NBA Starting 5: Thursday, December 1st
The Starting 5 Series will provide Grinders a quick look at the day’s top positional plays, analyzed through the lens of our Daily Research Tools.
Alright kids, tonight we have a nice little six-game slate with some games so juicy, I’m not even sure I can bite into them without making a mess. You have three games (CLE vs. LAC, BKN vs. MIL, and GSW vs. HOU), all of which we can almost guarantee will be high scoring and have enough fantasy points to fill up a man of even my size.
Today, I’m going to go through my top plays at each position regardless of price. Fade them at your own risk.
Point Guard: Andrew Harrison, Memphis Grizzlies, $3,700
If you’re looking for the highest scoring point guard on the slate, this is probably not going to be your guy, but if you’re looking for by far, in my opinion, the best play at PG tonight, it is going to be Harrison. The Grizzlies do not have the best matchup in the world tonight, nor do they have a bunch of great players out on the court, but what they do have is an injury list larger than my oversized head. Harrison is going to get playing time and he’s going to get usage in this matchup. He’s near min priced, and any time you can get a guy that’s going to get this much playing time and this much usage in the offense for this salary, it’s a must play
Shooting Guard: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, $10,300
Somebody please explain to me how this man not only can remember how to spell his name, but also how can he still dribble around people who probably look like ants from his point of view. I could have put Harden in at this spot, but that game has me a little worried; it could be a blowout and Harden is 1k more expensive with, as far as I’m concerned, essentially the same floor and a similar ceiling. Giannis has the second highest usage on the slate at the SG position and is going against one of the worst teams in the league defensively against the guard. Oh, and should I mention that this game has a 216 over/under and is projected to be close. Play this man or you’re going to have a bigger regret tonight than saying yes to that last shot of Fireball that turned you into the walking zombie you become in the morning.
Small Forward: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, $10,200
I love LeBron James tonight, but if there’s one thing that my mom taught me, which I have neglected to adhere to my entire life, it’s safety first always. Right here, you have guaranteed usage (he is second on the slate at 27.93%) and a projected team total higher than the IQ of 80% of the population (120.50). He’s a man that will put up 50 fantasy points regardless of how this plays out. Durant is going against Houston, which is essentially the equivalent of doubling the size of the hoop. Expect a big night out of this tall human being.
Power Forward: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers, $9,000
This game should be the game of the night and Griffin is probably the play of the night from this game. He has the highest usage of any PF that is going to play tonight (assuming Randolph doesn’t play, but who’s playing that guy anyways?). This game has the third highest over under on the slate, and even if that doesn’t matter to you, all signs of the way this game is going to play out point toward Griffin going ham. There are not many great players at the PF position tonight, so go with the best high ceiling, high floor guy on the slate.
Center: Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat, $8,700
I’m not going to lie to you: this is not an easy matchup. Utah is one of the best defensive teams in the league and Gobert is one of the best defensive centers in the league. In addition to this, these are not two teams that are going to play at a high pace of play tonight, so if you don’t want to play this guy, I understand, but you’re wrong. Whiteside has the potential to go off for huge numbers in any matchup and any game. Miami is a little banged up at this point and Whiteside will have his role in this game regardless and will get his points. Plus, on a night where there’s not many great options atcCenter and you can get one like this at low ownership, it’s always a great GPP play.