Man, that felt like the longest All-Star break ever! So glad to be back to grinding some NBA DFS after the layoff and we have a nice six-game slate to ease us back in for the stretch run. The news is also a little sparse over the break but we do have a shakeup in Chicago and a couple of returning starters in Orlando to consider for Thursday night. Did I mention that I’m glad the NBA is back?
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 February 22nd
Droppin’ Dimes
LeBron James (CLE) – Choosing between the high-priced studs on the slate came down to position and the Vegas line for Thursday’s slate, which leads me to James at the SF position in a game that should be competitive and fairly high-scoring against the Wizards. It also doesn’t hurt that James has destroyed the Wizards in two previous meeting this season averaging a triple-double with 38.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 11.0 assists.
Dwight Howard (CHA) – Howard has been one of the most consistent big men in the league this season and although he hit a little snag on a West Coast road trip before the break, he will be back home at the Hive in a juicy matchup against the Nets to kick off the post All-Star break schedule. The Nets have allowed the most points and rebounds to opposing centers for the season and over their last five games. A double-double is a lock and he could push for a 20-20.
Draymond Green (GS) – Green isn’t the Warrior I land on very often but the stars might align for him on Thursday against the Clippers who are vulnerable to PFs in the secondary stat categories which are where Green makes his money. The Clippers have allowed the 9th most rebounds, 4th most assists and 6th most steals to opposing PFs this season, as well as, the 3rd most blocks over their last five games. He could mess around an get a triple-double tonight.
Dario Saric (PHI) – Saric has fared well in two previous meetings with the Bulls averaging 24.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. It makes sense he would do well against them as they have given up the 4th most points to the position on the season and the 6th most rebounds over their last five games. I do like Joel Embiid plenty as well but while there are other centers I like more, there aren’t many good PF options on the slate.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (NY) – I’m getting sucked back into recommending Hardaway again. He put up a huge game before the break with 37 points and scored 26 points with 11 rebounds the last time he faced the Magic. I’ll try to steer clear of him in Cash games but love his upside for GPPs against a Magic team that has given up the 4th most points and most rebounds to opposing SFs this season.
D’Angelo Russell (BRK) – I have a feeling that Russell is going to explode over the second half of the season. His salary is still very reasonable for a player that averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists in his last three games before the break. Russell should get the green light to play 30+ minutes and lead the Nets’ offense against the Hornets who have allowed the 2nd most points to opposing SGs this season.
Austin Rivers (LAC) – Rivers is another player that should take another step forward after the break. He is getting the minutes, playing at least 32 in each of his four games since returning from injury. He will be involved in the highest Vegas total of the night in a fast-paced matchup with the Warriors and he is still very reasonably priced in DFS with a floor of about 5x and a ceiling for much more.
Emmanuel Mudiay (NY) – Mudiay is expected to start for the Knicks coming out of the All-Star break which should allow him to see his minutes rise into the high-20s. He played well in two meeting against the Magic earlier this season while with the Nuggets, averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 27 minutes. A similar line tonight will allow him to exceed 5x his low salary.
David Nwaba (CHI) / Cristiano Felicio (CHI) – I do have some hesitation about the two Bulls that close out my list. They should both get the opportunity for more minutes after being declared starters for Thursday’s game against the Sixers. At their near-minimum salaries, they should be able to reach at least 5x value which is probably good enough for Cash games but I think they both lack the upside to blow away their salary limiting their appeal in GPPs.
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