Wow! After a crazy Wednesday night where I fell short of expectations everywhere, tonight is a really good time for a bounce back. We might actually get what we’re asking for too with some of the matchups that we have going on. Of course, let’s remember that this is the NBA and things can change VERY quickly this time of year.

Before we dive into things a little more, I want to touch on something that I’ve seen a lot of people talk about today in Slack so far. Now, mind you I have been dealing with FanDuel all day trying to figure out why I wasn’t able to enter contests, which thankfully has been fixed, but it’s the topic of the Clippers resting Chris Paul. This brings up the opportunity for us to look at Austin Rivers as a basically minimum price value point guard tonight. You hear us here consistently preach process over results and doing the right things. You also here me talk about the “shiny new toy” syndrome. I’m going to post this and leave it where it is….

Point Guard:

Damian Lillard: This one is simple. Portland is fighting for seeding in the Western Conference. They need this win. Probably more than the Celtics do honestly. Lillard is going to do everything in his power to make sure that Portland comes out on top tonight.

Isaiah Thomas: Take everything I just said about Lillard, and apply it to Thomas tonight. The one difference? Portland isn’t as good defensively against the PG as Boston is.

George Hill: Indiana needs to win. Notice a theme here? I’m targeting players tonight that have something to play for! Where I don’t have to worry about coaches throwing in the towel 3 minutes into the second half. Hill doesn’t test his ceiling often, but if he’s going to, it might as well be Orlando who is abysmal against guards.

Shooting Guard:

Monta Ellis: Can get hot really quick and like I said, the Pacers need to win.

Victor Oladipo: This is for tournaments only. Came back last game and had a decent game. Not what we wanted paying up for this price, but I could see him having a better game against Monta tonight.

Jamal Crawford: With the Clippers sitting CP3, J.J. Redick, and DeAndre Jordan, Crawford is the second option out of the Clippers that I like…..

Small Forward: ****This position is a dumpster fire tonight. Literally, I will be keeping it to basically 4 players. LeBron, Durant, George and………………..

Maurice Harkless: Since being inserted into the starting lineup has averaged just over 27 minutes and just under 22 FDP per game. For his price, we will take that. His ceiling is higher than this, but if we get 30, we should be THRILLED!

Power Forward:

Thomas Robinson: Brooke Lopez is out. T-Rob is gonna draw the start again. Not the best matchup, but for the price, he’s worth a shot in tournaments.

Myles Turner: Insert broken record about Indiana needing a win here.

Serge Ibaka: Serge is the key to the Thunder’s playoff lives. He has rested twice in the last 10 games, and they NEED to get him going if they want to have a shot to go to the NBA Finals.

Honorable Mention: J. Sullinger, E. Davis

Center:

Cole Aldrich: My favorite Clipper value play tonight, and it’s not even close. When DeAndre was sick earlier in the year, Cole didn’t disappoint at all. PLUS, it’s a mini revenge game for him as well.

Mason Plumlee: He’s a big, going against Boston. If you’re not playing Cole in cash games, then Plumlee would be the next guy on my list.

Kelly Olynyk: GPP PLAY ONLY!!!! Kelly has been playing well lately, and can get hot from beyond the arc quickly. I think they are going to need a big game from IT2 and another player in order to have a chance to beat Portland in they’re house tonight. Plus, Olynyk did play for Gonzaga.

This is your warning for tonight. The Clippers vs. Thunder game is absolutely meaningless as far as standings or playoff seeding is concerned. We all know how much I love Russell Westbrook and how dominate he is against GOOD PG, let alone the garbage that Doc is throwing out there tonight. DON’T BE SURPRISED IF BILLY DONOVAN SITS WESTBROOK TONIGHT! IF THAT WERE TO BE THE CASE, CAMERON PAYNE IS THE VALUE PLAY PG I WOULD PLAY. With this in mind, I will have very little shares of Russ tonight.

Google Sheet’s!

Good Luck!