Cash Plays
DeAngelo Russell ($6,400) – Russell has seen a good increase in both his usage and overall numbers since Lou Williams got traded. He had some duds before the all-star break, but since then he has averaged 21.8 points per game to go along with 5 straight games of 25+ fantasy points. Tonight he gets to go up against Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans, who are giving up the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.
Seth Curry ($6,300) – Seth Curry has now strung together 5 games of at least 30 fantasy points. During that time, he has averaged a whopping 36.4 minutes per game. Wesley Matthews said he would return tonight, but that shouldn’t stop Curry from seeing 30+ minutes yet again due to his recent production. Curry is a safe cash game pick tonight when the Mavs take on the Thunder at American Airlines Center.
T.J. Warren ($5,500) – Another guy with recent success I’ll be looking to get into my lineups is T.J. Warren of the Phoenix Suns. He’s been extremely consistent since P.J. Tucker left Phoenix, averaging 17.6 points and 6.8 rebounds as the Suns go to small forward. It appears the great scoring numbers Warren had to start the year are back in full effect, and it is likely he is heavily owned tonight as many will take advantage of his still low price tag. The Suns will be squaring of with the Celtics tonight, a team that has actually given up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing small forwards over their last 5 games. Definitely look to get Warren into your cash game lineups against Boston.
Anthony Davis ($11,200) – I think Westbrook is a bit too pricey for me tonight, but the next highest priced guy on the slate, Anthony Davis, is a player I definitely have on my radar tonight. He has posted 53+ fantasy points in 3 of his last 4 games, proving that the addition of DeMarcus Cousins is doing little to stifle his fantasy production. Actually, since Cousins has arrived Davis has averaged 33.6 points to go along with 10.6 rebounds a game. Tonight, he gets a matchup with a Lakers team that have given up the 2nd most fantasy points to both the power forward and center positions this year. Plug Davis into your cash game lineups and watch him feast.
Alan Williams ($6,000) – Alex Len may still be the starter, but Alan Williams is the center the Suns are looking to give 30+ minutes to lately. He has put up 3 games of at least 33 fantasy points over his last 4 going into his matchup tonight against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are pretty average when it comes to guarding the center. However, the reason why I like Williams tonight is because they aren’t particularly good at stopping opposing big men from grabbing boards, as they are 7th worst in the league in rebounds given up per game to opposing centers. Considering Williams has shown he’s a great rebounder (he’s averaging 10.8 in his last 5 games in which he’s seen 20+ minutes), I don’t see him having a problem scoring 30 fantasy points yet again tonight and reaching value for your team.
GPP Plays
Darren Collison ($5,500) – Between Collison and Ty Lawson you never really know who’s going to step up for the Kings backcourt on any given night. However, considering Collison is the Kings starter and go to #1 option while Buddy Hield still developing I’m going to have to go with him tonight against a tough Utah Jazz defense. At $5,500 Collison will need roughly 25-30 FP to reach value for your team, which he shouldn’t have a problem doing with his recent increase in usage due to DeMarcus Cousin’s departure. Collison should be very low owned tonight and a great point guard option in your tournament lineups.
Nick Young ($4,100) – Nick Young hasn’t scored over 15 fantasy points in his last 5 games and will be passed on by just about everyone tonight. At his price point I don’t think there’s too much risk considering his average is around 19 fantasy points per game, and that’s around what he needs to reach value tonight. When he faced New Orleans earlier in the year he was able to put up 15 points, 2 assists, and a rebound in only 20 minutes of action. It’s a small sample size, but he didn’t seem to have a problem scoring against the Pelicans weak backcourt defense. He’s shown he has crazy upside and could be a great play tonight in GPP lineups. Use him at your own risk.
Jae Crowder ($5,900) – Crowder is a guy that shouldn’t be too owned tonight for his matchup against Phoenix. The Suns are in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points given up to opposing small forwards and Crowder is now priced under $6,000. If there was a time to get Crowder into your tournament lineup I think it would be tonight against Phoenix.
Markieff Morris ($6,800) – Markieff Morris has the yellow “GTD” badge next to his name for tonight’s matchup against the Orlando Magic, though he is expected to play considering he only has a left thigh bruise. The Magic are last in the league over their last 10 games in fantasy points given up to opposing power forwards. Morris has serious upside tonight against them and should have a low own % to go along with it.
Steven Adams ($5,700) – Adams hasn’t played particularly well coming out of the all-star break, posting less than 20 fantasy point twice in 5 games. I do like him tonight, however, against a Dallas Mavericks defense that has struggled to defend the center position over their last 5 games, giving up 49.8 FP a game. If the Thunder can work him into the offense tonight he should be able to get 25-30 fantasy points and reach value for your GPP lineup.