The Late Cut: NBA $4,000 Friday

A relatively quiet Friday awaits us, with only two matches to select your lineups from. This is the last day of play before All-Star weekend and there are plenty of All-Stars who want to head off in good form. Tip-off is at 11.00am, so make sure you get your lineups in before then.

Tuesday’s Score: 303.75

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Here is a team you may consider for the NBA $4k+ Friday competition

Point Guard

John Wall ($17,700)

Wall is coming off a performance where he dominated Russell Westbrook defensively, limiting the MGVP favorite to just 27.5 DS points. Wall also was a little bit sore in that match, where he played with a minor ankle injury. Wall has been super consistent lately, registering a double-double in each of his last eight matches. He should be able to continue his run here and put up another score around the 50 DS points mark.

Marcus Smart ($10,550)

After coming into the starting lineup to replace the injured Jaylen Brown, Smart has staked a claim to remain in the starter’s position, at least until Avery Bradley comes back. Smart was dominant in yesterday’s win over the Sixers, racking up 51 DS points which included 21 points and 8 steals. Smart can dominate against the Bulls, who are poor in their back court and is less likely than Isaiah Thomas to be rested in a blowout.

Shooting Guard

Bradley Beal ($12,350)

After missing out on Kevin Love’s vacated All-Star spot, Beal should be playing angry, looking to send a message that he deserved a trip to New Orleans over Carmelo Anthony. Beal had a remarkable efficient game in his last match against OKC, hitting 7 out of 8 shots from the field, including six 3-pointers, before sitting out most of the second half in the blowout win. A similar performance against a more competitive Pacers outfit will see a big score for Beal.

Jerian Grant ($5,000)

Grant should be in the starting lineup for the Bulls, but given how they are travelling, you never really know what is going to happen. Grant was disappointing last match, finishing with 4 DS points from 15 minutes on court, but in 4 out of his six matches before that, he finished with over 17 DS points, roughly 3.5 points per thousand of salary. If every player gets you that level of return, you will score 350, which is good enough to be in the money on most days.

Small Forward

Jimmy Butler ($17,750)

Butler has been fairly inconsistent recently, but has been working hard to grind out results for his struggling team. In his last match, Butler went 2/10 from the field, but shot 15 free throws and dished out 12 assists to finish with 44.5 DS points. All offense will flow through Butler with Wade’s likely absence, if the Bulls are to reverse their poor form, he needs a big day.

Otto Porter ($10,900)

Porter has been ticking along nicely for the Wizards, recording over 10 points and 6 rebounds in six out his last seven matches. Porter will have a tough task taking on Paul George, but Indiana and Washington are two high scoring teams so he should have plenty of opportunities to put up some points.

Power Forward

Amir Johnson ($7,800)

Johnson has been in decent form recently, averaging over 18 DS points per game over his last six matches. Johnson splits minutes with Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko so he has limited opportunity, but when there is only two matches to choose from, choices are also very limited.

Kevin Seraphin ($5,000)

Seraphin will most likely get the start with regular starter Lavoy Allen still injured. Seraphin has been good when given the opportunity, in his last three starts, he is averaging 18.8 DS points. Similar to Jerian Grant, if Seraphin can return around 3.5 points per thousand dollars salary, it sets your team up for victory.

Centre

Marcin Gortat ($12,450)

Gortat was robbed of his 8th double-double in his last nine matches when he was rested during the Wizards blowout victory over the Thunder. Gortat and John Wall have been playing at a consistently high level for the Wizards, which is a big reason by they are the third ranked team in the East. Another double-double is well within reach for the Polish big man, he is up against promising youngster Myles Turner, but Gortat’s size and experience should allow him to have a good day.

The Line Up

PG: John Wall ($17,700)

PG: Marcus Smart ($10,550)

SG: Bradley Beal ($12,350)

SG: Jerian Grant ($5,000)

SF: Jimmy Butler ($17,750)

SF: Otto Porter ($10,900)

PF: Amir Johnson ($7,800)

PF: Kevin Seraphin ($5,000)

C: Marcin Gortat ($12,450)

Salary Remaining: $500