NBA on DraftKings 3/23/16

In such a large slate of games, the player pool can be overwhelming.  The players I wrote up today don’t even cover all of the options, but these are the guys I like the most compared to the players priced similarly at their positions.

 

PG

My favorite play:

Brandon Knight, $7,300- He’s averaging 53 fantasy points in 3 games versus the Lakers, and even though I don’t expect him to put up THOSE types of numbers, it must be mentioned that the ceiling is high tonight for a PG that is seeing heavy minutes at a reasonable price tag.

Top options:

Chris Paul, $9,700- Paul seems to get up for big matchups, and the Warriors are no exception to this trend.  He’s averaging 50 fantasy points per game versus Golden State this year, and with Curry not playing to the elite level we have grown accustomed to recently, I think it’s safe to fade him and go down to CP3 tonight.

John Wall, $9,600- I don’t want to offer too many options at similar prices, but John Wall needs to be considered at this point considering his recent form. Averaging almost 50 fantasy points against Atlanta this year, and coming off of a game on the road versus the same team where he put up 56.75, he gets an even better scenario being at home this time around.

Kyle Lowry, $8,300- If you want save a little from the highest options here, Lowry is your guy.  He went 50+ a few days ago versus Boston, and Lowry has been in great form (47 fantasy points in last 6 games).  Boston is great against opposing backcourts, but Lowry doesn’t seem to mind so far this year.

Ricky Rubio, $7,100- His price tag is climbing since he’s scored 50+ in 3 of his last 5 games, but at $7,100, it’s still not done climbing if he keeps this up.  Just be weary that Rubio can go out and put up only 30, which at his new price tag can ruin your lineups.

Reggie Jackson, $6,200- You should only target this guy at home, and with Caldwell-Pope inactive tonight, Jackson should get more shot attempts.  Solid GPP option.

Deron Williams, $5,400- With Parsons potentially out for the year, the fantasy production in Dallas has been spread around the roster.  Williams is one of those guys benefiting, and it’s hard to ignore the 65+ fantasy points he poured on Portland his last game out.

Cheap play:

JJ Barea, $3,600- If Wes Matthews sits, Barea could be in line for around 25 minutes, and he tends to exceed his price tag any time he gets that kind of run.

 

SG

My favorite play:

Lou Williams, $5,200- If Russell sits, Williams is someone I’ll have full exposure to.  If Kobe also sits, I’ll have more than full exposure.  I’ll find a way to make that possible while I wait and see on the injury reports.

Top options:

CJ McCollum, $6,600- 40+ fantasy points in his last three games, McCollum looks as if he’s gotten out of a little slump.  The ceiling isn’t high, and if he has an off night shooting he will kill you, but considering his recent form, this price tag is too low.

Andrew Wiggins, $6,400 & Zach LaVine, $6,000- I mean, they are pretty much the same player on the stat sheet ever since LaVine has been receiving heavy minutes, but Wiggins has a little more upside.  They are in a great spot, so you can choose a higher ceiling at a little more salary, or lock in you 30 fantasy points at just a little cheaper of a cost.

Will Barton, $5,500- Hm.  I thought I was done with this guy, but here we are.  GPP only folks, and I don’t feel good about it because whenever I mention him he tends to stink up the joint.

Cheap play:

Tim Hardaway Jr., $4,000- Continue to monitor this guys minutes, but as of late he’s played well, and it should be interesting to see if Atlanta continues to use him at this rate.  GPP.

 

SF

My favorite play:

Stanley Johnson, $3,800- If he starts tonight, I think Stanley Johnson is a great value play.  Yes, it’s a GPP option, but Johnson played well when he was starting earlier this year, so perhaps this will be a chance to score a good player at a cheap price.  The Pistons’ roster is much different than what it once was when Johnson did start, so be cautious when considering him.

Top options:

LeBron James, $9,400- DraftKings has priced LeBron here now instead of his usual $10k range, and of course he goes out and lights it up last game when I refused to consider him considering he showed us zero ceiling throughout the year.  Kevin Love was out last game, and we expect him to return tonight, but you need to consider James here because, well, its LeBron James.

Kawhi Leonard, $8,000- Try to stay away from this game tonight because it’s a matchup with two defensive teams.  With that said, Kawhi has that upside you want and the Heat struggle to defend the wing.  He dropped 47 fantasy points in their last matchup, so hopefully that can continue.

Otto Porter, $5,100- 41.5 fantasy points his last game, and he gets the same team tonight at home.  There is a solid chance he struggles to return value considering Porter’s lackluster season thus far, but I don’t like the position tonight, so you need to consider him.  He will be highly owned.

Cheap play:

Thabo Sefoloshia, $3,800- Meh.  You won’t feel good about it, but Sefoloshia has been exceeding his price tag lately.  I would only go this route in cash if you need salary relief.

 

PF

My favorite play:

Dirk Nowitzki, $7,100- Chalk.  And for good reason.  Dirk is on fire lately, averaging 47 fantasy points in his last 4 games.  With Parsons out, Dirk is the clear #1 option in Dallas once again.  If you want to get contrarian, this is the guy you want to fade, but that seems like a scary proposition that will leave you behind the 8-ball tonight.

Top options:

Derrick Favors, $7,200- Aha!  The fade from Dirk.  Favors put up 47 fantasy points in his last matchup versus the Rockets, and with Houston coming off a tough game versus the Thunder last night, this becomes an even more favorable (oh, the puns!) matchup.

Kevin Love, $6,700- Another fade at a cheaper price, Love has that ability to exceed this price tag.  He’s averaging 48 fantasy points in two games versus the Timberwolves, and returning from illness shouldn’t limit him.  I love this play (yep, didn’t need to add that last sentence, but let’s see if I can keep this streak going).

Taj Gibson, $5,300- With Gasol on a minutes restriction, Gibson will continue to get run as the low post man for the Bulls.  It’s not the Taj Mahal of matchups (he did it!) with New York, but with solid minutes coming his way, he should pay off this price.

Cheap play:

Jon Leur, $3,600- With Chandler expected to miss some time, Jon Leur should be starting for the Suns.  His 36+ fantasy points in 31 minutes last time out will lure (4 in a row) a lot of attention from the fantasy community, so try to fade him if you are looking for a unique lineup.

 

C

My favorite play:

Dwight Howard, $6,700- Averaging 40 fantasy points in 2 games versus Utah, Howard is a great building block tonight.

Top options:

Andre Drummond, $7,600- He plays better at home, Vucevic has been ruled out for Orlando, and this Makes Drummond a sexy play.

Alex Len, $6,600- He should get the start at the 5 tonight, which I believe will help Len get back into form.  Since Knight has returned, however, Len has struggled.  So be cautious.

Robin Lopez, $5,700- He’s on fire, and Chicago’s front court is beat up.  Lopez has struggled so far this season versus the Bulls, but I expect that to change tonight.

Mason Plumlee, $4,600- Averaging 30+ fantasy points in 2 games versus the Mavericks this season, Plumlee should continue to produce as he is seeing solid minutes recently.

Cheap plays:

Willie Cauley-Stein, $3,600- No cousins tonight, but don’t just lock in Cauley-Stein.  Sacramento has been tough to predict lately, and they could just go small and leave Cauley-Stein worthless as a fantasy option.

Salah Merji, $3,400- He’s getting the start tonight, and considering he put up 46 fantasy points in his last game against Portland, this seems like a lock.  But remember this: you don’t know who this guy is.  Like, who is this man we call Salah Merji?  I don’t know.  He didn’t really play before his last game.  Hard to trust, but hard to pass up.

Ryan Jackson

About Ryan Jackson

My name is Ryan Jackson and I love fantasy sports. I graduated from the University of Maine in 2014 with a degree in Journalism, and I am now a graduate student at Quinnipiac University working on a sports journalism degree.