Shaun Evans | November 23rd, 2019
Are you ready for the weekend and some massive NBA action? We are in store for 9 games on this beautiful Saturday so we have some digging to do to find the right targets to pay up for and the right value plays to pay down for. Usually, ownership isn’t a big issue when the games are spread out and the chalk is easier to avoid if necessary. So let’s not waste any more time and get to digging! Good luck and cash out!
Top Pay Up Spots
LeBron James versus Memphis Grizzlies ($11,100)
It’s very hard to fade an athlete like Lebron James and you may try to state a case on why to fade him but tonight is not the night to do so. James has now had four straight games of 50 fantasy points or more and has exceeded his five times value in the past three games. He’s averaging 1.67 fantasy points per minute while averaging 34 minutes per game.
Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers get the Memphis Grizzlies tonight who have struggled defensively this season. They are currently giving up 43.11 fantasy points to opposing small forwards. They are allowing them to average 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game also. Even at the $11,100 price tag, you can still build around the King easily tonight.
CJ McCollum versus Cleveland Cavaliers ($8,700)
This play centers around the Damian Lillard injury news as he is currently tagged with questionable to return to action tonight. I may still not avoid the hot hand of CJ McCollum and the low ownership of him if Lillard returns. He just recorded 68 fantasy points versus the Milwaukee Bucks as he dropped a season-high 37 points. He’s currently averaging a fantasy point per minute with a usage rating of 26%. He has returned and even exceeded value in his past five games while averaging a high 37 minutes per game.
CJ McCollum and the Portland Trailblazers get to face the Cleveland Cavaliers who aren’t the best on the defensive end of the court. They are currently allowing opposing shooting guards to average 25 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. They are also giving up 42.31 fantasy points to the position. I recommend watching the Damian Lillard news all the way until lock because with Lillard back in, McCollum’s ownership should drop a good amount making him a great play tonight.
Giannis Antetokounmpo versus Detroit Pistons ($12,000)
Obviously paying up for Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo is damn near impossible (you can but you’re putting in benchwarmers if so). I also can’t tell anyone to fade Giannis as the man is unstoppable right now. He is coming off a huge game recording 80.3 fantasy points. Guess what this man still hasn’t done, drop below 50 fantasy points this season. He is averaging 1.93 fantasy points per minute while averaging a stat line of 30 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists per game. Even a brick wall isn’t stopping this man.
Detroit is currently allowing opposing forwards to average 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game while giving up 40.98 fantasy points. Milwaukee is currently playing at the fastest pace in the NBA with 110 possessions per game while Detroit is on the slower end with just 103. This may be a case for blowout potential due to the fast pace of Milwaukee because once they get ahead, they will not let up.
Top Value Plays
Terence Davis versus Atlanta Hawks ($5,000)
Terence Davis has been stepping it up with the small amount of playing time as he has now put up 30 or more fantasy points in his past two games. He’s only averaging 14.2 fantasy points per game while averaging 14 minutes. He has a usage rating of 15% and is averaging six points, two rebounds and two assists per game. The young athlete is making the most of his opportunities and tonight is a great one for him to be in.
Terence Davis and the Raptors get to face the Atlanta Hawks who give up the most fantasy points to opposing small forwards. They are allowing them to average 25 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game while giving up 51.57 fantasy points. Atlanta and Toronto play at a similar pace as the Hawks play two possessions quicker sitting at 107 per game. As long as Davis gets the call and around the 20 minutes mark once again, he should easily exceed his price tag again.
Bismack Biyombo versus Chicago Bulls ($3,700)
With a great match-up on paper, Bismack Biyombo is in a prime spot to bounce back and at a low salary price. He did put up a poor performance yesterday against Washington with just 10 fantasy points but before that, he had put up 19.5 fantasy points versus Toronto and 24.3 fantasy points versus Brooklyn. He’s averaging seven points and two rebounds per game while averaging 12.8 fantasy points per game.
This Chicago Bulls defense is pretty bad when it comes to facing opposing centers. They are giving up the third-most fantasy points to the position with 60.63 points while allowing them to average 22 points and 17 rebounds. The most concerning issue with this play is that Biyombo’s minutes have not been consistent at all but when the coaching staff gives him the correct playing time, he makes the most of it to reach his value.
Brandon Knight versus Portland Trailblazers ($3,400)
This is probably the lowest I would go in means of salary price but it also doesn’t help that it’s a Cleveland Cavalier player. Brandon Knight has been very inconsistent but when he’s on, he’s on. He recorded 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists in twelve minutes versus the New York Knicks. He’s currently averaging 12.7 fantasy points per game while holding a stat line of six points, two assists, and one rebound per game.
Knight will get the opportunity to see the court versus this Portland Trailblazers team that is struggling to defend point guards. They are currently giving up 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds to the position while giving up the most fantasy points with 56.12. The Cavaliers also play at a much slower pace with 103 possessions per game while the Trailblazers average 107 possessions. As long as Brandon Knight sees the court tonight, he may be that low owned value play that sneaks by to help your lineups succeed.
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