NBA First Look: Tuesday, January 13th

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2015-01-15 14:50:56

We’ve got seven games on the schedule for Tuesday night.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Matchup Preview (Indiana):
Pace of Play: 95.3
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.7
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 9
Rebounding Differential Rank: 5

Targets:

Andrew Wiggins (FD: $7000, DK: $6800 / DvP: 4) – On paper, this isn’t the best matchup for Wiggins. The Pacers are a slow-paced team that owns a top ten defense. The T-Wolves are doing all they can to develop Wiggins though, as evidenced by his 37+ minutes of playing time in each of his last seven games.

Chase Budinger (FD: $3500, DK: $3000 / DvP: 4) – Budinger should draw another start for the injured Shabazz Muhammad. At minimum salary, he offers great salary cap relief at small forward.

Indiana Pacers

Matchup Preview (Minnesota):
Pace of Play: 98.3
Points Allowed Per Game: 108.3
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 30
Rebounding Differential Rank: 25

Targets:

David West (FD: $6700, DK: $6400 / DvP: 18) – West is coming off of a monster fantasy outing against the Sixers. He should keep it going against a T-Wolves team that is ranked 18th in fantasy points allowed to power forwards. The T-Wolves are also ranked 25th in rebounding differential.

C.J. Watson (FD: $4300, DK: $4800 / DvP: 24) – Watson hasn’t been all that productive recently, but has played at least 30 minutes in back to back games. With George Hill out, he will draw another start against the T-Wolves, who have allowed the sixth most fantasy points to point guards this season.

Atlanta Hawks

Matchup Preview (Philadelphia):
Pace of Play: 99.1
Points Allowed Per Game: 103
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 15
Rebounding Differential Rank: 29

Targets:

Paul Millsap (FD: $8000, DK: $8300 / DvP: 27) – Millsap draws one of the best matchups on the board. Not only have the Sixers allowed the sixth most fantasy points to power forwards this season, but they are also the second worst rebounding team in the NBA. Millsap should dominate the paint in this one.

Jeff Teague (FD: $8300, DK: $8500 / DvP: 16) – Teague has been playing some incredible basketball over the last couple of weeks. He has scored at least 38 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games and should have another productive outing tonight against the reeling Sixers.

Philadelphia 76ers

Matchup Preview (Atlanta):
Pace of Play: 96.5
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.2
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 7
Rebounding Differential Rank: 23

Targets: Atlanta is playing terrific defense right now. There aren’t any options that stand out on the Sixers.

San Antonio Spurs

Matchup Preview (Washington):
Pace of Play: 95.6
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.6
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 5
Rebounding Differential Rank: 8

Targets:

Danny Green (FD: $6400, DK: $5700 / DvP: 1) – The Wizards have been stingy against shooting guards this season, but Green may see some extended action in this one. Kawhi Leonard is unlikely to play and Marco Belinelli is currently listed as questionable.

Manu Ginobili (FD: $5600, DK: $5200 / DvP: 1) – Ginobili sat out the Spurs’ last game with back spasms, but is expected to be back in the lineup against the Wizards. He always provides great upside at his price point and is a great target in tournaments.

Washington Wizards

Matchup Preview (San Antonio):
Pace of Play: 95.4
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.4
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 6
Rebounding Differential Rank: 10

Targets:

John Wall (FD: $9100, DK: $9500 / DvP: 18) – Wall has terrific splits at home this season. He’s also facing a Spurs defense that has allowed the 13th most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. This is a great time to buy low on Wall, as his price is more than affordable on both FanDuel and DraftKings.

Nene Hilario (FD: $5300, DK: $5200 / DvP: 19) – Hilario has averaged over 30 fantasy points per game over his last three and finally appears to be off his minutes-restriction. He should play well against the Spurs, who have allowed the 12th most fantasy points to power forwards this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Matchup Preview (Phoenix):
Pace of Play: 99.2
Points Allowed Per Game: 105
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 18
Rebounding Differential Rank: 24

Targets:

Kyrie Irving (FD: $8600, DK: $9100 / DvP: 12) – This pick hinges on the status of LeBron James. James is currently listed as a game-time decision. If he is forced to sit out another game, it will be the Kyrie Irving show once again. His usage rate is through the roof with James out of the lineup.

J.R. Smith (FD: $5700, DK: $4500 / DvP: 21) – Smith hyper-extended his elbow the other night, but is not expected to miss any time. He will draw another start if LeBron James is forced to sit out again. He’s a bargain on DraftKings at only $4,500.

Phoenix Suns

Matchup Preview (Cleveland):
Pace of Play: 94.6
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.9
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 23
Rebounding Differential Rank: 14

Targets:

Eric Bledsoe (FD: $8500, DK: $8700 / DvP: 28) – Bledsoe is one of my favorite plays on the board tonight. The Cavaliers have been awful defensively this season, especially against opposing shooting guards. They have allowed the third most fantasy points to the position.

Markieff Morris (FD: $6500, DK: $6400 / DvP: 14) – Morris can be a frustrating fantasy play, but he is in a nice spot tonight at home against the Cavaliers. While Kevin Love is a great scorer and an excellent rebounder, he lacks skill on the defensive end of the floor. At his price point, he’s a solid option at power forward.

Golden State Warriors

Matchup Preview (Utah):
Pace of Play: 92.8
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.1
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 27
Rebounding Differential Rank: 3

Targets:

Draymond Green (FD: $8300, DK: $8300 / DvP: 16) – Green is a player that does it all on the floor. He has been one of the Warriors’ best players this season. There is no reason to think that it will change tonight against a Jazz defense that is ranked 27th in defensive efficiency this season.

Klay Thompson (FD: $7900, DK: $7300 / DvP: 13) – Thompson will match up against Joe Ingles tonight. Call me crazy, but I like his chances to have a big game. He’s always affordable and the Warriors are actually only seven point favorites in this one.

Utah Jazz

Matchup Preview (Golden State):
Pace of Play: 100.8
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.2
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 1
Rebounding Differential Rank: 14

Targets:

Trey Burke (FD: $6000, DK: $5500 / DvP: 22) – Burke is seeing all of the minutes he can handle now that Alec Burks is done for the season. While the Warriors are the NBA’s best defense, they do struggle to contain opposing point guards. Burke is one of my favorite point guard options dollar for dollar.

Dallas Mavericks

Matchup Preview (Sacramento):
Pace of Play: 97.1
Points Allowed Per Game: 103.7
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 25
Rebounding Differential Rank: 1

Targets:

Monta Ellis (FD: $7500, DK: $7200 / DvP: 25) – The Kings have struggled defensively this season, especially against opposing shooting guards. They have allowed the sixth most fantasy points to the position. Ellis has terrific upside and his price has come down a bit on both FanDuel and DraftKings.

Dirk Nowitzki (FD: $7000, DK: $6600 / DvP: 28) – The Kings have also struggled to contain power forwards this season. They have allowed the third most fantasy points to the position. I love his price on DraftKings, especially considering the three-point bonus.

Sacramento Kings

Matchup Preview (Dallas):
Pace of Play: 97.1
Points Allowed Per Game: 102.5
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 18
Rebounding Differential Rank: 27

Targets:

DeMarcus Cousins (FD: $11300, DK: $11000 / DvP: 14) – Cousins is coming off of back to back 60 fantasy point outings. When he’s locked in, he is matchup-proof. Tyson Chandler is one of the best low-post defenders in the NBA, but should have a hard time slowing Cousins down.

Darren Collison (FD: $7200, DK: $7000 / DvP: 29) – Collison is priced a little higher than I’d like to see, but he’s a terrific option against the Mavericks, who have allowed the second most fantasy points to point guards. Rajon Rondo admitted that he hasn’t played defense in years, and so far it doesn’t look like that’s going to change now that he’s in Dallas.

Miami Heat

Matchup Preview (L.A. Lakers):
Pace of Play: 97.6
Points Allowed Per Game: 107.5
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 29
Rebounding Differential Rank: 22

Targets:

Dwyane Wade (FD: $8800, DK: $8800 / DvP: 6) – The Heat have one of the best matchups on the board. The Lakers are a fast-paced team with one of the worst defenses in the entire NBA. Wade should find success in this one. The only issue that I have is that he’s almost $9,000 on both FanDuel and DraftKings.

Hassan Whiteside (FD: $5200, DK: $5700 / DvP: 25) – Get ready for a ton of Whiteside hype on Tuesday, after he posted 50 fantasy points in only 29 minutes of action against the Clippers. He’s not going to start the first half, but will start the second half for some odd reason. He should see 25+ minutes against a Lakers defense that is ranked 25th against centers and 22nd in rebounding differential.

L.A. Lakers

Matchup Preview (Miami):
Pace of Play: 91.6
Points Allowed Per Game: 98
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 26
Rebounding Differential Rank: 30

Targets: If Kobe Bryant sits out another game, Wesley Johnson and Wayne Ellington could both make interesting value plays. If Kobe is in the lineup, I’ll likely avoid the Lakers altogether.