Happy Hump Day everyone.
Another Value Index is on tap for tonight’s loaded 9-game NBA slate.
Our goal with the Index is to provide information about all of the upcoming games, narrow down some options using stats and data and review any schedule or injury news needed. Vegas, pace of play, DvP and other information is used to find plays that will assist you in building your lineups tonight.
Think of this as a first look article as it is written the night before a slate and that things can change between the time you read this and when rosters lock.
We have three games entering this slate without a total. They all have significant players with questionable tags, thus those lines likely will remain mute until more information is known.
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| O/U | Spread | Pace | |
| Utah Jazz | 27 | ||
| Detroit Pistons | 201 | -2.5 | 22 |
Injury News
Questionable: Reggie Bullock, Rodney Hood
Utah: Oh man, what a game to start out this slate. Two teams with two of the slowest paces and totals on the board. Seriously, this one is going to be short for both squads. Utah is nearly back to full strength with Rudy Gobert back, but Hood is questionable tonight, leaving opportunity for Joe Ingles and/or Alec Burks to see more minutes and usage….Ok, I really can’t talk about this game in depth. Sometimes you have to cross off games on bigger slates. This game is one of them. Play Donovan Mitchell if you wish, but I’ll look elsewhere.
Detroit: This team is still without Reggie Jackson, meaning Ish Smith will continue to see the starter’s minutes at point guard. He’s still carries some temptation due to his price ($5,600), but he’s more of a cash game play than a ceiling play for me. Drummond is in a tough matchup, Tobias Harris draws a tough defensive matchup as well, leaving Avery Bradley and whatever other SFs Detroit can pass off as useful. Again, this game isn’t for fantasy purposes, merely schedule fodder.
Must-Have Plays: None
Bubble Plays: Donovan Mitchell, Ish Smith
Value Plays: None
| O/U | Spread | Pace | |
| Phoenix Suns | 4 | ||
| Indiana Pacers | 216 | -8 | 18 |
Injury News
Questionable: Myles Turner
Out: Marquese Chriss
Phoenix: The Suns changed up their starting lineup last time out against Milwaukee, inserting Greg Monroe over Tyson Chandler. Who knows if that will stick for tonight, but the decision really changes how I feel about the Suns’ center position should Chandler come off the bench. Chandler actually didn’t play against the Bucks, but centers destroy Indiana. Even with Myles Turner possibly returning, the Pacers are top 10 in points and rebounds allowed this season. If Chandler starts, he should see 23-28 minutes and could crush in this spot at $4,400. Devin Booker and T.J. Warren are still the top-2 offensive cogs here, but one of them will draw Victor Oladipo defense and that will likely be Booker, the top scorer for Phoenix. With that expectation, Warren is in a great spot against Pacers, who get chewed up and spit out by larger wings. They allow nearly 40 points per game, 14.5 rebounds and almost 8 assists per game to the position. They also allow an average of 5.2 3-pointers made per game, which is a top-10 allowance in the league.
Indiana: Victor Oladipo enters this game as the top overall option between both teams. The Suns play at the fourth fastest pace of play in the league and are one of the least defensive-minded teams in the league. Devin Booker is no defender, Oladipo sucks up all the usage he can handle and is a solid cash game and tournament option tonight at home, even at $9,200. Domantas Sabonis should continue to see secure minutes with Myles Turner out of the lineup. Thad Young also the same, but should Turner return, the tune would change just a bit for me. I can see Thad Young being chalk here, but the Suns have been surprisingly good against the PF position, so a chalky Thad is almost an easy fade. But again, that all depends on Turner.
Must-Have Plays: Victor Oladipo, T.J. Warren
Bubble Plays: Domantas Sabonis
Value Plays: A Suns’ center based on news
