Happy NBA Trade Deadline Day! Things are pretty quiet as I write this Thursday morning but things should heat up by the 3 pm (EST) deadline. I tried to be a little bit more conservative with my recommendations below since I’m expecting some trades to impact tonight’s six-game slate and free up some cheap value options. So, be sure to watch the trade wire along with injury updates in Golden St. and Oklahoma City in particular before building those DFS lineups. Today’s Hot Sheet is FREE, 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 February 8th
Droppin’ Dimes
Stephen Curry (GS) – Curry has posted pedestrian numbers by his standards over his last four games. I think that might change tonight coming off a loss to the Thunder as Curry has lit up the Mavericks in two meeting this season for 30.5 points, 8.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He could also see a significant usage spike if Kevin Durant sits out. If Durant is out Curry becomes a must-start.
Paul George (OKC) – George scored at least 26 points in six of his last seven games including a 38-point and 43-point game during that stretch. George would get a sizeable usage increase if Carmelo Anthony misses Thursday’s game. Plus, with George playing a Lakers’ team in LA that he is continually linked to as a potential offseason acquisition, he could put on a show for his potential future fans.
Dwight Howard (CHA) – Howard had his streak of 12 straight games with a double-double snapped in his last outing but he will look to start a new streak on Thursday against the Blazers. The Blazers have allowed the 4th most rebounds to opposing centers over their last five games and Howard pulled down 15 boards in an earlier meeting this season.
Dennis Schroder (ATL) – Rostering Schroder can be a little risky these days but he has provided solid fantasy production over his last five games averaging 17.6 points and 6.4 assists. He gets a plus-plus matchup against the Magic who have allowed the 2nd most points and rebounds along with the 6th most assists and 3rd most steals to opposing PGs this season. Meanwhile, Schroder has fared well against the Hawks in two previous meeting this season with 22.0 points and 7.0 assists per game.
CJ McCollum (POR) – My model loves McCollum tonight against the Hornets. He is typically better at home where he will be on Thursday and he scored 25 points in a previous meeting with the Hornets this season. The Hornets have surrendered the 2nd most points to opposing SGs and the most to the position in their last five games. It could be another breakout night for CJ.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (NY) – Knicks players will be popular on Thursday night with both Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter out. Hardaway gets a 4.9% usage increase with those two players off the floor this season. He has a solid matchup against the Raptor who have allowed the 9th most points and 4th most rebounds to opposing SGs over their last five games. The usage increase should raise Hardaway’s floor and he always has the upside for a big game.
Michael Beasley (NY) – Beasley will also be a big beneficiary of the Porzingis injury. Beasley usage doesn’t go up much but his minutes will which is all he needs with a solid fantasy points per minute rate. In seven games without Porzingis this season, Beasley has averaged 29 minutes with 20.3 points and 5.3 boards. He will have better matchups in the future than his matchup with the Raptors tonight but his salary will likely also start to ascend in the coming days so get him while he is still a value.
Jonathan Simmons (ORL) – Recommending Simmons feels a little bit like chasing points but assuming his health (currently questionable) he will look to build on his 34-point outburst on Tuesday. He faces a Hawks’ defense that has allowed the most points to opposing SFs this season and Simmons has fared well in two previous meetings averaging 22.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. If he is ruled out then look to pivot to Mario Hezonja.
Dwight Powell (DAL) – Powell is still a value despite his rising salary. He has averaged 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over his last two games (both starts) while playing at least 28 minutes in three straight games. He should continue to get minutes against the Warriors in an up-tempo matchup for the Mavericks giving him a solid floor and a little bit of upside if he can get a few more shot attempts.
Kyle O’Quinn (NY) – Assuming O’Quinn is not dealt at the trade deadline then he should see a significant increase in minutes on Thursday with Kanter out and Willy Hernangomez traded to the Charlotte. His season-high in minutes is 26 and that is about where I expect him to be tonight, which should allow him to flirt with a double-double and far exceed his salary.
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