NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 3/4/19

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA starts off the week with seven games on the schedule Monday. There aren’t many great matchups, although the contest between the Clippers and Lakers has significant playoff implications. Luckily we can add a little juice to the evening by playing some DFS. Here are a couple of cheaper options at each position that could prove to be profitable. 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

Patrick Beverley, LAC at LAL
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,200

Beverley has certainly had his ups and downs offensively. Part of the reason for his muted scoring totals is that he’s attempted three shots or fewer in four of his last eight games. Luckily, he’s maintained value by averaging 7.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and one block during that stretch. This should be an up-tempo contest with both the Clippers and the Lakers inside the top-nine in the league in pace of play, leaving Beverley with the opportunity for another well-rounded stat line.

Landry Shamet, LAC at LAL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Shamet comes into this contest having scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games. He’s been inconsistent since joining the Clippers, but he at least has a secure role as a member of the starting five. There is certainly risk involved with deploying him in DFS, but with the Lakers allowing the seventh-most points per game (114), there is the possibility that Shamet can continue his recent run of success.

SHOOTING GUARDS

Dion Waiters, MIA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,100

Targeting players on the Heat could be a sound strategy against the Hawks. Not only do they allow the most points per game (119), but they are also still trying to recover from playing a quadruple-overtime game against the Bulls on Friday. It certainly didn’t help their cause that they had to play again Sunday. Look for the Heat to have one of their better offensive performances of the year. That could mean big things for one of their better offensive weapons in Waiters, who is averaging 13.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists across his last nine games.

Pat Connaughton, MIL at PHO
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,400

There is plenty of blowout potential here with the Bucks facing the lowly Suns. That could make it worth taking a chance on some of the Bucks’ reserves receiving added minutes in the second half. George Hill (groin) has missed the last four games, which has already opened up added playing time for Connaughton. While his numbers haven’t been overly impressive, he’s provided value by averaging eight points, 5.5 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 blocks during that four-game stretch.  If you’re looking to save significant money in tournament play, Connaughton isn’t someone to ignore.

SMALL FORWARDS

Mikal Bridges, PHO vs. MIL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,800

Don’t be concerned that Bridges has been moved to the second unit. He’s actually averaged 30 minutes across his last five games off the bench, which is higher than his season average of 28 minutes a night. While not much of a scoring threat, Bridges ability to rack up steals provides a significant boost to his value. His price on FanDuel isn’t great, but he could be well worth the risk on DraftKings at near the minimum price.

DeAndre’ Bembry, ATL at MIA
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,500

The Hawks were shorthanded against the Bulls on Sunday with John Collins (illness), Taurean Prince (personal) and Omari Spellman (ankle) all on the shelf. While it seems like there is a reasonable chance that Collins returns Monday, Spellman is going to be out for at least a month. Prince might also miss another game while waiting for the birth of his child. Bembry only scored three points with all of those players out Sunday, but he did take eight shot attempts and contributed four rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block. If Prince is out again, Bembry becomes a viable option to consider.

POWER FORWARDS

Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,300

One thing about the Heat is that their roster is filled with above average players, but they are lacking top-tier talent. That sometimes makes for some frustrating rotations as they try to find ways to piece together wins. One of their most recent changes has been to insert Olynyk into the starting lineup, who has rewarded them by averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal across his last eight games. If Hassan Whiteside (hip) can’t play again, Olynyk has significant upside. However, even if Whiteside does take the floor, Olynyk could provide value based on his new role.

Harry Giles, SAC vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Marvin Bagley was playing extremely well for the Kings before he went down with a knee injury that will keep him out at least one-to-two weeks. In the first game that he missed Thursday against the Clippers, Giles stepped up to record 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal across 17 minutes. The Knicks struggle mightily to defend opposing big men, so don’t be afraid to take a chance on Giles in tournament play.

CENTERS

Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. NY
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,800

Giles isn’t the only player on the Kings who will benefit from the absence of Bagley. Cauley-Stein also excelled Thursday with 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. The key is he logged 31 minutes, marking just the third time across his last 10 contests that he’s spent at least 30 minutes on the floor. With the Knicks allowing the third-most DraftKings points per game (55.7) to opposing centers, Cauley-Stein could be in line for another double-double.

Ivica Zubac, LAC at LAL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,600

Zubac remains the starting center for the Clippers, although he’s not receiving the normal allotment of minutes that a starter would due to the stellar play of Montrezl Harrell off the bench. Despite his limited playing time, Zubac has still averaged 8.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and one block since joining the team. He’ll get to face his former squad Monday, who is a mess up front and is allowing the fifth-most FanDuel points per game and the sixth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers.

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.