Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden dribbles during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 36.46 DK - 39.64
Man, what a crazy season it’s been for Kemba Walker. He started off in the starting lineup but looked increasingly bad as he played more and more minutes. Eventually, it lead to his outright benching and effectively sitting out. Then he jumps back in with the starters and has just crushed over the last couple of games. On Thursday it was really one of the best games of his career, scoring 44 points while also adding in nine rebounds, and eight assists in the loss to the Wizards. The price hasn’t fully adjusted for the newish opportunity and he’ll be facing off against a thinner Atlanta team that has players in protocols.
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 29.22 DK - 30.03
Delon Wright has been a very popular play over the last couple of games, moving into the starting lineup for Trae Young who is out in the Covid protocols. Statistically, it hasn’t completely worked out with Wright averaging seven points, six rebounds, and five assists in that stretch. But the Hawks could be even thinner this game with Cam Reddish questionable as well. I think there will be a ton of minutes for Delon in this one against the Knicks with the usage rate almost definitely set to increase. He’s only taken 13 total shots in the last two games. Let’s run him one more time here.
Strongly consider Jrue Holiday (FD 9500 DK 9300) with Giannis Antetokounmpo still out.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 52.33 DK - 55.57
The Nets are going to be without Kevin Durant in this Christmas Day game which should represent a fantastic opportunity for Harden. The latter has been sitting out in the Covid protocols for more than a week now so there is some concern he doesn’t get a full minutes’ run in this one. Harden has a 27.4% usage rate on the season, but that number jumps 33.5% when Durant is off the court. Considering how the Lakers have been playing defense of later (which is to say, they haven’t been) I think Harden could put up a huge line. But again, I’m just a bit concerned the Nets are hesitant to run him full minutes.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 33.99 DK - 34.17
If looking for some cheaper options to round out paying for the stars on the slate, then Gary Payton could fit the bill. He entered the Warriors’ starting lineup on Thursday with Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins out and turned in a solid performance. Sharing the court with Stephen Curry isn’t often going to help the usage rate, but Payton turned in 22 points. And if anything, considering he played 33 minutes, the two rebounds and lone assist feel like total outliers on the low side. I think there is major room for growth there. Even in a bad matchup against the Suns, this is a good spot for Payton who is way too cheap as a starter.
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 52.45 DK - 55.76
The Lakers have sure looked rough at times this season and are without Anthony Davis for the foreseeable future. But this game is on the biggest stage, primetime on Christmas Day and we could see Lebron really shine here. He’s facing a depleted Nets’ team and has been putting up some big numbers of late without AD. Lebron is coming off a 36 point, nine-rebound, six-assist game on Thursday, a loss to the Spurs. He should see minutes in the high 30s and isn’t likely to face a lot of defensive resistance from this Brooklyn team.
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 32.96 DK - 35.13
Reddish is currently questionable for this game, but the good news is that we will have the word early enough because it’s the first one on the slate. He was a chucker’s chucker in his first start of the season with the Hawks banged up. He put up 23 shots in 42 minutes and finished with 34 points while chipping in four assists and rebounds each. He left the game early against Philly on Thursday but was on his way to a similar line. If he’s healthy and playing then the price hasn’t adjusted nearly enough for the opportunity. Keep an eye on this news leading into game time.
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 44.77 DK - 46.62
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 27.78 DK - 28.11
Okongwu entered the starting lineup for the depleted Hawks team on Thursday and my only concern was with the minutes considering he was ramping up after an extended injury absence. There turned out to be no issue there with Okongwu playing 34 minutes and dropping 13 points and eight rebounds. The price barely moved on either site and he makes for a fantastic punt play on this slate of games. And considering the timing of the game, the first one of the day, I think we are pretty safe running him on the cheaper side of things and then moving other parts of the lineup around later if need be.
Meanwhile, Collins, like Cam Reddish is questionable for this game. He’s stepped up in his minutes lately with so many Hawks on the shelf. He dropped 28 points and 12 rebounds on Wednesday against the Magic and was at 17 points and five rebounds through 31 before leaving the Philly game with an injury. I would be fine running him here again if he’s healthy and playing. Update: Okongwu is out and Capela is back in.
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 32.05 DK - 32.69
Williams delivered up a monster on Thursday, finally putting together a full stat line. He was one of the top scorers on the slate putting up 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and some defensive stats as well. He has tremendous upside if the minutes are there and they should be against the Bucks who don’t have much in the way of a frontcourt right now. With Horford out of the mix and Enes Freedom out as well, the run should be there for Time Lord. Considering the price stayed mostly in place, he’s likely to be a popular option.
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