Fantasy Basketball Picks 11-12-14
These fantasy basketball picks will help you dominate the competition on a HUGE night for NBA!
Stephen Curry failed to make a three-pointer for the first time in 76 games, Darren Collison was a late scratch, and Dorell Wright ended up in the doghouse last night. Fortunately, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic had their way with the Raptors, as both were among the highest scorers on the night. My “Studs and Duds” are determined by the amount of points returned dependent on salary, which is why you’ll see players with similar scores in both categories. Here is your recap of Tuesday’s plays:
Studs: Tobias Harris (51.75), Nikola Vucevic (41.25), Wesley Matthews (31.00), Kawhi Leonard (31.00),
Duds: Darren Collison (DNP), Stephen Curry (26.75), Draymond Green (22.75), Dorell Wright (0.75)
Today’s Top Plays
Guard:
James Harden ($19,450) at Minnesota – If you’re paying up tonight for any guard, it has to be James Harden. He is averaging 47.4 FP per game, which is good for 2.5X salary. The Rockets haven’t played since Friday night, so Harden should be plenty rested for this one. He is 5th in the NBA with a 31.9% usage rate, leads the league in free throws and free throw attempts, and is a top play any time he sees the court. With Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley still out, he will take on even more of the scoring load and will no doubt be one of the top plays of the night at any position.
Deron Williams ($14,050) at Phoenix – Williams has been quietly efficient this season, and while a similarly priced guard (Damian Lillard) has been alternating good and bad games, Deron has stayed consistent. He has scored between 31.25 and 39.25 in 5 of his six games this season. He isn’t likely to go off for a 50+ FP performance, but you know what you’re going to get. Plug Williams in at PG for your cash games against a Suns team that is in the bottom 10 in the NBA against opposing PG.
Alec Burks ($9,450) at Atlanta – Hear me out on this one. Burks has been a disappointment from a DFS perspective all season long, but his matchup tonight is ideal for a breakout. The Hawks rank as the second-worst team against opposing SG, behind only the 76ers. Burks has played at least 32 minutes in all but one game this season, and minutes are key when selecting your DFS lineups. The opportunity is there, and I expect Burks to step up tonight.
Zach Lavine ($6,950) vs Houston – Throw the numbers that Houston has posted against PG out the window. Defensive specialist Patrick Beverley is still sitting out, and Lavine has taken over the starting role in Minnesota with Ricky Rubio out. He is a tremendous athlete who has the skills to post a solid line. You don’t expect him to light up the scoreboard, but if he comes anywhere near 20 FP, he has done his job tonight. He should see 25+ minutes, and the matchup is solid against a young player in Isaiah Canaan.
Forward:
Gordon Hayward ($14,600) at Atlanta– Quite possibly the best player in the NBA that nobody is talking about, Hayward just continues to produce. He is averaging 36.9 FP per contest, and contributes in every single category. With DeMarre Carroll out tonight, the Hawks will be missing a key defender on the wing, and Hayward is in a prime position to go off tonight.
Anthony Davis ($22,050) vs Los Angeles Lakers – I’m the furthest thing from a Lakers’ apologist, but I can’t help but cringe when I think of their frontcourt trying to defend “The Brow” tonight. Last time out, some wondered if Davis could manage to pay off his enormous price tag. All he did was post 64 FP against the Cavs and hit 3X value. The Lakers struggle against opposing big men, and Davis is a must-play at home in any matchup. He is an incredibly smart player who doesn’t make bad decisions (7 turnovers and 9 fouls TOTAL in 6 games). Davis has the potential to have one of his best nights ever in this matchup. Don’t be caught on the outside looking in.
Serge Ibaka ($13,550) at Boston – Speaking of players who have been letdowns so far this season, here is Ibaka. He has been solid, but unspectacular while Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are out with injuries. He has been working on his 3-point shot, and has already knocked down 16 this season. The Celtics are allowing the most FP in the league to opposing PF, so Serge is in the perfect position to have his first huge game of the year. Anything less than 40 FP will be a disappointment against a Celtics team that seems incapable of defending down low.
Udonis Haslem ($5,000) vs Indiana – Haslem is a player that you play for one reason: saving salary. He likely will play 15-20 minutes, and doesn’t shoot a lot. He is a good rebounder, and I always deliver a value play. Not a guy with big upside, but if he can contribute near the 7/5.5 he is averaging through his first two games, the 15 FP is more than enough to reach value.
Center:
Chris Bosh ($16,800) vs Indiana – Roy Hibbert has the look of a tremendous defender, but that’s it. The Pacers have allowed more points to opposing Centers than anyone in the league, and Bosh has been great thus far this season, averaging 42.4 FP per game. His usage rate of 28.4% is good for 15th in the NBA, and he should have his way with Hibbert down low, especially considering his ability to stretch the floor. If he draws Hibbert away from the basket, this is a matchup he will win more often than not. Look for Bosh to have a big game against a terrible interior defense.