Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
After a one day hiatus, I am back.
After watching Carmelo Anthony go off for 62 points and Terrence Ross (yes, Terrence Ross) drop a career-high 51, I found myself upset, seeing as I owned absolutely zero stock in either of them on their respected nights. Congratulations to those of you who did because you more than likely found yourself making some serious cash. Anyway, let’s get to some of the plays I like for Tuesday night’s action.
I don’t think anyone will be scoring 50-plus points, but who knows?
Note: FPPG totals are based off FanDuel scoring.
Victor Oladipo, PG (@ DET)
FPPG allowed to PG: 41.52 (21st)
There aren’t many eye-popping plays at the point guard position tonight, so I’ll go with the upstart rookie who is logging some serious minutes as of late. Over his last five games, Oladipo is averaging 37 minutes per game, while scoring 15.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.6 steals. I’m quite fond of that production, but that’s not even close to his ceiling. I like him tonight against the Pistons who are surrendering almost 42 fantasy points per game on the year, but over the last 15 games, no team in basketball is allowing more fantasy points per game to opposing point guards (46.27). Brandon Jennings is nothing to fear on the defensive end, but seeing as Dipo will play the majority of the game at shooting guard, I like it even more, seeing as the Pistons have an ugly shooting guard situation. The Pistons are also coughing up 23.8 assists per game (4th-most) and more importantly, opponents are posting 8.6 steals per game, which is the third-most in the NBA. That bodes well for a very strong steals contributor in Oladipo, who is averaging 1.6 per game on the year.
Lance Stephenson, SG (@ LAL)
FPPG allowed to SG: 40.74 (30th)
Arguably the play of the night, Stephenson could post his fourth triple-double of this season tonight against the Lakers. No team in basketball is worse at defending the shooting guard position, and with the way Sir Lance is playing, who on the Lakers will be able to guard him? Also, shooting guards are leading the league in steals per game against the Lakers, coming in at a healthy 2.05. And on top of that, shooting guards are averaging 23.41 points per game (most) and are inside the top-10 in both rebounds and assists. Combined all of that with the fact that Stephenson is a stat sheet stuffer, and I see no reason why he can’t at least flirt with another triple-double, seeing as he does it seemingly every night. The Pacers aren’t playing their best basketball as of late, so maybe, just maybe, the Lakers can keep this game relatively close.
Maybe.
Carmelo Anthony, SF (vs BOS)
FPPG allowed to SF: 35.63 (11th)
Small forward is rather poor tonight, so I wouldn’t be opposed to spending up on Melo. The dude is scored 92 points over his last two games, folks. The matchup isn’t the best, but it’s Carmelo Anthony, so quite frankly, it doesn’t matter. Another home game in the garden against a Boston unit that is surrendering over two triples per game to opposing small forwards on the season (9th-most), Melo should go for at least 30 points again. He’ll have to log an incredible amount of minutes with all the injuries to the Knicks roster right now and Boston doesn’t scare me on the defensive side of the ball.
David West, PF (@ LAL)
FPPG allowed to PF: 48.79 (30th)
My first time ever recommending West in this column, but you can’t avoid him tonight against the Lakers. No team in basketball allows more fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards, but the Lakers are also coughing up the most points per game (23.43), assists (3.64) and the second-most rebounds (13.22). Of course, West hasn’t been a model of consistency this year, but I’m willing to take a shot on him this evening when his price is relatively cheap and the matchup is ideal. The Lakers are allowing the most offensive rebounds per game this year (13.2) and defensive boards (35).
Andre Drummond, C (vs ORL)
FPPG allowed to C: 43.21 (18th)
You already know I love Drummond, so this should come as no surprise.
Drummond has the chance of getting into early foul trouble, sure, but not tonight. The Magic frontcourt is vastly undersized against the mammoth Drummond, who should have his way. Don’t worry about foul trouble, as opponents are averaging the fewest fouls per game against Orlando this season (18.9). Since Nikola Vucevic has been sidelined (yes, he’s out again tonight), opposing big men have been destroying the Magic. Over the last 15 games, the Magic are coughing up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, coming in at a whopping 53.67. During that same span, centers are averaging 16.27 rebounds per game, which is also the third-most in basketball. Consider him a lock for at least a solid double-double, as he posted a 10-point, 11-rebound stat line the last time these teams squared off, and that was with Vucevic in the lineup.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
