NBA $15,000 SATURDAY: TIPS & SELECTIONS
With the trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, NBA Saturday delivers an eight game slate headlined by a huge inter-conference battle with the Nuggets visiting Philadelphia to take on the 76ers with new star Tobias Harris.
With Anthony Davis staying put for now, he will face off with Karl-Anthony Towns in an enticing big man duel, while Luka Doncic’s incredible rookie campaign will collide with MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo.
There is $15,000 up for grabs in the Saturday jackpot tournament.
Lauri Markkanen – PF – $15,470
Markkanen has put up back to back 30 point games, including a 30-10 performance in with triples in his last game. The Bulls were already short on big men, and in the deadline festivities have moved on Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis, with talks of Robin Lopez potentially being bought out, on top of Wendell Carter Jr out for the year through injury. Markkanen logged 40 minutes in the Bulls last game, and we can expect the Finnish sensation to see similar minutes here against a Nets team that is ranked 20th in the NBA in points against.
Cristiano Felicio – PF/C – $5,000
As touched on above, there isn’t a whole lot of big men left in Chicago, and Markkanen isn’t going to be able to fill the 4 and 5 spots the entire game. Felicio figures to be the one to benefit from these moves and find himself playing some additional minutes. He is at bottom price in Draftstars, so temper your expectations accordingly, but he played 19 minutes in the Bulls last game, and should see as much if not more in this game. He’s a worthwhile look for those needing a cheap option.
Jordan Clarkson – SG/SF – $9,260
There was some speculation that Clarkson may find himself packing his bags at the trade deadline, but that has come and gone and Clarkson remains in Cleveland. Already one of the primary sources of offense in a team greatly devoid of it, the Cavaliers trading away Rodney Hood and Alec Burks means a potential minutes boost, and usage boost, for Clarkson. He has excelled this year in putting up good scoring numbers in empty situations for a team that is going nowhere, which translates fine for fantasy purposes. He had an off night in his last game, but averaged 22 in his three games prior and gets an elite match up against the Wizards 29th ranked defense.
Thomas Bryant – C/PF – $10,250
On the flip-side of the Cavaliers vs Wizards game, Thomas Bryant comes into this game having exploded in his last outing. Bryant played nearly 32 minutes, after playing under 20 in his previous three, and he rewarded coach Scott Brooks by stuffing the stat sheet for 26-14-4-2. With the Wizards making some deadline moves, some of their fresh faces may not be ready to go here, so he may be in line for some big minutes once again. Even if he doesn’t, Bryant has shown this year that if he can get minutes around the mid 20s he can put up big fantasy numbers. After this performance, Brooks should reward him with a lot more opportunity here against a poor Cavs team.
Blake Griffin – PF/C – $17,030
An excellent match up for Griffin here, as he already showed with the Pistons playing the Knicks in their last game. Blake lit the Knicks up for 29 points with a line of 29-8-6, and there’s little reason to believe he can’t do the same here if not more. His running mate Andre Drummond is going to demand the attention of new Knicks recruit DeAndre Jordan, and the Knicks struggling 25th ranked defense don’t have the resources to slow Griffin down.
Enter the NBA $15,000 Saturday tournament.
NBA SCORING SYSTEM
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 points
Block = 2 points
3 Point Made Bonus = 1 point
Double-Double = 2 points
Triple-Double = 2 points
NBA