Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
HIGH FIVE/low five
Daily Fantasy can be quite the grind! Let us do the grinding for you with “High Five/Low Five”. Each day we help put you in the money by presenting you with FIVE of the “top-tier” plays, as well as a quick list of FIVE “value plays”. Detroit Pistons’ center Andre Drummond flies high as Saturday’s top Daily Fantasy Basketball play of the night.
Let’s rip it up.
HIGH FIVE:
Point Guard: Damian Lillard, POR ($7,000): There were a few weeks in which Lillard was nearly unplayable, but he has now entered back into playable territory because his expected performance is once again relative to his salary. The nice thing about a slump is that sometimes it causes a really good player’s salary to drop, as is the case with Lillard. In three out of his last four games, Lillard has exceeded value, including a 55.1 FP performance last night against the Pacers. Tonight, he will see a much easier matchup against the hapless defense of Ricky Rubio, in what should not only be one of the higher scoring games of the night, but also one of the more competitive. As always, Stephen Curry, GS ($9,700) has a higher floor and ceiling than any other PG tonight, but if you’d rather pay up elsewhere, I expect that Lillard will represent the best return on investment for his salary, needing just 35 FPs to reach value.
Shooting Guard: Randy Foye, DEN ($6,500): Given the volatility of some of the more expensive players at his position and some of the low end value available tonight, I like Foye against a Pistons’ squad that ranks just 23rd over the past 15 days vs. SGs. Tonight’s game in Detroit features the tastiest over/under at 216, and with just a two-point spread, it should be close most of the way. Foye needs just 32.5 FPs to reach value tonight, and considering that he’s topped 30 FPs in four out of his last five games, that almost seems like a lock tonight.
Small Forward: LeBron James, MIA ($11,300): If there is a spot or a player that you want to pay up tonight, LeBron James — in a matchup vs. Utah — is about as good of an option as you’ll find. King James has been on fire recently, topping 55 FPs in each of the last three games and going over 45 FPs in seven of his last 10. Add in that he torched Utah for 30 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists the last time out, it’s easy to see why LeBron is the clear top choice at SF this evening.
Power Forward: Kevin Love, MIN ($11,200): Kevin Love has performed pretty well in his two previous meetings with the Blazers this season, averaging 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. To add to that, he’s also been playing out of his mind lately, with five straight games of 50 FPs. Tonight’s contest should be a close and high scoring game, which plays right into Love’s hands. Also worth noting is that Portland is playing their second game in as many days, and is coming off of a grueling overtime game last night against a tough Pacers team. Love is your man amongst the top dollar PFs.
Also consider: Zach Randolph, MEM ($8,100)
Center: Andre Drummond, DET ($8,100): Although foul trouble can sometimes represent a bit of a problem for the Detroit big man, absolutely nobody on the Nuggets will. The Nuggets are not only undersized, but also ranked 29th vs. opposing centers in recent weeks. Also, the high pace of tonight’s game should yield plenty of rebounds for Mr. Drummond, as well as the opportunity for his fair share of points. Barring any foul trouble, Drummond should be able to reach the 40 FP mark tonight with ease, and as such, represents a great play tonight.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
low five:
Point Guard: Nick Calathes, MEM ($4,800): So long as Calathes’ price remains low, he’ll continue to be the top value play at his position. Calathes needs just 24 FPs to reach value tonight, a number he’s achieved in each of his three starts thus far. He should have no problem doing so against an Atlanta Hawks squad that ranks in the bottom third against opposing PGs. Roster Calathes with confidence tonight and give yourself a little extra financial freedom.
Shooting Guard: Danny Green, SA ($4,300): Green should be heavily owned tonight across the industry in all the cash games, and your roster should be a part of that. Green has been playing very well lately, and given the injuries to some of San Antonio’s other top wing players, he should continue that trend with big minutes tonight.
Small Forward: Kyle Singler, DET ($3,700): Singler has seen a couple of starts recently, and though it’s not confirmed that he will start tonight, he’s clearly earned the trust of Head Coach Maurice Cheeks. Whether he starts for the Pistons or not, he should again see quality minutes tonight in a high scoring game versus the Denver Nuggets. Given the minutes he’s likely to see tonight, I think Singler will reach at least 20 FPs tonight and surpass his value threshold of 18.5 FPs.
Power Forward: Mike Scott, ATL ($4,400): Scott has been playing great for Atlanta lately — scoring over 22 FPs in each of his last five contests — and should be able to get that tonight against the 22nd-ranked Memphis defense, making him a lock to at least reach value on his salary.
Center: Larry Sanders, MIL ($5,800): There’s not a lot of value to be had among the cheap options at center tonight, but if I must pick one, I like Sanders who has played well lately, averaging 32.8 FPs over his last five games. With just 29 FPs needed to reach value, merely continuing his recent play will get him there. That said, I expect somewhere around 25 FPs tonight, given his matchup with Dwight Howard. Roster with caution and hope the money that you save pays off wherever else you’ve decided to spend it.
Thank you and good luck tonight !!!