Fantasy NBA Best Plays to Win – Surprise Target Game Jan 9

Welcome to the January 9th edition of Fantasy NBA Best Plays to Win. We’ve got a surprise target game on the slate; a possible hidden team that will not be rostered by the majority of players.

Today features a marquee match-up, seemingly the Fantasy NBA best plays game, namely the Milwaukee  Bucks vs the Houston Rockets.  Featuring what looks like to be a wild affair, James Harden and Giannis Anteokounmpo are the 2 clear studs poised to rock the score sheet with double doubles assured from both and a possible triple double as well.

This game has the 2nd highest total on the fantasy NBA slate, and with the line near PK chances are both teams will be playing their starters all the way from start to finish.  Most players will feel compelled to roster at least 1 of these studs if not both.

But here’s the problem, at least on DraftKings – if players roster both studs here, they will be left with only $4450 per player to fill out the rest of their roster.  And yes, while there are some cheaper options with the injuries out there, not enough points can be generated to keep this top-heavy line-up viable.

So what about other high total game options?  For starters there is the Cavaliers vs Pelicans game featuring Anthony Davis having an excellent match-up against the Cavs, with a good 223 game total.  However, with New Orleans favored by 14 points, chances are that this game at some point will turn into a blow-out significantly reducing upside possibilities of the starters.

Then there is the Atlanta Hawks vs the Brooklyn Nets.  This is actually a good game for some filler spots as many players can provide very good results.

There’s no question that if Harden and Anteokounmpo go off with mega points, they will be needed to win your tournament – but they will be heavily owned, and what if they don’t produce those mega points?  Then you are left with a line-up that cannot place in the money.

The Philadelphia 76ers at The Washington Wizards

Especially and specifically the Washington Wizards, our best fantasy NBA plays team

This game features the highest total on the board at 230, but will not be considered a main target game (or team) for 2 reasons – this is the 2nd game of a back to back and Washington has been in bad recent form. These reasons will allow us to roster high scoring possibilities at a reduced cost.

Yesterday the game was a massive blow-out very early and as a result the starters from both sides did not play for long.

On the Phiily side, Embiid played only 24 minutes, his lowest court time in a while.  Simmons and Butler both played 28 minutes each.

Even Washington, the victims of the route, pulled their starters earlier than normal.  On both sides, minutes played yesterday should not hamper todays court time.  Additionally if the Vegas line is accurate with the 76ers Favored by 3, chances are this will not be a blowout and starters will need to see an extended run.

If we couple this game, especially the Washington starters, with some of the lower-cost players available to roster in the Hawks/Nets game, we could have a high value line-up that can place very high IF the Bucks/Rockets game does not blow us away.

The Nets game is very inviting because of the up and down wild nature of the game, and the fact that even though the Vegas line is 9 and a blow-out is possible, these 2 teams are not as likely to pull their starters early.

So, even though the 76er game has the highest total on the board and the Vegas line is close, both Philly and Washington will be somewhat overlooked making it in my opinion a great long shot.

Bradley Beal ($8900), Washington
He dropped an 80 spot at home against Phoenix 9 games ago; at least 55 out of him would not be a shocker.

Tomas Satoransky ($5400), Washington
He has posted awful numbers the last 3 games on the road, but in the 2 previous home games has averaged nearly 40 DraftKings points per game.  That is the common theme with all the Wizard starters – MUCH better results at home after looking so bad on the road.

Thomas Bryant ($6000), Washington
Same story.  Very bad results the last 3 games away but averaging over 43 DK points the last 2 games at home.

Jeff Green ($5100), Washington
Averaging 24 on the road last 3 games but over 41 last 2 home games. The good thing about these Wizard starters is they are priced as if they are on the road.  These guys, mixed and matched, will give you line-ups that can most probably exceed salary based expectations.

Trevor Ariza ($5700), Washington
Not quite as solid or predictable as the other 4 but does have a 46+ projected ceiling.

Joel Embiid ($10800), Philadelphia
Now that Butler is back in the 76er line-up, both Embiid and Simmons are curtailed somewhat – however with the reduced court time last night and the projected closeness of this game, Embiid may be a surprise and go off for more than either Harden or Giannis.

Ben Simmons ($9100), Philadelphia
Stacking Philly here is difficult, and either he or Embiid will have the biggest game anyway, but the match-up is just as favorable as yesterday as far as the Wizard defense is concerned.  Washington is 29th in the league defending point guards and he should shine here.  Mix him in.

J.J. Redick ($5600), Philadelphia
He was scratched yesterday with lower back tightness but is in a good spot if cleared to play today.  An excellent spot for him to exploit.

I am going to be stacking Washington, running back with some Philly players and rounding out with guys from the Hawks or Nets in what should be 2 very high-octane games where starters see at least a good if not extended run.

Good luck to us!