Welcome to my Monday NBA Draftkings column. Today we don’t have our usual 5-to-7 game slate, we have a terrible looking 4-game slate. I will attempt to make the most of it and find some decent plays, but keep in mind, I write this the night before, there may be some news I’m not aware of yet and some of the Sunday late night games haven’t wrapped up yet.
With that said, let’s get to today’s picks…
Guards
Top Play |Â Luka Doncic (DAL) $11,000 @ TOR
He just dropped 87.5 on the Bulls yesterday and he is $200 cheaper today. No-fault of DraftKings, since they didn’t have the outcome of that game yet, but on a four-game slate, you’re going to need to jam in the studs, and Luka is one of the studs I will make sure to have. The Raptors are ranked 21st in defensive rating, giving up 111.1 points per 100 possessions and they are middle of the pack in DK points allowed to point guards.
Mid-tier |Â Eric Gordon (HOU) $5,200 @ CHI
Please don’t play Ben McLemore. That’s it. That’s the advice.
Value | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (LAL) $3,900 vs. GS
On a four-game slate, finding some decent value will prove difficult unless we get some news of players sitting out today. KCP is someone I’m not dying to play, but he gets decent minutes and averages 19 DK ppg. There is also a scenario in which the Lakers rest one of their stars and leave some minutes on the table for KCP. Either way, at $3,900, he opens to door for you to cram some studs into your lineup. The Warriors are also the third-fastest team, which should give KCP more opportunity to score.
Fade | James Harden (BKN) $10,800 vs. MIL
I’m going to assume that Kyrie Irving is back for this game. I want to see how this experiment is going to work out before I pay $10,800 for Harden.
Others I Like
- Zach LaVine $9,500 vs. HOU
Forwards
Top Play |Â Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $10,400 @ BKN
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
Let me give you the condensed version of my analysis here. Four-gam slate. Cram in studs. The Freak is as cheap as he has been since opening night, and the Net’s are the new hotness in the East, Giannis is going to want to play well.
Mid-tier |Â Chris Boucher (TOR) $7,100 vs. DAL
His price has not caught up to his production yet. He is averaging 42.5 DK points over his last five games and Dallas gives up 53.17 DK to PF/Centers on the season.
Value | Jae’Sean Tate (HOU) $5,100 @ CHI
I have no idea how the minutes are going to shake out tonight for the Rockets, with Wall out, Harden gone, Victor Oladipo expected to make his debut, and Eric Gordon back…but Tate has played well of late and $5,100 isn’t a bad price to pay.
Fade | Kevin Durant (BKN) $10,100 vs. MIL
As with Harden, I’d like to see how this thing is going to shake out first. I didn’t like paying up for Durant when it was just he and Kyrie, I really don’t want to pay up for him if Harden and Irving are both playing.
Others I Like
- Pascal Siakam $8,400 vs. DAL
Centers
Top Play |Â Wendall Carter Jr. (CHI) $6,500 vs. HOU
Carter Jr. is starting to play much better over his last five games and his price tag hasn’t quite caught up yet. The Rockets struggle to defend the center position giving up over 53 DK ppg.
Mid-tier |Â Draymond Green (GS) $5,200 @ LAL
Anyone who has followed my column the last 6 years know that I hate playing Green, but on a four-game slate, I might be forced to. He had a terrible outing his last time playing, but because of the post-poned game on Friday, he has had a few days off and should be fresh.
Value | James Wiseman (GS) $4,600 @ LAL
The rookie has seen his minutes increase in each of the last four games, and his price is still sub-5k. If he continues to get minutes in the high 20s, his price will slowly increase, so play him now while he is still under 5k.
Fade | Willie Cauley-Stein (DAL) $5,800 @ TOR
I don’t feel comfortable playing WCS at $5,800. His new price has limited the upside he had when he was $4,100.
Others I Like
- Christian Wood $8,900 @ CHI
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
