 days ago against CHI, he shot 9 for 12). Â He doesn’t have much upside for GPP’s but could provide a safe floor if the situation plays itself out for him. I think the real move is to spend on the middle tier guys tonight. Guys like LaVine, KCP, Wiggins and Booker are all in great spots to succeed.
Small Forward
Tony Allen (DK $4900, FD $4600, 15.8 USG)
It’s a tough time to be a Memphis fan. They’ve already lost their bigs and smalls. Now, they come into tonight’s game against the Rockets with Lance Stevenson and Vince Carter both questionable. If one or God forbid both were to sit, Allen would see a majority of the minutes at the 2. In all likelihood, he was going to see plenty of time regardless being the main guy given the task of defending Harden. Over the last 8 games these teams have played against each other, he’s held the Beard to under 40 DKPTS 4 times (twice under 30). Allen’s inconsistencies has kept him as one of the lone Memphis guys still under 5K you can take advantage of. Given the matchup (HOU 24th in DvP against SG’s) and situation, Allen makes for a fine play if MEM can keep this one close.
Power Forward
Taj Gibson (DK $4400, $5100, 14.2 USG) Nikola Mirotic (DK $4500, FD $4700, 20.9 USG)
You could go either way here with Pau Gasol set to miss tonight’s game against the Raptors. Both guys will be forced into big minutes and Mirotic was even seen practicing with the starters at this morning’s shootaround. Derrick Rose is also questionable and Jimmy Butler is playing but could be on a minutes restriction so I prefer Mirotic with him having to do more of the heavy lifting on offense. In the 3 games against TOR with at least 25 minutes played, Niko is averaging 33.87 DKPTS (one being 54.3 DKPTS on 3/20/15). I think most people will also be on Mirotic making Gibson the better GPP play if he happens to outproduce him. In 3 games without Pau this year, Gibson is averaging 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds for 24 DKPTS. Nothing spectacular but a relatively safe floor.
Center
Enes Kanter (DK $4600, FD $5000, 22.9 USG)
Personally, I’ll be spending up at the position tonight but Kanter is worth consideration if looking to punt. You can’t ignore the production over his last 4 games. He’s averaging 32.525 DKPTS with at least 12 rebounds in 3 of those. You’re getting Jokic-like production for almost 2K less. Kanter’snot gonna get you assists, steals or blocks so those rebounds are huge for a guy like him. Â The matchup against Portland is one we’ve targeted often on the year, as they’ve given up the 11th most fantasy points to opposing centers, 25th in DvP. With an over/under of 220.5, this game is not a bad one to target even if we know where most of the fantasy production will be coming from. Hint: there’s two guys on POR and two guys on OKC.
Featured Image Credit: By Chris Green (Chrisg21090 at en.wikipedia) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
