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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/6/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA doesn’t bring a ton of action Tuesday with just four games on the schedule. There aren’t as many viable cheap value plays, as a result, but let’s examine some that could be difference makers for the evening. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/6/18

Trae Young, ATL at CHA
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,300

Young certainly doesn’t come at a discount, but if you’re playing this limited slate on FanDuel, there aren’t a lot of great cheap options at point guard. Young is already getting plenty of scoring chances with his 27.9 percent usage rate, but he could be counted on for even more offense with Taurean Prince (ankle) listed as doubtful. Charlotte has allowed the seventh-most DraftKings points per game and the eighth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing point guards, making Young an excellent option for your entry.

Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at PHO
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,800

With the Nets battling injuries at point guard last year, it allowed Dinwiddie to have a breakout campaign. Although he’s come off the bench in all 10 games this year with the Nets healthy, he’s still averaging 27 minutes a game. His assists are down at four per game, but his scoring has actually increased with 14.3 points and 2.3 three-pointers per contest. The Suns have struggled defensively yet again this season, leaving Dinwiddie as a viable option Tuesday, even in a reserve role.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/6/18

Kent Bazemore, ATL at CHA
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,900

Bazemore is another player on the Hawks who should see an increase in usage if Prince isn’t able to play. Bazemore’s 21.3 percent usage rate already ranks fourth-highest on the team, behind only Young, Prince, and Jeremy Lin. Add in his 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest and Bazemore makes a lot of sense at this reasonable price.

Malik Monk, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

The Hornets have gone with the combination of Jeremy Lamb and Monk at shooting guard this season. Even though Lamb has started all 10 games, they both receive about the same amount of playing time. The 24 minutes a night for Monk has been a significant increase from last year, helping him average 13.4 points and 2.4 three-pointers per contest. If this game gets out of hand early, Monk could really excel in garbage time since the Hawks play at the fastest pace (108.3 possessions per game) in the league.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/6/18

DeAndre’ Bembry, ATL at CHA
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Bembry could find his way into the starting five if Prince sits this one out. Even though Bembry is only averaging 25 minutes a game, he’s provided respectable all-around averages of 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals. His upside isn’t off the charts even with added playing time, but he’s still someone to consider at his cheap price on both sites.

Miles Bridges, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,600

On such a limited slate, sometimes taking a big risk in tournament play can provide a significant return. If this game turns into a blowout, some of the bench players for the Hornets could see a substantial boost in minutes. One of those players could be Bridges, who is averaging 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and two three-pointers across the three games in which he has played at least 20 minutes. There is certainly risk here, but taking a chance on the blowout isn’t entirely crazy based on the circumstances.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/6/18

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at PHO
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,800

Hollis-Jefferson missed the start of the season due to injury and hasn’t been able to regain his starting role since his return. He’s only averaging 22 minutes a game off the bench, putting a substantial cap on his upside. With that being said, it seems like it will only be a matter of time before he overtakes Jared Dudley in the starting lineup. After posting 21 points, six rebounds and three assists Sunday against the Sixers in 30 minutes, Hollis-Jefferson could get a few extra minutes again Tuesday.

Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. MIL
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,400

Aminu leaves a lot to be desired on the offensive end of the floor, averaging only eight points per game and shooting 38 percent from the field. He’s averaged at least 10 points per game in a season only one time in his career, so don’t expect him to go on a scoring binge anytime soon. Even taking that into consideration, you shouldn’t just avoid him when crafting your lineup. With 8.9 rebounds a contest, he’s at least a threat to approach a double-double on a nightly basis.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/6/18

Jarrett Allen, BKN at PHO
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,200

Allen showed signs of promise as a rookie last year. The Nets have upped him to 27 minutes a game through their first 10 contests, helping him average 11.7 points and 7.7 rebounds. He’s been extremely efficient from the field with a 61.3 percent shooting percentage and contributes on the defensive end with 1.9 blocks per contest. Suns top pick Deandre Ayton might get all the headlines at center in this game, but Allen is also a worthy candidate in DFS.

Willy Hernangomez, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,500

If you want to go all-in on the theory that the Hornets blow out the Hawks, Hernangomez is another player with upside. He’s been limited to 15 minutes a game off the bench, but that hasn’t stopped him from recording seven points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. In the one game in which he played at least 20 minutes this year, he finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Again, there is risk planning on a blowout score, but it could be one that pays off with Hernangomez.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

After a brutal Week 9 where six teams were on a bye, things get a little better in Week 10 with only four teams getting the added time off. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your DFS 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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,800
DraftKings = $7,200

To no surprise, the Chiefs beat the Browns soundly in Week 9. Another obvious outcome of that game was Mahomes having a strong performance. He certainly didn’t disappoint, throwing for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Although that marked five consecutive games with an interception, he also has four straight games with at least three touchdowns.

There might not be any other quarterback who is more automatic than Mahomes from a DFS perspective. He has a ton of talent around him and plays within a great offensive scheme. What shouldn’t go unnoticed with all the passing yards and touchdowns is that Mahomes has even posted a completion percentage of at least 70.6 percent over three straight games. The Cardinals have been one of the better teams at defending the pass in the league, but facing Mahomes on the road is a whole different story.

Drew Brees vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $6,300

The highlight matchup of Week 9 was the Saints taking on the undefeated Rams. It certainly was an offensive shootout with the Saints ultimately dealing the Rams their first loss. Brees had one of his best performances of the year, throwing for 346 yards and four touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception, either, and has only thrown one pick all season.

Brees’ stellar stat line came on the heels of a dud in Week 8 against the Vikings when he threw for 120 yards and one touchdown. He might have games from time to time where the Saints heavy use of the run limits his upside, but that wasn’t exactly a great matchup against a Vikings team that is only allowing 233 passing yards per game. With the Bengals allowing the most passing yards per game (319), expect this to be an opportunity that Brees exploits.

Philip Rivers vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $6,000

Rivers faced a tough Seahawks defense in Week 9 that had allowed 10 touchdown passes all season. They did a good job limiting Rivers to 228 passing yards, but he still salvaged his performance with two touchdowns. Rivers has been extremely consistent in that department, recording at least two touchdowns in every game this year.

Things get much easier for Rivers in Week 10 against a Raiders team that was just lit up by the 49ers with Nick Mullins at quarterback. The Raiders have not only allowed the ninth-most passing yards per game (263), but they’ve put very little pressure on the quarterback with only seven sacks. In their first meeting this season, Rivers had 339 passing yards and two touchdowns, so don’t be surprised if he excels in their rematch.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $5,800

The Bengals are coming off of their bye after squeaking out a 37-34 win over the Bucs in Week 8. Dalton took advantage of the Bucs porous secondary, finishing with 280 passing yards and two touchdowns. After averaging only 207.5 passing yards per game last year, Dalton has been much more productive this season with 262.8 yards per contest.

One big negative for Dalton’s prospects for Week 10 is the injury to his star receiver A.J. Green (toe), who is expected to miss at least the next two games. On the bright side, receiver John Ross (groin) is looking like he might be able to return to the field. Even without Green, Dalton has the potential to be productive against the Saints, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game (311). The Bengals might also be forced to throw the ball a lot to keep up with the Saints offense, so don’t shy away from Dalton just because of Green’s injury.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $5,900

Fitzpatrick regained his starting job for Week 9 against the Panthers. The Bucs were down big early and forced to throw a lot, which played right into Fitzpatrick’s wheelhouse. He did throw two interceptions, but he also had 243 yards and four touchdowns. Across his five starts this season, he has finished with at least three touchdown passes four times.

Even though the Bucs suffered yet another loss, Fitzpatrick played well enough to remain the starting quarterback for this matchup against the Redskins. The Redskins have been stout against the run, but they’ve allowed 254 passing yards per game to go along with 15 touchdown passes. With how bad the Bucs are playing on defense, look for Fitzpatrick to have plenty of opportunities to provide value Sunday.

Baker Mayfield vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400

The change at head coach and offensive coordinator made an immediate positive impact on Mayfield last week against the Chiefs. He finished with 297 passing yards and two touchdowns, but it should also be noted that his 69.1 percent completion percentage was the highest in any game in which he has started.

While it certainly helped that Mayfield was facing the Chiefs defense, the initial results under his new coaching staff are encouraging. He also gets another exploitable matchup against the Falcons in Week 10, who have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (304), which is actually more than the Chiefs have allowed. The Falcons have also given up 18 touchdowns through the air, which is tied for the fourth most. If you want to take a chance on a cheap option in tournament play, Mayfield is worth considering.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Quarterbacks

Mitch Trubisky vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $5,600

As most people expected, the Bears destroyed the Bills last week. With Nathan Peterman under center for Buffalo, the Bears defense scored two touchdowns of their own. The Bears had little need to throw the ball with a big early lead, leaving Trubisky to produce season-lows in pass attempts (20) and passing yards (135). This should be a more competitive game against the Lions, but the way to beat them is on the ground, not through the air. The Lions have allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (215), but the third most rushing yards per game (142.5). Trubisky might not attempt a lot of passes in this contest, either.

Matthew Stafford vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,000

Stafford and the Lions had a disastrous performance against the Vikings in Week 9, losing 24-9. Stafford attempted 36 passes but only finished with 199 yards. Although he didn’t throw an interception, he also failed to throw a touchdown for the first time this season. The trade of Golden Tate to the Eagles certainly isn’t going to help Stafford moving forward, either. The Bears have the second-most interceptions (14) and are allowing only 237 passing yards per game, leaving Stafford with limited upside.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

With nine games in the NBA on Monday, we’ve got plenty of value play options to consider in DFS. Here are some players with favorable matchups who could help you bring home some cash. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

Collin Sexton, CLE at ORL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Things are getting ugly in Cleveland in a hurry. Kevin Love (foot) will be out for at least six more weeks, they’ve already fired their head coach, and now there are reports that some veterans on the team think that Sexton doesn’t “know how to play.” Sexton certainly has a long way to go with his development, but he hasn’t been terrible from a fantasy perspective with 11.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across just 24 minutes per game. His upside isn’t great, but he’s still worth considering Monday against a Magic team that doesn’t exactly have good point guards in D.J. Augustin and Jerian Grant.

Shelvin Mack, MEM at GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Mack has bounced around the league in his career, but he’s found a key role as Mike Conley’s backup with the Grizzlies. He’s even been able to carve out 26 minutes a game, averaging 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers per contest. With the Warriors playing at the 10th-fastest pace (103.9 possessions per game) and this having the potential to be a blowout, Mack could again get enough playing time to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at ORL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,500

Clarkson struggled after being dealt to the Cavaliers at the trade deadline last year, averaging 12.6 points across 23 minutes per contest. His playing time has remained the same this season, but he’s averaging 15.8 points per game in large part because his usage rate has jumped up to 28.7 percent. His contributions are mostly limited to points, but with Love out, Clarkson should get plenty of chances to score again Monday.

Garrett Temple, MEM at GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700

After spending the last two seasons with the Kings, Temple has found himself with a starting job in Memphis. He’s not a token starter, either, averaging 32 minutes a game. His 16.7 percent usage rate doesn’t leave him with a ton of scoring upside, but he’s generally played well with 13.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 three-pointers per contest. This game could get out of hand early for the Grizzlies, but Temple is still someone to consider for your entry.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

E’Twaun Moore, NO at OKC
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

The Pelicans have some great players on their team, but their depth is actually somewhat limited, aside from Julius Randle coming off the bench, of course. They’ll be without Elfrid Payton (ankle) again Monday, which should force Jrue Holiday to play more at the point. With opposing teams having to focus on stopping Anthony Davis, Holiday and Nikola Mirotic, Moore is sometimes a forgotten man. Don’t sleep on him, though, with his averages of 14.9 points and 1.8 three-pointers game. This could also be a high-scoring contest against two teams who are both in the top-six in the league in pace of play.

Chandler Hutchison, CHI at NY
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,500

The Bulls are shorthanded right now without Lauri Markkanen (elbow), Kris Dunn (knee) and Bobby Portis (knee). Hutchison, one of their two first-round picks in last year’s draft, has been forced to play more than expected early on. His overall numbers aren’t exciting, but he’s started to play more lately and is one of the Bulls’ better defenders. That helped him stay on the floor for 27 minutes Saturday against the Rockets, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. At this cheap price, he could be worth the risk in tournament play. Of note, Hutchison is only eligible at small forward on FanDuel since he is listed as a shooting guard on DraftKings.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Thankfully for everyone who plays fantasy basketball, it appears the Clippers are pulling the plug early on Marcin Gortat as their starting center. This is great news for Harrell and Boban Marjanovic. Although Marjanovic might get another start Monday, this isn’t necessarily a great matchup for him against Karl-Anthony Towns, who is attempting five three-pointers per game. Harrell’s athleticism might result in him playing more than Marjanovic. Across five games in which Harrell has logged at least 20 minutes, he’s averaging 15.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, two blocks, and 1.2 steals.

Jerami Grant, OKC vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

Another starting experiment that has been cut short is Patrick Patterson at power forward for the Thunder. Grant has taken over that role, averaging 13.6 points, five rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers across five games. His scoring will remain limited playing with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, but he has some upside Monday considering the fast pace at which this game will likely be played.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

Boban Marjanovic, LAC vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Many within the fantasy community have pined for Marjanovic to get adding playing time, including yours truly. This might finally be his opportunity. Despite only averaging 13 minutes a game this year, Marjanovic has posted nine points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per contest. In his start Friday against the Magic, he had 10 points and 11 rebounds over 23 minutes. Even though this is not a great matchup for him against Towns, his price won’t remain this cheap for long if he continues to start.

Mitchell Robinson, NY vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

Noah Vonleh is now starting at center for the Knicks, but he’s been plagued by foul trouble the last two games. As a result, he only logged a total of 20 minutes in those contests. That opened up some playing time for Robinson, who took advantage by averaging 11.5 points, eight rebounds, and one block. Robinson’s inconsistent playing time makes him a risky option, but there is some upside here.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA has plenty of action to start off your weekend with eight games on the schedule Friday night. That gives us a lot of DFS value plays to wade through, so let’s get right down to business. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Elie Okobo, PHO vs. TOR
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,300

The Suns entered the season with a significant hole at point guard. Isaiah Canaan has been a member of the starting five with shooting guard Devin Booker also taking on more of a facilitating role. However, both of them are injured and listed as questionable for Friday. Okobo has logged at least 28 minutes in both of the last two games as a result of their injuries. His production hasn’t been off the charts, but he’s averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds, six assists, and 1.5 three-pointers during that stretch. If Booker and/or Canaan are forced to sit again Friday, Okobo is worth considering in tournament play.

Dante Exum, UTA vs. MEM
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,700

The Jazz will be without Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) in this game, leaving a huge void in their offense. It will likely take a group effort to make up for his absence, especially considering his 29.4 percent usage rate. Exum has already been averaging 19 minutes a game for the Jazz, but he could be one of the players who sees a few more minutes, and shots, Friday. Exum has averaged 13.5 points, four rebounds, 3.5 assists and one three-pointer across the two games in which he has played at least 20 minutes this year, leaving him with some upside at near the minimum price on both sites.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Justin Holiday, CHI vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600

The Bulls have a laundry-list of injuries right now with Lauri Markkanen (elbow), Kris Dunn (knee) and Bobby Portis (knee) all on the shelf. They are clearly a rebuilding team, but they’ve been forced to play Holiday more due to their lack of depth. His upside isn’t tremendously high, but Holiday is averaging a respectable 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.8 three-pointers per contest. Although he doesn’t come at a huge discount on FanDuel, his DraftKings price is appealing.

Eric Gordon, HOU at BKN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,900

James Harden (hamstring) appears to be nearing a return, but he’s not expected to take the floor against the Nets. In the first two games that Harden has missed, Gordon averaged 16 shot attempts. While he only made seven total shots, the added volume gives him plenty of scoring potential. If he can correct his shooting woes in this contest, he could be an asset at this price. Keep him out of cash contests, but he might be worth a look in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Tyreke Evans, IND at CHI
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900

Evans was thrust into a significant role for the Grizzlies last year when Mike Conley was lost for the season, resulting in Evans averaging 31 minutes a game. The Pacers are a much deeper team, so it’s not all that surprising that he’s only averaged 20 minutes a game so far. Even with limited time of the floor, Evans is still averaging 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, three assists, and 1.3 three-pointers. The Bulls are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, which should give a bump to Evans and just about everyone else on the Pacers’ roster. If this game also gets out of hand early, Evans could see some extra garbage time minutes.

Kelly Oubre Jr., WAS vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,800

The Wizards are a disappointing 1-6, but they’ve also dealt with their share of injury issues. Oubre has been one of their few bright spots, averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and two three-pointers a game. It’s not as if he’s seen a huge jump in playing time, either, with his 27 minutes a night on par with his average from last season. The Wizards should be getting Dwight Howard (back) and Markieff Morris (concussion) back Friday, but Oubre is still going to be a significant part of their second unit.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Noah Vonleh, NY at DAL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

It’s no surprise that the Knicks are 2-6 with Kristaps Porzingis still recovering from a torn ACL. What is surprising is that they have been bringing one of their better players in Enes Kanter off the bench lately. Vonleh has been moved into the starting five, as a result, averaging 9.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks in that role. With no signs that the Knicks will make a change back to Kanter for this contest, Vonleh will continue to have added value.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN vs. HOU
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,900

Hollis-Jefferson has come off the bench in all five games since returning from injury, but you have to wonder how much longer the Nets will continue to have him in that role while Jared Dudley starts. Even though Hollis-Jefferson has only averaged 21 minutes, he’s been able to record 8.6 points, six rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per contest. With the Rockets playing at a fast pace and using a lot of small lineups, this has the potential to be Hollis-Jefferson’s best performance of the year if he can get a few extra minutes.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Steven Adams, OKC at WAS
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100

If you are playing on FanDuel, there aren’t a lot of great cheap center options. As a result, this might be one of the positions to pay up for. Adams isn’t overly expensive, but he has a high floor with averages of 13.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks. The Thunder did add some depth at center with Nerlens Noel, but Adams is still logging 35 minutes a game. The Thunder and Wizards are both in the top-six in the league in pace of play, which could leave Adams with even more opportunities to stuff the stat sheet.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at PHO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,300

Valanciunas’ role continues to fluctuate based on matchups. The Suns have a promising big man in Deandre Ayton, so look for Valanciunas to be in the starting lineup for the Raptors. When he starts, he has averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest. The Suns have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, making Valanciunas someone to key in on if you are looking for some budget relief at center.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Six teams on a bye for Week 9, dealing a significant blow to the options at tight end in DFS. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your entry. 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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - TE/DEF/ST

Travis Kelce vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,600

Kelce came through for the Chiefs in their win over the Broncos in Week 8, catching six of 10 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. With that performance, Kelce now has at least five receptions in seven consecutive games and at least eight targets in six of those contests. He only has four touchdowns this year despite the Chiefs explosive offense, but his 80.3 yards per game is the highest mark of his career.

If you are prepared to pay a premium at tight end, Kelce is the safe route to take. He leads the Chiefs with 70 targets, which actually ranks inside the top-15 in all of football. The Browns have only given up two touchdowns to opposing tight ends, but they have allowed 44 receptions to them, which is tied for fifth-most in the league. This game has the potential to get out of hand for the Browns early, so expect Kelce to be heavily involved in yet another offensive explosion for the Chiefs.

O.J. Howard vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of American Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,300

Howard only received four targets in Week 8, but he made the most of his opportunities by catching all of them for 68 yards and a touchdown. The score was Howard’s second in his last three games, giving him a total of three for the season. His targets have been a bit up an down, but that hasn’t stopped Howard from recording at least 54 receiving yards in six of seven games. The only contest where he didn’t reach that mark was in Week 4 against the Bears when he had to leave early due to injury.

One major plus about the Bucs offense is that their defense often puts them in an early hole that they have to try and pass their way out of. The Bucs are making a change back to Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, but that shouldn’t impact Howard negatively considering how well the two played together when Jameis Winston was suspended to start the year. The Panthers have allowed 545 yards and five touchdowns to tight ends, making Howard a great option at this reasonable price.

Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,100

The Bears only allowed 10 points to the Jets in Week 8, but they didn’t force a single turnover. That’s saying something considering Jets quarters Sam Darnold has 10 interceptions. They also recorded just one sack, which can mostly be attributed to the absence of Khalil Mack (ankle). The Bears had started out strong in that area this year, recording at least four sacks in each of their first four games.

Whether or not Mack returns for this game, you still want to play the Bears defense. The Bills offense is already a mess, but due to injuries to Josh Allen (elbow) and Derek Anderson (concussion), it looks like Nathan Peterman will once again be their starting quarterback. Peterman has thrown four picks across only 32 pass attempts this year, so don’t hesitate to pay up for the Bears, even at this expensive price for a defense.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - TE/DEF/ST

Greg Olsen vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Bank of American Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,700

Olsen continues to battle his way through a foot injury, but he’s been on the field for at least 97 percent of the Panthers offensive snaps the last three games. He only has 10 receptions for 109 yards during that stretch, but he has found his way into the end zone in both of the last two weeks. The Panthers will continue to take a cautious approach with him in practice leading up to Sunday but expect him to be on the field a lot once again.

Even though Olsen has been one of the most consistent tight ends in the league, his upside is limited by his injury. That makes him somewhat of a risky play, but this could be a matchup to exploit. The Bucs have not only allowed the second-most passing yards per game (318), but they’ve allowed 542 yards and four touchdowns to opposing tight ends.

David Njoku vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,600

Talk about a rough week for Njoku. The Browns had plenty of problems scoring points against the Steelers, ultimately losing 33-18. Njoku has been a big part of their offense, but he didn’t receive a single target Sunday. He may have been hampered by a knee injury that has limited him in practice leading up to Week 9, but he was on the field for 84 percent of their offensive snaps.

Don’t panic over one bad game from Njoku. He had received at least six targets in all but one game leading up to Week 8 and had four straight games with at least 52 receiving yards. With the likelihood that the Browns are going to have to throw a lot to keep up with the Chiefs, Njoku is going to get targets Sunday if he’s healthy enough to play. With there being no indication so far that he won’t be able to suit up, he’s a great option in tournament play.

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,000

The Texans hung 42 points on the Dolphins in Week 8, but they did allow them to score 23 points of their own. The Texans defense had been on a streak of allowing 16 points or fewer in three straight games, but those were three outstanding matchups against the Cowboys, Bills, and Jaguars. Outside of games versus the Patriots and Colts, the Texans really haven’t been faced with many offensive juggernauts this year.

The schedule continues to fall in their favor for Week 9 against a Broncos team that just traded away receiver Demaryius Thomas. Case Keenum has not played well since coming over from the Vikings and the Broncos haven’t protected him, either, resulting in 22 sacks. To put that into perspective, Keenum was sacked 22 times all last season. If you don’t want to pay up for the Bears, the Texans are another viable option to consider.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - TE/DEF/ST

Austin Hooper vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $3,800

Hooper isn’t priced poorly on DraftKings, but his price on FanDuel doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It’s likely inflated due to his performances in Weeks 5 and 6 where he combined for 18 receptions on 22 targets for 148 yards and a touchdown. However, over his other five games, he has a total of 15 receptions on 19 targets for 173 yards and a score. Buyer beware, especially against a Redskins team that has only given up 292 receiving yards to tight ends.

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,200

The Panthers might explode offensively against the Bucs, but their defense could be in for a struggle. The Bucs throw the ball a ton and have some great offensive weapons. Fitzpatrick can be turnover prone, but he also had 11 touchdown passes across his first three games. This isn’t exactly an appealing price for the Panthers, either, so it might be best to avoid them altogether when crafting your lineup.

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

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA starts off the month of November with six games on the schedule Thursday. That’s a busier than normal Thursday, but there are still a limited amount of viable value plays available. Let’s take a look at some of the options that stand out based on their matchups. 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

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

George Hill, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,700

There’s going to be a point this season, possibly sooner than some might have originally thought, when the Cavaliers are going to start playing their young players more. There have already been rumors of them exploring trades to move some of their veterans. Hill is starting at point guard for now, but don’t be surprised if his minutes start to dwindle in the near future. That’s of little concern Thursday, though, which brings him into the discussion for cheap point guards. Don’t count on him for many assists, but he is averaging 13 points and 1.1 three-pointers per contest.

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

It would make a lot of sense for Sexton to eventually replace Hill in the starting lineup this year. They are actually kind of similar players in that neither is going to rack up assists as a traditional point guard would. However, Sexton has had a few impressive offensive showings, scoring at least 12 points in four of his last five games. The Nuggets are a far superior team, so if they race out to a big lead early, Sexton could get plenty of garbage time minutes. I actually think he has a slightly higher upside than Hill, making him an intriguing option in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

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

J.J. Redick, PHI vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,600

Redick is still not starting games for the Sixers, but his playing time hasn’t dropped at 30 minutes per game. His 39.5 percent shooting percentage is well below his career mark, but his 23.8 percent usage rate has still helped him average 18.5 points and 3.8 three-pointers per contest. Both of these teams are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, which could lead to even more scoring opportunities for Redick.

Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,400

The loss of Kevin Love (foot) and his 27.3 percent usage rate is a crushing blow for an already thin Cavaliers roster. Clarkson has been one of their other primary scoring options, leading to him averaging 16 points despite playing in only 23 minutes a night. The key has been his 27.8 percent usage rate, which would be the highest mark of his career. His other contributions are limited, at best, but Clarkson can still provide value.

SMALL FORWARDS

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

Evan Turner, POR vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,100

Turner doesn’t excel in any one area, but his all-around contributions still leave him with some value. Despite averaging only 24 minutes a game, Turner has averages of 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals. Maurice Harkless (knee) could eventually eat into some of Turner’s minutes, but he’s already been ruled out again for Thursday. With the Pelicans playing at the third-fastest pace (106.7 possessions per game), Turner could do just enough across the board to warrant consideration.

Sam Dekker, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,600

The Cavaliers are a mess right now with Love out, Tyronn Lue fired and the uncertainty surrounding the status of interim head coach Larry Drew. It’s hard to read too much into how the Cavaliers plan to replace Love with their recent coaching change, but Dekker has started both of their last two games. He had his best performance of the year Tuesday against the Hawks, scoring 12 points to go along with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals across 29 minutes. Facing the Nuggets is a much tougher task, but Dekker has upside if he remains in the starting five.

POWER FORWARDS

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

Zach Collins, POR vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Collins has been crazy efficient to start this year, shooting 65.1 percent from the field, 50 percent from behind the arc and 88.9 percent from the charity stripe. Add that to his uptick in playing time and he’s become a weapon off the bench for the Blazers. His ability to shoot three-pointers and play at a fast pace could be key for the Blazers in this matchup against the Pelicans, so don’t sleep on Collins.

Trey Lyles, DEN at CLE
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,500

The Nuggets played Wednesday against the Bulls in Chicago, winning a close game that went to overtime. Lyles played 20 minutes in that game and has logged at least 20 minutes in five straight contests. He’s shown an ability to contribute when given the opportunity, averaging 11 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across those five games. His ceiling isn’t off the charts, but this is a matchup to exploit with the Cavaliers allowing 117.9 points per game.

CENTERS

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

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Dedmon was in foul trouble Tuesday against the Cavaliers, resulting in him posting four points and four rebounds across just 16 minutes. He’s had his ups and downs this season and is still coming off of the bench behind Alex Len, but he could see extended minutes against the big Kings frontcourt if he can stay out of foul trouble. The Hawks and Kings play at the two fastest paces in the league, which could also help Dedmon’s bottom line.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000

The Hornets like to play small, which is one of the reasons why Zeller is averaging only 22 minutes a game despite starting all eight contests. Even with his limiting playing time, he’s still averaging a respectable 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. Whether they like it or not, the Hornets might be forced to play Zeller more Thursday in a matchup against Steven Adams. Zeller is a significant amount cheaper than Dedmon, so he might be the way to go at center if you really want budget relief at the position.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Even with so many teams on a bye for Week 9, there are still a ton of great wide receiver options across the price scale in DFS. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly avoid, as you create your entry. 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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Wide Receivers

Adam Thielen vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,900

For the first time all season, Thielen only received single-digit targets in Week 8 with seven against the Saints. However, it didn’t hurt his bottom line as he hauled in all of them for 103 yards and a touchdown. He has at least 100 yards in every game this season and has scored at least one touchdown in five straight contests. After never posting more than five touchdowns in a season during career, Thielen already has six this year.

Without question, Thielen has one of the highest floors of any receiver in DFS. He leads the NFL in targets (96), receptions (74) and receiving yards (925) and opposing defenses can’t key in on him with Stefon Diggs also a great option for Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Detroit has allowed 15 touchdowns through the air and recorded just two interceptions, so don’t be afraid to pay up for Thielen.

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,300

The Texans exploded for 42 points in Week 8 against the Dolphins after having scored 22 points or fewer in six of their first seven games. As one of their best offensive weapons, it’s no surprise that Hopkins stuffed the stat sheet in that contest, catching six of seven targets for 82 yards and two touchdowns. After finding the end zone 13 times last year, Hopkins has been extremely productive this season, as well, with six touchdown receptions.

The Texans suffered a significant blow to their offense last week when Will Fuller was lost for the season with a torn ACL. They were able to quickly address his loss via trade, though, by acquiring Demaryius Thomas from the Broncos. It might take Thomas some time to get adjusted, but it will be a benefit to Hopkins to at least have him on the field Sunday to occupy some of the defense’s coverages. Hopkins has the seventh-most targets (78) among wide receivers in the league, leaving him with a high floor again Sunday.

Mike Evans vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $8,100

The Bucs dug themselves a big hole early against the Bengals last week, which forced them to throw the ball a ton in the second half. Evans certainly got all the work he could handle, catching six of 13 targets for 179 yards and a touchdown. With 770 receiving yards through his first seven games, Evans is well on his way to totaling at least 1,000 yards for the fifth straight season.

It should be noted that Evans’ touchdown last week came from Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was forced to relieve the struggling Jameis Winston. Evans has four touchdown receptions this season, all of them coming from Fitzpatrick. Across the first three games that Fitzpatrick started this season, Evans had 23 receptions on 30 targets for 367 yards, as well. Fitzpatrick will be under center again in Week 9, leaving Evans with the plenty of upside.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Wide Receivers

Jarvis Landry vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,500

Landry came through with an odd stat line last week. He was certainly involved with 12 targets, which he turned into eight receptions. That tied for his second-most receptions in a game this season. However, he only finished with 39 yards. Believe it or not, that actually marked the third time in his last five games that Landry received at least 10 targets, but recorded 39 yards or fewer.

With the Browns having fired their head coach and offensive coordinator on Monday, this could end being an ugly game. Add in the fact that the Chiefs have arguably the most potent offense in the league and the Browns could be trying to dig themselves out of a huge hole early. They might be forced to throw the ball plenty to keep up, with Landry being one of the main beneficiaries in that scenario. The Chiefs have also allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (305). Landry is a bit risky, but he’s still a viable option in tournament play.

Devin Funchess vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,600

The Panthers don’t always throw the ball a lot, which leaves Funchess with limited opportunities. Even in a game where the Panthers scored 36 points Sunday against the Ravens, Funchess only had three receptions on three targets for a season-low 27 yards. He hasn’t topped more than 77 yards in a game this season and has only received at least 10 targets one time.

On the bright side, Funchess does have a touchdown in three of his last five games and leads the team with eight red zone targets this year. The Bucs have been horrible against the pass, allowing the second-most passing yards per game (318). Considering they have also allowed the most passing touchdowns (20), this could be the week to take a chance on Funchess in tournament play.

Kenny Golladay vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings =  $5,500

Golladay was one of the focal points of the Lions passing attack to start the season, receiving at least seven targets in four of his first five games. However, he hasn’t seen much action in the last two weeks with three total targets. He caught all three of them, but only totaled 49 yards and failed to find his way into the end zone in either contest. It was especially surprising last week that he only had one pass thrown his way considering he was on the field for 92 percent of their offensive plays.

Even though it’s been a quiet couple of weeks for Golladay, look for him to be much more productive Sunday. The Lions dealt Golden Tate to the Eagles at the trade deadline, leaving a significant hole in their offense. Tate was leading the team with 69 targets, which was at least 20 targets more than anyone else. The Vikings aren’t exactly a stellar matchup, but Golladay is still worth considering based on his likely increased role.

Courtland Sutton vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $3,900

As a second-round pick in the 2018 Draft, the Broncos have high hopes for Sutton. He hasn’t received a ton of targets in the early going, but he has been on the field for 69 percent of their offensive snaps. His 45.9 percent catch rate leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s shown big-play upside by averaging 19.1 yards per reception.

With Thomas now in Houston, Sutton will step in as the Broncos’ number two wide receiver behind Emmanuel Sanders. He could also see more opportunities in the red zone since Thomas had the second-most red zone targets (eight) on the team. Sanders has the higher upside of the two, but Sutton makes for a great tournament option at this reduced price. Don’t expect him to be this cheap again next week.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,300

Allen had a 64.2 percent catch rate last year, which was the second-lowest mark of his career. He’s corrected that issue with a 73.2 percent catch rate this year, but that still hasn’t led to lofty production. His 56 targets are good, but he’s a long ways away from matching the 159 targets that he received last season. The Chargers haven’t been looking his way when they get in close, either, with his five red zone targets ranked third on the team behind Melvin Gordon (10) and Mike Williams (six). The Seahawks have allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards (219) and only 10 touchdowns through the air, so this could end up being a quiet week for Allen.

Calvin Ridley vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,700

Ridley started out his career in impressive fashion with six touchdowns across his first four games. However, he wasn’t on the field for more than 66 percent of the Falcons offensive snaps in any of those contests and finished with five or fewer targets twice. His targets have continued to remain limited across his last three games, resulting in 47 receiving yards or fewer in each contest. The key stat, though, is that he failed to reach the end zone in all three games. This isn’t a great matchup against a Redskins team that has allowed just 11 passing touchdowns all season, making Ridley awfully risky at this price.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/31/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

It’s been a busy week in the NBA and Wednesday doesn’t get any quieter with seven games on the schedule. There are a couple of games that have blowout potential, but it should be a fun evening, overall. Let’s take a look at some cheap value plays that could pay off for your entry. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/31/18

Frank Ntilikina, NY vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,100

Ntilikina’s numbers haven’t been great, averaging 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers per game. The good news is that he’s averaging 30 minutes a contest and has scored at least 16 points in both of his last two games. With the Knicks searching for offense without Kristaps Porzingis (knee), Ntilikina could continue to get added scoring opportunities Wednesday. His ceiling isn’t very high, but he’s still a viable option at this price.

Elie Okobo, PHO vs. SA
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,700

The Suns were already without Devin Booker (hamstring) on Sunday against the Thunder, but then Isaiah Canaan (ankle) went down in the first quarter. The Suns entered the year thin at point guard, so they had no choice but to turn to Okobo. He certainly didn’t disappoint, scoring 18 points go to along with five rebounds and seven assists across 31 minutes. Booker is considered doubtful to play Wednesday and Canaan is listed as questionable, so if they are both sidelined, Okobo is someone to consider adding to your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/31/18

Wesley Matthews, DAL at LAL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,000

This could be a good game to load up on Mavericks players with the Lakers playing at the fourth-fastest pace (106.4 possessions per game) and allowing the most points per game (122.4) in the league. Matthews is second on the team with 18.3 points per game, making him one of the options that stand out. Don’t count on him for significant contributions in other areas, but that doesn’t mean that Matthews won’t score enough to provide value at this price.

Monte Morris, DEN at CHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bulls are a trainwreck on defense. Not only did Klay Thompson and the Warriors embarrass them by scoring 149 points Monday, but the Bulls have allowed the third-most points per game (119.9), overall. While the Nuggets aren’t as good as the Warriors, they are still one of the better teams in the NBA. If this game gets out of hand early, their bench players could get significant playing time. Morris would be one player likely to benefit if that were to happen. In the three games in which Morris has played at least 20 minutes this year, he’s averaging 11.8 points, three rebounds, five assists, and 1.8 steals.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/31/18

Harrison Barnes, DAL at LAL
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,500

Barnes missed some time at the beginning of the season due to injury but he’s logged at least 34 minutes in both of his last two games. He was impressive Monday against the Spurs, scoring 18 points to go along with seven rebounds and a steal. The Mavericks made significant additions over the summer by bringing in Luka Doncic and DeAndre Jordan, but Barnes is still an important part of the team. If he keeps playing well, he won’t be this cheap for much longer.

Jae Crowder, UTA at MIN
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Derrick Favors (knee) didn’t play Sunday against the Mavericks and is listed as questionable for Wednesday. Crowder started in his absence, scoring 15 points to go along with six rebounds and one steal in 35 minutes. Although Crowder is dealing with an ankle injury, he’s deemed as probable to play in this game. If Favors can’t take the floor, Crowder should again get plenty of playing time. Even if Favors does play, Crowder is a key part of the Jazz’s second unit and worth considering if you want to save money at small forward.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/31/18

Noah Vonleh, NY vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,300

Enes Kanter got off to a great start with a double-double in each of the Knicks first four games. However, after a bad performance in a blowout loss to the Heat, the Knicks moved Kanter to the bench and Vonleh into the starting five. While he hasn’t been as productive as Kanter, Vonleh still averaged a respectable 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, three assists, 1.5 steals and one block across those two games. If he starts again Wednesday, there’s no reason to doubt he can’t provide similar numbers.

Trey Lyles, DEN at CHI
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300

The injury to Will Barton (groin) has resulted in Lyles logging at least 20 minutes in four straight games. Although he hasn’t been overly productive, Lyles still managed to average 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds. 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals during that stretch. He would also likely be in line for added playing time if this game gets out of hand early, so don’t sleep on him in tournament play.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/31/18

Myles Turner, IND at NY
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,900

Turner seems to be a trendy breakout candidate just about every year, but he hasn’t come through, at this point. The Pacers have depth up front, which has limited Turner to averaging 27 minutes per contest. That puts a cap on his ceiling for points and rebounds, but he’s still recording 2.1 blocks per game. With the Knicks struggling to start the year and still trying to figure out their best rotations, this might be a matchup to exploit, even with Turner’s limited playing time.

Ed Davis, BKN vs. DET
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,600

The Pistons certainly have plenty of size up front with Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. When the Nets first faced the Pistons this year, they countered by playing Davis for 18 minutes off the bench. Davis produced eight points and seven rebounds in what turned out to be a close contest. Davis has proven he can rack up rebounds throughout his career, averaging 6.5 rebounds in just 21 minutes per contest. At near the minimum price on both sites, Davis is an intriguing option to consider.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

One of the highlights of Week 9 in the NFL will be Todd Gurley facing a New Orleans Saints defense that has allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (74.1) in the league. If there was ever a week not to pay up to get him into your entry, this might be it. Let’s dig into the running back position to see where you can gain the edge for your entry. 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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Running Backs

Melvin Gordon vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,200

Gordon had his first 1000-yard rushing campaign last year, but his 3.9 yards-per-carry weren’t exactly great. He’s made a significant improvement in that area this season with 5.1 yards-per-carry through six games. The Chargers have relied on him more in the passing game, as well, resulting in Gordon catching 30 of 42 targets for 279 yards and three touchdowns.

Gordon sat out Week 7 with a hamstring injury, but he’s received the benefit of added rest after the Chargers were on a bye in Week 8. All signs are pointing to him playing Sunday, bringing back one of the top options in DFS. The Seahawks have been excellent defending against the pass, but their 4.5 yards-per-carry allowed is the 10th-highest mark in the league. If you want to shy away from using Gurley against the Saints, Gordon is a safe bet to consider in cash contests.

Kareem Hunt vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $7,700

Hunt was limited to 50 rushing yards in Week 8 by the Broncos after recording at least 80 rushing yards in four straight games. He still had plenty of attempts with 16, but his 3.1 yards-per-carry was his third-lowest mark of the season. However, he also chipped in five catches on six targets for 36 yards and a touchdown.

With the Chiefs high-powered offense, Hunt has recorded at least one touchdown in every game since failing to find the end zone in Week 1. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him score again Sunday with the Browns tied for the most rushing touchdowns allowed (12). They’ve also allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (138.9), setting up Hunt with a very high floor.

Christian McCaffrey vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,800

The Panthers exploded for a season-high 36 points against the Ravens last week, which resulted in a very productive game from McCaffrey. His 56 total yards left a lot to be desired, but he scored two total touchdowns, one of which was his first rushing touchdown of the year. In fact, McCaffrey only had one receiving touchdown, as well, through his first six games.

Don’t be overly concerned with McCaffrey’s lack of yardage in Week 8, especially his paltry 11 receiving yards. He still had 14 carries and six targets, the kind of volume that is going to help him be productive more often than not. The Panthers are met with another favorable opportunity to score plenty of points in Week 9 against a Bucs team that has allowed 20 touchdowns through the air and eight on the ground. With McCaffrey as one of the focal points of their offense, this is a matchup to exploit.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Running Backs

Tarik Cohen vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,200

It took a while for the Bears offense to get going, but they’ve been excellent of late. They are coming off of a 24-10 win over the Jets in Week 8, a game in which Cohen had a 70-yard receiving touchdown. It was his only catch of the game on three targets, although he did have five carries for an additional 40 yards. Cohen has benefited greatly from the improved play of the Bears offense, scoring a touchdown in four straight games.

Another encouraging stat for Cohen that came out of Week 8 is that he was on the field for 58 percent of the Bears offense plays, the exact same amount as Jordan Howard. It marked the first time this season that Howard didn’t have a higher percentage than Cohen. Howard could get plenty of carries if the Bears get up big against a bad Bills team, but Cohen’s big-play ability makes him someone worth targeting in tournament play.

Nick Chubb vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $4,500

In his second week as the Browns featured back, Chubb finished with 65 yards on 18 carries. He also caught his first two passes of the season, although only for a total of 10 yards. The Browns were down big to the Steelers, which might be why Chubb was only on the field for 48 percent of the Browns offensive plays after being on the field for 66 percent of their plays in Week 7.

While it was concerning that somehow Dontrell Hilliard played 23 percent of the Browns snaps last week, all that goes out the window for Week 9 with the Browns having fired their head coach and offensive coordinator Monday. Duke Johnson has largely been underutilized this year, so it will be interesting to see if they get him more touches Sunday. Even with the uncertainty surrounding their offensive scheme moving forward, Chubb is going to get the majority of their carries. The Browns might be able to move the ball well against the Chiefs leaky defense, leaving Chubb with touchdown upside, as well.

Lamar Miller vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,200

There was certainly concern surrounding Miller heading into Week 7 against the Jaguars with him rushing for 49 yards or fewer in three straight games. He even had on horrid performance against the Giants where he gained 10 yards on 10 carries. However, he broke out of his slump against the Jaguars, accumulating 100 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he followed that up with 133 yards and another touchdown Week 8 against the Dolphins.

With Alfred Blue as his only real competition for carries, Miller is the most talented player in the Texans backfield. He’s set up with another great matchup Sunday with the Broncos allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game (135.8). The game flow could lean in Miller’s favor, as well, with the Broncos having dealt away wide receiver Demaryius Thomas at the trade deadline. They’ve already scored 23 points or fewer in six of eight games, so his loss likely won’t improve their odds of being more productive. If the Texans get up big, we could see a heavy dose of Miller in the second half.

Isaiah Crowell vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,200

On the surface, Crowell’s stats look pretty good. He’s averaging a career-high 5.1 yards-per-carry and has already found his way into the end zone six total times. The problem is that most of his damage done on the ground came in two games. Although he had 102 rushing yards in Week 1 and 219 rushing yards in Week 5, he’s had 40 rushing yards or fewer in each of his other six contests. Week 8 was another struggle against the Bears, gaining 25 yards on 13 carries.

It should be noted that his two big performances came against the Lions and Broncos, two of the worst rushing defenses in the league. He’ll face another bad one in the Dolphins in Week 9, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (143.1). The Dolphins also don’t have a great offense, which is good news for Crowell since a close contest would likely result in a better game script for Crowell. He’s certainly risky, but he might be worth taking a chance on at this cheap price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 9 - Running Backs

Mark Ingram vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,000

The return of Ingram in Week 5 struck fear in the hearts of everyone who rosters Alvin Kamara in season-long fantasy after Ingram rushed for 53 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. While Ingram does somewhat eat into Kamara’s upside, Ingram’s value in DFS is largely touchdown dependent. He hasn’t found his way into the end zone in either of the last two games and has to face a Rams defense in Week 9 that has only allowed five rushing touchdowns this season. His price isn’t all that unreasonable on DraftKings, but he’s definitely someone to avoid on FanDuel.

Tevin Coleman vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $4,800

Coleman only has 21 carries for 85 yards over his last two games. Ito Smith has cut into his opportunities with Coleman only on the field for 57 percent of the Falcons offensive snaps in those two contests. The Falcons don’t throw the ball to Coleman a lot, either, with him receiving three targets or fewer in all but one game this year. The Redskins have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game (80.1) and have allowed just six rushing touchdowns, making Coleman too much of a risk based on his limited upside.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

There are a lot of great value plays on tap Tuesday in DFS with eight games on the NBA schedule. Here are some options to consider as you craft what will hopefully be a winning 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,000

The Cavaliers continue to start George Hill at point guard, but Sexton is their future at the position. He’s not your traditional point guard, though, averaging just 2.2 assists in 24 minutes per game. After getting off to a slow start, Sexton is showing some promising signs by averaging 13.3 points, 3.3 assists and one steal across his last three games. The Hawks play at the fastest-pace (108.8 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Sexton with a few added opportunities to provide value Tuesday.

D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300

The Magic have scored the fewest points per game (100.8) and some of that might be due to their lack of talent at point guard. Augustin has been starting for them, but he’s much better suited to be in a backup role at this stage of his career. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but his averages of 8.7 points, five assists and 1.5 three-pointers per contest make him someone to not completely overlook. This might be a spot to put him into your lineup against a Kings team that has played at the second-fastest pace (107.6).

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Rodney McGruder, MIA at CHA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $6,200

McGruder didn’t exactly have a great performance with seven points, six rebounds, and one three-pointer Monday against the Kings. On a positive note, he did play 32 minutes. With all of the injuries the Heat suffered to start the year, McGruder found himself in an expanded role that he has yet to relinquish. With averages of 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and 2.3 three-pointers look for him to have a bounce-back performance Tuesday.

Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600

With the Cavaliers loss of Kevin Love (foot), they have a gaping hole in their offense. Clarkson’s 28.8 percent usage rate is already the highest on the team, but he could be looking for even more shots moving forward. The departure of LeBron James certainly hasn’t been good for the Cavaliers, but it has benefited Clarkson, who is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game. Considering the fast pace at which the Hawks play, this could be a big night for Clarkson.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,700

The Magic have some ugly offensive numbers, but they’ve played three tough teams in a row in the Celtics, Blazers, and Bucks. Isaac actually played well during that stretch, averaging 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. He still has a lot of improving to do offensively, but he can be a menace defensively and on the glass. With the added scoring potential facing a Kings team that has allowed the fourth-most points per game (119.3), Isaac is someone to consider in tournament play.

Jeff Green, WAS at MEM
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

One of the biggest disappointments of the season has to be the Wizards and their 1-5 start. They are allowing a staggering 125 points per game and they again don’t appear to be the most cohesive unit. A contributing factor for their struggles has to be injuries with Dwight Howard (back) yet to make his debut. Howard won’t play again Tuesday and the Wizards could also be without Markieff Morris, who is in the concussion protocol. If he can’t play, either, this is a prime spot for Green to get added playing time. Don’t expect lofty production, but he is averaging 11 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 26 minutes per game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Marcin Gortat might be the starting center for the Clippers, but Harrell is the player who has seen the most playing time at the position. In the three games in which Harrell has played at least 20 minutes, he’s averaging a staggering 19.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks. The Thunder could be really thin at center Tuesday with both Steven Adams (calf) and Nerlens Noel (ankle) listed as questionable. If either or both of them don’t play, the Thunder will have to go small, which could mean even fewer minutes for Gortat. Even if they do take the floor, Harrell can provide value at this price.

Zach Collins, POR at HOU
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000

Collins might only be averaging 22 minutes a game, but he’s been extremely efficient, shooting 69.4 percent from the field, 54.4 percent from behind the arc and 88.2 percent from the charity stripe. It’s going to be hard for him to continue to shoot that well, but he’s clearly made himself a fixture of the second unit for the Blazers. With the Rockets propensity to use small lineups and play at a fast pace, Collins could be set up for another valuable evening.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400

The Raptors continue to play matchups at center, which resulted in Valanciunas coming off the bench Monday against the Bucks. Expect him to be back in the starting lineup Tuesday with the Raptors set to face Joel Embiid and the Sixers. Across the three games in which Valanciunas has started, he’s averaging 13 points and nine rebounds.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. MIA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,100

Even though the Hornets like to use a lot of small lineups, Zeller has started all seven of their games. He doesn’t get traditional starter’s minutes at just 22 per game, but that hasn’t stopped him from averaging a respectable 9.4 points and six rebounds. The Hornets might be forced to give him more playing time against Hassan Whiteside, making Zeller someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at center.