NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/21/19

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA is finally back! With the All-Star break firmly in our rearview mirror, we have six games to choose from for Thursday’s DFS slate. Let’s dive right in and discuss a couple of cheaper value plays at each position that could provide significant returns. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

Rajon Rondo, LAL vs. HOU
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,800

This is going to be a fun matchup between Rondo and Chris Paul. There is no love lost between these two and the first time they met this season resulted in both players being suspended after an altercation. Before being ejected in that game, Rondo was rolling with 13 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Expect him to be amped up for this game and come through with a valuable performance.

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900

The Cavaliers are extremely thin at guard, which has left Sexton to log at least 38 minutes in four of their last five games. He hasn’t disappointed by averaging 24.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists across those four contests. There’s no reason to believe that he won’t continue to see extended run Thursday, making him a great option against a Suns team that allows the third-most points per game (116.1) in the league.

SHOOTING GUARDS

Caris LeVert, BKN vs. POR
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,100

It’s amazing that LeVert returned so quickly after what looked like a gruesome foot injury. He appeared in each of the Nets’ final three games before the break and logged 31 minutes in their last contest against the Cavaliers. He played well in that game with 12 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. His ability to contribute in multiple areas makes him a very appealing option now that he’s back to playing extended minutes. Of note, LeVert is only eligible at shooting guard on FanDuel since he is listed at point guard and small forward on DraftKings.

Allen Crabbe, BKN vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,200

Another key player that the Nets recently received back from injury is Crabbe, who had missed almost two months. After playing limited minutes in his first two games back, he’s logged at least 31 minutes in back-to-back contests. That’s a key threshold for him considering he’s averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds across eight games in which he has played at least 30 minutes. With Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb) still out, Crabbe might be worth taking a risk on against his former squad.

SMALL FORWARDS

Mikal Bridges, PHO at CLE
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

The Suns will remain shorthanded Thursday with T.J. Warren (ankle) still unable to return. A healthy Devin Booker does limit Bridges’ upside, but Warren being out should help with his playing time. Despite his inconsistent scoring efforts, Bridges has still managed to average 12.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 steals across his last eight games. This is another great matchup for him against a struggling Cavaliers squad that allows 113.5 points per game despite playing at the second-slowest pace (97.1 possessions per game) in the league.

Cedi Osman, CLE vs. PHO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,000

The Cavaliers frontcourt could be at full strength in the very near future. Kevin Love is starting to see his minute’s restriction increase and Tristan Thompson (foot) is not far from making his return. However, as far as Thursday goes, Thompson is unlikely to play and Love is not expected to spend a ton of time on the floor. That should continue to open up minutes for Osman, who recently returned from his own four-game absence to score 13 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists against the Nets. He’s another Cavalier who could be worth taking a chance on due to the Suns’ defensive deficiencies.

POWER FORWARDS

Marcus Morris, BOS at MIL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,800

This game is the marquee matchup of the night. This won’t be an easy task on the road for the Celtics considering the Bucks are 23-5 at home. The Bucks are a good defensive team, but it should also be noted that they play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.1). That could lead to added opportunities for Morris to provide value. In his only other game against them this season, Morris was productive with 17 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block across just 24 minutes.

Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at BKN
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Aminu is showing signs of coming out of his recent rough patch, averaging 12.5 points, eight rebounds and three assists across his last two games. He’s not known for his offensive prowess, but Aminu is having one of the best all-around seasons of his career with averages of 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds a night. The Nets don’t have a ton of size up front and allow the 12th-most rebounds per game (45.1) in the league, leaving Aminu with an opportunity to provide value.

CENTERS

JaVale McGee, LAL vs. HOU
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings =$5,200

The trade sending Ivica Zubac to the Clippers has breathed life back into McGee’s fantasy value. Across his last three games, McGee has averaged 14.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Tyson Chandler (neck) is listed as questionable for this contest, so if he can’t play, they might need to rely even more on McGee. He’s had plenty of success against the Rockets in three previous meetings, averaging 13 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.

Boban Marjanovic, PHI vs. MIA
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,500

The Sixers will be without the services of Joel Embiid (knee) on Thursday, who will be sidelined for at least the next week. In his absence, Marjanovic, Amir Johnson and Jonah Bolden will look to soak up the minutes at center. Of those three, Marjanovic has the highest upside and might receive the most playing time considering this matchup against Hassan Whiteside. If he can approach 20 minutes, he’s certainly a threat to finish with a double-double.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award.