Tonight brings a 9 game  slate starting at p.m. ET.

The “Droppin Dimes,” article will go over my favorite plays for the slate. It will consist of three to five core plays  along with a few additional plays and a few value plays. 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.

(Note: All pricing and fantasy points are based on DraftKings but can be used for all sites.)

Keep an eye on the injury status of players as they can be ruled out right before lock.

 

Game/s to Target:

Cavaliers/Hornets and Grizzlies/Nuggets

 

If/Then….(Injury scenarios)

• IF Scottie Barnes sits out then Fred VanVleet sees a big bump in usage. Gary Trent, OG and Chris Boucher would see an increased roll as well.
• IF Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert sits out then Domantas Sabonis and TJ McConnell become good plays.

 

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).

Shake Milton, Philadelphia Sixers ($3600/$4500) DK Play

Milton came back two games ago and played 16 and 19 minutes and scored 24.3 and 21.5 respectively. He took double-digit sots in both games and score double-digit points . I see his minutes increasing again tonight along with his usage with Embiid out.  A

Also consider: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Malcom Brogdon if he plays. 

Value:  Alex Caruso, TJ McConnell – if Brogdon sits out.

Colin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers ($5900/$6400)

Sexton is popping on the model today for a few reasons. His price has come down to under 6K from $8300 to start the year. This is a massive pace up spot for the Cavaliers and th Hornets are ranked 27th in defensive efficiency.

Also consider: Fred VanVleet, Bradley Beal

Value: Terrance Mann, Gary Trent Jr, Devin Vassell

Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder ($3300/$4000)

WIth Lou Dort being ruled out tonight, Williams should pick up the start. He has done well when given the chance to start and play over 20 minutes. The key here is the 3.3K price and the potential for 30 plus minutes. Last year, he has shown over 20 points upside and will give peripheral stats including steals and potentially a block. Excellent value play ranked 3rd on my model for value as of 4pm.

Also consider:  DeMar DeRozan, Josh Giddey

Value:  Cedi Osman, Matisse Thynulle

 

Lauri Markkanen, Cleveland Cavaliers ($5300/$5400)

The Cavaliers have listed Kevin Love out tonight due to health and safety protocol and he will miss a few days. This will open up around 20 minutes and Markkanen should be in line for some additional minutes in his absence.  Markkanen has already been playing around 30 minutes and night an averaging 25.5 FPs. This is an excellent spot for the Cavaliers tonight as they take on the Hornets who are ranked 27th in defensive efficiency.  A lower priced option that should deliver 6 time value plus tonight with the additional minutes and the plus matchup.

Also consider: Domantas Sabonis, John Collins

Value:  Chris Boucher-strong consideration for a core play if Scottie Barnes is out, Jaden McDaniels(MIN), Georges Niang

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets ($11,000/$11,200)

Jokic is continuing his MVP performance from last year averaging 24 points, close to 15 rebounds and 5.5 assists. This equates out to 1.85 FPPM which is an elite level. Tonight, he gets an elite matchup against the Grizzlies who rank 29th in defensive effeceincy. This was my favorite play before Joel Embiid was ruled out. I think he is still an excellent option tonight. Highest rated player on my model tonight along with Colin Sexton.

Also consider: Andre Drummond- should see a start now that Joel Embiid is out. A 1.5 FPPM player that should see 25-30 minutes tonight in a solid matchup, Karl-Anthony Towns

Value: Cody Zeller, Taj Gibson

 

CORE PLAYS (DK  Build)

• Andre Drummond
• Nikola Jokic
• Kenrich Williams

Dimes Play(GPP Play of the Night) Under 5k Player with low ownership and upside

Two for ONE!

Shake Milton and Cedi Osman

 

**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!