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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

The NBA returns Thursday with six games on the schedule. Even on a night with limited games, there are still some cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers that could help you create a winning entry. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like Allen Crabbe and Quincy Acy.

 

Use Code "LABWP50" at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
Use Code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Tomas Satoransky, WAS at CLE
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,500

Satoransky took over as the starting point guard when John Wall (knee) was injured, but Tim Frazier was still pushing him for playing time. Satoransky has separated himself from Frazier though, averaging 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks in seven games in February. He also has a 16.4% usage rate this month, which is significantly higher than in any previous month this season. His price is starting to climb, but it’s still low enough to provide value Thursday.

Emmanuel Mudiay, NY at ORL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,400

Mudiay is averaging 23 minutes in his first three games with the Knicks this season, five more than he was averaging with the Nuggets. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, he is averaging a respectable 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and one steal with his new squad. The good news is the Knicks said they are going to give Mudiay more minutes down the stretch, which could provide a significant boost to his value. The Magic allow the most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards, making Mudiay someone to consider at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. OKC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,600

Bogdanovic was playing well heading into the All-Star break, averaging 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.6 three-pointers in his last five games. The Kings are already giving their young players more playing time, resulting in Bogdanovic averaging at least 30 minutes per game in both January and February. The Thunder are tough defensively, but Bogdanovic’s ability to contribute in multiple categories still makes him a viable option Thursday.

Rodney Hood, CLE vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,900

Hood hasn’t played more than 24 minutes in either of his first two games with the Cavaliers, but he shot a combined 7-for-14 from behind the arc in those contests. He won’t have as significant of a role as he did on the Jazz, but he can still provide an offensive spark off the bench with his ability to hit three’s. There aren’t a lot of great cheap options at shooting guard Thursday, especially on FanDuel. Hood’s ability to get hot even in limited playing time makes with worth considering at this price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Allen Crabbe, BKN at CHA
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300

A lot of teams got healthy during the break, but the Nets weren’t one of them. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) and Caris LeVert (knee) will both be out Thursday, marking the fifth straight game that both of them will miss. Crabbe thrived in the first four contests, averaging 25.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 three-pointers. The Nets play at the sixth-fastest pace (101 possessions per game) in the league, which should leave him with plenty of opportunities to produce again Thursday.

David Nwaba, CHI vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,500

The Bulls are not good by any stretch of the imagination, but it is surprising that they have already won 20 games this year. They didn’t deal away many veterans at the trade deadline but have made the decision to play their young players more starting Thursday. As a result, Nwaba will move into the starting lineup. Nwaba has played at least 30 minutes in a game six times this season, averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in those contests. He doesn’t have great upside, but when you combine added minutes with the fact that the Sixers play at the fifth-fastest pace (101.6) in the league, you get a viable option at a very cheap price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,800

Nance played 25 minutes in the last game before the break, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, one steal and two blocks. Expect his playing time to increase closer to 30 minutes per game down the stretch, especially until Kevin Love (hand) returns. He’s already a threat to record a double-double on a nightly basis, which is significant value for someone in this price range. Don’t hesitate to add him to your lineup Thursday.

Quincy Acy, BKN at CHA
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,100

With Hollis-Jefferson and LeVert sidelined, Acy has played at least 31 minutes in three of the last four games. His numbers aren’t flashy, but he did average 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in those three contests. The Nets don’t have a lot of depth left up front, so expect Acy to see significant playing time again Thursday. If you want to go really cheap at power forward in tournament play, he might be worth the risk.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Jarrett Allen, BKN at CHA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900

Allen started off February strong, averaging 15.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in his first four games. He’s taken a bit of a step back offensively since, averaging just 8.7 points in his last three games. These are the kind of inconsistencies you tend to see from a lot of rookies, so Allen is certainly not a reliable option. If he was though, he won’t be priced this low. The key is he has shown he can provide upside, making him someone worth considering for your entry.

Cristiano Felicio, CHI vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,000

Like Nwaba, Felicio is going to shift into the starting lineup Thursday. He signed a four-year contract over the summer after showing promising signs last year but was a disaster to start this season. He quickly fell out of the rotation, but the Bulls have nothing to play for at this point other than a high pick in the draft. Cheap centers are not easy to find, especially on a day with only six games. If you are playing in a tournament and want to go very cheap at the position, Felicio’s starting role at least brings him into the conversation. A final line somewhere around six points and eight rebounds with one block seems like a reasonable expectation.

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Third Base

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Third Base

Third base is loaded in fantasy baseball again this season with many of the premier players in the league manning the position. Several of the elite options are young as well, providing even more value if you play in a keeper or dynasty league. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some third basemen who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.

The Top Three

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Third Base

Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

Arenado is one of the safest first-round picks in fantasy. He enters this season at only 26 years old but has hit at least 37 home runs to go along with at least 130 RBI and 97 runs scored in three straight seasons. His batting average and OBP have increased each of the last three years as well, topping out at .309 and .373, respectively, in 2017. He certainly benefits from playing in Coors field, batting .336 with 18 home and 76 RBI in 78 home games last year. While his batting average was lower on the road, he did still manage to slug 18 home runs last year away from Coors field. Arenado is not only the best option at third base, but he is arguably a top-five player in fantasy.

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

Bryant was on his way to pushing Arenado for the best third baseman in fantasy after a monster 2016 season that saw him hit .292 with 39 home runs, 102 RBI and 121 runs scored. He took a step backward in 2017 though, hitting .295 with 29 home runs, 73 RBI, and 111 runs scored. The main reason for his decline in RBI was because he moved up in the batting order. In 2016, he batted third in 62 games and recorded 50 RBI. He hit second in 83 games, providing only 45 RBI. Bryant batted second in 110 games in 2017, finishing with just 59 RBI in those contests. With Bryant expected to bat second again this season, it will be difficult for him to reach his 2016 RBI total again. He’s still an elite talent though who hits for average and power, making him worthy of a late first-round, early second-round pick depending on the size of your league.

Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles

Machado was expected to be one of the best players in fantasy in 2017 after batting at least .286 with at least 35 home runs, 86 RBI and 102 runs in back-to-back seasons. While his powers numbers were there last year with 33 home runs and 95 RBI, he batted just .259. Much of that can be attributed to a horrid first half where he hit just .230 in large part because of a .230 BABIP. He has a career .301 BABIP, so it’s no surprise that he improved to a .290 BABIP in the second half of the season. The result was a .290 average over that same stretch. He should see a significant improvement in batting average this season and could end up pushing Bryant for being the second-best fantasy option at third base. He is also moving to shortstop, which will give him a boost in value when he gains that added eligibility.

 

Overvalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Third Base

Mike Moustakas, Free Agent

Moustakas finally had his breakout season in 2017, hitting 38 home runs to go along with a .272 average. He finished with just 85 RBI and 75 runs scored though as 27 of his home runs were of the solo variety. He did appear to take a more aggressive approach at the plate, seeing only 3.78 pitchers per plate appearance, the second fewest of his career. Also, he struck out swinging on 96.8% of his strikeouts, by far the highest percentage of his career. He has yet to sign with a team, but it’s going to be hard for him to match his homer total from last season wherever he signs considering he had never hit more than 22 home runs in a season previously. His current ADP in the NFBC is too high at 118.30. Fellow third basemen Kyle Seager (137.64) and Adrian Beltre (158.42) could provide very similar numbers and are still available later in most drafts.

Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks

Lamb set career-highs last year with 30 home runs, 105 RBI, and 89 runs scored. His average was still poor though at just .248, the second straight season he hit below .250. Lamb tends to get off to a hot start before cooling off in the second half. He has batted .284 for his career in the first half of the season but has followed it up with a career average of just .220 in the second half. Home runs are becoming easier to find in fantasy, making Lamb less valuable than he may have been previously. There are no signs that he is going to improve his batting average this year, which should limit his overall value. His current ADP of 118.35 is right behind Moustakas, which is hard to justify based on his numbers.

Undervalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Third Base

Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

Injuries plagued Beltre in 2017, limiting him to 94 games. He was excellent when he was on the diamond, batting .312 with 17 home runs, 71 RBI, and a .383 OBP. Although he will turn 39 this year, injuries had not been a recent problem with Beltre playing at least 143 games in each of the previous five seasons. A career .287 hitter, Beltre had also hit at least 28 home runs in five of his last seven seasons entering 2017. With his consistent power and a high batting average now being at a premium in fantasy, Beltre should be going higher than his current ADP of 158.42. Don’t sleep on him in your league.

Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics

Chapman got his first taste of the majors in 2017, batting .234 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI in 84 games. He only batted .244 for his career in the minors, so don’t expect to see any significant improvement from him in that area this year. However, he provides plenty of power, slugging .518 in the minors. He’ll strike out a lot, but he did have a walk percentage of at least 10.6% in each of his stops in the minors since 2015. His current ADP is only 284.97, which is 25th amongst players eligible at third base. He could provide 25 home runs and 80 RBI in a full season, leaving him as someone with value even with his poor average that late in a draft.

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Second base provides a unique opportunity because you can go in any number of directions with the position. There are big power hitters, speedsters, and players that hit for high average littered throughout the position. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some second basemen who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.

The Top Three

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

This is an easy one. Not only is Altuve the best second baseman, but I’d rank him second overall behind Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Altuve won the AL-MVP last year, batting .346 with 24 home runs, 81 RBI, 112 runs scored and 32 stolen bases. He had a career-high OPS+ of 164 and played in at least 147 games for the sixth straight season. His speed and ability to hit for a high average gave him significant value early in his career, but he’s moved into elite fantasy status by clubbing at least 24 home runs in back-t0-back seasons. He’s heading into the prime of his career at just 27 years old, so don’t expect him to slow down this season.

Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians

Ramirez made his mark on fantasy baseball in 2016, hitting .312 with 11 home runs, 76 RBI, and 22 steals. He also had 46 doubles, showing signs that a big power season might soon be on the horizon. That season came last year, finishing with 29 home runs. But wait, he also hit a league-leading 56 doubles. The result was a spectacular .583 slugging percentage, putting him inside the top-10 in the league. His power did not come at the expense of his batting average either as he still hit .318. His hard hit percentage has increased each season, topping out at 34% last year. He doesn’t have as much upside as Altuve, but his ability to contribute across the board makes him the clear second best option at the keystone position.

Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins

Dozier is a masher at second base, slugging at least 28 home runs in three straight seasons. It was going to be tough for him to match the 42 home runs that he hit in 2016, but he still hit 34 homers last year. He’s more than just a slugger though, scoring at least 100 runs and stealing at least 12 bases in four straight seasons. He hindered fantasy owners with his batting average early in his career but has hit at least .268 in back-to-back seasons. He had a hard hit percentage of at least 34.1% in both of those seasons, which was a big reason why his average improved. If you miss out on Altuve or Ramirez, draft Dozier with confidence.

Overvalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Dee Gordon, Seattle Mariners

Steals are not easy to come by, but Gordon is one of the elite base stealers in all of baseball. He has led the league in steals three of the last four seasons, finishing with at least 58 steals all three times. The one year he didn’t lead the league was when he played just 79 games in 2016 due to a suspension. Amazingly, he still finished with 30 steals that year. Gordon is not just about steals though as he has a .293 career batting average and scored 114 runs last year. He’s going to play center field for the Mariners this year, but will still carry over second base eligibility. The Mariners have a potent lineup, which should leave Gordon with plenty of opportunities to score runs. The problem is, he has never hit more than four home runs or recorded more than 46 RBI in a single season. If your league counts OBP, his career mark of .329 is not impressive either. His current ADP in the NFBC is too high at 28.47, which is actually ahead of Dozier (37.87). Let someone else take him at that price.

Chris Taylor, Los Angeles Dodgers

Taylor was one of the biggest surprises in fantasy baseball last year. He played in only 120 total games the previous three seasons but played 140 games in 2017. He made the most of his opportunity, hitting .288 with 21 home runs, 72 RBI, 85 runs scored and 17 steals. One area of concern is his drastic splits though, batting .237 with a .306 BABIP at home compared to .336 with a .412 BABIP on the road. His overall numbers are valuable, but his current ADP of 90.83 is ninth-highest among second basemen. Marwin Gonzalez’s current ADP is 114.25 and he could provide very similar numbers outside of stolen bases, although he did steal eight bases last year. It might be wise to pass on Taylor if forced to select him so early.

Undervalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have one of the most flexible rosters in the league, but Happ should still get plenty of at-bats. He played in just 115 games last year, but still managed hit 24 home runs to go along with 68 RBI, 62 runs scored and eight steals. He batted only .253 though and struck out 31.2% of the time. The high strikeouts may have just been him getting adjusted to major league pitching as he never struck out more than 23.6% of the time during any of his stops in the minors. His current ADP is 137.46, which is a bargain considering his potential. Don’t be surprised if he finishes with a more productive season than Taylor.

Ian Kinsler, Los Angeles Angels

Today’s craze in baseball is young talent. There seems to more elite young players across the league now than in recent years, which can often make you forget about productive veterans in terms of fantasy. A lot of people might be down on Kinsler after a rough 2017 campaign that saw him hit a career-low .236. His numbers indicate he could rebound this season as last year he had only a .244 BABIP, well below his career mark of .286. Another possible indicator for improvement this year is that he also had a 37% hard hit percentage last year, which was the highest of his career. Yes, he’s getting older, but the numbers indicate he had few bounces go his way last year.  Not only should his average improve this year, but he is also a threat to hit 20 home runs and steal 15 bases. His current ADP is only 189.25, making him someone to target late in your draft.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*


Use Code "LABWP50" at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
Use Code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 19

It’s important to know the intricacies of the NBA schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head fantasy league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are some moves you might want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 3 Games Each
Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards

The NBA has a short week due to the All-Star break, but players on the four teams that play three games each can give you a significant edge. Consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 19

Larry Nance Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers

Nance has only averaged 23 minutes in his first two games with the Cavaliers but has had an immediate impact, averaging 9.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, one steal and one block. He was one rebound shy of posting a double-double in his second game and should continue to get more playing time as he gets acclimated to his new teammates. The Cavaliers have very little depth up front with Kevin Love (hand) out, furthering their need for Nance to become a significant contributor quickly. He’s still available in 51% of Yahoo! leagues and could be a valuable addition to your lineup this week.

Tomas Satoransky, Washington Wizards

The Wizards were dealt a significant blow when John Wall (knee) was injured, but Satoransky has stepped up in his absence to be a valuable fantasy contributor. In seven games in February, Satoransky is averaging 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 three-pointers. This week he faces a Sixers team that plays at the fifth-fastest pace (101.6 possessions per game) in the league, a Cavaliers team that allows the fourth-most points per game (110) in the league and a bad Hornets squad. He’s still available in 70% of Yahoo! leagues and is an excellent option if you need a point guard.

T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers

McConnell’s production is very much hit or miss. In two of his last four games, he had at least 10 points, eight assists and two steals in each contest. In the other two games, he had four points, five assists and one steal combined. The good news is the Sixers have a great schedule this week, playing the Bulls, Magic, and Wizards. The Bulls and Magic are two of the worst teams in the league at defending opposing point guards and the Wizards are without their best player at the position. McConnell is a bit risky, but he has upside with the added games. He’s still available in 87% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to consider adding.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 1 Game Each
Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors

With just four teams playing one game each this week, you could be at a significant disadvantage if you have any of those players on your team. Consider benching the players below who you might otherwise have in your starting lineup as a result.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 19

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

Turner has been a disappoint this season, averaging only 13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He’s still providing a lot of blocks, but he doesn’t record many steals and is shooting a career-low 48.8% from the field. With just six double-doubles this season, it will be tough to get enough production from him during a one-game week. Put him on your bench until the schedule swings back in his favor with four games in Week 20.

Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks

Schroder is the best player on the rebuilding Hawks, resulting in a 30.4% usage rate that ranks inside the top-10 in the league. He hasn’t been outstanding outside of scoring though, averaging 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.1 steals this season. Based on his inability to contribute across the board, it’s hard to justify starting him on your squad with only one game this week.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets

Fantasy owners aren’t going to complain about the production they have received from Dinwiddie this season. He’s averaging career-highs across the board with 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.9 three-pointers per game. He continues to hold onto a starting role even with D’Angelo Russell finally healthy. His overall numbers carry value, but not enough in a week with just one game. Put him on your bench for now, but take solace in the fact that the Nets play four games in Week 20.

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Catchers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Catchers

The Catcher position has historically been a tough slot to fill in fantasy baseball. There is usually a small tier of excellent options, followed by a precipitous drop off to the next best group of players. This season will be no different. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some catchers who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.

The Top Three

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Catchers

Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees

Sanchez has firmly established himself as the premier fantasy option at catcher. He had a monster campaign in 2017, hitting .278 with 33 home runs, 90 RBI, and a .345 OBP. He did all that in just 122 games as he missed almost a month at the beginning of the season due to injury. Although he’s only played in 175 games in his career, he has already hit a whopping 53 home runs. All of his supporting numbers back up his counting stats, so there is no indication that he should slow down this season. He’ll be part of a lethal lineup including fellow sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, which should leave him plenty of opportunities to drive in runs. He will likely be drafted as early as the second or third round in your league, but he should be worth it based on how much better he is than any of the other catching options.

Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs

Like Sanchez, Contreras is another young catcher who has quickly vaulted himself into the upper echelon of the position. He played in just 117 games last year but batted .276 with 21 home runs, 74 RBI, and a .356 OBP. Sanchez posted a 4.1 WAR last season, but Contreras was right behind him with a 3.9 WAR. He batted .283 with a .356 OBP in 517 career minor league games, so he’s proven that he can hit for a high average and get on base. The second best fantasy option at catcher comes down to Contreras and Buster Posey, but I give Contreras the edge because he hits for much more power.

Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

Posey has been as reliable as it gets for catchers, playing in at least 140 games in six straight seasons. That’s extremely valuable when you consider the volatility of the position. He’s been just as valuable in the batting average department, hitting a lofty .308 for his career. He also posted a .400 OBP last year and has an OBP of at least .362 in each of the last seven seasons. The problem with Posey is his power numbers have regressed, bottoming out at just 12 home runs last year. He only had 67 RBI as a result and while the Giants lineup should be improved this season, the lack of power will limit Posey’s upside. There is a big dropoff in production after you get past Posey when it comes to catchers, so it might be best to wait on the position if you can’t draft one of the top three options.

 

Overvalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Catchers

Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

Molina had a stellar season last year, batting .273 with 18 home runs and 82 RBI. The problem is, he had only 19 home runs in the previous three seasons combined. He had also hit more than 14 home runs in a season only once in his career heading into last year. He had an 11% home run to fly ball ratio last year, which is significantly higher than his career mark of 7%. His ADP is 148.77 in the NFCB, the sixth highest among catchers. In terms of general draft position, that’s a higher ADP than players including Greg Bird (153), Adrian Beltre (159.27) and Gregory Polanco (160.59). Don’t overpay for Molina just because the catcher position is shallow, especially considering his abnormal 2017 campaign.

Mike Zunino, Seattle Mariners

Zunino was a valuable fantasy asset last season, setting career-highs in batting average (.251), home runs (25) and RBI (64). He’s shown he can hit for power previously in his career, but he had never batted above .214 in a single season. He is a candidate to see a significant drop in batting average as his BABIP was .355 last year. Prior to that, he had never had a BABIP above .267. With the jump in home runs across the league, his value takes a big hit if he hits closer to .200 this year. His current ADP is 161.10, ahead of players like Jon Gray (165.99), Brett Gardner (180.65) and Matt Carpenter (181.99). Again, you should be looking for value in your draft, so it would be wise not to reach for Zunino at that price.

 

Undervalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Catchers

Welington Castillo, Chicago White Sox

Castillo had a tremendous power season for the Orioles last year, hitting 20 home runs despite playing only 96 games. He hasn’t played more than 113 games in any of the last five seasons but has hit at least 13 home runs four times. With a 36.4% hard hit percentage for his career, he has been able to post BABIP of at least .336 in three of the last five years. He could reach a career-high in games played for a rebuilding White Sox team if he can stay healthy, giving him the potential to provide valuable numbers. His current ADP is tenth among catchers, but don’t be surprised if he finishes ranked higher than that when the season is all said and done.

Robinson Chirinos, Texas Rangers

Chirinos played in only 88 games last year but still managed to hit 13 home runs to go along with a .255 batting average. He’s never played more than 93 games in his career but has shown impressive power by hitting at least 10 home runs in three of the last four years. Not only did he have a 20% home run to fly ball ratio last year, but he also posted a career-high 11% walk percentage. He could be in line for a bit of a regression in terms of his batting average this year, but his overall numbers might not differ too much from Zunino’s. Considering he is being selected about 100 picks later in drafts, I’d much rather take a chance on Chirinos.

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: First Base

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: First Base

First base is one of the deepest positions in fantasy baseball. Not only are there several elite power hitters playing the position, but there are also many who can be difference makers in terms of batting average in your league. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some first basemen who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.

The Top Three

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: First Base

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

Simply put, Goldschmidt is a monster. He has played at least 155 games in four of the last five years, recording at least 33 home runs, 110 RBI and 103 runs scored in three of those seasons. The one season where he didn’t reach those thresholds was in 2016 when he had 24 home runs, 95 RBI, and 106 runs scored. However, he made up for it by stealing a career-high 32 bases, which was the sixth-most in baseball that year. His counting stats are great and he has a career .299 batting average and a career .399 OBP, but it’s his ability to steal bases that makes him the best first baseman in fantasy. He has swiped at least 18 bases four times in his career and should continue to produce in that department this season. It’s not unreasonable to think that he will hit fewer home runs due to the addition of the humidor at Chase Field, but his overall numbers still make him stand out above the rest at his position.

Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

Votto had one of the best seasons of his career last year, batting .320 with 36 home runs, 100 RBI, and 16 runs scored. He posted a lofty .420 OBP, marking the seventh time in the last eight seasons that he recorded an OBP of at least .400. His eye at the plate is tremendous, swinging at a career-low 15.4% of pitches outside the strike zone in 2017. He’s been healthy as well, playing at least 158 games four of the last five years. He’s only hit at least 30 home runs twice in his career, so don’t be surprised if he sees some regression in that area this season. His 38% fly ball percentage last year was significantly higher than his career average of 33.5%. However, taking into consideration his production across the board, Votto is the second best fantasy option at first base for 2018.

Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

This was a close race between Freeman and Anthony Rizzo for the third spot. Rizzo has been extremely consistent, hitting at least 31 home runs and recording at least 101 RBI in three straight seasons. Freeman’s breakout in the power department came in 2016, hitting 34 home runs to go along with 91 RBI. He played in only 117 games last year but still managed to mash 28 round trippers. The reason Freeman gets the edge over Rizzo is because of his ability to hit for a higher average. Don’t get me wrong, Rizzo is no slouch, hitting at least .273 in four straight seasons. However, he’s never hit above .292 in his career. Freeman has batted at least .302 in three of the last five years and is a career .290 hitter. In a league where batting averages are being sacrificed for power, Freeman’s ability to provide excellent value in both areas makes him the third best first baseman heading into this season.

Overvalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: First Base

Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies

Hoskins will play the outfield for the Phillies this season but is still eligible at first base in fantasy. He burst onto the scene in 2017, hitting 18 home runs and recording 48 RBI in only 50 games. While that is impressive, that’s not a sustainable pace over the course of a full season. His average could actually improve this year though as he hit .259 despite a .241 BABIP. He is going to be a valuable player and is a vital part of the Phillies future, but his current ADP in the NFCB is 50.54. That’s seventh-highest among first baseman and higher than players such Nelson Cruz (55.60) and Daniel Murphy (68) when looking across all positions. First base is deep, so it might be a wise move to pass on Hoskins if forced to select him that early.

Carlos Santana, Philadelphia Phillies

The second Phillie to make this list, Santana will actually man first base this season. He’s been healthy throughout his career, playing in at least 152 games in six of the last seven years. He’s a fine player, but his fantasy value is limited in today’s current state of the game. Outside of an aberration season where he hit 34 home runs in 2016, he has never hit more than 27 home runs in a season. He has actually hit 23 homers or less in four of the last six seasons. He’s not going to hit for average either, batting just .249 for his career. His current ADP is 172.05, ahead of other first basemen including Matt Carpenter (180.19) and Yuli Gurriel (208.84). I’d much rather take a chance on someone with a higher upside than Santana based on where he is being selected in drafts.

Undervalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: First Base

Greg Bird, New York Yankees

Bird was plagued by injuries last year, limiting him to just 48 games. He was awful when he was on the field, batting just .190. He still flashed his power potential though with nine home runs. That was right on pace with his only other appearance in the majors in 2015 when he hit 11 home runs in 46 games. The difference was in 2015 he hit .261 with a .319 BABIP. He only had a .194 BABIP last year, so expect significant improvement in his average this year. In six minor league seasons, Bird hit .283 with a .397 OBP. The Yankees lineup is loaded as well, which should afford him with plenty of opportunities to produce. His current ADP is only 152.87, which is excellent value considering his upside. Don’t be surprised if he hits .270 with around 30 home runs this year.

Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants

Belt was limited to 104 games last year due to a concussion, but he still tied his career high with 18 home runs. While he regressed to a .214 batting average, he had just a .284 BABIP compared to his career BABIP of .333. He still had a 38.4% hard hit percentage and swung at a career-low 22% of pitches outside the strike zone. He’ s only turning 30 years old at the start of the season and has a better offense around him this year with the additions of Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria. His ADP is insanely low at 304.29, making him someone to target late in your drafts.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 2/15/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 2/15/18

Thursday brings just two games in the NBA, but there are still great players taking the floor and money to be won in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the players to hopefully help you win some money like Eric Bledsoe and Kyle Kuzma.

 

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Use Code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 2/15/18

Eric Bledsoe, MIL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,100

Bledsoe is in the midst of one of his best stretches since being traded to the Bucks, averaging 20.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.2 three-pointers in his last five games. He has the second-highest usage rate (27.1%) on the team and should continue to be one of the focal points of their offense moving forward. The Nuggets allow the fifth-most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards, making Bledsoe an excellent option at a reasonable price Thursday.

Jeff Teague, MIN vs. LAL
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,200

Teague’s scoring average is down at just 12.9 points per game this season, but that was to be expected playing for a team that includes Karl-Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler, and Andrew Wiggins. He’s still managed to provide value though by averaging 7.1 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.1 three-pointers per game. He gets a favorable matchup Friday as the Lakers play at the fastest pace (103 possessions per game) in the league. His ceiling isn’t off the charts, but he can still provide value for your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 2/15/18

Will Barton, DEN at MIL
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,800

Barton is getting a ton of playing time for the Nuggets, logging at least 34 minutes in 10 of his last 11 games. He’s taken full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds. 4.6 assists and 2.1 three-pointers in those 10 contests. The Nuggets have moved Barton into the starting lineup as they push towards the playoffs, giving him a significant boost in value. On a night with limited options, Barton stands out as a great choice at shooting guard.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL at MIN
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,100

The Lakers are still thin at guard with Lonzo Ball (knee) injured, leaving Caldwell-Pope to play at least 31 minutes in three straight games. Even though his usage rate is only 17.2% this season, the pace at which the Lakers play and the added playing time helps give Caldwell-Pope value. The Timberwolves have struggled on defense at times this season, making Caldwell-Pope someone to consider at this price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 2/15/18

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $11,700
DraftKings = $10,700

On a night with so few games, you want to make sure you get at least one elite player into your lineup. Giannis might be that player Thursday, with his 31.8% usage rate that ranks fifth-highest in the league. He’s much more than just a scorer though, averaging 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He will eat up a significant portion of your budget, but he should be worth it Thursday.

Brandon Ingram, LAL at MIN
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,300

Ingram continues to provide an offensive spark for the Lakers, averaging 20 points in his last six games. He’s been asked to help facilitate the offense with Ball out as well, averaging 5.7 assists over that same stretch. Even with Isaiah Thomas now on the Lakers, Ingram should still see an increase in assists until Ball returns. Ball is expected back after the All-Star break, so take advantage of Ingram’s added value Thursday while you can.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 2/15/18

Kyle Kuzma, LAL at MIN
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,000

Kuzma has shown he can provide tremendous value when given the opportunity but has seen limited minutes when the Lakers are healthy up front. However, the trade that sent Larry Nance Jr. to the Cavaliers has now freed up playing time for Kuzma. He’s been excellent in the three games since Nance was traded, averaging 17.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 three-pointers. Power forward is especially shallow on FanDuel with only two games, leaving Kuzma as one of the better options Thursday.

Trey Lyles, DEN at MIL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Lyles has been a valuable member of the Nuggets’ bench, averaging 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and a block in six games in February. His playing time is down a bit from the previous two months, but his usage in February is a season-high at 23.8%. The Bucks are a tough defensive team, but Lyles significant role and cheap price make him worth considering for your entry.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 2/15/18

Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIL
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $9,800

Jokic’s ability to contribute across the board leaves him tremendous upside, evident by the fact that he has two triple-doubles in his last six games. Things couldn’t shape up much better for him Thursday as the Bucks allow the fifth-most points per game on FanDuel and the fourth-most points per game on DraftKings to opposing centers. He and Karl-Anthony Towns stand out at the position Thursday, but Jokic could finish with the best numbers, especially if the Timberwolves get a big lead on the lowly Lakers.

Tyler Zeller, MIL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,900

The Bucks will be without starting center John Henson (hamstring) on Thursday, marking the third straight game that he has missed. Zeller played at least 22 minutes in each of the previous two games without Henson, averaging 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. With Jokic and Towns being by far the best options at center Thursday, it might be wise to pay up to get one of them into your lineup. However, if you need to save money at the position, Zeller is a cheap option to consider.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Wednesday brings a packed night in the NBA with 12 games on the schedule. With so many options to choose from, selecting the correct cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers could make the difference in bringing home some money. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like Emmanuel Mudiay and Marcus Morris.

 

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Use Code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Fred VanVleet, TOR at CHI
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,500

VanVleet has been one of the most productive players off the bench for the Raptors, averaging 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in his last eight games. He is shooting career-highs from the field (43.5%), from the charity stripe (86.7%) and from behind the arc (41.4%), which has allowed him to be productive even in limited minutes. The Bulls allow the seventh-most points per game (109) in the league, leaving VanVleet as someone to consider for Wednesday.

Emmanuel Mudiay, NY vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Mudiay has had mixed results in his first two games with the Knicks, but the good news is that he played at least 19 minutes in both contests. He played more minutes than Jarrett Jack in both games and should be in line for added playing time moving forward. He showed his potential by scoring 14 points and dishing out 10 assists Sunday, which is excellent production at this price. The Wizards could be very thin at point guard Wednesday with Tim Frazier (nose) out and Tomas Satoransky (head) questionable, giving Mudiay the potential to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Nicolas Batum, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,200

Batum might not be highly owned Wednesday because he averaged just 7.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his last two games. He was very productive before those struggles though, averaging 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his previous six contests. The Magic have struggled to defend opposing shooting guards, allowing the fourth-most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to the position. The Magic also play at the seventh-fastest pace (100.8 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Batum with upside in this game.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC at HOU
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,400

The Kings have shifted towards giving their young players more playing time, leading Bogdanovic to log at least 31 minutes in four straight games. He’s made the most of his opportunity, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.3 three-pointers per game. The Rockets score the second-most points per game (114.4) in the league, so the Kings are going to need all the offense they can get from Bogdanovic to keep this game close. He is worth considering for your entry as a result.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at BKN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

Bogdanovic has stepped up his offensive game lately, averaging 20.0 points and 3.0 three-pointers in his last six games. He’s been extremely efficient, shooting 54.3% from the field during that stretch. He gets an excellent matchup Wednesday against the Nets, who play at the sixth-fastest pace (101.2) and allow the fifth-most points per game (109.7) in the league. He doesn’t provide much outside of scoring, but he doesn’t need to in order to have value at this price.

Reggie Bullock, DET vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,000

Bullock continues to get extended playing time with Avery Bradley out of the picture, logging at least 34 minutes in six of his last seven games. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game 20 times this season, averaging 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 three-pointers in those contests. He just scored 20 points and grabbed five rebounds against these same Hawks on Sunday, which is not surprising considering their struggles. Bullock could be in line for a productive evening in their rematch.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Bam Adebayo, MIA at PHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300

With Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) out and the Heat benching Hassan Whiteside during the fourth quarter of games, Adebayo has gained added opportunities to produce. He has shown that he has upside, posting a double-double in three of his last six games. The Heat just played the Sixers earlier this month and Adebayo finished that game with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on him again Wednesday.

Marcus Morris, BOS vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,200

The Celtics are a great team, but they have scored the sixth-fewest points per game (102.9) in the league this season. Outside of Kyrie Irving, Morris might be one of the best scoring options on their roster. His usage rate of 23.1% certainly indicates that as it is the second-highest on the team. The Clippers play at the eighth-fastest pace (100.6) in the league, so Morris could have added opportunities to provide value in this game.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Myles Turner, IND at BKN
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,800

Turner isn’t very cheap, but he certainly won’t kill your budget. He’s struggling right now, scoring 13 points or less and grabbing six rebounds or less in three of his last four games. Wednesday could be an entirely different story though because the Nets allow the most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers. Turner has already faced them three times this season, averaging 20.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in those contests. He has tremendous upside Wednesday.

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at DET
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Dedmon has started the last two games for the Hawks, averaging 16.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block. While it doesn’t make a lot of sense to move him back into the starting lineup instead of giving John Collins a chance to shine, it’s good news for everyone who plays DFS. If Dedmon is going to continue to play around 30 minutes per game, he’s going to be a double-double threat on a nightly basis. He just scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Pistons on Sunday and could provide valuable numbers again in their rematch.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/13/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/13/18

Tuesday’s 6-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Davis Bertans and Raymond Felton.



Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

Raymond Felton
FD $5,000 DK $4,900

We open up tonight’s 6-game slate with a play that’s fully dependent on injury news. Russell Westbrook is currently questionable to play and has missed the last 2 games. Felton picked up 33 and 31 minutes and put up 22 and 32 fantasy points. The Cavs are ranked 29th against PG’s on the season, but let’s not be nieve. George Hill is a lot better of a defender than anyone the Cavs have had and they will slowly improve. With that being said, he’s not amazing and will not shut down anyone. If Russell Westbrook is once again ruled out, Felton can be locked in for 30 minutes and 25 fantasy points. This match-up between the Thunder and Cavaliers is an extremely fun one tonight and we’ll be looking to get as much exposure as possible with a high total and low spread. Felton will be in 100% of my cash games and tournaments if Westbrook is ruled out.

George Hill
FD $4,800 DK $4,900

Speaking of George Hill, he’s certainly in play. He looked like a completely different player in a Cavs uniform than he has in Sacramento and it’s not at all surprising. He’s always been a huge competitor and seems to thrive off of relevancy. He’s a great defender and will be on the court a ton if Westbrook is ruled in. Even if he’s not, it’s safe to expect at least 20-25 minutes. The road to 30+ minutes should be slow, but it might not be. There is still a ton of upside at this insanely low price, so you can absolutely play him in all formats. I’ll have a lot more of Hill if Westbrook is ruled in, as he’ll pull all interest away from Felton. Point guard is always important and you’ll need to get it right on this slate with some solid expensive options.

Shooting Guard

Andrew Wiggins
FD $6,200 DK $6,200

I try to focus on some of the cheaper options at each position, but we know SG is usually pretty tough to pay down at. You’ll often find your main value guys around $4k or $5k, opposed to the typical minimum-priced guy at each other position. Tonight, we’ll look at 2 mid-priced options here. The first is Andrew Wiggins, who figures to match-up with James Harden. That’s all that really needs to be said. Wiggins is back to his normal self and is a lot more comfortable in the offense than he was earlier in the season. He’s putting up 20+ every night and typically sitting around 35 in solid match-ups. He’s always a bit reliant on his scoring, but that should be fine in a game with a 222 total and 2.5 point spread. If you’re wanting exposure to this game, Wiggins is an extremely easy choice at a lackluster SG position.

Rodney Hood
FD $5,000 DK $4,800

We’re on to another new Cavalier in Rodney Hood, who’ll inevitably be in the $6 or $7k’s very soon. He only saw 18 minutes in a blowout against the Celtics, but still put up 20+ fantasy points. He would have easily seen close to 25 minutes and should easily get there tonight, assuming the game stays close. Hood is going to be a huge part of this team before long and he’s always been a dynamic DFS player when on the floor. As of now, Hood is just $5k. He needs you 25 fantasy points and it shouldn’t be a problem at all if the game stays close. I do prefer Wiggins and will try to pay up, but there is still a lot of safety and tournament upside here with Rodney Hood. Don’t be afraid of the 18 minutes in that blowout.

Small Forward

Taurean Prince
FD $4,000 DK $4,700

If you’re looking to pay down at small forward, it’ll be kind of tough. PG and PF are the real spots to pay down tonight and everywhere else is just a tad bit reaching. With that being said, Taurean Prince is a guy I will have decent exposure to. He’s simply too cheap and always a solid option. While he saw 22 minutes last game, he’s been between 26 and 32 minutes on most nights since January. His price is now far below $5k on both sites and you’re only looking for 20 fantasy points. The Milwaukee Bucks rank 21st against small forwards and it’s safe to assume Khris Middleton will be on him, opposed to Giannis. I don’t love the upside prince has, but he’s cheap and pretty safe in cash games.

LeBron James
FD $11,500 DK $11,500

I know, quite the value play. I just didn’t want to pass up LeBron here as my favorite play on the entire slate. We know the hype behind this new Cavs squad and nobody is feeling it more than LeBron. He’s now the only catalyst for this offense and is going to see a usage rate well over 35%. His price is obviously up there, but he’s going to have the ball in his hands for 40 minutes against a fast-paced Thunder team. Paul George is obviously a good defender, but do yourself a favor and watch some LBJ highlights against the Pacers. He doesn’t have much trouble. This is a game I’m all over tonight and I will have 100% LeBron James. Small forward is one of the weaker position on the slate and LeBron can erase all of that. Don’t try to get cute with another value play.

Power Forward

Davis Bertans
FD $5,000 DK $4,800

With LaMarcus Aldridge remaining out, you can count on Davis Bertans for an encore of last night. Against the Jazz, he played 28 minutes and put up 29 fantasy points. He’s always extremely reliable when on the floor with a 1.02 FP per minute and it just depends on the opportunity he has. Tonight, the match-up with Denver is far better. He now has a solid match-up as well, so we could be looking at a bit of upside. His price is still under $5k on both sites and you’re only needing about 20-25 fantasy points. He’s a very safe option with plenty of upside in tournaments.

Patrick Patterson
FD $3,900 DK $3,800

If Carmelo Anthony is ruled out, you can certainly punt with Patrick Patterson. Over the last 3 games, he’s seen 35, 29, and 25 minutes. At close to minimum-price, even the 25 minutes doesn’t kill you. If he sees 29 or 35, you’re way in the money against a Cavs team that gives it up to bigs. Jerami Grant will also be locked into 30ish minutes, but he’s just not cheap enough for me to lock him into my cash games. If Melo is ruled out, I have no problem getting more exposure to this game with a punt PF that can shoot the 3 and rebound against Cleveland. If Melo is in, completely ignore Patterson.

Center

Pau Gasol
FD $6,000 DK $5,600

Pau put up 50 fantasy points with LMA out last game and while it’s ambitious to expect, it’s not crazy. He is this good of a player and he’s only not over 30 FP every night because of Popovich and his brain. If Gasol was on the T-Wolves with the moron that is Tom Thibodeau, he put be putting 40 FP a night and be dead by April. The only problem people may have with Gasol is the 33 minutes last night. With the ASB coming up, I don’t think it’s a worry AT ALL. If this game stays close, expect another 28-33 minutes out of Gasol and 30-40 FP against a weak Denver interior.

Tristan Thompson
FD $4,500 DK $4,500

Nobody loves rostering Tristan Thompson, but we all know he’s the motor of this team. LeBron is obviously the man, but you know when the Cavs are playing well. it’s when Thompson is all over the place and somehow making a difference on every ball in the paint. We saw it last game, even without a big FP performance. He’s going to continue seeing minutes with this new style of team and his price is very low at just $4.5k. You’re looking for 15-20 in cash games, which is 3 quarters of meh basketball against the Thunder for Thompson. He’s a guy I’ll have a lot of in tournaments, but Gasol is in too good of a spot for me to overlook.

 

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*


Use Code "LABWP50" at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
Use Code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

It’s important to know the intricacies of the NBA schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head fantasy league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are some moves you might want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 2 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

The NBA All-Star break comes this week, meaning no team will play more than two games. However, with 22 teams each playing two games, you might not need a lot of help this week filling out your roster. If you do, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

Dewayne Dedmon, Atlanta Hawks

Since returning from injury, Dedmon has mostly come off the bench for the Hawks. However, they decided to change things up Sunday and started Dedmon against the Pistons. He played 31 minutes as a result, finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and one block. The Hawks won the game and coach Mike Budenholzer said afterward that they would probably stick with the same starting lineup moving forward. That’s good news for Dedmon, especially since one of his two games this week comes against a Bucks team that struggles to defend centers and the other comes against the Pistons again. He’s still available in 62% of Yahoo! leagues and could give you a boost at center this week.

D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic

The Magic traded Elfrid Payton to the Suns, opening up the starting point guard role for Augustin. He played 35 minutes in the Magic’s first game without Payton, scoring 18 points to go along with nine assists, two steals, and two three-pointers. However, he played just 23 minutes Saturday against the Bucks as Shelvin Mack had the hot hand, logging 28 minutes and posting a double-double. Augustin should continue to start going forward and will likely play closer to 30 minutes on a nightly basis. He gets to face two bad teams in the Bulls and Hornets this week, leaving him with upside. If you need help at point guard, he is still available in 69% of Yahoo! leagues.

Emmanuel Mudiay, New York Knicks

Mudiay thrived in his debut with the Knicks on Sunday, scoring 14 points to go along with 10 assists in 29 minutes. The Knicks are going nowhere with Kristaps Porzingis (knee) out for the season and have stated they want to give their young players an extended look moving forward. Starting point guard Jarrett Jack played only eight minutes Sunday and might not play much down the stretch. Mudiay is still available in 81% of Yahoo! leagues and is worth considering if you need help this week.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 1 Game Each
Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards

Eight teams play only one game each this week, leaving their players with limited upside. As a result, consider benching the players below who you might otherwise have in your starting lineup.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers

Nurkic left Sunday’s game against the Jazz and did not return due to lower back soreness and pain in his right hip. With only one game this week, it’s possible the Trail Blazers sit him so he gets extended rest over the break. Even if he does play, it’s not a good matchup against a Warriors team that likes to use a lot of small lineups. It’s not worth the risk starting him this week based on his limited potential.

Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks

Barnes has been one of the best offensive players on the Mavericks this season, averaging 18.3 points and 1.4 three-pointers per game. The problem is, he provides very little production in terms of assists, steals and blocks and his 6.6 rebounds per game isn’t a difference maker either. Since he usually doesn’t provide much outside of scoring, it might not be a bad idea to sit him this week if you need help in other categories.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Tatum has been excellent for the Celtics this year, but his game doesn’t always translate to great fantasy production. He hasn’t excelled in any one area, averaging 13.6 points, 5.1 rebounds. 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers per game. Those types of numbers can be valuable on a week where he has extra games, but with only one game this week, the best decision might be to place him on your bench.