The Shot Dude: Stretch Time
With all NBA teams having around 10 regular -season games left, we're clearly in the home stretch.
This is a great time to seek out ballers playing hard for playoff positioning and avoid those who are, well, just ... playing.
Your favorite Shot Dude has carefully combed through the hairy options and found the best recommendations for your fantasy lineup.
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Point Guards
Damian Lillard, Portland ($8700) ... is one-half of an easy point guard tandem for me to choose today. I have found the two who average over a fantasy point per minute and are facing the worst two defenses against the position. Lillard averages 40.4 fantasy points, but I like him for 42-44 today against Philadelphia.
Isaiah Thomas, Boston ($8000) ... is also in a great matchup against Phoenix. The only team worse at defending point guards is off today. Thomas has a strong usage rate of 26 and has averaged over 35 fantasy points per game this season. Enjoy him in you lineup when he gets you 38-40 fantasy points today.
Shooting Guards
DeMar DeRozen, Toronto ($8000) ... has drawn great matchups all week and gets another today against New Orleans. The Pelicans rank 26th in defending shooting guards. Even though dude's average is 35 fantasy points, I like him to be in the 38-40 range in this one.
CJ McCollum, Portland ($6700) ... should be able to take advantage of the inept 76ers defense, too. Dude's usage rate is approaching 25, and he's just under a fantasy point per minute player. Philly has won only once in their last 10 games and only three times on the road all season. Put McCollum down for 32-34 fantasy points.
Small Forwards
LeBron James, Cleveland ($9900) ... is my pick to have the most fantasy points when all the numbers are tallied. This is just a gut thing, so play someone else in this spot if you feel the need. I heard LeBron might just be trying to lure Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland for next season and playing under the spotlight that is New York will motivate King James to a big output. I expect 46-48 fantasy points from him.
Evan Turner, Boston ($6100) ... should dominate Phoenix along with Thomas today. The Suns just stink and give up 108 points per game. There are only three teams that defend small forwards worse in the league, so Turner will burn them for between 32-34 fantasy points by game's end.
Power Forwards
David West, San Antonio ($3500) ... will see a minutes increase with Tim Duncan sitting this one out. In fact, I'm rostering the Twin Towers v2.0 -- West and Diaw -- to maximize my roster's scoring at a low hit against the salary cap. Oklahoma City is a good defending team, but West will be good for 28-30 fantasy points anyway.
Boris Diaw, San Antonio ($3500) ... is the second minimum-salary punt player I'll be using. The last time he got 35 minutes in a game, he rewarded his fantasy users with over 28 points. I'm not sure he'll get that many minutes, but like him for 25-27 fantasy points against the Thunder.
Center
Mason Plumlee, Portland ($5700) ... is the third Blazer I think will dominate the 76ers today because he has the best matchup of all. Philly is dead last in defending opposing centers. Just like Lillard and McCullom, Plumlee's prediction of 27-29 fantasy points is on the low side because this one could get ugly.
Your favorite Shot Dude hopes you enjoy the great slate of NBA today, and hopefully some fantasy winning as well.
Can't we all just get along? We can if we always give it our best shot!
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