The final few weeks of the NBA regular season have created an interesting dynamic in terms of daily fantasy impact as certain players rise to the occasion to try and help their teams make the postseason while other players are rested by teams that have already clinched their playoff spots.
That’s something to keep in mind heading in to Tuesday’s action with only four games on the schedule – especially with the top teams in each conference (Golden State and Atlanta) in play.
Chris Paul – PG (Los Angeles Clippers) vs. Golden State
There are certain situations when you have to settle for the best value play on the board and others when you can’t overlook the best option period. This is certainly a case of the latter with Paul. The Clippers have held their ground and clinched a playoff spot even without Blake Griffin in the lineup (for most of the last couple of months) and a big part of their success has been the elite level play of their star point guard. Paul has averaged over 22.3 points and 10 .9assists per game in March while also chipping in an average of 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.6 threes. Griffin’s injury has forced Paul to do more on the offensive end and you can bet he is looking forward to another dominant performance at home against Golden State.
Dwyane Wade – SG (Miami Heat) vs. San Antonio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUq07A-Ot_U
Miami is only two games up on Boston and Indiana for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, so don’t expect any sort of letdown the rest of the way in terms of star players sitting. Wade has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance over the past couple of weeks as he has risen to the occasion as the main man for the Heat with LeBron James gone and Chris Bosh sidelined. Wade has averaged 25.2 points, 4.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game this month. He will be called on to lead the way Tuesday as the only remaining member of the big three when Miami hosts the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
Kawhi Leonard – SF (San Antonio Spurs) @ Miami
Leonard had a slow start to the season for San Antonio because of injuries but March has been his best month. Everyone remembers he torched the Heat in last year’s NBA Finals and a return to Miami could help provide a spark. Leonard has averaged 17.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals for the Spurs over the last 10 games and he should be able to exploit a favorable matchup for a solid performance against the Heat on Tuesday night.
Mike Muscala – PF (Atlanta Hawks) @ Detroit
One of the reasons you can afford both Paul and Wade on Tuesday night is that you can save money with a great value play selecting Muscala at the power forward spot. The Hawks have decided to rest their stars down the stretch and with some combination of Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver sitting Tuesday, that likely means someone is resting in the Hawks frontcourt on Tuesday due to the back-to-back. Muscala won’t dominate but he registered 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in 34 minutes against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday and if he comes close to putting up those numbers, he will be an excellent value play.
DeAndre Jordan – C (Los Angeles Clippers) vs. Golden State
The fact that Atlanta is resting its starters could create opportunity for the Pistons big men, if you need to save money, but the best play on the board here is Jordan. The Clippers star big man has averaged a steady 11.4 points per game over the past 14 days but it’s his other numbers that stand out the most as he has averaged a ridiculous 16.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over that span. Los Angeles will be ready for a tough Warriors team at home. Griffin is back in the lineup but Jordan has still hit double figures in both points and rebounds in five straight.
