NBA Expert Picks Preview: Friday, February 20th
Glean insight from the best minds in the industry as they list picks they’ll actually be targeting in their tournament games, along with detailed analysis and reasoning.
Author Disclaimer: Please remember, these picks are not necessarily safe for your 50/50-H2H games. They are intended to separate yourself from the herd in an attempt to be contrarian and different. The most logical outcomes don’t always play out on a given NBA slate, so we are looking for the guys that may surprise, that few will roster.
Friday, February 20
Point Guard
Kyle Lowry – There’s an absurd amount of value at point guard (and every position, really) due to just about half of the NBA getting traded yesterday. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the fact remains that it’s not going to be hard to build a lineup that you love. The problem is that everyone else is going to feel that way too. I don’t expect any point guards above Derrick Rose to be highly owned tomorrow, which is why a guy like Lowry makes for a great GPP play. He was pretty bad down the stretch before the break, putting up pedestrian numbers (for him) and getting torched nightly by opposing point guards. With no talk of an injury, it’s possible he was just extremely worn down by heavy minutes and having to carry the team nightly when DeRozan was out. The time off probably did him a lot of good, and he should be ready to go against a Hawks team that plays very good defense, but is very susceptible to opposing point guards. Try a different approach in GPPs tomorrow, and spend where others are likely saving.
Ricky Rubio – With Derrick Rose being just $500 more, and Tony Parker dirt cheap coming off a monster performance against the Clippers, I don’t expect too many players to settling on Rubio at $6,500. However, he played 32 minutes last game, and will benefit greatly from an up-tempo matchup with the Suns. With Thaddeus Young shipped off to Brooklyn, expect Rubio to look to score more, while also giving his standard production in assists and steals. He’s way too cheap in this type of game without a minutes limitation, and he’ll give you a big leg up in GPPs if the more popular plays underperform.
Shooting Guard
Kevin Martin – Martin is another Minnesota player (Timberwolf sounds weird) that stands to benefit from tonight’s fast-paced matchup with Phoenix, and the absence of Thaddeus Young. Martin’s already taking a bunch of shots, but expect him to see a few more with few legitimate scoring options on the court. I expect the majority of players to be spending on Bledsoe and Harden tomorrow, so Martin’s ownership is likely going to be low. The fact that DeRozan is only $100 more will serve to lower his ownership even further. However, especially in this type of game, Martin is capable of 40+-point upside, which will give you a huge edge in GPPs, especially if the high-owned players come up short.
Jodie Meeks – The Pistons acquired Reggie Jackson and simultaneously sent DJ Augustin and Kyle Singler to the Thunder yesterday. With Jackson not likely to be available tonight, the Pistons don’t have much in the way of a backcourt. John Lucas III and Spencer Dinwiddie are not viable options, and my expectation is that Meeks will pick up some of the minutes that are now available. He may even start. He’s still risky, as he’s primarily a shooter, and his fantasy value is very dependent on scoring. However, he’s capable of getting hot and scoring points in bunches, and for just $3,900, he offers a very high ceiling relative to his price.
Small Forward
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