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Easy Breezy: Chalk Stack
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans currently rank third in the NBA in offensive rating, while the Los Angeles Clippers rank 15th in the same category. New Orleans also ranks 12th in the league in offensive rating, while Los Angeles ranks 10th in defensive rating. The Pelicans are +3.5 underdogs in a game set at 234.5 points, giving them an implied team total of 115.5 points tonight.
The Pelicans are dealing with injuries, as Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart have already been ruled out. That will lock JJ Redick into 30+ minutes. He has played 37 and 29 minutes in his last 2 games, averaging 23.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 block, and 1.0 steal (34.1 DK points) per game over that span. Redick has also taken 24 three-point attempts in 2 games. He comes with quite a bit of risk because he strictly relies on scoring, but he’ll see plenty of minutes tonight, and makes an outstanding option in this matchup.
Brandon Ingram is dealing with a knee injury, and he’s listed as a game-time decision. He has been playing well recently, averaging 30.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals (46.6 DK points) in 34.4 minutes per game over the last 15 days. Ingram will continue to boast a massive role in the offense, as he owns a team-high 29.2% usage rating in 2019. He has scored 40+ DK points in each of his last 3 games, including a 56.25 DK point performance against the Brooklyn Nets. If Ingram is ruled out, Jrue Holiday can slide into his place in this play.
Jahlil Okafor and Jaxson Hayes are questionable tonight. That will leave plenty of minutes for Derrick Favors, who has played well recently. Over his last 2 games, he’s averaging 11.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 block, and 2.0 steals (36.8 DK points) in 29.0 minutes per game. Favors is a double-double candidate in this game, and he makes a solid option in all leagues with this slate on featuring five games.
Important Odds: Vegas Stack
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls have been pushing the pace this season, as they rank first and ninth in the NBA in pace, respectively. Milwaukee currently ranks fifth in the league in offensive rating, while Chicago ranks 15th in defensive rating this season. The Bucks are -12 point favorites in a game set at 229.5 points, and they boast the highest implied team total on the slate at 120.8 points.
Eric Bledsoe has caught fire recently, averaging 22.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists (41.0 DK points) in only 27.5 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He’s expected to play around 30 minutes tonight, and he could see a small uptick in usage rating with Khris Middleton out. Overall, he’s averaging 1.31 DK points per minute this season. Bledsoe is a safe option for his price tag, who also comes with tremendous upside.
Giannis Antetokounmpo boasts a team-high 34.2% usage rating. That could also increase while Middleton deals with an injury. Antetokounmpo continues to make one of the best fantasy options in the NBA, as he’s averaging 34.3 points, 15.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals (66.5 DK points) in 33.5 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He has scored 60+ DK points in each of his last 5 contests, including an 81.5 DK point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Pat Connaughton makes a solid option here, but I’m siding with Brook Lopez. Lopez is averaging 0.9 DK points per minute in 2019. He has also flashed tremendous upside recently, scoring 44.5 DK points against the Los Angeles Clippers. Lopez is a player that may go overlooked, but he’s expected to play around 30 minutes, and Chicago has struggled against bigs this season.
Hidden Gem: Value Guard
DeAndre’ Bembry
Bembry has flashed versatility throughout the 2019 season. He’s averaging 11.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.9 steals (28.4 DK points) on a per-36 minute basis. Bembry recently scored 46 DK points in 28 minutes against the Miami Heat, flashing triple-double upside. That isn’t expected to be the case on a nightly basis, but he does have the ability to contribute in four of the five categories.
Bembry gets a matchup against the Phoenix Suns, who currently rank eighth in the NBA in pace. They do rank 13th in the league in defensive rating this season. With that being said, Bembry is expected to play 30+ minutes with Kevin Huerter injured. Bembry still comes with an extremely low price tag, and he can be considered in all leagues tonight.
Hidden Gem: Value Big
Kenrich Williams
Williams has performed well in 2019. He’s averaging 10.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks (33.1 DK points) on a per-36 minute basis. Williams has played 38 and 28 minutes in his last 2 games, scoring 25.25 and 33.25 DK points in those contests. He has flashed double-double potential to go along with the ability to contribute in each of the five categories.
Williams gets a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have already been outlined above. The New Orleans Pelicans are dealing with multiple injuries tonight. Williams is expected to play 30+ minutes because of those injuries. He’s a safe option, who comes with tremendous upside for his price tag.
Follow Justin Bales on Twitter (@BalesSJustin)
