A solid 11 game slate with some injuries that open up good plays along with value. Damian Lillard will be out a few weeks, and this opens up 30% usage for the Trail Blazers. Anfernee Simons stepped in last year with Lillard down and played very well. He will get that chance again tonight. A few games that stand out tonight is the late-night hammer- Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers. This will be a faster paced and high scoring game with a solid number of plays coming out of the game. The Knicks gain over 10 possessions going against the much faster paced Bucks’. This will be another game to target players. The Wizards get an excellent matchup against one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Sneaky spot. Hornets and Magic are both banged up and have some solid plays on each side.
NBA Dashboard is also another good source to help build lineups.
Looking at a 11 -game slate starting at 7:00pm
The “Droppin Dimes,” article will go over my favorite plays for the slate. It will consist of three to five core plays along with some additional plays and some value plays. You will not always see the highest-priced players or the most obvious plays. The article will be the building blocks to help construct lineup/s.
NBA Dashboard is also another good source to help build lineups. Check it out here – DailyAmbush: NBA Dashboard
The Dashboard will provide projections, player ratings along with matchup and other statistics for both Ambush and me (under FB Model). The dashboard feeds the optimizer allowing users to create lineups using (Avg FPs, Ratings, FB Projections, FB Ratings, projected ownership and GPP score). This is a good tool to utilize, and it gives the user a lot of ways to mix it up.
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(Note: All pricing and fantasy points are based on DraftKings but can be used for all sites.)
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NOTES
- Damian Lillard is out tonight- 30% usage going around to the rest of the starters.
- Terry Rozier is doubtful again opening up the start for Dennis Smith Jr.
- Rusell Westbrook will be coming off the bench tonight. He should do well against the second unit and he cheap.
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CORE
Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trailblazers ($4400)
The Trail Blazers will be without their star Damian Lillard tonight and this opens up a starting spot, 35 plus minutes and about 30% usage. The starting spot will most likely go to Sharpe who has played well off the bench, especially over the past two games. Hitting double-digit in points in three of the five games this year in limited time. The matchup against the 27th ranked Rockets will help him hit value along with the increase in pace. Expecting Sharpe to play 25-30 minutes and put up around 25 plus FPs tonight.
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Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors ($8800)
Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards ($7000)
The matchup is what I am targeting tonight with Kuzma as the Pacers have been one of the worst defensive teams this year ranking 27th. Also, that Kuzma has played well in three of the four games this year with one of those against the Pacers where he put up 47 FPs. Kuzma is averaging 21 points and 7 rebounds on the season while taking double-digit shots in three of the four-games (same games where he hit value in). Liking Kuzma chances tonight against this poor defensive team and I do see him coming in at very low ownership.
Just missed the core….
- Scottie Barnes
- Paolo Banchero- Hornets bottom three against big-men
- Julius Randle- massive pace up spot where he will have to play close to 40 minutes.
- Chris Paul
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(V) Value Play
Additional Plays to Consider
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
| Kevin Porter Jr.
Russell Westbrook- coming off the bench Jalen Brunson-massive pace bump Monte Morris |
Dejounte Murray
Will Barton Malcom Brogdon- 27% usage rate |
Justice Winslow (V)
Franz Wagner Kelly Oubre- bounce back game (Magic allow most points to PF). |
Josh Hart
Jason Tatum Giannis Antetokounmpo Jermey Sochan (V) |
Kristaps Porzingas
Josh Allen Jakob Poelt Jock Landale (V) |
Dimes Play
Kevin Love- yes, he has only been playing around 19 minutes a game and only hit over 20 FPs in one of the four games this year and I don’t care. …….BUT——-He plays extremely well against the Celtics. Last time they met. 23 minutes 41FPs, prior game 32 minutes 55 FPs, before that 37 minutes 55 Fps and a 48 FP game as well. Excellent risk-reward play tonight with 6-9 times upside at under 2% ownership.
**Options to help build lineups- Take these core plays and enter into optimizer with your favorite settings (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!