PG – Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets @ Orlando Magic
Despite Walker’s best efforts, the Hornets are in the midst of another losing run. However, look for Walker to do everything he can to snap their skid against the Magic. He’s still averaging close to 27 points and six assists this month, which has already seen him go for 40 points twice. Walker has been outstanding against Orlando, putting up 31.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 2.5 steals in his first two meetings against them. Don’t be all too surprised if he threatens to go for 40 again tonight.
Also consider: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls
VanVleet is admittedly a bit of a risk, but not as big as you might think. He’s topped at least 27 fantasy points in FanDuel in six of his last ten games. That includes another stellar performance last night against the Heat as he went for ten points, five boards, six assists, and two steals. It’ll be the second night of a back-to-back for the Raps, so VanVleet could potentially pick up a few more minutes to play against a Bulls defense which remains questionable.
SG – Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns
After a brief slump due to illnesss, Mitchell is back to producing at a high level. He hasn’t been particularly efficient, but he’s made up for it with sheer usage. He’s been able to hoist up 20-plus shots in each of his last three games with Ricky Rubio still out of the lineup. Rubio remains questionable to return against the Suns. If he does, Mitchell likely won’t be worth picking up. But if the Spaniard misses out again, Mitchell will have the green light to launch against an awful Suns team which he already burned for 40 points to start this month.
Also consider: D'Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets vs Indiana Pacers
It sure looks like Russell has rounded back into shape. The Nets guard has played 25 or more minutes in back-to-back games, launching 17 or more shots in the process. He has hit just under 40 percent of them, but he’s still been able to fashion decent fantasy outings with all that usage. Russell should fancy continuing his resurgence against the Pacers, whom he dropped 30 points against during the season-opener.
SF – Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers @ New Orleans Pelicans
Ingram has been on fire to start February. He’s averaging 19.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists through the first five games while shooting a blistering 56 percent from the floor. The Pelicans and their laughably bad wing defense will be the perfect opponent to help Ingram prolong this impressive run.
Also consider: Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets
The Mario Hezonja revival tour continues! The much-derided lottery bust just put together the best fantasy performance of his career as he put up 24 points, six rebounds, four steals, three blocks, and three 3-pointers against the Bulls. Over his last eight games (six starts), Hezonja is averaging 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 2.5 3-pointers. With Aaron Gordon still out, Orlando will give him every opportunity to play, and with the numbers he’s been putting up, it’s probably wise to ride out this hot streak till the very end.
PF – Nikola Mirotic, New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers
Mirotic is proving that his hot streak in Chicago is no fluke. He’s back to delivering monster fantasy numbers over his last two games and has now reached 40 fantasy points in three of his first five games in New Orleans. He may need to come off the bench moving forward, but that role likely won’t be as big a hindrance for him, especially in a matchup against the Lakers. LA have been among the most generous teams against opposing power forwards all season, and Mirotic figures to benefit in a big way.
Also consider: David West, Golden State Warriors @ Portland Trail Blazers
Believe it or not, West is quietly putting up some DFS-worthy stats. The 37-year-old is averaging 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 blocks (!), and 1.0 steal over his last four games. That includes his remarkable six-point, five-rebound, four-assist, four-steal stat line against the Suns. West is obviously a pretty big risk at this point, but he did have ten points and four blocks in his first meeting against the Blazers, so it’s at least worth a gamble to see if he can provide outstanding value one more time before the All-Star break.
C – Al Horford, Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers
Horford has been unusually quiet fantasy-wise over the last couple games, failing to break 5x value in any of those contests. But Horford is too good to continue on in this slump. He’ll have a decent matchup tonight against a Clippers team that has not been the best in terms of silencing opposing centers. Moreover, Horford’s dipping price makes him that much more appealing from a value standpoint.
Also consider: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers @ Brooklyn Nets
Turner has admittedly been a wildly inconsistent player recently, in large part due to a knee problem which has been troubling him. But when he’s feeling good, he has all the ability in the world to provide surplus value in fantasy. It’s that upside, particularly against the Nets, which will make Turner such an appealing pick. He’s topped 50 fantasy points in FanDuel twice in three meetings against the Nets, who continue to get absolutely demolished by opposing big men.
What do you think of tonight’s DFS picks? Share them in the comments below!