NBA INITIAL THOUGHTS, TUESDAY 12/6

Six games await us on Tuesday night which looks at first glance like an ugly slate of games.  The Spurs, Grizzlies, Magic, Heat and Jazz are all in action.  Hell, Utah has the highest projected total on the night at only 105.8 points.  We probably won’t see that again all year long.  Let’s take a look at who stands out.

GUARDS

The Miami Heat are projected to score 102.8 points tonight which is nearly six points over their season average.  Will all of the injuries plaguing the team, I think this is a good spot to target GORAN DRAGIC ($5,500) who carries a high usage rate and should have his hands in most of the Miami possessions.  He’s hit value in three of his last four games and should have no problem doing so again tonight.  A case can be made for TYLER JOHNSON ($4,600) as well.  He’s scored under ten actual points in his last two games and failed to hit his value mark.  But he was over value in three of four prior to that.  I don’t mind the idea of playing both guys in a pace up game for the Heat.

RAJON RONDO ($5,200) should be back in the Bulls lineup tonight.  If he plays his regular minutes, he’s a good play.  This game is a pace down game for the Bulls but I don’t mind targeting the defense of Ish Smith at all.  Ronda had been over 6x value in six straight games prior to his dud in Dallas his last out.

We’re gonna want to target the Jazz side of the ball against Phoenix.  I think RODNEY HOOD ($4,700) makes a good play.  This is a major pace up game for Utah.  Hood has been decent of late and is due a 8-10x performance.

Do we dare go to the TROY DANIELS ($3,350) well again?  I don’t see why not.  This guy has been incredible over the past week at min-salary, posting fantasy scores of 23.25, 23.0, 43.5 and 31.5 in his last four games.  He should be able to at least hit the low end of those in a game against the Sixers.

FORWARDS/CENTERS

This is a great spot for GORDON HAYWARD ($5,900).  We’ve already discussed the matchup against the Suns.  Phoenix ranks 28th in DvP against the SF position.  Hayward needs 41 points to reach value, a number he’s hit in three of his last four games.

TOBIAS HARRIS ($5,000) has been playing well of late, topping 32 fantasy points in four straight before struggling his last time out.  He draws a good matchup tonight against the Bulls who rank 29th in DvP against PFs.

This looks like a night where I might play two centers.  I like MARC GASOL ($5,700) against the Sixers.  He carries a high usage rate of 27.3% for a center.  Joel Embiid will sit out this game, and Jahlil Okhafor misses last night and could miss this game as well.  I think Gasol is a safe bet to top 40 fantasy points.

Another center I’m looking at is HASSAN WHITESIDE ($6,650) who’s topped 52 fantasy points in three of his last four games.  Joakim Noah may miss the game for the Knicks which would only add to the appeal of Whiteside.