Please Note: Usually I place a very high emphasis on Vegas lines and totals, but you can’t be that picky with only three games to choose from
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FanDuel Point Guard Pick
Dennis Schroder (ATL, PG) - $4,800
With a short slate tonight you’re going to be forced to play some back-ups, but this is a back-up I would play any night at this price. In DFS, to win the larger contests, you’ll need almost every player to hit at least 4x their value, and in most cases, 5x or 6x their value. For Schroder, that means he only has to reach around 20 fantasy points, and anything above 30 points would give you some cushion if some of your other guys don’t pan out.
Well in case you missed it, Schroder scored 20 real points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out four assists, and even chipped in two steals for a total of 32.6 fantasy points against the Pistons on opening night. Oh and by the way, he did that in just 25 minutes of playing time. I fully expect Schroder to get even more time tonight, as he’s proven early that he can not only run the offense, but can coexist with Teague in dual guard lineups.
This will be the last week Schroder is priced below $5,500, and that could climb quickly.
Honorable Mentions: George Hill (IND, PG), Raymond Felton (DAL, PG)
FanDuel Shooting Guard Pick
Kyle Korver (NYK, SG) - $5,200
Korver has a few things going for him tonight. Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way, he’s playing against the Knicks. He’ll either have an ancient Sasha Vujacic or a rusty Arron Afflalo (coming back from a hamstring injury) chasing him around screens- which means Korver will be open all night
Secondly, I’m a firm believer that shooters shoot better in MSG, and Kyle Korver is definitely a shooter.
Lastly, Kyle Korver shot awfully in the season opener against the Pistons, going 3 for 9 from the field and 1 for 5 from three point range. The law of averages says that more than likely he’ll balance that out tonight with a more efficient outing.
Overall SG is really thin, and I wouldn’t pay an extra $1000+ to roster Monta Ellis or Wesley Matthews, Korver seems like the best bet to reach value.
Honorable Mention: Rodney Stuckey (IND, SG)
FanDuel Small Forward Pick
Paul George (IND, SF) - $8,500
Plain and simple this price is a steal. You will never see Paul George at close to this price again. In the season opener against Toronto, George dropped 46.4 fantasy points, and did it shooting 4 for 17 from the field. That tells me over 40 fantasy points could be his floor going forward.
George is one of the premiere non-scoring dependent fantasy players you need to roster if you want to compete every night. Basically, you can count on him to score around 20-25 fantasy points in categories other than points, which makes picking him against any opponent a much safer option. If his shooting get’s even slightly more consistent, watch out, he could be one of the premiere DFS players every night he plays.
Memphis is a tough matchup, especially with all the wing defenders they have, but given Paul George’s ability to get fantasy points all over the box score, I wouldn’t be worried.
Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce (SF, LAC)
FanDuel Power Forward Pick
Paul Millsap (ATL, C) - $7,700
I promise, this will be the last Hawks player I pick. Like Paul George, I think this will be the last time you see Millsap at around this price. Millsap put up 31.1 fantasy points against the interior defense of Andre Drummond. It will be a little easier against the likes of Robin Lopez, Derrick Williams and Kristaps Porzingis.
From the perimeter, Millsap jacked six threes in the season opener which is a great sign going forward. He only made two of them, but if he gets hot in the Garden we could see Millsap reach 40 fantasy points easily.
Overall he is the safest bet of tonight’s Power Forward’s to reach value, unless you want to pony up for Blake Griffin. However, if you keep reading you’ll see I have another Clippers big in mind.
Honorable Mentions Derrick Williams (PF, NYK), Blake Griffin (PF, LAC)
FanDuel Center Pick
DeAndre Jordan (LAC, C) - $7,700
17 Points, 20 (!) Rebounds, 1.7 Blocks: That is what DeAndre Jordan AVERAGED last year in three games against the Mavericks. They are even less athletic in the front court this year, starting two guys in Dirk Nowitzki and ZaZa Pachulia who might not be able to jump over a piece of paper.
I’m not kidding when I say DeAndre Jordan could reach value with rebounds alone tonight. He’s a no brainer, and will be in all of my lineups.
Honorable Mentions: Al Horford (ATL, C), Robin Lopez (NYK, C)
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