NBA FanDuel 3/16 Picks and Advice
By Jesse Myers
Welcome to the NBA FanDuel Zone. Here are some intelligent choices for tonight’s slate!
POINT GUARD
TOP VALUE PG
John Wall $9,400
Over the past ten games, Chicago has yielded the 3rd most fantasy points a game to opposing PG’s. Injuries have ravaged the Bulls, and I think Wall will be able to get the basket at will and dish out an inordinate amount of assists. I won’t blame you for spending for Westbrook or Curry, but in terms of match-up and price, I think Wall is the best choice for an expensive PG option.
MID VALUE PG
Ricky Rubio $6,900
While Marco Rubio has dropped out of the race, the other Rubio has putting up phenomenal stats. He has gotten four double doubles in his past five games, and has hit 46 FDPs in the past two games. Tonight, he gets the chance to attack a depleted Grizzly squad, and will be guarded by Briante Weber. If you don’t know who Weber is, he was signed off the streets by Memphis over a week ago. Roll out Rubio with confidence.
BARGAIN VALUE PG
Toney Douglas $4,500
Douglas is coming off his best performance of the year against the Warriors, tallying up 42 FDPs, and he has received 35+ minutes in three of his last four. With Norris Cole questionable again, Douglas and Holliday are the only healthy bodies in backcourt of the Pelicans. Add in a juicy matchup against the Kings and their lackluster defense against opposing guards, and I think Douglas can put up another big game.
Others to Consider: Chris Paul, Darren Collison, Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart
Next: Who To Use At SG?
SHOOTING GUARD
TOP VALUE SG
Jimmy Butler $8,600
This is a simple choice for me. James Harden has been shaky over the past three, not topping 40 FDPs, and is too expensive to justify playing. Instead I’m going to go with Butler, who has a solid floor and always has the potential for a ridiculous ceiling. Someone will have to score for the Bulls tonight, and I think Butler will answer the call as long as he can get through the game without health issues.
MID VALUE SG
Victor Oladipo $7,000
With a shallow SG pool tonight, I’m going to pay up for the consistently great Oladipo, who has a bargain rating of 93 on FantasyLabs.com. Over the past five, he has topped 35 FDPs in four of those games. With Nikola Vucevic out with injury, Oladipo is one of the focal points of the offense, and with his ability to get stats in almost every category, it makes him a safe play with a potentially great ceiling.
BARGAIN VALUE SG
J.J. Redick $4800
I have a guilty pleasure of playing whoever is facing off against James Harden, and that strategy has paid dividends over the season. Redick gets the chance tonight in what will likely be a shoot-out in Houston, and I could see JJ reaching the 30 FDPs mark tonight.
1B. Lance Stephenson $5,600
If Stephenson is healthy, roll him out as the Grizz need scoring, and that’s a role Stephenson can fill.
Others to Consider: Klay Thompson, E’Twaun Moore
Next: Should You Pay For Durant?
SMALL FORWARD
TOP VALUE SF
Kevin Durant $10,300
If I’m spending big in my lineup, one of the guys I’m considering is Durant. He squares off against the Celtics in a game with a high Over/Under and with Jae Crowder out due to an injury, the Celts are going to be shorthanded in trying to stop Durant in the Garden. This matchup will have a playoff feel, and with Boston being a possible landing spot for KD next year, I could see Durant putting up a MONSTAH game tonight.
MID VALUE SF
Trevor Ariza $5,900
With his price dipping under $6,000 some may be worried with running Ariza in their lineup, but I’m not. With a ceiling that can get up into the 40’s for 50’s, I like Ariza against the Clippers, who over the past ten games have allowed the sixth most FDPs to SF’s. This game has a high over/under and I think Ariza puts up a big game tonight.
BARGAIN VALUE SF
Jeff Green $5,600
Houston is the league’s worst team in defending the SF position. This game has a high over/under and I expect someone on the Clippers not named Paul or Jordan to carry a heavy weight load. If it’s not Redick, I could see Jeff Green putting together a well-rounded game and topping 30 FDPs.
Others to Consider: Evan Fournier, Matt Barnes, Nikola Mirotic, Evan Turner, Andrew Wiggins
Next: Is Davis Worth The Price?
POWER FORWARDS
TOP VALUE PF
Anthony Davis $10,100
In his last game against the Kings, Davis posted 47.5 FDPs and over his past seven games, he topped 40 FDPs. Davis is surging against a Kings squad, who over the past 10 games, have allowed the most FDPs to opposing PF’s. Don’t be surprised if the Unibrow posts a ridiculous line tonight.
MID VALUE PF
Jared Sullinger $6,600
With Kelly Olynyk out, Sullinger has been going HAM. In three of his last four he has gotten 30+ minutes and posted 35 FDPs in those game. In a high scoring affair against a formidable OKC interior, I think Sullinger will have to play well for the Celts to win, and therefore produce solid DFS stats.
BARGAIN VALUE PF
Marvin Williams $5,900
Don’t look now, but over his past five games, Williams hasn’t dipped below 28 FDPs and has scored in double figures in all those games. He’s squaring off against the Magic, who are in the bottom half in defense against the PF position. Not a bad lower-tier PF play tonight.
Others to Consider: Gorgui Dieng, Taj Gibson, Markieff Morris
Next: Can You Go Cheap At C?
CENTERS
TOP VALUE CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins $11,100
The last time he played the Pelicans, Cousins dropped a ludicrous 70.2 FDPs. Over the past five games, the Pelicans are dead last in defending the center position. Boogey Cousins is going to get his shots, best believe that. If you’ve saved money throughout the backcourt, spend with Cousins and reap the benefits on tonight’s NBA slate.
MID VALUE CENTER
Marcin Gortat $6,200
Gortat has a trend to post a huge game here and there, and against the worn-down Bulls tonight, I have a hunch that tonight will be a big double double night for Gortat. To hit value, Gortat only needs to get to 29 FDPs, and I see that happening with ease.
BARGAIN VALUE CENTER:
Enes Kanter $5,200
He doesn’t get the minutes you would want, but when he’s on the court, Kanter will produce points and boards. Boston is a lot easier to attack down low, and Kanter has put up 30 FDP in three straight games. If you need a cheap option hoping to clear 30 FDP, Kanter is your guy to gamble on.
Others to Consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, Dwight Howard, Andrew Bogut