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I am looking to pick on the Bulls tonight, so I will look to the Hornets number one scoring option in Kemba Walker ($8,100). Kemba has been nursing an injury this week, but bounced back and turned in a solid back-to-back against Miami and Washington in his last two outings. They were both 40.25 DraftKings point games, which would be 5x value again tonight. I love picking on the Bulls who will be shorthanded without the services of Jimmy Butler. Butler is a big time defender so it’s no surprise the Bulls have allowed 109.7 PPG over the last three. Butler has sat two of those game while only playing 18 minutes in the third. That 109 mark would be the worst in the league this season and is 8 points worse than Chicago’s season average. Look for the Hornets to take advantage of the of the Bulls without Butler and provide solid fantasy returns.
Now on the flip side of this matchup is Derrick Rose ($7,000) who is feasting without Jimmy Butler in the lineup. Rose is averaging 46 DraftKings points per game in the three contest span we mentioned above. Rose is being asked to carry the load on offense, taking 62 shots in those three games and he’s sniffed a triple double in all of them. Expect the ball to be in the hands of Rose a ton tonight and while the matchup could be better, there’s going to be such a large usage rate tonight, you have to have Rose on your short list.
Speaking of usage, the usage king Kobe Bryant ($6,100) is scorching right now. He amassed 91 shots attempts in the last four games which is 22.8 per game, which would be the most in the league this season. He’s shot the rock at over 40% and 43% from beyond the arc which is contributing to massive fantasy games. He’s averaging 47.3 DraftKings points per game in this stretch. He’s almost always questionable, but assuming he suits up, he’s going to take a ton of shots including jacking it from three. If he catches fire, look out!
I never thought I’d say this, but JR Smith ($5,500) has been Mr. Consistent for the last three weeks. He’s posted 25+ DraftKings points in eight of his last ten, while cracking 30+ in four of those games. He’s shooting 42% from the field including 46% from three in this stretch. It’s the three ball that’s really improved recently as Smith was shooting a pedestrian 37% for the first 36 games. Under HC Tyronn Lue, JR Smith is taking 13.6 FGA per game compared to the 11 per game he was taking under Coach Blatt. That might not sound like a lot more, but it adds up and his new found efficiency is paying off for his owners. Tonight is a date with the league’s worst offense, so Smith should be able to keep it rolling.
The price on Paul George ($8,500) is enticing, yet scary. He’s got massive upside, but is one of the more volatile players over $8K. He’s posted eight games of 40+ DraftKings points in his last 13, but has also sprinkled in games of 21.5, 20.3, 31.3 and 32.8. None of which would have come to close to hitting value. George is trending upwards, averaging 47.4 DraftKings points over his last three, while filling up every category in the process. Tonight he will face the lowly Lakers, who PG13 dropped 52 DraftKings points on in their only meeting this season.
Speaking of volatile, it doesn’t get much more volatile than Zach Randolph ($6,000). His last four games of 42.5, 18, 38.5 and 19.75 are just a microcosm of his season. When he’s on, Randolph is a walking double-double with tremendous upside. When he’s off, he disappears for three quarters and you forget he even exists. The only thing he’s done consistently this season, is destroy the Trail Blazers who he will face tonight. He’s averaging 40.2 DraftKings points per game in three contests against his former team, while scoring no less than 32 DK points in any of those games. Just one month ago, Randolph shredded POR for a 26-18 line, which was good for 55 DraftKings points…his highest total this season.
Gorgui Dieng ($6,500) is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. He’s logging big minutes for the Timberwolves and has been excellent for his fantasy owners. He’s scored 31+ DraftKings points in five of his last six, while averaging 38.1 DK PPG in that span. He’s coming off a massive 53.8 DK point performance which included 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. He is an excellent rebounder who has found his scoring touch of late and will now face the Pelicans who are one of the softest teams in the paint this season. Also a bonus for Dieng often being overlooked since his teammate Karl Anthony-Towns plays the same position.
That’s all folks! Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more player analysis as news and injuries break closer to tip-off! Commentary based on DraftKings strategy and scoring.