Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo drives against Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lamb during an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
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Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 47.13 DK - 49.63
With Luka's price skyrocketing and Ja Morant doubtful for tonight, I am going with a little more balanced approach at the guard position and that starts with SGA. He has been a beast so far this season running a 32.6% usage rate taking 22 or more shots in every game while averaging 29.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while also sitting second in the league in steals per game(2.5). For fantasy, he has provided us a 42-point floor with upside exceeding 60 points and while this is the lowest total on the slate, the Thunder are going to need him to help keep it close and the Mavs have been slightly below-average defensively(18th in def eff) this season. All things considered, SGA is a great play in all formats.
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 36.85 DK - 39.79
We go from the lowest total on the slate to the highest but still have a little blowout risk here as the Pacers, who are likely going to tank the season, are 10.5-point dogs. I am no overly concerned for a couple of reason starting with the matchup as they face a Nets team that has been a disaster defensively to start the year ranking 29th in defensive efficiency and 29th in fantasy points to guards. That brings us to Haliburton who is, in my opinion, underpriced at the moment as he comes in with five straight double-doubles and averaging 23 points and 10.3 assists on the season. Like SGA, he has provided a 42-point fantasy floor but comes a $1000 cheaper on DraftKings and at an even bigger discount on FanDuel. I will most definitely have exposure in all formats.
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 27.44 DK - 29.77
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 21.33 DK - 23.85
Value is something we are searching for in DFS NBA right up until lock but today we are getting some nice and early as Ja Morant is doubtful to play this evening against the Jazz. The top beneficiary should be Tyus Jones who will step into the starting lineup after starting the year fairly productive off the bench putting up 22 or more fantasy points in four of five games while only shooting 39% from the field. The usage is likely to increase to somewhere around 15-18 shots which gives him a nice floor and upside at his sub $5K price on both sites. Despite the tough matchup, I think it is pretty easy here to lock in the minutes and roll with Jones in all formats. Brooks is a little riskier as he comes slightly more expensive and has struggled since making his season debut shooting only 24% from the field but gets a great opportunity to get back on track here as he should see some increased minutes and shots, as well.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 37.43 DK - 40.14
The balanced approach continues at the small forward position with Kevin Durant a little overpriced based on early returns and the inconsistency of Demar DeRozan. Instead, I will turn to Lauri Markkanen, especially on DraftKings where he is back below $7K and playing very well to start the year. he has taken 12 or more shots in every game with upside in the high teens, has posted double-doubles in three of his last five, and outside of a dud against Houston has provided 33 or more fantasy points in every game. While the Jazz are a little more balanced in terms of usage, he leads the team in that category through six games and is a safe play in all formats.
Also consider: Gordan Hayward(CHA) if both LaMello Ball and Terry Rozier remain out or Royce O'Neale(BKN) who is getting a heavy run of minutes for Brooklyn and has double-digit shots in three straight
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 66.3 DK - 69.86
Despite the Bucks playing on a back-to-back here, there is no doubt who the system is building around tonight. Giannis has been in MVP form to start the season averaging 34.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists sitting second in scoring to only Luka Doncic and second in rebounding to only Rudy Gobert. This is a battle between two Top 10 defenses but both run above average in pace and the one weakness the Hawks have shown early in the season has been against forwards as they rank 22nd in fantasy points against the position. It is rare that a player with Giannis's price tag sees such a high PTS/$ projection but he is no normal player. I will be building around him in all formats tonight.
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 33.08 DK - 31.9
Turner made his season debut on Wednesday after an early season injury and while he was quite disappointing, he more than made up for it on Friday. He played 32 minutes last night against the Wiz putting up 27 points and added 10 rebounds with five blocked shots for a monster 54-point fantasy performance. Despite that ceiling game, the price is back down to season-low on DraftKings and while I am not expecting the scoring to continue he provides enough on the defensive end to give him a solid floor at that price. I will have exposure in all formats.
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