NBA Tournament Plays: Friday, December 26th
What’s up Grinders!
There are some huge tournaments going on tonight around the industry – there’s the $200K Slam on FanDuel for a $25 entry along with the $200 Monster and $2 shot, which have $90K and $150K prizepools. Don’t forget about the $750K Playboy Mansion qualifiers as well – there is one each at a $2 and then a $25 buy-in tonight!
Over on DraftKings, we have the $300 3-Ball with a $110K Prizepool and $27 Crossover with a $100K prizepool. It’s a great time to be a player in today’s DFS landscape – with so much money to be won, let’s jump right into some GPP plays for tonight’s 10-game slate.
POINT GUARD
Russell Westbrook – Do you like players that can score 60+ FPTS every time they take the floor, are playing at home, and going against one of the worst PG defenders in the league? If so, make sure to put Westbook into your lineup tonight. He is the most dominant force in fantasy right now without KD, and it will be tough to win a GPP tonight without him, that is if he has another 60+ FPT night like he has in each of his past two games. The price is high, but I’ll gladly pay.
Brandon Jennings – With Josh Smith gone, there should be some extra shots available in Detroit, and you know Jennings is salivating to chuck it at the hoop. Jennings is always a great GPP play, as he has the ability to have huge games but is not that consistent. The Pacers have struggled all season defending the PG spot. Outside of his last two games, Jennings has not been that productive either, which has lowered his price some and will ensure that he’s not highly owned.
Other PGs to consider: Damian Lillard, Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague, Brandon Knight
SHOOTING GUARD
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Giannis has been soaking up big minutes for the past few games for the Bucks, and should once again see 35+ minutes tonight, something he has done for each of the past three games. The Hawks have not been stellar at defending the SG spot this year, and with the multi-category contributions Giannis can bring, it gives him nice upside every night he takes the floor.
Wayne Ellington – Ellington makes a great cap saving play tonight, as the Lakers will likely be without Kobe. Ellington played 35 minutes yesterday, and should be in line for another 30+ minute-game tonight as the Lakers travel to Dallas. This game may be closer than the -14 line right now for the Mavs, as both Dirk and Ellis are questionable for the Mavs. Ellington saves you some cap to afford the Westbrooks of the world tonight, and should be able to muster up around 20ish FPTS for you.
Other SGs to consider: James Harden, Eric Bledsoe, Tyreke Evans, Victor Oladipo, Nick Young
SMALL FORWARD
Shabazz Muhammad – His price is rising fast, but that’s what happens when you are putting up 30+ FPTS every night. Shabazz is going to see all the minutes he can handle for the foreseeable future with Corey Brewer shipped out off to Houston. He is a great scorer that is getting plenty of rebounds as well right now, which makes him a great fantasy play at his mid-tier price around the industry. What’s more, it should be a up-tempo game versus the Nuggets.
Robert Covington – Covington is another player like Shabazz that has come out of nowhere this season to be a fantasy stud. He is playing huge minutes for the Sixers, and has put up 30+ FD points in five of his last 10 games. His price won’t kill your cap, and he should in line for another 30ish FPT night, since the Sixers will need his scoring to keep pace with the Trail Blazers.
Other SFs to consider: LeBron James, Chandler Parsons (if no Dirk Nowitzki or Monta Ellis), Andrew Wiggins
POWER FORWARD
Anthony Davis – While many, including myself, will be spending on Westbrook, Davis has similar upside for around the same price, and he makes for a nice contrarian player to spend on tonight. He has eclipsed 60+ FPTS in two of his last four games, and with a tough matchup against the Spurs, he will be very underowned compared to Westbrook.
Greg Monroe – Monroe is going to soak up the extra playing time available with Josh Smith gone, and should be seeing 30+ minutes every night. If you take a peek through his game log, he has some very nice fantasy performances when seeing big minutes, so use him before his price starts creeping up. He may very well start piling up double doubles on a nightly basis.
Other PFs to consider: LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap, Thaddeus Young, Kyle O’Quinn
CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins – DMC at home against the Suns’ weak frontcourt! Seems like Christmas has been extended another day. DMC has been great since returning from illness and annihilated this Suns team earlier in the season for 25 points and 18 rebounds. He makes a great player to spend on tonight, as he should dominate.
UPDATE: Cousins (illness) is now questionable for tonight’s game
Zaza Pachulia – With Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova out and John Henson coming back for his first game in over a month tonight, Zaza is going to see 25+ minutes for the Bucks and comes as a cheap play to allow you to spend elsewhere on the guys you want. He has upside into the low to mid 30s for FPTS production, and he should be able to reach value for your GPP teams.
Other Centers to consider: Andre Drummond, Nikola Vucevic, Al Horford, Tyson Chandler (if no Dirk Nowitzki or Monta Ellis)