After a huge Friday night slate, we have just five games on Saturday evening. While some positions are a tad thin tonight, others offer some decent value. Below I’ll share with you some of my NBA Daily plays for tonight’s games.
Point Guards
If you’re spending top dollar at any position tonight, it would likely be at the point guard position. Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, and Damian Lillard are all in play. Of the three, I’m going to roll with Curry. He’s been playing extremely well in recent games. In the last five games, he is averaging 27.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 4.2 three-pointers made. He’s topped 50 fantasy points in consecutive games. I’ll continue to roll with Curry until he cools off. A tad more on the economical side is Ty Lawson. His scoring has been inconsistent this season, but he’s averaging 48 fantasy points per game against the Trail Blazers on DraftKings. He has also topped his season average in fantasy points in three of the last four games. He’s playing well and is playing against a team he’s had much success with this season, what’s not to like? Dennis Schroder and Langston Galloway are two more economical point guards to consider. Schroder offers the higher ceiling of the two. He started in Teague’s place last night and will get the start again tonight. Schroder scored 34.8 fantasy points while filling in and has topped 30 points in four of his last seven games. He’s only $4,600 on DraftKings!
Shooting Guard
The options for this position are scarce today. On the high-end option Jimmy Butler and Klay Thompson are in play. I’m leaning more towards Butler despite him being more expensive because he’s hit his ceiling more often than Thompson has reached his in the last 10 games. In addition, Butler crushed the Knicks in their last meeting as he topped 60 fantasy points. The only concern I have is a potential blowout, but even if that happens, he should produce quality numbers. On Fan Duel however, it’s hard to pass up on Thompson if you’re shooting for the high-end shooting guard. He’s only $6,800. He hasn’t played extremely well as of late and is nursing an injury, but always has the potential for a 40+ fantasy point game and Draymond Green isn’t playing. Gerald Henderson is a mid-level player that I’m eyeing tonight. He could see a higher usage rate with the absence of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He’s posted 30+ fantasy points in consecutive games on DraftKings and could be in for his third in a row as the Hawks have surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards in their last five games. Dion Waiters and Kyle Korver are also both inexpensive options. Waiters is more fitting for GPP’s because he’s inconsistent. Now I know Korver isn’t Mr. Consistent either, but he is cheaper on both sites and offers a safer floor. Not to mention, he gets the minutes and needs about 24 fantasy points to hit value, which isn’t out of range.
Small Forward
Here’s another position with limited options, but options none the less. Gordon Hayward is the small forward to pay up for tonight. He returned to action after missing a couple of games with a shoulder injury and scored 24 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, had 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, and made one from downtown. He’s the most expensive small forward tonight, but isn’t too expensive where you’ll have to cut back at other positions. He’s played well against the Thunder this season and should continue to do so tonight as they’re allowing the third most fantasy points to small forwards in their last five games. If you don’t want to spend much too much on this position, Wilson Chandler is someone to strongly consider. He’s been playing well in recent games as he has topped his season average in fantasy points in seven of the last 10 games. He’s reasonably priced on both sites so you’re not risking a ton of your salary on him. Not to mention, this game has high scoring implications as it has the highest over/under of the night. He’s a safe bet to at least be near value tonight. Now that Draymond Green is out and Andre Iguodala was already ruled out, Harrison Barnes makes an intriguing punt play. He’s cheaper than $4,700 on both sites and could see a higher usage rate tonight.
Power Forwards
Finally we get to a position with several of options to choose from. LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol are both in play tonight. Of the two I’m leaning more towards Aldridge. The Nuggets surrender 45 fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards and is averaging 48.9 fantasy points per game against them this season. He continues to play at a high-level and provides a safe floor. The bonus is this chop licking matchup. Gasol is a close second, but I’m too concerned about a potential blowout in Chicago, which could lead to reduced minutes for Gasol and potentially limiting his ceiling. If you’re looking to spend less for whatever reason at power forward tonight, Ersan Ilyasova is someone to consider. He’s played extremely well in recent games as he’s topped 40 fantasy points in three of the last four games. He’s cheaper than $7,000 on both sites too. Based on his recent performances, he should have no trouble hitting value tonight. The Warriors are in the middle of the pack as far as defending power forwards and the last time he played against them he topped 30 fantasy points. I’d ride this hot streak he’s on.
Centers
What’s concerning the most about all the high-end centers is that they all have tough matchups. However, if I had to choose one, I’d go with Enes Kanter. He’s put together seven consecutive double-doubles and has been playing lights out despite dealing with an ankle injury. Kanter will face his former team, so there’s a good chance he gives it a little extra effort tonight. He has topped 40 fantasy points in four of his last nine games on FanDuel and has scored 40 or more fantasy points in six of the last nine games on DraftKings. He’s not too expensive on either site, which is also a plus. As far as more economical options, Zaza Pachulia and Steve Adams are in play. Pachulia has played like a possessed man in some of his recent games. On DraftKings he topped 50 fantasy points in two of his last four games, while on Fan Duel he’s topped 46. He has five double-doubles in five of his last 10 games. The last time he played against the Warriors he grabbed 10 boards and scored 13 points, which was good for 37 fantasy points. He’s a low risk, high reward play and makes a decent option in both cash games and tournaments.
Good luck to all tonight!
