NBA Starting 5: Thursday, January 5th
Hey kids, we got a real fun NBA slate today. Nearly every game on the slate has a high over/under, and the majority of the games are projected to be close. We’ve got superstars, we have about 40 less injuries to worry about than yesterday, and we have a matchup of the clear top two candidates for fantasy MVP. All this and, at this point, everyone has given up on their New Year’s resolutions, so you can expect those donkeys who quit DFS five days ago to be hitting you up for a $5 H2H and fading Westbrook and Harden.
Today, I’m going to go through my top plays at each position regardless of price. We are going to use some of RG’s wonderful tools to look and find some great spots at just a glance. Mostly what we are going to be looking at is Defense v. Position and USG%. Fade these plays at your own risk.
Point Guard: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder, $12,300
Well, I’m sorry everybody. I tried to come up with a less obvious pick, but it just wasn’t possible. I’m going to start off by saying that you’re probably not going to be able to fit all the players in this Starting 5 article into your lineup, but if you’re looking for one player to cut, Westbrook may not be the one.
I know that he is going up the No.10 DvP against the PG (thanks, Beverly) and that would cause any normal human being to shake in his slippers, but this is Westbrook. The last time these two teams faced off Westbrook went off for a triple-double and put up a 60 burger. As of this point right now, Westbrook is on pace to have the highest usage in NBA history with 43.76%. Throw in the highest over/under on the slate and you have your lock for cash games.
Shooting Guard: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, $6,300
Look, the right answer here is Harden, but if I throw both him and Westbrook into this article, then 20 seconds into creating your lineup you’re not going to have enough money to buy a cup of ramen noodles, let alone a decent forward or center. I want Harden in my lineup, and I also am a decent fan of McCollum tonight if Lillard doesn’t play, but after paying up for Westbrook we are ballin’ on a budget for a while.
Booker comes in at a completely respectable $6,300 and has put up over 30 in seven of his last 10 games, and 40 in four of his last 10. He comes in with the fifth-highest usage among all SGs tonight on the slate. Take the savings here, because I’m really not too sure where else you’re going to be able to find it until later on.
Small Forward: Paul George, Indiana Pacers, $8,700
Is there anything more beautiful in NBA DFS than seeing a player, at any position, go up against Brooklyn? Paul George is the third-ranked SF in terms of usage tonight and draws a matchup against Brooklyn, who is dead last in DvP against SF. In addition, he has dropped a 40-bomb in three of his last four games, he is priced up high enough where with Westbrook and Harden on the slate his ownership will be depressed, and the dude has two first names.
Out of all the guys on my starting five list, George is probably my least favorite for a cash game just because his price can restrict you from getting Davis and Westbrook, but with this many high-priced players on the board tonight, George makes a GREAT GPP play, as well as a good cash play.
Power Forward: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans, $10,000
If there’s one thing I like, it’s when things are easy. That’s why I took art history class as a gen ed in college, that’s why I only play board games that are ages three and up, that’s why I go to Applebee’s to go find me a wife, and that’s why I’m putting Davis in this spot. Davis is more than 2k less than either Harden or Westbrook tonight. Davis’s price on DK has been dropping faster than a deuce on Taco Tuesday. This $10,000 price is too cheap for Davis, even when it’s not the greatest of matchups.
AD is averaging over 50 points in his last seven starts, he leads all PFs tonight in usage, and he has a ceiling as high as any player on the board tonight (yes, even including the mythical 100-point man James Harden). Again, this is not going to be an easy spot to fit him in and all the other players you want, but Davis is a near lock at this price.
Center: Mason Plumlee, Portland Trail Blazers, $5,900
Now that I’ve named a bunch of way-too-expensive guys that you can’t all fit into your lineup, let me save you a little bit of money. Plumlee draws one of the best matchups of the night going against the 26th ranked defense against the center position.
Since the last time that Lillard played, Plumlee is averaging over 35 points a game and is one of the focal points of this Portland team with Lillard out of the lineup. Lillard doesn’t appear (at this point) to be playing in the game tonight, and even if he does, Plumlee is still a great play with a 50-point upside. Take this guy with a near guarantee at 5x tonight and a ceiling as high as any center on the board.