Another five-game NBA slate for Thursday. I got to say I love these mid-range slate of games in the NBA between 5-9 it is the perfect combo of enough options to have diversity in lineups, yet not so many games that there is an overwhelming number of options to try to decipher. Tonight’s five-game slate does have some tough choices at the top with big-time stars on the slate. Picking the right one or two could make a big difference. Today’s NBA Hot Sheet is free but be sure to sign up for a FREE 7-day trial of our Premium Content to get all the articles including the NBA, PGA and NFL Industry Expert Weighted Consensus rankings.
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 November 9th
Droppin’ Dimes
James Harden (HOU) – Out of all the choices, I have finally landed on Harden as the top high-priced stud to use. The Cavaliers’ defense has been horrible this season and the Cavs/Rockets game should easily be the highest scoring game of the night. Harden has been heating up over the last couple of games and has had plenty of rest since their last game on Sunday. Harden is the Rockets’ offense.
Ben Simmons (PHI) – The Sixers are very attractive options tonight, leading off with Simmons who is still underpriced on DraftKings given his triple-double potential every night. He will face the Kings who are a middle of the road defense against SFs and PGs depending on how you classify Simmons.
Joel Embiid (PHI) – Embiid got a game off on Tuesday so he is expected to play tonight against the Kings. He has topped 28 minutes in three of his last four games and will get a boost in secondary stats tonight as the Kings have given up the 2nd most rebounds, 4th most assists and the most steals to opposing Cs this season. Could Simmons and Embiid both put up triple-doubles? There is a chance.
Kevin Love (CLE) – I’ll get a piece of the Cavaliers’ offense through Love instead of LeBron James tonight. James is a fine play if you can make it work but Love should be able to post big numbers against the Rockets who don’t have a player to matchup with Love’s game. He is also coming off a season-best effort with 32 points and 16 rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan (TOR) – All DeRozan does is score. Luckily for him, Thursday’s matchup with the Pelicans plays right into his strength. The Pelicans have allowed the 3rd most points and the 3rd highest FG% to opposing SGs this season. With the paint controlled by the Pelicans’ twin towers, DeRozan’s mid-range game should be just outside of their reach and lead to a big scoring night.
Robert Covington (PHI) – Not sure how many Sixers to plug into one lineup but Covington is also a strong play if you want some exposure but can’t find the salary to get Simmons and/or Embiid. Covington has made 14 three-pointers over the last three games and now gets a Kings’ defense that has allowed the 6th most 3PT attempts and 6th highest 3PT% to opposing SFs this season. It should be bombs away for Covington in Sactown.
Julius Randle (LAL) – Randle has had his minutes limited to around 20 per night but he has been very productive in those minutes including posting 16 points and 12 rebounds on Wednesday. He gets another favorable matchup against the Wizards on Thursday who have allowed the 3rd most points and 13th most rebounds to opposing PFs this season.
Trevor Ariza (HOU) – Ariza should play big minutes on Thursday as one of the primary defenders of LeBron James. He has been coming on lately with three straight games over 12 points while he always chips in with a handful of rebounds and assists in addition to a couple steals. As a value option, all of those numbers add up to a solid floor with the potential for a bigger night against a Cavaliers’ defense that has allowed the 3rd most points to opposing SFs this season.
Jordan Clarkson (LAL) – Clarkson has been on a little bit of a roll recently, scoring 14 or more points in four straight games while his minutes have increased into the mid-20s. What hasn’t risen much is his salary which is still very reasonable for a player that is capable of scoring points in bunches.
Iman Shumpert (CLE) – Shumpert is expected to draw the start for the Cavaliers with Derrick Rose out. He should see his minutes spike up into the mid-to-high 20s which give him DFS appeal at a very low salary. The fast-paced game against the Rockets should also help him fill up the stat sheet.
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