Starting 5: DvP - Sunday, March 8th
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.
For today’s Sunday Funday Starting 5, we’ll take a closer look at the Defense vs Position. This is one of the tools I really like to use. Typically I toggle back and forth between the full season and the last three weeks to see which teams are currently struggling against the various positions.
Because there are obvious chalk plays at each position today, let’s dive a little deeper into the numbers and see if we can uncover any hidden gems that will also double as against the grain plays.
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo (DAL) vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Season vs PGs
In case you missed it, and judging by the ownership %s most daily gamers have, Rajon Rondo has been very solid over his last three games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.3rpg and 5.7apg. Yes, those are not the most impressive numbers, but it is good for 30 fantasy points and that is about 5-6x value on most sites with his current price point.
On the season, the Lakers are allowing opposing point guards 5% more fantasy points than the next worst team. Don’t let your recent biases towards Rondo affect your decisions about him for Sunday’s matchup.
Shooting Guard: Dion Waiters and Anthony Morrow (OKC) vs. Toronto Raptors
Last three weeks vs SGs
If only we could pick on the Sacramento Kings every day! Surprisingly most of the teams playing today are league average or better against shooting guards. Since there are a couple obvious plays at the top of the pricing sheet, I thought we could dig a little deeper and see if we could find ourselves a four leaf clover…
Sadly St Patrick’s Day is still another week away, so we are left with Dion Waiters and Anthony Morrow and try as I might, I just can’t convince myself that they are anything more than tournament fliers. Waiters gets the minutes and volume, but Morrow is more efficient and cheaper. Either way it is just a dice roll today.
Small Forward: Jae Crowder (BOS) vs. Orlando Magic
Last three weeks vs SFs
Crowder sees time at both forward positions, though with Kelly Olynyk back he will be getting more time at the three. Regardless of his position, this is a great matchup for Crowder who should be able to flirt with a double-double tonight at a very fair price across the industry.
If you are going to get Russell Westbrook in your lineups, you will have to be frugal at a few positions and Crowder should be able to provide 5x his value in this matchup tonight.
Power Forward: Cody Zeller (CHA) vs. Detroit Pistons
Last three weeks vs PFs
I bet this is the first time today that you are seeing a Cody Zeller recommendation, so once you stop laughing, please do join me in looking into the numbers a little deeper. Though he is a rookie, Zeller has been in the starting lineup when the Hornets are looking to go big, which they will likely do today against the Pistons.
Over the last three weeks, Detroit has allowed the most fantasy points in the league to power forwards and on the season they have given up the second most. Zeller is quite productive when he is on the court and he is averaging 1.1 fantasy points per minute over his last five games. He should log enough time to approach 25-30 fantasy points and I guarantee you will be one of the few gamers employing his services this Sunday.
Center: Rudy Gobert (UTA) vs. Brooklyn Nets
Last three weeks vs Centers
Yes, I said I was going to focus on discount options, but the matchup and price for The Stifle Tower are just too good to pass up. Since Kevin Garnett has gone back to Minnesota, the Nets are allowing the most fantasy points in the league to centers.
Gobert is averaging more rebounds than points this season, which gives him 50 point upside if he were to get 10-12 field goal attempts to go along with his 15 rebounds, 3 blocks and a couple steals. Over his last six games he is averaging just under 40 fantasy points per contest on only 6.6 field goal attempts per game. WOW!