Starting 5 - DvP: Sunday, March 29th
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 use DvP statistics to see if we can uncover some solid secondary plays for Sunday’s five-game evening slate.
POINT GUARD – Rajon Rondo and Devin Harris – Dallas at Indiana
Last three weeks
Yes, he has fallen off a cliff with his eroding production and there are a ton of point guards in better spots, but as an off-the-wall play, let’s look at the merits of taking a chance with Rajon Rondo. The minutes are definitely there and he should see north of 35 minutes today with J.J. Barea and Monta Ellis ruled out today. The Pacers have been vulnerable to point guards and are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to the position over their last ten games.
If you can’t bear the thought of rostering Rondo, I do understand. Devin Harris should see a bump in minutes to the mid-to-upper-20s as the Mavericks look to fill the void left by Ellis and Barea. Harris has the ability to score points in a hurry, in three of his last seven games he has produced 20+ FanDuel points and as an extreme punt play that has value in tournaments.
SHOOTING GUARD – Dion Waiters and Anthony Morrow – Oklahoma City at Phoenix
Season statistics
Based on the numbers, there are no super tasty matchups in the late game set that we can target and this position is probably one to punt on Sunday. That said, we still have to roster someone at the position so let’s cast our lot with Dion Waiters or Anthony Morrow. Both are seeing extended minutes with all the injuries that have befallen the Thunder. Andre Roberson is out for the next couple weeks, so both players should see 30ish minutes in the rotation. I prefer Morrow for his lower price point and steadier play, however, Waiters does have the upside factor in his favor.
SMALL FORWARD – C.J. Miles and Solomon Hill – Indiana vs Dallas
Last three weeks
The Mavericks have really struggled this season against opposing small forwards and they are in the bottom third of the league for the year and the second worst team over their last nine games. Solomon Hill is the starter, but C.J. Miles is more involved as the scorer on the second unit. Rodney Stuckey may return today after missing three games with a sore calf. Much like the shooting guard position, there are not a lot of exciting plays at small forward. Both of these guys have merit as discount options that will allow you to spend in other ways.
POWER FORWARD – Anthony Tolliver – Detroit at Miami
Last three weeks
Anthony Tolliver has not produced like we thought he would after moving into the starting lineup for the injured Greg Monroe, however, he has not been horrendous either. We have seen the Heat be exploited by power forwards ever since the loss of Chris Bosh, and while they are usually players of a higher caliber that Tolliver, we cannot be too close-minded in finding those diamonds in the rough. A reasonable expectation today would be 16-20 FanDuel points with about a one in five chance of 25+ fantasy points.
CENTER – Hassan Whiteside and Chris Andersen – Miami vs Detroit
Editor’s Note: Whiteside and Andersen are both out for tonight’s game.
Last three weeks
Miami has been without the services of Hassan Whiteside after he injured himself on the rim with a deep laceration between his fingers taking ten stitches to close. There are rumblings from the Heat that he will play today, albeit with some sort of protective wrap.
If he is a go in the crucial game for the Heat, he is an excellent option against Andre Drummond. The Birdman is also listed as questionable, so in the event both players are out, Udonis Haslem would likely draw the start at center and he is an okay power forward play for his rock bottom price.