Monday NBA Tipps: Bargain Tournament Picks
Now that football is officially over, NBA basketball is the biggest game in town. There are daily tournaments on just about every site and player information is really becoming easier to find. A couple of guys have been posting some good injury information in the forums and the RG guys have been adding even more information on the Twitter feed and the RG NBA page, so be sure to check those daily. Here’s what I’ve got for bargain tournament picks tonight:
Point Guard
Greivis Vasquez (NOR) – I haven’t seen a definite report on Jarrett Jack today, but he’s currently listed as questionable after missing his last two games. Vazquez has picked up both starts for the injured Jack and has put up 29 and 24 fantasy points. He was actually becoming a productive fantasy player even before Jack went down, so give him a look at the right salary tonight.
Jeremy Lin (NYK) – The Knicks gave Lin 36 minutes of run Saturday and he rewarded fantasy owners with 25pt/7ast/5reb/2stl. I don’t see any reason why the Knicks wouldn’t roll with him again Monday and ride the hot streak. Check it for game time and get him in there if he’s starting.
Chris Duhon (ORL) – Jameer Nelson is again questionable with a concussion injury. If Nelson can’t play, Chris Duhon will get the start. He isn’t going to post a huge line, but something around 20 fantasy points isn’t out of the question.
Jerryd Bayless (TOR) – Bayless has moved into the starting lineup next to Jose Calderon and has averaged 14 points a game on 12 shot attempts per night in his last six games. He’s definitely worth a play if he continues to start.
Shooting Guard
Daequan Cook (OKC) – The Thunder have been without Thabo Sefolosha for several games and Daequan Cook has moved into the starting SG role in a timeshare with James Harden. Cook has averaged about 31 minutes a game over his last four, putting up 23, 17, 15 and 16 fantasy points.
Jordan Farmar (NJN) – Anthony Morrow is out due to a death in his family, so Farmar should pick up the start at shooting guard tonight. Farmar put up a few good lines recently when Morrow was out with an ankle injury and could do the same again tonight.
Jamal Crawford (POR) – Raymond Felton is dealing with a sprained foot and could miss tonight’s game against Oklahoma City. Crawford is probably the best option to start at point guard for the Blazers. Even if he doesn’t start, he should still see big minutes as a backup.
Marcus Thornton (SAC) – Thornton is one of those guys who has a huge upside when he’s in the zone and that’s exactly what you want in a GPP Tourney. His salary is reasonable and the upside it high.
Small Forward
Shawne Williams (NJN) – Williams has averaged over 30 minutes a game over his last five and should be able to pick up at least that many minutes tonight with Anthony Morrow out. He won’t put up a huge line, but his salary is close to minimum, which is a good deal for any player with a starting job and 30+ minutes.
Linas Kleiza (TOR) – Bargains at the small forward spot are really hard to find today, but Kleiza could be a nice pick for the Raptors against a terrible Washington team. Kleiza has the ability to grab you 20 fantasy points just about any night and could easily do so against the Wizards.
Nicolas Batum (POR) – Batum put up 40 fantasy points in his last game and should get big minutes Monday, especially if Jamal Crawford has to move to PG to cover for Raymond Felton.
Trevor Ariza (NOR) – Ariza had a great game Saturday putting up 39 fantasy points with Jarrett Jack out. If Jack misses again, the Hornets could continue to ask Ariza to shoulder the offensive load, which could mean some nice fantasy stats against a mediocre Kings team.
Power Forward
Trevor Booker (WAS) – Booker has grabbed the starting power forward spot for the Wizards for the next month with Andray Blatche out. He doesn’t put up huge lines, but he can get you 20-25 fantasy points on any given night.
Ed Davis (TOR) – Davis has really been improving over his last four games, posting two double-doubles and just missing two more. Andrea Bargnani is out for the Raptors, so Davis should get the start against a very weak Washington Wizards interior and could have a big night.
Al Harrington (DEN) – Timofey Mozgov is questionable with an injury, so Harrington could be in line for big minutes Monday. He’s a high risk/high reward play, but he’s managed 15, 33, 14, 37 and 27 fantasy points over his last five games.
Hedo Turkoglu (ORL) – Turkoglu has really seen his stats pop with Jameer Nelson out of the lineup. He’s been asked to handle the offense as a point forward type of player and has also been taking his share of shots, averaging 13 shot attempts over his last three games. He’s posted 19, 28 and 25 fantasy points in his last three.
Center
Ivan Johnson (ATL) – The Hawks just lost Jason Collins and Johnson will likely be the recipient of some extra minutes. He’s been posting some great lines putting up 25 and 21 fantasy points in his last two games.
Kosta Koufos (DEN) – Koufos got the start Saturday with Timofey Mozgov sidelined with an injury and he didn’t disappoint, putting up 16 points and 12 rebounds. He should draw the start again tonight if Mozgov can’t go.
Mehmet Okur (NJN) – Okur is still a stud. Unfortunately, he’s hurt so avoid him, especially you Roogslabblers.
Tiago Splitter (SAS) – Tim Duncan is due for one of his random rests soon, so check his game time status and if you see Duncan is a scratch, grab Splitter.
Jason Thompson (SAC) – Chuck Hayes continues to have problems with his shoulder and his minutes have been limited. Thompson continues to start at power forward and has put up three straight double-doubles.
Also, remember guys, I’m writing this very early Monday morning, so be sure to check the status of all these players and keep an eye on the RG Twitter feed for updates.