It’s all about the uber premiums in Friday’s two-game $20,000 NBA Draftstars slate, although their prices make them largely unattainable. But some of these numbers will have you considering chasing one.
LAST GAME LESSONS
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (C $23,190) top scored in Thursday’s slate with 77 DS points with only 6% ownership. The Serbian was also Tuesday’s slate third top scorer with 73.75 DS points with 9% ownership. He was pipped by 76ers center Joel Embiid (C $20,490) with 74.5 DS points with only 5% ownership.
In Wednesday’s slate, Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (PG|SG $19,540) produced a season-high 50-point haul which equated to the third highest score with 69.75 DS points for only 9% ownership, which will attract plenty of coaches given his price.
Warriors pair Klay Thompson (SG $11,720) and Andrew Wiggins (SF $11,670) also attracted his ownership numbers on Wednesday at 31% and 22% respectively, returning decent DS scores of 32.75 and 38.25.
“Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (PG|SG $19,540) produced a season-high 50-point haul which equated to the third highest score with 69.75 DS points for only 9% ownership.”
INJURY NEWS
The 76ers will field James Harden (PG $19,040) against his former side for the first time alongside Embiid (C $20,490), having recently rested him to manage his hamstring.
LaMarcus Aldridge (C $8,870) has returned to Brooklyn due to a hip complaint so will miss the 76ers game which is good news for Andre Drummond’s minutes.
The Nuggets will playing back-to-back games so there’s always the threat of a rest although Bones Hyland (PG|SG $6,840) missed Thursday’s game against the Kings and may return.
The Warriors will have a few out, including Andre Igoudala (SF $6,230), Gary Payton II (PG|SG $6,530) and Otto Porter Jr (SF|PF $7,610), while Stephen Curry (PG $16,990), Thompson and Wiggins were rested earlier in the week amid a busy schedule with a catch-up fixture, so should be fresh.
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VALUE PICKS
We mentioned Nets center Drummond (C $10,340) previously, with Aldridge’s absence ensuring his starting role and minutes on court. Drummond offered a handy 47.5 DS points in Wednesday’s slate, which is excellent at his price, pleasing his 25% ownership. He started and played 24 minutes against the Hornets, with 20 points and 14 rebounds playing a big part in his DS score.
Warriors top 10 draft pick Jonathan Kuminga (PF $8,520) served his 14% ownership well on Wednesday, with 38.5 DS points. Kuminga hasn’t had great consistency this season, but he got 26 minutes off the bench against the Clippers, with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists offering multiple methods of DS points.
Golden State teammate Moses Moody (SG|SF $6,910) looms as another value pick, given the absences of Payton and Porter which should offer him good minutes, having started against the Clippers and Nuggets in their past two games, managing 38.3 DS points against Denver, who they meet again.
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“Drummond offered a handy 47.5 DS points in Wednesday’s slate, which is excellent at his price, pleasing his 25% ownership.”
PREMO PLAYS & FADES
Irving’s (PG|SG $19,540) 50-point haul has seen his price soar above Nets teammate Kevin Durant (SF $18,250) who is hard to overlook at his price, having eased his way back over the past week since an MCL sprain, which is why his numbers are slightly down, largely taking a backseat as Kyrie stole the show against the Hornets.
Harden (PG $19,040) has been exceptional and consistent since his move to the 76ers but there’s an element of the unknown in his first meeting with the Nets since his trade, so he might be wise to fade.
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