NBA Expert Picks Preview: Thursday, February 5th
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.
Thursday, February 5th
Point Guard
Darren Collison, $6,500 – Collison has been playing heavy minutes over his last two games and draws a great matchup with J.J. Barea. Steph Curry just lit up Barea and Devin Harris for 51 points, and while Collison is no Steph Curry, he can do enough damage to go 6x his value on a pretty cheap price tag. The Mavs have struggled against PGs this year, as they are 22nd in DVP and Collison had 36 DK points in his earlier meeting with the Mavs. Most will either pay up to CP3 or pay down to the value PG options, so Collison could have a lower ownership tonight.
J.J. Barea, $3,400 – Barea is incredibly cheap and should draw another start so he looks like a plug and play despite high ownership percentages. He’s unlikely to top 30 minutes, as Devin Harris is still lurking, but he’ll play between 28 to 29 minutes and the Kings are 27th in DVP against opposing PGs on the season. In his two starts for the injured Rajon Rondo, he is averaging 24.75 DK points, which is a little over 7x his salary.
Shooting Guard
Jamal Crawford, $5,000 – J.J Redick is expected to miss tonight’s game so Crawford will draw the start and will be heavily owned. Despite his high ownership, he’s not a guy I’m looking to fade tonight in GPPs, as there just isn’t enough similar value to pivot to at SG. You’re best served just plugging him in and winning elsewhere. JJ was limited to 4 minutes in his last outing, and missed another game against the Jazz. In those two matchups, Crawford drew the start and averaged 38.5 MPG and 18 field goal attempts. In the earlier meeting between these teams, Crawford had 24 DK points in only 23 minutes, so with a sizable minutes, bump he should pay off his salary with ease tonight.
Bradley Beal, $6,000 – If you do decide to fade Crawford tonight, Beal would be my target. His minutes have skyrocketed over the last five games, as he has played at least 36 minutes in each of those games. Beal is on a nice roll, as he is averaging 36 DK points over his last three games, including a 37.25 DK point outing against this same Charlotte team. He has a tendency to be hit or miss, but for GPPs we are primarily concerned with upside, and Beal has flashed plenty of upside during his recent play.
Small Forward
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