Here are our NBA DFS thoughts ahead of the massive $5k Moneyball NBA Bank today!
High points total games
*lines provided are taken from Pinnacle Sports
Golden State v Miami 214.5 points
Oklahoma City v Dallas 214.5 points
No surprises here, the Warriors and Thunder matches are expected to be high scoring which as we know normally translates to juicy fantasy scores. Steph, Dray, Russ or KD. Do you play one? two? three? or even all four of them again today?
One potential game to fade is the Knicks-Pacers that happens to have the lowest projected points total for the day at 202.5. The Knicks have scored over 100 points in a game just twice in their past six matches. They have lost eight of their past 10 and are now 10 games below .500 seemingly out of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Who should I play?
Must-play cash stud
PG: Russell Westbrook (Thunder) $11,700
As we detailed in our feature article on Westbrook’s fantasy production he is stud who gives his all every time he steps on the court. He’s blowout proof although that shouldn’t be too much of a worry anyway here as the game is being played in Dallas. The match-up looks decent enough and we can’t see a reason why you don’t build your line-up around Mr Reliable once again.
Upside Baby Upside
PG: Goran Dragic (Miami) $6,400
The Dragon looks like he is finally about to fill the void the Heat thought he would in the offseason. Maybe playing without Bosh will allow him to flourish more? His FRM value of 6.6 is appealing as is the fact the Warriors have been giving up plenty of points against PG’s lately. Faster pace in tonight’s game suits him and the projected high total is advantageous as well!
Mid-range options
PF: Zach Randolph (Grizzlies) $6,500
Randolph needs to step up to help fill the huge void left by injured Marc Gasol. Zach’s usage rate and minutes per game is up and will continue to stay high as the Grizzlies fight to hold onto their playoff spot. The match-up at both Power Forward and Centre (where Z-Bo will play plenty in Gasol’s absence) looks favourable against the awful Lakers backcourt and this looks to be a big Z-Bo game waiting to happen.
Bang for your buck
PG: E’Twaun Moore (Chicago) $3,600
Moore gets the start tonight and looks a terrific bargain basement option. No Jimmy Butler once again and Moore is averaging 31 minutes per game across his last five. He seems to be well ahead of Aaron Brooks in the pecking order and will ge this chances again tonight. He also has a 25% bargain rating compared to FanDuel prices. We are projecting a yield of x8 today and you’d be wise to start him in at least a few lineups!
Gain an edge on Moneyball by comparing player prices to FanDuel.
Other players to consider or play in tournament lineups:
Guards
Zach LaVine $5,200 – Growing in confidence every week. Can get hot really quick and has the athletiscim to fill out the box score in many ways.
Forwards
JaMychal Green $3,500 – No Gasol and likely no Tony Allen. Projecting 22 minutes tonight and love the Fanduel discount we get!
Tobias Harris $5,700 – New system in Detroit and they do play the dreadful Philly today!
Centre
Andre Drummond $8,500 – He’s officially on 20 and 20 watch against the 76ers tonight.
Sample line-up for the $5k Moneyball NBA bank
Looking for value first and foremost of course but also then players with high upside.
Durant and LeBron form the backbone to the lineup then we have a host of players who can fill it up. Backing Monta to bounce back from his awful 2-17 effort against the Heat. Expect he’ll be low ownership today.
Goran is rolling in Miami and with a potential high score the Heat will need 20+ points from him to stay clsoe against the Warriors. Moore and Randolph we detailed above.
Klay gets to play on the orginal matador himself – D-Wade so he’ll score with ease tonight while McRoberts value skyrockets with Bosh on the sidelines. Again, faster pace than the Heat are used to will not only suit Dragic but McRoberts who can get hot from three-point land. Finally, Ian Mahimi at Centre looks a lock for 30 points and should be pretty low ownership. We also get a nice 11% discount on FanDuel prices.
