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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*


RING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
RING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

It’s important to know the intricacies of the NBA schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head fantasy league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are some moves you might want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

There are only ten teams playing four games each this week, which means you might be left with less of a base to build off of on your current squad than normal. If you need help filling out your starting lineup, consider adding the below players who are still available in most leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

Jarrett Jack, New York Knicks

The Knicks brought in Jack on a non-guaranteed contract and not only has he played well, but he has started 40 games this season. He was expected to split time with rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina but has firmly grabbed a hold of the starting job. Jack is averaging 27 minutes per game this season but has played at least 32 minutes in five of the last seven games. Jack has taken full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 14.8 points, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals in those five games. Two of his four games this week come against the Nets and Lakers, both of which are in the top-five in the league in pace of play. Jack is still available in 65% of Yahoo! leagues and should be on your radar if you need a point guard.

Wayne Ellington, Miami Heat

The Heat have been one of the teams impacted the most by injuries this season, most recently losing Dion Waiters (ankle) for the season. Ellington has been a crucial part of their rotation as a result, averaging 25 minutes per game overall. He’s played much more than that lately though, logging at least 30 minutes in 12 of his last 13 games. He won’t provide much in the way of rebounds or assists, but he has made the sixth-most three-pointers (121) in the league. If you need a boost from behind the arc, he could be a difference maker with four games on tap for this week. He is still available in 66% of Yahoo! leagues.

JaMychal Green, Memphis Grizzlies

Green has been limited to just 26 games this season, but he is averaging a career-high 10.0 points to go along with 6.7 rebounds and 0.8 three-pointers per game. He’s off to a hot start in January, averaging 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 block through four games. He could be in line for added minutes this week as the Grizzlies will need his size battling four big frontcourts in the Lakers, Knicks, Kings, and Pelicans. None of the four are particularly strong teams defensively either. Still available in 85% of Yahoo! leagues, Green has upside this week.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns

With only two teams playing two games each this week, rolling with players on the Mavericks or Suns will put you at a disadvantage. As a result, consider benching the players below who you may normally start most weeks.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns

Warren has stepped up to be the Suns’ second-best player this year, averaging career-highs in points (19.7), rebounds (5.5) and assists (1.4) per game. The problem is, he doesn’t provide great defensive stats and is only averaging 0.3 three-pointers per game. His two opponents this week are the Nuggets and the Trail Blazers, two teams in the bottom half of the league in terms of pace of play. With scoring being his main source of value, he just won’t have the volume this week to warrant starting.

Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are lacking depth and young talent, so Smith has been a welcomed addition to their roster. Although he’s only averaging 28 minutes per game, he’s still provided value because of his 28.3% usage rate that ranks inside the top-25 in the league. His percentages have hurt his value though as he’s shooting just 39.4% from the field and 69.3% from the charity stripe. Ironically, the Mavericks also play the Nuggets and Trail Blazers this week, so it might be best to keep Smith on your bench.

Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks

Barnes has been the most productive player on the Mavericks, averaging 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 three-pointers per game. His field goal percentage is down this season at only 45.5%, but he’s been excellent from the charity stripe, shooting 82.8%. He doesn’t provide many steals or blocks, so it’s going to be tough to get enough value from him with such a limited schedule this week. It might be wise to look elsewhere ar forward this week.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/15/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/15/18


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

 

POINT GUARDS:

Chris Paul ($10,800 FD/$10,300 DK) – 

Aside from the immense production CP3 has provided as the primary source of offense while Harden is sidelined, Paul has a rather interesting matchup in this small four game main slate. He will be seeing some familiar faces Monday night in his reunion with his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a “revenge game”, but CP will definitely want to make a statement with his play. This matchup is set to be with high tempo as both teams rank in the top 11 in the league in pace of play, which could benefit Paul greatly. He may be a perfect play to pay up for.

De’Aaron Fox ($6,300 FD/$4,900 DK) – 

With the recent blow to Frank Mason, Fox has picked up some extra minutes running the point for this Sacramento team. He has logged 30 or more minutes in five of the six games since Mason’s absence, averaging 29.4 FanDuel PPG in that span. His matchup with OKC isn’t very favorable in any means, but at a reduced price and almost guaranteed 30+ minutes in a small slate like this one, he seems to be worth the risk.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Lou Williams ($9,100 FD/$8,900 DK) – 

Lou Will has been one of the biggest beneficiaries to the Clipper’s injury epidemic as he is consuming much bigger usage rates and more minutes. His opponent Monday, the Houston Rockets, rank 18th in defending shooting guards giving Lou a bit of an advantage. He is averaging 48 FanDuel PPG over his last three contests as he still remains under $10,000, giving him a massive value recently. He won’t stuff the stat sheet in many categories besides points, but has been efficient enough to obliterate the point column along with a steal or two. (Had 4 in his last game.)

Donovan Mitchell ($7,400 FD/$7,100 DK) – 

One of the more consistent plays in this slate, both production and salary wise consists of Donovan Mitchell. The rookie has scored 30 or more FanDuel points in 7 straight games. At a low 7K range salary Mitchell is a great plug in play to compliment your superstars with a fairly cheap price tag and upside. He is capable of 40+ point nights in just about any slate which gives him that hidden upside when taking him.

SMALL FORWARDS:

 

Kevin Durant ($10,700 FD/$9,800 DK) – 

There’s always a bit of attention drawn in when the Warriors and Cavaliers meet which is a matchup Kevin Durant has some serious upside in. The last time these teams met KD provided 54.9 FanDuel points on a 25 point and 5 block performance. This game features a massive 231 projected total as the Cavs hold one of the leagues worst defenses. With both teams having decent pace, expect a lot of offense to be on display in this one in which Kevin Durant leads the pack. (Hopefully)

Gerald Green ($4,600 FD/$5,300 DK) – 

Gerald Green will always be my favorite SF play during this Harden-less Rockets era. Green remains to be extremely cheap, and reliable. His increase of minutes adds more value to his play as it’s not easy turning down a player listed at $4,600 who you know will be seeing minutes in the high 20’s or low 30’s. That goes especially for this matchup as the Clippers rank 27th in the league in defending small forwards. You’ll need a few cheap options in your lineup tonight, and you should start with Gerald Green.

POWER FORWARDS:

Draymond Green ($8,200 FD/$7,700 DK) – 

Another day, another thin PF slate. Green appears to have the best matchup of night among the PF’s in the main slate as he squares off with the already mentioned Cavaliers. At around 8K Draymond has an opportunity to do some damage. Green has been stuffing the stat sheet lately, generating at least 7  assists in five of his last six games. He also added double digit scoring to four of those six games as well. In addition to points and assists, in those same six games he has grabbed double digit rebounds in four of them. Against Cleveland’s poor defense, Green has no reason not to exceed value and collect digits in every category.

Montrezl Harrell ($5,400 D/$4,600 DK) – 

Harrell has been a spark off the Clippers bench recently, averaging 29.4 FanDuel PPG over his last three games. Scoring has not been a problem off the bench for the big man, as he has easily put up double digits in those three games while averaging roughly 24 minutes of playing time. His matchup is a little tough, but shouldn’t worry you. If Harrell can maintain his recent production and maybe obtain a steal and block or two, he will be a lot more than you expected when constructing your lineup.

CENTERS:

Clint Capela ($7,800 FD/$7,200 DK) – 

Similar to the PF position, Center isn’t very attractive either. Capela shows a lot of upside tonight especially with his small bump in usage he’s already obtained through Harden’s court vacancy. Capela has posted a double-double in four of his last five games, with the one lone game consisting of him falling one single rebound short. His matchup is mediocre Monday night but as mentioned he will get some extra touches as a result of the Rocket’s leading source of offense is injured.

Kevin Love ($7,000 FD/$7,600 DK) –

For a player like Kevin Love, both price tags are too cheap. Love has proved this season just how effective he can be on any given night. He must be excited to play GSW again, as the last time they met Love scorched them for 31 points and 18 rebounds. The Warriors rank a fair 16th in the league in defending centers, giving Love a little bit of upside to work with. One thing remarkable about Love this season is that he is producing these healthy numbers on a shortage of minutes, however, since GSW plays small most of the time, Love may see more minutes to assert a center’s presence on the court.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/12/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/12/18

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
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There are nine games in the NBA on Friday, leaving plenty of elite options to choose from for your DFS entry. In order to fit them in though, you need to find those cheaper value plays, or “sleepers” if you will, to help you bring home some money. Consider using the players below to hopefully end your night a winner.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Ricky Rubio, UTA at CHA
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,600

Rubio has seen his assists drop off dramatically in his first season with the Jazz, averaging only 4.8 per game. His previous career low was 7.3 in the 2012-13 season and he had averaged a career-high 9.1 per game with the Timberwolves last year. However, he’s showing signs of his all-around game improving lately, averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in his last five games. He’s still averaging 29 minutes per game this season, so he’ll likely have the ball in his hands enough to provide value Friday.

Malcolm Delaney, ATL vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,700

The rebuilding Hawks don’t have much depth, which has led to Delaney averaging a career-high 19 minutes per game this season. He’s coming off back-to-back solid performances against the Clippers and Nuggets where he averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. This has the makings of a promising matchup against a Nets team that deploys a lot of small lineups and plays at the fifth-fastest pace (102.4 possessions per game) in the league. His upside is limited at best, but he can provide value at this extremely cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Malcolm Brogdon, MIL vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,500

Brogdon has come off the bench for the majority of this season but has now started each of the last three games. He did start the first nine games he played this season but his numbers during that time period have to be taken into context because Eric Bledsoe had not yet joined the team. He has played well in the last three starts though, averaging 12.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. The Warriors play at the fourth-fastest-pace (102.7) in the league and use a lot of small lineups, leaving Brogdon with an opportunity to shine in this game.

Caris LeVert, BKN at ATL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,500

LeVert has done an excellent job helping run the offense with all of the Nets injuries this year, averaging 4.2 assists per game. Before missing two games with a groin injury, LeVert had at least 12 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in four straight games. He hasn’t played as well in two games since returning, but it shows what kind of upside he can provide. In his last game against the Hawks, LeVert scored 17 points to go along with two rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He is someone you should consider for your entry again Friday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Gerald Green, HOU at PHO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,500

Green has helped pick up the slack offensively with James Harden (hamstring) out, averaging 19.0 points and 4.6 three-pointers in his last seven games. His usage rate is 21.7%, which is fourth-highest on the team behind Harden, Chris Paul, and Eric Gordon. Friday brings an excellent matchup against the Suns who play at the third-fastest pace (102.8) and allow the most points per game (112.1) in the league. Look for Green to score plenty in this game.

Joe Ingles, UTA at CHA
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,800

While Green’s value comes from his ability to score, Ingles’ comes from his ability to contribute across the board. It’s not sexy, but his averages of 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 three-pointers provide value at this price. He’s averaging 31 minutes per game this season, which has led to career-highs almost across the board. The Hornets allow the second-most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing small forwards, making Ingles someone to consider for this game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

JaMychal Green, MEM at DEN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,700

Green is coming off his best performance on the season when he scored 20 points to go along with 14 rebounds, two steals, and one block Wednesday against the Pelicans. One of the keys to his performance was that he played 34 minutes. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game 10 times this season, averaging 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in those contests. He could be in store for added minutes again Friday with the Nuggets going big with both Nikola Jokic and Mason Plumlee in their starting five. The Nuggets allow the fifth-most DraftKings points per game and the sixth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing power forwards, leaving Green as a nice option.

Dragan Bender, PHO vs. HOU
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Bender will move into the starting lineup Friday with Marquese Chriss (hip) already ruled out. Chriss also left early in the Suns last game Monday against the Thunder due to the same injury. As a result, Bender ended up playing 39 minutes. He did not let the added minutes go to waste, scoring 20 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists, one steal, three blocks and a staggering six three-pointers. This has the makings of a great matchup as both the Suns and the Rockets are in the top-eight in the league in terms of pace of play. At this price, Bender could be the best value play of the night.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Plumlee has now started 19 of the last 20 games for the Nuggets, averaging 8.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 blocks in his new role. He only averaged 17 minutes per game coming off the bench this season but has averaged 24 minutes as a starter. Finding cheap center options can be difficult, especially on FanDuel where there is no position flexibility. That being said, Plumlee should be able to average enough across the board to present a viable option.

Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. ORL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,900

Gortat had averaged at least 30 minutes per game in each of the last six seasons but has seen his role change this year. He enters Friday averaging just 27 minutes per game, playing at least 30 minutes in a game only three times in his last 20 contests. His numbers have declined as you would have expected, but he’s still averaged a respectable 9.1 points and 8.1 rebounds. Friday brings a favorable matchup against a Magic team that struggles to defend the center position, so Gortat could be productive even in limited minutes.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/11/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/11/18

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Delon Wright, TOR vs. CLE
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,100

Kyle Lowry (back) is considered unlikely to play Thursday, leaving Wright with another opportunity to start. He started for Lowry on Tuesday against the Heat, scoring 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in 29 minutes. Wright has played at least 29 minutes in four of his last six games, averaging 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in those four contests. With an expanded role in the cards again Thursday, Wright could provide excellent value.

Patty Mills, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,500

The Spurs are going to be short-handed Thursday with Kawhi Leonard (shoulder) and Rudy Gay (heel) out, Tony Parker (ankle) doubtful and Danny Green (groin) questionable. If all four players are indeed out, that’s a lot of minutes left on the table. Mills has played at least 30 minutes in a game three times this season, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 three-pointers in those contests. The Lakers play at the fastest pace (103.9 possessions per game) and allow the second-most points per game (111.1) in the league, leaving Mills as a viable option for your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Lou Williams, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,300

Williams is putting the Clippers on his back right now, averaging 31.8 points over his last 10 games. He scored a whopping 50 points Wednesday against the Warriors, but still managed to chip in seven assists in the game. The Clippers continue to be hit hard by injuries, which has led Williams to post a career-high 30% usage rate. The Clippers backcourt will be thin again Thursday, so look for more elite production from Williams against the Kings.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,000

The Kings inconsistent rotations make it hard to rely on their players in DFS but Bogdanovic has been one of the few you can count on lately. He’s played at least 30 minutes in five of his last seven games, which is a significant threshold for his value. He’s played at least 30 minutes in a game nine times this season, averaging 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals. At this reasonable price, he might be one of the more safer cheaper guard options Thursday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE at TOR
FanDuel = $11,500
DraftKings = $11,300

James is coming off one of his worst games of the season on Monday, but he only played 27 minutes in a blowout loss to the Timberwolves. Games like that are few and far between based on his 30.8% usage rate, which is ninth-highest in the league. He is the only player priced over $10,000 on both FanDuel and DraftKings on Thursday, but his upside is so high, it’s going to be hard to keep him out of your lineup.

Kyle Anderson, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,400

With the Spurs dealing with injuries to several key players, look for Anderson to make another start Thursday. He’s started each of the last four games, averaging 7.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. While the offensive numbers aren’t anything to write home about, his defensive contributions help him to provide value. Considering how fast the Lakers play and how poorly they are on the defensive end, Anderson could have one of his better offensive games of the season. On a night with limited options, he is definitely someone to consider.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $9,900
DraftKings = $8,500

Aldridge is off to a great start in January, averaging 28.5 points and 11.5 rebounds through four games. With Leonard back on the shelf, he should continue to be the main contributor on offense for the Spurs. The Lakers struggle to defend opposing power forwards, allowing the fifth-most FanDuel points per game and third-most DraftKings points per game to the position. Aldridge is one of the best options available at any position Thursday, so don’t hesitate to add him to your lineup.

Davis Bertans, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings =4,500

Bertans is another player that has seen increased action due to all of the Spurs injuries, logging at least 27 minutes in four straight games. He’s shown he can provide an offensive jolt, averaging 15.3 points and 3.3 three-pointers in those contests. He’s provided more than just scoring though, also averaging 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 block in those same games. With added playing time likely on tap again Thursday, he could be worth the risk in tournament play at this cheap price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

DeAndre Jordan, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,400

The Clippers have dealt with a ton of injuries, but Jordan has been one of the mainstays on their roster. He’s always been a dominant rebounder, but he’s averaging a career-high 15.1 rebounds per game this season. He’s also been forced to take on a bigger role in the offense, averaging 17.6 points in his last five games. If Griffin can’t go again Thursday, it will leave Jordan to be a one-man gang on the glass against a deep Kings frontcourt. Even if Griffin does play, Jordan still has considerable value.

Julius Randle, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,500

The Lakers have finally unleashed Randle. He’s started each of the last seven games, even with the return of Brook Lopez. He’s taken full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 17.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in those starts. While the Spurs are dealing with a lot of injuries, they still have Aldridge and Pau Gasol up front, which should lead to a big role for Randle again in this game. If you can’t afford to squeeze Jordan into your lineup, Randle is someone to strongly consider.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/10/18 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/10/18 – Value Plays

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

There are 11 games in the NBA on Wednesday, giving you plenty of options to choose from in DFS. We took a look at players across the price scale over on Sports Illustrated, but now let’s focus on just some cheaper options who could provide value.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Dennis Smith Jr, DAL at CHA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,100

Smith has been limited to only 28 minutes per game this season but played an encouraging 34 minutes Tuesday against the Magic. He’s played at least 30 minutes in a game nine times this season, averaging 18.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.2 three-pointers per contest. If you could guarantee he’d see that much playing time again Wednesday, he’d be a virtual lock for your lineup. Even if he sees fewer minutes in this game, he can still provide value at this price based on his 28.8% usage rate.

Shabazz Napier, POR at HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $6,200

Napier excelled filling in for the injured Damian Lillard (calf) on Tuesday against the Thunder, scoring 21 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and two three-pointers. He’s made six starts this season in place of Lillard, averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in those contests. Lillard’s status is uncertain for Wednesday, so keep an eye out for updates as the day progresses. If he is out again, make sure to get Napier in your entry, especially on FanDuel with his extremely cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Caris LeVert, BKN vs. DET
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,400

LeVert returned from a groin injury Monday to play 27 minutes against the Raptors. He only scored five points in the game, shooting just 2-for-13 from the field. Two encouraging takeaways from that game are that he played significant minutes and saw a high volume of shots, which bodes well for Wednesday’s game against the Pistons. DeMarre Carroll (knee) has already been ruled out and Allen Crabbe (shin) is listed as doubtful for this game, so LeVert could be in line for extra playing time. At this price, he could provide significant value.

Wayne Ellington, MIA at IND
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

The Heat have dealt with a lot of injuries this season, leaving Ellington to play at least 31 minutes in 10 of his last 11 games. He’s played at least 30 minutes in a game 13 times this season, averaging 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 three-pointers in those contests. The Heat will be shorthanded again Wednesday with Justise Winslow (knee) and Dion Waiters (ankle) out. Not only that but Tyler Johnson (shoulder) didn’t play Tuesday and James Johnson could be suspended for throwing a punch in that same game. With plenty of minutes likely available, consider Ellington for your entry.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Gerald Green, HOU vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

The Rockets signed Green towards the end of December to add depth to their bench, but the move turned out to be crucial with James Harden (hamstring) getting injured. Green has stepped up to provide a scoring punch, averaging 20.2 points and 4.8 three-pointers in his last six games. He’s not going to provide hardly any assists, but he did average 3.3 rebounds per game over that same stretch. He should get plenty of shot attempts again Wednesday, making him a viable option for your entry.

Joe Harris, BKN vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Harris started Monday in place of Carroll, scoring 12 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and two three-pointers in 37 minutes. Crabbe played in that game, so Harris is likely looking at big minutes again Wednesday with both he and Carroll likely out. The Nets play at the fifth-fastest pace (102.4 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Harris with a great opportunity to be productive at this price with a heavy workload on tap.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $6,400

Sabonis has made major strides in his first season with the Pacers but has stepped up his game even more of late, averaging 21.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in his last three contests. Myles Turner (elbow) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game, which could open up significant frontcourt minutes. Sabonis has played at least 30 minutes in a game five times this season, averaging 19.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in those contests. If Turner ultimately can’t go, Sabonis would be primed for a big game.

Markieff Morris, WAS vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,300

Morris is off to a slow start this season, mainly because he is averaging only 25 minutes per game. He’s seen increased playing time lately, logging at least 30 minutes in four of his last six games. He took full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 13.8 points and 11.5 rebounds in those four games. The Jazz don’t have much size up front, which could lead to another potential double-double for Morris on Wednesday. If you are playing in a tournament, he’s a viable option based on his upside.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Steven Adams, OKC at MIN
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $6,500

Adams doesn’t have flashy numbers, but he’s averaging career-highs in points (13.6), rebounds (8.6) and steals (1.2) per game. The Thunder have virtually no depth up front, leaving Adams to play at least 31 minutes in eight of his last 10 games. He played very well in his first three games against the Timberwolves this season, averaging 21.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. He’s priced low enough to take a chance on him making it four straight big games against them.

Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,500

The Nuggets made a change in the beginning of December by adding Plumlee to the starting lineup and he has started 18 of the last 19 games since. He’s put up respectable numbers in those starts, averaging 8.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest. The key is he is averaging seven more minutes per game as a starter than he did coming off the bench. With the Hawks lacking talent up front, Plumlee could approach a double-double again in this game. He won’t cost you much, making him someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Tuesday’s 4-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper value plays are that could make your lineup a stand out amongst the rest in a GPP?


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Point Guard

Russell Westbrook is the only true Daily Fantasy Sports superstar on this slate. He’s extremely easy to afford and you’ll be working uphill without him.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet
FD $4,800 – $3,600 DK $4,400 – $3,500

Kyle Lowry went down last night with a scary fall and didn’t comfort any with his reaction. After writhing in pain on the ground, he got up and proceeded to go back down with what was obviously nerve pain in his back. While he hasn’t officially been ruled out for this game yet, all signs are pointing to him missing a week or 2. If he does indeed sit, Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright are both phenomenal options. Splitting a sure 48 minutes, plus 5 or 6 at SG, should put both of these guys close to 30 minutes. Weight has been seeing more backup minutes, but I see a world where VanVleet is the guy they prefer to run the starters with. Personally, I’ll have a lot of exposure to both, but prefer VanVleet for the price. They are both really strong DFS players and neither will disappear on the floor. The Heat are league-average against point guards and Vegas thinks this stays close. Both VanVleet and Wright are worth serious consideration in all formats.

Shabazz Napier
FD $4,8000 DK $5,400

With Damian Lillard already ruled out for this one, Napier has to be considered as one of the top value plays on the entire slate. The only reason he is under $7k right now is because Damian Lillard returned for 2 games. He went right back to 38 fantasy points last game in his absence and now sees a strong match-up with the Thunder. On paper, they’re strong against PG’s, but hey funnel an extra 3% usage there and Westbrook doesn’t mind giving up buckets. Napier hasn’t disappointed in a single game without Damian Lillard and I can’t see why it starts here in a game with a high over/under and close spread. Napier is a guy I’ll personally have in 100% of lineups.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Wayne Ellington
FD $4,400 DK $4,700

With Dion Waiters out, Wayne Ellington has been a rock-steady option for the Heat. He’s always going to be volatile as he relies on his scoring, but this offense helps a lot. Without anywhere for the ball to really go, he’s being allowed to take 15 shots a game if he’s feeling it. At under $4.5k, he doesn’t need you any more than 25 fantasy points. If this stays close, I don’t see a way around that. He’ll be out there for his usual 32-36 minutes with either DeRozan or the PG on him. DeRozan, aside from wasting all his energy on offense without Lowry, is an average defender. They rank 14th in the league, but have faced the 22nd best schedule. There are a few quality ways to pay up at SG, but Ellington gives you a good shot at 25 with the upside for 40 at way too cheap.

Garrett Temple
FD $3,900 DK $3,800

If you really need to pay down, Garrett Temple is fine. His minutes have been somewhat inconsistent, though he hasn’t seen less than 21 in a while. He’s been over 26 minutes in 4 of his last 8 games and has hit value in each of them. He now draws an extremely friendly match-up with a Lakers squad ranked 27th against shooting guards. Temple is still a fine player and can score if given the opportunity. Under $4k, you don’t need much. If he gets the 28-31 minutes he’s been seeing in some games, he could demolish value and be one of the top value plays on the board. With all of that being said, this is Garrett Temple and he can put up 7 fantasy points without hesitating. I do prefer the value else where, but will have a little bit of Garrett Temple in my tournaments. Hield and Bogdanovic are in the same boat.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Mario Hezonja
FD $4,800 DK $5,100

With Jonathon Simmons out last game, Hezonja stepped in and played 38 minutes. He put up 30 fantasy points against the Cavs and had a real presence in the game. Simmons is questionable for tonight, so make sure you keep an eye out on Twitter. The match-up with the Mavs doesn’t seem great on the surface, but it is. On the season, Barnes and the Mavs have ranked 25th against SF’s. with Barnes being such a quality defender, it has a lot to do with the lack of rim protection behind him. Hezonja likes to play down low and from the 3, so shouldn’t have a big problem find a weakness somewhere. If Simmons returns, Hezonja should go right back to his 22-26 minutes off the bench. If he’s out again, Hezonja will be a main piece of every cash game of mine. As well as most tournaments.

Evan Turner
FD $4,000 DK $4,300

Evan Turner is inconsistent. I don’t care if he’s the only guy on the floor, he can find a way to put up 14 fantasy points. It’s just the nature of the game for a guy who solely relies on “getting in a groove” so to speak. However, with Damian Lillard on the sideline, he’s going to get that opportunity. With Napier coming off of the bench and into the starting lineup, Turner is the main ball handler on the 2nd team. He will see a guaranteed 23 minutes and gets up over 30 if he’s having a good game. The Thunder play fast and we know he excels in the open floor. He’s been at 35+ fantasy points in 2 of his last 4 and sees a match-up better than either of those games. Evan Turner is never a comfortable name to click on, but he’s priced down around the industry and shouldn’t have much trouble hitting value. His upside is huge at the price and it will draw a strong tournament ownership %.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Serge Ibaka
FD $5,900 DK $5,600

Power forward is one of the more bleh positions on the slate. Especially from a value standpoint. Let’s take a look at Serge Ibaka, who’s not a “value” play, but he’s still too cheap at under $6k. He’s been over 28 in 4 straight and 35 in 3 of those 4. He’s seeing the ball a lot on offense and combining them with dominant defensive performances. Now, he may see the ball even more with Kyle Lowry presumed out. Kelly Olynyk is a great scorer, but he stinks on defense and Ibaka will have his way in the paint. He’s a $6.5-$7k player that is going to be there in the next couple days. For now, take advantage of the discount and move on at a very underwhelming power forward position.

Dwight Powell
FD $4,400 DK $3,800

I’m admittedly scraping the bottom of the barrel here, but I do think I’ll end up with some exposure myself. Dwight Powell saw just 14 minutes last game, but saw 27 and 28 the games before. Against the Warriors and Bulls. Both teams warranted his athleticism. Against the Knicks, Dirk matched up well and Powell fell by the wayside. Tonight, the Mavs are facing Aaron Gordon. I would say he’s just a tad bit athletic. It’s truly impossible to guarantee anything with this frontcourt, but from what the trends are saying, we may be looking at a 28-minute game out of Powell at $4k. He’s always productive when on the floor and the Magic are no interior to be scared of. He’s a lot shakier of an option than some of the guards, but PF overall is bad and you could be getting a huge leg up here. Or taking a huge step back. This is easily the most dangerous player so far that I’ve touched on.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Bismack Biyombo
FD $5,600 DK $5,800

With Nikola Vucevic out, Bismack Biyombo has been even more consistent than anyone had imagined. Aside from 1 stinker against a Rockets team that didn’t fit his style, he’s been around 30 minutes in every game and putting up 30-40 fantasy points. He’s not a scorer, but does absolutely everything on the floor and is extremely active. Facing the Mavs tonight, he won’t be forced to run. Sarah Mejri has been getting some minutes at the 5, who is probably the worst pound for pound defender in the league. Biyombo is never going to go off for 50+, but I think his floor here is around 25 with a ceiling around 40. For $5600 at center, you can do a lot worse.

Jonas Valunciunas
FD $5,500 DK $5,100

Hey Raptors, you have yourself a very skilled big man here. Unless something I truly don’t understand is going on, please play Jonas Valunciunas for a measly 30 minutes a night. He putting up close to 2 FP per min and has hit 40 fantasy points in each of his last 2 games, all the while playing just 17 and 26 minutes. If he ever does see the minutes, he could easily hit 50 fantasy points. It’s tough to say because 10 is just as likely. His size should be needed against Hassan Whiteside and he’s not a great defender, but who really knows. Not the head coach, so definitely not us. Valunciunas is going to produce when on the floor and we know he’ll be out there for at least 20. He’s a guy I’ll have in just tournaments, but see the merit in letting him ride across the board. Good luck tonight and feel free to comment below! Thanks!

 

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*


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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

The NBA season is moving quickly with this week marking the 13th week of the 26-week season. If you aren’t already sitting pretty in your season-long league, now is the time to make some moves. It’s important to know the intricacies of the schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are the moves you want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors.

With stars like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, and DeMarcus Cousins all having the opportunity to play four games each this week, your team could be starting off with a significant advantage. If you are looking for some other players to help fill out your starting lineup, consider adding the players below who each get four games this week and are widely available in most leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

Trey Lyles, Denver Nuggets

Lyles had played at least 20 minutes in a game only twice all season through November but has played less than 20 minutes in a game only once since. He’s clearly assumed a major role off the bench, finishing with a 19.6% usage rate in December. Not only did he average 14.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in December, but he’s averaging 20.3 points and 9.0 rebounds over three games in January. Although he won’t provide many assists, steals or blocks, he is averaging 2.2 three-pointers over his last 18 games. He’s somehow still available in 51% of Yahoo! leagues, so make sure you pick him up with four games this week.

Delon Wright, Toronto Raptors

Wright is starting to make waves in Toronto, averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 three-pointers over his last eight games. He’s earning more playing time as a result, logging at least 20 minutes in five of those eight games. Norman Powell, C.J. Miles, and OG Anunoby have struggled to provide consistent production, so Wright should continue to see added minutes going forward. Two of his four games this week come against the Warriors and the Nets, two of top five teams in the league in terms of pace of play. Still available in 73% of Yahoo! leagues, there is potential here for excellent production.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings

The Kings continue to change up their rotations, making things frustrating from a fantasy perspective. Case in point, Bogdanovic has started three of the last eight games. Despite the changes, he still managed to average 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 three-pointers over those eight games. He gets to play the Clippers twice and the Lakers once in three of his four games this week, which are great matchups since both teams struggle to defend shooting guards. He’s still available in 85% of Yahoo! leagues, so don’t hesitate to pick him up if you need a guard.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 1 Game Each
Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers

The Celtics and the Sixers face each other in London on Thursday, resulting in them both only playing one game this week due to the extensive travel. As a result, you should consider benching the following players this week.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

There is no doubt Irving in an elite scorer, averaging 24.1 points and 2.5 three-pointers per game this season. The problem is, he doesn’t provide tremendous help in other categories, averaging just 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. A volume scorer with only one game on the schedule is a recipe for disaster. It’s hard to bench a star like Irving, but this might be just the week to do so.

Al Horford, Boston Celtics

Horford’s main value comes from his ability to contribute across the board, averaging 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 block and 1.4 three-pointers per game. You don’t see that type of production out of the center position too often. Unfortunately, his production is not out of this world in any one area. In a week with only one game, he just won’t have the opportunity to pile up enough stats for you in multiple categories. Keep him out of your lineup.

Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers

Saric has been a key contributor for the Sixers this year, especially with all the time that Joel Embiid has had to miss due to rest and injuries. Embiid missed several games in December, resulting in Saric averaging 17.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.2 three-pointers per game in the month. With Embiid having plenty of time to rest before Thursday’s game, it appears that he should play. One game with Embiid likely back in the fold just doesn’t leave enough value for Saric to be in your starting lineup this week.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/8/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/8/18


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POINT GUARDS:

Chris Paul ($10,200 FD/$10,000 DK) – 

Chris Paul remains an essential fantasy asset with James Harden sidelined. He’s a good play just about any night with the bearded dragon off the floor, however, Monday night he seems to be even more appealing. Paul will be opposing the worst point guard defending team in the Chicago Bulls and will have plenty of a workload to build himself a healthy score for DFS. The total is projected at 221.5 with a Houston -5 spread, indicating a high scoring game and that hopefully pans out to be a somewhat close game. He is now averaging 42.9 FanDuel PPG since Harden’s recent injury occurred.

Delon Wright ($4,800 FD/$4,500 DK) – 

Delon Wright has been a pleasant surprise lately for the Raptor’s second unit. He is averaging 36.4 FanDuel PPG over his last three contests including a dominant 61.1 point performance against the Chicago Bulls. He will be playing the Nets on Monday, who along with the Raptors rank top 10 in pace of play, so this match-up is locked in for an above average tempo. He may be a little bit of a risk as he isn’t guaranteed to uphold his recent performance, but should definitely catch the eye of many in the DFS world at a great price. The Raptors are currently favored by 7.5 points and if the game leads towards a blowout victory, Wright will also pick up a few extra minutes.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Victor Oladipo ($9,400 FD/$8,600 DK) –

After a four game absence, Oladipo took no time getting back into rhythm in his first contest returning exploding for 57.7 FanDuel points in a blowout win against the Bulls which included a roughly 30 FPT first quarter. Due to the blowout victory, Oladipo was cut to 23 minutes and still exceeded value and projections by a landslide. He has a great match-up with the Milwaukee Bucks Monday night, who rank 22nd in defending the position. Oladipo is well rested and should easily exceed value in this bout as he’s still the primary source of offense for this Indian team.

Malcolm Brogdon ($5,200 FD/$4,800 DK) – 

Malcom Brogdon has been fairly consistent for his price of late, scoring 20 or more FanDuel points in seven straight games. He’s been rewarded a starting role recently, and for good reason. He’s currently projected at 25 FanDuel points, giving him great value if that is the legitimate case. At an inexpensive cost, with a track record implying he will exceed value, Brogdon might be the plug-in play you need in this slate.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Jimmy Butler ($9,700 FD/$8,400 DK) – 

Butler simply doesn’t get enough respect in the DFS world, making him a potential play on most nights. After a shaky start to the season he has found his usual form and has been more than the Timberwolves could have asked for when acquiring him. The Cavaliers defense is always a target this season in DFS, who he will be clashing with in this slate which is a major plus. He joins the company of LeBron and The Greek Freak as the only three small forwards on today’s slate projected for 40 or more FanDuel points and is also the cheapest. He may deserve to be paid up for in this one.

Andre Iguodala ($4,300 FD/ $4,200 DK) – 

This play will only work out to it’s full potential if a couple things go right as Iggy as well as Kevin Durant are questionable for this contest. Durant has missed the past two games, opening a starting role for Iguodala to fill his void. He’s performed well for his salary, averaging 26.4 FanDuel PPG in those starts. One of them only nailed him for 22 minutes as the Warriors were up big against the Clippers, making that average a little more impressive. If Iggy was to be cleared for this contest and Durant was to be sidelined for a third straight game, expect Iguodala to keep up the recent play and exceed value for his practically dirt cheap price tag.

POWER FORWARDS:

Tobias Harris ($6,800 FD/$6,500 DK) – 

With Anthony Davis in an unfavorable match-up with the Pistons as well as Draymond Green & Blake Griffin listed as GTD’s Monday night, we are going to focus on two smaller plays at PF, starting with Tobias Harris. His match-up isn’t much better, but Harris has been providing effectively for the Detroit Pistons. He’s coming off a 41.1 FanDuel point bout and has tagged double digit scoring in nine straight games, giving him a little bit of safety in this play. At a mediocre price tag Harris could be a great fit to your lineup to save a little salary without taking too much of a gamble on a low salary play.

Serge Ibaka ($5,900 FD/$5,700 DK) – 

That leaves the second smaller play: Serge Ibaka. Ibaka has been hot of late, averaging 33.8 FanDuel PPG over his last three games while remaining sub-$6,000 on both platforms. He has a decent match-up with the high paced Brooklyn Nets, who he scored nearly the same as that average against just a couple weeks ago. His is pinned to score 29.4 FanDuel points in this contest, giving him a projected value of nearly 5. (4.99 to be exact.) Plugging in Ibaka will not stop you from obtaining those high salary plays, and has the upside to tack on to your superstar’s performances with a good amount of points of his own. Keep an eye out for this guy tonight.

CENTERS:

Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,600 FD/$9,200 DK) – 

Towns always seems to linger in the $9,000 range no matter what, always making him a decent option. The big man has came up with a double-double in nine of his last ten games. He has also gone for 20 or more points in back-to-back contests in hopes of a third Monday night against the defensively weak Cleveland Cavaliers. With the total projected at 222.5 and only a spread of -1 in favor of Minnesota, expect a high scoring intense game (hopefully) for KAT to stuff the stat sheet.

Willie Cauley-Stein ($6,900 FD/$6,200 DK) – 

Remaining at an affordable price, Cauley-Stein continues to be consistent for the Sacramento Kings. He has scored 30 or more FanDuel points in six of his last seven games. Although opposing a top defensive team in the Spurs, Cauley-Stein has a decent math-up considering the Spurs defend the Center position averagely, allowing 50.02 FPPG per 48 minutes to the position. He is a great play at Center if you’d prefer to spend a majority of your salary elsewhere, which a lot of users are likely to do in this slate. He is currently projected at 30.8 FanDuel points in this game, meaning he would stay consistent with his recent play.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18


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POINT GUARDS:

Chris Paul ($10,100 FD/$10,000 DK) – 

With the absence of James Harden, it is up to Chris Paul to run the Rockets rapid offense. In his first two games since Harden’s injury, Paul posted an average of 41.9 FanDuel PPG between both contests. Although the Pistons defend the position fairly well, it shouldn’t affect Paul too much as somebody will need to be a primary source of offense. He may be a bit pricey considering the superstars he shares the slate with, but if you are paying up at point guard Chris Paul is definitely your guy.

Darren Collison ($6,100 FD/$5,900 DK) – 

Collison is a cheap, reliable option in this slate with a great match-up. He opposes the Chicago Bulls, who rank dead last in the NBA in defending point guards. He versed them just a week ago as well and posted 44.1 FanDuel points with a 30 point breakout game. His teammate, Victor Oladipo, is listed questionable for the contest and if ruled out Collison is in for an expanded role and usage. Regardless of Oladipo’s status, Collison is a great play and has potential to be even greater of a play.

 

SHOOTING GUARDS:

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18 - Lineuplab.com

Eric Gordon ($8,000 FD/$6,800 DK) – 

Alongside Chris Paul, Eric Gordon has benefited severely with Harden being sidelined. Gordon has been getting the starting bid in his place and has been doing more than the Rockets probably expected. In his two starts so far he has collected an average of 44.6 FanDuel PPG including a massive 55.1 point performance against the Golden State Warriors the other night. His price is steadily rising as he continues to thrive in filling the starting rotation void as he is now listed at $6,800/$8,000 on both platforms. His production should stay on track, although consistent 50 point outings seem unlikely.

Justin Holiday ($5,800 FD/$5,300 DK) –

The SG options are a bit thin Saturday night with Harden out and Oladipo questionable. Justin Holiday is another cheap and reliable option. The Indiana Pacers rank in the bottom half of the league in defending SG’s and Holiday posted 30.4 FanDuel point against them just a week ago. He has also posted 30 or more FanDuel points in three of his last four games, giving him great value at a very cheap price tag. He has also seen 30 or more minutes in six straight games. If that continues Saturday night, he has great potential.

 

SMALL FORWARDS:

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18 - Lineuplab.com

LeBron James ($11,700 FD/$11,600 DK) – 

Who other than the King leads the SF position just about every night? He may be worth the high price tag in this one in his match-up with the Orlando Magic, who rank poorly against SF’s. The only concern as per most nights is if the Magic can keep this game close to assure James gets his regular minutes which may be difficult without Center Nikola Vucevic. James is insanely consistent in fantasy value as he has posted 50 or more FanDuel points in 12 of his last 14 contests. His teammate Kevin Love is a GTD with an ankle injury he suffered last game, which could mean extended use of the King if he were to be sidelined.

Gerald Green ($5,700 FD/$5,100 DK) – 

Gerald Green has been a great asset for fantasy as of late, seeing a minutes increase due to James Harden as mentioned a couple times. He has posted around 35 FanDuel points in both games without him and has seen his minutes increase with his salary. He remains extremely affordable and a great plug-in play to help afford the superstars in this slate. A benefit to paying for Green is the possibility of a blowout generating more minutes for him, as the Pistons lost by over 30 to the Sixers just last night.

 

POWER FORWARDS:

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18 - Lineuplab.com

Anthony Davis ($11,200 FD/$9,900 DK) –

Davis is the lone stud on today’s PF selection automatically making him a popular option. The big man has posted an average of 55.4 FanDuel PPG over his last five games. He’s accompanied these fantasy points with 29 or more points in four straight games. He will be squaring up with the Timberwolves, who rank 21st in the league in defensive rating and are playing the second game of a back-to-back venture. ‘

 

Aaron Gordon ($7,900 FD/$8,000 DK) – 

Gordon is in a great match-up Saturday night against the defensively poor Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic currently sit at 9.5 point underdogs, so they will definitely need Gordon to put on a show if they want to keep up. The Cavs don’t play at the fastest tempo, but they do rank 13th to accompany the Magic’s pace which ranks 7th. A slight boost in tempo could definitely benefit Gordon and increase his ceiling. His price appears to be a bargain that needs to be taken advantage of.

 

CENTERS:

 

Bismack Biyombo ($6,200 FD/$5,700 DK) – 

Biyombo has been his best impression of Nikola Vucevic in his starts filling his void. When seeing 28 or more minutes he is averaging 34.7 FanDuel PPG over this current span of starts. Just like Gordon, Biyombo has a match-up that could help him exceed value in this slate. He only saw 18 minutes in his last start, but should see his usual workload since starting for Vucevic.

Mason Plumlee ($5,300 FD/$4,300 DK) – 

A bit of a risky play, but Mason Plumlee could be your secret weapon Saturday night. Sitting at just $5,300 on FanDuel and only $4,300 on DraftKings he plays the Kings who rank 22nd in defending centers. On top of that, Plumlee has been pretty consistent of late as he has scored 20 or more FanDuel points in four of his last five games. He is seeing minutes in the lower 20’s about every night as he’s only played less than 20 minutes once since December 8th.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/5/18 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/5/18 – Value Plays

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Ish Smith, DET at PHI
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,800

Smith has made three starts since taking over for the injured Reggie Jackson (ankle), averaging 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 points and 1.0 steal per game. His usage rate over that stretch was 23.7%, which really increases his value when you consider he averaged 31 minutes per contest. The Sixers play at the second-fastest pace (103.3 possessions per game) in the league, which should also benefit Smith on Friday. While his price is climbing, it’s still low enough to provide value in this game.

J.J. Barea, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,300

Barea continues to produce in limited playing time, averaging 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.7 three-pointers over his last six games. The Mavericks have been one of the worst offensive teams in the league this season, but have shown improvement lately by scoring at least 107 points in five of their last eight games. The Bulls aren’t nearly as bad as they were at the start of the season, but they have still allowed at least 106 points in nine of their last 11 games. Barea has upside at this price for your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Justin Holiday, CHI at DAL
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,400

Holiday has been horrible from the field this season, shooting only 38.1%. He’s shown signs of coming out of his slump though, shooting 45% from the field over his last 10 games. Not only has he improved his shooting, but he also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists over that same stretch. With the Mavericks playing better offensively and the Bulls scoring at least 110 points in nine of their last 11 games, there might be more scoring in this game than you would expect. His ceiling isn’t very high, but Holiday is still a viable option to consider.

Marco Belinelli, ATL at POR
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,800

Belinelli continues to fly under the radar in Atlanta, but he’s averaging a solid 15.0 points and 1.9 three-pointers over his last seven games. He doesn’t provide many rebounds or assists, but he did record at least one steal in six of those seven games. His upside is limited because of his inability to contribute across the board, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at this extremely cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Taurean Prince, ATL at POR
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,700

Prince is not for the faint of heart. He has shot 28.6% or less from the field in four of his last seven games, the last of which was a 2-for-14 performance Tuesday against the Suns. The good news is that it hasn’t deterred him from shooting, averaging 11.4 shot attempts per game over that stretch, which is on par with his season average. He can also contribute on the glass, grabbing at least nine rebounds in three of his last four games. He posted a double-double to go along with five assists against these same Trail Blazers on Saturday, so you may want to consider using him Friday.

Courtney Lee, NY at MIA
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000

The Knicks are still without Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg), leaving Lee to log heavy minutes. Playing at least 34 minutes in six of his last seven games, there is no reason to believe this won’t continue until Hardaway returns. Lee is averaging career-highs in points (13.3), assists (2.8), steals (1.4) and three-pointers (1.7) per game as a result of his increased role. He was excellent in his first game against the Heat this season, scoring 17 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block. The price is right to take a chance on him again in their rematch.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Ersan Ilyasova, ATL at POR
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,300

The Hawks are in full rebuild mode and lack talent and overall depth. Ilyasova has been one of the main beneficiaries of the rebuild, especially with their lack of size up front. He’s really stepped up his game lately, averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 three-pointers over his last six games. He had a decent game scoring 13 points to go along with eight rebounds against the Trail Blazers on Saturday, but it could have been even better if he didn’t shoot only 5-of-15 from the field. Expect him to get plenty of playing time again Friday, so he could provide a lot of value at this price.

Frank Kaminsky, CHA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,600

Kaminsky is the primary backup at both power forward and center for the Hornets right now, which has led to an increase in playing time. He’s made the most of the opportunity, averaging 13.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 three-pointers over his last eight games. He should have added opportunities to produce Friday because the Lakers play at the fastest pace (103.8) and allow the second-most points per game (111.8) in the league. If you want to take a chance on a cheap power forward in tournament play, look no further.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. ATL
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,300

I don’t normally like to recommend someone priced this high when talking about value plays, but I really don’t like the cheap options available at center Friday. Nurkic isn’t overly expensive and I do like his upside in this game. He’s playing well right now, averaging 15.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks over his last four games. The Hawks struggle to defend opposing centers, allowing the fifth-most points per game on FanDuel and the fourth-most points per game on DraftKings to the position. Nurkic could be in for a big night Friday.

Marcin Gortat, WAS at MEM
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

The Grizzlies allow the fewest points per game to opposing centers on both FanDuel and DraftKings, so this does not look like a good matchup on the surface. However, Gortat bucked the trend in their previous meeting this season, scoring 13 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. He played 29 minutes in that game trying to match up with Marc Gasol and could play similar minutes with the lack of quality depth at center for the Wizards. If you have your mind set on saving money at center, Gortat could be a viable option.