NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/16/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on March 16, 20180 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/16/18

Friday brings a fairly limited slate with only six games in the NBA. Injuries to key players continue to crop up across the league, so it’s key to find the right cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers to hopefully help 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 Corey Brewer and Wayne Ellington.

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POINT GUARDS

Tyler Johnson, MIA at LAL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,300

The Heat are going to be shorthanded in their backcourt again Friday with Dwyane Wade (hamstring) out and Josh Richardson (foot) listed as doubtful. Both players didn’t play in the Heat’s last game Wednesday against the Kings, a contest where Johnson scored 14 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, one steal and four-three-pointers in 28 minutes. He has actually scored at least 12 points in nine of his last 10 games, making him a viable option for your entry.

Shane Larkin, BOS at ORL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings – $3,800

The Celtics are going to have limited depth Friday with Marcus Smart (thumb), Jaylen Brown (concussion) and Kyrie Irving (knee) all out. Larkin played 24 minutes with them sidelined Wednesday, finishing with 11 points, one rebound, four assists, two steals and one three-pointer. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he was on a minutes restriction in that game, which does limit his value. However, the Magic allow the second-most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards, so Larkin is someone to still consider.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/16/18

Nick Young, GS vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,000

The Warriors are also dealing with injuries at guard and will be without Stephen Curry (ankle) and Klay Thompson (thumb) on Friday. Both players sat Wednesday against the Lakers as well, leaving Young to play 31 minutes. He didn’t disappoint, scoring 18 points to go along with three rebounds, two assists, one steal and three three-pointers. He’s never one to shy away from taking shots and with the Warriors playing at the fourth-fastest pace (102.5 possessions per game) in the league, he could be in for another valuable scoring night against the Kings.

Wayne Ellington, MIA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,400

Ellington also saw an expanded role with Wade and Richardson sidelined Wednesday, logging 36 minutes. He took a whopping 17 three-pointers, hitting six of them on his way to 22 points. The Lakers play at the fastest pace (103.2) and are tied for the third-most points allowed per game (110.2) in the league, so Ellington could be jacking up, and hitting, a lot of shots from behind the arc again Friday. Don’t expect much from him in other categories, but he’s still worth considering for your entry.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/16/18

Justise Winslow, MIA at LAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,700

Winslow is off to a great start in March, averaging 12.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in eight games. He’s averaging just 24 minutes per game this season but is averaging 31 minutes this month. With all of the Heat’s injury issues, expect him to continue to play heavy minutes Friday. The Lakers allow the second-most FanDuel points per game and the third-most DraftKings points per game to opposing small forwards, so don’t hesitate to add Winslow to your lineup.

Corey Brewer, OKC vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

The Thunder have been searching for depth all season and made an important move by signing Brewer after he was bought out by the Lakers. He’s played at least 28 minutes in four straight games, averaging 15.5 points, 3,8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 three-pointers. The increased playing time brings added value Friday as the Clippers play at the sixth-fastest pace (101.2) in the league. At this cheap price, it’s hard to pass him up considering his upside.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/16/18

Kelly Olynyk, MIA at LAL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $6,000

The Heat will be without another key contributor Friday with Hassan Whiteside (hip) set to miss his four straight games. In the first three games that he missed, Olynyk averaged 11.7 points, eight rebounds, 4.7 assists, one block and one three-pointer. He played 31 minutes Wednesday against the Kings and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play a similar total Friday against the uptempo Lakers. His price is climbing, but it’s still low enough where he can provide value.

James Johnson, MIA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,200

Johnson had one of his best games of the season Wednesday, scoring 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block in 34 minutes. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game 15 times this season, averaging 13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 three-pointers in those contests. The Lakers may be going with smaller lineups if Kyle Kuzma (ankle) is unable to play, which would benefit Johnson’s skill set. Even if Kuzma does take the floor, Johnson should have enough opportunities to provide value.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/16/18

Greg Monroe, BOS at ORL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,100

Monroe excelled in Wednesday’s double-overtime loss, posting 16 points, 10 rebounds, one steal and two blocks. He only played 25 minutes, but with the team’s second-highest usage rate of 22.6%, he doesn’t necessarily have to play a lot in order to put up numbers. Al Horford (illness) is expected to return Friday, so that will likely hamper Monroe’s value to an extent. With the Magic playing at the ninth-fastest pace (100.4) and allowing the sixth-most points per game (109.6) in the league though, Monroe is still a viable cheap option at center.

Zaza Pachulia, GS vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600

Don’t look now, but Pachulia has recorded a double-double in two straight contests. He returned to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Lakers, scoring 10 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes. The Kings have size and depth up front, so it wouldn’t be surprising for Pachulia to see similar playing time Friday. The Kings allow the second-most FanDuel points per game and the fourth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers, making Pachulia an intriguing option.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on March 12, 20180 Comments

*Mike Barner*

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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

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 – 4 Games Each
Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors

It’s crunch time in the fantasy playoffs, but only eight teams can give you an edge by playing four games each this week. If you’re dealing with injuries or need a boost for your squad, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

Terry Rozier, Boston Celtics

The Celtics don’t play four games this week, but Rozier is still someone to consider adding with three games on the schedule. Not only is Jaylen Brown (concussion) likely out for most, if not all, of this week, but Kyrie Irving (knee) also left Sunday’s game against the Pacers and did not return. From the sound of Irving after the game, he is likely going to miss some time. With the Celtics cruising towards the playoffs, it makes a lot of sense for them to take a cautious approach with their best player. Rozier should be in line for a ton of playing time this week, giving him a significant boost in value. In nine games that Rozier has logged at least 30 minutes this season, he is averaging 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.1 three-pointers. He’s still available in 61% of Yahoo! leagues and could be a difference maker when it matters the most.

Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers

Harrell is coming on strong down the stretch, averaging 17.8 points and 4.2 rebounds through five games in March. He doesn’t provide many assists or blocks, but he’s been stellar from the field, shooting 63.3% this season. That’s no fluke either as he is shooting 64.2% from the field for his career. With Danilo Gallinari (hand) out again this week, that frees up more minutes up front for the Clippers. If you need a big man in your fantasy playoffs, Harrell is still available in 68% of Yahoo! leagues.

Corey Brewer, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have lacked depth all season and didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, but they did manage to bring in Brewer after he was bought out by the Lakers. He’s started and played at least 28 minutes in back-to-back games, averaging 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers. In his four games this week, two are against bad teams in the Hawks and Kings and the other is against the Clippers, who play at the sixth-fastest pace (101.2 possessions per game) in the league. He should provide value with points, three’s and steals with the extra game this week and is still available in 97% of Yahoo! leagues. He’s likely not someone to consider in standard size leagues, but if you play in a deep league, Brewer might be someone to target on waivers.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 3 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

Outside of the eight teams with four games each, the rest of the league all plays three games each during Week 22. Although the difference isn’t as drastic as it has been in previous weeks, you should still consider benching the players below.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

After playing just 16 minutes Sunday due to a sore left knee, Irving said it’s an issue he’s been dealing with for the last week and that he might need some additional rest. The Celtics don’t play again until Wednesday, but it seems likely that Irving is going to miss some time. While his uncertainty comes at an inopportune time for those in the fantasy playoffs, it might be too much of a risk to put him into your lineup this week.

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Ingram has made major strides in his second season in the league but has missed the last five games with a groin injury. The Lakers announced Sunday that Ingram won’t play Tuesday or Wednesday either, leaving him to play just one game this week best case scenario. Keep him anchored to your bench with the hope that he can return for Week 23.

Thaddeus Young, Indiana Pacers

Young is struggling mightily right now, averaging only 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists through six games in March. He’s averaging 33 minutes per game on the season overall but may be starting to lose playing time, logging just 23 minutes in back-to-backs contests. Two of his three opponents this week are the Raptors and Wizards, both teams he has not played well against this season. Young has been a productive player throughout the season, but his recent struggles make him too much of a risk.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/1/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by John Ferrucci on December 31, 20170 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/1/18

Monday night holds the first NBA slate of 2018 featuring a small 4 game slate.

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POINT GUARDS:

Elfrid Payton ($8,000 FD/$7,100 DK) –

With the Magic vs. Nets game having a predicted total of 217, it’s evidently projected to be high scoring. The Nets allow a massive 48.60 fantasy points per 48 minutes to the point guard position which puts Payton in a great spot. Payton has been solid to say the least for the struggling Orlando Magic this season, and runs the offense pretty well. With teammate Nikola Vucevic sidelined for a little bit, he has seen a bump in usage rate and should be able to be the foundation of the Magic offense alongside Aaron Gordon in this match-up.

Shabazz Napier ($6,000 FD/$5,500 DK) –

With Damian Lillard injured, nobody has stepped up the plate to properly fill the void that was left more than Shabazz Napier. The Trailblazers’ backup point guard has been beyond efficient in replacing the superstar for the meanwhile. He is averaging 39 FanDuel PPG over his last 4 starts and collected 3 steals in three of those four games. He has a phenomenal match-up with the Bulls today, who rank in the bottom third of the NBA in defending the position. Lillard is questionable though for this game, meaning his return would send Napier to the bench and diminish his fantasy value.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/1/18 - LineupLabs.com

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Evan Fournier ($6,100 FD/$5,900 DK) –

In this slate, the shooting guard options don’t require you to pay up as there as a few cheap options that could benefit your lineup. One of those is Evan Fournier. He has a great match-up with the Brooklyn Nets who rank 23rd in defending SG’s this season. With the absence of teammate Nikola Vucevic, Fournier reigns among the few beneficiaries in usage increase alongside Payton & Gordon. He’s projected for 30.6 FanDuel points in this contest and at $6,100 you can’t really complain about that bargain.

Josh Hart ($4,400 FD/$4,800 DK) –

As the Lakers play another road game, it’s likely Josh Hart will draw the start. Hart exploded or 26 points and 6 rebounds in 36 minutes in his last start, accumulating to 37.7 FanDuel points. He still remains dirt cheap as he only gets starts while KCP is dealing with his legal issues and cannot leave California. The last time Hart opposed the Timberwolves he scored 24.2 FanDuel points which is very healthy for his price tag. He also logged 38 minutes in that game so hopefully he sees the same workload tonight.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/1/18 - LineupLabs.com

SMALL FORWARDS:

Jimmy Butler ($9,300 FD/$8,700 DK) –

If you are going to pay up at the SF position, Jimmy Butler may be your go-to. Not only does he have a better match-up than the Greek Freak, but he is projected for around the same amount of points while being $1,600 cheaper on FanDuel. Butler is honestly too cheap and his price needs to be taken advantage of. He has scored 45+ FanDuel points in four of his last five games, making him very consistent as of recently. His match-up with the Lakers today is one of the best among SF’s and is extremely appealing when making your lineup.

Corey Brewer ($3,700 FD/$3,400 DK) –

With such a small slate you will need a dirt cheap play to get your value and help you afford the superstars available. Corey Brewer has solid upside today. In the last two games with KCP out, Brewer has seen a significant boost in minutes, averaging 30.9 FanDuel PPG in those contests. He could be seeing around the same minute increase tonight. Mixing Brewer and Hart could be a great combination in this small slate to get a decent amount of value back as well as afford players with higher price tags.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/1/18 - LineupLabs.com

POWER FORWARDS:

Aaron Gordon ($7,900 FD/$7,900 DK) –

The Orlando Magic offensive core is a great target for the defensively weak Brooklyn Nets. Aaron Gordon is the foundation of that core and comes at a fairly decent price. Recently coming off injury, Gordon’s minutes in his first two games back have been pretty healthy, logging 30 and 35 in the two contests. He should see likewise minutes today as he’s coming off a monstrous 39 point performance against the Miami Heat. Keep an eye out for Gordon in this one.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($7,400 FD/$6,300 DK) –

Nobody has been more consistent for the Nets lately than Hollis-Jefferson. He is averaging 35.5 FanDuel PPG over his last six contests, although his minutes are a bit inconsistent. In those six games, Hollis-Jefferson’s minutes range from 22-36, though he has made the most of them in each game. He is projected to see 30 minutes flat today, along with a projection of 31.4 points. He could make for a decent plug-in play for your lineup.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/1/18 - LineupLabs.com

CENTERS:

Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,600 D/$9,700 DK) –

With a projected total of 214, the Lakers and Timberwolves game is assumed to be high scoring. Towns will most likely be the primary source of offense alongside Jimmy Butler (Who is featured above). The Lakers rank 28th in the league in defending the Center position. Towns is coming off a 63.8 FanDuel scoring night posting a double-double with 6 blocks. Although he may not replicate that performance, we may see something close enough out of KAT tonight. He is definitely a player worth paying up for.

Bismack Biyombo ($6,500 FD/$5,600 DK) –

Given the injury to Nikola Vucevic, Biyombo has been granted the starting position to take his place. He has been a rebound machine collecting double digit rebounds in three straight games. He is also averaging 32.5 FanDuel PPG in his last three games, with two of them being double-double performances. If you aren’t paying up for KAT, Biyombo is your next best bet. He remains extremely affordable and appears to be capable of exceeding value in his match-up with the Nets who rank 27th in defending Centers.

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