Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Although there are a solid seven games tonight, that doesn’t necessarily mean there are terrific options.
In fact, these plays flat out stink, folks.
However, the show must go on, right? Fantasy players will be finding themselves playing a handful of value options this evening, as big-name, must-start talent is few and far between. Let’s get to some of the guys I like tonight (there aren’t a ton).
Note: FPPG totals are based off FanDuel.
Ty Lawson, PG (@ UTA)
FPPG allowed to PG: 39.42 (15th)
Lawson is on a tear, y’all. Over his last five games, he’s posted double-digit assists four times, and if Denver weren’t blowing out the Magic on Sunday night, he would have easily made it 5-for-5. On a night where there aren’t plenty of valid point guard options, Lawson is worth the hefty price tag. The assist totals will always be there, as he is inside the top-25 in total passes per game and is averaging 81.4 offensive touches per game, the 14th-most in the NBA. Also, Denver plays at the 6th-highest pace in the league, so he will continue to see plenty of possessions. I hope Utah can keep this game close tonight, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take. Trey Burke won’t have a chance at guarding Lawson tonight, and the Jazz are coughing up the 5th-most points per game over their last three contests (108). A double-double is beginning to be expected each and every night for Lawson, and as long as tonight’s game isn’t a blowout, he’ll reach that mark once again.
DeMar DeRozan, SG (vs MIL)
FPPG allowed to SG: 33.41 (9th)
DeRozan is a stud, in case you weren’t aware.
I wrote about him in-depth in my Week 12 Forecaster, and he is a great play tonight. Over his last six games, DeRozan has posted no fewer than 19 points, and over his last five, is averaging a strong 24 points per game. He continues to contribute in the peripheral stats as well, averaging 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game during that span. I mean, DeRozan was flirting with a double-double (8pts, 7 reb) at the end of the first quarter on Saturday night. Over his last six starts, he’s also averaging more than 41 fantasy points per game, which is better than the likes of Paul George. Although the Bucks are strong against shooting guards. DeRozan also plays plenty of small forward, a position that Milwaukee is allowing the 8th-most fantasy points to (37.40). He’s a borderline must-start play, if you ask me.
Tobias Harris, SF (@ DAL)
FPPG allowed to SF: 36.45 (17th)
The more the day goes on, the more I like Harris for tonight. It was just announced that both Arron Afflalo and Nikola Vucevic will be out for tonight’s game, which means Harris, who is averaging 36.2 minutes per game over his last five, will see as much run as he can possibly handle. This game could get ugly in a hurry (in favor of Dallas), but on the other hand, Dallas has had a rough schedule as of late, so perhaps Orlando can hang with them. Either way, Harris should log plenty of minutes in this game, and he is starting to heat up a bit, scoring double-digit points in four of his last five games, hauling in 7.6 boards per game during that span. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are an undersized, tired group, who are allowing just above the league average fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards. At just 9,600 on DraftDay, I think he has a great chance of exceeding value tonight.
Patrick Patterson, PF (vs MIL)
FPPG allowed to PF: 42.03 (21st)
Patterson is one of the best value plays of the night. He continues to cut into the playing time of Jonas Valanciunas, and is averaging 14.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, two assists, one block and 1.2 triples per game over his last five. I love his matchup tonight against a rebounding-challenged Milwaukee squad that is surrendering the most rebounds per game to opposing power forwards this season, coming in at 14.05. They are also coughing up the second-most offensive boards per game (12.6) and the fifth-most defensive rebounds per contest (33.5). I’m using him in my lineups tonight because he could easily see 30 minutes, and could very well flirt with a double-double in this strong matchup.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
