Starting 5 - Ceiling and Consistency: Saturday March 28th
The Starting 5 Series will provide Grinders with a quick look at the day’s top positional plays, analyzed through the lens of our Daily Research Tools.
Today we’ll take a closer look at the Ceiling and Consistency Tool, and take a look at some players that have been very consistent in providing value over the past three weeks and discuss their viability in cash games for tonight on FanDuel.
POINT GUARD – DENNIS SCHRODER $5,300 vs. HORNETS
Schroder has been the most consistent value at PG over the past three weeks, hitting 4x value 73% of the time. Jeff Teague is out again tonight, meaning we can go all in on Schroder. It’s also possible the Hawks rest a player or two tonight (Just a guess on my part at time of writing), which would likely put Schroder in a position for expanded production tonight. If he was a tad more expensive I would look elsewhere, but I see him very viable tonight in nearly any situation at this cheap price.
Editor’s Note: The entire starting five (Teague, Korver, Carroll, Millsap, Horford) will be out for tonight’s game for the Hawks.
SHOOTING GUARD – KYLE KORVER $4,700 vs. HORNETS
As mentioned above, pay attention to Hawks news closer to lineup lock as its possible they rest players tonight on the road in Charlotte, which could have a significant impact on Korver. His price is very tempting for cash games as he is priced with guys like Dion Waiters and Randy Foye, who are much more volatile on a nightly basis.
He has played 33 and 37 minutes in his past two games after a week long absence with a broken nose. If any Hawks starters sit, I give a slight upgrade to Korver, and I don’t see him having much of a chance at sitting as he has had a few games off recently with the aforementioned injury.
Editor’s Note: The entire starting five (Teague, Korver, Carroll, Millsap, Horford) will be out for tonight’s game for the Hawks.
SMALL FORWARD – GORDON HAYWARD $8,000 vs. THUNDER
If I had to pick one player on tonight’s slate that is a lock to make my cash game lineups, its Hayward. He has hit 4x value 63% of the time in the past three weeks, and is likely to see a boost in production tonight if Derrick Favors sits out with back spasms. Hayward returned from injury last night and played 32 minutes with 38 FD points in Denver, and now gets a home matchup against the Thunder in a huge up-in-pace game for the Jazz. Even if Favors somehow plays tonight, Hayward will be a fixture in my cash games on a night lacking players you can truly expect big guaranteed production from.
POWER FORWARD – PAUL MILLSAP $8,200 vs. HORNETS
Millsap had a great night last night with Jeff Teague out, and with Teague out again, he is in line for another good game tonight. With Teague off of the floor this season, Millsap sees his usage rate climb from 24% to 28%, and should dominate his matchup against Marvin Williams.
He has hit 4x value 67% of the time over the past three weeks, is playing some great basketball right now, and has all the signs of another good performance tonight. Just be sure to check his status prior to game time, as the Hawks have locked up their playoff position and could rest starters at any point for the rest of the season.
Editor’s Note: The entire starting five (Teague, Korver, Carroll, Millsap, Horford) will be out for tonight’s game for the Hawks.
CENTER – RUDY GOBERT $8,200 vs. THUNDER
As you can see, there are quite a few options to choose from here, but I like Gobert tonight due to his matchup and the fact I expect the Jazz to be without Derrick Favors. You can argue taking his former teammate Enes Kanter as well, but taking opposing centers against Gobert can go very poorly. Gobert should dominate the boards tonight, see an extra shot attempt or two, and get plenty of easy putbacks if Favors sits. He has hit 4x value 63% of the time in the past three weeks, and even with his price rising in that timeframe, has a great shot at it again tonight in an up pace game against the Thunder.