Baseball is so close I can smell the grass at Citi Field. The problem is the thought of playing DFS NBA right now makes me want to throw up in my mouth. I will tonight but only because I am writing this article so I had to do the research anyway.

My phone goes off repeatedly all night telling me "this guy" is out and "this guy" is out each time, forcing me to adjust my lineup and during all this the gongs on SiriusXM are going off non-stop. I pulled over last night five times to make lineup adjustments that in the end just found me on the outskirts of cashing in 50/50’s and not too far out of GPPs. It all started with the news Dion Waiters was starting. The end result for me was upgrading to Martin Gortat from Ian Mahinmi and going with Waiters and Klay Thompson. You see where the shift was last night for the worse? All of it.

Tonight we have a nine-game slate with more possible value than a swap meet in Compton, Calif. We have several games that could see starters resting and we have several cheap options at most positions tonight. I get the feeling that savings is going to be the mantra tonight with viable cheap plays capable of getting you 30 fantasy points abound.

The spreadsheets are not working once again, but all of the information below is accurate. With what is hopefully a boy developing his little club feet and T-Rex arms right around now I bring you today’s Position Coach Article.

Point Guard

Strategy

The odd thing is we have value plays across the slate but the point guard position is actually rather devoid of it. I am opting to load up the point guard position with value at every other position tonight to take advantage of. I think this play, though, will be the chalk tonight for cash games. When the options for high dollar players are limited, most people tend to roster the few guys who are expensive.

Core Plays

The Clippers-Timberwolves game tonight is slated to be fairly close with Los Angeles being five-point favorites on the road. It also has a nice 212 expected point total. I cannot think of a better player to gain some exposure to it through than Chris Paul. He has the third highest usage rate among starting point guards and tonight faces a Minnesota team allowing the 25th most fantasy ppg to point guards. In his last 10 games he has scored over 40 fantasy ppg now in five of his last 10 games going over the 50 mark twice versus the Knicks (51.3) and Pelicans (57.7). I honestly believe Paul will have the highest score tonight among point guards and I am all in on him.

In seven out of his last 10 games John Wall has managed to score more than 40 fantasy ppg. In this span he also has eight double-doubles and two triple-doubles. The Wizards are only two-point favorites on the road tonight facing a Kings team allowing the 24th most fantasy ppg to point guards with a high 221.5 expected point total. On a slate that is lacking in players with 60 fantasy point upside Wall is the “cream of the crop” and the player I am pairing with Paul tonight.

Ricky Rubio must have started eating something different. All of a sudden he is a force to reckon with for a cheap price. In five of his last nine games he has scored more than 40 fantasy ppg with the others mostly falling in the 30 range. The matchup is not great with the Clippers allowing the seventh fewest fantasy ppg to point guards but he did manage to drop 44 fantasy points versus the Utah Jazz last Saturday night which makes the Clippers look a lot less scary. For his price if you are going to fade Wall or Paul or both he is a great option.

The “Mack Daddy,” or Shelvin Mack, is in a prime spot to have a good night. There are a number of reasons I love the Mack tonight and the first is I suspect his ownership to be very low. For several games straight he was scoring more than 30 fantasy ppg and then crickets. It just stopped. As a matter of fact, in his last four games he has only managed to score over 20 fantasy ppg in two of them. This game also has one of the lowest expected point totals of the night at 205. If you are looking for a great play especially in a GPP lineup tonight than take a look at the “Mack attack” facing a Golden State team allowing the 26th most fantasy ppg to point guards. Did I also mention he has a higher usage rate than Goran Dragic, Rajon Rondo, and Tony Parker?

Possible Value

I really feel like tonight the value is going to lie in the Milwaukee game. The problem is with who? Both Jerryd Bayless and Tyler Ennis seem to be getting plenty of playing time. The Phoenix Suns defend the backcourt horribly allowing the 29th most fantasy ppg to point guards. The Bucks are only favored at home by 6.5-points tonight in a game with a high 211.5 expected point total. All factors that spell possible return.

Bayless plays the bulk of the minutes most nights but has a game log that goes from exciting to making you want to cry. The truth is Bayless will either come out and get you 25-to-30 fantasy points or drop a 13 spot on you. His price is dirt cheap and like any other value play comes with risk.

Tyler Ennis is the better option if he gets the minutes. His fantasy ppm average is much better than Bayless. In his last game versus the Hornets on March 26 he managed to score 31.8 fantasy points in 28 minutes. His price is the minimum-to-near minimum salary and much like Bayless is a risk. One thing I do believe is one of these two are going to have a monster night. It is just matter of choosing the right one.

I just got the word that Deron Williams is out tonight for Dallas. That opens the door for none other than J.J. Barea. He has scored over 30 fantasy ppg in two of his last three games and tonight faces a Knicks team allowing the 20th most fantasy ppg to point guards. He gets the bump up over both Bayless and Ennis in my opinion and I am glad this news for once made it to me in time to include it in my article.

Shooting Guard

Strategy

Plenty of options here tonight to fit your roster construction.

Core Plays

You know it is a funny night in the NBA when Devin Booker is the top play at any position. The fact is with Toronto being a huge bag of W-T-F as of late, my faith in playing their backcourt is zero as far as spending goes which leaves Booker at the top of the heap. In his last 10 games, while playing heavy minutes nightly, he has managed to score over 30 fantasy ppg seven times going over the 40 mark twice versus the Nuggets (45.1) and Lakers (44.1). The Bucks are allowing the 25th most fantasy ppg to shooting guards making the matchup just right. His price is on the rise tonight and I see little choice but to pay it, and I am.

With Goran Dragic a GTD (illness) Josh Richardson could start at the one again tonight. Regardless, he is playing over 25 minutes on most nights and has managed to score over 30 fantasy ppg four times in the last 10 games versus the Bulls (32.4), Nuggets (33.8), Spurs (33.4), and Nets (31.5). His price is only $5,100 on FanDuel and tonight faces the Lakers who defend pretty much everyone horribly including allowing the most fantasy ppg to point guards and 28th most fantasy ppg to shooting guards. No matter where he comes in it is a win-win situation for the salary.

Bradley Beal is another player I am hot on tonight like most of the Wizards team. How can you not be with the Kings allowing the 28th most fantasy ppg overall? With a high 221.5 expected point total you need to gain some exposure to this game somewhere. I plan on having at least three to four players from this game in my lineup tonight for cash games and Beal deserves serious consideration for $5,700 on FanDuel facing a Kings team allowing the 29th most fantasy ppg to shooting guards. He has a nice ceiling and he is a player who could easily get you 30 fantasy points if he gets hot.

 Possible Value

In another ironic twist in the NBA, Seth Curry (not a typo) is actually a viable play tonight. If he is starting tonight he faces the Wizards who are allowing the 18th most fantasy ppg to shooting guards. The matchup could be better but the minutes should be available on this beat-up Kings team. In his last two games he has scored 20.7 and 28.3 fantasy points versus the Mavericks and Trail Blazers and I see little reason why he would not hit the 20 mark again tonight for the near minimum across the industry.

Norman Powell is the projected starter at the three tonight for Toronto. It is pretty sad when I have more faith in Powell than their superstars. The fact remains the matchup is not great with the Hawks allowing the 12th fewest fantasy ppg to the three but Powell has scored over 20 fantasy ppg in three straight. This game has the lowest expected point total of the night at 200 but is slated to be close with Toronto being only two-point favorites. I see low ownership here and a great GPP play.

Small Forward

Strategy

If you are following my advice right now you are in a position to spend up at the three tonight. Although we have some excellent value options the one and the three are where I am going loco. Outside of what I choose to do you do have options at all price levels here tonight.

Core Plays

Upside, upside, upside. I cannot express it enough. I see no other small forward on the slate with the ceiling that the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo brings and with little to spend up, on why would you fade him? The Suns are allowing the 27th most fantasy ppg to small forwards and Giannis is the only player on the slate with 70 fantasy point upside. This one seems like a no-brainer tonight and I expect him to be heavily owned.

The word is we have some issues going with Kristaps Porzingis. He is listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury. The moment I heard this I went to the small forward slot and quickly inserted Carmelo Anthony. With no Porzingis he becomes a prime play much like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love do when LeBron James sits. The matchup is not great with the Mavericks allowing the eighth fewest fantasy ppg to small forwards, but the reality is, if no Porzingis you play him.

In keeping with the Wizards you have to look at Otto Porter again tonight. The Kings are allowing the 22nd most fantasy ppg to small forwards and Porter has been on fire scoring over 20 fantasy ppg in nine of his last 10 games going over the 30 mark versus the Nuggets (34.9), Hawks (38.5), and Timberwolves (33.1). His price is still low at $5,500 on FanDuel and he makes a great complimentary piece to pair with the Greek Freak or Melo if you choose not to pair them.

Possible Value

As long as they are starting tonight go ahead and pick an Anderson. Either of them.

Kyle Anderson is the only player I have any interest in tonight for San Antonio and that interest would only lie in a GPP play. The Pelicans are allowing the 15th most or 15th fewest fantasy ppg depending on whether you are a glass half empty or half full kind of person. He has, however, in last two games scored over 20 fantasy ppg dropping 34.1 fantasy points in his last game versus the Grizzlies. He is the minimum but has upside and makes a great GPP play tonight.

The other Anderson is Justin Anderson for the Mavericks. He is projected to start tonight at the three and in his last game he managed to score over 24.8 fantasy points versus the Nuggets on Monday night. With rest going to be the key for many of the NBA players it is going to come down to the Justin Anderson's of the world in leagues and DFS. It is just a matter of catching them on the right night and tonight looks like it could be it.

Power Forward

Strategy

I like the value at the four tonight better than the core plays. It just seems we have several players under $5K who can get you the same fantasy points as those who are between $6K-7K with matchups and minutes available due to injury.

Core Plays

Draymond Green is the only player on the Warriors I would play tonight facing the Jazz. Not that for one second I expect Utah to shut them down, but I do see their offensive capabilities being “hampered” a bit. The reality is Utah has been allowing the second fewest fantasy ppg from the two-to-five for pretty much the whole season at this point. You have to pay this some consideration. With all this being said and Green facing a Utah team allowing the second fewest fantasy ppg to power forwards I still see no reason why Green cannot score over 40 fantasy points tonight. Something he has done in four out of his last five going over the 50 mark versus the Timberwolves (51.8) and Wizards (51.7). He also has one triple-double and one double-double that just a missed a triple by one assist in the last two. He is red hot for sure and I heard he hates Jazz.

The Lakers suck. They really do. They are ranked 20th versus the power forward position and are a continuing source of offensive inconsistency and poor defense. Luol Deng for the price of $6,000 is one of my favorite plays tonight and the player if any I will pay more than $5K for tonight. He had a little bad stretch but has scored over 30 fantasy ppg in six of his last nine games and barring some unforeseen foul trouble he should continue that trend tonight.

Jabari Parker for a spell was probably the highest-owned power forward on the slate in cash games. Not so much nowadays and his salary is back down to earth as well coming in at $6,100. With better matchups for cheaper tonight across the board, I think a lot of people are going to shy away from Parker. The Suns are allowing the 13th fewest fantasy ppg to the four but Parker has managed to score over 30 fantasy ppg in three of his last 10 games with most of the others in the 25 range. I prefer Deng but Parker sure does run close for me.

Possible Value

Derrick Williams is an awesome play if Kristaps Porzingis sits tonight. He would be facing a Mavericks team allowing the 27th most fantasy ppg to power forwards. He also has the ability to put up great fantasy numbers when he gets the minutes as his fantasy ppm average is almost one for one and more some nights. In a great matchup for the minimum salary I can tell you right now if he starts I will play him in cash games or GPP.

Dwight Powell is projected to start at center for the Mavericks tonight for mere peanuts across the industry. The Knicks are allowing the 17th most fantasy ppg to centers and Powell has huge upside when he gets hot. He has scored a combined 53.6 fantasy points in his last two games and should continue that trend tonight no problem.

Center

Strategy

I actually find the center position tough tonight. I do not like any of the more expensive guys. It feels like one of those kind of nights where savings is the best option here and that is my plan of attack. If DeMarcus Cousins does play tonight he of course is probably the only player I would spend up for in a GPP with all the value on the board.

Core Plays

Both centers I like tonight fall into the value category. I have written down the same player’s name now three articles in a row for cash games, Marcin Gortat. He is the best option again tonight for the price and the safest. I can tell you I am bored to death with him and plan on taking risk tonight at the five. The days are winding down I do not just want to “cash.” I want a big hit.

Possible Value

Tyson Chandler should be back to playing plenty of minutes tonight facing a Bucks team that is allowing the 21st most fantasy ppg to centers. Before he got a little banged up he was on fire scoring over 30 fantasy ppg in three of six. He does not come without risk but I currently have him in my one lineup. I will sink or swim on this one tonight.

The other player I really like tonight is Kosta Koufos if Boogie sits. He has scored over 20 fantasy ppg in three straight including a 35 fantasy point night versus the Timberwolves. The Wizards are only allowing the eighth fewest fantasy ppg to centers but I suspect he still will make the most of his minutes.

GO DODGERS!

Follow me on Twitter: @geraldcolvin73 or email me at: therealjerrycolvin@yahoo.com