NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/9/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Friday isn’t particularly busy with seven games in the NBA, but there are a lot of great expensive options available in DFS. In order to fit a few studs into your lineup, you’ll need to find the right mix of cheap value plays. Here are some players to consider when creating your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Derrick Rose, MIN at SAC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,800
The Timberwolves star trio is Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins, but the loss of Jeff Teague (knee) has left them with a significant hole to fill at point guard. Coach Tom Thibodeau has turned to a familiar face in Rose to take on the role and he certainly hasn’t let him down. Not only did Rose have a monster 50-point performance against the Jazz, but he’s scored at least 21 points in both of his last two games. The Kings are tied for the third-most points allowed per game (118.8) in the league, leaving Rose with the potential for another offensive outburst.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,500
Although it’s not an ideal fit, Augustin continues to start for the Magic. After coming off of the bench for the majority of his career, Augustin is averaging 10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 three-pointers per contest in his new role. The Wizards play at the seventh-fastest pace (104.5 possessions per game) and have allowed the most points per game (120.5), so Augustin and the offensive-challenged Magic could have one of their higher scoring performances of the year.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,700
With this matchup against the Wizards, just about everyone on the Magic gets a boost in value. Ross has carved out a significant role off the bench, posting the third-highest usage rate (23.4 percent) on the team, behind only Evan Fournier (26.2 percent) and Nikola Vucevic (24.7 percent). The Magic will also be a little shorthanded with Jonathan Isaac (ankle) out, which could leave Ross with some added playing time. Across the last three games with Isaac out, Ross is averaging 15.7 points, three rebounds, and 2.7 three-pointers.
Malik Monk, CHA at PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400
The Hornets don’t exactly play at a neck-breaking speed, but they might be forced to Friday against a Sixers team that plays at the sixth-fastest pace (104.7). If the Hornets are going to keep up offensively, Monk will need to be a big part of their success off the bench. He’s already been one of their most potent shooters from behind the arc, averaging 13.4 points and 2.3 three-pointers per contest. At his cheap price on both sites, he’s worth considering in tournament play, even if you can’t count on him to provide much in other categories.
SMALL FORWARDS
Justise Winslow, MIA vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,600
The Heat will continue to have depth issues with James Johnson (sports hernia), Dwyane Wade (personal), Dion Waiters (ankle) and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) already ruled out Friday. Things could be even worse if Goran Dragic (ankle) is forced to miss his second straight game. Winslow should get plenty of time on the floor against the Pacers, and although he doesn’t excel in any one area, he can still provide value since he is averaging 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, four assists, and 1.7 three-pointers.
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at MIA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Unlike the Heat, the Pacers are fortunate to enter this game healthy. Although he’s not one of their flashiest players, Bogdanovic is averaging 30 minutes a game as a member of the starting five. He’s been extremely efficient in the early going, shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 49 percent from behind the arc. Both of those numbers are likely to regress as the season wears on, but Bogdanovic did average 14.3 points and 1.9 three-pointers a game last season. If you want to go really cheap at small forward, Bogdanovic is a viable target.
POWER FORWARDS
Taj Gibson, MIN at SAC
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900
Gibson might fly under the radar due to all of the talent that the Timberwolves have in their starting five but don’t sleep on him in DFS. Not only is he a strong rebounder and defender, but he’s averaging 11.2 points per game with teams having to focus their defensive attention elsewhere. With the Kings defensive deficiencies already detailed, Gibson is another Timberwolves player to target for your entry.
Trey Lyles, DEN vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5.000
DraftKings = $4,700
Lyles has played well when given extended playing time, averaging 11.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.9 steals across nine games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes. He’s also coming off one of his best performances so far, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. That’s probably towards the top of Lyles’ upside, but he’s priced low enough to possibly be worth the risk in tournament play. There is also some potential that this game becomes a blowout, which could lead to a few added minutes for Lyles.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND at MIA
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,800
Turner’s price is falling as his minutes continue to be limited with Domantas Sabonis playing so well off of the bench. Turner’s 4.8 rebounds per game are disappointing for a starting center, but his 11.3 points and 2.4 blocks per contest still leave him with some upside. There is the possibility that he gains a few extra minutes in this game with the Pacers needing him to defend Hassan Whiteside. If that’s the case, his price has come down enough to warrant consideration.
Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,800
Plumlee is one of the better backup centers in the league. Even though he’s only playing 18 minutes a game, he’s still averaging 7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per contest. His playing time isn’t going to increase anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored in tournament play. The Nets have been one of the worst teams in the league at defending opposing centers, so Plumlee could still do some damage off the bench.