Feb 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Clippers 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
There are eight games on tap for the NBA today, but most of the big-name stars are hurt. Russell Westbrook, he of the three consecutive triple-doubles is out. So is his teammate, Kevin Durant. Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin are out. DeMarcus Cousins is doubtful. LeBron James may be forced to sit again with a sore back. What this does is free up a lot of money to spend on other players, and creates super cheap starting options in daily leagues. Let’s take a look at who is worth it.
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Here are my all day FanDuel linueps for March 1:
Point Guards:
Bargains:
Mo Williams, Hornets ($5,900): Williams lit up the Celtics on Friday for 31 actual points and 44.4 fantasy points on Friday. He has been exactly what the Hornets ordered as a fill-in for the injured Kemba Walker, and should be so against the Magic again tonight.
George Hill, Pacers ($6,100): His price wont be in this range for long. Hill notched a triple-double against Cleveland on Friday, and gets a Philadelphia backcourt that is a bit in flux because of the trade of Michael Carter-Williams. Expect another good game from Hill again today.
Isaiah Thomas, Celtics ($6,400): Thomas has averaged 34.6 fantasy points per game since his arrival in Boston. The presence of Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, and Evan Turner has not diminished his output one bit. Start him with confidence, even if the Celtics don’t.
Worth The Cost:
Chris Paul, Clippers ($10,000): Paul has stepped up his play lately, going over 40 fantasy points in four of his five games since the All Star Break. His prospects of doing so tonight against a Bulls team without Derrick Rose look excellent.
Tyreke Evans, Pelicans ($8,400): Evans has been putting up huge fantasy nights with Jrue Holiday out. He has five straight games of more than 30 fantasy points, and will have no problem pushing it to six against the Nuggets tonight.
D.J. Augustin, Thunder ($6,700): Augustin has still managed to put up double digit fantasy points backup up the best PG in the league in Russell Westbrook. Now that Westbrook will miss at least one game, Augustin is given the keys to a pretty nice offensive unit, even if it is only firing on three of five cylinders. Look for him to have a huge game against the Lakers.
Risky Plays:
Elfrid Payton, Magic ($5,700): His poor shooting is causing problems for the Magic, which could result in decreased playing time. Payton has just 36.2 fantasy points in his last two games, and the future doesn’t look any brighter with Charlotte on tap for tonight.
Aaron Brooks, Bulls ($4,500): Brooks struggles to reach even 4.5x value when his shot is not falling like the case was on Friday night. He could have problems seeing open shots against the Clippers tonight, so be aware that Brooks may not have nearly the fantasy output that one might expect from him tonight.
My Lineup:
Hill and Williams ($12,000):
Next: Is Harden Worth The Risk?
Feb 27, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Bargains:.
Wayne Ellington, Lakers ($5,200): While Ellington gets little notoriety, he has done a fine job of putting up fantasy numbers. He has surpassed the 20 point fantasy threshold in six of his last ten games, including two straight. When the matchup is right, Ellington can help earn your team some money. His matchup against the Thunder should be good enough to put him in the 20’s once again.
Will Barton, Nuggets ($4,200): Barton has made the most of his starting opportunity in Denver. He has averaged 25.8 fantasy points per game in four starts. That makes him a very nice 6x value right now. Even against New Orleans, he should have little trouble making 5x value (21 fantasy points).
Worth The Cost:
Jimmy Butler, Bulls ($9,000): Butler has averaged 36 fantasy points per game since the break, which is an average of 4x value. The Clippers don’t always defend the two guard well, and Butler is the main offensive weapon without Derrick Rose. Pau Gasol is listed as probable for tonight, so Butler could have some help.
Victor Oladipo, Magic ($6,900): Oladipo has averaged 30.4 fantasy points per game over his last ten games. During that span, he has not been under 24 fantasy points in a game. He is one of the most consistent producers at the position, and has been close to 4.5x value every time he takes the court. He might not get to that mark against Charlotte, but he wont be below 24 either.
Klay Thompson, Warriors ($7,200): Thompson has averaged 35 fantasy points per game over his last four games. He has hit stroke back, and is a great option while performing at this level. Even in a blowout win on Friday, Thompson went over 30 fantasy points in 27 minutes. Expect the hot streak to continue tonight against Boston.
Risky Plays:
James Harden, Rockets ($10,800): Harden has only been over 40 fantasy points once in the last six games. That wont get it done for as much as he costs. His matchup against Cleveland is not a bad one, but given his recent track record, I’m not sure he is worth the risk today.
Eric Gordon, Pelicans ($6,300): Gordon has been under 28 fantasy points in seven of his last ten games. When he is on, he is often worth it, but you never know when it’s going to happen. He does have a good matchup against the Nuggets, so if you’re feeling lucky, there is a good chance that Gordon comes through tonight.
My Lineup:
Butler and Gordon ($15,300)
Next: If The King Plays, Is He Worth It?
Feb 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and center Andrew Bogut (12) celebrate against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Golden State defeated Toronto 113-89. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Small Forwards:
Bargains:
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Hornets ($6,000): He has averaged 30 fantasy points per game since the All Star break. We have seen flashes of this before from MKG. While we don’t know if he has put it all together now, but there is no reason to not to go with the hot streak.
Jae Crowder, Celtics ($4,600): Crowder is not starting, but he is still playing nearly 30 minutes a game. He has averaged 29.8 fantasy points over his last four games. That makes him a great option in daily leagues. The only thing you have to worry about is Boston’s rotation, but since Crowder can play the three or the four, he likely wont fall out of favor anytime soon.
Worth The Cost:
Draymond Green, Warriors ($7,300): Green has been over 28 fantasy points in eight of his last ten games. He has been over 40 fantasy points in each of his last two games. His athleticism makes all sorts of problems for opposing teams. Sometimes he struggles against teams that have good size. Boston is not one of those teams. Expect Green to have another solid game.
Rudy Gay, Kings ($7,600): Gay has averaged 29.1 fantasy points over his last seven games, so he is back to being the consistent force that he was earlier in the season. Portland is pretty solid defensively at SF and PF, so don’t expect big things from Gay. That said, with Durant out and LeBron questionable, Gay could be your best option.
Risky Plays:
LeBron James, Cavaliers ($10,900): His back is likely fine, and he should take court against Houston tonight. Don’t expect James to blow up the way he did against the Pacers, but high 40’s is possible against the Rockets.
Tobias Harris, Magic ($6,100): Harris has a fairly tough matchup against the Hornets, and I still don’t think he is back to normal. He has not been posting big lines since his latest return. His chances of hitting 5x value are very slim against Charlotte.
My Lineup:
Green and Crowder ($11,900)
Next: Two Of The Best Options Are Out At PF
Feb 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) brings the ball up the court during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Power Forwards:
Bargains:
Serge Ibaka, Thunder ($7,200): Ibaka has been an absolute monster since the All Star break. He has averaged 37.4 fantasy points per game in those six games. Today he has a great matchup against the Lakers, and he will be one of the focal points of the offense with both Westbrook and Durant out.
Terrence Jones, Rockets ($6,500): The All Star break marked the rebirth of Terrence Jones. He has not been under 28 fantasy points since then, and has averaged 34.5 fantasy points per game during that span. His price still doesn’t match his production, so keep going with the hot hand.
Jason Thompson, Kings ($4,400): With DeMarcus Cousins doubtful, Thompson will get another start. He has averaged 31 fantasy points per game filling in for Cousins, which makes him the best bargain in the game right now.
Worth The Cost:
LaMarcus Aldridge, Trailblazers ($9,500): Aldridge erupted for 58.7 fantasy points against the Thunder on Friday. He could have similar success against Sacramento tonight, who will likely still be without DeMarcus Cousins. That will only open up things more for LMA tonight.
Kevin Love, Cavaliers ($8,200): Love was a force with LeBron James out on Friday, but with James back, he could see a drop in production. That said, he has a nice matchup against Houston, and could still end up proving his worth tonight.
Risky Plays:
Nerlens Noel, 76ers ($6,800): Noel has been under 30 fantasy points in six of his last ten games, which makes him a risk. He has averaged 33.3 fantasy points per game over his last five games though. His matchup against the Pacers is what sways this the other way.
Brandon Bass, Celtics ($5,300): Bass has been under 20 fantasy points in his last two starts. Golden State is a decent matchup, but I wouldn’t trust Bass right now. There are too many other mouths to feed for the Celtics right now, and Bass is on the outs. At least for now.
My Lineup:
Jones and Thompson ($10,900)
Next: Not Many Cheap Options At C
Jan 31, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Centers:
Bargain:
Jordan Hill, Lakers ($5,900): Hill has a really nice matchup against the Thunder, and he has averaged 25.5 fantasy points per game over his last four games. His injury concerns seem to have subsided for the time being, and with the beat up Thunder on the horizon, he should have another solid fantasy performance.
Worth The Cost:
DeAndre Jordan, Clippers ($9,700): Jordan has been dominant in his last seven games. He has averaged a whopping 50 fantasy points per game in that period. The Bulls may give him a little trouble up front, but not enough to deter me. He has had more than 15 rebounds in every one of those games, which gives him a high floor.
Al Jefferson, Hornets ($8,100): Jefferson has not been under 25 fantasy points since the first week of January. He has averaged 34.6 fantasy points per game over his last ten games. Jefferson a solid matchup against the Magic, who are not that strong on the interior. If you can’t afford Jordan, Jefferson is a suitable replacement.
Risky Play:
Joakim Noah, Bulls ($7,100): Noah’s production has leveled off of late, and while it’s nice to have some consistency from him this year, he is still prone to the occasional clunker. I don’t particularly like his matchup against DeAndre Jordan, but he has averaged 33.7 fantasy point per game over his last seven games.
My Lineup:
Jordan ($9,700)