The Brooklyn Nets have garnered a lot of Draftstars relevance lately and they lead the action for Friday’s four-game $30,000 Draftstars slate where starting the in-form Kevin Durant looms as a key decision to your structure.
LAST GAME LEARNINGS
Brooklyn’s James Harden (PG $19,110) along with six other teammates have entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, meaning new opportunities and more minutes for fringe players.
Kevin Durant (SF|PF $21,590) has benefitted in the past two games with a triple-double and an NBA season-high 51-point haul translating to DS scores of 70.75 and 79.25, which have been among his highest this season. The question is if you’re willing to pay his price.
Nets teammate Patty Mills (PG|SG $11,100) hit 30 points against the Raptors on Wednesday, constituting to a season-high DS score of 42, almost doubling his season average of 21.9.
Tyrese Maxey (PG $11,620) scored a game-high 27 points in the Philadelphia 76ers loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday, equating to a DS score of 40.3, way up on his season average of 31. He’s in decent form.
Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert (SG|SF $12,610) is someone who has been popping up in a few teams lately, especially after a five-game run of 30+ DS scores but he came back to earth with a DS score of 24 in his side’s loss to the understrength Milwaukee Bucks.
Chris Paul (PG $15,050) had a season-high SC score of 61 in the Phoenix Suns’ over-time win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The veteran has enjoyed a good recent run of scores with Devin Booker out of the side with a hamstring injury, but it’s hard to trust the consistency.
Detroit Pistons’ top draft pick Cade Cunningham (PG|SG $15,330) has produced two 50+ DS scores in his past four games, having notched only three for the season.
Caris LeVert has been popping up in a few teams lately, especially after a five-game run of 30+ DS scores but he came back to earth with a DS score of 24 in his side’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
INJURY NEWS
The Pistons have a few gaps to fill with Jerami Grant and Killian Hayes (PG $7,690) both carrying thumb injuries. Grant will not play while Hayes is questionable.
We already alluded to the Nets’ long list of absentees due to the COVID protocols, with Harden absent along with Bruce Brown, James Johnson, Jevon Carter, DeAndre’ Bembry, LaMarcus Aldridge and Paul Millsap.
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without Georges Niang due to the COVID protocol, which is the same story for RJ Barrett from the New York Knicks which assist the points of someone like Derrick Rose (PG|SG $12,760).
Christian Wood has been a key pillar in the Houston Rockets’ recent form resurgence but he is listed as day-to-day with left knee tendonitis.
VALUE OPTIONS
A lot of the attention in this category needs to be focused on the Nets, who have had high ownership during the week. Expect Kessler Edwards (SF $7,980) to have huge ownership for this slate, having posted 38.5 DS points last time out, way up on his average of 16.9. Edwards has only played three games this season, but got 44 minutes in their over-time win over the Raptors.
Nets power forward Blake Griffin (PF|C $9,860) and center Nicolas Claxton (C $9,550) both got increased minutes with key absentees, scoring 32.8 and 27.8 DS points, up on their season averages of 17 and 14.6.
Consider Houston’s KJ Martin (PF|C $9,050), New York’s Kevin Knox (PF $8,990) and Washington’s Deni Avdija (SF|PF $6,310).
Cameron Payne (PG|SG $10,920) hasn’t always been reliable but he has had better form in Booker’s absence, scoring 30.8 DS points last game, up on his 20.3 season average.
PREMIUM PLAYS
The big question is can you fork out on Durant (SF|PF $21,590) or not, which obviously significantly impacts the structure of your slate line-up. The reality Durant’s recent form is exceptional in Harden’s absence, with a three-game DS average of 67.4. The next best in the slate from an active player is Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis (PF|C $18,160) with 47.6.
The answer is an overwhelming yes for Durant. You just need to find some value, so use that section above wisely.
The reality Durant’s recent form is exceptional in Harden’s absence, with a three-game DS average of 67.4.
FADES
Joel Embiid’s (C $19,670) volatility has scared off owners all season and he’s an easy fade, especially given Durant’s recent output and his price. Embiid does have a high ceiling and is cheaper than Durant, but his past four games have all seen consistent scores in the 40s in DS. That isn’t gonna cut it considering Durant’s levels at a price $2k more.
Paul’s (PG $15,050) season-high DS score of 61.5 last time out is tempting too, but don’t be fooled, he’s been highly inconsistent and that game went to over-time.
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