NBA Picks Friday

F-1 J.J. Hickson – Boy oh boy do the Kings feel like idiots for letting this guy go.  Hickson will start the rest of the year for the injured Aldridge.  2 nights ago in his first start, Hickson put up 48 fantasy points that included 23 points and 13 boards.  Expect 15 points and 10 rebounds tonight against the Mavs as Hickson WILL put up his 3^rd straight double-double.

F-2 Glen Davis – With a BIG matchup tonight against the Hawks in Orlando, The Dwight Howardless Magic will need another big game from Big Baby to stay in the hunt for the Eastern Conference 3 seed.  Since stepping in to start for Howard and Ryan Anderson, Davis has had a double-double in 5 of the 6 games, and has averaged 37 fantasy points over that stretch.  Howard is listed as doubtful tonight, so look for Davis to have another 30+ fantasy point night.

F-3 Kevin Durant: Even though he’s very pricey, Durant is matched up against the worst defense in the league (Kings), so we figure there is no way he doesn’t at least put up 2.0 his value.  Over his last 4 games, Durant is averaging 43 fantasy points.  We expect 45+ tonight.

Other forwards to consider: Kevin Seraphin, Josh Smith (no Dwight in the front court to stop him), Carmelo Anthony.

G-1 Gordon Hayward: Hayward torched the nets and scored 29 points on Wednesday against the Rockets which led to 42 fantasy points.  He has averaged 28.6 fantasy points over the last 12 games, and has averaged 37.5 fantasy points in the last 2 games.

G-2 Cartier Martin: Martin has averaged 23.5 fantasy points in his last 2 games.  In addition, Martin has played in 30 minutes of action in each of those 2 games.  Valued at 5K, seems like there is very little risk at playing him since he is seeing huge minutes off the bench.

G-3 Greivis Vasquez: Vasquez has had a double-double in 3 of the past 5 games, and has averaged 24.4 fantasy points per game over that stretch. 

Other guards to consider: Raymond Felton (put up 48 fantasy points last week against the Mavs), Rajon Rondo (triple-double last game)

C-1 Roy Hibbert: 2 days ago, Hibbert put up 40 fantasy points against Cleveland, and guess who Indiana plays again tonight…that would be Cleveland.  The Cavs had no answer inside for Hibbert who had a double-double and added 4 blocks.  Furthermore, Hibbert has had at least 20 fantasy points in 9 straight games.

C-2 Kendrick Perkins: Mr. Perkins has averaged 25 fantasy points in his last 2 games, and we see somewhere around 20+ for tonight against a Kings team who gives up a whopping 104.1 points per game which is dead last in the league. 

DeMarcus Cousins: Coming off an awful game where he played in only 20 minutes because of his poor play, we expect Cousins to return to his normal form of 40+ fantasy points tonight.  Cousins has never had back-to-back bad games, so if you follow the pattern, Cousins should be primed for a big night against OKC. 

Other centers to consider: Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol (If Kobe is OUT again tonight), Al Jefferson

Sneaky Plays Of The Day: GUARD DEMARRE CARROLL: C.J. Miles is still out with a strained left calf, and Carroll has cracked the starting lineup in his place.  Valued at 2.6K on draftstreet (that is not a typo), Carroll has averaged 18 fantasy points in 2 starts which included 26 fantasy points in his last game (10 points, 7 rebounds in 26 minutes of action). 

Guard, Norris Cole – Here is our thought process here.  The Heat starters played big minutes last night in a loss in overtime to the Bulls.  So on back-to-back nights with a matchup against the dismal Bobcats, we see many of the bench players seeing an expanded role tonight especially since it will in all likelihood be a blowout.  At just over 5K, we are willing to take the risk on Cole.  We expect 15+ fantasy points.

Lineup (OSF’s lineup for tonight)

G: Greivis Vasquez

G: Gordon Hayward

F: J.J. Hickson

F: Glen Davis

C: Roy Hibbert

C: Al Jefferson

U: DeMarre Carroll

U: Josh Smith

Total: $99,311

Snake Draft Top 10:

1.     Josh Smith

2.     Kevin Durant

3.     Al Jefferson

4.     LeBron James

5.     Carmelo Anthony

6.     Russell Westbrook

7.     DeMarcus Cousins

8.     Andrew Bynum

9.     Rajon Rondo

10.  Pau Gasol

Best value player for each team:

Hawks: Ivan Johnson

Celtics: Mickael Pietrus

Bobcats: Byron Mullens

Cavs: Donald Sloan

Mavs: Jason Kidd

Nuggets: Arron Afflalo

Pitons: Rodney Stuckey

Rockets: Goran Dragic

Pacers: Roy Hibbert

Lakers: Ramon Sessions

Heat: Chris Bosh

Bucks: Ben Udrih

Nets: Kris Humphries

Hornets: Greivis Vasquez

Knicks: Carmelo Anthony

Thunder: Kendrick Perkins

Magic: Glen Davis

76er’s: Jodie Meeks

Suns: Shannon Brown

Trail Blazers: J.J. Hickson

Kings: DeMarcus Cousins

Raptors: Ed Davis

Jazz: DeMarre Carroll

Wizards: Kevin Seraphin