Tonight brings a 10 slate starting at 7p.m. ET.
The “Droppin Dimes,” article will go over my favorite plays for the slate. It will consist of three to five core plays along with a few additional plays and a few value plays. You won’t always see the highest-priced players or the most obvious plays. Players listed first at each position are my favorite and a good start to build a lineup around.
(Note: All pricing and fantasy points are based on DraftKings but can be used for all sites.)
Keep an eye on the injury status of players as they can be ruled out right before lock.
Check out the NBA Dashboard and Optimizer! A great place to help build you lineups.
https://dailyambush.com/nba-dashboard/
Game/s to Target:
Grizzlies@Blazers- faster paced game with a high total. Also, the Grizzlies have allowed the most points to opponents this season and the Blazers 5th most. Shoot be as shoot out.
Hornets@Magic-two of the worst defenses in the slate. Magic get a +7 pace bump.
If/Then….(Injury scenarios)
- If LeBron James sits out then Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Malik Monk become good options.
- If LeBron James and Anthony Davis sit out then Russell Westbrook becomes an elite play and Malik Monk and Dwight Howard become excellent plays.
- If Norman Powell sits out then Nassir Little becomes an excellent value.
NOTES:
FPPM= Fantasy Points Per Minute, FPPG= Fantasy Points Per Game, PPG=Points per Game, Value=Projected points/salary(This will differ depending on the site).
Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers ($9400/$8200)
The price on Lillard is coming down on both sites and FanDuel has him way underpriced. He has yet to have a big game this year and most of that is due to the Blazers being in two blow out games where he saw under 30 minutes. Tonight, the Blazers get the Grizzlies and they have allowed the most points to opposing teams this year. A good time to get Dame going. This should be a shoot-out between Lillard and Ja Morant who is another point guard in a good spot. Morant has started out this season on fire.
Also consider: Russell Westbrook- LeBron James has been ruled out. You saw what he did last night without James. He will be a popular play tonight, LaMello Ball
Value: De’Anthony Melton, Davion Mitchell
(Image provided by StatMuse)
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards ($9,200/$8700)
The Wizards dumped Russell Westbrook in the offseason and Beal is once again the main option. He has started off the season slow, but nothing better than a matchup against the Celtics to get him going. (See image above). Beal has played well against the Celtics and especially in Boston. Right now he is averaging about 20 shots over the first two games, but I expect him to take closer to 30 tonight.
Also consider: Devin Booker, Eric Bledsoe
Value: Malik Monk- played 39 minutes last night with James out, Lu Dortz, Terrance Mann
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics ($7800/$8800)
What a start to the season for Brown dropping 46 real points and 76 Fps. He follow that game up with an absolute dud (11.5 FPs). An all around player that can score, grab boards and dish out a few assist as well as get some steals each game. Taking an average of 21 shots per game and that is with the one game where he played under 30 minutes and took 13 shots. A nice pace up spot tonight which gives him the upside. The price in Draftkings in way too low for his part in the Celtics offense. Good time to take advantage of anther Brown 50 Burger.
Also consider: Mikal Bridges (SUNS), Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards
Value: Grayson Allen, Desmond Bane
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic ($4800/$4700)
Wagner has been playing over 30 minutes in the young Magic offense. Averaging double-digit shot attempts and points in the first four games of the season and adding 4 rebounds a, some assists and a steal and block per game. This is an excellent matchup and upside game for Wagner and the Magic as they take on the Hornets who run at a +7 pace differental and allow the 7th most fantasy points to opposing teams. It could be Wagners first 30 plus FP game tonight.
Also consider: Mikal Bridges(Hornets), John Collins, Jason Tatum
Value: Bobby Portis- is scheduled to be back in the lineup tonight,LaMarcus Aldridge, Nasir Little, Jaden McDaniels (Wolves)
Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies ($5300/$7000)
A few things to look at for Adams. One, he is averaging over 30 minutes a night and should be on the floor a good amount tonight against Jusif Nurkic. Two, he is playing well above his salary, especially on DraftKings. Averaging 13 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists per game for a total of 38.3 FPs. FanDuel has his price a lot closer, but DraftKings is way off. Love this spot for Adams tonight to drop 40 plus fantast points in what should be a faster pace, high scoring game in a good defensive matchup.
Also consider: Richaun Holmes,
Value: Precoius Achiuwa- continues to outplay his price, Isaiah Hartensien
CORE PLAYS
Jaylen Brown
Steven Adams
Malik Monk
Either Westbrook, Lillar for Morant
Dimes Play(GPP Play of the Night) Under 5k Player with low ownership and upside
Two for one sale……$$
Malik Monk should start again for the Lakers and is only $3700 on DraftKings. With James out he should play 30 plus minutes in an elite matchup against the Thunder. He may pick up some ownership, but should also return 8-1o times value.
JaVale McGee is only playing about 13 minutes a night, but is averaging 1.25 FPPM on the year. He is only priced at $3100 and gets an elite matchup against the Kings who rank 26th in defense efficiency. This is a game where he could put up 20-25 FPs in only 12-15 minutes. I have him projected for 21 FPS which is 7 times value, but he could exceed that with a few extra minutes.
**Options to help build lineups- Take these core plays and enter into optimizer with your favorite setting(rating, FBrating, FBprojections, FunkProjections, ownership or ratings). OR use this article to help you build a lineup with some of your favorite plays. The Dashboard is also a great tool to help build lineups- It contains a good variety of stats and projections from multiple sources.
Good Luck!