Scouting The NBA by Nate Weitzer – 12/22/17

Plays of the Day

Value: OG Anunoby is definitely worth rolling with at this cheap price tag after dropping 20 points over 31 minutes as a starter last night. He’s athletic and fully capable of exceeding value in a matchup against the fast-paced Sixers.

Fade: LaMarcus Aldridge and the Spurs could win easily on the road tonight since the Jazz might be without elite rookie Donovan Mitchell (toe) in addition to Rudy Gobert (knee). With both players out, Utah struggles to compete on both ends of the floor.

 

Point Guard

Kyle Lowry – (8,500 DK/8,800 FD)

With a strong hometown narrative going as the Philadelphia native plays the struggling Sixers, Lowry appears to be the top option at his position, slightly edging Kyrie Irving ($8.7k, $8.7k) in what should be a bounce back effort for the Celtics. The Sixers allow the fourth-most FPPG (51.08) to opposing PGs and Lowry’s had plenty of big games against them in the past

Jarrett Jack ($4.6k, $4.7k) seems like the best value option at PG tonight, especially if Kristaps Porzingis (knee) remains out tonight. Despite struggling in consecutive games, Andrew Harrison ($4.3k, $4.3k) is worth a look as a value against the fast-paced Suns and he could play more than Mario Chalmers on the second half of a B2B set.    

 

Shooting Guard

Justin Holiday – (5,600 DK/4,900 FD)

Until Zach Lavine (knee) returns, Holiday should remain a consistent scorer for the Bulls and he’s extremely cheap on FanDuel given his steady production. He’s facing a Cavs team that gives up the most 3PTM (12) per game this year and has streaking playmakers in Kris Dunn and Nikola Mirotic ready to draw the defense and open things up for him to fire.

Troy Daniels ($4.3k, $4.8k) is a low-cost tournament option to consider with Devin Booker (groin) out.

You can use Dwyane Wade ($5.4k, $5.4k) in any format as he takes on his hometown Bulls. Donovan Mitchell ($6.6k, $7.1k) will be worth a look against the Spurs if he can return from a one-game absence due to a bruised toe. If he can’t, the Jazz will likely be blown out again.

DeMar DeRozan ($8.8k, $8.8k) is clearly a good play right next to Lowry as the top options in the Raptors offense, and he could be a contrarian option given Lowry’s narrative.

 

Small Forward

Denzel Valentine – (4,100 DK/4,100 FD)

After struggling in several consecutive games, Valentine joined the surging Bulls with great output last night, producing 15 points with 10 rebounds and 5 assists over just 28 minutes in a comfortable win over the Magic. He’s dirt cheap ahead of a tough matchup against LeBron and the Cavs, but has a great chance to at least meet value and afford you salary flexibility at other positions.

LeBron James ($11.9k, $12.3k) continued to produce 60-plus FPs despite failing to maintain his recent average of a triple double on Tuesday. He’s the safest option on the board and a man that is certainly worth paying up for in cash games.

Jaylen Brown ($5.4k, $5.7k) could see more run and usage if Jayson Tatum (finger) is out in addition to Marcus Morris (knee).

OG Anunoby ($3.6k, $4.0k) is a premier value as mentioned above after dropping 20 points over 31 minutes as a starter last night.

 

Power Forward

Kristaps Porzingis – (8,900 DK/9,500 FD)

Porizingis should be able to play tonight after resting his ailing knee in consecutive games ahead of a matchup against the Celtics, who now have a target on their backs as the lead dog in the ECF. He’d become a virtual must play if active at this price tag on DK, but if he can’t go, Michael Beasley ($5.7k, $6.3k) would become a great mid-tier option in a high-usage role for the Knicks.

Ben Simmons ($9.4k, $9.8k) is dependent on the status of Joel Embiid (back) to an extent, but might actually have better assist numbers and more efficient scoring numbers if The Process returns.

Nikola Mirotic ($6.7k, $7.2k) continued to produce while leading the Bulls to a seventh consecutive win last night. He’s another relative value in a Bulls uniform against a Cavs team that struggles to guard the 3-point line. If Lauri Markkanen (back) misses this second half of a B2B set, Bobby Portis ($4.9k, $5.0k) would become an appealing option.

Jeff Green ($4.3k, $4.6k) has established a solid floor off the Cavs bench and remains a low-upside value.  

 

Center

Joel Embiid – (9,800 DK/11,500 FD)

Like Porzingis, it appears that Embiid will be ready to return after missing the Sixers last two games to rest his ailing back. They’ll certainly need him if they want to snap their current slide and he could cause matchup problems for Jonas Valanciunas ($5.6k, $5.9k), who would become a solid mid-tier option in his own right should Embiid miss another game.

Enes Kanter ($6.3k, $6.3k) would see a boost in usage if Porzingis remains out for the Knicks, while Greg Monroe ($4.7k, $5.9k) remains a relative value on DK for the offense-starved Suns, plus he should avoid Marc Gasol’s shutdown defense while Alex Len and Tyson Chandler could struggle against Big Spain.