Happy New Year! After a week hiatus from writing my NBA Hot Sheet column due to the holidays, I’m back at it to ring in the new year with Monday’s four-game NBA slate. Note that as the NFL dies down with the end of the regular season, I may try to put together an NBA “What If” type of article that lists the relevant injuries to monitor up to game time and how to react depending on the news. Watch for that to start maybe as soon as later this week. Meanwhile, I will make today’s NBA Hot Sheet FREE since we have a small slate and to start out the new year with some positive karma. Enjoy!
The grid below is a snapshot of today’s slate that shows the overall rating for each position for each team. The numbers highlighted in red are the positions that are in the top 25% of their position for the slate and indicate good plays. Meanwhile, the numbers highlighted in blue are the positions that are in the bottom 25% of their respective position for the slate and are positions to avoid.
Hot Sheet for January 1st
Droppin’ Dimes
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) – Towns posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks against tonight’s opponent, the Lakers, on Christmas Day in L.A. He should be able to build on those numbers at home on New Year’s Day. Towns is averaging an extra 4.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game at home compared to on the road this season, which is a trend from previous season’s as well.
Jimmy Butler (MIN) – Butler has scored at least 20 points in seven straight games including a 23-point effort against the Lakers on Christmas. With Jeff Teague still out, more of the offense runs through Butler as he gets a slight bump in assists to go along with his consistent scoring. The Lakers have allowed the fifth most points to opposing SGs this season.
Aaron Gordon (ORL) – The Magic have a variety of solid options to consider in a favorable matchup against the up-tempo Nets. Gordon proved his health in his last game on Saturday by putting up 39 points including five three-pointers and seven rebounds against the Heat. Gordon should be able to take advantage of the Nets’ defense which has allowed the 7th highest 3PT% and 4th most rebounds to opposing PFs this season.
Elfrid Payton (ORL) – I like pairing Gordon with Payton when they have a favorable matchup like Monday night. Payton has big upside which could be realized on Monday against a Nets’ defense that has allowed the 4th most points and the 7th most rebounds, assists and steals to opposing PGs this season.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (BKN) – Hollis-Jefferson is putting together a very strong season and has been very consistent for the Nets. Over his last 10 games, he is averaging 17.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He has a solid matchup against the Magic who have allowed the 7th most points and 9th most rebounds to opposing PFs this season.
Evan Fournier (ORL) – The biggest decision on the Monday slate might be how many Magic players is too many Magic players in one lineup. Fournier is shooting 50% from the field and three-point range over his last three games since returning from injury while seeing his minutes and points increase in each game. The Nets have allowed the 8th most points to opposing SGs this season.
Bismack Biyombo (ORL) – Biyombo has filled in nicely at center for the Magic over the last three games with Nikola Vucevic out. Biyombo is averaging over 31 minutes while posting 8.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game in his last three games. With Vucevic out for a while and a favorable matchup against the Nets who have allowed the 5th most points, 3rd most rebounds and 3rd most blocks to opposing centers this season, Biyombo is a strong option while his salary is still reasonable.
Caris LeVert (BRK) – LeVert has posted at least 12 points in eight straight games while contributing around five rebounds and assists per night. The Magic have been vulnerable to wing players this season allowing the 2nd most points, most rebounds and 5th most assists to SFs this season. The Nets/Magic game also features the highest Vegas total of the slate and a close one-point line.
Shabazz Napier (POR) – The decision to roster Napier or not is simple. If Damian Lillard sits out another game then Napier should be locked into your lineup. If Lillard returns than find an alternative. In the last four games with Lillard out, Napier is averaging over 35 minutes per game while posting 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He will face a Bulls’ team that has allowed the 5th most points to opposing PGs over the last five games and 2nd most assists to PGs this season.
Tyler Ennis (LAL) – While I have some concerns about the Lakers in general on Monday as they are coming off a double-overtime game last night and travel for the second game of a back-to-back in Minnesota tonight, Ennis is too cheap to ignore given his performance last night. Ennis put up 20 points and 11 assists in 45 minutes which should earn him some significant playing time on Monday against the Wolves. He only need to post half of the line he had last night to exceed value as a minimum-priced option.
Follow me on Twitter @Rotopilot
