This article is part of our DraftKings EuroLeague DFS Picks series.
Slate Overview
With only two games left for the teams playing Friday, playoff positioning is crucial and will affect what they do rotation-wise. First off, Fenerbahce needs one win to avoid the Play-In, and they no doubt would love to get it against their rival. Next we have Efes, Baskonia and Milan, who are battling for spots in the top 10. All these teams should push their best players, as outside of winning, point differential is crucial. As such, top players could see more time even if the score gets out of hand. There is not much injury news to note but I discussed several situations below. Good luck, everyone!
Guards to Go After
Players listed in order of confidence
Preferred Plays
Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul ($10,300)
Larkin snapped out of a cold spell last week and returned 4x value as Efes sewed up a key win. This is not the easiest matchup, but Efes needs another victory, and I'll take Larkin against anyone with his back against the wall.
Kostas Sloukas, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ($10,400)
Sloukas put up at least 30.5 DraftKings points five times over his last six appearances, and the only game in which he didn't came against an Olympiacos team that does a good job containing guards. He now faces Bayern, whose backcourt doesn't defend near that level. Sloukas looks like he's already in prime playoff mode.
Scottie Wilbekin, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ($9,000)
Always a GPP play considering how reliant he is on those outside shots falling, but the pace should be quick in the Turkish Derby, and that helps Wilbekin's chances of getting ample shots up.
Codi Miller-McIntyre, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ($9,700)
Markus Howard, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ($8,900)
Real Madrid plays great team defense but they're liable to give up 80 points Friday due to the pace both teams play at. These two haven't truly gone off in a while and I don't trust them all that much, and as a result they're only alternate lineup plays for me or parts I would use in a game stack.
Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ($10,000)
Always have to mention Nunn because he's one of the few guys who can put 30 points on the scoreboard, particularly if his shot rate remains steady.
Valuable Values
Justus Hollatz, Anadolu Efes Istanbul ($4,700)
He continues to start, and every time he's on the floor he's making plays. Plus, Efes has really leaned on him when they've needed a backcourt defender. You could do worse below the $5,000 mark.
Chris Chiozza, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ($3,900)
We have to be extremely careful here, as he could always swap roles with Jordan Theodore and get a DNP. Chiozza made a bunch of plays his last time out though, and I like the risk below $4,000.
Stefano Tonut, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan ($5,500)
The sharpshooter is starting and regularly getting at least 20 minutes. I'll take that deal at this rate.
Daniel Hackett, Virtus Segafredo Bologna ($7,300)
Alessandro Pajola, Virtus Segafredo Bologna ($7,000)
We have to monitor the starters here, as if Hackett opens on the court I much prefer him. If Pajola starts, I trust he will get at least 20 minutes of high-usage work.
Marius Grigonis, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ($6,900)
He got in foul trouble last week, which kept the minutes down. However, I feel a Grigonis game coming like I did with James Nunnally on Thursday.
Frontcourt in Focus
Players listed in order of confidence
Preferred Plays
Nikola Mirotic, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan ($9,800)
Shavon Shields, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan ($9,600)
I want to target studs on teams that need a win Friday, particularly Efes and Milan. As such, I will be starting my lineups with one of these two high-usage players who should be pushed minutes-wise.
Will Clyburn, Anadolu Efes Istanbul ($9,900)
Much like the players above, Clyburn should be pushed over 30 minutes regardless of the score.
Nigel Hayes-Davis, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ($10,700)
How do we not talk about Hayes-Davis after his record-breaking 50-point showing against ALBA? If he gets 30 minutes again I would be just fine going back to him in what should be an elite matchup.
Guerschon Yabusele, Real Madrid ($9,200)
Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid ($8,700)
These guys fill different spots, with Yabusele working as a power forward and Musa operating on the wing, but they both earn a mention with Mario Hezonja uncertain. If Hezonja is unable to go, I like the usage bump for these two in a back-and-forth game environment. If everyone is in for Real Madrid, though, it will be tough to pin down who to roll the dice on at these prices.
Johnathan Motley, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ($8,400)
Efes is one of the worst teams on the interior, and they will try to contain Motley, who has been decimating any frontcourt he faces lately. Despite him being a fouler I really like this as a cash play because his fantasy points per minute should be great when he's out there.
Valuable Values
Vanja Marinkovic, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ($7,600)
Tadas Sedekerskis, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ($7,700)
They let us down last time, but this spot on the forward list is weak Friday, and these guys get good minutes in great game environments. I understand their floors are not great, but one of them will soon drop 30.0 DraftKings points and be crucial in winning lineups.
Dyshawn Pierre, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ($6,800)
Tarik Biberovic, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ($6,600)
Fenerbahce's rotation is very frustrating, but if you fall in this range as a last piece these two guys are sharpshooters who hit the glass a bit as well.
Johannes Voigtmann, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan ($6,700)
He's a starter below $7,000 who can rebound and shoot from long range. The playing time leaves a lot to be desired, but if he's playing well they have no issue giving him minutes in the high 20s. Plus, he has reached double digits all three times he has faced Virtus this season.
Vladimir Lucic, FC Bayern Munich ($7,200)
Isaac Bonga, FC Bayern Munich ($5,800)
If Devin Booker remains out like I suspect he will, these two guys will again be pressed for minutes at the forward spots.
Ercan Osmani, Anadolu Efes Istanbul ($6,000)
This is absolutely a chase so be careful here, but I feel obligated to relay that he has been starting and playing well, so the minutes could stay up there. Although he faces a tougher matchup, he can return 3x value as long as he keeps shooting like he has.
Maik Kotsar, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ($6,200)
Size will be needed against Real Madrid's towering frontcourt, and Matt Costello can only do so much while Chima Moneke is not particularly tall. Although this is a bad matchup, Kotsar is cheap and liable to see 20 minutes, and he can rack up fantasy points with his game.
Gabriel Deck, Real Madrid ($6,400)
Deck will only be an option if he starts, but if he does I love the risk.
