There are 13 games tonight in the NBA, which can be overwhelming to handle. So instead of my normal article with just picks and strategy, I decided to write about (almost) every game so you can get a feel for all the relevant picks of the night. I left out a couple games, like Bulls at Bucks, because they have almost no viable players from a fantasy perspective. Good luck tonight, and if you have any questions make sure to tweet me @maxjsteinberg.
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DET @ CHA
Probable: Reggie Jackson
Doubtful: Greg Monroe, Spencer Dinwiddie
Reggie Jackson played only 22 minutes yesterday, coming down with an illness mid-game, and he was unable to make it through. He’s listed as probable though, so it seems like he’s feeling better. Jackson has been on an absolute tear since Greg Monroe went out, averaging 50.8 fantasy points (DraftKings) per game in that stretch. His backup, Spencer Dinwiddie, is doubtful as well, which assures Jackson even bigger minutes in this game. His price has risen significantly on FanDuel and DraftKings, but not enough.
Kemba Walker is a great play for Charlotte, especially on DraftKings. He’s averaging 40 minutes per game in his last 3, he’s only $7,500, and Detroit is in the bottom 1/3 in offensive fantasy points allowed this season.
PHI @ WSH
Probable: Kris Humphries
Out: Jason Richardson
Washington draws one of the best matchups in the NBA, facing the 76ers at home. However, I see only two good plays for the Wizards. John Wall has been playing 44 mpg in his last 3 games, and has averaged 57 fantasy points a game in that span! His price on DraftKings is much too low at $8,800. Marcin Gortat has been seeing big minutes as well, averaging 34 in his last 3 games. He’s fairly priced on both sites and should benefit from the 76ers sloppy offense.
The only viable play I see on the 76ers is Nerlens Noel. His price has skyrocketed, and this isn’t the best matchup, but he’s still in play for tournaments. He’s capable of monster games.
BKN @ NYK
Questionable: Travis Wear
Two players on the Nets have been playing very well in their past 3 games: Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez. It seems that the Nets have started to run their offense through Lopez, and he’s been averaging 23 points and 9 boards in his last 10 games. Joe Johnson has seen a USG increase (up to 20% in his last 3) and a minutes increase (36 mpg in his last 3). The Knicks are a fantastic matchup for both, and I like their prices best on FanDuel, Johnson especially, who’s only $5,600.
I think every Knick is either overpriced or too much of a risk to play, but I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on Andrea Bargnani. His USG has been sky high recently with no scorers in the Knicks lineup, so he can put up points in a hurry. I worry about his minutes, though.
IND @ BOS
Questionable: C.J. Miles
The viability of players on Indiana comes down to whether Miles plays. If he doesn’t, C.J. Watson at only $4,400 on both sites is a great play. He played 28 minutes yesterday when Miles went down and had 35 fantasy points. George Hill should benefit as well, with his backup Watson playing some minutes at SG. If Miles does play, however, I don’t think anyone is very fairly priced on the Pacers.
On Boston’s side, I think Isaiah Thomas is a sneaky tournament play on DraftKings. His $5,800 price is cheap for a player who has eclipsed 40 fantasy points several times for the Celtics. But he’s a risk.
TOR @ MIN
Probable: Anthony Bennett
Doubtful: Ricky Rubio, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Martin
Out: Gary Neal, Gorgui Dieng, Kyle Lowry
Lots of injuries means lots of good plays. Let’s start with Toronto.
You can count on Demar Derozan getting minutes tonight. He’s averaged 40 mpg since Kyle Lowry went down and his USG has been 31% in his last 3 games. He’s priced high, at $8,000 on both sites, but not quite high enough. Grevis Vasquez has a great FanDuel price at only $4,000, and a fantastic matchup against Zach Lavine and the worst defense in the NBA. He’ll be overlooked tonight but I think he’s a lock for 20 fantasy points. Don’t forget about Lou Williams and Jonas Valanciunas as well, both have been better with Lowry out and this matchup against this decimated T-Wolves team is incredible.
On Minnesota, a lot comes down to whether Kevin Martin plays. If he doesn’t, Zach Lavine is solid. His 43 minutes per game and 25% USG are both big numbers for a player who’s priced under $6,000. Adrien Payne is also a nice play with Gorgui Dieng out, priced at only $4,000, but is only a tournament play. And if there’s any indication that Justin Hamilton could have a minutes boost, he’s also a fine play, but coming off an horrible migraine that caused him to miss 5 games, he’s been limited to about 25 minutes.
DAL @ OKC
Probable: Monta Ellis
Out: Nick Collison, Andre Roberson
Russell Westbrook’s price has come down slightly, he’s now $12,700 on both sites. This is a good matchup as well and should be a fast-paced game, but I just don’t see enough great min-salary plays to warrant playing Westbrook tonight. I’ll try to get him in some of my tournament lineups, though. My favorite play from this game is Enes Kanter, he hasn’t been on a great run lately because of some strange games and blowouts, but he’s still underpriced on FanDuel at only $7,000. This should be a close game.
For Dallas, I like (but don’t love) most of their starters. Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, and Tyson Chandler should all be good plays. The Thunder have been playing at a torrid pace in their last 10 games, the over-under for this one is 216.
SAC @ HOU
Probable: Terrence Jones, Jason Terry, Corey Brewer
Questionable: Demarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard
Out: Donatas Motiejunas, Rudy Gay
It looks like Terrence Jones will be back for this game, but coming back from a collapsed lung he’s useless from a fantasy perspective. I think James Harden, Trevor Ariza, and Josh Smith continue to see big minutes for the Rockets, and are all great plays, but they’re all priced a little high so don’t go overboard. Smith really disappointed 2 nights ago, but I still have faith in him especially if Dwight Howard sits this one out. His price on DraftKings is fair at $6,700 in this great matchup.
Rudy Gay is out for the Kings, and Demarcus Cousins is questionable. If Cousins sits this one out, the Kings will have a lot of great values. Gay and Cousins are USG hogs. I think Ray McCallum and Omri Casspi benefit most here and are must plays if Cousins is out (as long as Casspi starts). Jason Thompson should also certainly hit value at close to min salary on both sites, and one sleeper I like is Derrick Williams. He may come off the bench but is listed at SF on DraftKings and his USG was 33.6% in his previous game without Cousins. He’s min salary.
DEN @ UTA
Questionable: Darrell Arthur, Derrick Favors
Out: Rodney Hood
Utah is one of the slowest paced teams in the NBA, so I don’t love any Nuggets here. But I do love some Jazz players, particularly Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward. Their prices are high but this matchup with the Nuggets is one of the most favorable in the league. If Derrick Favors is out, Trevor Booker becomes a must-play. He’s averaged 14.5 points and 8 rebounds with Favors out and is under $4,500 on both FanDuel and DraftKings.
LAC @ POR
Out: Jamal Crawford
The Clippers are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Warriors and are on a back-to-back, so they are 2.5 point underdogs to the Trailblazers here. Blake Griffin is coming off an awesome game, and it’s possible that confidence will help him in an important game. He’s underpriced on both sites. I’m worried Chris Paul may be tired having to handle Steph Curry last night, but his price on DraftKings is exceptional at $9,600 and the Trailblazers have struggled against PGs all year.
My favorite play on the Blazers is Nic Batum, he’s fairly priced on both sites and the Clippers are bottom 5 in fantasy points allowed to SFs. He should benefit from a fast-paced game.
NOP @ LAL
Questionable: Ryan Anderson, Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Lin
Ryan Anderson may be back tonight, but coming off a knee injury he should be very limited. And it’s hard to tell whether Boozer or Lin will play tonight, I think they’re both 50/50.
Anthony Davis has an incredibly favorable matchup here going against Ryan Kelly and an absolutely awful Lakers D. His $11,400 price tag on DraftKings puts him in close to must-play territory.
For the Lakers, Jordan Clarkson, Wes Johnson, Wayne Ellington, and Jabari Brown are great plays if Lin is out, but get infinitely worse if Lin plays. Clarkson has a great price on DraftKings especially at only $6,000. I also still like Jordan Hill if Boozer sits, his production has been amazing off the bench.
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