NBA GPP Plays: Friday, March 25th
We have a fun nine game Friday slate for us today, and there is a lot of injury news that has broken throughout the league so far today. Let’s take a look at some of the top targets on today’s slate!
POINT GUARDS
Top Play – John Wall, Washington Wizards
The Minnesota/Washington game should be full of fantasy goodness, as the game has a projected point total of 217 points this evening. Both teams don’t mind playing at a fast pace, and John Wall should thrive in an up-tempo contest. Ricky Rubio has been solid on the defensive end this year, but Wall sees plenty of usage, and the Wizards are projected to hit around 112 points in this game. If that happens, it’s hard to see Wall having an off night. His upside is as high as anyone on the board, especially given the blowout risk for a guy like Stephen Curry here.
Value Play – J.J. Barea, Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is going to get waxed on the road against Golden State. They will be playing without Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams, and Devin Harris this evening. That leaves plenty of minutes for Barea, who has looked good with his limited chances to start earlier in the year. I’ll take my chances with a guy that is going to play around 35 minutes even in a projected blowout, as Barea is super cheap for DFS.
Also consider: Brandon Knight, Stephen Curry (blowout risk), Kyle Lowry
SHOOTING GUARDS
Top Play – James Harden, Houston Rockets
Houston is fighting for a playoff spot, and they need every win they can get. That means lots of minutes for James Harden, and he has explosive upside every time he takes the court. If this game is close, expect him to play 40+ minutes and flirt with a monster fantasy line. It’s not the greatest matchup on paper, but you can’t deny the fact that he has infinitely more upside than everyone else at the position.
Value Play – Wesley Matthews, Dallas Mavericks
Again, I really don’t expect this game to be competitive. However, Dallas has no choice but to give big minutes to Barea, Matthews, and Felton with two other guards resting this evening. Matthews has been an enigma all year long, but he should see quite a few shot attempts come his way in a fast-paced game. If you think Dallas can keep this game competitive, feel free to load up on some Golden State players as well. The only way that happens is if guys like Barea and Matthews step up and have big nights.
Also consider: Gary Harris, Khris Middleton, DeMar DeRozan
SMALL FORWARDS
Top Play – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Small forward is a barren position tonight, and nobody possesses the upside of Antetokounmpo. We have no Kevin Durant, LeBron James, or Carmelo Anthony available on this slate. Therefore, if you want to lock in a hefty score at this thin position, the Greek Freak is basically your only option. I don’t mind the matchup against an Atlanta squad that has regressed defensively this year, and the price tag has finally started to level off. He is a fine cash game anchor if you don’t trust the other options, and there is enough value elsewhere to where you can fit him in comfortably.
Value Play – Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings
Nobody is going to be on Rudy Gay tonight. Everyone was burned the other night when he struggled in the absence of DeMarcus Cousins. That has been a common theme this year, as Gay’s usage goes up with Cousins out, but his production has not. Expect things to go better tonight against a Phoenix squad that isn’t great defensively. As I mentioned above, small forward is a tough spot to peg tonight, and I love the prospects for a bounce-back game from Rudy Gay at a lower ownership percentage. That’s exactly what you want in a tournament play.
Also consider: Trevor Ariza, Otto Porter, P.J. Tucker
POWER FORWARDS
Top Play – LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have already ruled Kawhi Leonard out for tonight’s game, so much of the offensive load should fall on the shoulders of LaMarcus Aldridge. He looks much more comfortable in San Antonio now that he has gotten used to the system, and we have seen him flash some of that upside that he constantly showed with the Blazers. Memphis is decimated on the interior and will be without Zach Randolph this evening, making Aldridge a fine top-end play at the power forward spot.
Value Play – Jon Leuer, Phoenix Suns
He will likely be the most popular play of the night. Sacramento doesn’t play much defense, and Leuer will draw another start with Tyson Chandler ruled out. He’s in the good graces of Earl Watson these days and played 41 minutes against the Lakers. He is averaging 40 fantasy points over the last two games, and his current price tag is far too cheap for his expanded role. There’s little risk and a lot of potential reward with this play.
Also consider: Paul Millsap, Julius Randle, JaMychal Green
CENTERS
Top Play – Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Towns has been putting up 40+ fantasy points with regularity of late, and his upside for 50+ exists on a nightly basis. Washington isn’t the best matchup for opposing centers, but they do play at a fast pace that doesn’t hurt Towns’ game. He is going to get his share of minutes, and the explosive upside is hard to ignore. In a GPP format, Towns is easily my favorite center option tonight.
Value Play – Greg Monroe, Milwaukee Bucks
The up-and-down minutes are always a drag, but we know the upside is there with Monroe when he is on his game. I like targeting him against teams that are weak on the glass, and tonight’s opponent certainly qualifies in that realm. The Hawks have struggled to defend the paint all year long, and Monroe has looked better of late. He had a double-double earlier in the week against Detroit and does tend to get more minutes on the good nights. Tonight might just be one of those.
Also consider: Andre Drummond, Cody Zeller, Al Horford