Plays of the Day
Value: Tyson Chandler should return to action tonight after resting on Tuesday and he’s been on fire with 21 points and 30 boards over two appearances prior to getting that maintenance day. Provided he plays around 30 minutes tonight, the big man is a good bet for a double double at a cheap price tag on DK.
Fade: Russell Westbrook is coming off a couple of huge games as he’s led the Thunder on a winning streak, but OKC might win easily in Brooklyn and that could hurt his value. With elite options at SG tonight, it’s tough to pay all the way up for the top PG.
Point Guard
Mike James – (4,400 DK/4,400 FD)
The PG position is a trick one on this short slate and it seems to make sense to go with a value play over the extremely pricey Russell Westbrook despite his obvious upside against the fast-paced Nets. Chris Paul ($7.6, $8.3k) is a decent cash play in the upper-tier range, but after getting his 45-day deal turned into a full-time contract, Mike James could be in line for an increased role. Devin Booker (groin) is out for at least two weeks and James boasts a 33 percent usage rate with Booker off the floor this year.
Tomas Satoransky ($4.1k, $4.7k) is a low-upside cash play to consider if you’re worried about the risk with James. Spencer Dinwiddie ($6.5k, $7.2k) is another cash play at a slightly cheaper price tag than Paul, although he comes with more risk in a matchup against Westbrook.
Shooting Guard
Donovan Mitchell – (7,200 DK/7,500 FD)
The rookie is taking the league by storm right now and he’s the best per-dollar option at a loaded SG position tonight. Matching up against James Harden ($11k, $11.5k) increases his offensive prospects as long as he can avoid foul trouble and the Jazz will continue to run the offense through Mitchell in what should be a high-scoring home tilt.
Bradley Beal ($8.1k, $8.6k) is the other premier option in this price range after he went off for 51 points on Tuesday. It may be worth fading Beal in tournaments given his likely high ownership rate, but you can’t beat his matchup against a Suns team that gives up the most PPG (115.7) in the NBA and coughs up the third-most FPPG (44.32) to opposing SGs.
For value, consider Troy Daniels ($4.1k, $3.7k) as a possible replacement for Devin Booker. He’s an excellent shooter and could try to slide into Booker’s role.
Small Forward
Brandon Ingram – (6,400 DK/6,800 FD)
Ingram is an obvious play tonight in my opinion along with fellow young wing Kyle Kuzma ($5.5k, $5.4k), who is also under priced on both main DFS sites. Ingram had a coming out party with 32 points against the defending champion Warriors and continues to pour it in with 38 points over his last two outings.
The Sixers have been generous to opposing wings all season, while the Lakers aggressive defensive style could help Robert Covington ($6.4k, $6.7k) get open looks as defenders collapse on Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($5.4k, $7.2k) is notably cheaper on DK tonight and Kelly Oubre Jr. ($5.0k, $5.3k) remains a solid mid-tier play with John Wall out for the Wizards.
Power Forward
Dario Saric – (5,300 DK/6,400 FD)
If he’s able to suit up tonight and play through an eye injury, Saric will be a solid per-dollar option with a good floor in this matchup. The Lakers rotate too many bigs for any one to be considered safe, but Larry Nance Jr. ($4.9k, $4.7k) is probably the best bet for cash games.
Ben Simmons ($9.9k, $10.5k) is the tournament play worth splurging for on DK and he stands well above the other PF options on FanDuel.
It’s worth noting that T.J. Warren ($6.5k, $8.1k) actually sees a drop in usage rate when Devin Booker is off the floor, so he seems a bit over priced on FD tonight.
Center
Joel Embiid – (10,100 DK/10,800 FD)
Embiid posted one of the most eye-popping lines of the season against the Lakers last month and there’s little reason to expect much less from The Process against a team that gives up the fifth-most FPPG (54.32) to opposing centers this year.
Rudy Gobert ($6.2k, $7.6k) is not worth deploying yet until we see him play 30 minutes, but his presence makes Clint Capela far less desirable.
Steven Adams ($6.1k, $6.9k) is a good GPP option against a Nets team that’s been completely porous in the paint and Tyson Chandler ($4.5k, $5.3k) is a viable option in any format provided he returns to the Suns SLU after sitting out Tuesday’s contest to rest.
