Bargain Plays - Friday's Top Sleeper Picks
Here are the top sleeper picks for Friday, Jan. 29:
PG Shane Larkin, Nets (at Mavericks)
While PG Donald Sloan logs the majority of minutesfor the Nets, Larkin has been more productive in his playing time - filling the stat sheet with 16 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and six steals over his last two games.
For his low cost, Larkin is a great UTIL play and continues to steal minutes away from Sloan. He's a decent low-salary cash-game option.
SG Anthony Morrow, Thunder (vs. Rockets)
With the Thunder playing back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, Morrow should see a fair amount of court-time against the feeble Rockets.
Gs Andre Roberson and Cameron Payne have been ruled out, opening the door for Morrow and his streaky shooting to earn more minutes in the rotation.
Earlier this season, he played 34 minutes and turned that into 20 points - returning an out-of-this-world value for his low cost. He should be rostered as the stars for the Thunder may be rested late in the fourth quarter ahead of a showdown with the Warriors on Saturday night.
SF Wesley Johnson, Clippers (vs. Lakers)
Typically, Johnson would be nowhere near anyone's DFS lineups. However, he could be the beneficiary of a date with the Lakers and their poor defense.
Johnson has averaged 9.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23.4 minutes over his last ten games - instantly returning value.
The Clippers return home from a daunting five-game Eastern Conference road trip where all of the teams currently hold a playoff spot. Johnson's economical price and plus matchup are must-haves on this hefty nine-game slate.
PF Ed Davis, Trail Blazers (vs. Hornets)
Davis is a superb defensive presence, but he isn't enough of an offensive threat to be considered fantasy-worthy. That is, unless he has a favorable matchup.
The Trail Blazers host the Hornets, who have allowed over 100 points in five of its last six games. Davis should contribute with points and boards, which could result in a reasonable return.
C Salah Mejri, Mavericks (vs. Nets)
Mejri has filled in admirably for Mavericks all-star C Zaza Pachulia, who has been sidelined since Jan. 22 with a leg injury.
In his first start, Mejri recorded a double-double. Since then, he has struggled to rekindle his success - scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds over his last two games.
Pachulia is questionable to play; should he be out, Mejri will almost certainly see 20+ minutes - making him a sneaky bargain play.