The Shot Dude: A Scoop of Hoops
The NBA on Monday night is just an exciting a sports venue as anything else on the slate.
With only three NHL games and an NFL dud -- I thought that's why they invented the flexible schedule -- on tap, your favorite Shot Dude brings you a scoop of hoops today.
You can examine the nine-game NBA schedule for yourself with the help of the Bovada data tool located on our Home page:
I'll give you a complete FanDuel lineup with pricing and a short reason why each player is a viable option.
| Hint: You're looking to get five times the player's salary in the fantasy point total they produce. So, for example, if a $5000 player scores 25 fantasy points, he's hit his value for your lineup. |
This lineup isn't meant to be played as a whole but instead to provide ideas on where you can begin to build your own winning roster.
Time for your scoop of hoopsters:
Point Guards
Tyreke Evans, New Orleans ($7500) ... is still underpriced, as he's fully recovered from injury and playing over 30 minutes in his last three games. Dude's had over 30 fantasy points in three straight and will play tonight in the highest game total (214) at home versus Boston.
Isaiah Thomas, Boston ($7800) ... has been in the starting five and trending upwards for the Celtics. Dude's posted at least 42 fantasy points in his last 2 games and 3 of his last 6. Since this game in New Orleans has such a high total, your favorite Shot Dude wants lots of exposure to the high-minute producers.
Shooting Guards
Jimmy Butler, Chicago ($8300) ... is priced higher than your favoite Shot Dude usually likes to spend for him, but he's in a great matchup tonight. Butler has played 36 minutes or more in 9 straight games and is home to Phoenix, who ranks 23rd-worst against opposing shooting guards.
Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles ($4600) ... has such a reduced price for the minutes he's getting due to team injuries. With the ailing JJ Redick and Chris Paul, Crawford's had over 30 minutes in the last 2 games, resulting in almost 24 fantasy points in the first and a whopping 40 in the second.
Small Forwards
Otto Porter, Washington ($5100) ... is another player benefitting from extra playing time due to injury right now. The Wizards have a number of dinged-up players, and now John Wall might not suit up, either, after banging his knee in yesterday's game. Porter has played 30 or more minutes in 7 of his last 10 and had a 32 fantasy point performance yesterday against Dallas.
Al-Farouq Aminu, Portland ($5400) ... is a player ready to break out in a positive matchup tonight. Aminu and the Blazers visit Milwaukee, who ranks 27th in defense against small forwards. Aminu has had a few off-games but has also scored in double digits in 6 of his last 10.
Power Forwards
Anthony Davis, New Orleans ($11,200) ... has the highest price of any FanDuel player tonight and is bound to scare some lineup builders away. Dude's a great play because most will spend elsewhere and Boston has the 19th-ranked defense against power forwards. And Davis has scored 50 or more fantasy points in 6 of his last 7 games!
Anthony Tolliver, Detroit ($3600) ... is the just the value player to help you fit Davis into your lineup. Both his minutes and fantasy point production have been on the upswing lately. Plus, Tolliver gets to face Charlotte's 29th-ranked defense against power forwards.
Center
Greg Monroe, Milwaukee ($7700) ... has been living up to those huge expectations the Bucks had for him when he was signed as their big off-season acquisition. Dude's had 5 double-doubles in his last 10 games and has only failed to reach at least 30 fantasy points once in that span. Monroe gets to play in front of his home crowd against Portland's defense, which ranks dead last against centers this season.
Your favorite Shot Dude wishes you good luck and hopes you have a wheelbarrow to carry all the cash you're going to win.
Remember that just like in life, you can't score unless you give it your best shot!
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