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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/15/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/15/17



Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Damian Lillard, POR at ORL
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $9,400

Lillard only scored 18 points in his last game Wednesday against the Heat, but he was rolling before that with at least 29 points in four straight games. He’s been dealing with a sore ankle of late, but hasn’t missed any time and is expected to play Friday. This is a great matchup against the Magic as not only do they play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.2) in the league but they also really struggle to defend point guards. Look for Lillard to get back to his scoring ways in this game, providing an excellent option for your entry.

Milos Teodosic, LAC at WAS
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Teodosic is still rounding into form after missing 22 games due to injury but did manage to get up to 25 minutes in his last game Wednesday against the Magic. He made the most of his playing time, scoring eight points to go along with six rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. The Clippers will be without Austin Rivers (concussion) on Friday, which could lead to more minutes for Teodosic if the club feels he is ready. If you are looking for a cheaper point guard option with upside, Teodosic might be your man.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Lou Williams, LAC at WAS
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $7,600

The Clippers have been decimated by injuries this year, leaving them to count on Williams more than they expected. Even though he has only started five games, he’s averaging a career-high 31 minutes per contest. Never one to shy away from shots, Williams is averaging 14.8 attempts per game, resulting in a career-high 20.0 points. With Rivers and Danilo Gallinari (hip) out Friday, Williams is primed for another big scoring night against the Wizards.

Gary Harris, DEN vs. NO
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,400

Harris showed why he is one of the main offensive weapons for the Nuggets by scoring 36 points Wednesday against the Celtics. He’s averaging the most minutes per game (34) on the team, giving him an added opportunity to produce. The Pelicans play at the sixth-fastest pace (102.3) and allow the second-most points per game (111.5) in the league, which is good news for the offensive-minded Harris. If you don’t want to pay up for Williams, look no further than Harris for excellent upside.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $12,500
DraftKings = $11,600

Giannis may have the highest floor of any player in DFS. Playing time is never a problem as he’s averaging 38 minutes per game and his 33.5% usage rate is fifth-best in the NBA. While he has some talented players around him in Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton, they compliment his game well without taking away any scoring opportunities. Few teams in the NBA have someone who can match up with him defensively, but the Bulls don’t have anyone close to being capable of slowing him down. Get ready for a huge performance.

Rudy Gay, SA at HOU
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,700

It’s no surprise that Gay has seen a decrease in production since joining the Spurs as they brought him in to be more of a supporting piece as opposed to a leading scoring. Not only is Gay averaging a career-low 24 minutes per game, but his average of 12.8 points per game is the lowest since his rookie season. He’s played better than that lately though, averaging 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds over his last six games. The Rockets like to use a lot of small lineups, which could mean a few extra minutes for Gay. He’s priced low enough to be a viable option Friday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,100

Ibaka has turned back the clock lately, averaging 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers over his last six games. He gets to play the Nets Friday, a team that doesn’t have a ton of quality depth up front. The Nets also play at the second-fastest pace (104.2) in the league, so Ibaka is going to get extra chances to keep his recent hot streak alive. With a significant role on tap for this game, get Ibaka in your lineup.

John Collins, ATL at MEM
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,500

After missing six straight games, Collins returned to play 19 minutes Thursday against the Pistons. He made the most of his limited minutes, scoring 15 points to go along with seven rebounds, one steal, and one block. Despite playing only 23 minutes per game this season, the talented rookie has still managed to average 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest. The Hawks are thin up front with Dewayne Dedmon (leg) out and really need Collins to produce. Although he may again see limited minutes in the second night of a back-to-back Friday, he’s priced low enough to warrant consideration.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Andre Drummond, DET at IND
FanDuel = $9,400
DraftKings = $9,100

Drummond is in a scoring slump, averaging only 7.8 points over his last four games. He still provides value even when he’s not scoring though as he also averaged 15.3 rebounds over that same stretch. Friday will mark his third game of the season already against the Pacers, a team that allows the second-most DraftKings points per game and the most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. Drummond was no outlier, averaging 12.5 points, 18.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in those two games. He’ll cost you a lot, but should be worth it based on his opponent.

Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Gortat shouldn’t be confused with a high-upside play as he just doesn’t score enough to be in that class. He still hovers around a double-double though, averaging 9.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season. The Wizards are going to need him Friday because although the Clippers have a ton of injuries, DeAndre Jordan is healthy and logging 33 minutes per game. Gortat finished with nine points and eight rebounds when these same two teams met Saturday, so he can provide value at this cheap price.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/14/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/14/17



Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. NY
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,700

Dinwiddie has continued to get plenty of playing time in the Nets’ injury-riddled backcourt, logging at least 30 minutes in eight of his last nine games. He’s been solid in 15 starts this season, averaging 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.4 three-pointers per game. The Knicks struggle to defend point guards, allowing the third-most FanDuel points per game and fourth-most DraftKings points per game to the position. With no elite options available at point guard Thursday, Dinwiddie may have one of the best performances of the night.

J.J. Barea, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

Barea hasn’t moved into the starting lineup with Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) out the last three games, but he’s provided scoring punch off the bench with at least 16 points in each of the last two games. He doesn’t need to be scoring to provide value either as he has dished out at least six assists in nine of his last 10 games. His 26.3% usage rate puts him ahead of players like Kemba Walker, Goran Dragic, and Kyle Lowry, so he’s heavily involved when he’s on the floor. Considering the Warriors play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.3) in the league, Barea has upside at this price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Caris LeVert, BKN vs. NY
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,400

LeVert has established himself as an important member of the Nets bench, averaging 16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 three-pointers over his last four games. With all their injuries at point guard, he’s done a nice job of helping run the offense as a member of the second unit. The Nets play at the second-fastest pace (104.4) in the league, which helps create more opportunities for LeVert to contribute. With the Knicks struggles on defense, LeVert is a viable option for your entry.

Wesley Matthews, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,600

The Mavericks have really struggled offensively as they are one of only four teams in the league averaging less than 100 points per game. While Matthews will never be confused as being an elite scorer, his 12.4 points per game are third-most on the team. One of the two players who scorers more than Matthews is Smith, so the Mavericks will really need Matthews to step up if they have any chance of keeping this game close. With the added opportunities to produce, Matthews is someone to consider at this discounted price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE vs. LAL
FanDuel = $12,600
DraftKings = $11,900

James continues to dominate the league, posting two triple-doubles and seven double-doubles in his last 10 games. He’s as close to automatic as they come with his production as his 30.4% usage rate is tenth-best in the league. You can go on for days with stats about how excellent James has been, giving him a very high floor in DFS. He’s going to cost a ton, but he can still provide value against a weak defensive team in the Lakers on Thursday.

Andre Iguodala, GS vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,200

Iguodala could be in for an expanded role Thursday with Stephen Curry (ankle) out and Draymond Green (shoulder) listed as doubtful. Both Curry and Green play significant roles in running the Warriors offense, so expect Iguodala to potentially provide extra assists with both likely out. The Mavericks also like to play small, which could lead to some extra run for Iguodala. On a night with limited cheap options with value, Iguodala might be your best bet to save some money at small forward.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kristaps Porzingis, NY at BKN
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $9,600

Porzingis is showing no ill effects from a recent ankle injury, playing at least 36 minutes in three straight games. He took advantage of two bad defenses in the Lakers and Hawks his last two games, scoring at least 30 points in both contests. Not only was he great offensively, but he combined for eight blocks and three steals as well. Even with the addition of Jahlil Okafor, the Nets are still lacking depth up front. Porzingis already torched them for 30 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and one steal earlier this season, so get ready for the encore.

Taj Gibson, MIN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,900

Gibson has been somewhat of a security blanket for coach Tom Thibodeau this season as he is averaging 34 minutes per game compared to only 17 minutes per game for Gorgui Dieng. He coached Gibson in Chicago and clearly plans to play him a ton, which is no surprise considering Thibodeau’s history of giving his starters big minutes. The volume has made Gibson fantasy relevant as he’s averaging 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Expect big minutes and solid numbers from him again Thursday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $10,100
DraftKings = $9,100

Believe it or not, Towns has actually had his playing time decrease in the second year of the Thibodeau era. Don’t be alarmed though, he’s still averaging a whopping 35 minutes per game. His scoring is understandably down with Jimmy Butler now in the fold, but he’s still been fantastic by averaging 20.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. The Kings struggle to defend opposing centers, allowing the second-most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to the position. Look for a big performance in this game from Towns.

Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC at MIN
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,100

Cauley-Stein recently missed three games with a back injury but returned to play 29 minutes Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. It’s encouraging he played so many minutes right off the bat, especially considering the Kings crazy frontcourt rotations. Cauley-Stein has played much better off the bench this season, posting a 24.5% usage rate with the second unit compared to 17.8% as a starter. He should be needed for heavy minutes against the Timberwolves big frontcourt, making him someone to definitely consider.

Draftkings NFL Cash and GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 15

by Cesar Becerra 0 Comments

Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 15

We have arrived to the Draftkings championship week. If you are fortunate enough to earn a seat, good luck to you as 200 entries compete for the $2 million top prize. The Draftkings main slate is a unique one this week with only 11 games. There are two games on Saturday along with the usual Thursday Night, Sunday Night, and Monday Night games that are not on the main slate. On top of that, we have six teams (Steelers, Patriots, Jags, Eagles, Rams, and Vikings) potentially able to clinch a playoff berth this week. Let’s dive right in.

Vegas

As a polar opposite of last week’s Vegas stats, this week features three teams that are double-digit favorites. The Saints are a massive 16 point favorite against the Jets. The Vikings are 11 point favorites at home against the Bengals, and the Jags are 10.5 home favorites against the Texans. Outside of these three teams, the Eagles (7.5) and Ravens (7.5) are road touchdown favorites, rounding out the largest spreads of the week.

There are a few games worth targeting this week, starting with the Pats at the Steelers, which has a slate high 53 game total. The Rams at Seahawks, Jets at Saints, and Packers at Panthers all have nice game totals over 47. Outside of those games, there aren’t any games with totals over 45.

As far as implied team totals, the Saints are the clear front-runners with an implied total of 31.75 points. The Pats have the second-best total of 28 points. The Vikings (26.5), Jags (25), Steelers (25), Panthers (24.75) and Seahawks (24.75) round out the top 5 highest implied team totals.

All this Vegas data was taken as of Wednesday night, so I strongly suggest checking back on Vegas Insiders on Sunday morning.

Quarterbacks

Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 15

Cam Newton (DK $6,400) – Cam comes into week 15 as one of my favorite quarterbacks of the week. He’s the 6th highest priced quarterback and has a really good matchup at home against the Packers (29th aFPA vs. QBs). We saw Deshone Kizer light up this same Packers secondary last week and scored 19.26 DK points, that’s about Cam’s floor. Cam performs much better as a home favorite opposed to as a  home underdog, and that is the situation he finds himself in this week. His team’s implied total is in the top 5 of the slate (24.75) and I expect this game to be a lot closer than most anticipate. I also love Cam’s rushing upside. Since week 6, Cam has rushed the ball more than 9 times in all but two games. Cam has a nice floor with his rushing upside and has a good ceiling of close to 30 points.

Drew Brees (DK $6,500) – An interesting pivot off Cam would be to pay the extra $100 to get to Drew Brees. Brees isn’t the same Brees we’ve grown to know with the Saints offense constantly throwing the ball 40+ times. Because of the Saints dynamic rushing duo, Brees has failed to meet salary expectations 5 of the last 6 games. Brees has only met salary expectation at home twice this season. All this points to a sneaky gpp play with Brees going up against the Jets funnel defense as they rank 32nd in aFPA to QB’s and are 7th in aFPA to RBs. Brees’ floor is much lower than Newton, but his ceiling always makes him appealing for tournaments.

Blake Bortles (DK $5,700) – Scraping the bottom of the barrel for a value QB is really difficult this week. With the limited number of games, there is a limited number of value quarterbacks on the slate. I’m more than likely going to stay in the midrange ($6,000 – $7,000). But if you are really looking for value, I would say take a look at Bortles. Bortles is coming off of two really decent games in which he combined to throw for 577 yards with 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions (46.58 DK points). This week he faces a horrible Texans defense that ranks 30th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. Believe it or not, I may have talked myself into playing Bortles as I’m writing this.

Cash:

C. Newton, C. Keenum, B. Roethlisberger, R. Wilson, B. Bortles

GPP:

D. Brees, T. Brady, A. Rodgers, J. Goff

Running Backs

Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 15

Le’Veon Bell (DK $9,300) –  Finally we get the opportunity to roster Le’Veon in the main slate. Bell is the highest priced back, $700 more than Kamara, and at this point, it doesn’t matter. He’s in a league of his own, and the upwards of $9,000 price tag doesn’t scare me. Bell has been priced over 9K almost every game this season and has smashed nearly every week. The past three games, Bell is averaging 33.66 DK points and is averaging over 25 touches per game. Although Bell has only carried the ball more than 20 times once the last three weeks, he’s still seeing double-digit targets and has converted that to over 270 receiving yards in the last three games.

Kenyan Drake (DK $5,800) – Kenyan Drake has been absolutely smashing since Damien Williams went down in week 12. Drake has taken over the Dolphins backfield and has produced better than Gase could have expected. In two games without Williams, Drake is playing 85% of the snaps, has 91% of the rushing attempts and has accumulated 234 yards with 1 touchdown and 8 receptions. He has accumulated 53.4 DK points in those two games. This week he goes up against the Bills defense that ranks 32nd in aFPA to opposing running backs and just got lit up by old man Frank Gore for 130 yards. Drake is the chalk this week.

** It’s worth checking William’s practice status as he is pushing to get back on the field. **

Jerick McKinnon (DK $4,800) – There isn’t a free square value play like there was last week with Gio Bernard, but this week McKinnon might rank as my favorite. McKinnon is the same price as Samaje Perine, who undoubtedly comes with a safer floor given that Washington isn’t utilizing a running back committee but I still like McKinnon. McKinnon is starting to separate himself from Latavius Murray, having played more snaps (53% to 46%) and received more of targets (18 to 8) in the past 4 weeks. Murray still sees the majority of the rushing attempts (60:43), but DK’s PPR format helps make McKinnon more valuable. McKinnon is a huge home favorite against the Bengal who rank 30th in aFPA allowed. I do have some hesitation that if the Vikings get out to a big lead, it could mean more of Murray pounding the ball opposed to McKinnon catching the ball out of the backfield, but I think this game is closer than most anticipate.

Cash:

L. Bell, T. Gurley, K. Drake, G. Bernard, S. Perine, L. McCoy

GPP:

A. Kamara > M. Ingram, L. Fournette, K. Williams, J. Ajayi, J. McKinnon, C. McCaffrey

Wide Receivers

Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 15

Michael Thomas (DK $7,400) – Outside of Antonio Brown ($9,100) the next best receiver to hit cash game value is Michael Thomas. He’s one of six active receivers averaging over 10 targets per game in the past month and this week he has a nice matchup against the Jets. The Jets rank 28th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers, and Thomas leads the team in targets with 125 on the season and 9.6 targets per game. Thomas has the better matchup than Hopkins at $7,700 and Thielen $7,600.

Devin Funchess (DK $6,600) – The other highest owned receiver along with Thomas might be Funchess. Funchess has either scored a touchdown or reached the 100-yard bonus each of his last 4 games and now gets one of the best matchups you could ask for against the Packers. The Packers are the worst team in the league against opposing wide receivers, and this game could very well shoot out if Aaron Rodgers suits up. Funchess leads the team in targets (39) since the Panthers traded Benjamin. You don’t always have to pair Cam with any of his receivers because of Cam’s rushing upside, but Funchess would be the ideal stack if you do.

AJ Green (DK $6,500) – AJ Green has seen a crazy price drop and is all the way down to $6,500. Green is a top 5 receiver in the league, and I’ll always be interested in Green at this price point. The problem is that Green is going up against the Vikings who rank 6th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers and will see a lot of Xavier Rhodes. Green may be a risk for cash games considering there is Funches around that price range. But I love getting exposure to him at his price in tournaments.

Jordy Nelson (DK $6,300) – The ghost of Jordy Nelson. He’s had a terrible year, but with the news that Aaron Rodgers could return, that could mean an uptick in targets for Nelson. Unfortunately, his price actually increased above $6,000, so he doesn’t come as much of a bargain. But he should come in at single-digit ownership, which makes for a nice tournament flyer.

Cash:

A. Brown, M. Thomas, D. Funches, A. Green, M. Goodwin, A. Jeffrey, R. Anderson, D. Westbrook

GPP:

A. Thielen, B. Cooks, D. Adams, J. Crowder, D. Baldwin, P. Richardson, R. Matthews

Tight End

Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 15

Zach Ertz (DK $6,000) – This week we don’t have the value that we had last week with Ertz missing the game making Trey Burton a plug and play. We’re still waiting to hear if Ertz will play this week, but if he does, he’s substantially cheaper than Gronk ($7,300). Even without Wentz, Nick Foles is a formattable backup quarterback. It doesn’t get much better than a matchup against the Giants who rank 26th in aFPA to tight ends. If Ertz is active, he should be considered the top play at tight end.

Jimmy Graham (DK $4,900) – Graham is an even bigger discount from the high priced tight ends. You can’t deny Graham’s red zone market share, and the matchup against the Rams should be a game that is back and forth. The Rams are respectable against tight ends (12th aFPA), but last time these two faced off Graham went for 15.7 DK points. The sub $5,000 price tag seems reasonable to me.

Vernon Davis (DK $3,900) – Davis might be my favorite punt play. He’s taken over the starting tight end job with Reed being placed on IR. The issue is he’s been relatively quiet the last four games only catching 7 balls for 117 yards. The bright side is that last week he saw his targets jump back up to 7 against the Chargers and he was able to find his way into the end zone. Below $4,000 against the Cardinals (18th aFPA vs. TE), I’ll take my chances here if I need salary relief.

Cash:

R. Gronkowski, Z. Ertz, J. Graham, V. Davis

GPP:

E. Engram, D. Walker, G. Olsen, C. Clay, A. Seferian-Jenkins

Defense

Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 15

Minnesota Vikings (DK $3,500) – The top five priced defense are all in positive spots. Of the five, I like the Vikings the most given their $1,000 salary savings from the Jags. They’re up against the Bengals who just got embarrassed by the 4-9 Bears. The Vikings are coming off of a disappointing loss and should look to rebound as huge home favorites.

Miami Dolphins (DK $2,700) – If Tyrod Taylor is ruled out on Sunday, that could leave Joe Webb starting for the Bills. Joe Webb showed some potential in the preseason, but the Dolphins defense just put out their best performance of the season beating the Patriots on Monday Night Football. Check the news on Taylor. If Taylor is out I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on Miami.

 

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 15

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 15

If you are out of the playoffs in your season-long fantasy football leagues, don’t worry, your season isn’t over. That’s the beauty of daily fantasy football, there is always fun to be had. Let’s try to pick up your spirits and win you some money. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

**QUARTERBACKS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 15

Russell Wilson vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
DraftKings = $7,300
FanDuel = $8,400

Wilson is on a roll as he has thrown at least two touchdowns in eight straight games and at least three touchdowns in both of his last two games. Although he’s posted a career-low 61.9% completion percentage, he is averaging a career-high 271.3 passing yards per game. The Seahawks have struggled to establish a running game this season, leaving Wilson to shoulder the offensive load. Wilson has provided value with his legs as well, averaging 37.1 rushing yards per game. Although he only threw for 198 yards and one touchdown against the Rams earlier this season, that was before he took off. That game was also on the road. The Rams have had some big point totals put up against them this season, so look for Wilson to continue his hot streak in Week 15.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Heinz Field
DraftKings = $6,700
FanDuel = $8,000

Speaking of quarterbacks playing well, Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,446 yards and 12 touchdowns over his last four games. The key there is three of those four games came at home. Roethlisberger is a different player at home as he’s averaging 322.5 passing yards per game at Heinz Field compared to 258.4 yards per game on the road. He’s played one more game on the road this season, but has 14 touchdowns passes at home compared to only 10 on the road. This could be a high-scoring game between two strong offenses, leaving Roethlisberger with a tremendous opportunity to provide value.

Nick Foles vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $5,500
FanDuel = $6,000

With Carson Wentz (knee) now out for the season, Foles gets another shot to be the starting quarterback for the Eagles. His previous success as a starter for them is well documented as he threw for 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 2013. While it’s not likely that he will return to that type of production, he does take over a talented offense. The Eagles will likely run the ball even more now based on their trio of productive running backs, but that should open up opportunities for Foles still as teams try to stop the run. The Giants defense is decimated by injuries and they are especially thin at cornerback. Foles won’t cost you much, giving him the potential to be one of the better value plays of the week.

**RUNNING BACKS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 15

Le’Veon Bell vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Heinz Field
DraftKings = $9,300
FanDuel = $9,400

Bell not only has a very high ceiling in terms of production, but he also has a high floor based on his role in the offense. He’s been extremely involved in the passing game, receiving at least 10 targets in three of the last four games. After three straight games without a touchdown, Bell has reached the end zone four times over the last two games. Offense likely won’t be hard to come by in this game, so don’t be afraid to pay up for Bell.

Christian McCaffrey vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
DraftKings = $6,000
FanDuel = $6,900

McCaffrey is coming off a rough game Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings as he finished with only 53 total yards. He only received four targets in the game, his fewest in any game this season. Fellow Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart had 103 rushing yards in three touchdowns, but that was a rare performance as he has rushed for at least 100 yards in a game only twice all season. McCaffrey may take his turn as the most valuable back in the Panthers backfield Week 15 as the Packers have allowed 80 receptions, 630 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns to running backs this season. That fits McCaffrey’s skill set very well, so get him in your lineup this week.

Kenyan Drake vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
DraftKings = $5,800
FanDuel = $6,500

Drake has thrived as the lead back the last two weeks, rushing for at least 114 yards in both of those games. With Damien Williams (shoulder) out, Drake also recorded eight receptions and 100 receiving yards over the same two games. It’s uncertain if Williams will be able to return this week but even if he does, Drake may have separated himself with his recent success. The Bills have allowed the most rushing touchdowns (18) and the sixth-most rushing yards per game (123.7) in the league this season, so look for Drake to thrive again this week.

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 15

Antonio Brown vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Heinz Field
DraftKings = $9,100
FanDuel = $9,300

Brown has put up massive numbers lately, accumulating 39 receptions, 627 yards and six touchdowns in his last four games. He continues to get a ton of volume as he has received at least 10 targets in all but two games this season. With a career-high average of 116.1 receiving yards per game this season, Brown is a great option just about every week. Week 15 brings what should be a shootout with the Patriots and given the success of Roethlisberger at home, Brown is primed for another huge performance.

Devin Funchess vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
DraftKings = $6,600
FanDuel = $7,300

Funchess came out of Sunday’s game against Xavier Rhodes and the Minnesota Vikings with a respectable performance, catching three passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. He’s scored at least one touchdown in three of his last four games and has a career-high seven for the season overall. Now the number one receiver in Carolina, he’s got a reasonable shot to recording at least 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. The Packers present a nice matchup as they allow the ninth-most net passing yards per game (240) and have allowed 22 receiving touchdowns this season. Consider playing Funchess at this reasonable price.

Marquise Goodwin vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
DraftKings = $6,000
FanDuel = $6,600

EJ Manuel, Thaddeus Lewis, Kyle Orton, Tyrod Tayler, Brian Hoyer and C.J. Breathard, that’s the sad list of quarterbacks that Goodwin has played with during his five-year career. It’s still early, but current 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is probably the best Goodwin has ever played with. Early returns have been excellent as Goodwin has 14 receptions on 20 targets for 205 yards in two games with Garoppolo starting. With so few talented receivers around him, don’t expect his volume to decrease anytime soon. He only has one touchdown this season, but his volume with a quality passer still gives him value.

Dede Westbrook vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – EverBank Field
DraftKings = $5,100
FanDuel = $5,700

Westbrook is starting to take off, catching 11 of 17 targets for 159 yards and one touchdown in his last two games. Those games were against a poor Indianapolis Colts defense and an injured Seattle Seahawks secondary, so he didn’t exactly have the toughest opponents. That won’t change this week as the Texans are allowing the seventh-most next passing yards per game (242). The Jaguars don’t exactly have much depth at wide receiver either, giving Westbrook a relatively high floor at this cheap price.

**TIGHT ENDS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 15

Zach Ertz vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $6,000
FanDuel = $7,900

Ertz did not play Week 14 due to a concussion, but has been cleared and has resumed practicing this week. Unless he suffers an unexpected setback, expect him to take the field against the Giants. Although Ertz will be without his star quarterback in Wentz, he is familiar with Foles as the two played together when Foles was starting for the Eagles in 2013 and 2014. Ertz recorded eight catches, 55 yards and one touchdown against the Giants in Week 3, which is not surprising based on their struggles to defend the tight end. Don’t be concerned about the loss of Wentz too much this week as this is still a juicy matchup for Ertz.

Jared Cook vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
DraftKings = $4,400
FanDuel = $6,100

Cook only had two catches for 11 yards in two games combined heading into Week 14 but righted the ship with five receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Wide receiver Amari Cooper (ankle) left that game early, leaving quarterback Derek Carr to lean more heavily on Cook. Cooper is listed as day-to-day heading into Week 15, but he might be limited even if he does play. The Cowboys are not particularly strong at defending tight ends, making Cook a reasonable option at this price.

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 15

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – EverBank Field
DraftKings = $4,500
FanDuel = $5,900

The Jaguars already have a special defense, but they have a great matchup this week as T.J. Yates is likely going to start at quarterback for the Texans. Although he looked good by throwing two touchdowns against the 49ers in relief of Tom Savage (concussion) last week, playing the Jaguars is a whole different story. Not only do the Jaguars lead with NFL with 47 sacks, but they are also in the top-five in both interceptions and fumble recoveries. Pay up for them Sunday.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $3,600
FanDuel = $4,700

The Eagles defense is no pushover either as they are tied for the tenth-most sacks (35) in the league. This is a great matchup against a Giants offense that has only scored 49 total points in their last four games. With the majority of their skill players injured and their offensive line in shambles, things aren’t likely to get any better for the Giants this week. If you can’t stomach the Jaguars pricetag, go with the Eagles.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/13/17 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/13/17 – Value Plays



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Wednesday’s slate in the NBA is packed with nine games, giving you plenty of options for your DFS entry. We took a look at some of the overall excellent plays for Wednesday’s article on Sports Illustrated, but let’s now dive deeper into only the cheaper value plays that can help make you a winner.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Rajon Rondo, NO vs. MIL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,300

The addition of Rondo may have seemed unnecessary to some with Jrue Holiday already in the fold, but it doesn’t look like such a crazy move with his recent play. Over the last six games, Rondo has been excellent by averaging 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game. The Pelicans have scored the fourth-most points per game (110.7) and play at the sixth-fastest pace (102.4) in the league, so Rondo is getting a lot of chances to accumulate assists. Based on his recent play, he’s someone to consider Wednesday.

Milos Teodosic, LAC at ORL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,900

The Clippers had high hopes for Teodosic leading them at point guard this season, but he only played two games before going down with a foot injury. He played 21 minutes in his return against the Toronto Raptors on Monday and finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and two-three-pointers. Shooting only 4-for-12 from the field, his line could have been much better if he wasn’t ice cold. He should play more minutes Wednesday against a Magic team that allows the second most fantasy points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards. There is potential here with Teodosic.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Jeremy Lamb, CHA at HOU
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,400

Lamb started Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder as Nicolas Baum (elbow) was unable to play. He ended up playing 33 minutes and scored 14 points on 17 shots. The volume was encouraging even though his overall point total left something to be desired. Batum is listed as doubtful for Wednesday, so Lamb would likely get another start if he can’t go. Both the Hornets and Rockets are in the top-10 in the league in terms of pace of play, so this could be a high scoring game. If Lamb’s shot is falling, he could provide excellent value.

E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. MIL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

Moore has seen a lot of action for the Pelicans lately, logging at least 35 minutes in seven straight games. He had done that only once all season, so some of that has to do with Anthony Davis (groin) missing four of those seven games. Even so, Moore has been great offensively during that stretch, averaging 19.4 points and 3.6 three-pointers. Davis is questionable for Wednesday’s game, but Moore has likely earned himself more minutes even if Davis returns. At such a low price, he’s worth taking a chance on, especially if Davis doesn’t play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

David Nwaba, CHI vs. UTA
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,100

The rebuilding Bulls may have found themselves a player in Nwaba. He provides a ton of energy off the bench and can contribute on both ends of the floor, something a team lacking overall talent desperately needs. Nwaba has earned himself more playing time and has cashed in the opportunity over his last three games, averaging 13.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 26 minutes per contest. Don’t expect him to lose any playing time if he keeps this up, so take a chance on him Wednesday based on his upside at this price. Of note, Nwaba is only small forward eligible on FanDuel as he is eligible at point guard and shooting guard on DraftKings.

Wilson Chandler, DEN at BOS
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Chandler hasn’t played in four of the Nuggets last 11 games, so he may have fallen off of your radar. Although his numbers are way down this season, he’s played better over the last three games by averaging 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 three-pointers. The Celtics may be forced to go small Wednesday with both Al Horford (rest) and Marcus Morris (knee) out of action, which is a good fit for Chandler’s style of play. He’s not as bad as his early numbers indicate and now that he’s showing signs of coming out of his funk, he’s a viable option for your entry Wednesday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Serge Ibaka, TOR at PHO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,700

I’m not normally a big fan of Ibaka based on the regression he’s seen in the rebounding and blocks departments, but you can’t ignore his play of late. Entering Wednesday, he’s averaging 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over his last five games. One of those games was against these same Suns when he scored 19 points to go along with six rebounds and three blocks, which is not very surprising considering how bad the Suns are. I’m willing to take a chance on him keeping his recent string of success going for at least one more game based on his opponent.

Marvin Williams, CHA at HOU
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,900

The Hornets finally received reinforcements up front Monday when Frank Kaminsky returned from an ankle injury. Williams still played big minutes though, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds in 32 minutes. This is a solid matchup for Williams on Wednesday against the Rockets as they like to go small and shoot three’s. Williams excels on the perimeter, averaging 1.7 three-pointers per game. The price is right to roll with him again in this game.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Steven Adams, OKC at IND
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,400

Adams continues to anchor the Thunder in the middle, averaging 18.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.0 steal over his last six games. He excelled in his first game against the Pacers earlier this season, posting 17 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. With the Thunder’s lack of depth, there is really no viable option behind Adams at center. With all the minutes he can handle again Wednesday, he makes a great option for your entry.

Aron Baynes, BOS vs. DEN
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,900

With Horford and Morris out, expect Baynes to start and play significant minutes in this game. Baynes started two games for Horford earlier this season, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds in one of them. He’s played at least 23 minutes in seven games this season, averaging 8.7 points and 7.6 rebounds. He won’t cost you much, making him someone you should consider in tournament play.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17


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Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Jeff Teague
FD $6,500 DK $6,500

Strap in! If you’re looking for a slate of games that comes to us easily and builds a lineup by itself, this isn’t the one. We’re going to need to take some time with this one and dissect each position. Starting off at point guard, it isn’t pretty. It gets better once we get to small forward, but will have to take what we can get until then. While PG is usually a stacked position, Wall is the only expensive option and he’s coming off of a 2-week injury. Instead, we’ll start in the mid-range with Jeff Teague. Teague has disappointed many this year, but I think he’s somewhat easy to project. You don’t play him against a team that plays slow. Go with Towns in that case. Against a Philly squad that likes to run and ranks 22nd against PG’s, Teague has a 25 FP floor with a ceiling over 40. He’s right back to seeing 35+ minutes and won’t have to worry about seeing any Ben Simmons. Teague will be matched up with Jerryd Bayless and McConnell if he plays, giving him the best match-up on the entire team. Teague was pathetic against the Mavericks last game and you can be sure on an improvement from that game. He might draw some ownership by default at this position, but shouldn’t be any higher than 20 or 25%.

Yogi Ferrell
FD $4,500 DK $3,800

Ya, I told you it’s ugly. Dennis Smith Jr. has already been ruled out for this game and it will once again be J.J. Barea and Yogi Ferrell taking the minutes. Barea is fine, but he’s more expensive and no safer than Ferrell. Yogi is sitting under $4.5k on both sites and has seen 32 and 22 minutes with Smith out. He should get over that 25 minute-mark at the very least here against a Spurs squad that can be taken advantage of. While they are still one of the league’s most efficient defenses, PG is a spot to attack. They rank8th worst in basketball, allowing 47 FPPG. They’ve also allowed over 55 a game over the last 10 with the Spurs PG’s rotating with the injury bug. Ferrell is by no means safe, but he’s cheap enough to play in all formats and has immense upside. He’s an electric plug for this offense and I can’t see why they wouldn’t give him minutes in this style of game. With PG lacking any type of depth or opportunity cost, Ferrell is an excellent play in all formats that I’ll use to pay up later on.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Bradley Beal
FD $8,600 DK $8,600

John Wall is currently questionable to play, though it doesn’t seem like the Wizards beat writers are very optimistic. Make sure you just keep an eye out as the day moves along. Wall is obviously a huge deal for Beal as it gives him a ton more shots and minutes at PG. I actually expect the Wizards to allow Beal to take it easy with reduced minutes for a game or two once Wall is back. If Wall is out, this is a dream match-up with a Nets squad that doesn’t play defense. Beal has been great since pouring in 51 and this is the best match-up yet. The game will remain close if Wall sits and Beal will play 34+ minutes. He’s a phenomenal option in all formats.

Andrew Wiggins
FD $5,900 DK $6,000

My lord, look at this price. it seems like something is wrong, but it’s just Andrew Wiggins and his jump shot. Sitting around 20 fantasy point in a lot of his games recently is more than concerning. I don’t know if he’s hurt or just on a very cold streak, but this has nothing to do with the addition of Jimmy Butler. This is solely on Wiggins and something he’s going through. If there’s a spot to bounce back, this is it. Against shooting guards, the 76ers rank 2nd worst in the entire league with 51.5 FPPG allowed. Redick and TLC are 2 of the worst defenders on the entire team and give up a ton of open lanes. At this price, Wiggins is going to have a hard time hurting you. Even if he hits hit the bottom of the barrel 20 fantasy points, I don’t know if there’s anyone at a similar price at SG that can guarantee me more. His upside is over 50 and supersedes anyone under $7k. This game will remain close and we know Wiggins

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

LeBron James
FD $12,600 DK $11,800

Finally. This slate definitely picks up the pace after shooting guard. We’ll start out with LeBron James in a strong match-up with the Hawks. When looking for a good/bad LeBron match-up, you don’t look at how good the opposing team is against SF’s or how fast/slow they play. You look at how much LeBron cares about the game and whether or not it will stay close. This game checks both of those boxes. An eastern conference foe like the Hawks is a team LeBron will get up to play and in turn, has a 50 FP floor. He put up 94 fantasy points earlier in the year in a worse match-up, so I can’t sit here and predict his upside. With all the value on this slate, he’s close to a must in cash games.

T.J. Warren
FD $8,000 DK $8,000

With Devin Booker out for the last 2 games, Warren has reached cash game value in both. He didn’t go crazy in either, but that’s fine as they were bad match-ups. He now gets a decent match-up with a Kings squad that doesn’t play much defense. They’re also missing their rim protector in Willie Cauley-Stein. Warren is the easy number 1 option on this offense and he is going to have a few games over 40 FP with Booker out. This could very well be one and his price is fair. There’s plenty of value to pay up for both LeBron and Warren, so you shouldn’t be restricted on that front. Small forward is a spot you’ll need to get right.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Kristaps Porzingis
FD $9,700 DK $8,500

Kicking us off at power forward is one of my favorite plays of the night. Porzingis and the Knicks face off with the Lakers in MSG tonight. He’s still a bit underpriced on both sites and is back to seeing his normal allotment of minutes. He saw 37 against the Hawks last game and finished with 55 fantasy points. I was able to get him in every lineup at just 6% ownership and it was beyond glorious. He now gets an even better match-up with a Lakers squad that doesn’t play interior defense. Brook Lopez, Kyle Kuzma, and Larry Nance Jr. are all too small and not good defenders in the first place. Porzingis is going to be over $10k on both sites as soon as he can stay healthy for a few weeks and we’re able to take advantage now while he will still be somewhat under-owned.

Taj Gibson
FD $5,300 DK $6,000

We’re touching on our third Timberwolves player on this slate and it has a lot to do with Thibodeau. He’s consistently giving the starters 36+ minutes and it’s hard to miss value against the fast-paced 76ers in that amount of time. Taj Gibson isn’t a very good NBA player in 2017, but it doesn’t really matter when he’s living in a Minnesota bubble that gives him more minutes than Kevin Durant. Whatever Tom Thibedoeu, good thing you got another head coaching gig so we can have some more Luol Deng and Derrick Rose in 5 years. Yay. Excuse the tangent, but I just don’t understand how GM’s continue to allow this fool to ruin careers. We’ll continue using it to our advantage tonight. The 76ers sports Ben Simmons at PF, who will end up on Butler or Wiggins. Gibson will see Saric, Covington, and Holmes on the defensive side and neither are any good. Gibson is a pure volume play and a good one in all formats.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/12/17

Andre Drummond
FD $9,200 DK $9,400

The NBA is lucky the year is 2017 or we would have one of the league’s best players here in Andre Drummond. Unfortunately, his body is made for the 80s and 90s. He’s been much better running the floor this year and it’s helped him a ton against fast-paced teams. Even in the up-tempo era, this is a guy who is a serious threat for a 20/20 against any team. Tonight, he faces off with a Nuggets squad that has no center. With Nikola Jokic already ruled out, it’ll be Plumlee and Faried to draw Drummond. No chance. Drummond is a stone cold lock for 35 fantasy points with the upside for so many more. He’s my favorite center in all formats and a guy I’ll have close to 100% of.

Richaun Holmes
FD $4,500 DK $3,800

I have no interest in messing with a questionable Joel Embiid. None. I don’t care if he gets ruled in and is dancing around on the floor. It’s not necessary tonight and the risk is too high. I’m willing to make sure his knee holds up for another game and am willing to bet he will see limited minutes if he does play. If he sits, Richaun Holmes jumps to the forefront as a top value play on the slate. He saw 23 and 20 minutes the last 2 games and will be right there if Embiid is out again. The T-Wolves are a weak defensive interior that has allowed the 14th most FPPG to opposing centers. With Okafor gone, Holmes is the only other center on the roster and will be out there to match with Towns if needed. He’s always risky, but he’s super cheap and you’re going to need value on this slate. I’ll be doing my best to get 100% Drummond, but Holmes is a great pivot if Joel is out.

 

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*



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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

With the holidays rapidly approaching, the NBA is loaded this week with 50 games on the schedule. It’s important to know the intricacies of the schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are the moves you want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

With elite players such as LeBron James, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook all scheduled to have four games each this week, many of you will be starting off with an excellent foundation. If you do need help filling out the rest of your starting lineup, consider adding the below players who can all provide value based on their schedule.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9
Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat

The Heat are without arguably their best player in Hassan Whiteside (knee) as he has missed the last five games. Olynyk has played well in his absence, averaging 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers in those five games. Not only did he play at least 25 minutes in each game, but he started the last two. There is a chance that Whiteside returns at some point this week, but with four games in six days, he’s likely going to see limited minutes when he does return. Olynyk is still available in 53% of Yahoo! leagues and he can provide you with solid all-around numbers.

Caris LeVert, Brooklyn Nets

The Nets have been decimated by injuries this year, leaving LeVert to average a career-high 26 minutes per game. He’s played more than that lately, logging at least 28 minutes in six of his last seven games. He has provided balanced production by averaging 13.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.0 steals 1.0 three-pointer in those seven contests. LeVert’s 20.9% usage rate is second-best on the team among players to appear in at least 17 games this season. Still available in 62% of Yahoo! leagues, he could be a valuable addition to your squad for Week 9.

Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors clearly don’t like what they are getting out of starting center Jonas Valanciunas as he is averaging a career-low 20 minutes per game. With minutes up for grabs, Poeltl has been able to establish a significant role off the bench. He has played at least 17 minutes in six straight games, four of which he played at least 22 minutes. He has cashed in his opportunity by averaging 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game. He’s not going to provide you hardly any assists, but take a look at him if you need help at center. He’s still available in 90% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers

There are 13 teams playing at least four games this week, leaving players on the three teams that only play two each to see a significant decrease in value.  Consider benching the below players who would normally be in your starting lineup otherwise.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers

Covington (back) missed Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans and is listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the  Minnesota Timberwolves. Do you really want to risk putting him in your lineup with the potential that he plays only one game, or maybe none at all, this week? He’s a streaky shooter, so even if things do change quickly and he is able to play both games, it could be ugly if he’s not playing at 100%. Don’t take the risk, put him on your bench.

Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers continue to show no hesitation to pull Ball in games when he is struggling. He has played 27 minutes or less in three of his last six games, often sitting out big portions of the fourth quarter. He continues to struggle from the field and is attempting way too many three-pointers considering he’s only shooting 24.6% from behind the arc. His counting stats still give him value most weeks, but with only two games for the second straight week, keep Ball on your bench.

Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Lakers

The move to LA has not been successful for Lopez as he is averaging a career-low 23 minutes per game. While never a great source of rebounds for a center, he is not helping fantasy owners by averaging a meager 4.5 rebounds per game this season. To put that into perspective, Trail Blazers backup center Ed Davis is averaging 7.1 rebounds in three fewer minutes per game. Lopez just doesn’t play enough anymore to be someone you want to start in a week with only two games.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/16/17

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/16/17

Saturday Night’s NBA Main slate presents us an eight game mosh-pit with some interesting match-ups. Some of which provide some value plays given the injury epidemic going on recently.


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POINT GUARDS:

Russell Westbrook ($11,100 FD/$11,500 DK) – 

If you’re going to pay up for somebody on FanDuel Westbrook may be the foundation to your lineup. He is cheaper on FD than The Greak Freak, LeBron and Harden. He is still very worth it on DK as the triple-double machine is coming off of a triple-overtime game where he stuffed the stat sheet of 27-18-15. He now plays the next night at Madison Square Garden, where he may just put on a show. Westbrooks opponents, the Knicks, rank 25th in defending the position. He logged 52 minutes during last night’s win, however, he should be more than fine. It’s time for the Russ show for my lineup.

Jeff Teague ($6,400 FD/$6,500/DK) –

Jeff Teague has a great match-up Saturday against struggling Phoenix Suns, who rank 28th in defending point guards this season as they allow on average 50.52 FPTS per game. Teague has not been so valuable on DFS lately, but he hasn’t had too big of a workload either with the way teammates Jimmy Butler and Karl Anthony-Towns have been playing lately. Regardless, this matchup offers Teague an ideal game to breakout to his old form.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Donovan Mitchell ($7,800 FD/$6,900 DK) –

Donovan Mitchell is one of the most underrated rookies that has emerged in the league this year. Mitchell is slowly and steadily raising eyebrows and sparking a ROTY conversation. A bit pricey on FanDuel, Mitchell has pretty good upside in this contest, as he opposes the defense-weak Cavaliers. He has also been incredibly consistent in fantasy value. With blows to Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert in Friday night’s game, Mitchell would be reintroduced to a heavier workload if one, or both of those are sidelined.

CJ McCollum ($7,100 FD/$6,800 DK) – 

McCollum has some serious upside in this slate. McCollum has scored 20+ points in four straight games averaging 33 FanDuel PPG in those contests. He appears likely to make it five in a row as he matches up with the Phoenix Suns, the 30th ranked team in defending shooting guards. His price is very fair and adds value to his projections, given his consistency as of lately. McCollum is a little more flexible on DraftKings as he is also eligible for point guard.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Jimmy Butler ($9,700 FD/$9,000 DK) –

Not many people have been hotter than Jimmy Butler lately. Holding one of the best SF match-ups of the night, Butler enters Saturday with a stretch in which out of the last 7 games, he has logged an average of 41 minutes and has scored an average of 27 points per game. One beneficial factor about Butler’s match-up against the Suns is that Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t had much trust in his second unit lately, as his starters have been seeing serious minutes regardless of score. This helps the case for obtaining Butler as a potential blowout won’t damage his minutes too much. Butler is listed as SF on FanDuel, but SG on DraftKings.

Harrison Barnes ($6,700 FD/$6,500 DK) – 

It seems as if regardless of how consistent Barnes is for the DFS community, he will never have the respect he deserves.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/8/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/8/17



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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kemba Walker, CHA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,100

The Hornets are off to a rough start this season, but Walker has continued to shine with averages of 22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.3 three-pointers per game. He plays a ton as he hasn’t averaged less than 34 minutes per game since his rookie season, which gives him plenty of opportunities to produce. Friday brings a great matchup against a bad Bulls team that he destroyed for 47 points, six rebounds, five assists and five three-pointers earlier this season. The Bulls have the worst point differential (-11.2) in the league, making Walker an excellent option to help win you some money.

Rajon Rondo, NO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,900

Rondo is rounding into form of late, averaging 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 9.8 assists over his last four games. Not only will Rondo continue to rack up assists with excellent offensive players in Anthony Davis (groin), DeMarcus Cousins and Jrue Holiday around him, it also makes it so defenses can’t pay much attention to him. While he’s never going to be a significant scorer on this team, he can score enough to be a viable DFS option once you factor in his rebounds and assists.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Gary Harris, DEN at ORL
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,400

Harris was expected to be one of the main offensive weapons on the Nuggets this season, but he got off to a slow start by averaging only 12.4 points and 2.2 three-pointers over his first 12 games. He’s caught fire since, averaging 18.7 points and 2.8 three-pointers over his last 10 games. With Nikola Jokic (ankle) out of action, he should continue to see increased scoring chances. The Magic play at the sixth-fastest pace (102.7) in the league, so Harris could be a nice addition to your entry Friday based on his potential.

Dwyane Wade, CLE at IND
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,500

Wade struggled to produce Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings, but that’s been the outlier of late as he had averaged 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in his previous five games. The Cavaliers have hit their stride with Wade moving to the second unit and have now won 13 consecutive games. The move has done wonders for Wade’s value as well as his usage rate as a member of the second unit is 25.5%, compared to 20.9% as a starter. Expect him to get back on track with a valuable line Friday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE at IND
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $11,700

You don’t really need a whole lot of justification to include James in your entry on any given night. He has the ninth-best usage rate (30.3%) in the league and continues to run the offense as the Cavaliers have been a mess at point guard. In his previous game against the Pacers this season, James finished with 33 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and one block. He’s very expensive but should be worth it Friday.

Dante Cunningham, NO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,600

Cunningham has stepped up with Davis out of action, averaging 8.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over his last three games. Davis is questionable for Friday’s game, so get Cunningham in your lineup if he is unable to play. The Kings have moved to a smaller lineup of late, which would benefit Cunningham even further. If Davis is able to play, Cunningham is no longer an intriguing value play, so make sure you check on Davis’ status leading up to the game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Zach Randolph, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,900

The Kings have been one of the more frustrating teams in the league in terms of their rotations, but are finally starting to play Randolph extended minutes as he has played at least 31 minutes in three straight games. They’ve decided to go small with Willie Cauley-Stein (back) out, moving Randolph over to center. It’s worked so far as Randolph has averaged 21.7 points and 10.0 rebounds over his last three games. With Cauley-Stein out again Friday, Randolph could put up big numbers if he can avoid foul trouble defending DeMarcus Cousins.

Marvin Williams, CHA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,900

The Hornets are really banged up in their frontcourt as Frank Kaminsky (ankle) and Cody Zeller (knee) will both be out Friday. With so little depth behind them, that means Williams and center Dwight Howard could be in for heavy workloads. Outside of Robin Lopez, the Bulls don’t have much size up front either as Cristiano Felicio has mostly fallen out of the rotation due to his struggles. Wiliams could potentially even see some time at backup center when the Bulls go small, making him someone you should consider at this price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $11,800

If Davis is unable to play Friday, Cousins is another player who would see increased value. He exploded with Davis out Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets as he scored 40 points to go along with 22 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. This is his second meeting this season against his former team in the Kings and he crushed them the first time, scoring 41 points and grabbing 23 rebounds. It’s important to note that Davis did not play in that game either. He’s a virtual must-start Friday if Davis is out, but is still worth playing even if Davis does manage to return.

Jakob Poeltl, TOR at MEM
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,600

The Raptors clearly don’t want to give Jonas Valanciunas significant playing time as he is averaging a career-low 20 minutes per game. Poeltl is one of the players who has eaten up some of the center minutes of late, playing at least 19 minutes in three of his last four games. He’s done the most with his opportunity, averaging 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in those three games. If you want to take a chance on a cheap center in tournament play, take a look at Poeltl.