Per usual, the center position is absolutely loaded on Wednesday’s slate, but Allen still projects as a fantastic play. He has dominated this Charlotte defense this season, averaging 21.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 45.5 fantasy points per game in three meetings against the Hornets. The matchup is so good, as Charlotte plays at the second-fastest pace in basketball, while no team in basketball is allowing more rebounds per game to opposing centers this season (17.67). The Hornets are also coughing up a league-leading 7.8 putback points per game, which certainly bodes well for Allen, who is averaging 2.7 points per game off putbacks, good for fifth in the NBA.
McCollum has been fantastic since joining the Pelicans, averaging 28.0 points per game on nearly 53% from the field, while adding 5.6 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game in seven contests.. During that span, McCollum is sporting a 28.2% usage rate, while averaging 1.32 fantasy points per minute. Both the minutes and shot volume have been tremendous for McCollum and while the price has come up, I still believe McCollum is in a great spot. Sacramento is a poor defense and are allowing the sixth-most points per game in transition this season (20.2), while also allowing the fourth-worst field goal percentage off the play type (55.0%). McCollum, meanwhile, is averaging a healthy 7.3 transition points per game since joining the Pelicans, which would be second in all of basketball over the course of a full season.
Crowder is one of my top mid-range value plays of the slate, coming in at $5,100 on DraftKings. He continues to start and log strong minutes, especially in the absence of Chris Paul. Cameron Payne is listed as probable for the Suns but even if he somehow starts at point guard, I’d guess Crowder remains in the starting lineup. And interestingly enough, Crowder is averaging 0.98 fantasy points per minute with Paul off the floor, compared to 0.76 fantasy points per minute when CP3 is on the floor. The matchup, meanwhile, is favorable, as Portland is allowing the fifth-most points per game (30.4), fifth-most points per possession (1.05) and fourth-worst field goal percentage (40.4%) off spot-ups this season. Crowder, meanwhile, is sporting a 50.5% frequency rate off spot-ups, while averaging 5.0 points per game off the play type.
Note: This matchup is also great for Cameron Johnson, whose 6.1 spot-up points per game are good for the sixth-most in the NBA. He has entered the starting lineup in Paul’s absence.
Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look
Gabe Vincent vs. MIL — The price has obviously come up a bit but Vincent will start at point guard once again for Miami with Kyle Lowry out. He scored 29 fantasy points last game and in 20 starts this season, Vincent is averaging a solid 13.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game
Last Night’s GPP Performances | NBA DFS First Look
