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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/15/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/15/17



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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Damian Lillard, POR at ORL
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $9,400

Lillard only scored 18 points in his last game Wednesday against the Heat, but he was rolling before that with at least 29 points in four straight games. He’s been dealing with a sore ankle of late, but hasn’t missed any time and is expected to play Friday. This is a great matchup against the Magic as not only do they play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.2) in the league but they also really struggle to defend point guards. Look for Lillard to get back to his scoring ways in this game, providing an excellent option for your entry.

Milos Teodosic, LAC at WAS
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Teodosic is still rounding into form after missing 22 games due to injury but did manage to get up to 25 minutes in his last game Wednesday against the Magic. He made the most of his playing time, scoring eight points to go along with six rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. The Clippers will be without Austin Rivers (concussion) on Friday, which could lead to more minutes for Teodosic if the club feels he is ready. If you are looking for a cheaper point guard option with upside, Teodosic might be your man.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Lou Williams, LAC at WAS
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $7,600

The Clippers have been decimated by injuries this year, leaving them to count on Williams more than they expected. Even though he has only started five games, he’s averaging a career-high 31 minutes per contest. Never one to shy away from shots, Williams is averaging 14.8 attempts per game, resulting in a career-high 20.0 points. With Rivers and Danilo Gallinari (hip) out Friday, Williams is primed for another big scoring night against the Wizards.

Gary Harris, DEN vs. NO
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,400

Harris showed why he is one of the main offensive weapons for the Nuggets by scoring 36 points Wednesday against the Celtics. He’s averaging the most minutes per game (34) on the team, giving him an added opportunity to produce. The Pelicans play at the sixth-fastest pace (102.3) and allow the second-most points per game (111.5) in the league, which is good news for the offensive-minded Harris. If you don’t want to pay up for Williams, look no further than Harris for excellent upside.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $12,500
DraftKings = $11,600

Giannis may have the highest floor of any player in DFS. Playing time is never a problem as he’s averaging 38 minutes per game and his 33.5% usage rate is fifth-best in the NBA. While he has some talented players around him in Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton, they compliment his game well without taking away any scoring opportunities. Few teams in the NBA have someone who can match up with him defensively, but the Bulls don’t have anyone close to being capable of slowing him down. Get ready for a huge performance.

Rudy Gay, SA at HOU
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,700

It’s no surprise that Gay has seen a decrease in production since joining the Spurs as they brought him in to be more of a supporting piece as opposed to a leading scoring. Not only is Gay averaging a career-low 24 minutes per game, but his average of 12.8 points per game is the lowest since his rookie season. He’s played better than that lately though, averaging 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds over his last six games. The Rockets like to use a lot of small lineups, which could mean a few extra minutes for Gay. He’s priced low enough to be a viable option Friday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,100

Ibaka has turned back the clock lately, averaging 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers over his last six games. He gets to play the Nets Friday, a team that doesn’t have a ton of quality depth up front. The Nets also play at the second-fastest pace (104.2) in the league, so Ibaka is going to get extra chances to keep his recent hot streak alive. With a significant role on tap for this game, get Ibaka in your lineup.

John Collins, ATL at MEM
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,500

After missing six straight games, Collins returned to play 19 minutes Thursday against the Pistons. He made the most of his limited minutes, scoring 15 points to go along with seven rebounds, one steal, and one block. Despite playing only 23 minutes per game this season, the talented rookie has still managed to average 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest. The Hawks are thin up front with Dewayne Dedmon (leg) out and really need Collins to produce. Although he may again see limited minutes in the second night of a back-to-back Friday, he’s priced low enough to warrant consideration.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Andre Drummond, DET at IND
FanDuel = $9,400
DraftKings = $9,100

Drummond is in a scoring slump, averaging only 7.8 points over his last four games. He still provides value even when he’s not scoring though as he also averaged 15.3 rebounds over that same stretch. Friday will mark his third game of the season already against the Pacers, a team that allows the second-most DraftKings points per game and the most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. Drummond was no outlier, averaging 12.5 points, 18.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in those two games. He’ll cost you a lot, but should be worth it based on his opponent.

Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Gortat shouldn’t be confused with a high-upside play as he just doesn’t score enough to be in that class. He still hovers around a double-double though, averaging 9.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season. The Wizards are going to need him Friday because although the Clippers have a ton of injuries, DeAndre Jordan is healthy and logging 33 minutes per game. Gortat finished with nine points and eight rebounds when these same two teams met Saturday, so he can provide value at this cheap price.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/14/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/14/17



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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. NY
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,700

Dinwiddie has continued to get plenty of playing time in the Nets’ injury-riddled backcourt, logging at least 30 minutes in eight of his last nine games. He’s been solid in 15 starts this season, averaging 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.4 three-pointers per game. The Knicks struggle to defend point guards, allowing the third-most FanDuel points per game and fourth-most DraftKings points per game to the position. With no elite options available at point guard Thursday, Dinwiddie may have one of the best performances of the night.

J.J. Barea, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

Barea hasn’t moved into the starting lineup with Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) out the last three games, but he’s provided scoring punch off the bench with at least 16 points in each of the last two games. He doesn’t need to be scoring to provide value either as he has dished out at least six assists in nine of his last 10 games. His 26.3% usage rate puts him ahead of players like Kemba Walker, Goran Dragic, and Kyle Lowry, so he’s heavily involved when he’s on the floor. Considering the Warriors play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.3) in the league, Barea has upside at this price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Caris LeVert, BKN vs. NY
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,400

LeVert has established himself as an important member of the Nets bench, averaging 16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 three-pointers over his last four games. With all their injuries at point guard, he’s done a nice job of helping run the offense as a member of the second unit. The Nets play at the second-fastest pace (104.4) in the league, which helps create more opportunities for LeVert to contribute. With the Knicks struggles on defense, LeVert is a viable option for your entry.

Wesley Matthews, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,600

The Mavericks have really struggled offensively as they are one of only four teams in the league averaging less than 100 points per game. While Matthews will never be confused as being an elite scorer, his 12.4 points per game are third-most on the team. One of the two players who scorers more than Matthews is Smith, so the Mavericks will really need Matthews to step up if they have any chance of keeping this game close. With the added opportunities to produce, Matthews is someone to consider at this discounted price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE vs. LAL
FanDuel = $12,600
DraftKings = $11,900

James continues to dominate the league, posting two triple-doubles and seven double-doubles in his last 10 games. He’s as close to automatic as they come with his production as his 30.4% usage rate is tenth-best in the league. You can go on for days with stats about how excellent James has been, giving him a very high floor in DFS. He’s going to cost a ton, but he can still provide value against a weak defensive team in the Lakers on Thursday.

Andre Iguodala, GS vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,200

Iguodala could be in for an expanded role Thursday with Stephen Curry (ankle) out and Draymond Green (shoulder) listed as doubtful. Both Curry and Green play significant roles in running the Warriors offense, so expect Iguodala to potentially provide extra assists with both likely out. The Mavericks also like to play small, which could lead to some extra run for Iguodala. On a night with limited cheap options with value, Iguodala might be your best bet to save some money at small forward.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kristaps Porzingis, NY at BKN
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $9,600

Porzingis is showing no ill effects from a recent ankle injury, playing at least 36 minutes in three straight games. He took advantage of two bad defenses in the Lakers and Hawks his last two games, scoring at least 30 points in both contests. Not only was he great offensively, but he combined for eight blocks and three steals as well. Even with the addition of Jahlil Okafor, the Nets are still lacking depth up front. Porzingis already torched them for 30 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and one steal earlier this season, so get ready for the encore.

Taj Gibson, MIN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,900

Gibson has been somewhat of a security blanket for coach Tom Thibodeau this season as he is averaging 34 minutes per game compared to only 17 minutes per game for Gorgui Dieng. He coached Gibson in Chicago and clearly plans to play him a ton, which is no surprise considering Thibodeau’s history of giving his starters big minutes. The volume has made Gibson fantasy relevant as he’s averaging 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Expect big minutes and solid numbers from him again Thursday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $10,100
DraftKings = $9,100

Believe it or not, Towns has actually had his playing time decrease in the second year of the Thibodeau era. Don’t be alarmed though, he’s still averaging a whopping 35 minutes per game. His scoring is understandably down with Jimmy Butler now in the fold, but he’s still been fantastic by averaging 20.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. The Kings struggle to defend opposing centers, allowing the second-most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to the position. Look for a big performance in this game from Towns.

Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC at MIN
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,100

Cauley-Stein recently missed three games with a back injury but returned to play 29 minutes Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. It’s encouraging he played so many minutes right off the bat, especially considering the Kings crazy frontcourt rotations. Cauley-Stein has played much better off the bench this season, posting a 24.5% usage rate with the second unit compared to 17.8% as a starter. He should be needed for heavy minutes against the Timberwolves big frontcourt, making him someone to definitely consider.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/13/17 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/13/17 – Value Plays



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Wednesday’s slate in the NBA is packed with nine games, giving you plenty of options for your DFS entry. We took a look at some of the overall excellent plays for Wednesday’s article on Sports Illustrated, but let’s now dive deeper into only the cheaper value plays that can help make you a winner.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Rajon Rondo, NO vs. MIL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,300

The addition of Rondo may have seemed unnecessary to some with Jrue Holiday already in the fold, but it doesn’t look like such a crazy move with his recent play. Over the last six games, Rondo has been excellent by averaging 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game. The Pelicans have scored the fourth-most points per game (110.7) and play at the sixth-fastest pace (102.4) in the league, so Rondo is getting a lot of chances to accumulate assists. Based on his recent play, he’s someone to consider Wednesday.

Milos Teodosic, LAC at ORL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,900

The Clippers had high hopes for Teodosic leading them at point guard this season, but he only played two games before going down with a foot injury. He played 21 minutes in his return against the Toronto Raptors on Monday and finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and two-three-pointers. Shooting only 4-for-12 from the field, his line could have been much better if he wasn’t ice cold. He should play more minutes Wednesday against a Magic team that allows the second most fantasy points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards. There is potential here with Teodosic.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Jeremy Lamb, CHA at HOU
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,400

Lamb started Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder as Nicolas Baum (elbow) was unable to play. He ended up playing 33 minutes and scored 14 points on 17 shots. The volume was encouraging even though his overall point total left something to be desired. Batum is listed as doubtful for Wednesday, so Lamb would likely get another start if he can’t go. Both the Hornets and Rockets are in the top-10 in the league in terms of pace of play, so this could be a high scoring game. If Lamb’s shot is falling, he could provide excellent value.

E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. MIL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

Moore has seen a lot of action for the Pelicans lately, logging at least 35 minutes in seven straight games. He had done that only once all season, so some of that has to do with Anthony Davis (groin) missing four of those seven games. Even so, Moore has been great offensively during that stretch, averaging 19.4 points and 3.6 three-pointers. Davis is questionable for Wednesday’s game, but Moore has likely earned himself more minutes even if Davis returns. At such a low price, he’s worth taking a chance on, especially if Davis doesn’t play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

David Nwaba, CHI vs. UTA
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,100

The rebuilding Bulls may have found themselves a player in Nwaba. He provides a ton of energy off the bench and can contribute on both ends of the floor, something a team lacking overall talent desperately needs. Nwaba has earned himself more playing time and has cashed in the opportunity over his last three games, averaging 13.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 26 minutes per contest. Don’t expect him to lose any playing time if he keeps this up, so take a chance on him Wednesday based on his upside at this price. Of note, Nwaba is only small forward eligible on FanDuel as he is eligible at point guard and shooting guard on DraftKings.

Wilson Chandler, DEN at BOS
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Chandler hasn’t played in four of the Nuggets last 11 games, so he may have fallen off of your radar. Although his numbers are way down this season, he’s played better over the last three games by averaging 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 three-pointers. The Celtics may be forced to go small Wednesday with both Al Horford (rest) and Marcus Morris (knee) out of action, which is a good fit for Chandler’s style of play. He’s not as bad as his early numbers indicate and now that he’s showing signs of coming out of his funk, he’s a viable option for your entry Wednesday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Serge Ibaka, TOR at PHO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,700

I’m not normally a big fan of Ibaka based on the regression he’s seen in the rebounding and blocks departments, but you can’t ignore his play of late. Entering Wednesday, he’s averaging 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over his last five games. One of those games was against these same Suns when he scored 19 points to go along with six rebounds and three blocks, which is not very surprising considering how bad the Suns are. I’m willing to take a chance on him keeping his recent string of success going for at least one more game based on his opponent.

Marvin Williams, CHA at HOU
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,900

The Hornets finally received reinforcements up front Monday when Frank Kaminsky returned from an ankle injury. Williams still played big minutes though, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds in 32 minutes. This is a solid matchup for Williams on Wednesday against the Rockets as they like to go small and shoot three’s. Williams excels on the perimeter, averaging 1.7 three-pointers per game. The price is right to roll with him again in this game.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Steven Adams, OKC at IND
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,400

Adams continues to anchor the Thunder in the middle, averaging 18.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.0 steal over his last six games. He excelled in his first game against the Pacers earlier this season, posting 17 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. With the Thunder’s lack of depth, there is really no viable option behind Adams at center. With all the minutes he can handle again Wednesday, he makes a great option for your entry.

Aron Baynes, BOS vs. DEN
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,900

With Horford and Morris out, expect Baynes to start and play significant minutes in this game. Baynes started two games for Horford earlier this season, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds in one of them. He’s played at least 23 minutes in seven games this season, averaging 8.7 points and 7.6 rebounds. He won’t cost you much, making him someone you should consider in tournament play.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17


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Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Jeff Teague
FD $6,500 DK $6,500

Strap in! If you’re looking for a slate of games that comes to us easily and builds a lineup by itself, this isn’t the one. We’re going to need to take some time with this one and dissect each position. Starting off at point guard, it isn’t pretty. It gets better once we get to small forward, but will have to take what we can get until then. While PG is usually a stacked position, Wall is the only expensive option and he’s coming off of a 2-week injury. Instead, we’ll start in the mid-range with Jeff Teague. Teague has disappointed many this year, but I think he’s somewhat easy to project. You don’t play him against a team that plays slow. Go with Towns in that case. Against a Philly squad that likes to run and ranks 22nd against PG’s, Teague has a 25 FP floor with a ceiling over 40. He’s right back to seeing 35+ minutes and won’t have to worry about seeing any Ben Simmons. Teague will be matched up with Jerryd Bayless and McConnell if he plays, giving him the best match-up on the entire team. Teague was pathetic against the Mavericks last game and you can be sure on an improvement from that game. He might draw some ownership by default at this position, but shouldn’t be any higher than 20 or 25%.

Yogi Ferrell
FD $4,500 DK $3,800

Ya, I told you it’s ugly. Dennis Smith Jr. has already been ruled out for this game and it will once again be J.J. Barea and Yogi Ferrell taking the minutes. Barea is fine, but he’s more expensive and no safer than Ferrell. Yogi is sitting under $4.5k on both sites and has seen 32 and 22 minutes with Smith out. He should get over that 25 minute-mark at the very least here against a Spurs squad that can be taken advantage of. While they are still one of the league’s most efficient defenses, PG is a spot to attack. They rank8th worst in basketball, allowing 47 FPPG. They’ve also allowed over 55 a game over the last 10 with the Spurs PG’s rotating with the injury bug. Ferrell is by no means safe, but he’s cheap enough to play in all formats and has immense upside. He’s an electric plug for this offense and I can’t see why they wouldn’t give him minutes in this style of game. With PG lacking any type of depth or opportunity cost, Ferrell is an excellent play in all formats that I’ll use to pay up later on.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Bradley Beal
FD $8,600 DK $8,600

John Wall is currently questionable to play, though it doesn’t seem like the Wizards beat writers are very optimistic. Make sure you just keep an eye out as the day moves along. Wall is obviously a huge deal for Beal as it gives him a ton more shots and minutes at PG. I actually expect the Wizards to allow Beal to take it easy with reduced minutes for a game or two once Wall is back. If Wall is out, this is a dream match-up with a Nets squad that doesn’t play defense. Beal has been great since pouring in 51 and this is the best match-up yet. The game will remain close if Wall sits and Beal will play 34+ minutes. He’s a phenomenal option in all formats.

Andrew Wiggins
FD $5,900 DK $6,000

My lord, look at this price. it seems like something is wrong, but it’s just Andrew Wiggins and his jump shot. Sitting around 20 fantasy point in a lot of his games recently is more than concerning. I don’t know if he’s hurt or just on a very cold streak, but this has nothing to do with the addition of Jimmy Butler. This is solely on Wiggins and something he’s going through. If there’s a spot to bounce back, this is it. Against shooting guards, the 76ers rank 2nd worst in the entire league with 51.5 FPPG allowed. Redick and TLC are 2 of the worst defenders on the entire team and give up a ton of open lanes. At this price, Wiggins is going to have a hard time hurting you. Even if he hits hit the bottom of the barrel 20 fantasy points, I don’t know if there’s anyone at a similar price at SG that can guarantee me more. His upside is over 50 and supersedes anyone under $7k. This game will remain close and we know Wiggins

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

LeBron James
FD $12,600 DK $11,800

Finally. This slate definitely picks up the pace after shooting guard. We’ll start out with LeBron James in a strong match-up with the Hawks. When looking for a good/bad LeBron match-up, you don’t look at how good the opposing team is against SF’s or how fast/slow they play. You look at how much LeBron cares about the game and whether or not it will stay close. This game checks both of those boxes. An eastern conference foe like the Hawks is a team LeBron will get up to play and in turn, has a 50 FP floor. He put up 94 fantasy points earlier in the year in a worse match-up, so I can’t sit here and predict his upside. With all the value on this slate, he’s close to a must in cash games.

T.J. Warren
FD $8,000 DK $8,000

With Devin Booker out for the last 2 games, Warren has reached cash game value in both. He didn’t go crazy in either, but that’s fine as they were bad match-ups. He now gets a decent match-up with a Kings squad that doesn’t play much defense. They’re also missing their rim protector in Willie Cauley-Stein. Warren is the easy number 1 option on this offense and he is going to have a few games over 40 FP with Booker out. This could very well be one and his price is fair. There’s plenty of value to pay up for both LeBron and Warren, so you shouldn’t be restricted on that front. Small forward is a spot you’ll need to get right.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Kristaps Porzingis
FD $9,700 DK $8,500

Kicking us off at power forward is one of my favorite plays of the night. Porzingis and the Knicks face off with the Lakers in MSG tonight. He’s still a bit underpriced on both sites and is back to seeing his normal allotment of minutes. He saw 37 against the Hawks last game and finished with 55 fantasy points. I was able to get him in every lineup at just 6% ownership and it was beyond glorious. He now gets an even better match-up with a Lakers squad that doesn’t play interior defense. Brook Lopez, Kyle Kuzma, and Larry Nance Jr. are all too small and not good defenders in the first place. Porzingis is going to be over $10k on both sites as soon as he can stay healthy for a few weeks and we’re able to take advantage now while he will still be somewhat under-owned.

Taj Gibson
FD $5,300 DK $6,000

We’re touching on our third Timberwolves player on this slate and it has a lot to do with Thibodeau. He’s consistently giving the starters 36+ minutes and it’s hard to miss value against the fast-paced 76ers in that amount of time. Taj Gibson isn’t a very good NBA player in 2017, but it doesn’t really matter when he’s living in a Minnesota bubble that gives him more minutes than Kevin Durant. Whatever Tom Thibedoeu, good thing you got another head coaching gig so we can have some more Luol Deng and Derrick Rose in 5 years. Yay. Excuse the tangent, but I just don’t understand how GM’s continue to allow this fool to ruin careers. We’ll continue using it to our advantage tonight. The 76ers sports Ben Simmons at PF, who will end up on Butler or Wiggins. Gibson will see Saric, Covington, and Holmes on the defensive side and neither are any good. Gibson is a pure volume play and a good one in all formats.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Andre Drummond
FD $9,200 DK $9,400

The NBA is lucky the year is 2017 or we would have one of the league’s best players here in Andre Drummond. Unfortunately, his body is made for the 80s and 90s. He’s been much better running the floor this year and it’s helped him a ton against fast-paced teams. Even in the up-tempo era, this is a guy who is a serious threat for a 20/20 against any team. Tonight, he faces off with a Nuggets squad that has no center. With Nikola Jokic already ruled out, it’ll be Plumlee and Faried to draw Drummond. No chance. Drummond is a stone cold lock for 35 fantasy points with the upside for so many more. He’s my favorite center in all formats and a guy I’ll have close to 100% of.

Richaun Holmes
FD $4,500 DK $3,800

I have no interest in messing with a questionable Joel Embiid. None. I don’t care if he gets ruled in and is dancing around on the floor. It’s not necessary tonight and the risk is too high. I’m willing to make sure his knee holds up for another game and am willing to bet he will see limited minutes if he does play. If he sits, Richaun Holmes jumps to the forefront as a top value play on the slate. He saw 23 and 20 minutes the last 2 games and will be right there if Embiid is out again. The T-Wolves are a weak defensive interior that has allowed the 14th most FPPG to opposing centers. With Okafor gone, Holmes is the only other center on the roster and will be out there to match with Towns if needed. He’s always risky, but he’s super cheap and you’re going to need value on this slate. I’ll be doing my best to get 100% Drummond, but Holmes is a great pivot if Joel is out.

 

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*



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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

With the holidays rapidly approaching, the NBA is loaded this week with 50 games on the schedule. 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
Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

With elite players such as LeBron James, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook all scheduled to have four games each this week, many of you will be starting off with an excellent foundation. If you do need help filling out the rest of your starting lineup, consider adding the below players who can all provide value based on their schedule.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9
Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat

The Heat are without arguably their best player in Hassan Whiteside (knee) as he has missed the last five games. Olynyk has played well in his absence, averaging 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers in those five games. Not only did he play at least 25 minutes in each game, but he started the last two. There is a chance that Whiteside returns at some point this week, but with four games in six days, he’s likely going to see limited minutes when he does return. Olynyk is still available in 53% of Yahoo! leagues and he can provide you with solid all-around numbers.

Caris LeVert, Brooklyn Nets

The Nets have been decimated by injuries this year, leaving LeVert to average a career-high 26 minutes per game. He’s played more than that lately, logging at least 28 minutes in six of his last seven games. He has provided balanced production by averaging 13.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.0 steals 1.0 three-pointer in those seven contests. LeVert’s 20.9% usage rate is second-best on the team among players to appear in at least 17 games this season. Still available in 62% of Yahoo! leagues, he could be a valuable addition to your squad for Week 9.

Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors clearly don’t like what they are getting out of starting center Jonas Valanciunas as he is averaging a career-low 20 minutes per game. With minutes up for grabs, Poeltl has been able to establish a significant role off the bench. He has played at least 17 minutes in six straight games, four of which he played at least 22 minutes. He has cashed in his opportunity by averaging 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game. He’s not going to provide you hardly any assists, but take a look at him if you need help at center. He’s still available in 90% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers

There are 13 teams playing at least four games this week, leaving players on the three teams that only play two each to see a significant decrease in value.  Consider benching the below players who would normally be in your starting lineup otherwise.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers

Covington (back) missed Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans and is listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the  Minnesota Timberwolves. Do you really want to risk putting him in your lineup with the potential that he plays only one game, or maybe none at all, this week? He’s a streaky shooter, so even if things do change quickly and he is able to play both games, it could be ugly if he’s not playing at 100%. Don’t take the risk, put him on your bench.

Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers continue to show no hesitation to pull Ball in games when he is struggling. He has played 27 minutes or less in three of his last six games, often sitting out big portions of the fourth quarter. He continues to struggle from the field and is attempting way too many three-pointers considering he’s only shooting 24.6% from behind the arc. His counting stats still give him value most weeks, but with only two games for the second straight week, keep Ball on your bench.

Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Lakers

The move to LA has not been successful for Lopez as he is averaging a career-low 23 minutes per game. While never a great source of rebounds for a center, he is not helping fantasy owners by averaging a meager 4.5 rebounds per game this season. To put that into perspective, Trail Blazers backup center Ed Davis is averaging 7.1 rebounds in three fewer minutes per game. Lopez just doesn’t play enough anymore to be someone you want to start in a week with only two games.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/16/17

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/16/17

Saturday Night’s NBA Main slate presents us an eight game mosh-pit with some interesting match-ups. Some of which provide some value plays given the injury epidemic going on recently.


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POINT GUARDS:

Russell Westbrook ($11,100 FD/$11,500 DK) – 

If you’re going to pay up for somebody on FanDuel Westbrook may be the foundation to your lineup. He is cheaper on FD than The Greak Freak, LeBron and Harden. He is still very worth it on DK as the triple-double machine is coming off of a triple-overtime game where he stuffed the stat sheet of 27-18-15. He now plays the next night at Madison Square Garden, where he may just put on a show. Westbrooks opponents, the Knicks, rank 25th in defending the position. He logged 52 minutes during last night’s win, however, he should be more than fine. It’s time for the Russ show for my lineup.

Jeff Teague ($6,400 FD/$6,500/DK) –

Jeff Teague has a great match-up Saturday against struggling Phoenix Suns, who rank 28th in defending point guards this season as they allow on average 50.52 FPTS per game. Teague has not been so valuable on DFS lately, but he hasn’t had too big of a workload either with the way teammates Jimmy Butler and Karl Anthony-Towns have been playing lately. Regardless, this matchup offers Teague an ideal game to breakout to his old form.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Donovan Mitchell ($7,800 FD/$6,900 DK) –

Donovan Mitchell is one of the most underrated rookies that has emerged in the league this year. Mitchell is slowly and steadily raising eyebrows and sparking a ROTY conversation. A bit pricey on FanDuel, Mitchell has pretty good upside in this contest, as he opposes the defense-weak Cavaliers. He has also been incredibly consistent in fantasy value. With blows to Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert in Friday night’s game, Mitchell would be reintroduced to a heavier workload if one, or both of those are sidelined.

CJ McCollum ($7,100 FD/$6,800 DK) – 

McCollum has some serious upside in this slate. McCollum has scored 20+ points in four straight games averaging 33 FanDuel PPG in those contests. He appears likely to make it five in a row as he matches up with the Phoenix Suns, the 30th ranked team in defending shooting guards. His price is very fair and adds value to his projections, given his consistency as of lately. McCollum is a little more flexible on DraftKings as he is also eligible for point guard.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Jimmy Butler ($9,700 FD/$9,000 DK) –

Not many people have been hotter than Jimmy Butler lately. Holding one of the best SF match-ups of the night, Butler enters Saturday with a stretch in which out of the last 7 games, he has logged an average of 41 minutes and has scored an average of 27 points per game. One beneficial factor about Butler’s match-up against the Suns is that Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t had much trust in his second unit lately, as his starters have been seeing serious minutes regardless of score. This helps the case for obtaining Butler as a potential blowout won’t damage his minutes too much. Butler is listed as SF on FanDuel, but SG on DraftKings.

Harrison Barnes ($6,700 FD/$6,500 DK) – 

It seems as if regardless of how consistent Barnes is for the DFS community, he will never have the respect he deserves.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/8/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/8/17



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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kemba Walker, CHA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,100

The Hornets are off to a rough start this season, but Walker has continued to shine with averages of 22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.3 three-pointers per game. He plays a ton as he hasn’t averaged less than 34 minutes per game since his rookie season, which gives him plenty of opportunities to produce. Friday brings a great matchup against a bad Bulls team that he destroyed for 47 points, six rebounds, five assists and five three-pointers earlier this season. The Bulls have the worst point differential (-11.2) in the league, making Walker an excellent option to help win you some money.

Rajon Rondo, NO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,900

Rondo is rounding into form of late, averaging 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 9.8 assists over his last four games. Not only will Rondo continue to rack up assists with excellent offensive players in Anthony Davis (groin), DeMarcus Cousins and Jrue Holiday around him, it also makes it so defenses can’t pay much attention to him. While he’s never going to be a significant scorer on this team, he can score enough to be a viable DFS option once you factor in his rebounds and assists.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Gary Harris, DEN at ORL
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,400

Harris was expected to be one of the main offensive weapons on the Nuggets this season, but he got off to a slow start by averaging only 12.4 points and 2.2 three-pointers over his first 12 games. He’s caught fire since, averaging 18.7 points and 2.8 three-pointers over his last 10 games. With Nikola Jokic (ankle) out of action, he should continue to see increased scoring chances. The Magic play at the sixth-fastest pace (102.7) in the league, so Harris could be a nice addition to your entry Friday based on his potential.

Dwyane Wade, CLE at IND
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,500

Wade struggled to produce Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings, but that’s been the outlier of late as he had averaged 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in his previous five games. The Cavaliers have hit their stride with Wade moving to the second unit and have now won 13 consecutive games. The move has done wonders for Wade’s value as well as his usage rate as a member of the second unit is 25.5%, compared to 20.9% as a starter. Expect him to get back on track with a valuable line Friday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE at IND
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $11,700

You don’t really need a whole lot of justification to include James in your entry on any given night. He has the ninth-best usage rate (30.3%) in the league and continues to run the offense as the Cavaliers have been a mess at point guard. In his previous game against the Pacers this season, James finished with 33 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and one block. He’s very expensive but should be worth it Friday.

Dante Cunningham, NO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,600

Cunningham has stepped up with Davis out of action, averaging 8.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over his last three games. Davis is questionable for Friday’s game, so get Cunningham in your lineup if he is unable to play. The Kings have moved to a smaller lineup of late, which would benefit Cunningham even further. If Davis is able to play, Cunningham is no longer an intriguing value play, so make sure you check on Davis’ status leading up to the game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Zach Randolph, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,900

The Kings have been one of the more frustrating teams in the league in terms of their rotations, but are finally starting to play Randolph extended minutes as he has played at least 31 minutes in three straight games. They’ve decided to go small with Willie Cauley-Stein (back) out, moving Randolph over to center. It’s worked so far as Randolph has averaged 21.7 points and 10.0 rebounds over his last three games. With Cauley-Stein out again Friday, Randolph could put up big numbers if he can avoid foul trouble defending DeMarcus Cousins.

Marvin Williams, CHA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,900

The Hornets are really banged up in their frontcourt as Frank Kaminsky (ankle) and Cody Zeller (knee) will both be out Friday. With so little depth behind them, that means Williams and center Dwight Howard could be in for heavy workloads. Outside of Robin Lopez, the Bulls don’t have much size up front either as Cristiano Felicio has mostly fallen out of the rotation due to his struggles. Wiliams could potentially even see some time at backup center when the Bulls go small, making him someone you should consider at this price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $11,800

If Davis is unable to play Friday, Cousins is another player who would see increased value. He exploded with Davis out Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets as he scored 40 points to go along with 22 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. This is his second meeting this season against his former team in the Kings and he crushed them the first time, scoring 41 points and grabbing 23 rebounds. It’s important to note that Davis did not play in that game either. He’s a virtual must-start Friday if Davis is out, but is still worth playing even if Davis does manage to return.

Jakob Poeltl, TOR at MEM
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,600

The Raptors clearly don’t want to give Jonas Valanciunas significant playing time as he is averaging a career-low 20 minutes per game. Poeltl is one of the players who has eaten up some of the center minutes of late, playing at least 19 minutes in three of his last four games. He’s done the most with his opportunity, averaging 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in those three games. If you want to take a chance on a cheap center in tournament play, take a look at Poeltl.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/7/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/7/17



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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Russell Westbrook, OKC at BKN
FanDuel = $11,500
DraftKings = $12,000

Westbrook is close to averaging a triple-double again as he enters Thursday averaging 22.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game. He’s been even better over the Thunder’s three-game winning streak, averaging 23.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 12.6 assists. His 33.3% usage rate is sixth-best in the NBA, so he could be in for a huge performance Thursday considering the Nets play at the third-fastest pace (104.9) in the league. With so little talent on the Thunder bench, Westbrook is going to continue to dominate in DFS.

Tomas Satoransky, WAS at PHO
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Satoransky got off to a hot start with John Wall (knee) sidelined but has struggled to average only 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists over his last two games. The good news is that he is still playing more minutes than the fill-in starter Tim Frazier, so the opportunities are there.  The Suns are a terrible defensive team and they play at the second-fastest pace (105.3) in the league, leaving their opponents with great upside. Even with his difficulties of late, this could be a bounce-back performance for Satoransky Thursday.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

James Harden, HOU at UTA
FanDuel = $11,500
DraftKings = $11,000

There was some fear that Harden would see a decrease in production with the return of Chris Paul, but nothing seems to be able to slow him down. In seven games since Paul’s return, Harden is averaging 32.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 4.9 three-pointers per game. Paul has clearly taken a back seat offensively, so expect Harden to continue to stuff the stat sheet. He rocked the Jazz for 56 points earlier this season, so pay up for Harden again Thursday.

Troy Daniels, PHO vs. WAS
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,100

The Suns are going to be without Devin Booker (groin) for two-to-three weeks, leaving a huge offensive void on their team. Not only was he their best scorer, but he took a ton of shots as he’s averaged 18.8 shot attempts per game. It’s going to take a collective effort to replace him and Daniels may be one of those players who gets a boost. He doesn’t get much playing time, but he is averaging 12.8 points and 3.6 three-pointers in the five games where he has played at least 20 minutes this year. Considering he won’t cost you much, he might be worth the risk in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

T.J. Warren, PHO vs. WAS
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $6,500

Speaking of guys trying to make up for Booker’s absence, Warren will likely now be counted on to lead the team in scoring. He’s already averaging 18.4 points per game with a 24.8% usage rate, both second-best on the team behind Booker. Warren has scored at least 25 points in a game six times this season, showing he can have excellent upside. With so little talent around him, Warren should get plenty of opportunities to be a valuable part of your entry Thursday.

Brandon Ingram, LAL at PHI
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,400

Ingram is shaping up to be an offensive force for the Lakers this season and is averaging 19.1 points over his last nine games. He’s averaging five more shot attempts per game this season, so expect this to be a trend that continues throughout the rest of the year. This is an excellent matchup Thursday as both the Lakers and the Sixers are in the top-four in the NBA in terms of pace of play. It suited Ingram well when these teams faced off earlier this season as he finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Get him back in your lineup for this game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Ben Simmons, PHI vs. LAL
FanDuel = $10,500
DraftKings = $9,900

The Wizards raised some eyebrows last week when they went to Hack-a-Ben, putting Simmons on the free-throw a whopping 29 times. Simmons really struggled, making only 15 attempts and showing what looked to be a major weakness in his game. He’s rebounded from that nicely, making 6-of-8 free-throws over three games since. He hasn’t been tested much, but it’s something to keep an eye one. His ability to provide excellent all-around counting stats makes him a great DFS option on most nights, but tonight is especially promising considering the pace at which both of these teams play. Of note, Simmons is only available at power forward on FanDuel. He is available at point guard and small forward on DraftKings.

Markieff Morris, WAS at PHO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,700

Morris has struggled for most of this season but showed he still has upside when he scored 23 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks Friday against the Detroit Pistons. Using the revenge game angle can be tricky, but Morris’ tenure as a member of the Suns did not end well. He has played against them three times since, averaging 10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in those games. With a limited slate and so few viable cheap options at power forward, you may want to consider Morris.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Joel Embiid, PHI vs. LAL
FanDuel = $10,800
DraftKings = $10,100

Thursday brings Embiid’s second game against the Lakers this season. He provided a memorable performance in their first meeting, scoring 46 points to go along with 15 rebounds, seven assists, and seven blocks. The Lakers struggle to defend the center position and really don’t have anyone capable of slowing down Embiid. It’s going to cost you a lot, but Embiid should be worth the price Thursday.

Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,400

The Thunder certainly lack depth, but the one thing they do have is an outstanding center in Steven Adams. Center might be the weakest position on the Nets roster, but someone is going to have to battle with Adams. Allen is starting to show promise off the Nets bench, averaging 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks over his last three games. That’s certainly nothing to write home about, but he may see an uptick in production if he gets a few extra minutes Thursday. If you want to take a risk on a very cheap center, Allen is someone to think about.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/6/17 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/6/17 – Value Plays

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Lineup Lab is very excited to have started a partnership this week with Sports Illustrated to provide fantasy NBA content. Click here to find a link to Wednesday’s article appearing on SI where we break down the big 10-game slate. In today’s article on Lineup Lab, we’ll dive into the slate even deeper and take a look at only the cheaper plays of the evening that can provide you with value.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

De’Aaron Fox, SAC at CLE
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings – $4,600

The Kings continue to throw out head-scratching rotations as no player on the team is averaging more than 26 minutes per game. The silver lining is Fox is one of three players averaging 26 minutes, so at least he gets more run than most. While not outstanding, his numbers are respectable this season as he’s averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 0.9 steals per game. The Cavaliers have had their problems defending points guards this season, so Fox has the potential to be productive in this game.

Shaun Livingston, GS at CHA
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,400

The Warriors have lost star point guard Stephen Curry (ankle) for at least two weeks, leaving Patrick McCaw (nose) and Livingston to cover his minutes. McCaw has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game, leaving Livingston with a potentially big role against the Hornets. Livingston has only played at least 20 minutes in a game once this season, but he was productive with 16 points, two rebounds, six assists, and one steal. Take a chance on him Wednesday.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,200

Moore is getting an excellent opportunity to thrive in New Orleans as he is averaging a career-high 31 minutes per game. He’s shown he can be an offensive weapon when given extended run as he is averaging 12.5 points and 1.7 three-pointers per game this season. He’s been even better of late though, scoring at least 16 points and hitting at least four three-pointers in four of his last five games. The Pelicans should be without Anthony Davis (groin) again Wednesday, leaving added shots on the table for Moore. The price is right to take a chance on him for your entry.

Malcolm Brogdon, MIL vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,700

Speaking of frustrating rotations, Bucks coach Jason Kidd also throws out some perplexing combinations. He had played guard Jason Terry (calf) at least 18 minutes in three straight games entering Monday and it looked like it could have been four in a row had Terry not been injured in the contest. With Terry out Wednesday, Brogdon should pick up some of his minutes. With defenses having to focus on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe, and Khris Middleton, Brogdon might get a few more open looks in this game.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Bogdanovic is quietly not only having the best season of his career, but he’s become a very valuable member of a Pacers team that has played better than many people expected. He’s getting an opportunity to produce as he is averaging career-highs in minutes (31) and shot attempts (10.9) per game. He’s been particularly lethal from behind the arc, shooting 44.5%. The Bulls really struggle defensively and are just a bad team in general at this point. Bogdanovic already scored 22 points and hit six three-pointers against them earlier this season, so another valuable performance may be in the works.

Dante Cunningham, NO vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,600

Cunningham has started the last two games with Anthony Davis (groin) on the shelf and has filled in admirably, averaging 9.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He played 32 minutes in their last game Monday against the Warriors, marking only the fourth time this season that he has logged at least 30 minutes in a game. The Nuggets are also banged up with Paul Millsap (wrist) and Nikola Jokic (ankle) out, giving Cunningham a nice chance to provide value at a dirt cheap price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Ersan Ilyasova, ATL at ORL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,800

Injuries have already created added opportunity in Atlanta as several key members of the Hawks frontcourt will be out again Wednesday. Ilyasova showed what he can do with extended minutes as he scored 22 points and hit four-three pointers when he played 30 minutes in a game last week against the Cavaliers. While his last two games haven’t been great, he did just miss a double-double Saturday against the Nets. This could be a high-scoring game against a Magic team that plays at the sixth-fastest pace (102.8) in the league, so take a look at Ilyasova for your entry.

Bobby Portis, CHI at IND
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,700

Portis may be in for a reduction in play time soon as Nikola Mirotic (face) is getting close to returning. He’ll still be out Wednesday though, which is good news for Portis’ value. Portis provides an offensive punch off the bench for the Bulls as he has scored at least 10 points in four of his last six games. He had one of his best games earlier this season against these same Pacers when he scored 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Kris Dunn is actually the only player who plays significant minutes on the Bulls that has a higher usage rate than Portis’ 24.9%. As far as cheap options with upside go, Portis definitely makes the list Wednesday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Mason Plumlee, DEN at NO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,700

With Jokic injured, Plumlee has started both of the last two games for the Nuggets. While he only scored three points in his last game against the Dallas Mavericks, he showed his potential the prior game when he scored 12 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists Saturday against the Lakers. The Nuggets are going to need Plumlee to step up Wednesday against DeMarcus Cousins, so he could be in for significant minutes if he can stay out of foul trouble. With his passing ability, extended playing time could give him a big bump in value.

Bam Adebayo, MIA at SA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,000

Noticing a trend here? It’s important to know which players are injured as their backups are usually priced cheap, but can provide excellent value when given an opportunity to play. Adebayo is another injury fill in as he’s playing more minutes with Hassan Whiteside (knee) sidelined. The Heat like to go small when they can with Whiteside out, but they likely won’t have that luxury Wednesday against a big Spurs front line. His upside isn’t that high, but he did record a double-double in 31 minutes earlier this season against the Timberwolves. If you’re filling out a tournament entry Wednesday, you might want to take a chance on Adebayo.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

The NBA starts off the first full week of December with three days with at least 10 games. With 52 total games this week, 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
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

There are a staggering 19 teams with four games each this week, meaning you might not need as much help as you have in previous weeks this season. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have most of your players on these teams this week, consider adding the below to gain back that edge.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

Jonathon Simmons, Orlando Magic

After beginning the season as a member of the second unit, Simmons has started each of his last four games. With Terrence Ross (knee) out indefinitely, Simmons should continue to start and get big minutes. One of his four starts was a dud against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he averaged 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.7 three-pointers over the other three. The Magic have four favorable matchups this week as they play the Hornets, Nuggets and the Hawks twice, all three of which are in the top half of the NBA in terms of pace of play. If you need offense, Simmons can give you a boost and is still available in 57% of Yahoo! leagues.

Ersan Ilyasova, Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are decimated up front as they are expected to be without Dewayne Dedmon (leg) and John Collins (shoulder) for this entire week. Mike Muscala (ankle) is also without a timetable for his return, so Ilyasova should have a big role until the Hawks start to get healthy. He showed what he can do with more minutes last season as he averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 24 minutes per game. He could get even more playing time than that, giving him excellent value. Still available in 64% of Yahoo! leagues, you shouldn’t hesitate to pick him up if you can.

Tomas Satoransky, Washington Wizards

Tim Frazier has been starting in place of John Wall (knee), but he’s not the player you want to pick up this week. Satoransky has outplayed him to this point, averaging 12.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.0 three-pointers over his last three games. His scoring has increased in all three of those games as he continues to get comfortable playing extended minutes. If he continues to play this well, he’s only going to get more opportunities to produce. If you need point guard help, go get Satoransky as he’s still available in 88% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers

With so many teams playing four games this week, the five teams that only play two each will see their players value decrease significantly.  Consider benching the below players who would normally be in your starting lineup otherwise.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers

Ball has been a killer for fantasy owners in terms of percentages as he is shooting only 31.3% from the field and 50.0% from the charity stripe. The main value he provides owners is his ability to provide all-around counting stats, but even that is hurt by his 8.7 points per game average. The Lakers have shown a tendency to bench him late in games if he’s struggling and he has now played 26 minutes or less in two of his last four games. With only two games on the schedule this week, Ball likely won’t be able to provide enough value to warrant being in your lineup.

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Ingram has really improved offensively this season as not only is he averaging 16.0 points per game, but he’s shooting 46.3% from the field after shooting only 40.2% last year. He has already scored at least 20 points in a game five times this season, something he only did twice all last season. The problem for this week is that he doesn’t excel in any other area and provides little in terms of steals, blocks, and three-pointers. With only two games on the schedule, there just isn’t enough meat on the bone here to warrant starting him.

James Johnson, Miami Heat

Johnson is the opposite of Ingram as his value comes in terms of his all-around value. His scoring is down this season, but he’s averaging career-highs in rebounds (5.2) and assists (4.1) per game. He’s hit a rough patch lately, averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists over his last three games. With Hassan Whiteside (knee) out of action for that stretch, it’s no surprise that Johnson saw a decrease in assists without one of the team’s best scoring options. With very little upside, make sure Johnson is firmly on your bench this week.