CELTICS AT PACERS
Vegas Line: INDIANA -2.5
Total- 216
BOSTON CELTICS
Projected Lineup
PG- Isaiah Thomas
SG- Avery Bradley
SF- Jaylen Brown
PF- Amir Johnson
C- Tyler Zeller
The Pacers/Celtics game is one of the top matchups to target on the Saturday slate. This game will be played at a fast pace, with a high total (216 points), and with a tight spread (3 points). This is a pace-up game for the Celtics as the Pacers have played at a faster pace (8th overall) this season as compared to the past few seasons. The Pacers defense has struggled allowing an NBA worst 113.2 points/per game. Al Horford has missed the past 5 games but has a chance to return. In the absence of Horford and Jae Crowder, the Celtics backcourt has picked up the workload. Isaiah Thomas leads the team with a 31.9% usage rate and is in a great spot vs. the sub-par defense of Jeff Teague. Marcus Smart has seen a bump in minutes without Crowder in the mix. Avery Bradley’s price has gotten a tad too high but he is averaging 36.6 minutes/per game.
Top Plays
Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart
Secondary Options
Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk
INDIANA PACERS
Projected Lineup
PG- Jeff Teague
SG- Monta Ellis
SF- Paul George
PF- Thaddeus Young
C- Myles Turner
The Pacers enter the game in the 2nd half of a back-to-back and playing in 3 out of the past 4 nights. The Celtics defense has suffered with the loss of Jae Crowder and Al Horford. They are allowing the 3rd most points (112.7) in the NBA. Paul George is in a prime spot as the Celtics have allowed the most points to Small Forwards in the NBA. George is starting to break out of his early season slump as he put together two consecutive solid performances, albeit against the Sixers.
Top Plays
Paul George
Secondary Options
Myles Tuner, C.J. Miles
LAKERS AT PELICANS
Vegas Line: NEW ORLEANS -1
Total- 215.5
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Projected Lineup
PG- D’Angelo Russell
SG- Nick Young
SF- Luol Deng
PF- Julius Randle
C- Timofey Mozgov
The Lakers/Pelicans game will be another matchup to target as we have two of the top 10 fastest paced teams in the league with a high game total (215) and a tight spread. D’Angelo Russell is leading the Lakers in usage rate (28.7%) and gets terrible Tim Frazier defense. Julius Randle has been very consistent and makes for a nice cash option. The only thing keeping Russell and Randle from being listed as top plays is that new coach Luke Walton seems to keeping the rotations tight and the minutes down.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Lou Williams
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Projected Lineup
PG- Tim Frazier
SG- E’Twaun Moore
SF- Solomon Hill
PF- Anthony Davis
C- Omer Asik
The Pelicans enter the game 1-8 searching for their first home court win. Expect the team to play with some added motivation as it was announced that Jrue Holiday will be returning to the team next week. This is a pace up game for the Pelicans as the Lakers are currently playing at the 3rd fastest pace in the NBA. Anthony Davis has been dominant with a 32.7% usage rate. Expect Davis to put the team on his back again as he already has 6 games scoring over 30 points this season.
Top Plays
Anthony Davis
Secondary Options
Tim Frazier, E’Twaun Moore
KNICKS AT RAPTORS
Vegas Line: TORONTO-7
Total- 206.5
NEW YORK KNICKS
Projected Lineup
PG- Derrick Rose
SG- Courtney Lee
SF- Carmelo Anthony
PF- Kristaps Porzingis
C- Joakim Noah
This is a difficult road matchup for the Knicks as the Raptors are allowing the 3rd least points (96.4) in the NBA. It is also a pace-down game for the Knicks as the Raptors are playing at the 4th slowest pace in the association. There are better options available on an 11-game slate.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
None
TORONTO RAPTORS
Projected Lineup
PG- Kyle Lowry
SG- DeMar Derozan
SF- DeMarre Carroll
PF- Pascal Siakam
C- Jonas Valanciunas
The Knicks are allowing the 7th most points (107.9) in the NBA. DeMar DeRozan has been on a tear to open the season averaging 34.1 points/per game with a team leading 37.5% usage rate. It will be interesting to see how long DeRozan will be able to keep up this pace. His DFS salary has climbed very high which puts him out of consideration for cash games. Kyle Lowry’s salary is attractive but he gets a difficult matchup vs. Derrick Rose, who has been the top overall defensive point guard this season.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
DeMar DeRozan (GPP only) Kyle Lowry (GPP only)
76ERS AT HAWKS
Vegas Line: ATLANTA-14.5
Total- 204.5
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Projected Lineup
PG- Sergio Rodriguez
SG- Gerald Henderson
SF- Robert Covington
PF- Dario Saric
C- Jahlil Okafor
Joel Embiid is expected to miss the game due to rest. The 76ers are hoping that Jahlil Okafor will be able to fill in after playing only 3 minutes last evening. Vegas has the 76ers as 14.5-point road underdogs in this matchup. Due to the likelihood of a blowout and the unpredictability of starters minutes, there are better options on an 11-game slate.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
None
ATLANTA HAWKS
Projected Lineup
PG- Dennis Schroder
SG- Kyle Korver
SF- Kent Bazemore
PF- Paul Millsap
C- Dwight Howard
Vegas has the Hawks as a 14.5-point home favorite in this matchup. Based on the high-probability of a blowout and starters seeing limited 2nd half minutes, there are not any recommended plays in this game.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
None
WIZARDS AT BULLS
Vegas Line: CHICAGO-10
Total- 204.5
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Projected Lineup
PG- Tomas Satoransky
SG- Bradley Beal?
SF- Otto Porter
PF- Markieff Morris
C- Marcin Gortat
John Wall will be sitting out due to rest. Bradley Beal missed last evening’s game due to a hamstring injury and is questionable to play. If Wall and Beal are both out of the lineup, the Wizards will be missing their two highest usage players. The question is, where does that usage go on the team? Brad Beal is the top option, if he starts and is not on a minutes restriction. Tomas Satoransky isn’t a productive option but he will be guaranteed minutes albeit with a low floor. Otto Porter has been off to a fast start but draws a difficult defensive matchup vs. Jimmy Butler. Markieff Morris has seen an uptick in minutes per/game (31.4) but has been inconsistent. Keep an eye out for any team news prior to lineup lock.
Top Plays
Bradley Beal (if he starts and is not on a minutes restriction)
Secondary Options
Tomas Satoransky, Markieff Morris
CHICAGO BULLS
Projected Lineup
PG- Rajon Rondo
SG- Dwyane Wade
SF- Jimmy Butler
PF- Taj Gibson
C- Robin Lopez
The Bulls are a difficult team to figure out as their minutes, usage, and production have not been consistent thus far. Jimmy Butler has the highest floor of the Bulls projected starters. Butler is averaging 33.6 minutes/per game and does a great job filling up the stat sheet. Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo are more GPP tournament options because of their lower floor and wider range of outcomes.
Top Plays
Jimmy Butler
Secondary Options
Dwyane Wade (GPP) Rajon Rondo (GPP)
SPURS AT ROCKETS
Vegas Line: SAN ANTONIO -1
Total- 207.0
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Projected Lineup
PG- Tony Parker
SG- Danny Green
SF- Kawhi Leonard
PF- LaMarcus Aldridge
C- Pau Gasol
The Spurs are playing in the second-half of a back-to-back on the road. Danny Green missed last evenings game vs. the Pistons so there is a decent chance that he suits up in this game. This is a pace-up matchup for the Spurs offense. Kawhi Leonard has been phenomenal thus far with a 33.4% usage rate. When these teams met on Wednesday night, Leonard played well accounting for 34 points and missing the game-tying basket as the clock expired. Lamarcus Aldridge makes for a fine GPP play.
Top Plays
Kawhi Leonard
Secondary Options
Lamarcus Aldridge (GPP)
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Projected Lineup
PG- James Harden
SG- Eric Gordon
SF- Trevor Ariza
PF- Ryan Anderson
C- Clint Capela
This is a pace-down game against one of the top defensive teams in the league. James Harden is the entire offense with a 33.6% usage rate. To put that in perspective, the next closest is Eric Gordon with a 21.3% usage rate. Through 8 games, Harden has averaged 30.6 points/per game with 13.0 assists/per game and 7.8 rebounds/per game. Harden has been doing great setting up his teammates while still getting to the basket. Harden will draw either Kawhi Leonard or Danny Green, two of the best defenders in the NBA. When these teams met on Wednesday night, Harden messed around and got a triple-double. Expect Gregg Popovich to have a better plan to contain Harden in this rematch.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
James Harden (GPP)
CLIPPERS AT TIMBERWOLVES
Vegas Line: LOS ANGLES-4.5
Total- 205.5
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Projected Lineup
PG- Chris Paul
SG- J.J. Redick
SF- Luc Mbah a Moute
PF- Blake Griffin
C- DeAndre Jordan
The 8-1 Clippers are playing in a back-to-back on the road after beating the Thunder last evening. This is also the Clippers 3rd game in the past four nights. Blake Griffin has been superb thus far with a team-leading 27.6% usage rate at 31.4 minutes/per game. Griffin needs to put together a solid season after last years injured plagued campaign. Griffin draws a tough defensive matchup with Gorgui Dieng but is still in play in GPPs. Chris Paul has been consistent and is one of the top PG options on the slate.
Top Plays
Chris Paul
Secondary Options
Blake Griffin (GPP)
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Projected Lineup
PG- Kris Dunn
SG- Zach LaVine
SF- Andrew Wiggins
PF- Gorgui Dieng
C- Karl-Anthony Towns
This is a difficult matchup for the Timberwolves as the Clippers are allowing an NBA-best 88.2 points/per game. Kris Dunn has been starting for the injured Ricky Rubio but draws a tough matchup vs. Chris Paul. Andrew Wiggins leads the team with a 29.5% usage rate at 34.4 minutes/per game. Wiggins will be asked to do more under new coach Tom Thibodeau this season. The one thing the young Timberwolves have going for them is that they are more rested as compared to the Clippers. Wiggins and Towns make for contrarian GPP options.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
Andrew Wiggins (GPP) Karl-Anthony Towns (GPP)
JAZZ AT HEAT
Vegas Line: UTAH-3
Total- 186.0
UTAH JAZZ
Projected Lineup
PG- Dante Exum or Shelvin Mack
SG- Rodney Hood
SF- Gordon Hayward
PF- Derrick Favors
C- Rudy Gobert
The Heat have allowed the 7th least points/per game to opponents (98) and play at the 8th slowest pace in the NBA. George Hill is out as he has missed the past 3 games due to a sprained right thumb. Dante Exum and Shelvin Mack have been splitting time in Hill’s absence but neither player is appealing in this matchup. Derrick Favors is underpriced around the DFS industry and makes for a decent GPP option.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
Derrick Favors (GPP)
MIAMI HEAT
Projected Lineup
PG- Josh Richardson
SG- Dion Waiters
SF- Justice Winslow
PF- Luke Babbitt
C- Hassan Whiteside
This is a tough matchup for the Heat as the Jazz play at the slowest pace and allow the 2nd fewest points/per game (95.4) in the NBA. Goran Dragic is out with an ankle sprain. Josh Richardson should pick up the extra minutes. Hassan Whiteside and Justice Winslow make for contrarian GPP options. Whiteside is leading the team with a 25.9% usage rate at 32.3 minutes/per game. Justice Winslow is logging big minutes (36.3 per/game) and is starting to do a better job at filling up all areas of the stat sheet this season.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
Hassan Whiteside (GPP) Justice Winslow (GPP)
GRIZZLIES AT BUCKS
Vegas Line: MILWAUKEE-2.5
Total- 201.5
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Projected Lineup
PG- Mike Conley
SG- James Ennis
SF- Chandler Parsons
PF- JaMychal Green
C- Marc Gasol
The Grizzlies have listed Chandler Parsons as questionable as he is still recovering from his offseason knee surgery. Parsons returned for the last two games but has been on a minutes limit. Tony Allen has been ruled out with a groin injury. James Ennis has been picking up the minutes (31.4 minutes/per game) and makes for a reasonable punt at SF. The Grizzlies are rested having last played on Tuesday night when Marc Gasol hit the game-winning shot vs. the Nuggets. Gasol has been consistent with 32.3 minutes/per game and a 27.6% usage rate.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
James Ennis, Marc Gasol
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Projected Lineup
PG- Giannis Antetekounmpo
SG- Matthew Dellavadova
SF- Tony Snell
PF- Jabari Parker
C- Miles Plumlee
This is a pace-down game for the Bucks as the Grizzlies have played at one of the slower paces in the league over the past few seasons. The bulk of the Bucks production has come from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is becoming a superstar in front of our eyes. He leads the team in usage rate at 28.2%, minutes/per game (32.9) and scoring at 20.6 points/per game. Antetekounmpo also does a fabulous job filling up all areas of the stat sheet. The other Buck to consider is Jabari Parker, who is averaging 19.5 points/per game and a 25.7% usage rate thus far.
Top Plays
Giannis Antetekounmpo
Secondary Options
Jabari Parker
NETS AT SUNS
Vegas Line: PHOENIX-4.5
Total- 219.0
BROOKLYN NETS
Projected Lineup
PG- Sean Kilpatrick
SG- Bojan Bogdanovic
SF- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
PF- Trevor Booker
C- Brook Lopez
Who would have thought that a Nets/Suns matchup would be a fantasy player’s dream? These teams play at the fastest two paces in the NBA and thus we are presented with a massive 219.0 game total. Due to injuries to Jeremy Lin and Isaiah Whitehead, Sean Kilpatrick has been bumped into the starting lineup. Expect him to play over his average of 26.6 minutes/per game as one of the top options at SG. Brook Lopez leads the Nets with a 32.4% usage rate and 20.6 points/per game. The frustrating thing with Lopez is that he has been only playing 25.4 minutes/per game. This makes him difficult to trust for cash games. Trevor Booker has been a consistent option averaging 26.9 minutes/per game with 9.1 points/per game and 9.0 rebounds/per game.
Top Plays
Sean Kilpatrick
Secondary Options
Brook Lopez (GPP), Trevor Booker, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Phoenix Suns
Projected Lineup
PG- Eric Bledsoe
SG- Devin Booker
SF- T.J. Warren
PF- Marquese Chriss
C- Alex Len
This is a great spot to get some exposure to Suns. Tyson Chandler is away from the team due to the passing of his mother. Alex Len will see a minutes bump and gets a prime matchup vs. Brook Lopez. On Wednesday night without Chandler, Len played 37 minutes and produced 16 points with 14 rebounds. He is the top value option at the Center position. Devin Booker looks to be taking the next step this season as he has a team leading 27.2% usage rate with an average of 35.9 minutes/per game. T.J. Warren has cooled off from his fast start but is still averaging 36.3 minutes/per game with a 23.5% usage rate. Eric Bledsoe has picked up his game over the past two but is still an inconsistent option.
Top Plays
Alex Len, Devin Booker, T.J. Warren
Secondary Options
Eric Bledsoe
PISTONS AT NUGGETS
Vegas Line: DENVER-5.5
Total- 202.5
DETROIT PISTONS
Projected Lineup
PG- Ish Smith
SG- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF- Marcus Morris
PF- Tobias Harris
C- Andre Drummond
The Pistons come off a back-to-back on the road traveling to the thin air in Denver. They get a plus matchup as the Nuggets allow the 5th most points (108.0) in the NBA. The Pistons also get a significant bump in pace as the Nuggets play at the 5th fastest pace. Andre Drummond gets a prime matchup vs. the Nuggets who have struggled in the frontcourt.
Top Plays
Andre Drummond
Secondary Options: None
Denver Nuggets
Projected Lineup
PG- Emmanuel Mudiay
SG- Gary Harris
SF- Danilo Gallinari
PF- Nikola Jokic
C- Jusuf Nurkic
This is a terrible matchup for the Nuggets as the Pistons are allowing the 5th fewest points/per game (97.4). This is also an extreme pace down game for the Nuggets. On a 11-game slate, there are better options to target.
Top Plays
None
Secondary Options
None
