-Kevin Durant scored a 
career-high 52 points last night in the Thunder’s overtime win over the Mavericks. He hit 5 threes and was a perfect 21 for 21 from the free throw line. He also added 9 rebounds and 2 steals, but just 1 assist and zero blocks, but I’m sure no one is complaining about that this morning. Durant simply took over the game for multiple stretches and showed why he’s the best scorer in the NBA.
-Paul George showed why he’s got so much promise each and every time he takes the court last night, especially at home. George scored 31 points (including 7 threes) with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. This just gives us a glimpse at his upside as he can contribute in each and every category every night. George also took on the responsibility of guarding James Harden as well and held him pretty well in check.
-Jarrett Jack continued to fill in for Stephen Curry at point guard for the Warriors last night and he posted a pretty impressive line against the Spurs with 20 points and 10 assists in 43 minutes. Jack is a starting caliber player and while he’s not Stephen Curry, he should be able to keep the Warriors afloat against most competition. He’s a must-start player as long as Curry is sidelined.
-Thaddeus Young is a latest power forward to rip through Ed Davis and the Raptors. Young posted a monster line of 27 points to go with 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block on the night. The Raptors simply had no answer for his dominance and he looks to be picking it back up after he kind of fell into a lull over the last two weeks.
Top Lines to Target:
(Those who target the night’s highest over/unders should reap fantasy success)
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SAC @ CHA
HOU @ MIN
CLE @ UTA
(Guys I am trying to get into lineups tonight, ranked on comparison to perceived value.)
My early daily DraftDay Freeroll lineup is to the right.
Point Guards:
Value Play: Jarrett Jack, Eric Bledsoe, John Wall
Irving gets a matchup with the Jazz aging PG duo of Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson, with some Randy Foye sprinkled in, he should be in for a big night. Walker gets a home matchup with the Kings, who have the only PG more undersized than him. He thrives at home. Jennings has bombed in the past two, but he gets Damian Lillard on defense tonight and should have another chance to put up a big game. Jack, Bledsoe and Wall are all underpriced at different sites and should all provide great value tonight.
Shooting Guards:
Value Play: Devin Harris
Harden hasn’t been his usual self of late in a few tough matchups, but he finally gets one he can exploit tonight against Luke Ridnour and the Wolves. Monta Ellis and Wes Matthews should go back and forth at each other all game in what should be a pretty high-scoring affair and both players are heating up again after cold stretches. Harris should continue to rack up big minutes after Lou Williams went down with a gruesome looking injury last night.
Small Forwards:
Value Play: Jimmy Butler
Batum gets a home game against the Bucks, who have struggled more defensively since Scott Skiles left the helm and he’s simply been too good at home to sit. AK47 has been his usual solid self since Kevin Love went down and he’s got another solid matchup with the Rockets tonight. Gay may avoid Luol Deng due to injury tonight, which would make him a very sneaky mid-level play. Butler would be the one stepping up most for Deng and he performed well last night.
Power Forwards:
Value Play: Derrick Williams
Aldridge has been on fire lately and has taken at least 14 shots in each of his last 8 games, he should take Ersan Ilyasova to school for as long as Jim Boylan leaves him on the court tonight. Boozer continues to tear through the league, averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds in January. Thompson is another player on a double-double tear and the Jazz interior defense is not as imposing as the big names make it seem. Williams will get extra run tonight with Pekovic out and Dante Cunningham under the weather.
Centers:
Value Play: Tyler Zeller
Cousins continues to post monster double-doubles even when he’s not playing efficiently like last night, he’s got a great matchup tonight with the Bobcats. Jefferson gets the Cavaliers who have no hope of stopping him. Larry Sanders should continue to roll in a game where they will need his defense on the floor badly. Zeller has been much better than previously in his last two and should be decent again tonight.
