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It’s been a while.
My sincerest apologies for not providing daily hoops plays for a little bit, but free agency frenzy in the NFL has certainly drawn some interest. But, with a massive 11-game slate on tap for tonight, there are so, so many players to choose from. It is unreal, especially the point guard position.
Oh, and play all of the Kings tonight, compliments of the Philly Bump.
Note: FPPG totals are based off FanDuel scoring.
Goran Dragic, PG (vs CLE)
FPPG allowed to PG: 43.40 (29th)
The Dragon will rise.
Sounds like a movie teaser, no? Dragic has been everything for the Suns this season, and in a dream matchup against the Cavs, he may just do everything. Cleveland is allowing the second-most fantasy points to point guards this year, while also coughing up the second-most assists (9.81), the most rebounds (5.91), the second-most blocks (0.54) and the second-most triples (2.42) per game to the position as well. The Suns attempt the 4th-most triples per game this season, while the Cavaliers are surrendering 27 points per game from beyond the arc this year, the second-most in basketball. Dragic posted a strong 15/7/5 line during the team’s first meeting, so he should be a very safe option tonight. And considering his price has dropped a bit, I love him even more.
Jerryd Bayless, SG (vs NY)
FPPG allowed to SG: 37.09 (27th)
On Tuesday night, Rajon Rondo played a season high 41 minutes, and seeing as he still isn’t ready to play back-to-backs, he’ll be out for tonight’s contest. This presents a bigger opportunity for Bayless, who is coming off a bad outing, but that was against the Pacers top tier defense. Bayless should be in line for more usage and possessions, and will have to play a larger role in the offense. Meanwhile, the Knicks are coughing up the 4th-most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards this season. The position is also sinking a league-leading 2.75 triples per game against the Knicks, while Bayless is a capable three-point shooter. He is still very cheap, and with Avery Bradley looking to return on Friday, this may be the last chance to use Bayless.
Rudy Gay, SF (@ PHI)
FPPG allowed to SF: 42.84 (30th)
Yeah, you’re going to want to play Rudy Gay tonight.
The 76ers are so bad, and Gay is the type of player to go off against them. We saw what a similar (but less talented) Trevor Ariza did to this unit a few games ago, going off for 40 points. Small forwards rank inside the top-three in rebounds, points, assists, threes, field goal attempts and field goals made against Philly this season. The game should be very high-paced, and even if it’s a blowout, Gay should be able to at least meet value in three quarters against this atrocious defense.
Markieff Morris, PF (vs CLE)
FPPG allowed to PF: 41.05 (13th)
With P.J. Tucker suspended for tonight’s tilt, both Morris twins are expected to see an uptick in minutes. Markieff is the better player, and has been very good for the Suns this year. It’s unclear whether or not he gets the start at small forward for this game, but if he does, I love him even more, as Cleveland has struggled against small forwards all year long, surrendering the 3rd-most fantasy points per game to the position. Regardless, Morris will see plenty of run, and with a very friendly price tag, he could easily exceed value in a friendly matchup. And the last time Morris faced these Cavs, he went off for 27 points, 15 rebounds and 50.25 fantasy points. This game should be high-scoring, and Morris will play a larger role than usual.
DeMarcus Cousins, C (@ PHI)
FPPG allowed to C: 49.58 (29th)
Stop reading, go put Boogie into your lineup and smile.
Remember that scene from A Christmas Story when Ralphie beats the crap out of the neighborhood bully? That, in a nutshell, is what Cousins is going to do to the Sixers awful defense tonight. No team in basketball is allowing more blocks per game to centers (3.24) or in general (7.3) this year. Cousins, meanwhile, is averaging a healthy 1.3 blocks per game. The 76ers lack any size or toughness in the interior, so Cousins won’t get into foul trouble, and more importantly, will dominate the paint. Philadelphia is surrendering 44.2 points in the paint per game this year (8th-most), as well as the 2nd-most total rebounds per game (56.4).
Have fun.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
