COVID chaos has hit the NBA with games getting postponed and players entering protocols constantly offering up opportunities for shrewd players in Friday’s 11-game $30,000 Draftstars slate.
LAST GAME LEARNINGS
LeBron James (SF|PF $20,360) has been among the top scorers in recent slates with the Los Angeles Lakers in action, stepping in the absence of the injured Anthony Davis. James’ price is the impediment but he was only owned by 10% when he had the third top score in Wednesday’s slate with 49.75 DS points and 12% when he top scored Monday’s slate with 63.5 DS points.
Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns (C $19,030) lived up to his own billing with the slate top score on Wednesday with a DS score of 58.5 points.
Golden State Warriors gun Stephen Curry (PG $18,460) attracted 54% ownership on Tuesday but didn’t deliver for his price tag, with a DS score of 43.75 as he goes through a bit of a scoring lull, failing to shoot more than 30 points in his past six games.
INJURY NEWS
There’s a long list of players unavailable this slate due to health and safety protocols including Trae Young, Clint Capela, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tim Hardaway Jr, Luka Doncic, Vanderbilt and Anthony Edwards offering up opportunities for others.
There’s a few other major concerns to note, including Indiana Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon (PG $14,240) who has an Achilles worry from earlier in the week.
Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler has a back concern which will likely see him miss, while the Mavs’ concerns go beyond Doncic and Hardaway, with Kristaps Porzingis (PF $14,730) nursing a toe complaint.
Anthony Davis is out for a month with an MCL sprain for the Los Angeles Lakers while James seemed impaired by an ankle issue in midweek but played on. Monitor that.
On the flipside, Ja Morant (PG $16,830) and Khris Middleton ($14,300 SF) both returned from injuries for the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks in midweek.
Anthony Davis is out for a month with an MCL sprain for the Los Angeles Lakers while James seemed impaired by an ankle issue in midweek but played on. Monitor that.
VALUE OPTIONS
Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (PG|SG $15,460) has peaked in recent games with key Dallas players out. He’s bordering on premo status but at that price his three-game average of 42.4 DS points cannot be ignored.
Sticking with the Mavs, Sterling Brown (SG|SF $9,530) attracted 36% ownership during the week and delivered a DS score of 32.8 DS points. He needs to be on your radar.
A lot of Draftstars coaches jumped on mid-price New York Knicks pair Kemba Walker (PG $10,660) and Evan Fournier (SG|SF $10,770) in midweek with 80% and 74% ownership respectively.
Warriors guard Damion Lee (SG|SF $6,000) loomed as a bargain after his breakout 29.3 DS score but he is out on Friday, meaning Jonathan Kuminga (PF $6,910) could be the basement option, having scored 33.3 DS points two games ago.
Also don’t sleep on OKC point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG $14,850) after a DS season-high 65.3 points.
Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (PG|SG $15,460) has peaked in recent games with key Dallas players out. He’s bordering on premo status.
PREMIUM PLAYS
San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray (PG $17,810) is a tantalising option with the second-best three-game average of 57.8 DS points behind only bumper price Joel Embiid (C $19,830) with 57.9 DS points. But Murray’s recent form is inflated by an excellent DS score of 70 last time out, as he recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists. Murray is inconsistent, so is hard to trust.
LeBron James (SF|PF $20,360) is the second most expensive available option (with Young, Giannis and Doncic out) in this slate. As mentioned, he has been good in Davis’ absence with a five-game average of 53.6, up on his season average of 50.
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (PG $16,830) is an interesting option, having dropped in price when he was injured last month, while his return game this week was modest. He’ll be better second game back but the Grizzlies has evolved in his absence.
FADES
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (C $23,800) could’ve arguably been justified at his exorbitant price when he was scoring peak points but he has dropped off in recent games – scoring only 29.3 DS points last game – so must be faded.
Curry’s (PG $18,460) recent run has been underwhelming, while it’s still hard to trust 76ers center Embiid (C $19,830) despite a close-to-season-high 72.5 DS points last time out. Embiid simply has been too up and down.
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