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NBA Fantasy Shopper: DFS Lineup Picks for DraftStreet
PG: Kyle Lowry ($15,724): Lowry has been one of the best fantasy guards this season, with yearly averages of 16.8 points, 7.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds a game. Those numbers have only improved recently, and he is coming off of a 23-point and 8-assist game against Portland. His matchup tonight is against a Jazz team that gives up 101 points a game while allowing an awful 46.4% opponent field goal percentage. Look for a monster game from the Raptors point guard tonight.
SG: Evan Fournier ($8,216): Without a doubt, Fournier has been the biggest benefactor from injuries to Nate Robinson and Ty Lawson. The backup Nuggets guard has seen a huge boost in minutes over his past two games, and the production has matched. In those two games, he has posted a combined 37 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. While it is possible that Lawson returns tonight, do not expect him to receive his full work load. Fournier should still see over 30 minutes which will be enough to be a big factor in a game against the Clippers which could be the highest-scoring contest of the night.
SF: Luol Deng ($11,283): The steady Deng has kept up his play since the trade that sent him to the Cavs. He has scored in double figures in 10 of 12 games with the Cavs, topping 20 points in four of those. Deng has also topped 10 rebounds in two of Cleveland’s last four games, which bumps his value even more. Tonight’s matchup against the Mavericks should be a good one, as well, as they allow 102.8 points a game while letting opponents steal the ball nearly eight times a game. For a player who won’t be a huge burden on your cap, Deng should provide a great value.
PF: Blake Griffin ($17,249): Even without Chris Paul to help set him up, Blake Griffin has been an absolute monster this year. He has scored over 20 points in eight straight games, including two double-doubles. Griffin also is an above-average passer for a big man, as he has averaged 3.5 assists a game on the year. As mentioned above, Denver is not a strong defensive team (allowing 103 points a game), so this should be a high-scoring affair. The Nuggets also start one of the smallest front lines in the NBA with J.J. Hickson and Kenneth Faried, so look for Griffin to have a huge game tonight and easily hit value, even at a high price tag.
C: Joakim Noah ($17,267): Noah has played 18 games since Christmas; in every one of those games, he has recorded at least 10 rebounds. He has also been a stud in other categories, notching 5+ assists in eight of his last nine and blocking at least 1 shot in five straight games. When you add all of this together, you get a bona fide stud in your daily fantasy game. Noah’s opponent tonight, the Kings, not only gives up 104.6 points a game, but also allows the opposition more steals and blocks than almost any team in the NBA. Even at one of the most expensive price tags of the night, Noah is a near must have on all teams.
U: Tony Wroten ($5,883): This pick is based largely on the Michael Carter-Williams injury new. He is currently listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury, but if he is forced to miss the game tonight, Wroten instantly becomes a must-own. For an extremely low price tag, Wroten has the ability to produce a huge stat line. He got the start on Saturday against Detroit and put up a solid 18-point, 5-assist and 3-rebound game. Brooklyn is about in the middle of the pack defensively so there is not a huge bump there, but for just 5% of your cap, Wroten is a must-have if he starts.
U: D.J. Augustin (11,261): When Derrick Rose when down with another knee injury, it was assumed Kirk Hinrich would be the guy who got a big fantasy bump, but Augustin has been the guy running the Bulls offense. Even with Hinrich back, Augustin has continued to be the top playmaker on the team, and he has scored in double digits in nine of his last 10 contests. Over the last two weeks he is averaging a ridiculous 20.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds a game. He has done that mainly on great outside shooting, with 3.3 three pointers made a game over the last 15 days. Tonight, he plays against a Kings team that is awful against the point guard-- Sacramento lets teams shoot 37% from three-point land. Augustin should continue his hot streak tonight; take advantage of a low price tag.
