RADIO
Yesterday was a circus starting with the massive news surrounding the midnight trading of Kevin Durant. That was just the first of 12 or so blockbuster deals to happen that day and unaware fans are sure to double-take at some of these new rosters. While NBA.com has most of the updates, teams are going to be limited until the traded players are actually available.
With 11-games, it should be easy to target matchups and teams with limited rotations to maximize your chances, so don’t be afraid to wait closer to game time to make sure you know what you are investing in.
MonkeyKnifeFight.com is always ahead of the curve with their canceling of contests amid postponements, so don't worry about wasting money on a player or game that might not play. As always, you can find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter with any questions, especially since lines and players are subject to change throughout the day.
Featured Promo: Our friends at Monkey Knife Fight are hooking you up. Get a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 using promo code BALLER with your first deposit, and also a free year of RotoBaller Premium access ($99 value)! Claim your 100% instant deposit match now, and use our prop picks to get off on a winning foot!
NYK @ PHI
Joel Embiid (PHI) MORE 32.5 Points ‒ Julius Randle (NYK) MORE 24.5 Points
The season series is in favor of the Knicks and Philadelphia will need someone other than Joel Embiid to actually show up tonight. Embiid has been consistent all season and now that he’s developing some wear-and-tear from putting up such incredible numbers, he needs some support. As long as he’s playing well, we’ll take the over and tonight he has potential to carry the workload once again.
Julius Randle has been all over board when playing the 76ers this season, but is putting up at least 20-points in his last five games, nine out of his last 10. His usage is still floating around the 30% mark and that shouldn’t change as we get closer to All-Star break so Randle should be playing with confidence.
Play the Contest Now on Monkey Knife Fight
UTA @ TOR
Lauri Markkanen (UTA) MORE 25.5 Points – Pascal Siakam (TOR) MORE 24.5 Points
The Jazz have lost their last three games and just made a minor shakeup to their rotation. Lauri Markkanen still remains at the head of the totem pole and the Raptors defense isn’t great at stopping stretch-bigs. With semi-limited options, any extra usage should go directly to the Collin Sexton-Markkanen tandem. Although Markkanen hasn’t scored over 25-points in his last three games, the last 25+ point game came last Wednesday versus Toronto.
Rarely does a regular season defense dictate Siakam’s potential each night. He can get to his spots against almost any defender and if he’s hitting, there’s not much you can do about it. He scored 38-points last game against the Spurs on 21-attempts and should have a similar outlook tonight.
Play the Contest Now on Monkey Knife Fight
MIN @ MEM
Ja Morant (MEM) MORE 28.5 Points – Anthony Edwards (MIN) MORE 28.5 Points
When two young teams play each other the star players for each team tend to show out. Ja Morant is taking nearly 20-attempts each night and as long as that’s the case, which will be every time he steps on the court, you have to like him for close to 30-points. The Timberwolves defense is abysmal outside of Rudy Gobert and him being their only defender actually makes it easier to attack.
The Grizzlies aren’t putting a true big on the floor outside of Jaren Jackson Jr. and it matters when playing against a physical player like Anthony Edwards. Edwards won’t absorb contact on every possession, but he’s willing to be challenged at the rim and without someone like Steven Adams, it can end up being a long night for an undersized shot-blocker.
Play the Contest Now on Monkey Knife Fight
OKC @ POR
Damian Lillard (POR) MORE 34.5 Points – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) MORE 29.5 Points
With so few people playing better basketball, it only makes sense that his line is sitting at disgusting 34.5 points. Damian Lillard has only hit that mark once in the last four games so be wary that this is just reflective of his two-week average, but neither the Trail Blazers or Thunder are playing that well so the game should remain relatively close. Lillard will undoubtedly be on track for a 30-point game if that is the case.
Gilgeous-Alexander has showcased his talents this season and the Thunder record is a perfect representation of just how contagious his playstyle can be. He starts and finishes every game for the Thunder and there isn’t a game Oklahoma City has won that didn’t have Gilgeous-Alexander fingerprints all over it. He continues to shine and the Trail Blazers defense is not built to defend his playstyle.
Play the Contest Now on Monkey Knife Fight
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!
NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts
[jiffyNews category_include='9958' headline='More DFS Lineup Picks an
