Houston Rockets (-8) at Phoenix Suns
Point total: 209
The Rockets and Suns are tied for 29th in the league with 106.8 points allowed per game. The Suns are fourth in the league in pace (100.1) and the Rockets are sixth (99.6). This should be fast and fun, with both rosters offering strong building blocks.
The Rockets are eighth in offensive rating and run at the aforementioned up-tempo pace, with James Harden (DraftKings: $10,600; FanDuel: $10,800) positioned as the ball-dominant, high-usage leader of this impressive, if flawed, Houston offense. Harden is the safest angle for at least 50 fantasy points past the upper tier of superstar point guards. With shooting guard often proving shallow, even on deeper slates, Harden's advantage over his position pool remains a strong buying angle for cash games. Essentially, it's easier to find value at point guard, while entirely bankable superstars at shooting guard are increasingly rare. The Suns' young backcourt helps support Harden as a safe high-dollar play, while even the far-cheaper Patrick Beverley has some upside facing a Phoenix backcourt that has been generous to opposing point guards ever since Eric Bledsoe was lost for the season. With such lofty implied point ingredients in this matchup, swingman Trevor Ariza is affordable on both formats and has real upside in shooting and steals. Even if he didn’t have a suitor at the trade deadline, Dwight Howard (DraftKings: $7,400; FanDuel: $8,100) is worth acquiring in tournaments tonight if only for his lofty ceiling projection, as only more expensive peers at the position like Drummond and Karl-Anthony Towns have higher upside tonight.
The Suns' forward rotation could gain some needed clarity soon, now that Morris has been dealt to the Wizards, meaning Mirza Teletovic (DraftKings: $4,000; FanDuel: $3,800) and P.J. Tucker (DraftKings: $5,600; FanDuel: $4,800) could both ascend in his absence. Teletovic is the more interesting upside play given his punt pricing, while Tucker's real value is found on FanDuel given the pricing gap. The real key for me in this rotation is Archie Goodwin (DraftKings: $6,400; FanDuel: $5,400) and his awesome pricing on FanDuel. This ball-dominant point guard will continue to start with Brandon Knight ailing, and I'd rather have his high-usage skill set and role in place than invest in sharpshooter Devin Booker at similar pricing. Both centers for the Suns are reasonably priced on both markets, with Tyson Chandler and Alex Len both positioned to meet cost against a generous Houston frontcourt. Heading into tonight’s game it appears Chandler has the more identifiable role and higher minutes.