Taking Advantage Of Favorable NBA Schedules
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Brandon Ingram - New Orleans Pelicans
Opponents: UTA, LAC, MEM, SAC, WAS, SAS, SAC, ORL
The 2019-2020 campaign has been a breakout for Brandon Ingram. In his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans, he’s posting career-highs in points (24.3), rebounds (6.3), and assists (4.3). He’s also shooting more threes than ever, upping his 1.8 attempts per game with the Los Angeles Lakers last season to 6.3 attempts per contest, nailing them at a healthy 38.7 percent.
Ingram and the Pelicans draw a marginal schedule. It starts out tough with the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers. Surprisingly, Ingram has done quite well against both clubs. In three games against Utah this season, Ingram averaged an incredible 39.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
The final five contests are against some poor teams. The Sacramento Kings are average at defending the small forward position in general this season. The Washington Wizards allow the second-highest field goal percentage (48.1) against Ingram’s position, not to mention they’re devastated after Davis Bertans and Bradley Beal announced that they’re sitting out. The San Antonio Spurs allow small forwards to score the fourth-most points among teams entering the Orlando bubble. Overall, this schedule is set up for Ingram to succeed and remain a dominant DFS play. It doesn’t hurt that the Pelicans have a lot to play for, meaning minutes restrictions may not apply to Ingram.
Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers
Opponents: IND, SAC, WAS, ORL, POR, PHX, TOR, HOU
Ben Simmons has averaged at least a double-double against 6-of-8 opponents on the Philadelphia 76ers schedule. In fact, he has averaged a triple-double against the likes of the Toronto Raptors (over three contests) and Houston Rockets. Simmons has averaged a double-double against 13 teams this season, so the ratio is particularly high for their remaining schedule.
Simmons is said to be completely healthy and ready to go inside the Orlando bubble. The Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, and Wizards really struggle to defend the point guard position, combining to allow 24.7 points per 48 minutes against the position. Simmons should gobble up boards against foes such as the Toronto Raptors, Blazers, Indiana Pacers, and Houston Rockets. The four squads rank inside the bottom-six when it comes to rebounds allowed to point guards among teams entering the Orlando bubble. If Simmons is as healthy as we think, then he’s in for some nice season-ending performances.
Jaylen Brown - Boston Celtics
Opponents: MIL, POR, MIA, BKN, TOR, ORL, MEM, WAS
Jaylen Brown was in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and a 38.1 percent mark from beyond the arc. The 23-year-old should have no problem with durability once the season resumes. They’re just 3.0 games behind the Raptors for the two-seed and 2.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat, so they’ll need to play their regulars to at least maintain their position.
Brown and the Boston Celtics draw some favorable matchups for shooting guards. The Memphis Grizzlies, Wizards, Blazers, Magic, and Heat combine to allow shooting guards to score 24.1 points per 48 minutes. Memphis and Washington are two of the three-worst clubs in the NBA against the position when it comes to scoring, and the two are horrible at defending the three (allowing a combined 3.35 makes from deep per 48 minutes against shooting guards).
The Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors are two to avoid, but the rest of the schedule is looking juicy for Brown. Expect Brown to thrive against guys with poor defensive ratings like CJ McCollum (112.2), Evan Fournier (110.0), Dillon Brooks (108.9), and Troy Brown Jr. (113.7).