Tastefully curated M-F by LineStar fantasy experts.

Unfortunately Ben McLemore was scratched last night, the news did not come out until 9 minutes after the main slate locked. We do apologize for recommending him in the newsletter yesterday, but there was no news until after lock and we are limited by the news that is available. We'll continue to be vigilant in having the most up to date player news as possible, but unfortunately these situations are just unavoidable until the NBA changes their injury reporting policies to match the NFL or MLB.

Guards

Kemba Walker, CHA [vs PHI] (DK: $7.6k, FD: $8.1k)

The Hornets will be without Michael Carter-Williams tonight, Kemba's backup who has been ruled out due to shoulder sprain. The only other options they have are Malik Monk and Julyan Stone, which are not very attractive options. The alternative is to just keep Kemba out there and playing more minutes in a game with 215 total points to go around and a very close 1.5 point spread, Kemba has a decent chance to play 40+ minutes tonight.

Gary Harris, DEN [@DAL] (DK: $6.3k, FD: $7.2k)

Harris has been destroying Dallas this season, scoring 39, 45, and 40 fantasy points against them in 3 games. The Mavericks are ranked 29th against starting shooting guards allowing 35 fantasy points a game, though they've been better at home. This game has a high 219 point total and a close 5 point spread so things shouldn't get out of control. Two of the three games played between these teams this season came down to a single possession at the end. Which means overtime is a realistic possibility for this game tonight.

Austin Rivers, LAC [vs NO] (DK: $5.8k, FD: $6.3k)

This game has a ludicrously high point total, the highest of the night at 236.5 total points and a tight 2.5 point spread as well making it the top game to target tonight. The Clippers will be without CJ Williams and Tyrone Wallace moving forward unless they decide to sign them to a contract, as they've played their max number of games in the NBA on their current G-League contracts. This means guys like Milos Teodosic and Austin Rivers will have to log more minutes in games moving forward, until an injury happens and they'll likely sign one of those guys. Both make good options against the soft defense of the Pelicans.

Forwards

Anthony Davis, NO [@LAC] (DK: $11.6k, FD: $12.5k)

Yes, he's had 2 'dissapointing' games by his standards the last 2 games (both over 50 fantasy points still). Without Cousins, he has a ceiling of 90 points or more and this game has a ludicrous point total with 236.5 total points. You won't be able to cash if he goes off for 90 points if you are without him. As long as he can get through this game uninjured he has a great shot to easily break 60 fantasy points tonight making him almost impossible to fade.

Paul Millsap, DEN [@DAL] (DK: $5.8k, FD: $6.1k)

Paul Millsap was allowed to play 26 minutes in a back end of a back to back, and now he's had 2 days of rest. This is also the front end of a back to back, so they probably won't let him play over 30 minutes today, unless they plan on resting him tomorrow. Regardless at this current salary he's far too cheap for his ceiling in the 40's, even with these limited minutes. Just keep an eye out on news, in case they decide to rest him on the front of this back to back.

Trevor Ariza, HOU [@OKC] (DK: $4.7k, FD: $5.2k)

The Rockets are without Joe Johnson and Ryan Anderson again tonight, which has opened up some extra minutes and usage for Ariza. It's a nice matchup against the Thunder who rank 23rd against starting small forwards allowing 29 fantasy points a game. This game comes with a high 221.5 point total and close 5 point spread, which is mostly going to be handled by Harden and Westbrook, but Ariza will get some scraps in a high scoring game, enough that should pay off his low salary tonight.

Centers

Joel Embiid, PHI [@CHA] (DK: $9.6k, FD: $10.3k)

The long season is starting to show for Dwight Howard, as his minutes and effectiveness trend down. Embiid should be able to take advantage against a tired Dwight Howard and Hornets who are ranked 23rd against starting centers. Embiid faced the Hornets 4 days again and put up 54 fantasy points against them and should be able to perform similarly tonight in what is slated to be a very close game between these two teams.

Enes Kanter, NY [@POR] (DK: $7k, FD: $6.5k)

He's hard to trust right now, because he's only averaging around 23 minutes per game over the last 5 games, however in that limited time he's putting up some monster numbers and scoring an absurd 1.43 fantasy points per minute played. If he gets 30 minutes tonight, he could be in line for a big game, but it'll come down to the coach and whether Kanter will see the floor for more than 22 minutes tonight. Portland is favored by 9.5 points so the blowout possibility is real.

Hassan Whiteside, MIA [@WAS] (DK: $6.9k, FD: $7.2k)

There is not much value available at center today, so pick your poison with the higher priced guys today. Whiteside is in a similar situation to Kanter, he hasn't been playing big minutes, but he has been efficient with those minutes. He's played the Wizards twice this year and scored 42 and 48 fantasy points in those contests, and his salary is well below when they played last. 

Injuries 🤕

NEW INJURIES (1-2 games)

• GTD: (OKC, SF/PF) Carmelo Anthony ($5.8k) [Upgrades: Jerami Grant]

• OUT: (LAC, SF/PF) Danilo Gallinari ($5.8k) [Upgrades: Tyrone Wallace + Montrezl Harrell]

• GTD: (WAS, SG/SF) Kelly Oubre Jr. ($5.0k) [Upgrades: Jodie Meeks + Mike Scott]

• GTD: (DAL, SG/SF) Wesley Matthews ($4.8k) [Upgrades: J.J. Barea + Yogi Ferrell]

• GTD: (NO, C) Emeka Okafor ($3.8k) [Upgrades: Nikola Mirotic]

• OUT: (ATL, PG/SG) Malcolm Delaney ($3.7k) [Upgrades: Tyler Dorsey + Isaiah Taylor]

• GTD: (GS, PF/C) Jordan Bell ($3.7k) [Upgrades: David West + Omri Casspi]

• OUT: (HOU, SG/SF) Joe Johnson ($3.7k) [Upgrades: P.J. Tucker + Luc Richard Mbah a Moute]

• OUT: (CHA, PG) Michael Carter-Williams ($3.5k) [Upgrades: Kemba Walker + Malik Monk]

• OUT: (GS, PG/SG) Shaun Livingston ($3.2k) [Upgrades: Andre Iguodala + Nick Young]

ONGOING INJURIES (3-6 games)

• OUT: (HOU, PF/C) Ryan Anderson ($4.0k) [Upgrades: Trevor Ariza + P.J. Tucker + Luc Richard Mbah a Moute]

• GTD: (MIA, SG/SF) Wayne Ellington ($3.9k) [Upgrades: Justise Winslow + Luke Babbitt]

• GTD: (POR, SF/PF) Maurice Harkless ($3.7k) [Upgrades: Evan Turner]

• OUT: (TOR, SF/PF) OG Anunoby ($3.3k) [Upgrades: C.J. Miles + Norman Powell]

• GTD: (PHI, SG/SF) Justin Anderson ($3.3k) [Upgrades: JJ Redick + Marco Belinelli]

• OUT: (HOU, PF) Brandan Wright ($3.3k) [Upgrades: P.J. Tucker + Luc Richard Mbah a Moute]

• OUT: (ATL, SG/SF) DeAndre' Bembry ($3.2k) [Upgrades: Kent Bazemore + Tyler Dorsey]

• GTD: (ATL, PF) Tyler Cavanaugh ($3.0k) [Upgrades: John Collins]

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