questionable to play tonight. If he’s out I love Isaac, who should start and see about 30 minutes in a very positive matchup with the Suns.
You can consider pretty much every Magic option in this game if Gordon is out, but Isaac is the most appealing based on price and upside.
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge – San Antonio Spurs ($8k)
Anthony Davis is the top power forward tonight, but he’s really expensive and I like two cheaper options below him.
Blake Griffin ripped up the Bulls earlier this year and is very much in play at a palatable $9.1k, but Ridge is even cheaper and also destroyed the Rockets when he faced them previously this season.
Recency bias should get people off the Spurs tonight and they are in an underrated matchup against a Houston team that simply hasn’t been great this year. I’m expecting a big bounce-back game from Ridge.
PF: P.J. Tucker – Houston Rockets ($4.2k)
I’d prefer to land someone like Kyle Kuzma as my second PF option, but it’s going to be tough to comfortably make that happen.
I’m fine with Tucker, though, as he plays 35-40 minutes every single night and will be needed for his defense on DeMar DeRozan. This is a pure minutes-based value play, but San Antonio’s defense is not the one of old. Tucker could get some open looks and hopefully brings his solid peripherals game as well.
C: Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets ($8.5k)
I am well aware of the several elite options on this slate, but when you’re dealing with this many games there tend to be a slew of very good players who get priced down.
The Joker is one of my favorites.
I know his minutes have been shaky, but he is simply way too cheap. Jokic is the type of guy who can blow up for 70+ fantasy points and is typically priced in the $9.5-10k range. In a showdown with former teammate Jusuf Nurkic, I expect him to come to play tonight.
Summary
This slate is all about value to me. Thanks to 11 games and a few injuries, there are enough deep dives and plenty of stellar intermediate options to get away with avoiding the really expensive options.
I covet Russ, LeBron and The Brow just like everyone else, but sometimes those guys just aren’t necessary to compete in tournaments. I’m fine with paying up for one of them tonight, but I love how this team comes together.
If things break right, Kyrie, Luka, Mirotic, Ridge and Joker are all projecting as elite plays. All of these guys should be safe for 35+ fantasy points and they all realistically can push for 40 or even 50+ if they come in hot.
Value plays like Frazier, Redick, Gordon, Isaac and Tucker should help open things up and if you want to land that one big stud you love, just drop down at one spot. My NBA DFS advice would be to double-punt PG or SG so you can get Brow or LeBron.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope my look at today’s NBA DFS slate assists you in some way.
Remember, you don’t have to use this team as it stands. That’s certainly an option, but sometimes mixing my favorite plays with your own is the best strategy.
Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
