Fantasy Basketball Picks 1-23-15
These fantasy basketball picks will help you on your way to an extra payday tonight!
Last night’s slate was tumultuous to say the least. Nicolas Batum crashed back down to Earth, falling from his best performance of the season to his worst and eventually leaving with an injury, and Kawhi Leonard (19.25) was hampered by a blowout. Taj Gibson (34.50) continued to be the ideal value play at PF, while Evan Turner (30.25) continued his solid FP totals despite more poor shooting. Enes Kanter (49) was the highlight play from yesterday, as he dominated the Bucks throughout to the tune of 23/16. Tonight’s 11-game slate has plenty of fantasy goodness to be gleaned, and I’m excited to get things going!
These plays are intended to help you gain a solid return on salary (at least 2.5X, with the ideal level being 3x or higher) with each player you roster. Sometimes I will highlight a minimum salary player, and the intent is to maximize the number of roster spots where you have potential to hit 3X salary. Keep in mind that a minimum-priced player on DraftDay is even more valuable than a minimum-salary player elsewhere, due to the large gap in pricing with a $100,000 cap. Another key to remember is that in DFS, late injury news can be HUGE when deciding your final rosters. Just because someone was a great play in the morning doesn’t necessarily mean that better options won’t arise throughout the day. Monitor Twitter closely before locking in your lineups.
Today’s Top Plays
Guard:
Langston Galloway ($9,100) vs Orlando – Galloway has emerged as a legitimate weapon for the abysmal Knicks, and Vegas has this one pegged as a close game (-2) with a high total (205). Over his past two games, Galloway has averaged 16/6/3.5, and has crushed his salary threshold. His price has risen a bit tonight, but with no other reliable options outside of an ailing Carmelo Anthony, I’m willing to roll the dice with Galloway once again.
Goran Dragic ($12,750) vs Houston – The Phoenix/Houston game will be a popular target this evening for DFS plays, and for good reason. Vegas has this one pegged as a monstrous 220 point total, with the Suns favored by just 2.5. Finding the values here is key, and I’ll be rolling out Dragic at a reduced price tag. He has legitimate 50 FP upside, and has scored no less than 16 real points in 14 of his last 16 games. Dragic makes for my favorite play in this one when you factor in his price.
James Harden ($21,100) at Phoenix – The frontrunner for NBA MVP draws the most ideal matchup we can ask for tonight against the Suns. “The Beard” is averaging 27.2/5.5/6.7 on the season, and should be in line for a huge game tonight. He will make his way on to most of my rosters. He has at least 52 FP in 4 of his last 5 contests, and I expect him to reach that level once again tonight.
Tyreke Evans ($14,000) at Minnesota - Jrue Holiday is officially sidelined for the foreseeable future, opening the door for “Point God” to go back to work. He will run the point once again, and a matchup with the Timberwolves will feed right into his strengths. This is another one with a high total at 202.5, and Evans will have his fingerprints all over this one.
Forward:
Andrew Wiggins ($11,900) vs New Orleans - Wiggins has been tremendous this season, especially over the past month, and tonight is shaping up to be another great opportunity for the rookie to shine. New Orleans has struggled with wing players this season, and Wiggins’ price tag is far too low for his potential. He is a minutes monster who has played less than 36 minutes once (32) in his last 12 games. Wiggins should have no trouble paying off this discounted tag tonight.
Kenneth Faried ($11,750) vs Boston - Faried is currently listed as “questionable” with an illness, so monitor his status throughout the day. With that being said, if Faried goes, he draws a Celtics team that has allowed the 3rd-most FP to opposing PF this season. If he can’t go, I’m looking toward JJ Hickson ($8,450).
Taj Gibson ($11,450) at Dallas –This is another situation to monitor, because Gibson’s value is largely dependent on the status of Joakim Noah. If he is out once again, Taj will once again be locked in to huge minutes and make for a great play against the Mavericks. His price actually dropped after a solid performance last night, and he will be one of the first players in my lineups if Noah sits.
Brandon Bass ($7,200) at Denver - Bass has quickly become the flavor of the week after a solid performance last night (13/10/5 at Portland), and now draws an ideal matchup against a weak Nuggets frontcourt. Kelly Olynyk is out now as well, and with word coming out that the Celtics are showcasing Bass for a potential trade, I’ll be getting his “Bass” into all of my lineups.
Center:
Nikola Vucevic ($16,000) at New York - Vucevic is a double-double machine, and is currently tied with DeMarcus Cousins and Pau Gasol with the most in the NBA this season at 25. The Knicks have struggled with big men all season, and are 29th in rebounding differential. You know what to do here. If you can afford “Vucci Mane” get him into your lineups.
Other guys I’m trying to fit in to my lineups today: Anthony Davis ($20,850), Derrick Rose ($15,150), and Eric Gordon ($10,700).
You can find me on Twitter @BigItaly42 and I’d love to help you out with any questions you have about determining salary, finding value, or any lineup construction tips!