Fantasy Basketball Top Plays and Fades, Friday December 21

MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 26: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks at the FedEx Forum on October 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Grizzlies defeated the Mavericks 96-91. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Fantasy Basketball Top Plays /

After a two day break due to NFL and a pathetic two game slate yesterday, we have a nice 12 game slate this evening to pick the Fantasy Basketball Top Plays!

What a difference a day makes because tonight brings us an awesome slate after a middling two games Thursday night. Honestly, I feel like the NBA dropped the ball with the schedule there. It was the first night without NFL on Thursday all season and they should have had a nice sized slate to take advantage. Alas, we’ll have to deal with the cards we got dealt. The biggest game of the night has about six players on the injury report so today is imperative to keep track of the reports from New Orleans and the Lakers. With that in mind, let’s go to work with out Fantasy Basketball Top Plays!

Fantasy Basketball Top Plays – Point Guard

Top Play – Mike Conley, Grizzlies

One of the things we’ve learned through the NBA season to this point is the Kings provide a ton of fantasy goodness. A young team who plays at the fastest pace in the league and giving up the third most points in the league is a great mix for us. Conley is in a fantastic pace-up spot and the Kings can’t defend point guards. They’re giving up the fifth most DK points and Conley carries a 29.5 percent usage rate and 1.01 FPPM. Given the pace bump and the poor defense, Conley is one of the best point guard options on the board. He is especially misplaced on DK where he’s under $8,000.

Honorable Mention – Jrue Holiday if Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle remain out for New Orleans

Fade – De’Aaron Fox, Kings

We’re not going to far for my fade of the point guard position. It’s not that I don’t think Fox is a good player because I’ve mentioned a few times of how he’s really improved this season. However, given his price and relatively middle of the road matchup, I don’t think I’ll have all that much Fox tonight. The Grizzlies allow the third fewest assists to the point guard position and Fox is ninth in the league in assists per game. If they can limit that facet of his game, it could be a long road to get to value for Fox tonight.

Honorable Mention – Lonzo Ball, especially if Rajon Rondo is back in action.

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 14: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks takes a shot against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Fantasy Basketball Top Plays – Shooting Guard

Top Play – Tim Hardaway Jr., Knicks

It’s going to be a very long day in chat with the THJ superfan himself Brian Tulloch (editor’s note – today will be unbearable for you guys) in chat but if there were ever a time to get me on board with a player who does nothing but get buckets, it’s against the Atlanta Hawks. He is listed as a SG over on FanDuel so that’s why he’s in this spot and the Hawks get mashed by everyone. The price reflects the Hawks bump but Atlanta is the stone cold worst against the position. On top of that, they give up the most real points and that’s right up Hardaway’s alley. I will gladly take any player who attempts an average of 17 shots and should easily see 20 in a pace up spot. Everything about this game suits Hardaway perfectly, which means he’ll likely have me on tilt very early.

Honorable Mention – Buddy Hield, depending on Kings injuries

Fade – C.J. McCollum, Blazers

I’m not sure I’ve played McCollum more than once or twice this season in large part because his ceiling has been nonexistent. It used to be he would run the point while Damian Lillard was on the bench and that was always a nice boost. Since McCollum only has 64.5 minutes on the floor without Dame, I can’t see many reasons to use him on a 10 game slate. Sure, if he goes for 30-40 points, you’re going to feel great about playing him. The issue is that hasn’t happened all that often this year even though his raw scoring numbers are basically the same from last season. It really is about not having the time without Lillard and against Utah, the same plan should hold true to form. The Jazz are also facing the lowest three point attempts in basketball, which could hamper McCollum even further.

Honorable Mention – Andrew Wiggins

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz drives against Raymond Felton #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 115-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Fantasy Basketball Top Plays – Small Forward

Top Play – Joe Ingles, Jazz

I know, not the name you were expecting. Look, the purpose of the article is to bring you the top plays but it’s going to get boring if I just write up guys like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard every day. Both of those players are phenomenal plays but you need cheaper guys to get to them. Ingles could really represent that as Portland has struggled with wing players. In addition, they have given up the highest field goal percentage of any team in the NBA. Ingles is a sharpshooter style player who takes almost six three’s a game. His percentage is actually pretty low given the past couple of seasons when he’s shot 44 percent from three compared to just 38.1 this year. There’s positive regression coming and this could be the spot for him.

Honorable Mention – Robert Covington, Timberwolves

Fade – Aaron Gordon, Magic

This might be a little more DK specific as far as the position goes, but I’m not sure I want to play Aaron Gordon regardless. With the understanding it could blow up in my face, he’s just not playing all that well lately. Nikola Vucevic has been outstanding this season but that means the Gordon has seen his scoring drop a little bit. he’s also not the highest usage player and doesn’t add a ton other than scoring the basketball. The rebounding is fine, but that’s dropped by about 1/2 a rebound a game as well. The price will tempt me but he is a dangerous layer who hasn’t scored 40 points in the past four games combined. It’s scary saying to fade a player against the Bulls, who are terrible but you can’t play everyone on a 10 gamer.

Honorable Mention – Jeremy Lamb(DK)/Gordon Hayward(FD)

NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 19: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Fantasy Basketball Top Plays – Power Forward

Top Play – Julius Randle, Pelicans

Oh, how sweet the revenge will taste if Randle is able to suit up. I fully expect him to play in this contest as he’s going to be very eager to show why the Lakers made a mistake in A. not playing hm a lot last year and B. letting him walk this year. You see the $7,500 price tag on Randle on the DK side and it might make you nervous, but I’m here to tell you that it’s too cheap. Even with Anthony Davis on the floor(and Nikola Mirotic off), Randle is a player with a 28.0 percent usage and a 1.27 FPPM mark. In addition, Randle has 5.5 paint touches a game and 15.2 rebounding chances against a team that is fifth worst in paint rebounding. If he plays, Randle is going to smash and is a perfect way to get access to that game.

Honorable Mention – Kyle Kuzma, though it would be even better if Brandon Ingram missed one more game

Fade – Dario Saric, Timberwolves

I’m not 100 percent sure why Saric played so much in the last game since Taj Gibson was active again. Gibson himself is seeing fewer minutes and Saric wouldn’t break the bank, but I’m not ready to trust he’s on the floor enough. If he goes back to 25ish, he could really hurt you. In addition, Covington is right around the same price on DK and offers the same flexibility. San Antonio does allow the sixth most real points to the position but Saric isn’t even a safe bet to crack double digit shot attempts. I just can’t see a reason why you would need Saric so badly on this slate in a mediocre matchup outside of scoring, which doesn’t lean towards him anyways.

Honorable Mention – Wendel Carter Jr.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 20: Myles Turner #33 and Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate at the end of game three of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 20, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 92-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Fantasy Basketball Top Plays – Center

Top Play – Myles Turner, Pacers

It should come as no surprise that the center position is positively loaded with 10 games at hand. The options that might be the best overall in my eyes in none other than Turner, who draws the fantasy goldmine of the Brooklyn Nets. Especially on FD, Turner has 15 point potential from blocks alone.

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The Nets drive to the basket the second most per game in the NBA, while Turner is tied for the league lead in rejections per game at 2.8. He also will see some of Jarrett Allen, who sits at 8.8 paint touches a game so he’ll be anchored near the basket quite often. The cherry on top is that the Nets are in the bottom eight in the league in points and rebounds given up in the paint so there is massive upside for Turner tonight.

Honorable Mention – Marc Gasol, Grizzlies(and I love pairing him and Conley in GPP)

Fade – Karl Anthony-Towns

It’s not that I hate KAT tonight because I can certainly see a scenario where he does some work down low against the Spurs. On paper, it’s not a great matchup as San Antonio gives up the third fewest DK points to the position and only 19.9 real points a game.

Towns carries the usage and everything else to overcome the matchup, but how can you play him over players like Turner, Vucevic, Andre Drummond or even Enes Kanter? It’s going to be very hard for me to fall onto Towns and I won’t be surprised if he underwhelms a little bit in this spot.

Honorable Mention – Rudy Gobert

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