NBA Tournament Plays: Friday, January 23rd
What’s up, Grinders? There are some huge tournaments going on tonight around the industry, so you have plenty of chances to take down the field and land a big payday.
Over on FanDuel, we have the $300K Slam for a $25 entry, the $200 entry Monster with a $150K prize pool, and the $2 Shot, which has a $175K prize pool. On DraftKings, we have the $300 3-Ball with a $130K prize pool and the $27 Crossover with a $130K prize pool. For you high rollers out there, they also have a $1000 Qualifier to their $2 Million Dollar Live Vegas Final! And on FantasyAces, there is a $109 FABC Qualifier that awards one seat into their $100K live event in Newport Beach later in the season!
It’s a great time to be a player in the NBA DFS landscape, and with so much money to be won tonight, let’s jump right into some GPP plays for the upcoming 11-game slate.
Point Guard
Jeff Teague – Teague has turned into a fantasy monster this season, logging eight 30+ FPT nights in his past nine games played, with three 40+ FPT performances. Russell Westbrook has not been a good defender lately, as the Thunder rank as the ninth-easiest matchup over the past three weeks against PGs on our DvP tool. The Hawks are at home in the most exciting game of the night, and Teague makes a tremendous tournament play tonight, as he has been ultra-consistent (won’t kill your team) and can have a huge game anytime he takes the floor.
Jameer Nelson – With Ty Lawson getting a DUI this morning, Nelson is likely to be thrust into the starting lineup and play big minutes tonight. The Nuggets take on the Celtics at home, a team that ranks 10th on our DvP matchup for PGs over the past three weeks. The Nuggets are well rested, while the Celtics are on the second game of a back-to-back, which should allow Nelson to perform well. Make sure to see if Lawson is out before using Nelson tonight.
Other PGs to consider: Russell Westbrook, Michael Carter-Williams, Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas, Mario Chalmers (if Wade is out), Langston Galloway
Shooting Guard
James Harden – Harden is one of the more expensive options tonight, but he is simply playing too well to not give a look at. He has four 50+ FPT performances in his last five games, and a matchup with the Suns should pose little issue, as they are the 10th-best matchup over the past three weeks for SGs. This game has a huge 220 O/U, with the Suns as two-point favorites. The pace of this game should be incredible and will play right into Harden’s style.
Eric Bledsoe – As mentioned above, this game is going to have some offensive fireworks, and so you can make a great case for rostering both SGs from this game. The Rockets have been struggling to stop SGs, coming in as the fourth-best matchup over the past three weeks, so Bledsoe should thrive in an up-tempo game.
Other SGs to consider: Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, Tyreke Evans, Victor Oladipo, Evan Turner, Eric Gordon, Wayne Ellington
Small Forward
Kevin Durant – If I had to pick between LBJ or Durant tonight, I’ll side with Durant. The Thunder have a big game against the Hawks that Vegas expects to be higher scoring (by almost 15 points) than LeBron’s Cavs contest against the Hornets. Durant is rounding into form, putting up four straight 45+ FPT performances, and he should only get better as the season progresses.
Carmelo Anthony – Melo looks as good as he has all season, posting back to back great performances. Injury risk and a somewhat elevated price will likely keep his ownership down, but I’m able to look past that for his tournament-winning upside tonight. The Magic have struggled all season to limit opposing SFs, coming in as the fifth-easiest matchup on our DvP tool on the season, and the easiest over the past three weeks. Even after two great games, his ownership will remain low, as he has burned many a DFS player this season. Don’t miss another great opportunity to roster a player with 50+ FPT upside at a low ownership.
Other SFs to consider: LeBron James, Rudy Gay, Kawhi Leonard, Andrew Wiggins, C.J. Miles, Luol Deng, Wesley Johnson
Power Forward
Anthony Davis – Even though the PF spot is pretty deep tonight, if you look through everyone available, there is simply no one that can touch the upside Anthony Davis brings to the table. He stepped in after a three-game absence for a toe injury and dominated the Lakers, and he should dominate the Timberwolves tonight. With many opting for value PFs that can get them 25-35 FPTS tonight, you can really set yourself apart from the field with a massive performance from Davis. Ryan Anderson is out for tonight, which could also bump Davis’ minutes up slightly.
Brandon Bass – Bass took over Tyler Zeller’s starting position last game, as Zeller has been ineffective lately, and the Celtics are trying to showcase Bass as trade bait. He played 31 minutes against Portland last night and played great on his way to 35+ FPTS. I’d expect him to get the start again, and with Olynyk out with injury, he should be able to play 30-35 minutes tonight. A matchup against the Nuggets weak interior defense just adds to his upside.
Other PFs to consider: Pau Gasol, Jared Sullinger, Thaddeus Young, Kenneth Faried (if he plays), Donatas Motiejunas, Jason Smith
Center
Nikola Vucevic – Center is an ugly position to fill tonight, as there are very few good matchups. Vucevic has tremendous upside tonight, as the likes of Jason Smith and Lou Amundson have no hope to stop him. The Knicks were a very stout interior defense to start the season, but are currently the 12th-easiest matchup over the past three weeks for centers, as injuries have taken their toll on the team. This game also sports a surprising 205 O/U and should remain close throughout, so Vuc should see his full allotment of minutes.
Timofey Mozgov – The Moz is showing us why the Cavs dropped two draft picks to get him, as he has put up back to back 30+ FPT performances for the Cavs. Normally a matchup with Big Al Jeff and the Hornets would scare me, but Al Jeff is on a minute restriction, and Moz put up those great performances against the Spurs and the Bulls. I think Moz can put together another nice night for a cheap price around the industry.
Other Centers to consider: DeMarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard, Al Horford, Jordan Hill