Point Guard
PG Damian Lillard– 8,800 FD & 10,400 DK
With C.J McCollum sidelined due to a one- game suspension for his actions in a pre-season altercation, expect Damian Lillard’s overall usage to go through the roof. Vegas has the Portland Trail Blazers favored by 1.5 points with a 217 O/U. These projected points need to come from somewhere. Portland’s offense over the last few seasons has been reliant on the C.J McCollum/ Damian Lillard duo – beside recently acquired Jusuf Nurkic, Portland does NOT have an excess of offensively capable players. I fully expect the Portland Trail Blazers to be carried by two players tonight, Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic. Both players are at reasonable industry salaries considering their expected usage in close game with a 217 O/U.
Other Cash PG Option(s): Kemba Walker & Eric Bledsoe
Shooting Guard
SG Bradley Beal – 7,300 FD & 7,000 DK
Bradley Beal has a very favorable matchup tonight against the always vulnerable Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers were in the bottom five percentile in points allowed to opposing shooting guards throughout the 2016-2017 season. Let’s not get too tricky here. Bradley Beal is one of the best guards in the league facing either Jerryd Bayless or J.J Redick – neither of whom have a chance at containing Beal. The Washington Wizards are favored at – 6.5 with a 217.5 O/U.
Other Cash SG Option(s): James Harden (If Chris Paul is out James Harden is a Lock on all formats)
Small Forward
SF Robert Covington – 6,400 FD & 5,000 DK
Covington is a three-point shooting, rebounding/assist/steals/blocks monster. Covington might be one of the best all-around players in the East in terms of racking up a variety of stats. The 76ers have a young and inexperienced team and will be looking to the veteran in Robert Covington to lead the “Process”. While the 76ers are young and inexperienced, they’re extremely talented and capable of running with any team in the league. Covington should be matching up against Otto Porter tonight but that’s not what I’m targeting, I just think Robert Covington’s overall involvement in the game makes him a safe cash play, especially for the reasonable salaries of 6,400 on Fan Duel & 5,000 on Draft Kings. The Philadelphia 76ers are underdog’s at + 7 with a 217.5 O/U.
Other Cash SF Option(s): Maurice Harkless & Jimmy Butler
Power Forward
PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge – 7,000 FD & 7,300 DK
With Kawhi Leonard out the San Antonio Spurs have a major void in their offense. The question is, who benefits from the absence of such an impactful player like Kawhi Leonard? The Answer, LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is a consistent veteran who Coach Gregg Popovich loves to let loose in situations where injury changes their normal game plan. With 21 year old Dejounte Murray running the point tonight, I would assume Popovich gets the ball out of his hands as quickly as possible and into the post allowing Aldridge to take advantage of the mismatch of either Taj Gibson or Karl Anthony Towns – both poor matchups against the 6 foot 11 inch, 260 pound big man. This will be a close battle and San Antonio will need LaMarcus Aldridge on the court if they’re going to beat a Timberwolves squad let by 2016’s Rookie of the Year, Karl Anthony Towns. The San Antonio Spurs are favored at -1.5 with a 205.5 O/U.
Other Cash PF Option(s): Rondae Hollis-Jefferson & Jason Smith (Value GPP/ Cheap Cash play)
Center
C Jusuf Nurkic – 7,500 FD & 7,500 DK
As I mentioned in the Damian Lillard write-up, tonight’s offensive output by the Portland Trail Blazers is dependent on two players, Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic fully showcased his abilities for the first time last season on Denver and Portland (later in the season). Make no mistake about it, last year was not a fluke. Jusuf Nurkic is capable of pulling down 15+ rebound on any given night, pairing that with his blocking abilities AND the extra usage he’s going to see with McCollum out, Jusuf Nurkic is a lock for me at such reasonable salaries.
Other Cash Center Option(s): Myles Turner
