Friday’s two-game slate pits some premium guns against one another as Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers face LeBron James’ LA Lakers, while Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors go up against Karl-Anthony Towns’ Minnesota Timberwolves.
With the smaller player pool, we’ve previewed Friday’s $20,000 NBA Draftstars slate which looms as a question of structure.
LAST GAME LEARNINGS
It’s no secret that Joel Embiid (C $23,280) is on fire at the moment. The 76ers center has had a four-game run of shooting 35-or-more points in a game which has equated to big Draftstars scores, having not dipped below 65 during that streak. Embiid has a four-game DS average of 70.95, which is way up on his season average of 53.7.
Tobias Harris (PF $14,260) also had a season-high DS score of 57.3 DS points in the 76ers’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans, coming from 33 points and 11 rebounds. In-form Philadelphia have also won five of their past seven.
Anthony Davis (PF|C $16,580) returned in the Lakers’ 10-point win over the Brooklyn Nets which actually didn’t impact LeBron James’ (SF|PF $19,770) scoring negatively. Davis played 25 minutes for 23 DS points, but James scored 61.8 DS points, which was an increase on his three-game average and season average.
If anyone missed out, it was Russell Westbrook (PG $15,400) with 28 DS points, although that’s a small sample size. Dwight Howard slipped out of their starting line-up too.
Former top NBA Draft pick Anthony Edwards (SG|SF $14,250) went close to a season-high DS score with 65.3 points, coming from 40 points and nine rebounds in the Timberwolves’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Warriors shared around their minutes in their blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks, but Jonathan Kuminga (PF $6,920) jumped off the page again with 22 points and five rebounds equating to 29.8 DS points, up on his 11.5 season average.
The Warriors shared around their minutes in their blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks, but Jonathan Kuminga jumped off the page again with 29.8 DS points, up on his 11.5 season average.
INJURY NEWS
The 76ers have some key personnel out with Shake Milton (SG|PG $7,550) and Seth Curry (SG $11,090) certain to miss with back and ankle injuries. Tobias Green is questionable with a hip issue too.
Davis (PF|C $16,580) is no certainty to back up for the Lakers, listed as probable as he recovers from his sprained MCL.
Draymond Green (PF|C $11,820) remains out for the Warriors with a calf injury, while Andre Igoudala (SF $6,320) is out with a hip injury.
VALUE OPTIONS
Value is a bit thin in Friday’s two-game slate, although Malik Monk (SG $8,310) looms as arguably the best option in his price range, fresh from a 36.3 DS score. His ceiling is 46 DS points, with that season-high score coming earlier this month.
Sixers forward Harris’ (PF $14,260) are good in recent games, so the aforementioned performance isn’t a flash in the pan but he’s in the mid-price range. Can you trust him?
Malik Monk looms as arguably the best option in his price range, fresh from a 36.3 DS score. His ceiling is 46 DS points, with that season-high score coming earlier this month.
Timberwolves forward Jarred Vanderbilt (PF|C $11,970) is a cheaper option, enjoying a good recent run with a three-game DS average of 36.0 up on his season average of 24.9. He hasn’t dipped below 30 in his past three games, with a DS score of 44.8 last time out.
The Warriors sharing around the minutes against the Mavs is scary from a Draftstars perspective. But is Klay Thompson (SG $10,410) ready for a breakout game, after a handful of steady scores in the 20s with one o 35.8 DS points.
PREMIUM PLAYS & FADES
Embiid’s (C $23,280) form is irresistible and you know what you’re going to get from him based on that in Friday’s two-game slate. But he’s at a bumper price in a slate without much value.
James (SF|PF $19,700) is $3,5k cheaper but his three-game average if almost 15 DS points fewer, while the Davis’ factor creates uncertainty.
Curry (PG $17,000) has been up and down lately, with three DS scores of 31 or below in his past seven games along with a 51.5 and 61.3. The similarly-priced Karl-Anthony Towns (C $16,830) is far more consistent but hasn’t got the high ceiling.
This really is a question of structure and if you’re willing to take a risk.
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