Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oh, look. It’s March.
The best month of the year (to me), March allows me celebrate the madness that is, Syracuse Basketball, as well as my birthday. But, of course, there is also still plenty of daily fantasy hoops to be played, which is all you likely care about.
Thanks.
Note: FPPG totals are based off FanDuel scoring.
Kyrie Irving, PG (vs SAS)
FPPG allowed to PG: 41.22 (23rd)
Two words.
Bobblehead night.
Tonight, Cavs fans will be rewarded with a special Kyrie Irving bobblehead, which, in the fantasy hoops community, excites players, as guys usually show out on their bobblehead night. All kidding aside, however, I love Kyrie tonight because the matchup is good, as well as the fact that I love Kyrie. Many may consider the Spurs a defensive juggernaut, but point guards are torching them this year, posting the 8th-most fantasy points per game. Tony Parker may be back in the Spurs lineup, but his old self won’t be able to keep up with Kyrie. Meanwhile, Cleveland is playing some inspired basketball as of late, going 6-4 over their last 10 outings. At home, with Dion Waiters back, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they kept this game close, and in order to win, they’ll have to rely on the scoring of Kyrie.
Tyreke Evans, SG (@ LAL)
FPPG allowed to SF: 39.74 (29th)
Since being inserted into the starting five, Evans has been absolutely en fuego, averaging 21 points, eight rebounds and 5.6 assists per game over his last three starts. Those numbers have resulted in fantasy point totals of 54.25, 40.25 and 24.25 during that span, which has raised his price quite a bit. However, he’s still worth it against the putrid Lakers defense. I have Evans listed at shooting guard, but he’ll be starting at small forward for the Pelicans. Having said that, small forwards are averaging a league-leading 9.08 rebounds, 4.24 assists and 2.22 steals per game against the Lakers this year, all of which lead the league. Evans’ usage rate has been very fantasy friendly since starting at small forward, and this game should be close. The Lakers stink, but so do the Pelicans, who have now lost eight consecutive outings.
Perry Jones, SF (vs PHI)
FPPG allowed to SF: 42.55 (30th)
Looking for a value play tonight? Look no further than Jones, who has been starting in place of the injured Thabo Sefolosha, who could be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Jones is a very, very athletic and talented player, who should see plenty of minutes tonight against a Philadelphia defense that is coughing up the most fantasy points per game to small forwards. The Thunder are 21-point favorites (yes, 21) against the 76ers tonight, and at home, this game could be over by halftime. If that’s the case, Kevin Durant should see plenty of rest, allowing Jones to play some shooting guard, small forward, and with a weak Sixers frontcourt, Jones should see time at power forward as well. I mean, the dude is 6’11″, after all. If he sees time at power forward, it’s a wrap. Sixers opponents are averaging 12.2 offensive boards per game (4th-most) and a league-leading 35.3 defensive rebounds per game. Jones is minimum salary everywhere.
Anthony Davis, PF (@ LAL)
FPPG allowed to PF: 47.77 (30th)
Don’t think. Just play The Brow.
No team in basketball is allowing more fantasy points, assists and field goals made to power forwards this season than the Lakers. And to add onto all of that, they are coughing up the second-most rebounds per game to the position (13.14). In two games against the Lakers this season, Davis is averaging 23.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, three blocks and 1.5 steals. The Lakers are the worst rebounding team in basketball, allowing the most offensive boards and tied for the most defensive boards per game this year. I’m just going to stop typing now because I’m almost wasting your time. Play Davis, watch him work.
Dwight Howard, C (vs MIA)
FPPG allowed to C: 44.19 (21st)
Upon writing this, Howard is looking like a game-time decision for tonight’s tilt against the Heat, but after participating in shoot-around, he appears to be on track to play. If so, Howard should have a fine night against Miami’s undersized, ugly front line that is allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers this season. And as Al Jefferson beautifully showcased last night, Miami simply cannot cover premiere centers in the league, going off to the tune of 38 and 19. Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen aren’t strong enough to handle Dwight, and when Birdman is in, Howard will absolutely live at the line. He’s averaging nearly nine free-throw attempts per game over his last five contests. Miami, meanwhile, is also inside the bottom-10 in offensive rebounds allowed per game.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
