Strategies
Kevin Durant, John Wall look to deliver for fantasy owners on Friday Night. Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Utah Jazz. Meanwhile in the Nation’s Capital, the Washington Wizards host the Chicago Bulls. These are just two of the eleven games on tap around the NBA on January 9th.
Since returning from a six game layoff, Durant has been dominate for the Thunder. This includes a 44 point, 10 rebound and seven assist performance against the Phoenix Suns on New Year’s Eve. He followed that performance up with 34 points to go with eight assists, to assists and one blocked shot.
The Jazz have struggled to slow down opposing small forwards this season allowing over 33 fantasy points a game and nearly 37 over their last five games. Along with Durant, Russell Westbrook is another great option with Dion Waiters being a top sleeper candidate.
Wall on the other hand will look to deliver a big win at home against a very aggressive Bulls team. These two teams met up on December 23rd with the Bulls coming out with a 99-91 victory at home. The Wizards point guard finished with 18 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Wall finished leading the Wizards in points scored, assists and second in rebounds.
Here are some of the other key fantasy NBA options for January 9th.
Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic: The Magics rookie point guard has put together a solid state line over his last five games. Despite his struggles in his last performance on Wednesday Night, Payton had averaged over eight points, over seven assists and four rebounds in his previous four starts. On Friday Payton gets a shot at a Lakers team allowing the most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Jarrett Jack, Brooklyn Nets: Jack has the second best play of night based on how many fantasy points his opponents allow per game. The Nets take on a struggling Philadelphia 76ers team that continues to find ways to lose night in and night out. The Nets point guard has put up back to back double digit point games helping his fantasy performance.
Aaron Affalo, Denver Nuggets: Affalo has been solid all season for the Nuggets averaging 15.3 points per game, 1.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Over his last four game, Affalo has posted four straight games with at least 17 points. On Friday, Affalo gets his shot at a Sacramento Kings team that is allowing nearly 42 fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors: Green continues to put up big numbers on the glass including a three game stretch posting at least 10 rebounds. The Warriors second year star also added three straight games with over 10 points making his fantasy value increase. On Friday, Green and the Warriors have a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers who are still without their best defender in LeBron James.
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings: The Kings center has the most favorable matchup of the night at the center position against the Denver Nuggets. Entering Friday’s contest, the Nuggets are allowing a league high 22.6 points per game to opposing centers. Add that with the fact he has posted four double doubles in his last five games makes him a lock start at the position.