Tier 1
Steph Curry, PG, GSW
Talk about a tough choice. This tier makes us choose between Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyrie Irving and Curry. You really can’t lose here, but I like Steph Curry’s chances of taking advantage of the Wolves’ guards tonight. Minnesota ranks 29th against opposing point guards, and Curry is due for a big game. Steph is averaging just 19.7 PPG in November, but I think Minnesota’s focus will be on stopping Durant and Draymond Green from driving to the hoop. This should leave Curry open for threes to help him break out of his slump. Kyrie offers a higher floor in this tier, but Curry gives you a higher ceiling tonight.
Tier 2
Devin Booker, SG, PHO
I found Tier 2 a lot easier to navigate. Hassan Whiteside looked awful against Golden State this week and he was benched in the second half. Al Horford has entered the leagues concussion protocol and is likely out tonight. That leaves us to choose between Draymond Green and Devin Booker. I’ll take Booker who is playing the Heat (6th worst team at defending opposing SGs). Booker scored 18 points (6-15 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT) grabbed 2 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist in 35 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Nets. He’s struggled from 3-Point range, but he’s still averaging 21.6 PPG this season.
Tier 3
Jimmy Butler, SG, MIN
Jimmy Butler had one of the worst games of his career on Saturday; he had four points and was just 1-of-7 from the field in 34 minutes. Sunday he scored 13 points in 30 minutes. I’m going to treat Butler as a “buy low” candidate. You’re getting him in tier 3, but he’s got a good chance of giving you tier 2 stats. None of the other players in this tier offer as high a ceiling as Butler.
Tier 4
Jayson Tatum, SF, BOS
Tatum is averaging 14.8 PPG in November and gets a good matchup with the Lakers tonight in Boston. I consider Tatum the early ROY favorite. Boston hasn’t had a rookie come in and contribute this well right away since Paul Pierce. Jaylen Brown was an excellent contributor last year, but the Celtics had a lot of players to divide time between.
Jayson can hit threes (he’s shooting 52.9%) and he can get to the basket for easy dunks and get to the free-throw line. He’s gelling with Kyrie Irving who is consistently finding him for open looks.
Note: All Tiers are from Draft Kings.
