Tastefully curated M-F by LineStar fantasy experts.

We've rolled out our new Usage Matrix tool to the LineStar website. Which allows you to see how players perform when teammates are off the court during the game or even for entire games. Check it out, it's also featured in sections below.

Tonight is a very difficult slate and it's even harder to follow yesterdays newsletter that featured 6 of the 9 picks in the perfect lineup, but we'll do our best as always!

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Guards

Will Barton, DEN [vs PHO] (DK: $6.5k, FD: $7.7k)

Jamal Murray remains doubtful to play while he remains in the concussion protocol. Denver switched up their starting lineup the same day Murray suffered the concussion by putting Barton back in as a starter where he thrives. He gets a great matchup today against the Suns who rank 27th against starting point guards. This game currently has the highest point total at 219 points but with a large 8.5 point spread in favor of Denver. With Barton off the court for the whole game Barton sees +1% usage and +7 fantasy points per game.

Jarrett Jack, NY [@UTA] (DK: $4.7k, FD: $5.1k)

A lot of Jarrett Jack's strong play correlates with Hardaway being in the lineup with the rotation changing away from Michael Beasley. It sounds like Hardaway is going to be back to the starting lineup soon, maybe even tonight. This is obviously a tournament only play as Jack has a very low floor, but he also has had an extremely high ceiling for his current salary.

Tyler Ennis, LAL [vs IND] (DK: $3.9k, FD: $3.8k)

Lonzo Ball and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have already been ruled out for the Lakers tonight with Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma questionable as well. So, there could be a lot of value to go around on the Lakers tonight. When Ball and KCP are off the court Ennis sees +2% usage and +9 fantasy points per game. It's a tougher matchup as the Pacers are ranked 1st against starting point guards but they've faced Rubio, Ulis and Calderon in 3 of their last 5 games which have inflated that rating a bit. Darren Collison on the other side is ranked in the middle of the league for defensive rating.

Forwards

T.J. Warren, PHO [@DEN] (DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.7k)

T.J. Warren is probable to play today after taking 2 games off with a minor injury. He should be fully ready to roll tonight, and perhaps low owned due to his injury status. Tonight is an extremely hard night to find value in this 7 game slate, and Warren has 40 point upside at a relatively low salary tonight. He's played well at Denver earlier in the season and is looking to do so again tonight. Vegas has this as the highest point total at 219 points with Denver being favored by 8.5 points.

Otto Porter Jr, WAS [@DET] (DK: $5.6k, FD: $6.2k)

Otto has played well against the Pistons this season, scoring 54 and 38 fantasy points with John Wall playing in the 54 FP game. Vegas has this with a 208.5 point total and a very close game with only a 2 point spread in favor of the Wizards. Porter has thrived in these situations, in the last 5 close games he's averaged 35 fantasy points. The Pistons are ranked 17th against starting small forwards but also tend to give up more points when it's slated as a close game.

JaMychal Green, MEM [vs SAC] (DK: $5.3k, FD: $5.2k)

Green had a big game without Gasol in the lineup on Wednesday, and Gasol remains questionable tonight as well. James Ennis has already been ruled out and Andrew Harrison is questionable to play, both of whom being off the court are a benefit to Green who sees +4 fantasy points a game when Ennis is gone. It's a decent matchup against the Kings who are ranked 16th versus power forwards, and give up more points on the road.

Centers

Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC [@MEM] (DK: $6.8k, FD: $7.2k)

It sounds like the Kings might play it safe with Skal Labissiere and sit him another game. Which would mean more playing time for good ol' Willie. Marc Gasol is also questionable for this game so if he doesn't play it's a complete green light for WCS when he's facing off versus Deyonta Davis and Jarell Martin.

Julius Randle, LAL [vs IND] (DK: $6.6k, FD: $6.6k)

As mentioned above, the Lakers are dealing with a plethora of injuries, with just the guaranteed injuries of Ball and KCP off for the entire game Randle is seeing +3.5% more usage and +15 fantasy points per game. If Ingram or Kuzma miss, Randle could be even more heavily involved. The Pacers are only ranked 13th versus starting power forwards but on the road they've been considerably worse.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR [vs SA] (DK: $5.4k, FD: $5.5k)

Valanciunas is just impossible to ignore now that he's consistently 'occasionally' getting more minutes. The matchup is not good as the Spurs are ranked 4th against starting centers and this is a negative pace bump for the Raptors. The Raptors are favored by 5.5 points though which means the Spurs should have to chase and the pace won't be too big of a hit. Again this is only a tournament play though as his minutes are very much not secure, but his ceiling at this salary is just too high to not consider.

Injuries 🤕