After a week off for the All-Star Break, we’re right back into the swing of things. In just a few days the NBA has been giving us some heavy news led by Chris Paul being out for potentially the next two months. Speaking of the Suns, they’re one of a few teams who were thrown right in a three games in four nights scenario.

What we know is that there are only two teams on the backend of a back-to-back (Celtics & Nuggets) and two on the front end (Pacers & Hornets), and the day is broken up into multiple slates. There is an early slate two-game slate, a main five-game slate, a late two-gamer if you wanted it, and a few showdown slate with one of those being a game not attached to any of the main slates. If it sounds overwhelming, I totally get it. It’s a lot to tackle if you have a free day to do so. I’ll make sure to get something in here for each slate, and don’t worry, as it’s a good thing we have a podcast to get out all we need to know for the rest.

Player Tiers

Expensive Tier

Nikola Jokic ($12,600) – It’s a $3K difference between Jokic and the fifth highest play on the main slate, but can we blame DraftKings on that? Jokic has crushed everyone this year, and he gets the Blazers team whose frontcourt now consists of Drew Eubanks, Justise Winslow, Greg Brown, and Trendon Watford. The matchup overall favors the Nuggets, but with them being one of the select teams playing their third game in four nights, the Blazers may be able to keep this competitive long enough for Jokic to get sufficient run to take advantage of the cakewalk.

LaMelo Ball ($9,600) – I mentioned the fifth highest price in the main slate earlier, and that happens to fall to this guy. Ball is averaging over 56 points in two games against the Pistons with the Hornets a hitting the 140-point mark in both matchups. This is a matchup that the Hornets like to push the pace even more in and one where Ball will have the chance to hit his ceiling.

Honorable Mentions – Terry Rozier ($8,100)

Mid-Tier

Cade Cunningham ($7,100) – On the other side of LaMelo is this year’s #1 overall pick, who hasn’t played great against this team in either appearance this year. The Pistons have lost by a combined 52 points in those two games. With Cade in a groove (36+ in three straight), maybe now he’s ready to pile up the numbers against a team in the top-three in points against.

Dennis Schroder ($5,600) – With Kevin Porter Jr. questionable again after rolling his ankle in Friday’s game, we might get another crack a starting gig with Schro. He’s proven that he can rack up the assists as the lead ball handler on this young Rockets team in the few games he’s had the chance. Add in a stock and hope a few extra shots fall and we’re at the 35-point range. If Schroder gets the start, he comes in with a floor that is safe underneath it.

Honorable Mentions – Terance Mann ($6,100), Kelly Oubre ($5,500), Monte Morris ($5,300) and Cam Johnson ($5,000)

Value

Isaiah Hartenstein ($4,700) – While much was due to foul trouble, it was still notable that Zubac only saw 18 minutes in the last game. On top of that, he played exactly 23 in two other games over his last four. All three of these games coincided with Hartenstein playing above 23 minutes, with a 40-point fantasy performance against this very same Rockets team. Both of these guys are solid plays here, but if Hartenstein gets the garbage minutes again, his fantasy game is extremely friendly.

Grant Williams ($1,800) – The majority of the plays on here are for the main slate, with a couple of the early ones sprinkled in. Well, I thought I should highlight the showdown as well. That’s where Williams comes in. With the team finishing up a B2B and third game in four nights, there’s a good chance one of Rob Williams or Al Horford (or both) sit this one out. Williams tends to get the star in this scenario. Even if everyone plays, there’s a good chance he still gets some extra run because of it.

Honorable Mentions – Jae Crowder ($4,800) and Kelly Olynyk ($3,700)