This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
I'm still going to insert some NBA lineups for this eight-game slate today (we're excluding the early BKN/MIL game), even though my Clemson Tigers will be in Dallas to tackle the Irish. Thanks to last night's DFS action, I've got plenty of money for refreshments while I watch.
Friday was a big victory for me, and the catch is that I did it without Anthony Davis' 85 DKFP game. I rode Westbrook, Walker, Lou Williams, and spot-on picks for Vucevic and Wendell Carter to a decent win in a couple of GPPS, one solid single-entry win, and 90 percent of my cash lineups made it through. The addition of Kawhi Leonard in some of those cash contests was my only blemish. My punt play of Mikal Bridges also worked out, as he put up 31.25 DKFP at a dirt-cheap price.
Tonight is jam-packed with back-to-back teams, but barring any late announcements, one thing I am strongly considering is stacking Anthony Davis ($11,200) and James Harden ($11,400). The two All-stars face off against each other in what should be the highest-paced affair of the night(O/U: 228.5). This leaves you with about $4,600 per player for the remainder of your lineups, but the good news is that we have plenty of spots where we can find value on this slate. I'm going to approach my endorsements like this – I will give you one spend-up alternate as a pivot for Davis and Harden, and then my other two picks will be in that low-cost area.
The first value spot is the Wizards, who will once again be missing almost their entire starting lineup. You've also got a host of guys subbing for Chris Paul in Houston who could give you some excellent value. There will be an assortment of them in my endorsements.
Some injury spots are with noting, and they can also offer you some great value opportunities. I think Ricky Rubio (back, knee) will miss tonight's game, which opens things up for Dante Exum ($3,500), who will be an obvious pivot if you go with Davis and Harden.
Let's get right to it. As I said, I'll give you a high-cost pivot at each spot along with two deep value plays. If I had to choose who to pivot on, it would likely be AD, just because a rest day is always possible, and he's also coming off a massive game.
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, BOS at MEM ($8,800): The instinct is to go with Beal due to the motley crew around him, but I think Irving is a far safer play against the Grizzlies. These two teams have yet to play each other, and there's little doubt that Memphis will keep the pace down here, but Irving's had a stellar five-game run where he's averaged 50 DKFP per game. His stat lines are fun to watch, as it seems like one night, he's dropping dimes everywhere, and another night, he's crashing the boards. Either way, he finds a way to stuff the line every night, and I see no reason why he can't do it again tonight.
Monte Morris, DEN at PHO ($4,600): As we descend into value town we come upon Morris, who sets up as an interesting play in what should be a lopsided affair against the Suns. Assuming this game gets out of hand, I think Morris is a solid play when you consider his recent output, as he's garnered a 28.5 DKFP average over his past four games, and if you look at Denver's recent decisive wins, he's posted solid numbers in the 30 DKFP range in most of them. If you believe in the blowout here, Morris shows up as a quality guy at the price point we are looking for.
Tomas Satoransky, WAS vs. CHA ($3,300): I so badly want to go back to the well with Mikal Bridges here, but that would be playing with fire. I would be shocked if John Wall saw the floor tonight, and if he's out, Satoransky is too cheap to pass up on a slate like this, despite his ho-hum output and unspectacular pivot value. I favor Exum at a similar price point here, and if Rubio does suit up, then I have no issue with going this way.
Additional guards to consider: Lou Williams, LAC vs. SA ($6,600), Eric Gordon, HOU at NO ($5,800), Alec Burks, CLE at ATL ($4,600)
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS at POR ($9,700): He's easily the most likely guy I would pivot off of in place of AD. His 62 DKFP performance against Portland in their last meeting rests right around where a course-correcting score from Davis might be and for $1,500 less. That price decrease can mean a lot- about $300 more per player, which could go a long way towards bolstering your supporting cast. There's not much left to say about Durant. He's an every-night consideration and should enjoy a lot of success against the Portland frontcourt.
Thomas Bryant, WAS vs. CHA ($3,900): I know, he's a center, but he has eligibility here, and I already have my eye on a couple of value plays at the five, so I will slot him here. While he's had some struggles against worthy defenses, Bryant has come through in a pinch for the Wizards, who can't stay undersized the entire game – they've leaned on Bryant as a result. With almost every position wafer-thin for the Wizards tonight, a healthy Bryant should reap huge dividends if he gets 25-30 minutes of playing time. Saturday's game script makes that kind of usage a real possibility.
Danuel House, Jr, HOU at NO ($3,700): Are you holding your nose yet? I'd also consider my Clemson boy Jaron Blossomgame ($3,400) down here, especially with Rodney Hood potentially out, but House is a decent play for a slightly higher price. I'm encouraged by his last two outings where he's averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, which can get you to 20 DKFP easily. In this high=paced matchup, House could do a little damage.
Other forwards to consider: Julius Randle, NO vs. HOU ($7,800), Juancho Hernangomez, DEN at PHO ($5,300), Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. GS ($4,600)
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at PHO ($9,500): Another viable spend-up pivot, Jokic put up 81 DKFP against Phoenix when they last met, no big deal. He also did that in 30 minutes of playing time, which is ridiculous. He's only seen less than 30 minutes twice in the past month, so his presence on the floor should be felt, even if a blowout is imminent.
Cody Zeller, CHA at WAS ($4,300): Before I even began this article, and as early as last night, I was thinking about Zeller as a chalk start against the Wizards, and my mindset hasn't changed. I am very likely to put Zeller almost everywhere on Saturday, and my reasoning is simple. The Wizards are hurting everywhere, and they definitely can't rebound (28th in total rebound percentage). He's been a bit up and down, but this is a favorable spot at our ideal price.
Other centers to consider: Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. NY ($8,200), Al Horford, BOS at MEM ($5,500)
Just as an addendum, I was able to assemble a lineup with three elites, using Harden, Durant and Jokic, and I think you can make a similar set of plays with an Irving, Davis and Jokic combo as well. Give a variety of combos a whirl, and I think you'll be well on your way to a decent night.
