Welcome to a special Thursday edition of the NBA Value Index. We are doing some extra basketball stuff today as a thanks to you for being loyal readers/subscribers.
We also will be publishing an NBA Expert Consensus today, which should publish around 4 p.m. central time, plenty of time before lock.
This has to be a short and sweet version, but please look for another full installment of the Value Index tomorrow and every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday thereafter.
Today is a short, 5-game slate for the Association, and there’s plenty of injury news to watch out for between now and lock. I am going to provide you a few plays with a short analysis for PG, SG, SF, PF and C using DraftKings pricing. These suggestions today will have no players related to any injury news regarding someone who is questionable tonight. Good luck!
Point Guard
Austin Rivers – LA Clippers – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – $5,200
Analysis: I don’t want to skip out on J.J. Redick (SG/SF) or Raymond Felton, but it’s clear who will benefit with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin out. It’s Austin Rivers. He will be chalk, but he’s going to get the minutes and will be up against Ricky Rubio defense.
Shooting Guard
Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards – vs. New York Knicks – $7,0000
Analysis: Shooting guards against New York is a thing and will always be a thing. Beal is the highest price SG on the slate, but I like that he is because it should keep his ownership low for tournaments.
Small Forward
Harrison Barnes – Dallas Mavericks – vs. Miami Heat – $6,000
Analysis: Kawhi Leonard is a viable option against Denver, but I like Barnes today at a reduced price due to some recent struggles. I love this spot for him against a depleted Miami Heat squad in a game that should be close to the end.
Power Forward
Kenneth Faried – Denver Nuggets – vs. San Antonio Spurs – $5,200
Analysis: He’s probably the chalk of the slate, but Denver’s frontcourt lacks depth which has mean big minutes for the Manimal. San Antonio isn’t the greatest draw, but it’s only a 5-game slate. Keep those fingers crossed.
Center
Hassan Whiteside – Miami Heat – vs. Dallas Mavericks – $8,100
Analysis: Whiteside hasn’t shown us the consistency we have come to love from him early in the season, but lucky for us, his price has come down considerably and he has a 35-point floor (which also happens to be more of his ceiling of late as well). But tonight he gets what looks like a difficult matchup on paper in the Mavericks, but their slow pace is more to blame for their “prowess” on defense. No Andrew Bogut means no true big man to protect the rim on defense or snag those easy rebounds. I like Whiteside to double-double and be underowned with KAT on the slate.
