Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Last night was really, really annoying.
Late scratches, questionable minutes and lots and lots of foul trouble kept me facepalming all night long. However, the great thing about daily fantasy basketball is the fact that redemption can come a whole lot quicker.
Note: FPPG totals are based off FanDuel scoring.
George Hill, PG (vs PHI)
FPPG allowed to PG: 45.19 (30th)
The 76ers, on the road, are 20-point underdogs, currently riding a 20-game losing streak.
Yikes.
Still, Hill should be a fine play, as he is still relatively cheap everywhere and has been known to exploit the good matchups provided. The Pacers could once again be without the services of C.J. Watson this evening, forcing Hill to log some extra minutes at the point, even in a potential blowout. Point guards against Philly are averaging a league-leading 10.28 assists, 2.33 steals and 0.54 blocks per game this year, while also ranking third in rebounds and triples. During Friday night’s win against the Sixers, Hill had a nice line, scoring 14 points while adding six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. A similar line wouldn’t surprise me one bit.
Evan Turner, SG (vs PHI)
FPPG allowed to SG: 38.30 (29th)
There may not be a better punt option tonight than Turner, playing against his former team.
His former team that just so happens to be the worst team in basketball.
I wouldn’t call this a revenge game, as I’m sure Turner wasn’t angry that he went from the worst team in the league to one of the best. But players seem to always have an extra incentive to play against their former team. Turner played 30 minutes in a close game on Saturday night, scoring 20 points, adding five rebounds and two assists. He could certainly play 30 minutes again in this one, especially if the Pacers get ahead, like they should. Shooting guards against the Sixers are posting the second-most assists, the seventh-most boards and third-most steals per game this year. The guy is close to minimum salary, and is going to be some serious relief if you want to pay up for some of the top tier players tonight.
Matt Barnes, SF (@ DEN)
FPPG allowed to SF: 37.97 (24th)
Barnes really doesn’t get a ton of love, as he is overshadowed by the other stars in LA, but he has quietly played very well for the Clippers this season. Over his last five outings, he is averaging a respectable 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, a steal and two triples per game.He’s basically been a safe 25-fantasy point guy as of late, and could easily eclipse that total tonight against a Nuggets unit that is coughing up the 7th-most fantasy points per game to small forwards. This game should see plenty of points, as well as a fantasy friendly pace, so Barnes could be looking at a nice line.
Blake Griffin, PF (@ DEN)
FPPG allowed to PF: 45.95 (28th)
If you don’t play Blake tonight, you’re doing it wrong.
Griffin is the top play at any position tonight against a putrid, undersized, weak Denver frontcourt. Only the Lakers and Sixers surrender more fantasy points per game to power forwards, while Denver also coughs up the 4th-most rebounds (12.77), 3rd-most field goal attempts (18.34) and 2nd-most points per game (22.98) to the position. The Nuggets are also allowing a healthy 44.8 points per game in the paint, which is good for the 6th-most in basketball. In two games against Denver this year, Blake is going bonkers, averaging 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and a steal. Blake is averaging nine rebounds per game over his last five, and should easily at least match that number during tonight’s meeting, as Denver is allowing the 3rd-most total rebounds per game, coming in at 53.1. A lot of points, a lot of possessions and a lot of Blake dunks.
Al Jefferson, C (vs ATL)
FPPG allowed to C: 44.76 (24th)
There’s clearly nothing wrong with Jefferson, either, who has quietly been one of the best centers in basketball all season long. The guy is averaging 39.4 fantasy points per game on the year, and has only posted two outings with fewer than 35 fantasy points since February 28th. Tonight, Jefferson faces a weak Atlanta frontcourt that doesn’t even know who will be at center each night. Since Al Horford went down, this unit hasn’t been able slow down opposing centers. Over the last 15 games, the Hawks have been coughing up the 6th-most fantasy points per game to centers (46.85), while allowing the 5th-most rebounds (15.83) and the highest field goal percentage to opposing centers (61.90%).
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
