With no podcast episode today, I wanted to get an article out today to share some of our favorite plays with you. But...I wanted to make it a little more interesting. Since we are 3 in the Key...and there are only 3 games on tonight's slate...I figured I'd spice things up by giving you 3 players from each game that we like tonight! And ta-da, I call it today's article THE LUCKY 3'S. Get it? Because the number 3 is everywhere- yeah, you get it. I am going to try to separate the players by tiers to make these breakdowns a bit easier, so let's get to it!
BROOKLYN NETS vs. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
(POR -2.5 | o/u 222)
Cheap(er):
- C: Nicolas Claxton (DK: $5,500; FD: $6,400)
Claxton is back after an eye injury that forced him out of the game two nights ago and is facing a POR defense that gives up the 6th most PTS, 6th most AST, 8th most fantasy points on DK, and the 9th most fantasy points on FD to opposing Cs. Claxton has had a solid year so far, averaging around 29 FP per game in only 26.5 MPG. Before the previous two games (where he played only 18 and 16 MIN), he had produced 35+ FP in 5 of his last 7. I like Claxton to bounce back against POR tonight.
Mid-level:
- G: Anfernee Simons (DK: $7,300; FD: $7,500)
It's definitely harder to label these guys tonight for each tier with only 3 games, but I am considering Simons as a 'mid-level' guy. He's facing a BKN defense that gives up the 9th most PTS, 2nd most 3PM, and 10th most fantasy points to opposing SGs. He also boasts a 26.8% usage rate when Damian Lillard plays and he has produced 30+ FP in his last 7 games (including two with 45+). He's also a high-volume scorer, with 18.2 FGA and even 10.4 3PA per game. With that level of volume, mixed with the favorable matchup and high usage rate, I like Simons to continue his hot streak tonight.
Expensive:
- F: Kevin Durant (DK: $11,600; FD: $11,500)
With only 3 games tonight, I have zero problem paying for KD in this spot. He's been unstoppable this season with 40+ FP in every single game this season with an average of over 50 FP per game. He even just came out with some comments about how his team is not very good and people expect BKN to win because he's out there, so I'd think he'd want to back those comments up with a superstar performance tonight. Like I said, with only 3 games, there's not too much star-power on the slate, so you can pay up for KD.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs. SACRAMENTO KINGS
(SAC - 7 | o/u 237.5)
Cheap(er):
- G/F: Kevin Huerter (DK: $6,000; FD: $6,100)
Kevin Huerter has had one heck of a start to the season. He has produced 29+ FP in his last 3 games with 4+ 3PM in each. He's shooting 52..6% from beyond the arc on 7.3 attempts per game! That's INSANE! He sees a favorable matchup against SAS who allows the 3rd most PTS, 8th most REB, 9th most 3PM, 3rd most fantasy points on DK, and 1st most fantasy points on FD to opposing SGs. Combine that with a solid 18.2% usage rate this season, Huerter is in for another solid night!
Mid-level:
- F: Keldon Johnson (DK: $7,400; FD: $7,100)
I know we name Keldon Johnson pretty much every episode, but there's good reason for that. He has been the #1 guy on a surprisingly good Spurs team this season and averages almost 35 FP per game. He sees such a good matchup tonight against a SAC defense that allows the 6th most PTS, 5th most REB, 8th most AST, and 3rd most fantasy points to SFs. He also leads this Spurs team with a 27.7% usage rate this season AND puts up 16.9 FGA and 8.8 3PA per game. High-volume usage and scoring combined with a great matchup should hopefully equal success.
Expensive:
- G: De'Aaron Fox (DK: $9,000; FD: $9,600)
Fox has been so dang good to start this season. He's looking like an All-Star right now and I don't expect that to slow down anytime soon. He also sees a favorable matchup tonight against SAS who allows the 9th most PTS, 2nd AST, 6th most fantasy points on DK, and the 9th most fantasy points on FD. He's already averaging 43+ FP this season and boasts an insane usage rate of 30.3%, so I expect Fox to get what he wants once again tonight.
Something to keep an eye out for:
- Keegan Murray (SAC) is QUESTIONABLE. If he ends up sitting, guys like Trey Lyles and Terence Davis could see some increased run.
DETROIT PISTONS vs. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
(LAC -9 | o/u 216.5)
This one is a little harder to divide by the same tiers from above, so I am going to change things up for this particular game...
Cheap(est):
- C: Jalen Duren (DK: $4,100; FD: $5,200)
Isaiah Stewart is out for at least 2-3 weeks, so it's officially time for Jalen Duren to get some more minutes. I know Marvin Bagley is back, but Duren should be getting close to 20 minutes of playing time regardless and we've seen what he can do even in limited minutes. He's a cheap center option for tonight with a lot of upside.
Cheap(er):
- G: Reggie Jackson (DK: $4,700; FD: $5,000)
John Wall has been stealing all the spotlight from Reggie so far this season, but I really like Reggie Jackson in this matchup tonight. He's playing his former team who allows the 1st most PTS, 4th most REB, 1st most 3PM, 2nd most fantasy points on DK, and 1st most fantasy points on FD to opposing PGs. There's also a possibility of Paul George not suiting up tonight, which would put the rock in Jackson's hands a lot more. He even averaged 39 FP versus DET last season, so for this price, I really like Reggie tonight.
Mid-level:
- F: Marcus Morris (DK: $6,300; FD: $5,500)
Morris has been consistent so far this season with the absence of Kawhi Leonard. He's averaging around 28 FP per game and playing 31.3 MPG. He sees a favorable matchup tonight against DET who allows the 4th most PTS, 6th most REB, 1st most fantasy points on DK, and the 2nd most fantasy points on FD. He has produced 30+ FP in 3 of his last 5 and 24+ FP in his last five. I like Morris tonight in this matchup and he only gets sweeter if Paul George ends up sitting.
Something to keep an eye out for:
- Paul George (LAC) is QUESTIONABLE. If he ends up sitting, guys like Norman Powell and Nicolas Batum could see some increased run.
Well, that's going to do it for today's LUCKY 3'S. I hope you all who are reading this enjoyed the spiced-up article today. I figured with only 3 games, it'd be cool to change things up and keep them interesting. Keep an eye out on Twitter @3inKeyPod later tonight for the injury report and updates throughout the night. Come interact with us over there and let us know how we're doing. Let us know how you're doing and who you guys like tonight as well! Keep an eye out for a new podcast episode Friday morning as well. Best of luck everyone. Let's bring home some money!