January 2nd brings us a huge 11 game slate. We have some high paced matchups like the Suns vs. Kings and plenty of value picks. Overall it should be a fun and there is plenty of star power including LeBron, KD, Anthony Davis, James Harden, and more.
Point Guards
Jrue Holiday – PG New Orleans Pelicans – Coach Alvin Gentry said that the minute restriction on Holiday has been lifted. This is great news, Holiday will finally see around 30 minutes and should be able to hit value against a shaky Mavericks defense.
- Brandon Knight – PG Phoenix Suns – Brandon Knight has had a high ceiling all year and with Eric Bledsoe being sidelined for the rest of the year it gives Knight even more opportunities. Knight’s usage rate has gone up and gets a nice up tempo matchup against the Kings. The Kings struggle guarding point guards or anyone for that matter. Knight is a great play.
Who I’m Fading
- Jarret Jack – PG Brooklyn Nets
Jack has been playing great as of late but he gets a tough matchup against Isaiah Thomas. Thomas has been locking up opposing point guards all season and I don’t see Jack having a good game. - Reggie Jackson – PG Detroit Pistons
Reggie gets to play against the Pacers which isn’t a terrible matchup but he’s far too inconsistent to consider for cash games. George Hill also isn’t a terrible defender, but Jackson isn’t worth the risk at his high price.
Shooting Guards
- Klay Thompson – SG Golden State Warriors
As of now, we’re unsure if Steph Curry will suit up for the Warriors but either way I like Klay. In fact, Klay will be more efficient if Curry plays but the blowout risk becomes much more of a factor with Curry in the lineup. Klay has been on fire lately and I don’t see it ending Saturday. - Khris Middleton – SG Milwaukee Bucks
Khris Middleton is the main source of the Bucks offense as of recent. Monroe’s roll has decreased slightly and Middleton has stepped up big time. He dropped 50 fantasy points against the Thunder and destroyed the Pacers in Indiana. Until his price rises, riding the hot handed Middleton is not a bad idea.
Who I’m Fading
- James Harden – SG Houston Rockets
This isn’t to say he will play terrible, but going against the Spurs at a price around 10K is not worth the risk. The idea of the Spurs just playing Leonard on Harden makes me avoid him in all formats. - Monta Ellis – SG Indiana Pacers
Monta has had his ups and downs this year which is not good for fantasy purposes. Consistency is so important when creating lineups and that’s why I’ll shy away from Monta Saturday.
Small Forwards
- Omri Cassipi – SF Sacramento Kings
This is a great up tempo matchup and I like to get as many players as I can from this game. Cassipi is a sharpshooter and I think the Suns will have a tough time stopping him. The other aspect of Cassipi’s game is rebounding. With the Suns electing to go small ball a lot it could favor Cassipi making him a sneaky double double possibility. - Kawhi Leonard – SF San Antonio Spurs
This is a great matchup for Kawhi, he is a beast at collecting secondary stats such as steals and rebounds. This matchup suits him especially well because the Rockets turn the ball over a lot and Kawhi could be the beneficiary of a couple extra steals. On top of that, simply nobody on the Rockets can guard him and he should have no problem feasting against the Rockets.
Who I’m Fading
- LeBron James – SF Cleveland Cavaliers – I’m not sure what’s going on with LeBron but he’s not shooting the ball as much which is scary for DFS. With Kyrie back he seems to defer even more.
- Gordon Hayward – SF Utah Jazz
I like Gordon a lot but I think his reign as the one of the highest usage men in the league is almost over. Once Derrick Favors returns Hayward’s production will be impacted immediately.
Power Forwards
- Demarcus Cousins – PF Sacramento Kings
If there was a game to pay up for Boogie this would be it. I love targeting players against the Suns because the Suns make every team play a little faster than they’d like. That means more shots, rebounds, and fantasy point opportunities. Boogie has a ceiling of nearly 70 points and Saturday is a night I will have Boogie on my roster. After all, who’s going to guard him, Jon Leur? - Thad Young – PF Brooklyn Nets
Thad has been rebounding like never before. Here, he gets the Celtics who like to push the pace of play and Thad doesn’t mind jacking up shots. He has been a double-double threat as of late and I love his potential in this game.
Who I’m Fading
- Kevin Love – PF Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland superstars hurt each other fantasy value and I’m fading Love for similar reasons I’m fading LeBron
Centers. - Andre Drummond – C Detroit Pistons
Andre is a beast, plain and simple. He gets to go against the Pacers Saturday who can’t guard centers AT ALL. He should have no problem dominating Lavoy Allen and Ian Mahimi. This is a potential 20 point 20 rebound game for Drummond and have no problem building my lineups around him. - Deandre Jordan – C Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers get the 76ers who have been playing better since acquing Ish Smith so I think this game will be closer than most people think. If this game stays close Deandre will have a monster game. Jahlil has been great on offense his rookie year, but defense is a different story.
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