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First off, there’s nothing more rational than putting stock in NBA narratives when playing fantasy basketball.
Second off, I’m completely irrational when considering NBA narratives.
You can take this whichever way you want, but we’ve got a loaded slate of revenge spots and storylines to track heading into tonight’s seven games. I’m not even going to break down what a revenge game means to an NBA player and why it’s relevant in DFS. If you know, you know.
Note: This article was inspired by RotoGrinders’ own Allan Lem.
Clippers-Rockets Rated PG-13?
There is so much to unpack in this game. First, it’s obviously the potential return of Paul George ($8,200) from offseason shoulder surgery. After that we’ve got Russell Westbrook ($8,900) going up against rival Patrick Beverley ($5,500). And then just a little matchup between Kawhi Leonard ($9,700) and James Harden ($11,700) arguably the top two players in the NBA. Oh wait, remember that time Beverley, Montrezl Harrell ($7,700) and Lou Williams ($7,200) all played for Houston?!? I don’t know, looks like we’ve got enough narratives for a game stack here.
The Return of IT
Isaiah Thomas ($4,900) was cast off into Mount Doom (sort of) by the Celtics a.k.a he was traded to Cleveland a few seasons ago for Kyrie Irving. Well, that whole thing didn’t exactly work out and Thomas struggled to get healthy. Finally in decent health, IT has been contributing nicely for the Wizards and will actually see the court for longer than two minutes in Boston this time around. I think a warm reception is in order and a decent GPP punt.
D’LO Back in LA
D’Angelo Russell is another cast off who is returning to where it all began. Joking aside, I actually think Russell is an excellent GPP play tonight at $8,100 on DraftKings. We know about the Warriors injury struggles and DLO has stepped up as the focal point of Golden State’s offense. Add in playing his former team in the Lakers, potentially without Rajon Rondo and Anthony Davis, and I think you’ve got a hungry young guard who could pop. Russell’s usage the past four games on average is hovering around 40%.
Do You Believe In Magic-Sixers?
I was never high on Markelle Fultz ($4,100) and pretty much called him a bust immediately when the Sixers drafted him over Jayson Tatum. It’s still early, but Fultz is slowly proving me wrong. He’s played at least 23 minutes in five straight games for the Magic, though he isn’t shooting the ball particularly well still. This will be Fultz’s first regular-season game vs. Philly and the Sixers are likely to be shorthanded on the second of a back-to-back. It’s also worth noting Nikola Vucevic ($8,300) was once on the Sixers and Joel Embiid (rest) may sit tonight out. Wait wait, and Tobias Harris ($6,700) used to play for Orlando. Almost forgot.