NBA - December 5th Starting 5
The NBA season is finally here! We have such an exciting season up ahead and plenty of opportunities to win some money! There are four key things I look for in a player to have the highest probability of being optimal!
Price
Opponent DvP
Minutes
Usage
These four statistics paired together are the best suitors to find a gem. Almost everyone I mention below hits on atleast 2 of these if not all of them! Hopefully this will help you be more successful while building lineups and give you a higher chance of winning the big bucks!
I would also like to note that I write these articles early in the day. It is always beneficial to check @Underdog__NBA for lineup changes. Those changes could have a direct effect on some of my "favorite plays" in the sense that if a cheap guy that was one of my favorites doesn't start, then they might no longer be a favorite play or even a play at all. Check out my Twitter @HeatingUpDFS or join the Discord for any updates on favorite play changes!
Socials
If you enjoy all of the content, there are multiple ways to show support! We have a Twitter and Discord Channel that you can join for up to the hour line up discussion and slate overviews! Click the links below to join/follow!
Slate Starters
Below are some of the slate dynamics involved during the writing of this article. The entire slate could possibly change between the time I finish writing this and lock, so be sure to join the discord for any updates!
Lebron James is ACTIVE
Anthony Davis is ACTIVE
Eric Gordon is ACTIVE
Rui Hachimura is ACTIVE
Jarred Vanderbilt is ACTIVE
Andre Jackson Jr. is ACTIVE
PG: D’Angelo Russell ($6,700)
From a projection standpoint, Russell is really the only PG that stands out. It is a 2 game slate so that isn’t surprising, but when he is the only one to project for close to 5x value you kind of just have to take him and move on. The run of play he is on is impeccable with 30+ DK points in 3 straight with a 60 DK point bomb just a week ago. The Suns defend other positions a lot better than the PG spot which could open things up for him to continue his form. He isn’t too pricey and has a decent ceiling. Sign me up!
Other PGs in Play:
High: Jalen Brunson ($8,500)
Mid: Immanuel Quickley ($5,200)
Cheap: Cameron Payne ($4,100)
SG: Devin Booker ($10,100)
There are only a few spend ups on the slate and I think Booker has to be up there as one of the best. He has 55+ DK points in 3 of the last 4 games with a massive ceiling as well. I see no reason he doesn’t play 35+ minutes here in what should be a close game against a team that runs at a much faster pace and defends the G spot worse than the F spot. I think they have the pieces to atleast slow down Durant which will boost Booker’s floor and ceiling. He is who I am rolling with up top today.
Other SGs in Play:
High: N/A
Mid: Malik Beasley ($5,700)
Cheap: Donte DiVincenzo ($4,400)
SF: Josh Hart ($5,300)
It is a tough call on a 2 gamer, but I really think Hart can outplay the projection the industry is giving him. He has been playing around 30 minutes off of the bench and can stuff the stat sheet. He is very cheap considering he has 30+ DK points in 2 of the last 3 games. He is in a big pace up spot against Milwaukee. There isn’t much value and he is cheap enough with a solid floor a ceiling to be needed tonight. He just checks a lot of boxes that you need.
Other SFs in Play:
High: Lebron James ($9,600)
Mid: Khris Middleton ($6,000)
Cheap: Max Christie ($4,400)
PF: Julius Randle ($8,700)
Another Knick in a big pace up spot that is playing very well right now. He has had 47, 56 and 62 DK points in the last 3 games. He is usually a hot and cold player so him being hot right now should carry into this game. With the tournament on the line, I think he shows up big time. I also like to factor in recently the Bucks have been dreadful against PF/Cs. The price is more than affordable for his level of player and being a couple thousand cheaper than Giannis, Davis and Durant with a similar ceiling makes it easier to construct a better lineup.
Other PFs in Play:
High: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,400)
Mid: RJ Barrett ($6,200)
Cheap: Jarred Vanderbilt ($3,500)
C: Jusuf Nurkic ($6,900)
You definitely have plenty of pay up options to go to with Davis, Giannis and Randle all in play. I kind of want to go the ownership route here with Nurkic. He is very similar to Sengun who just put up 50+ DK points against Davis and the Lakers. Nurk has been fairly consistent this season with only 5 down games across the 20 games he has played so far. He has 34+ DK points in each of the last 5 games. I think 30 DK points is a given and on a two gamer sometimes you just have to take the safe plays. Nurk feels very safe tonight at somewhat suppressed ownership.
Other Cs in Play:
High: Anthony Davis ($10,000)
Mid: Mitchell Robinson ($5,500)
Cheap: N/A
