Much like Monday, I think there is a very direct way I want to attack this slate for cash games, although it is not going to end up being nearly as chalky. That being said, I’m going to format this article more like I did on Monday, and highlight how I will personally be constructing my cash game core tonight.
Jam Them In
James Harden- Much will be made of James Harden $14,000 price tag on FanDuel, but that won’t stop me from building around him tonight. He’s “only” $13,000 on DraftKings, and that in itself makes him a lock over there for me as well. For starters, I’m not worried about the return of Eric Gordon and if anyone tells you that you should be, they are misleading you. Yes, you need 70+ FanDuel points from him at this price, but does anyone think that’s out of the question with how he has been playing? He still carries over a 40% usage and assist rate with Chris Paul off the floor, but Eric Gordon on, so I really son’t think the return of Gordon is going to affect his ceiling.
Steph Curry- It comes down to Steph Curry and Kevin Durant as the second player I want to build around tonight, and I ultimately will be siding with Curry. This is an absolutely elite game, carrying a 241 O/U in Vegas and the Dubs slated as 7 point favorites at home. The Pelicans are playing at a top-ten pace in the NBA, and they currently ran outside the top-20 in defensive efficiency against the point guard position. They have been flamed by PG’s all season, and I’m expecting a classic Curry game tonight with a ton of fireworks.
The Value
Value is very interesting tonight, as we have a few spots where we still need injury news to establish whether or not we have cash game viable value.
Dallas Mavericks- The Mavericks are a potentially huge spot for value, with both Jalen Brunson and Maxi Kleber being viable cash game value plays IF Dennis Smith Jr, currently questionable, is ruled out.
Portland Trailblazers- Moe Harkless is currently listed as questionable for the Blazers, and if he misses (I’m assuming he does) that will open up Evan Turner as a small forward punt. Damian Lillard was bumped down to questionable mid-day on Wednesday, and that would be probably the biggest news on the slate. If he is out, that moves both Seth Curry and CJ McCollum into near lock territory, but the problem is this is a 10 PM game so we aren’t going to know by the time FanDuel locks. This is a potentially huge late-swap option for DraftKings, so be sure to monitor this throughout the night.
PJ Tucker- Tucker is probably my favorite overall value play as of right now, which is hilarious for anyone that regularly reads my Final Thoughts chart. He could pick up some center minutes tonight, and regardless he appears locked into 37+ minutes tonight against the Nets.
FanDuel Punt- We have a few places to choose to “punt” on FanDuel and attempt to get our low score drop from a cheap player. Shooting guard and small forward stick out as the top places to do so as of right now, but I’m going to note that you can do so with Seth Curry regardless of if we have Lillard news or not. The problem here is, if we knew Lillard was out, Curry would not be a low score drop, he would just be a lock and load value play. Another potential option is to go with Pau Gasol at center, should be start again.
Other Options
Tristan Thompson/Marc Gasol- As far as other options I’m considering for cash games, it comes down to Tristan Thompson or Marc Gasol at center. Thompson in particular stands out, as he is under-priced given his recent injury yet touched 37 minutes in the Cavs last game against the Lakers.
Draymond Green/Tobias Harris- Draymond has been up-and-down…mostly down…all season, but he should thrive in this fast-paced atmosphere against the Pelicans. The Pels have been all-around horrid against big men this season, and since we won’t be fitting Durant in it doesn’t hurt to get two pieces of the offense that is projected to score 124 points. Montrezl Harrell has gotten the attention recently after two huge games, but Tobias Harris has been himself and it feels like he can get you 30+ fantasy points pretty much every night out.
Utah Jazz- The Jazz have a slew of options again with all of their injuries, and all of Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder fall into my cash game range again tonight, as filler pieces with the lock and load guys above.
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
