What’s up guys! Back for another Saturday Sriracha Building Blocks and we’re gonna hopefully continue our streak on having really spot on write-ups. Let’s dive right into it

The Core

 

James Harden

Pretty much a no brainer here. Westbrook won’t play due to rest, and James Harden’s usage rates will only go higher now. He’s proven what he could do with or without Westbrook, so why is today any different? He started off the season a little rocky but since then, he’s been on fire. He’s seen his price increase 1.7k in just a little over a week. Today, he gets the Minnesota Timberwolves on the second end of a back to back. The Wolves run at an extremely fast pace as do the Rockets, and Harden should be the cash staple to start your lineups.

Kendrick Nunn

Nunn has arguably been the biggest surprise of the season, top 3 in rookie scoring and steals. He’s been playing very well for the Miami Heat, and his price is super cheap. Today he gets a nice matchup vs the banged up Pelicans, and potentially (pay attention to news) without Butler and Dragic. Nunn should exceed value with or without those two, and he’s a core play regardless of their status.

 

 

The Value

 

Austin Rivers

Again another Rockets player we want to have since Westbrook is out. He is increasing in price but he should be in line for 30+ minutes and could potentially have his ceiling game. Not only is Westbrook out, they are extremely short handed with House (Q) and Gordon out. He’s a great value play, but PG is loaded. This is also a play that requires little thought.. Put on today’s minutes/usage and take away Westbrook and what do you get? I think he receives 35+ minutes today and takes even more shots. Is he gonna make them? I guess that’s the true question seeing that both of these teams will be on back-to-backs. With the Rockets missing almost everyone that’s part of their core, Austin should see massive run and have the opportunity to put up shots he won’t see when everyone’s back.

Derrick White

Though he let us down the first go around without Murray, I believe this is a spot where he can show us what he can do being the #1 point guard. Last time around vs Portland he put up 31 fp in 25 minutes. Portland is still terrible at defending guards and they have been getting killed recently. Him being at home certainly helps his case as well, seeing that most of his good games this season have been at home.

Jarrett Culver

Assuming Wiggins will be out for tonight’s game, we can believe that Ryan Saunders will probably run the same line-up he did as last night. The only thing here is that I can see him starting Okogie to guard James Harden but if so they might bench Graham instead of Jarrett Culver. He provides upside with his defense, almost average a steal a game. He’s at a cheap price in a very fast paced match-up that should see little defense.

 

Tournaments

 

Damian Jones

Damian Jones went nuts on Thursday vs Phoenix, and was only stopped because of his foul trouble. Now this game doesn’t suit him as much just because Zubac is the only true C that the Clippers have, but I feel like Atlanta is inclined to use him more seeing that they are now started him over Alex Len. I like both Alex and Damian, but think that Damian would’ve had a lot more run seeing that foul trouble limited his time. Very cheap punt tournament play on all sites that could potentially smash his salary.

Dennis Smith Jr

DSJ has had such a terrible start to this season, not only with his play but with his personal life. He has a small sample size of games but it seems like his play off the bench better suits him than being in the first unit, where he has to share the ball more. He gives the Knicks a great boost off the bench and hogs all the usage there. He is priced low and may see the bulk of the minutes if the Knicks need scoring (which they usually do…)

Patty Mills

Patty is another cheap punt play that could hammer his salary because of Murray being out. Last time around, he put up 31 real points vs Golden State. He doesn’t have White taking his usage off the bench in this situation, so he has the green light to fire giving him massive upside.  Again, Portland has been getting killed vs guards lately and though I’m not too much a fan of revenge narratives anymore(I keep getting burned..), I feel the need to say it just for the old fans out there. This man got drafted by Portland back in 09!