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We’re nearing the halfway point of the NBA season with most teams having played close to 40 games this season. Some teams’ rotations have started to shift and I think there’s some big fantasy implications as a result:
Marquese Chriss as emerged
The rotation of Phoenix big men appears to have stabilized. It doesn’t make any sense, but it appears stable. And as a result, Marquese Chriss has emerged as a stud. Here’s the DraftKings points per game over the Suns last 8 games.
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The pattern is easy to spot: Greg Monroe beasts out, but only when Tyson Chandler rests. Alex Len is middling in medicrioty. Chriss is lighting it up every night. Chriss is a must-add in all formats for the rest of the year.
Dwight Powell is your must-add player of the week
Now with back-to-back games of 27+ minutes, Powell is in a great spot for future fantasy production. The Dallas front line is thin with Nerlens Noel injured and Dirk maxing out around 25 minutes per night which leaves Powell in position for plenty of run. Only 26 years old, the Mavericks will likely give him all the time he can handle over Salah Mejri. He’s widely available in standard formats (19% owned in Yahoo as of this writing) so snap up Dwight Powell.
Give me all the Terrance Ferguson shares in DFS
The injuries to Andre Roberson and Alex Abrines have opened up an opportunity for Terrance Ferguson. Already with a game of 16.8 pts and 35.8 pts, Ferguson is minimum salary on DraftKings and looking at 30+ minutes tonight. He’s had a 16% usage rate in both games and gets plenty of wide open 3PT attempts playing alongside the Thunder’s big three. Lock Ferguson into the lineup to spend up elsewhere.
Rooting for The Villain
Evan Turner has continued his impressive play even with Damian Lillard’s return. Turner had back-to-back 30+ point games before a blowout of the Atlanta Hawks shortened his time on the court. If you’re in need of scoring, give Turner a look and ride out his hot streak.
Where did all the superstars go?
Is anyone else having more luck fading the most expensive players? Harden before the injury, Westbrook, Giannis, and LeBron the last few games, have all disappointed and the value has been with lower-priced options of Devin Booker, Kyrie Irving, and LaMarcus Aldridge. Last year and early this season, locking in one or two $11k+ options was always profitable but the shift in value has me altering my approach.
For any questions, data discrepancies, or recommendations for improvement please don’t hesitate to reach out via Twitter (@BrianCreagh) or via email (bcreagh119@gmail.com)