NBA $10k+ Wednesday Line-Up
The DraftStars NBA $10k Wednesday tournament provides some very interesting match-ups, with eight matches on the card and a few players under injury clouds. Toronto and San Antonio will be the match of the day, however a couple of other matches provide the most relevant fantasy players.
Here is a team you may consider for the NBA $10k+ Wednesday competition
Point Guard
Kyle Lowry ($17,550)
With Toronto looking to catch up to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, it has been Kyle Lowry who has risen to another level after a slower start to the season. While an away game against the miserly Spurs seems a risky proposition, Lowry will love the big game feel and will want to continue his form. He is averaging 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds on the road, which is better than his home record. He’s the must-have star of the day.
Tyler Johnson ($9,900)
Despite Dragic’s likely return for this match against the Suns, Johnson still remains a value pick. He’s the primary back-up at the point guard position, and is a leader in the second unit. In the final two matches of 2016, Johnson hit 39.75 and 34.25 points, which are the kind of scores he can get when his shooting efficiency is up. He’s worth an inclusion.
Shooting Guard
Eric Bledsoe ($14,000)
Bledsoe is a good alternative to other guards, especially coming up against an average Miami outfit. Even with Dragic being a potential inclusion, the Heat are weakened by Winslow and Whiteside not playing, which will stretch them. The Suns’ point guard will love having a bit of freedom on court, and an average of 45 points over the past two games should be seen as an indicator of what he can produce.
Josh Richardson ($7,650)
This is arguably the value pick of the day. Richardson has been starting at point guard when Dragic hasn’t played, but has been covering the shooting guard position as well. With Miami decimated by injuries, Richardson will once again be an important player, and his recent form suggests he has the ability to go 30+ again.
Small Forward
Ersan Ilyasova ($9,950)
It’s not often a 76ers player is a must-have in fantasy, but back-to-back double-doubles and a kind fixture puts Ilyasova in that category. He has shown over the past two matches that he can be a very important part of the Philadelphia squad, with his ability to rebound hard and knock down 3s a big part of his game. He’s extremely underpriced for his recent output, and we’ll happily put him in.
James Johnson ($6,950)
The fourth and final player picked from the Heat/Suns game is James Johnson, who should get some good game-time without Whiteside and Winslow on court. He is averaging 29 minutes, 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and 40 fantasy points. This sort of production is hard to ignore from a very cheap player.
Power Forward
Julius Randle ($10,750)
Randle is completely underrated for what he produces for the Lakers, and some consistency can make him a fantasy beast. He has three 42+ fantasy point matches over his past seven games, and his ability to have an impact in all three of points, rebounds and assists makes him a constant threat. While the Grizzlies are tight on defence, Randle is primed for a point-rebound double-double.
Zach Randolph ($10,600)
On the other side of the coin in the same match is Zach Randolph, who has been a consistent contributor off the bench for the Grizzlies. Coming up against a Lakers team which can be opened up easily, Randolph’s likely boost in minutes off the bench due to Marc Gasol’s injury will only make him more relevant.
Centre
LaMarcus Aldridge ($12,250)
Taking out the match against Portland, Aldridge is in a rich vein of form for the Spurs. He has been hitting scores in the 45+ fantasy point range, and has been shooting much better than he was early in the season. He has finally formed a good partnership with Pau Gasol, and a greater understanding of the slight shift in role. Aldridge can go big again in this contest.
The Line Up
PG: Kyle Lowry ($17,550)
PG: Tyler Johnson ($9,900)
SG: Eric Bledsoe ($14,000)
SG: Josh Richardson ($7,650)
SF: Ersan Ilyasova ($9,950)
SF: James Johnson ($6,950)
PF: Julius Randle ($10,750)
PF: Zach Randolph ($10,600)
C: LaMarcus Aldridge ($12,250)
Salary Remaining: $400
NBA SCORING SYSTEM
Base Points
Point Scored = 1 point
Missed Field Goal = -0.25 points
Missed Free Throw = -0.25 points
Assist = 1.5 points
Rebound = 1.25 points
Turnover = -0.5 points
Steal = 2 point
Block = 2 points
Bonuses
3 Point Made = 1 point
Double-Double = 2 points
Triple-Double = 2 points