Easy Breezy: Chalk Stack
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have been slowing the pace down throughout the 2018 season, ranking last in the NBA in pace thus far. They get a matchup against the Orlando Magic, who currently rank 23rd in the league in pace. Memphis also ranks only 27th in the NBA in defensive rating, while Orlando ranks seventh in the league in offensive rating. Overall, the Grizzlies are a +9.5 point underdogs in a game set at 206.5 points, and they own an implied total of only 98.5 points.
Memphis will be running a short rotation tonight, as they will be without Mike Conley, Avery Bradley, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Anderson, and C.J. Miles tonight. Delon Wright will take over as the primary ball-handler for Memphis, and he’s expected to find minutes in the mid- to high-30s. Wright is averaging 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals (21.9 DK points) in 31.5 minutes per game over the last 10 days. While his numbers aren’t elite, he’ll be featured more in the offense tonight, and he still comes with a relatively low price tag. Justin Holiday is another player that will be forced into big minutes tonight. Similarly to Wright, he isn’t an elite fantasy option, as he’s only averaging 0.69 DK points per minute this season. Holiday could see nearly 40 minutes tonight, though, and he’s under $4K. He likely won’t drop 40 DK points tonight, but Holiday is cheap and safe, which is all we can ask for in cash games. Bruno Caboclo is another sub-$4K player, who will be locked into big minutes tonight. He drew the start in his last game, scoring 27.75 DK points in 40 minutes. On the season, he’s averaging 0.73 DK points per minute, and he’s expected to find 30+ minutes in this game. The total cost of this stack is $8.5K, allowing you to get the more elite options in cash games tonight. Jonas Valanciunas is another player that can be considered here, as well, but he’s a bit more expensive, and comes with more risk than these three players.
Important Odds: Vegas Stack
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers will be playing in one of the faster paced games on the slate. These two teams currently rank 11th and fifth in the NBA in pace this season. Brooklyn only ranks 19th in the league in offensive rating, but Los Angeles ranks only 15th in the NBA in defensive rating. The pace of this game makes it fantasy relevant, and the Nets are -2.5 point favorites in a game set at 230.5 points. They feature an implied total of 116.5 points tonight.
D’Angelo Russell is heating up once again, as he’s averaging 27.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.3 steals (51.3 DK points) in 32.3 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He has posted 77 and 58.25 DK points in his last two games, combining to score 76 points in those contests. Furthermore, Russell has taken 25+ shot attempts in each of his last three games. He gets an elite matchup against his former team, and this play has the revenge narrative. In their only matchup this season, Russell posted 50 DK points in 34 minutes. He has the potential for more, though, as he attempted only 21 shots in that game, while failing to record any free throws. Jarrett Allen is far from a consistent option, but he comes with plenty of upside. He’s averaging 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks (24.5 DK points) in 25.3 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He has also flashed 40+ DK point upside recently. Allen needed only 20.3 minutes to score 24.5 DK points against Los Angeles earlier this season, as they have struggled against centers for the majority of the year. He’s an athletic center, who could benefit from this pace, as well. Joe Harris is another high upside option to fill out this stack. He has been struggling a bit recently, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assist (19.0 DK points) in 25.4 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He posted 30.5 DK points in his only matchup against Los Angeles, but he played 37.5 minutes in that game. That isn’t overly likely again, but Harris is a player that relies heavily on scoring, and this game should feature plenty of points. He still comes with a relatively low price tag, making him a strong tournament option tonight.
Wildcard GPP: Low Owned Stack
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have been pushing the pace this season, ranking eighth in the NBA in pace through 72 games. They get a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who rank only 29th in the league in pace. With that being said, Cleveland also ranks last in the NBA in defensive rating, while Los Angeles ranks 10th in the league in offensive rating. The Clippers are -6.5 point favorites in a game set at 227 points, giving them the highest implied total on the slate at 116.8 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to perform well as the season comes to a close. He’s averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals (31.5 DK points) in 28.3 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He also recently flashed tremendous upside, scoring 44.25 DK points against the Chicago Bulls. SGA has yet to play against Cleveland this season, and they are a team that has struggled against guards at times this season. Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to continue to see plenty of minutes for the remainder of the season, making him an outstanding option tonight. Danilo Gallinari is another player that has been playing at a high level recently. Over the last 10 days, he’s averaging 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steal (40.1 DK points) in 30.4 minutes per game. He’s extremely consistent, scoring 35+ DK points in eight consecutive games, while also scoring 44+ DK points in three of those games. Gallinari relies heavily on scoring, and he should have no problems against a weak Cleveland defense tonight. Montrezl Harrell has finally been playing more consistent minutes, and he has been producing extremely well. He’s averaging 21.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.0 steal (41.3 DK points) in 26.6 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He has played 24+ minutes in each of his last four games, while also scoring 40+ DK points in each of those games. Cleveland simply doesn’t have any bigs that can stick with Harrell, and he should find plenty of success again tonight.
Hidden Gem: Value Guard
Delon Wright
I have already outlined Wright above, so I won’t go into too much detail here. He’ll see a featured role in the Memphis Grizzlies offense with Mike Conley and company out. Wright hasn’t been an elite fantasy option recently, but when given the opportunities, he has flashed in the past. He’ll likely be the highest owned player on the slate, and this is a friendly reminder not to avoid him.
Hidden Gem: Value Big
Mario Hezonja
I already gave outlined a few of the Memphis value options, so I’ll give you someone new here. Hezonja recently returned to the New York Knicks rotation, and he’s averaging 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals (27.6 DK points) in 29.5 minutes per game since returning. He has played 26+ minutes in each of those games, while also scoring 22+ DK points in each contest.
Hezonja is expected to find minutes in the mid- to high-20s tonight, while seeing the same role that he has seen since returning to the rotation. He gets a decent matchup against the Denver Nuggets, as well. Hezonja generally is a tournament only option, but he can be considered in all leagues because of his new role and his sub-$4K price tag.
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