Starting 5: Trending Stats Watch - Thursday, January 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 take a closer look at the Trending Stats Watch tool.
I like to use this tool to see which players have seen an increase in minutes over the last several weeks. They are usually low salary, second-unit players that have recently been thrust into the starting lineup. However, sometimes they are regular starters that have seen a rapid increase in minutes for some reason. We have examples of both in today’s Starting 5.
Point Guard: Elfrid Payton (ORL)
Jordan Clarkson tops the list, but he is actually listed at shooting guard on FanDuel, so we will use this spot to highlight the improved play of Elfrid Payton.
Payton took hold of the starting point guard spot for the Magic not too long into the season, but he has really improved over the month of January. He is now taking 10 shots per game and shooting a respectable 45% from the field. The matchup versus the Bucks isn’t ideal, but Payton has nice upside for only $6,000.
Shooting Guard: Jordan Clarkson (LAL)
Clarkson just played a nice game versus the tough Wizards defense. Now he gets a matchup versus the surging Bulls. I’m not too concerned though, as Derrick Rose doesn’t seem all that interested in playing defense.
Pair that with Clarkson’s still-too-low price tag of $3,700 and you get a near must play. Check the Nick Young news as well throughout the day, because Clarkson’s value only goes up if Young sits.
Small Forward: Lance Thomas (NYK)
Lance Thomas is playing well for the Knicks and Derek Fisher is rewarding him with more minutes. Thomas even played 41 minutes in a spot start for Carmelo the other day. This is a back-to-back spot for New York, so keep an eye on Melo’s status.
If the Knicks decide to rest Melo again, fire up Thomas. He should still be able to reach value coming off the bench, but he would have a chance to greatly exceed value if starting.
Editor’s Note: Carmelo Anthony will play tonight.
Power Forward: Jason Smith and Lou Amundson (NYK)
More Knicks you say? Why not if the price is right? With Amare out and Aldrich nursing an injury, the price is certainly right on Jason Smith and Lou Amundson. Jason Smith’s $4200 salary is criminally low for someone that has played at least 32 minutes in five straight games. Lock him into your lineups and move on.
But, if you’re looking for another cheap power forward, Amundson can certainly pay off as well. He has gone for 25 and 29 FanDuel points in his last two games. He should be able to reach value tonight due to sheer volume, even against the tough Indiana bigs.
Center: Dewayne Dedmon (ORL)
This play is reliant on the Magic realizing that Channing Frye needs to move to the bench. Dedmon started the second half of the team’s last game and went on to post a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Dedmon can provide the post defense that the Magic drastically need in their first unit, and if he starts tonight, look for him to have a solid game against the weak Bucks frontcourt.