As I write this article, I am basking in a game one win for my Milwaukee Brewers over the Rockies, watching the Kings at Lakers on my laptop, and Thursday Night football on the big screen. It’s a great time of year to be a fan of sports. There is always something on to tube to watch after work and hopefully this article will give you a little extra cash in your pockets. We finally have a decent sized NBA Preseason slate to break down and I am going to walk you through my favorite plays on the slate.
Point Guards
Dennis Schroder – (DK $7700, FD $5300) – Russell Westbrook will not play in this one, nor did he in the previous preseason game. Schroder played 26 minutes in the opener while scoring 21 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds while donning an impressive 35% usage rate. He will be the chalk that you cannot fade in cash games. I would also argue that you need him in tournaments as well. His counterpart Raymond Felton will also see around 20 minutes and should be in consideration. He put up 12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and a steal in their last contest with a whopping 38% usage.
De’Aaron Fox – (DK $6300, FD $5200) – Fox is on fire as I am writing this article. Even though he is playing on a back-to-back (odd for the preseason), I like him against the Curry-less Warriors. He got zero run later in the game and should still have plenty in the legs for this game. I expect a solid 25-27 minutes out of him, with a usage rate right around the mid 20’s. I’m looking for 5x value from him on FD. Not bad for preseason ball.
Value Plays: Frank Mason (SAC), Derrick White (SA) – I am paying up at the center position in my lineups tonight as well as the PF position. While we may not need to stoop this low, we can use these guys in some tournament lineups in attempt to catch a stud that catches fire in his 20 something minutes.
Shooting Guards
Klay Thompson – (DK $6300, FD $6700) – Klay should play around 20-24 minutes in this game and the Warriors are without Steph Curry and Draymond Green. His usage will hover around 30-34%, which is a recipe for points. Add in the new FD scoring bonus for three-pointers made, and he is a great play on weak upside slate. He will be chalk, but I think you are going to need him tonight.
Rodney McGruder – (DK $4600, FD $3500) – One of the biggest things we look at in NBA DFS is injuries. How thin a team is at a position or as a roster can mean big minutes and usage for other players. McGruder will be the benefactor of this scenario for the Heat. I fully expect McGruder to play between 27-30 minutes and he will add a nice floor at a low salary to our rosters.
Value Plays: Shaquille Harrison (PHO), Allonzo Trier (NYK)
Small Forwards
Josh Jackson – (DK $6300, FD $5900) – Jackson has been a minutes beast so far in training camp. He is averaging just over 31 minutes per game with a 25.7% usage rate. He is filling up the peripheral stats nicely and he should be a cash staple in our lineups tonight.
Kevin Knox – (DK $6600, FD $5100) – There aren’t many high-priced options at small forward to pay up for tonight. Knox’s price is right in the wheelhouse, and over his first two preseason contests, he has enjoyed some solid stat lines while playing a total of 48 minutes between the two games. The Knicks are pretty thin right now and I can see him getting plenty of run versus the Pelicans.
Kelly Oubre – (DK $5800, FD $5000) – In their first preseason game, Oubre played 27 minutes with a 26.3% usage rate.
Value Plays: DeAndre’ Bembry (ATL), Stanley Johnson (DET), Davis Bertans (SA)
Power Forwards
DeAndre Ayton – (DK $6600, FD $7200) – I debated on where to stash him in this article, seeing as how he is a Center on DK and a PF on FD, but here he sits. He’s crushing this preseason and it is just a no-brainer to use him. He will play over 30 minutes, demand the ball, and he will score. Use Ayton and move on.
Value Plays: Anthony Tolliver (MIN), Harry Giles (SAC), Alex Polythress (ATL)- a bit of a reach but good point per minute and cheap
Centers
Andre Drummond – (DK $8100, FD $9900) – Drummond got off to a bit of a slow start last time out, but I think he was just shaking off some cobwebs. He bounced back and crushed value. Give me a guy that grabs 16 rebounds, puts up a ton of short looks and has a massive 36% usage rate. Drummond will be highly-owned and a cash staple tonight. I do not mind pivoting in tournaments to one of the guys below on FD, but on DK I think you need him tonight.
Hassan Whiteside – (DK $7800, FD $6900) – For the first time in awhile, Whiteside actually looks healthy. He’s averaged 25 minutes, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.5 steals and a 123 offensive rating. He should eat plenty in this one.
Pivots: Enes Kanter, Steven Adams, Karl-Anthony Towns (Too pricey for me tonight in a preseason game though)
Value Plays: Meyers Leonard (POR), Ian Mahinmi (WAS)
Tournament Reach: Nerlens Noel (OKC)
Thank you
I appreciate the read and your feedback means the world to me. Good or bad. You were a trooper and made it to the end of the article and for that, I salute you.
Please give me a follow on twitter if you would. @Mr_Sconnie.
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