This will be my 89th and final NBA Hot Sheet for the 2017-18 NBA season. It has been a fun and successful season with my Droppin’ Dimes DFS recommendations currently in the Top 4 of the overall rankings heading into the final week of grading. Hopefully, you have enjoyed the column and have been able to use it to build winning lineups.
We end with a good looking six-game NBA slate including a couple marquee matchups between the Timberwolves/Clippers and Rocket/Blazers. If you’re looking for a game stack, I’d suggest those two. My last column of the season will be free. If you enjoyed the advice or have any feedback for next season feel free to leave a comment or hit me up on Twitter (@Rotopilot). I’ll be back with MLB content starting next week.
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 March 20th
Droppin’ Dimes
James Harden (HOU) – Harden destroyed the Blazers in a previous meeting this season with 48 points. He should play big minutes in a competitive game against the red-hot Blazers as Harden and the Rockets try to prove they are the supreme team in the West. Harden has averaged 33.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists in his last two games also against Western Conference playoff hopefuls.
Blake Griffin (DET) – Griffin put up 29 points and eight board in just 27 minutes against the Suns earlier this season. He has scored at least 25 points in six of his last eight games while averaging 24.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists during that stretch. Griffin draws a plus matchup on Tuesday with the Suns allowing the 2nd most points and rebounds to opposing PFs this season and top three production in assists, steals and blocks over their last five games.
Rudy Gobert (UTH) – Which center to choose greatly depends on which site you are playing Tuesday night. Gobert is my preferred choice on DK with just an $8,400 salary and three straight games with at least 21 points and 12 rebounds. He gets the benefit of the Jazz playing without Derrick Favors which should free up a few more boards and points for the big man in a good matchup against the Hawks. On FD, I’d look to pivot to Karl-Anthony Towns who costs just $400 more than Gobert.
Ricky Rubio (UTH) – Sticking with the Jazz, Rubio should pile up the assists on Tuesday against a Hawks’ defense that has allowed the 4th most dimes on the season (2nd most in their last five games). Meanwhile, Rubio has been stuffing the stat sheet recently averaging 14.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals over his last 10 games.
Josh Jackson (PHX) – Jackson will benefit from the likely absence of TJ Warren and potential absence of Devin Booker on Tuesday against the Pistons. On Saturday with both players out, Jackson played 36 minutes and scored a career-high 36 points on 23 shot attempts. Jackson posted a solid line against the Pistons in an earlier meeting this season with 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals in 31 minutes of action.
Andrew Wiggins (MIN) – An explosion game for Wiggins is coming at some point and I’m going to keep rostering him until it does. He has been consistently good since Jimmy Butler went down averaging 20.8 points over his last nine games. Wiggins best game of the season came against tonight’s opponent, the Clippers, when he put up 40 points on January 22. I’m looking for a déjà vu performance on Tuesday.
Nikola Mirotic (NO) – Mirotic’s minutes have not been consistent since joining the Pelicans ranging anywhere from 20 to 30 a night. He did play a solid 31 minutes the previous meeting against the Mavericks and was productive with 24 points and five boards. As long as he gets at least upper 20s in minutes he will outpace his salary.
Yogi Ferrell (DAL) – With Dennis Smith Jr. out, both Ferrell and JJ Barea are solid options on Tuesday’s slate. Barea is also questionable to play, so I’ll give the edge to Ferrell who should be locked in for about 35 minutes in a plus matchup against the Pelicans. The Pelicans have given up the 5th most points and 4th most rebounds to opposing PGs this season.
Ish Smith (DET) – Watch the newswire to make sure the Reggie Jackson remains out or will be limited for Tuesday’s game. If he remains out or limited, then look to fire up Ish Smith in a very favorable matchup against the Suns who have allowed Top 4 production to opposing PGs in points, rebounds, steals and blocks this season. Smith is coming off a good shooting night going 7-for-10 on his way to 18 points. He could have similar success again on Tuesday with a low salary and a good matchup.
Jamal Crawford (MIN) – Crawford has faced his former team (Clippers) twice this season and while his 11.5 points per game aren’t anything special it did come on just 17 minutes per game. Since Jimmy Butler has been out, Crawford has seen his minutes spike into the mid to upper 20s. More minutes equals more shots which translates into more points and more fantasy production. All for a low-low price making him a good option in GPPs and a game stack.
Follow me on Twitter @Rotopilot
