Josh Livi | January 27th, 2020
We are back everyone! As everyone knows, the basketball world lost a legend yesterday in Kobe Bryant. Kobe’s daughter Gianna was on board the helicopter as well. The horrible crash took the lives of nine innocent people yesterday. Everyone around the NBA did everything they could to play despite the incredible amount of grief that hovered over every single player and coach. Each team started the game with either an eight-second backcourt violation or a 24-second shot clock violation. I usually do a Fave Five, but tonight, in honor of the legend Kobe, I’m doing eight plays. Let’s dive into them!
Guards: De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings (DK-$ 8,100) (FD-$8,400)
Fox is coming off a game where he scored 18 points, had seven assists and did his thing on the defensive end swiping three steals. The minutes are there for Fox. He is averaging about 35 minutes per game and averaging 38 fantasy points per game. Tonight he gets a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-Wolves are rolling out point guard Shabazz Napier. I think Fox shreds him tonight en route to a monster game.
Guard number 2: Shabazz Napier, Minnesota Timberwolves. (DK-$6,200) (FD-$ 4,900)
Price error here for Napier. Coming off his first career triple-double in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Napier did everything he could. He finished with 10 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. Napier is a sneaky fantasy play and at this price point is a must-have. As mentioned above, he faces Fox and the Kings tonight. I think these two point guards go at it tonight and put on a show. Neither team is really into defending, so watch for Napier to come close to another triple-double.
Forwards: Robert Covington, Minnesota Timberwolves. (DK- $5,600) (FD- $5,400)
The Small Forward position is a bit weak tonight, and I’m not one to spend on a guy like Jimmy Butler or DeMar DeRozan. Covington has been getting tons of minutes and he’s doing enough to produce a decent fantasy return. He’s averaging 27.3 fantasy points per game. He gets a matchup against the Kings tonight and as I’ve been mentioning, I just don’t see tons of defense being played in this game. At this price point, I’ll take around 20-25 points from Covington tonight. Sneaky play alert!
Forward number 2: Kris Dunn, Chicago Bulls. (DK-$5,500) (FD-$4,900)
Dunn has been tearing it up as of late. He’s been getting minutes in the lower 30’s and is scoring about 30 fantasy points per game. Dunn has scored in double figures in five of his last six games. He gets a tough matchup against the San Antonio Spurs tonight, however, with the minutes he is getting, he can make things happen. He is coming off a game where he scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Good enough for 28.3 fantasy points. Dunn doesn’t need to score to stuff the stat sheet and that’s what he’ll do tonight! Enjoy this price point while it lasts.
Center: Christian Wood, Detroit Pistons. (DK, $4,800) (FD-$5,100)
Wood is purely contingent on Andre Drummond being healthy? Yes, that is correct. However, he still is getting 20 minutes since Drummond’s return and making stuff happen. He is coming off a game where he scored 10 points with four rebounds and a block across 21 minutes. He is averaging around 20 fantasy points per game. I still like him given his price and how he can perform given limited minutes. Wood gets a matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. Expect his minutes to remain on the mid-to-lower 20’s, but he will still produce a decent return.
Center number 2: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves. (DK-$10,300) (FD-$10,100)
Here we are going to go big-time superstar. Kat has been balling as of late, coming off a game where he scored 37 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Kat gets a cupcake matchup against the Kings tonight. He is averaging 52.5 fantasy points per game. Yes, 52!! He’s a star, and will absolutely torch the defenseless Kings tonight. Put him in your lineup, and enjoy the ride.
Util: Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers. (DK-$6,700) (FD-$6,300)
I had Sexton in my Fave Five article last week, and he went off for a career-high 29 points. Sexton was extremely efficient while turning in his best showing as a pro. He’s scored at least 25 points in six of his last 11 games. Tonight he gets the Detroit Pistons. Another game where a lot of defense shouldn’t be played, Sexton is gonna run wild tonight. He’s MY LOCK OF THE NIGHT! At this price point, who wouldn’t want a player who can go off for 40 fantasy points on any given night?? Lock him in, you’ll thank me later.
Util number 2: Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz (DK-5,400) (FD-$ 5,500)
Ingles isn’t the type of player that’s gonna set the world on fire. However, he does all the dirty things you want in a player, and sometimes that translates to value. Minutes are never an issue for the left-handed veteran. Getting minutes in the lower to mid-30s. On the year, Ingles is averaging 10.8 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 0.9 assists. All that translates to 26 fantasy points per game. Tonight is one of those games where he’s gonna be playing a lot and do a lot of the smaller things, such as rebound, steal, and pass. The Houston Rockets aren’t a joke of a team, which is why I expected Ingles to play a lot for the Jazz to keep it close. I’m expecting about 30 fantasy points from Ingles tonight.
Hope all of you enjoy this edition of Elite Eight plays in commemoration of Kobe. Kobe, the world loves you and misses you. Rest In Peace, goat.
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