Point Guard
Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks (vs. New York Knicks)
Young will match up against Elfird Payton and a New York Knicks team that struggles against point guards. Young averaged 24.7 PPG against the Knicks this season (three games). Over these three games, Young shot just 36.2% from the field and 21.4 % from three-point land. The Knicks have allowed opposing teams to shoot 33.7% from beyond the arc this season (best in the league). Although these numbers are low, indicating advantages for New York, I expect Young to adjust his game, take fewer threes, and rack up 10+ assists, 20+ points, and several rebounds and steals. Allowing Young to beat Elfrid Payton/NY PGs off the dribble, penetrating, then distributing to Collins/Capela is Atlanta’s path to winning tonight and throughout the series.
Other PG Option: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard
Raul Neto – Washington Wizards (vs. Philadelphia 76ers)
The Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers are actually an interesting matchup. Raul Neto is my top GPP Play of the Day. This might be a controversial call but hear me out. Danny Green, despite some horrific offensive efforts, is extremely capable on the defensive end of the court. I do expect him to limit Bradley Beal. Beal is averaging 36.7 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds against the 76ers this season. Because of this, I do believe Bradley Beal will be rostered by many daily fantasy players today making him the chalk. Well, just because this is a top plays article it doesn’t mean we have to invest in the most popular player (aka chalk). The 76ers have the personnel necessary to limit Beal. It’s just a matter of if they can execute. If they can, Neto will benefit at extremely low percentages. While Neto is more of a GPP play, I would take a shot at rostering him on a small four-game playoffs slate. I expect him to match up against the ever so exploitable Seth Curry. The Washington Wizards are +8 point underdogs with a 227.5 O/U.
Other SG Option: Jordan Clarkson
Small Forward
Mikal Bridges – Phoenix Suns (vs. Los Angeles Lakers)
The Phoenix Suns are favored by -2 points with 213.5 O/U. Kentavious Caldwell Pope actually matches up well against Devin Booker and I expect Phoenix to exploit the Lakers elsewhere. Assuming LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both good to go, Bridges is my top GPP play today. Bridges and Crowder must step up against a Lakers team that likely has the best SF/PF combo in the league. If Chris Paul and Devin Booker are forced to make the pass to the corners against two talented defenders in Schroeder and Caldwel-Pope, Bridges, Crowder, and Ayton should be able to perform in a close high scoring game. The Phoenix Suns spread are my top bet of the day.
Other SF Option: LeBron James
Power Forward
Julius Randle – New York Knicks (vs. Atlanta Hawks)
I fully expect the Atlanta Hawks vs. the New York Kn\icks to be a back-and-forth, high-paced game starting with Julius Randle in isolation. Trae Young should have no problem matching up against Elfrid Payton, or any of the other Knick point guard. The same applies to Julius Randle as I am not afraid of John Collins‘ defense. Bogdanovic is a solid defender but I don’t think at 6’6 220 he will match up well against Julius Randle versatility. Invest in Young and Julius Randle for optimal exposure of tonight’s matchup where the Hawks are favored by just -.5 points with a. 213 O/U.
Other PF Option: Tobias Harris & John Collins
Center
Montrezl Harrell – Los Angeles Lakers (vs. Phoenix Suns)
Assuming my predictions on the Suns’ forwards outperforming James and Davis are correct, in turn, the Lakers will have to look to their bench for points and size to keep up. The perfect candidate to come off the Lakers bench and provide a spark would be Harrell. Harrell is an explosive player who has seen a decrease in usage with the arrival of Andre Drummond. Drummond will have a tough matchup against Deandre Ayton leaving me to believe that Harrell will be needed off the bench. Harrell is sitting at very valuable salaries on all daily fantasy sites and becomes a solid GPP investment.
Other C Option: Deandre Ayton, Clint Capela & Joel Embiid
Bargain Bin
PG Ish Smith
SG Seth Curry
SF Cameron Johnson
PF Jae Crowder
C Nerlens Noel