DK CPT: Antetokounmpo, Gilgeous-Alexander, J. Williams (GPP), Hartenstein (GPP), Wallace (Value)
FD MVP: Antetokounmpo, Gilgeous-Alexander (GPP)
DK Flex: Lillard (GPP), Portis (GPP), Dort (GPP), Caruso, Prince (GPP), Trent (GPP), Jackson, Green, Joe, K. Williams, Wiggins, Mitchell (GPP), Wright (GPP punt)
FD Flex: Lillard (GPP), J. Williams, Hartenstein, Portis (GPP), Dort (GPP), Lopez (GPP), Wallace, Caruso, Jackson (GPP), Prince (GPP), Trent, Green, Joe, Mitchell (GPP), Wiggins, K. Williams
Pending Injury News: Middleton (Doubtful)
Tonight we have the conclusion of the NBA In-Season Tournament where the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks will battle it out for the championship. The game features an unexciting total of 216.5 as both teams have been solid defensively on the year, with OKC leading the league in efficiency. Despite the low scoring projection, both teams rank in the top 10 in offensive efficiency and this will be a slight pace up spot for the Bucks, where we could be in store for a playoff type atmosphere and hopefully a competitive game as a result.
Our top two projected scorers today are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who both project 10 points higher than the third highest player on the slate, making them our optimal CPT/MVP choices. They both possess the highest ceilings and have proven to be fairly matchup proof, though it is worth mentioning that SGA is in a friendlier situation in that department, as the Bucks have struggled defensively against guards. On FD, Shai should be slightly lesser owned in the MVP spot where rostering him there over Giannis is a GPP option but regardless these are the two players that should be in your MVP/Star spots given their raw points projections. On DK, they are certainly strong CPT choices as well, but if you are looking to get slightly different with your build, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Cason Wallace are the spots we are targeting. Williams was on a heater to start the season but his production has actually tapered off some since Hartenstein joined the lineup. Still, he checks in as our third highest projected scorer tonight and he is capable of topping 50 FP on any given night. Given the playoff type environment he should push for 36+ minutes, making him a viable GPP pivot in the CPT spot and a strong flex play. Speaking of Hartenstein, he has been very consistent in his production so far this season, averaging around 37 FPPG and has only 1 game where he has gone under 30 FP. The Bucks have been somewhat stingy against opposing centers, still Hartenstein has been a double-double machine with 8 in his first 10 games, and should check in as a lower owned CPT option and a solid flex play today. Lastly, if we are trying to squeeze in as many studs as possible, we might have to look at a value option to fill our CPT spot. Cason Wallace is the player we are targeting specifically in this scenario. Wallace should continue to start and see around 30 minutes in a nice matchup against the Bucks, who as mentioned previously, have struggled defensively against opposing guards. Though he isn’t a super high FPPM player, he has averaged 26 FPPG over his last 8 starts, reaching 30 FP in three of those contests. Rostering Wallace at the CPT spot would certainly be a GPP decision, and one we would mostly reserve for large field tournaments, but it would allow us to play a couple more high salary players today.
As always, players mentioned for CPT/MVP consideration are also strong flex play candidates. Outside of these players, Damian Lillard is the only other player priced in the stud category and despite having the 4th highest point projection, may go overlooked. He certainly does not have the ceiling that Giannis and SGA do, but he is still averaging around 44 FPPG on the season and has 50+ upside anytime he touches the floor. Rostering Lillard makes sense in GPPs if you think one of Giannis or SGA struggles or if you are choosing to spend down at the CPT position. Given the amount of highly priced players today, we will need some value to plug into our lineup. Isaiah Joe and AJ Green profile as our top two options in that department. Green is projected to see more minutes than Joe and should see a slight boost in opportunity with Kris Middleton sitting. Joe’s minutes have ranged anywhere from 13-31 minutes this year but he should see anywhere from 18-20 today and will benefit from the strong matchup against Milwaukee guards. We will need to wait and see what the Bucks do for a starting lineup with Middleton out but presumably whichever wing fills in, should be in consideration for value today and we will monitor this situation in Discord. Alex Caruso is another one of the Thunder guards that makes for a solid value play today. We’ve already discussed the positive matchup but it’s possible he could be leaned on more for his defensive abilities tonight. His ownership should come in on the lower end tonight making him a nice GPP salary saver. Bobby Portis is at a price that will be difficult to get to and his minutes are rather volatile. Still he has been playing well of late and could see some additional run without Middleton tonight. You might need to get creative to roster Portis but he should come with little ownership which makes him an intriguing GPP option. Finally, Lu Dort should continue to see over 30 minutes and is coming off his strongest performance of the season, topping 40 FPs in 31 minutes last game against the Rockets. While we wouldn’t expect a duplicate of that outing, he is averaging over 30 FPs in his last 4 games and should come in lower owned on this showdown, keeping him firmly in play for tournament builds. Best of luck tonight!