We truly believe here at FantasyLabs that we have the most unique tools and data available to DFS users. However, we also realize that those tools and data are only as awesome and helpful as our ability to effectively communicate how to use everything. As such, we will continually listen to feedback of what you need and try our best to teach our subscribers how to use all of the cool things we have to offer.

With this in mind, our “Trend of the Day” series features articles each weekday that walk ubscribers through an important trend for that day’s slate of games, created with our Trends tool.

Trend of the Day: Power Forwards vs. the Houston Rockets

With LeBron James already confirmed out for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets, both Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving should be in for a nice boost in usage and production in what should be plus-spots for each player. And while both have solid matchups, we’re going to focus on Love’s for today’s trend.

Step 1: Time Filters > NBA Season > Select “2015-2016”

Step 2: Player Filters > Position > Select “PF”

Step 3: Team Filters > Opposing Team > Select “Houston Rockets”

Step 4: Projections > Proj Minutes > Set to “25 to 48”

And finally, the results!

So with the results above, we can see that exploiting Houston with opposing power forwards in general has been positive. But we’re expecting Love to see a decent amount of usage tonight, so let’s narrow in on power forwards that have also been projected to see a fair amount of usage, to get a better idea of how comparable players have performed.

Step 5: Projections > Proj Usage > Set to “20 to 34.3”

And the updated final results.

Now, we could have gotten crazy and really narrowed in on a smaller sub-group of players that have faced off against the Rockets this season by bumping up the projected usage rate closer to Love’s projected 26.33 percent, but the scope is narrow enough as it is. By keeping the usage rate to 20 percent, we are capturing players who are sporting a collective usage rate at least somewhat comparable to Love’s.

In reality, by adding the final filter I was hoping to get a look at how more (or less) consistent power forwards do against the Rockets, as Love projects to be relied upon for a fair amount of scoring this evening. Given his Consistency Rating of 71 percent, my confidence in firing up Love in cash games is confirmed.

Good luck tonight!