The NBA kicks off the week with seven games on the schedule Monday. Let’s try to start things off on the right foot in DFS by highlighting a couple of players to consider at each position.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for February 27 2020
Thursday brings only four games in the NBA, which doesn’t leave us with the busiest of DFS slates. Still, injuries have created several value plays to consider.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 29 2020
Although we only have six games in the NBA on Wednesday, injuries have the potential to make a major impact on several games.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 1 2020
As we ring in the New Year, we have a light four-game schedule in the NBA on Wednesday. Both sites are handling things a little differently with DraftKings including all four games in their main slate while FanDuel only has the three later games in theirs.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for October 25 2019
We have a busy night of NBA action Friday with nine games on the schedule. That means plenty of star power will be available in DFS as well as some cheaper options that could provide value.
Read MoreNBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 11
*Mike Barner*
Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 11
Just because you’ve got time off for the holidays doesn’t mean you should take time off from preparing your fantasy basketball squad for Week 11. 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, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards
There are 15 teams playing four games each this week, so you likely might not have to scramble too much to build what will hopefully be a winning starting lineup. That being said, if you don’t have many players on these teams or have been bitten by the injury bug, here are some players you should consider adding.
Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls were the laughing stock of the league earlier this season and a big reason for that was the absence of Portis and Nikola Mirotic. Now with depth up front, the Bulls not only look like a competitive team but actually had a seven-game winning streak. Portis is having the best season of his young career, averaging 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 three-pointers per game. He’s been heavily involved in the offense, posting a 25.7% usage rate that is second on the team to only Mirotic. Portis is still available in 62% of Yahoo! leagues, so go pick him up if you need a forward.
Jordan Bell, Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have dealt with injuries to Draymond Green (shoulder) and Zaza Pachulia (shoulder) of late, leaving extra minutes for Bell. He’s played at least 22 minutes in each of his last six games, averaging 9.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest. Green is healthy now, but Pachulia’s status this week is still uncertain. Considering the Warriors will be playing four games, you have to figure they might rest players for a game or two as well even if they are healthy. Bell is still available in 68% of Yahoo! leagues and could provide value this week, especially if you need blocks and steals.
Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers
Stephenson’s numbers don’t jump off the page this season, averaging 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He played limited minutes at the start of the season, which has hurt his averages so far. With an increase in playing time of late, Stephenson has averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists over his last seven games. Other than a matchup against the Timberwolves, the Pacers get to play three teams that like to use small lineups this week in the Pistons, Bulls, and Mavericks. That fits well with Stephenson’s style of play, so he is someone to consider adding if you need help. He’s still available in 86% of Yahoo! leagues.
Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Portland Trail Blazers
With the Trail Blazers being the only team with two games this week, it’s bad news if you own anyone on their team. While you’ll want to stay away from using all of their bench players, here are two starters who you should also consider benching.
C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
If you drafted McCollum, it’s mostly because you were counting on him to score. He hasn’t disappointed, averaging 20.7 points and 2.3 three-pointers per game. He’s been in a bit of a scoring slump of late though, shooting only 30% from the field over his last three games. It hurts if he’s not scoring as he doesn’t provide much in other categories. Without the volume this week, it might be best to put McCollum on your bench.
Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers
Nurkic was dominant on the glass after being acquired by Portland at the deadline last season, averaging 10.4 rebounds per game. He’s seen a significant drop off this season, averaging only 7.4 rebounds per contest. He’s also shooting only 45.8% from the field, which is damaging from your center. He’ll have one great matchup against a depleted Hawks frontcourt this week, but Portland’s other game comes against Joel Embiid and the Sixers. It would be wise to put Nurkic on your bench for now.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/10/17
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/10/17
Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 10% off Seasonal PackagePOINT GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $9,400
Lillard has been stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis as he is averaging 25.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.3 three-pointers per game. His scoring has been off the charts of late as he has scored at least 32 points in four of his last five games. He is averaging 19 shot attempts and 8 free-throw attempts in 36 minutes per game on the season overall, giving him plenty of opportunities to continue to produce. The Nets are allowing the most points in the NBA, making this a juicy for Lillard.
Mike James, PHO vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100
James has played well since taking over for Eric Bledsoe, averaging 12.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in nine starts. With Bledsoe now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and the team preferring to bring Tyler Ulis off the bench, James’ role is pretty set going forward barring another trade. If you are looking for a cost effective point guard Friday, James is your man.
SHOOTING GUARDS
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,400
Although Jusuf Nurkic has been a valuable addition for Portland, they are only going to go as far as Lillard and McCollum can carry then. Like Lillard, McCollum has also excelled to start the season by averaging 23.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.3 three-pointers per game. He hasn’t really had an off night as he has scored at least 16 points in every game so far. I already detailed the struggles the Nets have on defense, making McCollum an excellent play Friday as well.
Lou Williams, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200
The Clippers are dealing with several injuries Friday as both Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari have already been ruled out while Austin Rivers is listed as questionable. That’s three key players in the Clippers rotation. Williams should take on a more prominent role as a result, giving him a great opportunity to provide a lot of value at this cheap price. He’s already averaging 14.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 three-pointers in only 23 minutes per game, so the extra minutes can really make him move the fantasy needle.
SMALL FORWARDS
Evan Fournier, ORL at PHO
FanDuel = $6,800
Draft Kings = $7,200
The Magic are off to a surprising 7-4 start and Fournier is a big reason for their success as he’s averaging career highs in points (20.5), rebounds (4.5), assists (3.6), steals (1.5) and three-pointers (2.7) per game. He has only scored less than 20 points in a game twice this season and is averaging 34 minutes per game, giving him a pretty high floor. The Suns are allowing 115.8 points per game, so look for Fournier to stay hot in this game.
Denzel Valentine, CHI vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,300
The Bulls can’t seem to settle on a starting small forward as Valentine, Paul Zipser and David Nwaba have all started at the position this season. Zipser and Nwaba have logged the majority of the starts though as Valentine has only been a member of the first unit in one of their nine games. Nwaba is out with an injury and Zipser has not played well at all, so Valentine might be in for a larger role going forward. He has played at least 23 minute in each of the last three games, averaging 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.0 three-pointers per game. That’s great production for a player at this price, making him a strong value play against the Pacers.
POWER FORWARDS
Blake Griffin, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $8,600
As I already mentioned, the Clippers will be limited in the players they will have available for this game. Griffin has been stellar even with the team at full strength as he is averaging 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.1 three-pointers per game. The increase in three-pointers is impressive as he had never averaged more than 0.6 per game heading into this season. The Thunder are struggling right now, losing four games in a row. They are extremely thin up front, so they really don’t have anyone capable of guarding Griffin. Get him in your lineup and enjoy the ride.
Luke Babbitt, ATL at DET
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,700
The Hawks are in full rebuild mode, leaving them with a roster with limited talent and depth. Add that to injuries to both Ersan Ilyasova and Mike Muscala and you get Babbitt playing at least 25 minutes in four straight games. He has taken advantage of the extended playing time by averaging 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers per game over that stretch. You won’t have to pay much for his services against the Pistons, making him a viable value play for your entry.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET vs. ATL
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $8,800
The Hawks don’t have much size up front, which is a recipe for disaster against Drummond. Drummond has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in every game this season and has failed to log a double-double only three times. Not known as much of a passer, he has surprisingly dished out at least four assists in a game six times already this season. With the type of production he provides and the lack of resistance, he should see from the Hawks centers, pay up for Drummond.
Aron Baynes, BOS vs. CHA
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,300
Al Horford missed the Celtics last game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a concussion, resulting in Baynes taking over as the starting center. While he only played 23 minutes, he was highly efficient as he scored 21 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Horford will be out again Friday, leaving Baynes with another start. He may be needed to log even more minutes against Dwight Howard, making him a great cheap option at center.