Point Guard
Top Tier: Jamal Murray- There are plenty of strong spend ups at point guard tonight, but I’m focusing on Jamal Murray with no Gary Harris against the Orlando Magic. His usage rate has been around 27% without Harris this season, and he is playable in all formats at his cheap price.
Mid Tier: George Hill- George Hill really isn’t a mid tier option, because he is dirt cheap, but locking him in with Tomas Satoranksy is an extremely viable strategy tonight. Hill’s minutes were supposed to be limited in his second game back from injury, yet he saw 35 and we can confidnetly project him for around 30 tonight in a matchup with the Warriors. I’m not expecting a huge ceiling, but at his price he can easily beat value.
Low Tier: Tomas Satoranksy- Much like Austin Rivers, who you will soon read about, Satoransky is pretty much a lock for me in all formats tonight. He has quietly produced whenever given minutes, and the playing time should be there tonight with no John Wall for Washington. He doesn’t even feel like a low score drop either, because I’m pretty confident in him being able to get 20 fantasy points at around minimum price across the industry.
Shooting Guard
Top Tier: DeMar Derozan- The focus will be on Bradley Beal here, but Beal’s number actually haven’t been great without Wall on the floor and with him expected to see elevated ownership tonight I will side with Derozan. I’m less concerned with Derozan on a back-to-back than I am someone like LaMarcus Aldridge, and Derozan has been a walking 60 burger against the Lakers in two meetings this season.
Mid Tier: Alec Burks- Burks didn’t see George Hill minutes in the Cavs last game, but they were confident enough to give him the ball on the final possession and he has crushed value in both games with the wine and gold thus far. The Cavs will need him to step up to keep pace with the Warriors offense, and he feels like he’s protected from a blowout regardless.
Low Tier: Austin Rivers- Austin Rivers is expected to start for John Wall tonight, and he is an elite value play, that is strong in all formats in my opinion. It would be hard for him to really hurt you at his price.
Small Forward
Top Tier: LeBron James- It would be easy to slot in Giannis Antetokounmpo here as well, but I have a feeling LeBron could be a touch overlooked tonight given the amount of great spots, and that he is in the last game of the night. I am a bit concerned with the Spurs being on a back-to-back, and the spread is nine, but LeBron has posted 59+ in two meetings against SA this season.
Mid Tier: Paul George- I was on George in the Thunder’s last game given his price, and I’m going right back to the well tonight against the Brooklyn Nets. His floor has been steady even with Westbrook healthy, and I’m not worried about a blowout given that the spread is down to 6.5 for this game. The ceiling might be a bit limited, but 35+ fantasy points feels like a lock in this spot, and I’m comfortable with him in all formats.
Low Tier: Miles Bridges- I expect Kelly Oubre to be the popular choice here, but I want to take the lower ownership with Bridges who I think has a similar floor/ceiling combo. Bridges has been exceptional when given minutes, and the minutes should be secure with Marvin Williams set to miss some time for the Hornets tonight.
Power Forward
Top Tier: Anthony Davis- We need to wait and see if Nikola Mirotic plays or not, but regardless Anthony Davis is my top overall play once again on tonight slate. Giannis is the closest thing to him, but given the usage, and how much of the offense Davis truly is, I usually side with him given the monster minutes he logs nightly.
Mid Tier: Serge Ibaka- Game-log watchers will be off Serge Ibaka tonight, but given his price he is viable in all formats for me tonight. He had a huge game against Philly previously this season, and the Raptors are going to need Ibaka’s size to combat this 76ers frontcourt.
Low Tier: Frank Kaminsky- There’s not a ton to love at the cheap-end of PF tonight, and it appears like I will be looking to jam in both AD and Ibaka on both sites. If you are looking to punt, you can take a dart on Frank Kaminsky who should see a few extra minutes with Marvin Williams out, similar to Bridges.
Center
Top Tier: Joel Embiid- Embiid is back under $11,000, and one of the top overall spend-ups on the night. Center’s have been decimating the Toronto Raptors in recent games, and I don’t see anyone that will be able to combat Embiid tonight. He put up 51 against the Raptors in their last meeting, and while I don’t think he will be very highly-owned in cash games, I want exposure to him tonight.
Mid Tier: Nikola Jokic- I’m assuming Karl-Anthony Towns is going to be the popular play in this tier tonight, and I like him as well, but I’m 100% on #TeamJoker tonight. Jokic put up 40 FanDuel points in 22 minutes against the Magic in their last meeting…on the back of 6 real points! If he sees his normal minutes tonight, with the extra usage from Gary Harris being out, and his shot is falling he should destroy and my bold call of the night is an incoming 70 spot from Jokic.
Low Tier: Thomas Bryant (FanDuel)- Everyone will be focusing on the upper tier of center tonight, so punting with Bryant on FanDuel where your low score gets dropped is a very interesting GPP strategy on a big slate. Doing this would allow you to fit in both AD and Giannis/LeBron and will immediately give you a unique roster construction.
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
