The long grind that is the NBA regular season comes to an end with Wednesday’s 11-game slate. Let’s try to end things on a high note by discussing some appealing cheap options who could thrive.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/13/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There’s not much to see in the NBA with only three games on the schedule Tuesday. Even though there are far fewer value play options than usual, there are still a lot of viable ones that could help you finish the evening a winner. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Quinn Cook, GS vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,500
After shinning with Stephen Curry (groin) out Saturday, Cook had just seven points and two assists Monday against the Clippers. Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston both returned Monday, which likely ate into Cook’s production. Curry will be out again Tuesday and it wouldn’t be surprising if Green and/or Livingston played limited minutes in the second night of a back-to-back set, especially considering this matchup. If the Warriors jump out to an early lead, Cook could get plenty of shots in garbage time.
Collin Sexton, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,100
The Cavaliers are this year’s version of the 2017-18 Clippers. They have been decimated by injuries, including to point guard George Hill (shoulder). Sexton has started two games in his absence, averaging 17.5 points, three rebounds, and two assists. With plenty of minutes likely in the cards again for this contest, Sexton is a viable option in tournament play.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700
Clarkson is still coming off the bench for the Cavaliers, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value. His 27.9 percent usage rate is highest on the team, second only to the injured Kevin Love. That’s helped Clarkson average 15.2 points and 1.3 three-pointers despite playing just 24 minutes a game. With no reinforcements in site Tuesday, Clarkson again has the potential for a big offensive performance.
Malik Monk, CHA at CLE
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,700
The last time these two teams met, the Hornets dismantled the Cavaliers by 32 points. Monk logged 21 minutes in that contest, scoring 16 points to go along with five assists. After averaging just 14 minutes a game during his rookie season, Monk is averaging 23 minutes this year as a key part of their second unit. With how poorly the Cavaliers are playing, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Hornets win yet again in dominating fashion. The Hornets might take that as an opportunity to limit the playing time of some of their starters, potentially leaving Monk with an expanded role.
SMALL FORWARDS
Miles Bridges, CHA at CLE
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,700
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) has been ruled out for this game, which should leave Bridges with added playing time, regardless of the score. Across five games in which Bridges has played at least 20 minutes this year, he’s averaging 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 three-pointers. His price isn’t overly cheap on FanDuel, but he’s a great option on DraftKings.
Alfonzo McKinnie, GS vs. ATL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,600
This game could really favor the players on the second unit for the Warriors. The Hawks are not only a terrible team, but they play at the fastest pace (107.5 possessions per game) in the league. Even without Curry, the Warriors should win this one going away. McKinnie could get added playing time in a blowout, bringing him onto the DFS radar. Over the five games in which McKinnie has logged at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 three-pointers.
POWER FORWARDS
Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,200
The Cavaliers seemed set on leaving Nance as their backup center, but they don’t have any choice but to start him at power forward with all of their injuries. In his first start against the Bulls on Saturday, Nance scored just two points but had 14 rebounds and four blocks. His scoring upside might not be great, but he’s also not going to shoot 1-for-8 from the field often, either, which he did in that contest. As long as he’s starting, he’s a viable a cheap option in tournament play.
Omari Spellman, ATL at GS
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,500
John Collins (ankle) appears to be nearing a return, which should end Spellman’s run as a starter. However, with Collins expected to be out again Tuesday, Spellman should again retain that role. Spellman went cold from the field Sunday against the Lakers but still hauled in nine rebounds. He had recorded a double-double in both of his previous two games, as well. Don’t’ expect the score to have an impact on his playing time either way.
CENTERS
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,700
Not much has gone right for the Cavaliers, but the play of Thompson has been one of their few bright spots. His playing time has jumped up to 28 minutes a game, helping him average 10.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. He’s actually logged at least 31 minutes in each of the last three contests, averaging 17 points and 14.3 rebounds. Although he’s not overly cheap anymore, he is still someone to target on this limited slate.
Willy Hernangomez, CHA at CLE
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,500
There are few backup centers who can put up stats in a hurry as Hernangomez can. Despite playing 15 minutes a game, he’s still averaging 7.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. When the Hornets blew out the Cavaliers in their last meeting, it enabled Hernangomez to log 20 minutes off the bench. He cashed in the added playing time with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. His minutes will likely be dependant on the score again, but he could be worth the risk at his dirt cheap price on both sites.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/8/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Thursday brings a light schedule in the NBA with only four games. There aren’t a ton of viable cheap value plays, as a result, so let’s look a little further across the price scale for some options that could help you win some money. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Eric Bledsoe, MIL at GS
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,700
Bledsoe is off to a horrendous offensive start, averaging just 12.8 points per game. That would be his lowest mark since he was a bench player for the Clippers during the 2012-13 season. A big reason for his decline in scoring has been his 21 percent usage rate, which is down from 26 percent during his time with the Bucks last season. Luckily he’s still averaging four rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. With both of these teams in the top-10 in the league in pace of play, this could be a chance for Bledsoe to have one of his better performances of the season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at POR
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,600
Avery Bradley (ankle) didn’t play Monday against the Timberwolves, which opened up a starting spot for Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s clearly not going to be one of the main scoring options for the Clippers, even in a starting role, but he did finish with six points, three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block in that contest. Bradley will sit Thursday, as well, making Gilgeous-Alexander someone to at least consider in tournament play.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Dennis Schroder, OKC vs. HOU
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $7,000
Another player benefiting from an injury on his team right now is Schroder. Russell Westbrook suffered what looked to be a bad ankle injury Monday against the Pelicans, but it doesn’t appear to be as serious as initially feared. He sat out Wednesday against the Cavaliers, leaving Schroder to enter the starting five. Schroder didn’t let his teammates down, scoring 28 points to go along with seven rebounds, one steal, and one block across 34 minutes. It seems unlikely that Westbrook will play Thursday, making Schroder a great option once again.
Malcolm Brogdon, MIL at GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500
Playing alongside Bledsoe, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, it’s no surprise that Brogdon only has a 16.7 percent usage rate. However, he is shooting 46.6 percent from the field, which has helped him average 12.1 points per contest. His contributions come from more than just in the scoring department, as well, with 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest. This should be an uptempo game with a lot of small lineups. making Brogdon an intriguing cost-effective option.
SMALL FORWARDS
Evan Turner, POR vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,000
Turner hasn’t been able to live up to the hype of being the second overall pick in the 2010 Draft, but he’s become a very valuable member of the second unit for the Blazers. Despite only playing 25 minutes a game, he’s averaging 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. The Blazers don’t exactly play at a blistering pace, but they might be forced to Thursday with the Clippers playing at the ninth-fastest pace (103.7 possessions per game) in the league. With Turner’s ability to contribute across the board, he could provide value.
Alfonzo McKinnie, GS vs. MIL
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,800
The Warriors are going to be thin up front with Draymond Green (toe) out. It will require a group effort to make up for his absence, with one of those players possibly being McKinnie. He’s been excellent on the boards in limited playing time, averaging 4.1 rebounds across just 15 minutes per game. The Warriors have already been playing him more, as well, with McKinnie logging at least 20 minutes in three of their last four games. During those contests, he averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds. At this dirt cheap price, he might not be a crazy choice in tournament play.
POWER FORWARDS
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at POR
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,600
The Marcin Gortat era with the Clippers seems to be over. Since removing him from the rotation, the Clippers have gone 2-0. Harrell played well in both of those games, averaging 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks. It’s also important to note that even though he didn’t start either of those contests, he logged at least 25 minutes both times. Even in a bench role, Harrell can thrive.
Jerami Grant, OKC vs. HOU
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,900
Grant might not be a flashy name, but he’s extremely important for the Thunder. After coming off the bench for 80 of the 81 games he played in last year, he’s started seven of nine contests this season. He’s done nothing to suggest he will be removed from that role, averaging 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. The Rockets use a lot of small lineups and the Thunder play at the sixth-fastest pace (104.9), leaving this as a favorable matchup for Grant.
CENTERS
Steven Adams, OKC vs. HOU
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $5,800
Adams doesn’t come at much of a reduced price on FanDuel, but his price on DraftKings is appealing, especially with only four games on the schedule. He’s been a rock for the Thunder in the middle, averaging 13 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks across 34 minutes a game. Although he’s been horrible from the charity stripe, that’s more of a season-long fantasy issue than a concern for DFS. This should be a fun matchup between him and Clint Capela.
Boban Marjanovic, LAC at POR
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,400
Marjanovic has flashed immense potential, but he’s never been given consistent playing time. That’s changed with him taking over the starting center job from Gortat. He’s still not playing a normal allotment of starter’s minutes, but he’s averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds, and one block in that role. The Blazers have defended opposing centers well this season, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from Marjanovic when crafting your entry.