NBA DFS (DraftKings) Thursday 12/13

I’m starting to realize writing articles about fantasy sports, it’s like playing them. When writing, you pick a player and hope he does good. When he does not produce as hoped, you get the same feeling as when a player lets you down in playing fantasy.

I am not sure why I decided to share that with y’all but oh well, tonight we get our usual light slate of games on Thursdays as they always are.

Last night we had a full plate of games with eleven games we only get an appetizer tonight as we only have four games.

Hope everyone is having a good week fantasy wise and overall, if your like me and playing in the football playoffs and have Melvin Gordon as your back, you’re on edge going into this week hoping someone on your squad can do more than usual to fill that void of not having Gordon.

Alright we are not here to talk football, my therapist just doesn’t accept me telling her about my problems in fantasy football as real problems, so I had to talk to someone about it.

Okay, so my rating system I use I am still in the “beta” stages of it if you will not sure if I am going to keep using it but until I find something else it will have to do. The way I rate the players is as followed, under “Shoot” I will have a player that I think is due for a good game. ”And 1” is a player that has a lower price with a high upside. The last one is ”Airball” is the players that I believe is going to have a tougher night due to the matchup, that all being said I will get to down to the reason you’re here.

Point Guard:

Shoot: James Harden (Vs. Lakers)

Harden had a pretty nice game Tuesday night against Portland, finishing with 39.3 DK points. Tonight vs Lebron James and the Lakers, the beard has a salary of $10,900. Averaging 55.3 in his last ten games Harden, had a favorable matchup as the Lakers rank 27th in OPRK against PG/SGs. I expect Harden to have a big night as the Rockets are looking to get on the right track after such an unexpectedly bad start as a team.

And 1: De’Anthony Melton (Vs. Mavericks)

I had Melton in my And 1 Tuesday night as the SG, he started at PG regardless, he exceeded my expectations against the Spurs. He finished the game with 37.8 DK points, Booker will be out again tonight against Dallas. The Mavericks are ranked 30th in OPRK, I see Melton having another nice game filling in for Booker tonight.

Airball: Lonzo Ball (@ Rockets)

Zo is averaging 24.9 FPPG this season with a salary of $5.600 going into tonight’s game. The Rockets are 4th in OPRK, Rondo is still out for the Lakers with a hand injury so Ball is going to have more pressure. I am not too fond of this matchup against CP3 and company, I think it’s safe to fade Lonzo for tonight’s game.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Paul ($8,600), Zach LaVine ($7,4000)

Shooting Guards:

Shoot: Luka Doncic (@ Suns)

I had Luka in this spot against Atlanta. He produced like I thought he would and some, tonight he faces the Suns in Phoenix. His price is at $7,400, he’s producing 34.9 FPPG with 35.3 in his last ten games. I expect Luka to have another big night. The Suns are 20th in OPRK and the Mavericks have gotten new life it seems with Doncic.

And 1: Eric Gordon (Vs. Lakers)

The 2017 6th Man of the Year is averaging 23.9 FPPG with a salary of $4,800. He played well in Tuesday nights win over Portland with 21.3 DK points, as did the whole Rockets bench. The Lakers are 27th in OPRK against SG/SF, with only four games in the association tonight I think this is the best bang for the price.

Airball: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (@ Kings)

In the first meeting against the Spurs this season, Shai had just 14.3 DK points. Given I don’t think LAC was as banged up as they are now. I am going to fade this pick usually I would try to find a player with a higher salary as his is $4,700, but there is only a handful of games tonight.

Honorable Mentions: DeMar DeRozan ($8,500), Terrence Ross ($5,500), Justin Holiday ($5,100)

Small Forward:

Shoot: Aaron Gordon (Vs. Bulls)

Gordon’s salary is $7,800 while he is averaging 33.9 FPPG. In his past five games, he has averaged 37.5 DK points, Chicago is 29th in OPRK against SF/PF this year.

And 1: Trevor Ariza (@ Magic)

Holiday is averaging 27 FPPG, having a price at $5,100. The past ten games, however, he is averaging 31.2 DK points. Orlando is not a terrible team in OPRK against SG/SF ranked at 12th by any means. Yet, I’m a fan of this play for the price.

Airball: T.J. Warren (Vs. Dallas)

Coming off a strong performance Tuesday night, I am going to look like an idiot if he has another one tonight. Averaging 27.9 FPPG with a price at just under 6K being $5,900. Dallas is 4th in OPRK against SM/PFs so I think he has a harder match up tonight than he did against San Antonio (even though they are still 9th in OPRK)

Honorable Mentions: Lebron James ($11,000), Danilo Gallinari ($6,600), Rudy Gay ($6,200)

Power Forward

Shoot: LaMarcus Aldridge (Vs. Clippers)

LaMarcus has had a steady season so far averaging damn near a double-double with 36.4 FPPG. Priced at $7,500 I like this value and think he has a high upside against the clips as they’re 26th in OPRK.

And 1: Josh Jackson (@ Suns)

Averaging 18.5 FPPG, Jackson had 27 DL points in his last matchup against the Mavericks. He is putting up 18.5 FPPG, Dallas is 21st in OPRK against PF/Cs this season. I see Jackson having a pretty nice night at home against the Mavs.

Airball: Montrezl Harrell (@ Spurs)

Tuesday night against the Raptors team who dominated the Clippers and Warriors in back to back nights, Harrell had 18.3 DK points. He is averaging 30.8 FPPG, he has somewhat of a tough matchup going up against a Spurs team that has a 14th OPRK.

Honorable Mentions: Kyle Kuzma ($7600), Harrison Barnes ($5,900), Jabari Parker ($5,400)

Center:

Shoot: Nikola Vucevic (Vs. Bulls)

At an $8,900 salary, Vucevic is producing 45.2 FPPG in 30.7 minutes per game. During his last ten game stretch, he has been averaging a little over a point more at 46.5. He has been very consistent throughout the first part of this season so far. Going up against a Chicago team who has not been good against centers with a 28th OPRK, expect Nikola to have a big night.

And 1: Jakob Poeltl (@ Clippers)

His salary is $4,100, and he is dishing out 14.8 FPPG in just 13.8 minutes per game. Los Angelas is 29th in the NBA in OPRK against centers. I think for the value he’s priced at he will be worth the play.

Airball: JaVale McGee (@ Rockets)

McGee has had a cheap salary this season and I have been wondering when it is going to go up more. Yet, he still remains pretty low priced most nights. With 27.3 FPPG and a price at $4,500, McGee has a challenge offensively as the Rockets are 7th OPRK.

Honorable Mentions: Clint Capela ($8,200) Deandre Ayton ($7,200), DeAndre Jordan ($7,000)

Thank you for reading again, follow me on Twitter @Tsteele_DFS. I’d be happy to receive feedback whether good or bad, also answer any fantasy or NBA related questions you have!

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