Well, there are nine great match-ups this evening in the NBA and I have the plays that you need, not want mind you but need. I am focusing a little more on previous performances as they hold their weight a little more when it comes to reliability. More so in the NBA than in the other 3 major sports, this strategy works due to the fact that certain players just have some of the team’s numbers.
Let’s get to the value-plays that will get you over the hump and into the winners circle tonight. Here’s some of the players I’ll add to my Draft$treet roster for Friday night.
***FRIDAY NIGHT NBA FREEROLL ALERT!!!***
Darren Collison PG Dallas Mavericks ($11,116) The Thunder roll into Dallas tonight in what should be a great match-up amongst some of the fantasy elite. As stated above I’m going to start gearing this column on match-ups of the past. Handicapping your daily rosters and using this strategy has worked like a charm and has become a reliable trend. In no other sport does the term ‘History Repeats Itself’ apply itself more than to the NBA. Trust me, if Bogato Tallahasee had a beast-like performance against the Magic, then there’s a great chance he’ll beast ’em out again. It’s the way the NBA rolls. Now, take Collison. He’s coming into this game having faced the Thunder earlier this year and he demolished them to say the very least. Darren met up with Oklahoma City a few days after Christmas and took them for 32 points (Yes, 32), 4 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Hmmm, that’s a nice tidy 49 fantasy points. Can he repeat that? I’m looking for him to at least come extremely close to those numbers tonight so start him. Projection: 26 pts / 4 ast / 4 reb / 4 stl
Jameer Nelson PG Orlando Magic: 41 Fantasy Points
O.J. Mayo SG Dallas Mavericks ($13,015) Another Maverick already. Yup. I’m loving the Mavs tonight in this spot and especially O.J. Mayo has returned. He’s back putting up those big stats like he was earlier in the season. O.J. is coming off of a stat stuffer against the Rockets where he scored 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, hitting 12-of-13 from the charity line. He matches up well here against Sefolosha and Mayo will see big minutes in the process. Mayo’s price is on the low side and the guy is averaging 35 fantasy points over his last 5 starts. If at all possible try to get him into as many rosters as you can. Don’t make the mistake of not playing him this evening, he’s due for a career night. Projection: 20 pts / 5 ast / 6 reb / 1 blk / 3 stl
Bradley Beal SG Washington Wizards: 36 Fantasy Points
Luol Deng SF Chicago Bulls ($13,563) See? Told ya. The following came through Roto Wire before Deng took the court on Wednesday night. Roto Wire: Deng (hamstring) is a game-time decision for Friday’s game against the Celtics, the Chicago Tribune reports. He said he plans to try and play, but he hasn’t run on the hamstring yet. Once again these players keep on proving my point. Listen, it’s no secret that NBA players are the biggest wimps when it comes to injuries and especially all of these so-called ‘illnesses”. Illness, what the hell you guys got?? Most sickly people that I’ve ever seen in my life. Regardless, the point here is to actually start these hypochondriacs once they’re ‘over’ their sicknesses and diseases, bruises and contusions. Deng started that game and guess what? Yup, 36 fantasy points (19 pts / 7 ast / 6 reb / 1 blk / 1 stl). Yes, there is something to be said for this system. Deng’s numbers against the Celtics are great, always have been. In the 2 previous matches this year Deng has averaged out 23.5 points, 3 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 0.5 steal versus the Celtics and that my friends is 35 fantasy points per start and that’s only his average. Best value on the board at the SF position tonight. Projection: 21 pts / 7 ast / 7 reb / 1 blk / 1 stl
Rudy Gay SF Memphis Grizzlies: 38 Fantasy Points
Serge Ibaka PF Oklahoma City Thunder ($13,353) I really love Serge in this game tonight. Ibaka has two things going for him tonight. One, he has a great match-up due to the fact that he’ll be shadowed all night by the 61-year old Dirk Nowitzki. Two, his previous numbers versus Dallas. Ibaka put up 19 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks the last time these two entities faced each other. Serge will come out smoking and I’m confident he’ll put up a great stat line tonight, although I’ll lower the ceiling just a bit here. Projection: 16 pts / 1 ast / 14 reb / 3 blk
Dirk Nowitzki PF Dallas Mavericks: 39 Fantasy Points
Nikola Vucevic C Orlando Magic ($16,043) I know he’s here again but I need to say this. Here it goes….. I can’t quit you Nikola!!! Projection: 13 pts / 1 ast / 8 reb / 1 stl / 5 blk
Roy Hibbert C Indiana Pacers: 33 Fantasy Points
