NBA Tournament Plays: Friday, January 9th
Welcome Grinders!
There are some huge tournaments going on tonight around the industry – there’s the $200K Slam on FanDuel for a $25 entry, the $200-entry Monster with a $100K prizepool, and the $2 Shot, which has a staggering $150K prizepool. Also, don’t forget about the Playboy Basketball Championship Qualifiers tonight: they are available at $2 and $25 buy-ins.
Over on DraftKings, we have the MEGA $300 3-Ball with a HUGE $300K prizepool and the $20 buy-in $125K Friday Spectacular. On FantasyAces, they also have a $109 FABC Qualifier that awards two seats into their $100k live event in Newport Beach later in the season!
It’s a great time to be a player in today’s 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 is playing at his highest levels of the year. He has 40+ FPTS in five of his last six games, while trouncing players like CP3, Mike Conley, and Brandon Knight, who are all part of teams that have been great at defending the PG this season. Some may look at the matchup against the Pistons, who have been good at limiting FPTS to PGs this season, and not look at Teague, but I’m not scared due to his recent performances against elite defenders.
Kyrie Irving – Kyrie tried to put the Cavs on his back last game with LBJ out, putting up 38 actual points against the tough defense of Patrick Beverley and the Rockets. A similar situation arises tonight, as the Cavs travel west to take on the Warriors. He has a 33% usage rate (very high) with LBJ not on the floor this season, as he becomes the main ball handler and scoring option for the team. The tough matchup and the east to west trip (the Warriors are also favored by 12) will all reduce Kyrie’s ownership a few notches. If you are looking to pay up at PG, there aren’t many better GPP plays tonight than Kyrie when you factor in his low ownership and high usage rate.
Other PGs to consider: Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, John Wall, Brandon Jennings, Brandon Knight, Jarrett Jack, Elfrid Payton, Zach LaVine (if Mo Williams is out)
SHOOTING GUARD
Kobe Bryant – I’m hoping his lack of production in the Lakers’ blowout loss against the Clippers last time out keeps his ownership low tonight, so I can unleash him in a home game in which the Lakers are actually a favorite! The Magic should keep this game close, which should allow Kobe to play 32-35 minutes and turn in another well-rounded 40+ FPT stat line like he has in two of his last four games.
Joe Johnson – With Deron Williams out, Joe Johnson is seeing very consistent production and a small uptick in his usage rate. The Sixers give the third most 3-pointers per game to opposing SGs, and Johnson has knocked down 55 already this season. In addition, Philadelphia is one of the worst in the league at limiting FPTS to the SG position.
Other SGs to consider: Jimmy Butler, Tyreke Evans, Victor Oladipo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Evan Turner, Aaron Afflalo
SMALL FORWARD
Kevin Durant – After two mediocre games in a row, DFS players tempers may be running short with KD tonight. He has shot 11-for-36 in the past two games, which isn’t like Durant at all, and he is just too good of a player to keep performing at mediocre levels. His price is still at levels that do not reflect his true possible production, so use him while you can at this price. He will have low ownership and has a plus matchup in an easy home contest against Utah.
Andrew Wiggins – His price around the industry is just not going up fast enough for his increase in minutes and production over the past few weeks. He has 30+ FPTS in seven of his last eight games, and 37+ minutes in seven of eight as well. The Bucks are below average in limiting opposing SGs from racking up FPTS this season, and their defense should pose no issues for Wiggins in this one.
Other SFs to consider: Draymond Green, Tobias Harris, Shabazz Muhammad, Wilson Chandler, K.J. McDaniels (if Mbah A Moute is out), Khris Middleton
POWER FORWARD
Tim Duncan – Duncan is always on my radar in GPPs, since many shy away from him due to fear of him sitting or playing limited minutes. Tonight he gets a great matchup at home against the Suns, who have struggled all season long with interior defense. Add in the fact that they play again tomorrow night on the road against the Timberwolves in a very winnable game, and I can easily see the Spurs main players getting plenty of run tonight in a contested and high scoring game at home, before getting rested tomorrow night on the road.
J.J. Hickson – With the departure of Mozgov, Hickson looks to be benefiting, as he played 30 minutes in the Nuggets’ last game. He played 32 minutes the game before, and has put up great fantasy nights for his moderate salary in the past two games. Even with Nurkic starting, Hickson played eight more minutes than him, and he should be a threat for a double-double every night until JaVale McGee returns in a week or so. Also, Nurkic has an insane foul rate of 7.5 per 36 minutes, so if he does get into foul trouble, Hickson will see extended run.
Other PFs to consider: Anthony Davis, Greg Monroe, Kenneth Faried, Thaddeus Young, David West
CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins – Cousins is my top projected scorer of the night, and you typically want that guy in your GPP teams. The Nuggets have not been good at stopping opposing centers all season, and Cousins should dominate Nurkic (who can get into foul trouble easily) and Hickson with ease tonight. This game has the highest O/U of the night at 212, with the Kings listed as four-point favorites. With a full allotment of minutes at home against the Nuggets, and with many players favoring cheaper plays like Gobert and Nurkic tonight, DMC can set you apart from the pack with a 50+ FPT night performance.
Mason Plumlee – Plumlee is going to have low ownership tonight due to the plethora of cheap centers available tonight, but don’t overlook him in a great matchup at home vs. the Sixers. Lopez was a non-factor off the bench last game, as Plumlee played well and saw 37 minutes against the Celtics on his way to a great fantasy night. Players that are low owned with 40+ FPT potential are what you want in your GPPs, so don’t shy away from Plumlee.
Other Centers to consider: Andre Drummond, Nikola Vucevic, Gorgui Dieng, Rudy Gobert (if Kanter is out), Jusef Nurkic, Lavoy Allen (if Hibbert is out)