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The Playbook had a successful night on Friday as James Harden, LeBron James, Brandon Bass and Jason Smith all had big nights. While Klay Thompson wasn't in the playbook, his 37 points in the third quarter was an awesome achievement and was so much fun to watch. Alright, time to focus on tonight's five-game slate. The biggest news of the day is LaMarcus Aldridge announcing that he's going to play despite tearing a ligament in his non-shooting hand. He's a risky play, but his price on DraftKings is incredibly low, which means he's basically a must-start on that site.
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The point guard position has some great options at the top with John Wall and Damian Lillard. I prefer Wall over Lillard because he's going to get close to double digit assists and Aldridge is going to take shots away from Lillard. Langston Galloway continues be a superb value plays as long as he starts for the Knicks. The shooting guard position is filled with mediocre players with little value at the bottom. Joe Johnson has the best matchup of the night at the position. There isn't a lot to like at the small forward position as Carmelo Anthony is questionable to play and Gordon Hayward's big games have been hard to predict. The rest of the position is filled with decent mid-tier options.
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Love the power forward position tonight as Zach Randolph continues to be a beast down low. I prefer Randolph over Greg Monroe because Monroe has struggled vs. the Bucks this season and he costs more than Z-BO on DraftKings. There are a couple of really good value plays at the position as well, but I'm worried about Jason Smith producing tonight with Amar'e Stoudemire playing. Therefore, I'd only use Smith in GPP's as long as he is starting. Andre Drummond is the clear-cut No. 1 center tonight because his price tag is not that high and he's dominated Milwaukee this season. Marcin Gortat is a sensational value play as well.
Here is the Daily Fantasy Basketball Playbook for Saturday:
POINT GUARDS
Langston Galloway, Knicks ($4,100). Dropped 32 FP on DK in three straight games.
John Wall, Wizards ($9,200). Worth spending up for tonight.
Jarrett Jack, Nets ($6,000). Safe mid-tier play that has a great matchup.
Michael Carter-Williams, Sixers ($8,400). Tough matchup, but did post a triple-double vs. MEM earlier this season.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Joe Johnson, Nets ($5,800). Utah is brutal vs opposing SGs/SFs & he's cheap on DK.
Bradley Beal, Wizards ($6,300). Boom/bust player that should get 30 FP.
Wesley Matthews, Blazers ($6,100). Would only play on FD if I couldn't afford one of the guys above him.
Courtney Lee, Grizzlies ($3,800). Decent punt option.
SMALL FORWARDS
Gordon Hayward, Jazz ($7,800). Best option at the position if Melo is out.
Jeff Green, Grizzlies ($5,100). Still super-cheap on DK.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Hornets ($5,500). GPP play that has struggled vs. N.Y., but has 29 FP in three of the past four games.
Robert Covington, Sixers ($5,200). PF on DK; safe play on FD.
POWER FORWARDS
LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers ($6,600). Must-start on DraftKings, but fading him on FD.
Zach Randolph, Grizzlies ($8,000). Will dominate the Sixers front court.
Jason Smith, Knicks ($3,900). Great value play, but only if he starts. Due for an off-game.
Nene Hilario, Wizards ($5,400). Solid mid-tier player that has 27-plus FP in four of the past five games.
Derrick Favors, Jazz ($7,500). GPP option as his price tag is low, but he's been inconsistent recently.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, Pistons ($8,300). Averaging 42 FP in three games vs. MIL.
Marcin Gortat, Wizards ($5,500). Cheap and he'll dominate Portland's crappy centers.
Brook Lopez, Nets ($6,000). GPP play; prefer him over Plumlee.
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Mark Kaplan is a fantasy basketball expert for FantasyAlarm.com