Starting 5 - DvP: Monday, March 9th
The Starting 5 Series will provide Grinders 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 Defense vs Position tool. DvP is one of the most important tools available when considering players to target on a particular night. We will be using FanDuel statistics for today’s article.
Point Guard – Stephen Curry (GS) at Phoenix Suns
You don’t really need us to tell you just how much of a stud Stephen Curry is. But, is he worth that $10,000 price tag tonight?
Most likely. Over the last three weeks, Phoenix has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards, and the total for tonight’s Western Conference tilt is at 214, easily the highest number on Monday’s board. What’s more, his ownership will likely be suppressed after yesterday’s dud against the Clippers, making him an ideal tournament option. Curry should bounce back in a big way tonight.
Shooting Guard – Dwyane Wade (MIA) vs. Boston Celtics
The Heat have been pulling at our heart strings in recent days, as we haven’t been getting clear availability updates before lineups lock. Fortunately for us, Dwyane Wade isn’t listed on the injury report for tonight’s game against the Celtics, so it looks like it’s safe to slot him into your lineups.
That’s great news, considering Wade and the Heat will take on a Boston team that’s allowing 102.4 points per game this season, the 25th-worst mark in the NBA. The Celtics also haven’t been nearly as effective at stopping opposing shooting guards over the last week (more on that later).
Miami could be shorthanded again tonight, with Goran Dragic, Luol Deng and Hassan Whiteside all questionable, so Wade could be asked to take on a huge load on the offensive end of the floor. To add the cherry on top, the Celtics will be without their best perimeter defender in Avery Bradley. Assuming no funny business before lock, Wade is a terrific play at a thin SG position tonight.
Small Forward – Andrew Wiggins (MIN) at Los Angeles Clippers
It’s safe to say Andrew Wiggins has lived up to the lofty expectations that were placed upon him when he was drafted number one overall. The rookie has been a reliable DFS option too, consistently logging heavy minutes for the Timberwolves, who have been playing at a top 10 pace this season.
Tonight’s opponent, the Clippers, have been very poor against small forwards, and that’s been especially true over the last few weeks. As you probably know, small forward is typically a tricky position to fill, so locking in a safety net like Wiggins makes sense this evening.
Power Forward – Andrea Bargnani (NYK) at Denver Nuggets
It’s a scary thought that Andrea Bargnani has been New York’s best player here of late, but nothing should surprise us in the NBA anymore, especially when we’re talking about the Knicks. In his five games as a starter this season, Bargnani is averaging 18.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 31.2 minutes.
Bargnani’s price has risen on FanDuel, but he’s still very much in play tonight, particularly since the Nuggets have been horrendous against big men. Over the last three weeks, Denver has surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to the power forward position. At a very affordable $5,600, Bargnani appears to be one of the best value plays out there tonight.
Center – DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) at Atlanta Hawks
We’ll have to keep monitoring the injury news throughout the day to see if the Hawks end up resting any players, but it’s hard not to like DeMarcus Cousins tonight regardless.
Atlanta has been sound defensively overall this season, ranking fourth in the NBA in fewest points allowed per contest, but you may be surprised to know the Hawks have been a mess (second-worst) against opposing centers over the last three weeks.
Cousins has topped 50 FanDuel points in two straight and could very well make it three in a row this evening. It’s a hefty price to pay ($10,800), but few players in the NBA have the upside that Boogie brings to the table.