Cleveland Cavaliers @ Minnesota T-Wolves (8:00 PM ET)

Over/Under: 218.5

Spread: CLE -2.5

News to Watch:

*D'Angelo Russell – IN

*Naz Reid – GTD (Wrist)

*Lamar Stevens – GTD (Abdomen)

 

Player Breakdowns:

MVP/CPT:

1.) Collin Sexton PG/SG (CLE) $12,000

There are a few things that put me on Sexton here over Drummond as my top CPT/MVP Play. One, he is nearly $2K cheaper in price, and two his minutes have continued to 30 or over for nearly every game. Drummond’s minutes are getting cut by the game it seems and even though he still has massive upside, have to think it is a bit capped by his minute’s reduction with the trade for Jarrett Allen and the return of Larry Nance Jr. Sexton gets a lovely match up here with Minne, who has allowed the 5th MOST fantasy points to both the PG and SG position on the season, and has carried a hefty 30.8% usage rate over his last five contests.

2.) D'Angelo Russell SG (CLE) $ $12,900

Best offensive player on the Timberwolves. In his return from injury he played just 25 minutes and was questionable to play today. He is a risky option as a captain but has huge upside in this matchup against the Cavs who struggle to defend opposing guards.

3.) Malik Beasley SG (MIN) $11,700 – 

Russell only played 25 minutes in his return game from the lingering quad injury and it seems it is still hampering him going into tonight’s contests. Beasley has led the team in usage for the MIN starters at 27.5% usage over the last five games and has played 30 or more minutes in virtually every game but a couple this season. He has topped 31 fantasy points in three-straight games with 31, 36, and 41 fantasy points for that span. Think he is a solid value at the CPT/MVP spot here.

4.) Darius Garland PG (CLE) $9,600 – 

If you feel like taking the much cheaper route at the CPT/MVP spot in a great spot as mentioned above with MIN being horrid against both PG/SG, Garland is your guy here tonight. I feel Garland is quite under-priced for his production lately, as he has topped 26 and 33 fantasy points in his last two games, while playing 29 and 31 minutes. His minutes have gradually risen back up to full-allotment, and I fully expect to see 30+ minutes here tonight in this one. Garland is 3rd currently on the team in usage over the last five games at 24.2%, behind Sexton and Drummond.

FLEX PLAYS:

1.) Andre Drummond C (CLE) $9,200 – 

There is no doubt that we will want to play Drummond here in this showdown slate merely due to his massive upside, but if you play him at the FLEX, instead of the CPT/MVP, you get quite a bit of savings to get some other mid-tier value. We know what Drummond can do in just 28 or so minutes, as we have seen him go for 50+ in that span of time in three of his last five contests. Have that stable 40 FP upside here even if he doesn’t see 28 or so minutes will still help bolster the lineup to support other plays.

2.) Larry Nance Jr. PF/C (CLE) $7,200 – 

Nance is another mid-tier value that I think should have a pretty good game against this banged-up MIN frontcourt. Nance returned to action after a couple game absence and jumped right back into 29 minutes of floor-time. He was rusty, as he shot just 1-for-9 from the field and 0-for-5 from the 3-point line, but still managed two points, eight boards, a block, and a steal against the Knicks. This is a much better match up here against the Wolves and I expect him to shoot a bit better from the field, as well.

3.) Jarrett Allen C (CLE) $6,200 – 

Allen still continues to spell Drummond in relief on the 2nd unit for the Cavs and he has played well. He is fresh off a 34- fantasy point effort last time out against the Knicks where he poured in 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished three dimes and had one block and one steal in just 26 minutes. His minutes have been a bit sporadic, but he provides decent upside for a slate like this one against this frontcourt for MIN. (Moral of the Story: Attack MIN Frontcourt)

DART FLEX:

1.) Jarred Vanderbilt PF/C (MIN) $5,800 – 

Vandy continues to get the starting nod for the Wolves, and this will make his sixth-straight start in a row tonight. He has been a super-consistent value of fantasy points as he has topped 22 or more in six of his last seven contests played and he is seeing between 25-27 minutes as a starter. With Naz Reid questionable to play, if he does happen to sit, Vanderbilt could indeed be in-line for some extended minutes run here against the Cavs, who are allowing the 3rd MOST fantasy points to opposing Centers currently on the season.

2.) Taurean Prince SF/PF (CLE) $4,600 –

Prince has been a solid pick-up for the Cavs so far since the trade that sent he and Allen to the Cavs. He has played 22 or more minutes in all but one game so far since joining and has shown good production as well going for 21 or more fantasy points in all but one game (Last game 9 fps against NYK) and has shown upside flash of 30+ fantasy points in two of those six games to boot. He has provided a decent floor albeit his last game and could easily help your roster with 20 or so fantasy points tonight.

3.) Jaden McDaniels PF (MIN) $1,800 –

This is a deep-dart and if we think that Reid has any limitations, or sits for this one, McDaniels could easily see some extended run in the frontcourt for the Wolves here. McDaniels is off one of his better better performances of the season where he played 24 minutes off the bench and recorded six points, seven boards, and a block for 17 fantasy points. He has now put up 12 or more fantasy points in six of his last eight contests, and if given ample minutes we have seen him put up 31 against ORL in 28 minutes so far this season.