Fox Sports: $30k Thursday Fever Best Buys
by PHIL PRIOR (@phil_prior)
IT’S a smaller slate than your average Thursday, but there’s nothing small (or average!) about what’s up for grabs… $30K in Draftstars’ major Thursday GPP tournament.
But don’t expect a safe strategy to work, if you’re looking to separate yourself from the 2,000+ strong crowd of expected participants.
Consider all possible narratives, which possible outcomes have likely contrarian (and therefore unique) potential, and sprinkle in some value plays.
That’s where Best Buys really comes in handy.
FULL SLATE
11:00am (AET): SAC @ PHI
11:30am: DET @ BOS // MEM @ TOR
12:00pm: LAL @ CHI // NY @ MIN // WAS @ OKC
12:30pm: SA @ DAL
1:00pm: ATL @ PHO // MIA @ DEN
2:00pm: IND @ POR
BACKING UP: Detroit, Lakers, San Antonio
MAIN MATCHUPS
Lakers @ Chicago
The absence of D’Angelo Russell continues to reap DFS gold in LA’s backcourt, namely Jordan Clarkson ($12,050) and Lou Williams ($9,700). But add to the equation Nick Young’s recent achilles strain and things really get spicy (enter, bottom-dollar option Jose Calderon!).
Washington @ Oklahoma City
Expect a point guard shootout between MVP favourite Russell Westbrook ($24,950) and Jon Wall ($18,650). Pound-for-pound and price-for-price, though, Wall’s the preferred option.
Indiana @ Portland
In a game expecting high volume, the volatile Damian Lillard ($17,300) is in a great spot to have one of his ‘on’ days, facing off with the generous Jeff Teague ($12,500). And Lillard’s not the only Blazers player worth paying for, as below’s Best Buys points out.
BEST BUYS
POINT GUARD / SHOOTING GUARD
Jose Calderon, LAL ($5,000 PG)
Rarely do we find a guaranteed 20 minutes at a bargain cost.
Andrew Harrison, MEM ($5,000 PG.SG)
With Mike Conley out for six weeks, the starter’s minutes are all Harrison’s.
Rajon Rondo, CHI ($13,300 PG)
It’ll be a training run for Rondo against the depleted Lakers’ guard stocks.
Also in play:
Seth Curry, DAL ($5,000 PG/SG) // Jon Wall, WAS ($18,650 PG)
***
SMALL FORWARD
Glenn Robinson III, IND ($5,000)
His last two games set a precedent worthy of a player twice his price.
Thaddeus Young, IND (9,800 SF/PF)
Along with Glenn Robinson III, the absence of Paul George and Kevin Seraphin opens opportunity in the Pacers’ frontcourt for Young, who’s also just been getting it done.
Also in play:
Moe Harkless, POR ($7,400 SF) // Troy Williams, MEM ($5,000 SG/SF) // Brandon Ingram, LAL ($8,250 SF)
***
POWER FORWARD / CENTRE
Mason Plumlee, POR ($9,950 PF/C)
A solid starter at a nice price point, for those keen to splurge on a guard.
Nemanja Bjelica, MIN ($5,000 PF)
Brimming with confidence, knocking down threes and offering the reliability coach Tom Thibodeau’s currently in desperate need of.
Also in play:
Ed Davis, POR ($6,350 PF/C) // JaMychal Green, MEM ($8,600 PF) // Kosta Koufos, SAC ($5,650 PF/C)
Original Article from Fox Sports
For more: Foxsports.com.au
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