Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed yesterday’s article. We hit the nail on most of them and will try to do the same tonight. Pretty small slate so we have to zone in on key plays. Let’s dive in!
The Core
Ky Bowman
With Russell out for two weeks due to a thumb sprain sustained vs the Celtics, Bowman will regain his role he saw himself have a couple weeks ago. He played 35+ minutes with Russell out and although I don’t expect the same usage or shots with Draymond playing, Bowman should hit value easily at 3.8k. He’s borderline core, and a great play in all formats.
Lebron James
There aren’t many studs to pay up for this slate, but one you can’t go wrong with the King. He gets a prime matchup against Atlanta who just lost to the Kawhi-less Clippers (but they had PG who scored 37 in 20 mins) and no one on that team will be able to matchup with his size. He has the highest usage rate on the team and he handles the ball almost every time up the floor. He is a very safe play today with very little to be worried about.
The Value
Alec Burks
With D’Angelo hurt once again, Burks will see a huge increase in usage and shot attempts. He has scored in double digits 6 out of the last 7 times and averages a steal or block a game. He is assumed to run the back-up PG duties as well as his usual spot at SF. He’s going to be playing in a very high paced game against a Pelican team that’s coming off a b2b.
E’twaun Moore
Honestly I feel like Brandon Ingram plays today, seeing that yesterday he was warming up and was originally probable, then downgraded to questionable leading up to the O tag after lock. It would make sense on a b2b to play him not only on the 2nd game, but the one back at home. He tested it out yesterday during warm-ups and decided against it, and I’m hoping the reason is because there was a game the night after as well. If not, this brings me into E’twaun Moore who is receiving a bulk of the minutes from all of these Pelican injuries. Frank Jackson hurt his neck and didn’t come back, while Favors left with lower back spams and didn’t come back as well.
Alex Caruso
Alex Caruso has been on a tear and his on-court chemistry with Lebron shows out every night. Last game, Lebron found him on two back cuts on b2b possessions, the same exact cut. He is receiving a ton of minutes with Avery Bradley being out, Vogel seems to trust AC over KCP (receives more minutes than KCP the starter) because of his play making abilities and as well as his ability to drive and hit shots (somethings KCP struggles with until about after the ASB…)
Tournaments
Eric Paschall
With D’angelo out, Paschall will have to take a huge load of the offense like he did originally when both Draymond and Russell were out. We all know that Draymond is definitely not a scorer, and Paschall did get the start last game for Poole. He took 14 shots last game and was able to rebound the ball a lot better than he has all season. He is going against the Pelicans (on a b2b) in this very high paced game that should see him more opportunities.
Alex Len/Damian Jones
Len or Damian… yesterday I wrote Damian in the article and he lit it up for 27.6 FP. He is still cheap on both sites and his size will be needed vs the bigs of AD, Javale, and Dwight. My only worry is that he will accumulate fouls so easily, and that’s when Len will be needed to combat their size. I like both tomorrow honestly, seeing how fast Damian can rack up points, but my finger would go to Len tomorrow just because I’m that certain Damian will get into foul trouble.
(Honorable mention: Jaxson Hayes && Melli if no Favors and Okafor)
