Huge night in daily fantasy basketball as we have a full slate of NBA games (14) on the docket. Here are some value plays from Michael Pichan of Fantasy Alarm for your DraftStreet rosters, broken down in the usual ABCD tiers. If you don't have a DraftStreet team already, sign up here. (All prices and point projections are geared towards DraftStreet).
A-All Star priced players that should put up All Star stats today (target 35+ FP, $16,000-on up).
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Kevin Durant (23%): You know by now I almost never go chalk with my recommendations as it does not take a DFS scientist to know that the top priced players are usually great plays, but tonight could be something special for KD as he is one game away from tying Michael Jordan’s record of 40 consecutive contests with 25 or more points in a game. The price tag for Durant is ridiculous but on a night with 28 teams in action you will have an easier time finding lower priced players to fill out your squad thus making it more manageable to roster the Slim Reaper this evening. Durant dropped 50-plus fantasy points on the Rockets the last time the two teams faced each other and should Russell Westbrook get the night off you can bank on a similar performance from this year’s eventual MVP. Should Durant prove too pricey for you then consider Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (19.3%) vs the Suns or Hawks Paul Millsap (16.2%) vs the Cavs.
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Joakim Noah (18.1%): In case you missed Wednesday’s article, Noah leads all centers in assists at 5.2 per game (7.5 apg in March) and is second in minutes per game at 34.9. Noah is coming off his 22nd double-double with 5-plus assists (second only to Kevin Love on the season) and is facing a Bucks team that are allowing the third most offensive rebounds per game (Noah is fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per game at 3.5) and sixth most points in the paint over the last three games. Add in that Noah is averaging about six more fantasy points at home at 37.12 than on the road and is averaging over 35 FP in two games against the Bucks this season so you can see why I’m sticking with “Stick Stickity” again tonight.
B-rated Ballers: Big name players with big games, but not as high of a price tag as the top five or so priced players at each position (around 30 FP, $13,000-$16,000).
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Derrick Favors (13.9) will be facing a Pelicans team that is expected to be without superstar Anthony Davis and whom are allowing the second most points in the paint over their last three games at 52.7 ppg. Favors is averaging three more fantasy points per game at home and went off for 42.75 FP three games ago against the Pelicans in New Orleans in game where Davis played only four minutes.
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Andre Drummond (14.4%) is tops among players in action tonight in percent of rebounds per chance at 69.4% and leads all of the NBA in offensive rebounds at 5.2 per game which is about two more than the next closest player. Offensive rebounds usually lead to additional fantasy point production, something Dre has not had a problem accumulating against the Nets as he has scored over 40 FP in each of his last two games versus Brooklyn and is currently coming off back-to-back double-doubles. We all know things come in threes or is it three times is a charm? What ever idiom you chose you’d be an idjit not to try and fit Drummond into your DFS roster this evening as he should drop his third consecutive double-double on those Brooklynites.
C-as in players that COULD be in line to provide you with good to great value in the mid-tier price range (target 25+ FP, $10,000-$13,000).
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Ray McCallum (11.5%) is coming off yet another game of setting a career-high in points as he dropped 27 on the Lakers and has exceeded 30-plus fantasy points in each of his last three games, yet his salary remains the same as it was before. So long as Isaiah Thomas sits out again tonight you can roll out RayMac3 again with confidence. If we get news that IT2 is playing then consider Reggie Jackson of the Thunder should Russell Westbrook get the night off as it will be the team’s second game in as many days or Warriors guard Klay Thompson who is averaging 37.5 FP in his last two games combined against the Kings.
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Jared Sullinger (12%) has owned the Philadelphia 76ers this season as he is averaging a double-double of 21.5 points and 13.5 rebounds with two blocks per game in the team’s two meetings this season and he is coming off a game where he posted team-highs in minutes played (36) and points scored (25) in a reserve role against the Wizards on Wednesday. I would not be surprised to see Celtics head coach Brad Stevens insert Sully into the starting lineup tonight, which would only add to his value.
D-Discounted Dandies: Players on the cheap whose production may exceed what their discounted price tag suggests. (Double Digit Fantasy Production, $3,500-$10,000).
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Jerryd Bayless (8.5%) You have to have a short-term memory at times when it comes to daily league play. You can not hold grudges, however difficult it may be not to, and this rings true for Bayless who was a flat out bum on Wednesday scoring just seven fantasy points even though he got the start against Washington. Tonight’s matchup against Philly should provide an opportunity for a Bayless bounce back game should Avery Bradley sit out again this evening as the Sixers are allowing the most points to opponents and third most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards on the season.
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Greivis Vasquez (7.9%) is another player who had a terrific performance on Wednesday (29.50 FP), but yet has not seen a change in salary. While tonight’s matchup against the Pacers may not, on the surface, seem as favorable as Wednesday’s contest versus the Rockets as Indiana boasts the best overall defense in the league allowing just 91.8 points per game the one chink in their armor is defending against opposing point guards. The Pacers are allowing the 11th most fantasy points to the position over the last 15 days and 12th most on the season. Combine that with Vasquez’s still discounted price and the expectancy of around 40 minutes of action should Kyle Lowry miss his second consecutive game and you have your best discounted play of the night.
A DraftStreet lineup to consider for Friday night:
