Deandre Ayton is poised for a big night and that should make fantasy owners smile.
See below for a breakdown of value plays for tonight’s slate of games on Fan Duel by FantasyPros.
Deandre Ayton (PHO) $7,900:
Many people consider Ayton a bust but let’s slow down a bit. This kid is still just 22 years old and has been showing why he was the top pick in the Draft two years ago. He’s scored at least 31 FanDuel points in nine of his last 11 games while generating a 37-point average in that stretch. We love that against a Wizards team that ranks last in points allowed while playing at the fastest pace in the league.
Dennis Schroder (LAL) $7,000:
Dennis the Menace has been given a tough duty to run this Lakers offense, but he’s doing a fine job. Since Anthony Davis and LeBron James went down, Schroder has at least 34 FD points in seven of his last nine games while averaging over 36 fantasy points per game in that span. Brooklyn is not a scary matchup either, sitting 25th in defensive efficiency.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (LAL) $5,800:
The Lakers need somebody to step up with all of these guys out, and KCP has been doing all he can. Over his last four games, Caldwell-Pope is averaging 28 FD points in 34 minutes a night. That minute total is all you can ask for from such an affordable player, and we certainly don’t mind the matchup we just discussed.
Malachi Flynn (TOR) $6,000:
Toronto has had some injury issues of its own, playing without Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet. That leaves Flynn as the primary ball-handler, scoring at least 29 FD points in four straight fixtures while providing a 36-point average in that stretch. That shouldn’t be hard to duplicate against a Cleveland team with a bottom-five defense since the opening month.
Dwight Howard (PHI) $4,300:
We’re going to take an educated guess and say that Joel Embiid is rested here. If that’s the case, Howard is an incredible value. In the 18 games that Joel has missed this season, Howard is averaging nearly 30 FD points per game. That’s a stupendous total from such a cheap player, and he certainly shouldn’t have any issues exploiting this G League Thunder roster, even if he gets limited minutes.
Kenrich Williams (OKC) $6,100:
We just made fun of this OKC roster, but it has allowed Williams to have a huge role. The Thunder are currently without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Al Horford, Darius Bazley and Isaiah Roby, leaving Kenrich to feast. In the last two games without those guys, he’s combined for 18 points, 16 rebounds, 18 assists, and five steals.
Chris Boucher (TOR) $6,500:
We already mentioned how Toronto is missing their two primary ball-handlers, and it’s done big things for Boucher as well. Not only has it forced him into the starting lineup, but it has also allowed him to play more minutes. That’s all we’ve been asking for, with Boucher dropping 67 FD points across 36 minutes on Thursday.
Andre Drummond (LAL) $6,100:
Just like Boucher, Drummond always performs when he’s given the playing time. While he was limited in his first game with the Lakers, Drum played 27 minutes and provided one of his patented double-doubles on Thursday. As long as this dude gets 30 minutes, he can easily accrue a double-double and has legit 20-20 upside with so much talent missing out of this rotation.
James Wiseman (GSW) $4,800:
Wiseman is averaging exactly a fantasy-point-per-minute for the season, and with his playing time on the uptick, we have to keep riding him at this price. The 20-year-old has started nine straight games and is playing nearly 26 minutes a night in that stretch. That means 25-30 fantasy points are definitely in play, especially against a Houston club that surrenders the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Isaiah Stewart (DET) $4,900:
Detroit is clearly in full-on rebuild mode, and Stewart is certainly one of the guys they want to build around. He has actually started for Mason Plumlee twice this week, combining for 77 FD points in those two outings. That’s hard to overlook at this price, especially with his elite per-minute production.
