Today’s Projections | NEW! Enter The Jersey Freeroll
2015-16 Game Logs | Player Scoring Calendar | Salary Database | Points Allowed By Position
Elfrid Payton ($5,900) is one of the most volatile players in the league but he is trending in the right direction and gets the dream matchup tonight. He’s averaging 33.9 DraftKings points per game over his last four contents, including 44.5 against the Suns on Friday night. He’s not a big-time scorer, but he can fill it up enough to threaten a double-double on a nightly basis. The matchup with the Lakers couldn’t be any better. They’ve made every PG they’ve faced this season look like an All-Star. He’s a GPP play, but needs to be considered on this small slate.
Demar Derozan ($7,700) might be one of the purest shooters in the league and he can fill it up in a hurry. He’s averaging 24.5 real PPG in the last 10 contests and is certainly not afraid to shoot the ball. He’s launched 16.8 shots per game in that span and now gets a plus matchup with Brooklyn. Derozan cooked Brookyln in their last meeting (mid-January), dropping a 30-5-4 line for 46.5 DraftKings points. This is an incredibly thin position and Derozan is likely to be the top scorer.
If you thought SG was ugly, SF gets even worse. There are really only four players who could play 30+ minutes tonight. The position is decimated with bad options and injured players. Unless some value opens up closer to game-time, you’re probably stuck with either Carmelo Anthony ($8,400) or Kawhi Leonard ($8,200). They will be chalky, but luckily, both have been playing outstanding. Carmelo is averaging 45.8 DraftKings points per game in his last ten, while scoring 40+ in nine of those. In Kawhi’s last night, he’s scored 47.7 DK PPG, while cracking the 40 point mark in all of them. You really cannot go wrong with either player. I’d lean toward Kawhi if the Spurs continue to find ways to rest their starters. If you could get creative and roster both, I think you could create a contrarian lineup.
Kenneth Faried ($6,400) is living up to his “Manimal” nickname. He’s coming off a massive 25-20 game that earned his owners 57 DraftKings points. That has just been the capper on Faried’s excellent run of basketball. In the last six games he’s scoring 37.4 DraftKings PPG while only averaging 27.7 MPG. That’s a ridiculous 1.35 PPM rate that would be top 10 in the league this season. Now he gets a date with a banged up Knicks front-court, so I expect him to be able to keep it rolling tonight.
I am looking to fire up Brook Lopez ($7,300) tonight. He was a healthy scratch on Saturday night, but there’s little reason for any concern moving forward. It looks like it was just rest for him and teammate Thad Young. He gets a $100 discount, fresh legs and hopefully forgotten by fantasy owners. Lopez is scoring 42.7 DK PPG in his last eight, and has absolutely torched Toronto in two games this season. Lopez has scored 49.75 and 53 DraftKings points in their two meetings this season, which are two of his top ten games this year.
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.