NBA $12,000+ FRIDAY Best Buys
Friday’s NBA $12k Draftstars contest is sure to kickstart our weekend in the best way possible. While there are only five games on the slate, it’s critical to pick the right players for your lineup. Do you take the plunge on a mid-pricer with a favourable match-up? Or the tried-and-true method of guns and rookies?
Here is a team you may consider for the NBA $12k+ Friday competition
Point Guard
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($19,550)
Giannis has taken huge strides in his game this season and has become the frontrunner for Most Improved Player whilst also being a potential first-time All-Star. Over the season, he’s averaged 22.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists while chipping in with two blocks and two steals on the defensive end. He’s become a nightmare in transition due to his insane length while also showing the ability to get to the rim in the halfcourt. To add to this, the Bucks are 13.1 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the floor. The strides he has made on the court have translated to the fantasy world, where he has averaged 47.9 fantasy points per game this year, making him a must-have for your team.
Patty Mills ($7,950)
Our own Patty Mills is having a career year so far for the San Antonio Spurs who have desperately needed him with the rapid decline of Tony Parker. His hyper-efficient scoring (49% FG, 44% 3PT, 94% FT) and tenacious defence has provided a catalyst for the Spurs to once again have one of the most effective benches in the league. He comes up against a Phoenix team with the seventh-worst defence in the NBA, something which Mills should be able to take full advantage. On the last three occasions he has come up against a bottom seven defence, he has scored over 30 points every time (against Dallas, Brooklyn and Minnesota). At $7,950, he’s a safe pick as a cheap option this Friday.
Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson ($11,250)
After a tough start to the season, Klay has started to show some of the form that had him in the discussion as best Shooting Guard last season. Since he’s found his feet, he’s been incredible once again, averaging 23.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 made threes per game (41.1%) in his last 15 games. In that period, when he’s played at Oracle Arena, he’s averaged an incredible 28.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and a whopping 4.7 made threes on 50% shooting from deep and 51.3% shooting from the field. Klay comes up against the New York Knicks, who currently have the fifth-worst defence in the league. Considering the game is at Oracle Arena, he’s a must-have.
Malcolm Brogdon ($5,000)
The Bucks second-round rookie out of Virginia has been mightily impressive so far this season, being one of the only rookies in his class to contribute right out of the gate. Brogdon has been solid fantasy-wise as well, scoring over 20 points seven times this season, including in two of his last four games. If he can score 15-20 points at his price, you’re on a winner, and with a dearth of value options for this contest, it might be wise to consider saving money with a guy like Brogdon so that you can spend the extra cash on superstars.
Small Forward
Paul George ($15,400)
After missing nearly the entire 2014-15 season, PG13 bounced back with a vengeance. This season, great expectations were placed on the Pacers to build on their efforts after acquiring Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson in trades and free agency. With just 13 wins and 12 losses the Pacers have been somewhat of a letdown, but it is in no way the fault of George, who is averaging 21.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists whilst shooting 45% from the field, 39.3% from deep and 92.3% from the charity stripe. He should once again have a field day against a New Orleans team that has been starting the likes of Buddy Hield and Solomon Hill on the wings – neither of whom being remotely equipped to harness George.
Jimmy Butler ($15,050)
What better way to complement Paul George then to add another brilliant Eastern Conference wing player? Butler has enjoyed a career-year this year, leading the Chicago Bulls to the fourth seed in the East. He’s doing so by averaging 25.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game which has translated nicely into 42.1 fantasy points per game. He will face off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday in a road game – a situation Butler has thrived in so far this year. He is averaging nearly 27 points on the road, whilst shooting an impressive 50% from the field and 38.6% from deep.
Power Forward
Nikola Jokic ($9,750)
Jokic is almost certainly the best value pick on Friday due to a hot run of recent form. After finishing third in Rookie of the Year last season, it took a while for the Serbian big man to find his feed amidst a crowded Denver frontcourt. However, in his last six games, he’s thrived, averaging 17 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists which equates to 38 fantasy points per game. To add to this, he will face the league-worst Portland defence, who also happen to have one of the worst frontcourt defences in the league. Big men Anthony Davis (61 points), Kristaps Porzingis (45.25), Myles Turner (33.5) and even Robin Lopez (29.75) have taken full advantage of Portland and Jokic should as well. Expect a score of 35+ from the in-form Serbian.
Kyle O’Quinn ($6,550)
O’Quinn has found his niche in the Knicks rotation recently, splitting minutes with Joakim Noah at centre. This has led to a huge uptick in production, including an average of 30.2 fantasy points per game in his last five outings. For comparison, Jabari Parker has averaged 30.3 fantasy points over the season and is priced at $11,350. There is some uncertainty with how many minutes O’Quinn will see against Golden State, but with his recent production and a lack of depth on the Knicks, he is a safe enough bet at his price to select for your team.
Centre
Robin Lopez ($8,700)
Picking Lopez is purely situational. He will play the Bucks in Milwaukee on Friday, a situation that lends itself perfectly towards picking him. Firstly, he’s been much more effective on the road than at home, averaging 10.5 points and 8 rebounds on 48% Field Goal shooting and averaging 26.5 fantasy points in his last five road games. Secondly, and most importantly, the Bucks have been leaking points to opposing big men, giving up an average of 35.6 fantasy points to opposing Power Forwards and Centers in their last five games. Whilst a massive 57.75 from Paul Millsap boosts this number, players similar to Robin Lopez have scored well too, with Jonas Valanciunas, Marcin Gortat and Mason Plumlee scoring 28.5, 29.25 and 38 fantasy points respectively against the Bucks. You can expect RoLo to continue this trend, making him a bargain at just $8,700.
The Line Up
PG: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($19,550)
SG: Patty Mills ($7,950)
PG: Klay Thompson ($11,250)
SG: Malcolm Brogdon ($5,000)
SF: Paul George ($15,400)
SF: Jimmy Butler ($15,050)
PF: Nikola Jokic ($9,750)
PF: Kyle O’Quinn ($6,550)
C: Robin Lopez ($8,700)
Salary Remaining: $800
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
Tune into ESPN2 Channel 509 from midday AEDT for another exciting doubleheader. First, watch the ‘Greek Freak’ and his Bucks tackle Jimmy Butler and the Bulls, before the Knicks travel to Oracle Arena to face Golden State..