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Fantasy basketball advice: NBA FanDuel sleepers/busts for Thursday, Feb. 19
The Feb. 19 schedule features just two games, which is still enough for you to enjoy some NBA FanDuel action. Click here for the chance to win $10,000 by spending just $2 today!
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As for what we're going to be doing in this space: The goal here will be to direct your attention toward some players who you might not otherwise consider. If you're here and reading this, then you already know that LeBron James is really good. But when filling out a roster you can't just pick out stars. You'll blow your cap that way and get stuck praying to the basketball gods that a guy like Kosta Koufos gets into the game. No, if you want to win, you have to take advantage of certain matchups -- and in order to do that you have to know where to look. That's what we're here for. Also, this space is going to be used to give you advice for the games on Thursday, Feb. 19. There are only two games Thursday night -- Thunder-Mavericks, Clippers-Spurs -- so there aren't too many choices. But that doesn't mean there are no decision sto be made. That's what this post is for. So, let's get started.
3 Players to target
Russell Westbrook, G, Thunder ($10,900): Westbrook is coming off his incredible All-Star Game M.V.P. performance. He's also the kind of player who would want to follow that up in a way that shows it was no fluke. The Thunder will be going up against the Mavericks Thursday, who struggle on defense and especially with point guards. Only five teams are allowing opposing point guards to score more points per game, according to HoopStats.com. Rajon Rondo is expected to return to the court, which will help Dallas. But he might be a bit rusty and the man protecting his back, Tyson Chandler, has been dealing with an ankle injury. If you're going to break the bank on one player Thursday, go with Westbrook. He's averaging 51.8 FanDuel points over his last nine games.
DeAndre Jordan, C, Clippers ($9,000): He has 46 points and 47 rebounds in his last two games, both of which the Clippers played without Blake Griffin. Griffin is still out with an elbow injury, which means Jordan will remain the Clipper's primary source of points in the paint. When you play with Chris Paul, that's a good thing. Thursday night's matchup against the Spurs isn't a great one for Jordan, but this is about opportunity. The Clippers need Jordan on the court.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Spurs ($7,700): This is pretty simple. The Clippers have just one player who can match up with big small forwards, and the problem with Matt Barnes is his weak shooting doesn't always allow him to stay on the court. The Clippers are allowing opposing small forwards to register 35.1 FanDuel points per game this season, the sixth worst mark in the league (via Rotoworld). Over their last five games that number has jumped to 49.3. Also, the Spurs will be playing Thursday and Friday. We know Gregg Popovich likes to manage his players' minutes, which makes it dangerous to go with any Spurs player. But if you're forced to choose one, and on this two-game night you might have to, the 23-year-old Leonard is the player to go with.
3 Players to avoid
Chris Paul, G, Clippers ($10,000): This is about who Paul is likely to see guarding him most of the night. Because Matt Barnes isn’t much of an offensive threat, don’t be surprised if the Spurs put Kawhi Leonard on Paul. Popovich does this with Leonard sometimes, and the move always gives opposing point guards fits. You’re better off spending your money elsewhere.
Reggie Jackson, G, Thunder, ($4,400): First off, Jackson might not even be on the Thunder roster come Thursday night. His agent has reportedly requested that his client be traded, as Jackson wants to showcase himself before becoming a free agent this offseason. But Jackson should still be avoided even if the Thunder decide to hold onto him. He's not happy in Oklahoma City and will no doubt be disappointed if he's forced to remain there the rest of the year. Thursday night could be a sulk-fest from Jackson, which is, obviously, not what you want from a player in a FanDuel format.
J.J. Barea, G, Mavericks ($5,000): Barea was great in Rondo's absence, but Rondo is back now, which sends Barea back to the bench. Also, the Thunder, who the Mavericks play Thursday, present a difficult matchup for the diminutive Barea. At his listed height of six feet (which certainly seems like an exaggeration), Barea is just too small to guard Russell Westbrook. Look for Rick Carlisle to give the backup point guard minutes to the bigger Devin Harris Thursday.
Other Notables
If Reggie Jackson does get traded, Dion Waiters ($4,600) is a good cheap player to go with... Thunder big man Mitch McGary ($4,000) is a gamble, but you have to take some shots in FanDuel and he's mostly played well since Steven Adams went down... Monta Ellis ($7,200) is the Maverick who benefit most from the return of Rajon Rondo. Ellis is better suited as a scoring two-guard, which he can now become again with Rondo back on the court.
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