The 37-24 Houston Rockets take on the 34-25 Pacers in Indiana as the game of the day, two top five teams in their respective conferences. Four out of five of the Rockets starters/ impact playmakers will be back, as Alperen Sengun is one of them off the injury report. Houston is coming off a two-game losing streak and has been banged up against two of the better NBA teams in the Thunder and the Kings. The Pacers are coming off a win against the Chicago Bulls and
Sengun (back), Amen Thompson (shoulder), Dillon Brooks (knee), and Tari Eason (leg) are slated to return tonight, as they were all out for Houston against OKC on Monday. The only one projected out for Tuesday’s game is Fred VanVleet. This is a must-win for the Pacers at home, as the Rockets took Indiana down in their first game a few months ago in Houston.
Rockets vs. Pacers DFS Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
Alperen Sengun ($9.1K DraftKings and Fanduel)
The Rockets star center returns, giving Houston some major reinforcements for this big time game. Alperen Sengun is averaging 43.4 fantasy points a game and is well-worth the salary as one of the best at his position. He has a favorable matchup as well, as the Pacers are middle of the pack against centers (ranked 17th). Against Sacramento, Sengun racked up 30 points and on the year, he averages 19.1 points. The Houston center should be a major focal point in tonight’s game against Indiana.
Amen Thompson ($8.5K DraftKings; $8.8K Fanduel)
Position versatility helps when selecting players and with Amen Thompson back, he can be a key player in lineups tonight for either main slate or for this game. The young starting guard/ forward is coming off a bad performance vs. the Kings. They had VanVleet back, so he reverted to more of a support role. Thompson against the Pacers should have a bounceback spot in his natural position.
Rockets vs. Pacers DFS Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Jalen Green ($7.2K DraftKings; $7.3K Fanduel)
Although Jalen Green has been consistent and hasn’t been injured for the majority of the season, he has a relatively difficult matchup. The Pacers are 9th best against shooting guards and with help on the way, I wouldn’t envision him having a bigger game than with them out against the Thunder. Even though they are one of the best NBA teams, Green had just 35 fantasy points (18 points on the court).
Myles Turner ($6.4K DraftKings; $6.8K Fanduel)
Indiana’s center Myles Turner has a top five matchup against the Rockets at the position, so there should be other options. He is averaging just 15.5 points on the floor and 32 fantasy points on the season, which is what he gets usually per game as more of a lower ceiling but decent floor play.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Tyrese Haliburton ($8.6K DraftKings; $9.3K Fanduel)
Tyrese Haliburton should rebound in a big spot, as he is coming off two lackluster performances. Even at his price at the top, he is going against Houston, who is 22nd ranked against point guards specifically. Haliburton is averaging 41.3 fantasy points (18.4) a game and they will need him to pull through in order to beat a good Rockets team. I would imagine he can get to 30+ points tonight.
Total Apex Fade of the Game
Aaron Nesmith ($4.5K DraftKings; $5.2K Fanduel)
Although he was hot the other night against the Bulls, the Pacers are the best defensive team ranked against shooting forwards. Aaron Nesmith has a tough task in a high-stakes game. He is coming off a 27 point (37.3 fantasy) performance but averages 9.7 points on the floor, while averaging 18.5 fantasy points a game. Sunday was an outlier game that turned out to be his career high and tonight, Nesmith’s production may fall back down to Earth compared to the veteran forward Pascal Siakam.
