Fantasy Basketball Picks 12-27-14
These fantasy basketball picks will lead your team to victory tonight!
Kenneth Faried was an absolute machine last night, posting a 26/25 line and becoming the first Nuggets player ever to have a 25/25 game. Gorgui Dieng had another phenomenal performance, as he finished with 45 FP. Wesley Johnson posted a double-double en route to eclipsing 30 FP. Russell Westbrook was so good that he killed his own value by resting late. Jonas Jerebko hit more than 4X salary at a discounted price, and DeMarcus Cousins was a late scratch with a stomach virus. Any player not listed in “Studs” or “Duds” recap was an average play that came near paying off their salary.
Studs: Kennth Faried (60.50), Gorgui Dieng (45), Wesley Johnson (32.25), Jonas Jerebko (23.75), Dion Waiters (28.25)
Duds: DeMarcus Cousins (DNP-Stomach Virus), Russell Westbrook (40.50)
Today’s Top Plays
Guard:
John Wall ($17,850) vs Boston– On tonight’s 8-game slate, only half of the games have totals over 200. Wall’s Wizards are a 9.5 point home favorite in a game with a 202.5 total. Any time I can roster Wall at the Verizon Center, I’m on board. He is averaging 18.4/11.2/5.1 with 2.2 steals per game at home. The Celtics were abysmal against PG with Rajon Rondo at the helm, and they are even worse without him. I like Wall as the top PG option tonight, and he will be in every single one of my lineups. His usage rate of 25.5% is solid, and he has shown repeatedly that he is capable of taking over a game at any time.
Jrue Holiday ($13,450) at Chicago– Happy HoliDAY! Despite the Pelicans on a back-t0-back in a tough matchup, Jrue Holiday has the best matchup of the bunch. The Bulls rank 28th in the NBA against opposing PG, and surely Tom Thibodeau will be looking to slow down Anthony Davis with the his big men. With the Bulls likely keying on “The Brow”, Holiday and his solid 22.7% usage rate can go to work on Derrick Rose and company. He is averaging 32.9 FP per game this season, which is already 2.5X salary. The Pelicans will need Jrue to step up today on the road, and I like him to have a big game.
George Hill ($7,800) at Brooklyn – Hill has been right around 1 FP/minute in two games since making his debut, and he makes for a tremendous value tonight. The Nets have struggled with opposing PG all season, ranking 25th in the NBA. The Pacers are in desperate need of an offensive spark, and Hill will be relied on to provide that. Take advantage of this discounted price before Hill returns to the starting lineup. He is a likely candidate to hit 3X salary tonight.
Forward:
Gordon Hayward ($14,300) vs Philadelphia - Hayward is a player who always seems to be priced in no-man’s land. He is the player you want, but are hesitant to pay his price tag. I think tonight is the night to target the ex-Butler standout against the 76ers 30th ranked defense vs SF. Hayward is remarkably consistent, and hasn’t posted less than 26 FP in a game since November 17th. Utah has played six straight road games, and now return home against one of the worst teams in the NBA after not playing since December 22nd. Hayward is the heart and soul of this Jazz offense with his 25.9% usage rate, and he will be well rested for this one. I expect Hayward to have one of his stat-stuffer lines tonight.
Andrew Wiggins ($9,050) at Golden State - This game has the highest total on the night at 215.5, which is 11 points higher than any other game. The Warriors have not been playing well without Andrew Bogut, but the opposite can be said for Wiggins. He has back-to-back solid games, posting 35.75 and 34.50 respectively. His price tag and potential upside itself put him squarely in play for me, and adding in the high total makes it an even easier decision. I find it tough to pay up for studs in this one, and Wiggins makes for the most versatile play against the Warriors 19th-ranked defense vs SF.
Paul Millsap ($14,900) at Milwaukee– Millsap has once again been flying under the radar, and has now bested the 40 FP plateau in 3 straight games, including 45 against this same Bucks team in Atlanta last night. His middling price coupled with the lack of solid options at PF make Millsap one of my favorite plays on the night. He has been showing his versatility as well, with 16 assists in his last three contests.
Center:
Gorgui Dieng ($11,750) at Golden State- Back to the enormous total at Oracle Arena tonight. Gorgui Dieng has posted two of the best games of his young career in his last two outings (50.75, 45), and should see little resistance down low from Marreese Speights and David Lee. The Warriors are a mess in the frontcourt without their big man, and Dieng should thrive in an up-tempo setting against this makeshift defensive line. Fire him up as an elite GPP play tonight.
You can find me on Twitter @BigItaly42 and I’d love to help you out with any questions!