Tonight presents a relatively small six-game slate, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of value to be mined. With early-week injuries to Carmelo Anthony (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (knee), there are several backups that will be thrust into prominent starting roles. It’s important to get a smattering of these value plays in your lineups, but don’t forget they’re likely to have high ownership and also offer opportunities to differentiate your tournament rosters. Of course, every recommendation below is based on currently available information. As always, make sure to check injury reports before lineups lock so you’re using the most accurate information and avoiding a big fat zero in your lineup.
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Point Guard
Stephen Curry (GSW): $9,800 vs DAL
With a ceiling as high as anyone in the game, Steph always makes for a great tournament option if you can find places to save salary (hint: you will below). Still, it’s possible Steph goes overlooked with Russell Westbrook getting a tasty matchup against the Lakers. Steph is already cheaper than Westbrook and may see some added usage if Kevin Durant (hand) is out or even limited. Some may be scared off by a potential blowout, but it turns out those fears are somewhat unfounded. In the 18 games the Warriors have won by 10 or more this year, Steph still averages 32.5 minutes played, which is more than enough for him to deliver 5x or 6x value. Even better? The Warriors only won by three the last time these teams met.
Tonight presents a relatively small six-game slate, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of value to be mined. With early-week injuries to Carmelo Anthony (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (knee), there are several backups that will be thrust into prominent starting roles. It’s important to get a smattering of these value plays in your lineups, but don’t forget they’re likely to have high ownership and also offer opportunities to differentiate your tournament rosters. Of course, every recommendation below is based on currently available information. As always, make sure to check injury reports before lineups lock so you’re using the most accurate information and avoiding a big fat zero in your lineup.
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Point Guard
Stephen Curry (GSW): $9,800 vs DAL
With a ceiling as high as anyone in the game, Steph always makes for a great tournament option if you can find places to save salary (hint: you will below). Still, it’s possible Steph goes overlooked with Russell Westbrook getting a tasty matchup against the Lakers. Steph is already cheaper than Westbrook and may see some added usage if Kevin Durant (hand) is out or even limited. Some may be scared off by a potential blowout, but it turns out those fears are somewhat unfounded. In the 18 games the Warriors have won by 10 or more this year, Steph still averages 32.5 minutes played, which is more than enough for him to deliver 5x or 6x value. Even better? The Warriors only won by three the last time these teams met.
Yogi Ferrel (DAL): $4,000 @ GSW
Averaging 32.8 minutes per game over his last 13, Ferrell is an intriguing price-saving option against the Warriors. This game has the highest implied total of the night and the Warriors rank second in the league in pace, all of which bodes well for enhanced fantasy scoring. Ferrell’s streaky scoring isn’t ideal for cash lineups, but at this cheap price, he just needs 20 points to hit 5x value. He makes for an intriguing pair with Steph Curry if you’re expecting the game to say reasonably close. Make sure to check back on this game as Ferrell’s usage will get a huge bump if Harrison Barnes (ankle) is out or limited.
Shooting Guard
Tim Hardaway Jr. (NYK): $6,000 @ TOR
Hardaway technically left Tuesday’s game with a leg injury, but he wasn’t on Wednesday’s injury report and should be good to go. With Porzingis (knee) and Enes Kanter (mouth) confirmed out, Hardaway is staring at a ton of usage that isn’t reflected in his price. Hardaway already averages 32.5 minutes per game and is probably the odds-on favorite to lead the Knicks in scoring tonight. Averaging a career-high 2.9 assists per game, perhaps that higher usage will also lead to more dimes as well.
Josh Hart (LAL): $6,300 vs. OKC
Even at his now elevated price, Hart stands out as a potential value given his scorching-hot play of late. Hart has gotten the start at point guard over the last three games and has played at least 31 minutes and scored at least 34 FanDuel points in all three games. He’s gotten double-digit rebounds and points in all three starts and is usually good for a steal or two. Given the high implied point total (217), there should be plenty of scoring to go around in this one.
Small Forward
Paul George (OKC): $8,600 @ LAL
As mentioned above, Melo injured his ankle Tuesday night. If he and his 24.1 Usage Rate are forced to watch from the bench, it should open up more scoring opportunities for George. George has been on a tear lately, scoring 40+ FanDuel points in 7 of the last 10 games and dropping a monster 38/6/3/6 line on the Warriors earlier this week. His price isn’t cheap, but it also doesn’t reflect Melo’s likely absence. The Lakers lead the league in pace which should lead to several extra possessions for the Thunder.
Michael Beasley (NYK): $6,200 @ TOR
Sadly, Kristaps Porzingis is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL against the Bucks on Tuesday. KP has been balling this year and sports a massive 31.2 Usage Rate that will need to be replaced. Beasley started the second half in his place Tuesday night and has averaged 28.8 minutes, 20.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in games Porzingis has missed this season. Beasley himself has a strong 29.2 Usage Rate this year and gets the added bonus of Enes Kanter (mouth) also sitting. This is a gimme despite the tough matchup.
Power Forward
Jerami Grant (OKC): $5,200 @ LAL
Carmelo Anthony suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of Tuesday night’s game and Grant went on to play a season-high 35 minutes en route to scoring XXX FanDuel points. Grant’s ability to hit threes and block shots adds a nice boost at power forward, and he should be awarded clean looks from Russell Westbrook throughout the night. Loading up on Thunder players should be a fortuitous strategy against the Lakers, the team that leads the league in pace. At $5,200 Grant should be able to deliver 5x value if he plays 30+ minutes. In Melo’s only other missed game this year (11/12), Grant scored 28.1 FanDuel points and surpassed 5x value.
Ed Davis (POR): $3,800 vs CHA
Davis has cooled off recently, but he’s still hit at least 5x value in seven of his last nine games. Always known as a plus rebounder, it’s possible Davis gets some extra minutes with the Hornets in town. With Dwight Howard and Cody Zeller on the boards, Charlotte ranks third in the league in rebounding. Davis really only needs to play 20 minutes to deliver 5x value, a time mark he’s hit in six of his last nine. He provides a nice money-saving option on a slate that’s thin on such luxuries. Portland’s 108 implied total is sneakily the third-highest team total on the slate.
Center
Kyle O’Quinn (NYK): $4,000 @ TOR
While recommending three different Knicks isn’t exactly my idea of a good time, there’s simply too much usage to go around here. O’Quinn’s basement-low price will allow you to pay up for studs like Curry, DeMar DeRozan and George, and he should get all the minutes he can handle at center with Porzingis and Kanter out and Willy Hernangomez traded. O’Quinn’s price is based on his 16.6 minutes per game average, but he averaged 24.7 minutes played in the three games Kanter missed this year. Already a great rebounder and shot blocker, it shouldn’t take much for O’Quinn to hit 6x value.
Eli Weiner is a FantasyPros Correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter @eweiner_bball.
