Tonight brings us an 8 game slate with plenty of action. Demarcus Cousins is back in action after an 80 DK point performance last night as the Kings lost in double overtime. Finishing with a career high 56 points Cousins was unstoppable until he fouled out in the second overtime. If you don’t plan on going with Demarcus there are plenty of other stars to pick from such as Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul. Let’s get right into some Perfect Plays and if you have any lineup questions prior to tip-off tweet me @dinodominici.

Point Guards

  • Damian Lillard – PG Portland Trailblazers – DK: $9,300 / FD: $8,800 Opponent – Sacramento Kings
    Lillard is in a great spot here facing off against the Kings who just finished playing in a double overtime game. With Damian’s insane usage of 31 going up against a Kings team who really struggles to stop anyone makes him a great target tonight. The Kings rank 29th against point guards this season which gives you all the more reason to play Lillard tonight. He makes a good option for both cash and tournaments tonight.
  • Ish Smith – PG Philadelphia 76ers – DK: $7,400 / FD: $6,900 – Opponent – Phoenix Suns
    While this game isn’t exactly a must see it still provides plenty of fantasy value, including Ish Smith who has been a revelation for this Sixers squad. To put it nicely, the Suns are horrible. They rank dead last in the league against point guards and Ish should be able to take advantage of his match-up against Archie Goodwin. I think Ish is near a must play tonight because he has such a high ceiling and a relatively high floor for his price. Ish is a great play tonight against the terrible Suns defense.
  • Jordan Clarkson – PG Los Angeles Lakers – DK: $5,600 / FD: $5,500 Opponent – Dallas Mavericks
    The backcourt of the Lakers is a little too crowded when everyone is healthy. As a result, Clarkson’s minutes have decreased as he’s now played less than 30 minutes in four of his last five games. The match-up isn’t great either and with his minutes diminishing I feel comfortable fading Clarkson tonight.

Also consider:
Russell Westbrook – Westbrook goes up against the Knicks who have Jose Calderon starting at point guard, need I say more?
Kyle Lowry – Goes up against the Wizards who’ve really been struggling on the defensive end. There aren’t great value options at point guard so paying up for one is a good decision.

Shooting Guards

  • Khris Middleton – SG Milwaukee Bucks – DK: $7,300 / FD: $7,400 Opponent – Orlando Magic
    Middleton has scored 35+ fantasy points in six of his last seven games making him a very safe option in cash. Having seen 36+ minutes in nine of his last ten games playing time will not be an issue. He should see about 38 minutes tonight against a Magic team that has defended shooting guards pretty well. The match-up doesn’t bother me as I think Middleton is a main factor in a hot Milwaukee offense.
  • Archie Goodwin – SG Phoenix Suns – DK: $4,500 / FD: $4,100 (listed at PG) Opponent – Philadelphia 76ers
    Goodwin should be getting the start for injured Brandon Knight and what he’s been able to do with his previous starts is impressive. He’s hit 10x value and 9x value in his two starts thus far. His price is on the rise but he’s still incredibly cheap for a starter in a good match-up.
  • Tyler Johnson – SG Miami Heat – DK: $5,400 / FD: $4,200 (listed at PG) Opponent – Brooklyn Nets
    This is an easy fade on DK where is price is way too high. He’s losing minutes now that Beno Udrih is back as well. Stay away from Johnson tonight.

Also consider:
Demar Derozen – Gets a nice match-up against the Wizards who rank 29th in the league against shooting guards.
JJ Redick – A good match-up against the Pacers and Redick has really picked up the scoring since Blake’s injury.

Small Forwards

  • Chandler Parsons – SF Dallas Mavericks – DK: $6,300 / FD: $6,400 Opponent – Los Angeles Lakers
    The Lakers are terrible at defense and Parsons has been on a roll. Going up against the Lakers who rank 27th in the league against small forwards, Parsons should be able to take advantage of that. He has now scored 40+ in three straight games and should have another big game in store tonight.
  • Paul George – SF Indiana Pacers – DK: $8,900 / FD: $8,600 Opponent – Los Angeles Clippers
    Paul George’s struggles continue and his price has reflected that. His price has now lowered under 9K on both sites but it doesn’t change the fact he still over plenty of upside. He hasn’t had his break out game yet but has a chance tonight facing the Clippers. The Clippers rank in the middle of the pack against small forwards. This pick is tournament only because George hasn’t showed a high floor but I look for him to have a nice game tonight.
  • Otto Porter – SF Washington Wizards – DK: $6,500 / FD: $5,900 Opponent – Toronto Raptors
    Porter came back last night and played 30 minutes. Fresh off an injury the Wizards are likely to be conservative on the second leg of a back-to-back. With his minutes not guaranteed I’m going to be fading Porter tonight.

Also consider:
Tobias Harris – Goes up against his former team in the Milwaukee Bucks and they rank 29th in the league against small forwards.

Power Forwards

  • Demarcus Cousins – PF Sacramento Kings – DK: $11,000 / FD: $11,200 (listed at C) Opponent – Portland Trailblazers
    Boogie is an absolute monster. He scored a career high 56 points last night in an 81 fantasy point effort. With Rudy Gay out his usage rate skyrockets to 37 which leads the league. He also has a nice match-up with the weak Trailblazers frontcourt who rank 27th in the league against power forwards. Cousins has the highest floor and highest ceiling in the league right now.
  • Jabari Parker – PF Milwaukee Bucks – DK: $5,100 / FD: $5,300 Opponent – Orlando Magic
    Jabari has become a lock for 30+ minutes in the Bucks rotation and provides nice value for just above 5K. He has been hitting the glass more highlighted by his double-double against the Rockets. Tonight he gets the Magic who’ve been neutral to power forwards this season. I like Parker as a tournament pick who has double-double potential on any given night.
  • Julius Randle – PF Los Angeles Lakers – DK: $5,800 / FD: $5,600 Opponent – Dallas Mavericks
    Byron Scott said in an interview that Larry Nance has the job over Randle and Nance is set to return tonight. This means Randle’s minutes will take a dip and for nearly 6K I think we can find some better options.

Also consider:
Dirk Nowitzki – I like Dirk in cash games against the Lakers tonight. The Lakers are not exactly known for their defense and Dirk has been consistent all year.
Chris Bosh – I like Bosh as a tournament play if Whiteside sits out. A nice match-up against the Nets who have had issues stopping big men all year.

Centers

  • Salah Mejri – C Dallas Mavericks – DK: $3,500 / FD: $3,900 Opponent – Los Angeles Lakers
    Zaza Pachulia is doubtful for the Mavs tonight meaning Mejri should draw another start. In his last start he put up a double-double. The Lakers also rank last in the league against centers making rostering Mejri seem like an even better option. If you need to save some cash at center Mejri is a nice value option.
  • Brook Lopez – C Brooklyn Nets – DK: $7,200 / FD: $8,300 Opponent – Miami Heat
    With Hassan Whiteside ruled out of this game it leaves a void at center for the Heat. Lopez put up 50 DK points in his last game against the Thunder and looks to continue his hot streak tonight. The Nets team is terrible and if they’re going to stay in this game it will be because of Brook Lopez. I view this as a tournament only option because Lopez has had some duds recently but he presents 50 point upside which is necessary to take down a tournament.
  • Nikola Vucevic – C Orlando Magic – DK: $7,600 / FD: $7,800 Opponent – Milwaukee Bucks
    Vucevic’s price has risen and he doesn’t get a good match-up tonight against the Bucks as they rank 10th in the league against centers. I think there are some better option at center tonight than Vuc.

Also consider:
Tyson Chandler – Make sure to check injuries before tip, but with the Suns frontcourt so depleted it has caused Tyson to play a lot more minutes making it easy for him to reach value.