Tonight brings a 7 game slate and start time is 7pm ET.
The “Droppin Dimes,” article will go over my favorite plays for the slate. It will consist of five core plays (one player at each position) with a full write-up for the core along with a few additional plays and a few value plays. These are my favorite options. You won’t always see the highest-priced players or the most obvious plays. Players listed first at each position are my favorite and a good start to build a lineup around.
Keep an eye on the injury status of players as they can be ruled out right before lock.
Dimes Play (GPP Play of the Night)
Jaden McDaniels- kid has talent and has been starting playing around 25-30 minutes. He just put up 22 FPs only scoring 4 real points. Double-double in a play.
NOTES:
FPPM= Fantasy Points Per Minute, FPPG= Fantasy Points Per Game, PPG=Points per Game, Value=Projected points/salary(This will differ depending on the site).
Pricing (DK/FD)
Point Guards
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies ($9200/$8500)
One reason to consider Morant tonight is the fact he has seen a +5% (37% total) usage rate with Jonas Valancuinas off the floor last year. Now that Val is out of Memphis and the Grizzles will be without Dillon Brooks tonight, Morant is the main option and under priced for what his upside is tonight. The Clippers are without Kawhi Leonard and no longer have Pat Beverly, so their defense is not the same. This could be another big night for Morant.
Also consider: Luka Doncic, DeAngelo Russell
Value: Alex Caruso,
SHOOTING GUARDS
Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers ($3900 DK PLAY)
I am not sure what is going on with DK pricing with Duarte and a few others. Duarte was 3.3K then 6K and now 3.9. He has hit over 30 FPs and has played over 33 and 45 minutes over the first two games. His ownership will be on the higher end, but at his price it is like the easy button, just push and it and move on.
Also consider: Tyler Hero- highest rated player on my model, Paul George
Value: Devin Vassell,
SMALL FORWARDS
Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzleis ($3300 DK PLAY)
Here is another player that is mis-priced on DK. Bane started at SF last game and played 30 minutes and put up just shy of 34 FPs. He is a good scorer and will contribute a few additional stats each night. This is another easy play on DK as he does not need much to hit value and I see him putting up 25-30 FPs tonight. Also consider DeAndre Melton at a reduced price.
Also consider: Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram
Value: Grayson Allen,
POWER FORWARDS
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors ($4000 DK PLAY)
Barnes is another player coming in at an excellent value on DK. He has played 33 and 35 minutes and is coming off a huge game agains the Celtics where he put up 45.8 FPs. What I am looking at is the minutes and shot attempts(double digits in both games). He will continue to be a big part of the Raptors offense at least until Siakam comes back.
Also consider: Giannias Antetokounmpo, Jerami Grant
Value: Jaden McDaniels,
CENTERS
Jusif Nurkic, Portland Trailblazers ($7300/$7600)
Nurkic opened the season with a 20/14 line (44 FPs) in only 29 minutes. He average 1.45 FPPM last year and would have big games if he saw consistent minutes over 30. The Blazers play the Suns tonight and they are a tough defense, but I can see Nurkic doing well agains them. He is a tough player to guard.
Also consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, Jonas Valancuinas
Value: Precious Achiuwa, Jakob Poeltl
CORE- Other options listed can be substituted for any of these core spots.
Todays core will consist of two mid/high range plays with three solid value plays. This will allow more flexibility .
- Morant
- Duarte
- Bane
- Barnes
- Nurkic
**Options to help build lineups- Take these core plays and enter into optimizer with your favorite setting(rating, FBrating, FBprojections, FunkProjections, ownership or ratings). OR use this article to help you build a lineup with some of your favorite plays. The Dashboard is also a great tool to help build lineups- It contains a good variety of stats and projections from multiple sources.
Good Luck!