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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/4/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/4/17


CYBER MONDAY special only use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/4/17

Rajon Rondo
FD $5700 DK $5000

We obviously have some huge injuries to deal with on the slate tonight and you’ll see a lot of them be the reason we suggest certain guys. Anthony Davis is the biggest of all. With AD out for the foreseeable future, we’ll see everyone in the lineup pick up some usage and shots. Rajon Rondo has finally made himself comfortable in this offense and he’s been over 35 fantasy points in each of the last 2 games. He shot the 3rd most of anyone on the team as well, which is very rare for him. Rondo hasn’t really gotten any worse since the Boston days. He was a worse shooter then. He’s just not as solidified into his role as the leader. He probably won’t be all year, but he will get some extra numbers for the near future and we’ll look to take advantage while cheap. Oh ya, the Warriors also love to run and offer some extreme upside.

Jarrett Jack
FD $4800 DK $3900

If you’re looking for value and want to go a little bit safer, Jarrett Jack is a phenomenal way to go. Like Rondo, the Knicks are dealing with some injuries that are putting Jack and others into the spotlight. With The two best offensive players in Porzingis and Hardaway out, there are countless shots to go around. Jarrett Jack will have the ball in his hands a lot more than usual here in a solid match-up with the Pacers. Collison isn’t a bad defender, but he has no protection behind him and the Pacers play fast. Jack is safe in all formats at his depressed price tag.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/4/17

Victor Oladipo
FD $9200 DK $8700

Victor Oladipo is far from the player we witnessed in Orlando and Oklahoma City. He has turned a corner and is now one of the premier wing players in the league. While he’s not only a menace on offense, he’s one of the few guys who actually make a difference on defense and turns it into efficient FP. He’s been over 68 fantasy points in 2 of his last 5 games, so it’s tough to even call the price a stretch. He’s shooting as much as he wants and stuffing the stat sheet incredibly. Myles Turner is the number 2, but there’s really no 3rd option after that. It allows Oladipo to run the offense at will and you’ll see a lot of similarities between him and what he witnessed in Russell Westbrook last year. With plenty of value to choose from on this slate, Oladipo is one of many pricey options worth consideration.

Jrue Holiday
FD $6700 DK $6300

Aside from DeMarcus Cousins, Jrue Holiday will benefit most from AD out. We looked at Rondo already and he will as well, but Holiday is a bit more reliant on scoring. Davis’ absence gives him the opportunity to shoot a ton and we saw it last game with 18 attempts. In a match-up with a Warriors squad that loves to run and score, Holiday will be needed if they have any hope of keeping it close. His price is down and he’s a safe play in all formats. This is a $7k+ player with AD off the floor. No doubt about it. Even if the game does blowout by halftime and absolute worst case scenario hits, I can’t see Holiday getting less than 25 FP by default. At this price, that’s not even too bad. With an upside well over 45, it’s worth it.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/4/17

Giannis Antetokounmpo
FD $12400 DK $10600

Full disclosure, Giannis is a bit too expensive for me on FanDuel. Sitting almost a full $2k higher than Durant, I would rather go there. On DK, however, Giannis is just $10.6k and in play everywhere. The Celtics aren’t a team we love to target, but they play at an average PACE and we have seen Giannis go crazy against them twice already this season. He put up FP totals of 71 and 69 less than a week apart. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will try again, but I assume the exact same thing will happen. They will put up a good battle and then have 0 help on the inside. Al Horford is a pitiful defender and a big reason why the Celtics can occasionaly be attacked in the paint. Antetokounmpo is a threat for 80 FP every time he takes the floor and is a safe call for 55. There are a lot of different ways to pay up tonight, so he shouldn’t be more than 15-20% owned across the board.

Robert Covington
FD $7000 DK $6200

We haven’t touched on the 76ers just yet, but we’ll get to two of them real quick here. Starting with Robert Covington, he’s a guy you’re going to want in fast games. He’s prett inconsistent, generally striking dry in games that are slow and lack spacing. When the Sixers run and Covington is able to get open from 3, the sky is the limit. He has immense upside in tournaments and against a Suns squad that plays faster than anyone, in cash as well. This 6ers team should be close to fll health tonight, though Covington may have to fill in at the 4 if Simmons covers for McConnell. You also have to wonder who covers Covington if Warren moves over to Simmons. There’s a lot to like here from Covington and he’ll surely be one of my more popular options.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/4/17

Ben Simmons
FD $10500 DK $9800

Ben Simmons is just an extremely good and versatile player. There are no 2 ways around it. He’s putting up numbers that are unprecedented from a rookie and he’s doing in night in and night out. He now sees his best match-up possible against a Suns squad that has nobody to cover him. I assume it’ll have to be T.J. Warren, but he will still struggle and it will give Covington a huge mismatch. They may be forced into Josh Jackson and Marquese Chriss, which is just ugly. The Suns are still holding onto a 108 PACE, which is higher than any team since pace has been recorded. Simmons is a menace on the open floor and should do damage while in the game here. With a 228 total and a -10 line, Vegas thinks this is high-scoring and somewhat competitive. You have a lot of options to make tonight and Ben Simmons is one of the biggest.

Michael Beasley
FD $5000 DK $3500

We looked at Jarrett Jack at PG for the Knicks, but he’s just the tip of the iceberg with Porzingis and Hardaway both ruled out. Michael Beasley saw 24 minutes last game and put up a nice 27 fantasy points. In my opinion, that’s his absolute floor with no Porzingis. Beasley is a great scorer that can give you a much-needed body without your top 2 offensive players. Oh ya, the Pacers also rank dead last against PF’s with over 50 FP allowed each night. Beasley will see between 24-30 minutes with a 25 FP floor and a ceiling we haven’t seen. He put up 60 fantasy points out of nowhere multiple times last year, so there’s no telling with this guy. He’s too cheap, in a great match-up, and going to see the ball more than ever. If you don’t play Beasley here at PF, you’re playing with fire. He probably won’t kill you, but you’ll need to find some strong value elsewhere.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/4/17

DeMarcus Cousins
FD $11000 DK $11000

We gave the Pelicans a break for a few positions and now get to the guy who most people on this slate are focused on. Boogieman Cousins. With Anthony Davis injured, he gets to kick it back to the Sacramento days and shoot as much as he wants. He put up a monstrous 28 attempts last game and now sees a much faster-paced match-up. There’s obviously a blowout risk, but Cousins has proven his ability to hurt the Warriors. He can run with Draymond if the game is close and with him getting the ball every possession, you’re sure to see a motivated Boogie. This is one of the more volatile possible match-ups a guy can have, but I can’t get away from Cousins. If it stays close, 90 FP wouldn’t surprise me. Call it crazy, but he’s the way it stays close and it would mean he gets 30+ shots. If it blows out, he sees 28-30 very productive minutes, ending up at 45 fantasy points. This is a guy I would have 100% exposure to if it wasn’t for the next guy we look at.

Enes Kanter
FD $6600 DK $6200

We just looked at Michael Beasley and he’s the more volatile big man to benefit. Enes Kanter is a stellar offensive player when given the opportunity and we’ve seen it over the last 2 games with 40+ FP in both. He now gets an incredible match-up with a Pacers squad that can’t cover the paint. Ranking 24th against centers, Kanter should have no problem coming through with a double-double as a floor and 50 fantasy points as a ceiling. It will certainly be tough to fade Cousins, but knowing you have a solid pivot makes it just a bit easier. Personally, I’ll be trying my best to get Cousins everywhere. It’s a limb I’m going to be hanging on. Good luck tonight!

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/1/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/1/17

Get 20% off for a limited time off of NBA Seasonal Packages
Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 20% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. MIN
FanDuel = $11,300
DraftKings = $11,400

Things are getting ugly in Oklahoma City as the Thunder are four games under .500. It’s still early, but they are currently on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Considering they added two All-Stars to their team, it would be a huge disappointment in the unlikely event that they actually don’t make it. Their problem has been lack of depth, which has lead to Westbrook still being extremely productive even with more talented players in the starting five. Westbrook’s 32.7% usage rate is sixth-best in the league and he’s coming off a season-high 37-point performance Wednesday against the Orlando Magic. Expect him to try and carry his squad to a win Friday.

Tomas Satoransky, WAS vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,800

While Tim Frazier was expected to take over the bulk of the work when John Wall went down with an injury, it’s been Satoransky who stepped up to be the most productive point guard on the team. Satoransky has played at least 21 minutes in both of the last two games, averaging 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. Considering he won’t cost you much, take a chance that he continues to outproduce Frazier again Friday.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Jrue Holiday, NO at UTA
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,200

There was concern that the return of Rajon Rondo would deal a significant blow to Holiday’s value as he wouldn’t have the ball in his hands as much. While his assist totals have definitely taken a hit, his scoring has increased as he has scored at least 18 points in four of his last five games. The Pelicans play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.2) in the league, helping to create more scoring opportunities for Holiday. At this reasonable price, his offensive upside makes him someone to consider for your lineup.

Alec Burks, UTA vs. NO
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,600

Burks provided tremendous value Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers when he scored 28 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block in 29 minutes. With Rodney Hood out with an ankle injury, Burks was needed to help carry their offense. With Hood’s status uncertain for Friday, Burks presents another opportunity to provide value. Even if Hood does manage to play, Burks should get enough minutes to be an option for your entry as he has logged at least 20 minutes in seven of his last eight games.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Otto Porter Jr., WAS vs. DET
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,500

The Wizards need Porter to provide offensive help with Wall out, but he put up a dud Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers when he scored only eight points. The good news is, he had 14 shot attempts in the game, so it was just a matter of being ice-cold from the field. He had scored at least 22 points in both of the previous two games, showing he is capable of providing the offense they need. This will be the second matchup between these two teams this season and Porter dominated in the first game, scoring 28 points to go along with nine rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block. Look for a rebound performance Friday.

Lance Stephenson, IND at TOR
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Stephenson is finally starting to get consistent playing time as he has logged at least 22 minutes in six straight games. He has the ability to provide valuable all-around numbers as he is averaging 15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his last four games. The Pacers play at the ninth-fastest pace (101) in the league, which fits well with Stephenson’s skillset. Considering his low floor relative to his price, Stephenson is worth considering again in this game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at MEM
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,500

Aldridge just faced the Grizzlies Wednesday and dominated the game with 41 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one block. He continues to lead with the way with Kawhi Leonard out as his 28.3% usage rate is by far the highest on the team. He hasn’t put up these types of numbers since he was the main man on the Portland Trail Blazers, but there is no reason to believe he can’t keep rolling with Leonard out again Friday.

Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. CHA
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

The Heat will be without starting center Hassan Whiteside due to a knee injury for one-to-two weeks, dealing a major blow to their frontcourt. Olynyk is one of the players left to pick up the pieces, although his style of game is vastly different from that of Whiteside. Olynyk has only averaged 19 minutes a game this season, but he has still managed to average a respectable 9.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 three-pointers per contest. With the likelihood of added minutes Friday, Olynyk results in an excellent value play.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Dwight Howard, CHA at MIA
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,500

Howard is playing at his best right now as he is averaging 19.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over his last six games. The move to Charlotte has done wonders for his career as his 25.1% usage rate is his highest since the 2011-12 season. With Whiteside out Friday, the Heat are going to have a hard time slowing down Howard. You don’t have to worry about his atrocious free-throw shooting in DFS, so get him in your lineup and enjoy the hefty double-double.

Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. CHA
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Along with Olynyk, Adebayo should see increased minutes with Whiteside injured. He is likely better suited to defend Howard, so he could be in for big minutes. He played 30 minutes in the Heat’s last game Wednesday against the New York Knicks and finished with nine points, five rebounds, and two steals.  There is potential here as he posted a double-double earlier this season in a game where he played 31 minutes against the Timberwolves. If you want to take a chance on a cheap center in tournament play, give Adebayo a shot.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/30/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/30/17

Get 20% off for a limited time off of NBA Seasonal Packages
Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 20% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Eric Bledsoe, MIL at POR
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,800

Bledsoe has played well since being traded to the Bucks as he’s averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 three-pointers per game with his new squad. Now the second best offensive weapon on the team, he’s posting a 27.9% usage rate. His numbers are going to continue to get better as he gets accustomed to his new teammates and he’s already showing signs of that as he has averaged 23.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists over his last three games. On a night with only five games on the schedule, Bledsoe presents an excellent option for your entry.

Jamal Murray, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,000

Murray doesn’t provide much outside of scoring, but he has managed to average 13.9 points and 1.2 three-pointers in only 27 minutes per game. He still has a significant role in the offense as his 24.4% usage rate is the highest on the team. Thursday’s matchup against the Bulls is favorable for Murray as the Bulls struggle to defend point guards. They have been especially poor of late, allowing an average of 23.6 points per game to opposing starting point guards over their last three contests. At this price, Murray can provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Lou Williams, LAC vs. UTA
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,300

The Clippers are absolutely decimated by injuries and will be without Blake Griffin, Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic on Thursday. When you think about how much offense the Clippers were counting on from Griffin and Gallinari, that’s a lot of scoring to make up for. Enter Williams as he is never afraid to shoot the rock. He is currently averaging a career-high 13.7 shot attempts per game to go along with a 27.8% usage rate. Expect him to lead the Clippers offense Thursday, giving him value even at this expensive price.

Gary Harris, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,600

One thing you get with Harris is consistent playing time as he has played at least 30 minutes in all but three games this season, one of which he played 29 minutes. He’s not going to give you much in the way of rebounds or assists, but he makes up for it by averaging 1.8 steals to go along with 14.3 points per game. He has actually had at least three steals in three of his last four games. With plenty of minutes and shots on tap for Thursday’s matchup against a bad Bulls defense, consider adding Harris into your lineup.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at POR
FanDuel = $11,800
DraftKings = $11,100

Not much needs to be said to make a case to start Giannis on Thursday. His 33.5% usage rate is fifth-best in the NBA, which is even better when you take into consideration he leads the league with 37 minutes per game. He also crushed the Trail Blazers earlier this season when he scored 44 points to go along with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. He and LeBron James are the two best options at small forward for the evening, but I’d lean towards Giannis as this game should be more competitive than the Cavaliers taking on a bad Atlanta Hawks team.

Juan Hernangomez, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,700

While the Nuggets aren’t as injury-riddled as the Clippers, they are dealing with problems of their own with Paul Millsap out for three months and Wilson Chandler already ruled out for this game with a back injury. Chandler missed the Nuggets last game Tuesday, leading to a start for Hernangomez. He came through with seven points, 10 rebounds and one block in 28 minutes, marking his best game of the season. With the expectation that he will see increased minutes again Thursday, he could provide significant value at this cheap price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Derrick Favors, UTA at LAC
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,600

Favors is in the midst of his best stretch this season as he is averaging 19.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over his last five games. With so little depth behind him up front due to Rudy Gobert’s injury, he is going to continue to see extended playing time. This should be a fun matchup against DeAndre Jordan, one of the few quality big men still healthy on the Clippers. With Jordan likely to get heavy minutes, the Jazz will need Favors to come through again. Without a lot of great options at power forward for your entry, Favors provides one of the safer bets to produce.

Marcus Morris, BOS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,700

Morris has taken a big step backward in terms of playing time as his 24 minutes per game is his lowest average since the 2013-14 season. With the talent Boston has up front, that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The good news is that he has done more with less as his 23.9% usage rate is the highest of his career. With Joel Embiid resting for the Sixers Thursday, they could use some smaller-than-usual lineup combinations. The Sixers play at the fourth-fastest pace (104.8) in the NBA already, so this could be one of the more uptempo games you see the Celtics play. Take a chance on Morris to have a big game based on his opponent and his reasonable price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $9,100

With Embiid resting Thursday, Jokic becomes the center with the highest upside. While his scoring is slightly down, his overall numbers are even better than last year as he’s averaging 15.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 three-pointers per game. One of the best passing centers in the league, his ability to contribute in multiple categories gives him the potential to provide massive production any given night. With a matchup against the Bulls on the slate, this could be one of those evenings when Jokic leads you to some money in DFS.

DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. UTA
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,100

With Jordan approaching last-man-standing status in the Clippers frontcourt, he could put up some big numbers going forward. His scoring is down at 10.0 points per game, but he may get a few extra shot attempts with Griffin now on the sidelines. Always a valuable contributor on the glass, he should get all the minutes he can handle Thursday. If you can’t pay up for Jokic, Jordan can provide value at a more budget-friendly price.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/29/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/29/17

Get 20% off for a limited time off of NBA Seasonal Packages
Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 20% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Russell Westbrook, OKC at ORL
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $11,200

The Thunder are still working through the growing pains of their massive roster overhaul, resulting in Westbrook’s usage rate dropping from 41.7% last year to 32.6% this year. That’s still good enough for sixth-best in the NBA, but his scoring has dropped 10 points per game as a result. He’s playing like his old self of late, averaging 27.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists over his last four games. Wednesday brings a great matchup against a Magic team that really struggles to defend opposing point guards. This is one of those games where you want to pay up to get Westbrook in your entry.

Tomas Satoransky, WAS at PHI
FanDuel =$3,500
DraftKings = $3,100

Tim Frazier has taken over the starting point guard job the last two games with John Wall injured but is averaging only 6.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in those games. Satoransky ended up playing 22 minutes Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to Frazier’s struggles and he came through with seven points, five rebounds, six assists and one steal. He may have earned himself more minutes again Wednesday. This should be an uptempo game as the Sixers play at the fourth-fastest pace (104.6) in the league, so take a chance on Satoransky in tournament play if you need a cheap point guard.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Bradley Beal, WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,100

A popular DFS play Tuesday due to Wall’s injury, Beal was a flop as he scored only eight points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field. He had scored at least 22 points in six straight games entering Tuesday, so don’t read too much into one bad shooting night. His 28.9% usage rate is tied for 16th best in the league, so he clearly will get plenty of opportunities to make up for it in this game. This could be a high-scoring contest, so get Beal back in your lineup.

Nicolas Batum, CHA at TOR
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Batum hasn’t been able to find his groove since returning from injury as he’s only averaging 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He’s had a few extra days to rest as he hasn’t played since Saturday. Starting point guard Kemba Walker is listed as doubtful for this game with a should injury, which could mean Michael Carter-Williams would start in his place. He’s not a great passer, so expect Batum to be even more of a facilitator than normal. The price is right to take a chance that he has a breakout performance Wednesday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Otto Porter Jr., WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,700

Porter has been one of the main beneficiaries of Wall being out as he has scored at least 22 points in both games with Wall sidelined. He attempted at least 15 shots in both games, something he had done only three times previously this season. He’s also averaging career-highs in rebounds (7.3), steals (1.6) and three-pointers (2.0) per game this season, giving him excellent all-around value. The potential is here for Porter’s production to exceed his price point in this game.

Lance Stephenson, IND at HOU
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,300

Stephenson is only averaging 21 minutes per game this season, but he has played more than that in each of the last five games. He is playing at his best right now as he has at least 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists in both of his last two games. While one of those was a start in place of the since-returned Victor Oladipo, it was encouraging to see him still produce coming off the bench in his last game. Both the Pacers and Rockets play at a fast pace and the Rockets like to use a lot of small lineups, so Stephenson should get plenty of playing time and have value at this price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Tobias Harris, DET vs. PHO
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,500

Harris is currently having the best season of his career as he’s averaging 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a whopping 2.9 three-pointers per game. He’s attempting a career-high 6.1 three-pointers per game and making them at a rate of 47.4%, which may be hard for him to sustain. Don’t worry about that Wednesday though against a Suns team that allows the fifth-highest three-point shooting percentage (37.7%) and the most points per game (115.1) in the league.

Larry Nance Jr., LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,400

The Lakers wasted no time in the first game for Nance in almost a month as he started and played 30 minutes Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers. He just missed a double-double (nine points and eight rebounds) and recorded four steals. Although he has only played in nine games this season, he has recorded at least two steals five times already. This should be an uptempo game with a lot of small lineups, so Nance could really thrive. He’s a good play on both sites, but I really like him on FanDuel based on his price there.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Clint Capela, HOU vs. IND
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $7,400

Capela hasn’t played more than 29 minutes in each of his last six games, but he still managed to average 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over those contests. With the Rockets playing so well, it’s encouraging that Capela can provide value even in games when he plays limited minutes due to the team having a big lead early. The Rockets have been successful playing small lineups and taking a lot of three’s in large part because of Capela’s ability to dominate the glass. He’s a great fit in this offense and should be in line for a big game against a Pacers team that struggles to defend the center position.

Steven Adams, OKC at ORL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,500

Adams recorded only six points and three rebounds in 27 minutes Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks, but it wasn’t a great matchup as the Mavericks like to play small. Wednesday brings a much friendlier opponent in Nikola Vucevic and the Magic. Adams is averaging 31 minutes per game this season, so expect him to get more playing time and return to his productive self in this game.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/28/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/28/17


CYBER MONDAY special only use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

Point Guard

Tyus Jones
FD $5200 DK $4300

We’re going to be paying down at point guard tonight. Jeff Teague is currently on the downside of questionable, so we’ll assume he misses this game. If he does play, Tyus Jones can be ignored. With Teague on the sideline last game, Jones went nuts in 38 minutes with 51 fantasy points. He put up 34 the game before. This is a very good point guard who just happens to be a backup. When given the minutes, it’s quite clear that he’s worth $7k, at least. That match-up with Tim Frazier is great and the Wizards play at a solid PACE. If Teague misses this game, do yourself a favor and play Tyus Jones. You’re not chasing points.

Tim Frazier
FD $4900 DK $4100

We’ll stay in the same game with our other value PG. John Wall is going to miss about 2 weeks, so look for the Wizards to solidify Frazier as their temporary starting PG. He saw 28 minutes last game with Wall out, but I think it’s safe to assume 30-32. He is a good point guard and can stuff the stat sheet in a lot of different ways. Tyler Ulis is a far worse defender than Jeff Teague and the T-Wolves have already struggled against Pg’s (7th worst). Frazier is just a bit cheaper than Ulis and while he has nowhere near the upside, the floors are comparable. In cash games, these are 2 guys I’m all over. You’ll see why it’s necessary very soon.

Shooting Guard

Bradley Beal
FD $8300 DK $7900

The absence of John Wall is going to do a lot more than just give Tim Frazier some minutes. Beal is going to see his usage spike 5+% and will have the ball in his hands far more. This is usually how Beal ends up hurting his ankle, but he’ll likely get stretched for close to 38 minutes and end up shooting 22-27 times. It sounds incredulous, but Wall is the only guy that keeps Beal from shooting. With the keys to the offense, the upside here is limitless. The Timberwolves obviously have some very accredited defenders, but they stink against everyone, so I guess it doesn’t matter when you have Kat and Taj down low. Beal is an elite play in all formats.

Justin Holiday
FD $5500 DK $5500

Let’s venture outside of Minnesota. The Bulls will see a match-up with the Suns tonight that figures to be an extreme pace-up game. Devin Booker is also questionable, so we may be seeing some very weak defenders. Justin Holiday is nothing to write home about, but he’s a solid SG with scoring upside. He excels in faster-paced games and you can be sure this is one of them, considering the Suns play faster than anyone ever. You can count on 32-35 minutes of a streaky SG against a team that will do their best to leave him open. It just comes down to whether he can hit the shots. There’s a lot of different ways to go at SG, so nobody is a must, but Holiday is a solid mid-range option that won’t hurt you.

Small Forward

LeBron James
FD $12000 DK $11300

With Tyus Jones and Tim Frazier holding down the value fort at PG, we may be able to pull both of these guys off. Let’s start with LeBron. On a B2B, I usually wouldn’t like him, but I don’t think he is going to throw in the flag tonight. I know it’s been countless years, but this is his former team and it’s his first game against them with D-Wade. He only played 31 minutes against Philly last night, so he’s ready to play another 35-38 if it ends up staying close. I’m sure it’ll be James Johnson and Justise Winslow that try their hand at LBJ, but I think we know by now how much that matters. James is an elite play and can be locked in for 50 fantasy points. If it stays close throughout, there is no ceiling.

Giannis Antetokounmpo
FD $11800 DK $11200

If you’re talking about a ceiling, this is the guy who probably has the highest of which. Maybe this sounds crazy, but I bet he hits 100 FP by the end of the season. I’m by no means insinuating that’s tonight, but I guess it could be. The Kings are a solid match-up for Giannis, who excels in the open floor. I assume it’ll be Justin Jackson who gets the cover, but he’s by no means capable. He’s a below average defender at this point and heavily relies on his length. Ya, good luck with that against this guy. Giannis, like LeBron, is as consstent as could be. He’s a lock for 50 fantasy points, though I do think he ends up higher owned than LeBron. He’s slightly cheaper and LBJ did play yesterday. I’m about even on both, but lean LeBron BARELY.

Power Forward

Derrick Favors
FD $6900 DK $6300

Power forward is by far the ugliest position on the slate. Derrick Favors is the most expensive option. He’s not a bad one, but you know that’s when it’s ugly. He’s been pretty great with Gobert out, putting up 34+ on most nights with a rather frequent 40 burger. His price has risen, but not enough. This match-up with the Nuggets is great whether he plays PF or C. Jokic is by no means a rim protector and we know Kenneth Faried just wants to dunk. They’ve ranked 26th against PF/C for a reason. Favors is an uber-safe option at a position that lacks safety. There are other ways to pay down, but you might as well play Favors if you can afford it.

Bobby Portis
FD $4800 DK $5200

You can go with Markkanen here too, but I like Portis a little bit more and didn’t want to look at the 2 most expensive guys for the 2nd position in a row. Bobby Portis is a great DFS performer and has found a way to be consistent from the bench. Over the last 4 games, he’s seen around 24 minutes and 25 fantasy points in each. If he ever sees the 32+ minutes he should, his floor is closer to 30. Against  the Suns, he should get in the game. He runs better than Markkanen on RoLo and matches up well with Bender/Chriss. Portis is a guy I’ll have a lot of exposure to and i’m hoping he stays under the radar.

Center

Nikola Jokic
FD $9300 DK $8700

With Rudy Gobert out, I’m all but scared to target centers against the Jazz. Especially a guy like Nikola Jokic who is smarter and better than 99% of centers in the league. This is a guy who would be in the NBA if he was a 6’3 guard. He’s just a very smart basketball player and doesn’t really care about being flashy. He’s consistently over 35 fantasy points, but bounces around after that. This match-up against the Jazz should stay close (-4) and I don’t see how Jokic doesn’t take advantage of a weakened interior. His price is fine and with so much value floating around, you can probably fit him in there. If you have to go down to Hassan Whiteside, don’t freak out. He’s cool too.

Robin Lopez
FD $5000 DK $4900

I will be paying up at center tonight (thx PG), but RoLo is a great savings option. He is a safe 25 minutes in a game that will be MUCH faster than the Bulls are used to. His size will also be necessary for the likes of Tyson Chandler and Alex Len. His price is down and he has no problem having a big game when given the opportunity. He gets shots in this offense and Kris Dunn has involved him a little more since getting entered into the starting lineup. He’s not exciting, but a fine way to pay down in cash games. He won’t be the guy that makes you lose. Good luck tonight!

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/27/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/27/17


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Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Damian Lillard
FD $9000 DK $8800

Point guard is always an interesting position. It’s typically one of the higher scoring positions and one that you need to nail on the head. Tonight, by the time 7:00 hits, you’re going to have plenty of options. There are countless injuries on this slate and things are going to get weird. With that being said, there are some guys you can pay up for and Damian Lillard is my favorite. While he is known to be better at home, it’s not been the case this year. I think it has a lot to do with him stepping up as a superstar and entering his prime. He’s deadly everywhere. Tonight, he heads into Madison Square Garden to face off with the Knicks. We all know stars love playing in New York and the Knicks can’t cover point guards. Lillard is fairly priced on both sites and makes sense in both cash games and tournaments. With all the value on this slate, you should have no problem paying for Dame Dolla (Yes, his rap name and he has dropped an album).

T.J. McConnell
FD $5400 DK $4700

There’s going to be a whole lot you need to pay attention to on this slate. Ben Simmons is going to be one of them. If Simmons plays, he’s going to play a lot of minutes at point guard and a match-up with LeBron James. T.J. McConnell would be useless in that scenario. If Simmons is out, there are 30 minutes of PG and a bunch of ball-handling up for grabs. With Simmons out last game, McConnell saw 36 minutes and put up 54 fantasy points. We probably won’t see that for another season or so, but it proves his capability. If given the opportunity, he’s a guy you want exposure to in a game that should remain close. If Simmons is out, McConnell is an elite play in all formats.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
James Harden
FD $11800 DK $11800

With all the value on this slate, you can easily pay up for James Harden. While he’s nowhere near a must and there are other guys you can pay for on the slate, we know the upside Harden has. The blowout is a risk tonight, but if it stays remotely close, you can guarantee 55+ fantasy points out of the beard. If it’s a blowout, it’s because Harden went off, so he won’t see less than 40. His upside is in the 90’s against a Nets team that plays faster than anyone in the past 10 years (109 PACE). They don’t have any perimeter defender to slow him down and certainly don’t have any rim protection. If you have the funds, don’t run away from James Harden against the lowly Nets.

Klay Thompson
FD $7000 DK $7000

As we sit, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala are all questionable. Let’s say all 4 of those guys find a way to play. Thompson would be a normal low-end cash game play in a great match-up against the Kings. If 1 or 2 of them sit, he’s an elite play in all formats that will see an increase in usage and minutes. Now if 3 or 4 of those guys sit, play Klay Thompson. It should allow this game to stay close and we know the kings stink against guards. Thompson will be able to shoot 25+ times without worrying about it and will see a guaranteed 35+ minutes (if stays close). You’re going to have to wait for all the news to break, but could easily end up as one of the top plays on the slate.P.S, Klay Thompson destroys the Kings almost every time and was the team he put up 30+ in one quarter against.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Omri Casspi
FD $4000 DK $3800

This is one of the value plays that could be a must. We just touched on this entire situation with Klay Thompson and there’s no reason to do it again. The Warriors have yet to stretch out Casspi for over 30 minutes, but they might not have a choice tonight if both Iggy and Durant are unavailable. In his recent games with 24-28 minutes, he’s been extremely productive with 1.2 FP per minute. He’ll also have a little personal edge around him facing the Kings team he’s been on for a few years. Near minimum-price, Casspi is a lock for value in both cash games and tournaments. Depending on the injury news, Casspi could very well be in 100% of my lineups.

Joe Harris
FD $4100 DK $3600

We do have 1 solidified piece of news. Allen Crabbe and D’Angelo Russell are both going to miss this game. They both missed yesterday and it results in Joe Harris picking up 36 minutes. It was a tough match-up with the Grizzlies, so who really cares how he produced. Tonight, he gets a far better match-up against a Rockets squad that loves to run. You can bank him in there for another 33+ fantasy points and count him in for 25+ fantasy points as well. He’ll be covered by James Harden and Trevor Ariza and neither will be paying much attention to his game. He can shoot 3’s well and will have plenty of them to shoot. He’s a phenomenal value option in all formats and will get the minutes whether the game blows out or not.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Aaron Gordon
FD $7400 DK $7400

Tonight is going to have a whole bunch of stars and scrubs, which only makes sense. There’s a bunch of value and it forces people into that type of lineup. I will certainly fall victim to the same thing, but will make sure I have Aaron Gordon as a mid-priced option at power forward. The Pacers are the league’s worst team against power forwards and are the only ones to give up over 50+ fantasy points per game. Gordon is an absolute monster this season and he’s been very consistent for his price. Gordon has an ideal match-up tonight and he is a phenomenal play in both cash games and tournaments.

Michael Beasley
FD $4600 DK $3700

Kristaps Porzingis is currently questionable, so add his name to the list of many. If he plays, you can ignore this Michael Beasley play. If Porzingis misses, Beasley is an elite play in all formats. With Porzingis out last game, Beasley ended up with 36 minutes and 40 fantasy points. We know how much Michael Beasley loves to shoot and when Porzingis isn’t out there, he’s allowed to. There’s no way he misses value if he sees 30+ minutes. He is just far too involved in the offense. The Blazers are nothing to be scared of and 25-30 fantasy points is my expectation is ‘Staps is out. The upside for more is there, believe it or not.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Joel Embiid
FD $9700 DK $10000

Embiid is just a monster. On a per-minute basis, he may be the best DFS player we have. He’s just ow getting his full allotment of minutes and it’s been quite fun to watch. Tonight, the 76ers face off with the Cavs in what should be a very exciting game. Ben Simmons is questionable and Embiid may see more looks if he misses, but it doesn’t really matter. In a way, Simmons can help Embiid against an elite opponent that will keep it close. The Cavs don’t have any real centers, so it’ll be Kevin love doing his best. Good luck with that, Kevin. Embiid is going to dominate for as long as he’s in the game here and I could see a 60 FP performance without much trouble. 40 is the floor.

Jusuf Nurkic
FD $7,400 DK $6,800

I don’t think Nurkic will be very popular tonight, but that’s great for us. With Porzingis and Kanter both likely to miss, the Knicks don’t have much of any rim protection. Nurkic will have a huge advantage over the likes of Hernangomez, Beasley, and O’Quinn. Nurkic is a big part of the offense and he shouldn’t have any problem getting involved early. I guess Nurkic is just going to be an inconsistent player, because he has been since entering the league. For that reason, I’ll typically reserve him for tournaments. With all the value on this slate, I’ll be finding a way to pay up in cash games for Mr. Embiid. Either way you go is a solid option, but it might be a good idea to pay for the safety at this position. Good luck tonight!!!

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/24/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/24/17

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. NY
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,600

There are only five players in the NBA averaging at least 19 points and seven assists per game. They are James Harden, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, John Wall and Schroder. That’s some pretty elite company that Schroder is running with. The Hawks have very little talent on their roster, leaving Schroder to produce the 14th best usage rate (29.4%) in the NBA. The Knicks really struggle to defend opposing point guards, so Schroder could be in line for a huge performance Friday.

Antonio Blakeney, CHI at GS
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,000

As I’ve noted many times, you have to take risks if you want to win in tournament play. The Bulls continue to struggle to score, so they have turned to Blakeney to provide some scoring punch off the bench of late. Over the last five games, he is averaging 10.2 points and 1.0 three-pointer in 20 minutes per contest. The Warriors play at the fifth-fastest pace (104.4) in the NBA and could make this one a laugher earlier, leading to a lot of garbage time. He will only cost you the minimum on both sites, so he could provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Tim Hardaway Jr., NY at ATL
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,600

Hardaway has not disappointed in what was expected to be his breakout campaign as he is averaging career-highs pretty much across the board. The Knicks are off to a surprising 10-7 start and a lot of that is because Hardaway and his 18.4 points per game have provided a great compliment to superstar Kristaps Porzingis. The Hawks are not a good defensive team as they are tied for the sixth-most points allowed per game (108.2) this season. This has the potential to be another great scoring night for Hardaway.

Dion Waiters, MIA at MIN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

The Heat don’t have a ton of offensive firepower as they have scored the sixth-fewest points per game (100.5) in the league. Waiters has been one of their few bright spots, averaging 15.9 points per game. His 26.3% usage rate ranks 36th in the NBA, ahead of players including Paul George, C.J. McCollum, and Kevin Love. The Timberwolves have not played well defensively and have several excellent options offensively that the Heat will need to keep pace with, so Waiters could provide value at this price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $11,900
DraftKings = $11,200

James continues to get plenty of opportunities to produce as he is tied for the second-most minutes (37.7) per game this season. This has the potential to be an up-tempo contest as both the Cavaliers and the Hornets are in the top-12 in the NBA in terms of pace of play. It’s going to cost a pretty penny to get him into your entry, but his workload and rare skillset should make him worth it.

Courtney Lee, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,600

Lee continues to see significant playing time as he is averaging 32 minutes per game in his second consecutive season with the Knicks. Not known as a potent offensive weapon, he is averaging 11.2 points per game, which is the fourth best on the team. He is also averaging career-highs in rebounds (4.1), assists (3.1), steals (1.5), and three-pointers (1.6) per game. With the Hawks defensive struggles already outlined earlier, Lee has the potential to outproduce his pricepoint Friday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Anthony Davis, NO at PHO
FanDuel = $11,300
DraftKings = $10,700

Davis and DeMarcus Cousins have thrived together in New Orleans as they are the only teammates in the league to average at least 25 points and 11 rebounds per game this season. Despite playing a bigger lineup than most teams, the Pelicans actually play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.3) in the NBA. The only concern you should really ever have with playing Davis in DFS is his injury history as you can’t afford to lose a player early in a game at this price. With how horrible the Suns are on defense, get Davis in your lineup and just cross your fingers that he stays healthy.

Bobby Portis, CHI at GS
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,200

Portis came back from suspension and was hot to start the season, averaging 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers over his first three games. He has cooled off considerably since, averaging 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 0.8 three-pointers in his last five games. Even with his recent slump, I like him Friday as the Warriors play a lot of small lineups. I wouldn’t be surprised if Portis plays close to, if not more, minutes than Robin Lopez. At the pace the Warriors play, Portis could be in for a big performance considering his reasonable price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Hassan Whiteside, MIA at MIN
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,500

Let’s take a look at the last three performances by centers against the Timberwolves. Andre Drummond had 20 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks Sunday, Dwight Howard had 25 points, 20 rebounds, and four blocks Monday, and Nikola Vucevic had 11 points, 14 rebounds, and one block Wednesday. While Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best offensive centers in the game, he clearly still has a lot of improving to do on the defensive end of the floor. Expect Whiteside to demolish the Timberwolves in this game.

Steven Adams, OKC vs. DET
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,200

The Thunder have one of the weakest benches in the league as their starting five is averaging 79.9 points per game while their second unit is only averaging 23.6 points per game. They are especially thin at center, which has forced Adams to average a career-high 31 minutes per contest. With Friday bringing a matchup against Andre Drummond, Adams is going to be needed to log heavy minutes again in this game. If you want to save money at center, look no further.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/22/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/22/17

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kyle Lowry, TOR at NY
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $8,200

Lowry’s scoring is down significantly this season at only 14.6 points per game, However, most of that is due to a poor start as he has scored at least 17 points in six of his last seven games. Wednesday brings a rematch against the Knicks, a team that posted 22 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and five-three pointers against last week. That should come as no surprise as the Knicks struggle to defend opposing point guards, so roll with Lowry again in this game.

Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,000

Chalmers has played well as a member of the starting five for the Grizzlies, averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.3 steals in four starts this season. While his usage rate is about the same whether he starts or comes off the bench, he’s averaging seven more minutes per game as a starter, leading to the added value. The Mavericks are in the top-10 in terms of most fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards this season, making Chalmers an excellent value play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Bradley Beal, WAS at CHA
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $7,800

Beal has been an offensive force again this season, averaging 24.2 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game. Throw in averages of 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game and you get an excellent all-around option. His 28.8% usage rate is the highest on the team and puts him inside the top-20 in the NBA. The Hornets are allowing the fifth-most points per game (24.6) to opposing shooting guards this season, making Beal a strong option for your entry.

Troy Daniels, PHO vs. MIL
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,300

With so many elite players in action Wednesday, you want to try and find a couple of really cheap tournament plays to help with your budget. Daniels has surprisingly been a big part of the Suns’ offense of late, averaging 15.7 points and 4.3 three-pointers over his last three games. The Suns play at the second-fastest pace (106.6) in the NBA, so Daniels has opportunities to produce even in limited minutes. He won’t cost you much, so take a chance on him in tournament play if you need to save some money.

 

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Paul George, OKC vs. GS
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,500

This will be a fun game to see how the Thunder’s new “big 3” hold up against the loaded Warriors. While the Thunder are only 7-9 to start the season, George is still averaging 21.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 steals and 3.4 three-pointers per game. The Thunder have so little depth that even with two other superstars on the team, George can still put up lofty numbers. This has the potential to be a high-scoring contest Wednesday, resulting in George having significant value.

Denzel Valentine, CHI at UTA
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,800

The rebuilding Bulls brought Valentine off the bench to start this season, but have finally moved him to the starting small forward in place of Paul Zipser. Valentine appears to have grabbed hold of the position, averaging 14.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.0 three-pointers in his last three games. Without the injured Rudy Gobert anchoring their defense, the Jazz aren’t the same team defensively. Valentine has the potential to be one of the best value plays for the evening.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at CLE
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,400

Hollis-Jefferson is coming off one of his best games of the season when he scored 16 points to go along with 12 rebounds, five assists and one steal Sunday against the Warriors. The Cavaliers present a similar opponent in style of play as they too tend to use a lot of small lineups, which is ideal for Hollis-Jefferson. The Nets play at the fastest pace (107) in the NBA, leaving Hollis-Jefferson with plenty of opportunities to provide production. Get him in your lineup at this reasonable price.

Lauri Markkanen, CHI at UTA
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,600

The Bulls continue to struggle this season, but Markkanen has been one of the bright spots on their depleted roster. The rookie is averaging 15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.5 three-pointers in 31 minutes per game. The fight between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic opened up a starting spot for Markkanen and it appears he is now going to hold onto it for the rest of the season. As one of the few quality scoring options on the team, he should continue to see heavy minutes again Wednesday. Based on his production and role on the team, this is a very reasonable price for Markkanen on both sites.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Nikola Jokic, DEN at HOU
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,900

The Nuggets were dealt a significant blow Wednesday when it was announced Paul Millsap needs surgery on his injured wrist and will be out indefinitely. Millsap had the second-highest usage rate (23.7%) on the team, leaving a lot of opportunities for others to produce now that he is out. Jokic was already one of the focal points of the team as he had a 21.1% usage rate himself, but he could see increased production going forward. Both the Nuggets and Rockets and are in the top-12 in the NBA in terms of pace, so this could be a huge night for Jokic.

Thon Maker, MIL at PHO
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,300

The Bucks are going to be thin up front Wednesday as John Henson has already been ruled out for this game with an eye injury. That’s not good news because even though the Suns are horrible, they have a lot of size up front in Tyson Chandler, Alex Len, and Greg Monroe. Maker is only averaging 18 minutes per game this season but could see significantly more playing time in this contest. If you want to take a chance on a cheap center in tournament play, Maker could be in line for a decent performance.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/20/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/20/17

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Point Guard

Tim Frazier
FD $3,100 DK $3,400

John Wall missed yesterday’s game against the Raptors, so we’re assuming he’s going to miss this one against the Bucks. If he does end up playing, you can scratch Tim Frazier completely off the board. He saw 35 minutes last game and came through with 24 fantasy points. He didn’t shoot well and he is typically a guy shot creator and maker. Expect him to pick it up a little bit here with at least 10 shots. He fills up the stat sheet very nicely for a point guard and doesn’t need to do much at this price. He’s an elite play in both cash games and tournaments and a guy I’ll have in 100% of lineups.

Kemba Walker
FD $8,300 DK $7,900

Kemba is dominating. We always see a few of these streaks every year, but this has been a little bit different. He’s been magnificent at home and on the road and it’s pretty clear that he’s emerging as one of the top PG’s in the league. This match-up against the Timberwolves may not seem like the best considering the T-Wolves have some devastating defenders, but they’ve actually allowed the 4th most FP’s to opposing PG’s. Vegas has the Hornets favored by 2 points, so they fully believe in what Kemba and crew is doing. Jeff Teague is a fine defender, but he isn’t a guy that can single-handedly shut anyone down. Especially not a hot Kemba Walker in Charlotte.

Shooting Guard

Brad Beal
FD $7,900 DK $8,000

Continuing to assume John Wall is out, Brad Beal has to be one of the top options on the entire slate. He’s a guaranteed bet for 20+ shots and Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t be able to cover him with Porter deserving nearly as much attention. Khris Middleton is a fine defender, but he’s nothing special. The Bucks have allowed 46.2 FP to opposing SG’s, giving Beal a great shot at 40+ tonight. With Wall out, he’s a lot safer than on most nights. He’ll be in every cash game of mine and at least the majority of tournaments. If Wall plays, Beal becomes a tournament-only option.

Alec Burks
FD $3,300 DK $3,500

You can play Donovan Mitchell too here, but I wanted to look at another value play. Burks has been over 22 minutes in 3 straight games and in turn 22+ fantasy points in 2 of the 3. If you’ve been a basketball fan for a few years now, you know Alec Burks and how much upside he has. He’s not going to see more than 25 or 26 minutes, however, so you put his ceiling around 30-35 fantasy points. His floor is around 15, which is perfectly fine at near minimum-price. I like a lot of expensive options tonight, so these cheap options are very useful.

Small Forward

Giannis Antetokounmpo
FD $12,000 DK $11,500

Giannis Antetokounmpo is probably our best DFS NBA player right now. He typically sits around 60 FP and sees a top 10 match-up tonight. The Wizards like to play fast and don’t have any real rim defense. Sure, Gortat is fine, but he’s nowhere near the defender he was just a few years ago. Antetokounnmpo is unguardable, for one, as he’s a 7-foot point guard. It’s pretty understandable to be matchup-proof at that point. Vegas thinks this game will be high-scoring and close, so it’s fair to expect at least 35+ minutes. He’s a safe bet for 50 fantasy points with the upside for who knows how much. He’s going to cost you an arm and leg, but it just very well may be worth it.

Evan Fournier
FD $6,400 DK $6,300

We haven’t touched on the Magic yet, but they are firmly in play. Fournier is the main scorer for this Orlando squad and his price isn’t too high. He struggled against the Jazz, but has typically been consistent on the season. You can count on him to shoot 15+ times in this game and they will need his scoring punch to keep up with Oladipo and Turner. This match-up with the Pacers in an elite one, considering they play at a top 10 PACE and don’t have much of a big man to defend the rim. Myles Turner is fine, but he’s in the NBA for his offense. Small forward is a spot I’ll definitely be paying up at and Fournier is probably the cheapest I’ll go.

Power Forward

Aaron Gordon
FD $7,500 DK $7,200

This isn’t too tough of a play to figure out. On the season, the Pacers rank dead last against PF’s with 55.6 FPPG allowed. Aaron Gordon has struggled in 3 straight performances and it will hopefully keep at least some people off of him. He’s a lock for 35 fantasy points with the upside for 70. He is right there with Fournier in terms of scoring and he excels in the open court. The Pacers love to play fast and Thad Young simply can’t keep up. Gordon has shot 13-for-34 in his last 3 games and you can be sure that won’t continue. Gordon is locked into 100% of my lineups. Nobody is ever a must in NBA DFS, but he’s just a guy I have a phenomenal feeling on tonight. The numbers back it up.

Marcus Morris
FD $4,800 DK $4,900

Marcus Morris still isn’t to full health, but his price is way too cheap and he’s very productive for his 25ish minutes that he is out there. He’s seen 25 minutes in the last 3 games and put up FP totals of 22,27, and 31. The Mavericks are a team that doesn’t cover anyone down low and it has a lot to do with Dirk. He’s still a good scorer, but possibly the slowest and worst defender in the entire league. Morris is under $5k on both sites and will only need to get you 20-25 in cash games. He’s a solid way to get value at a position that doesn’t have all that much.

Center

Marc Gasol
FD $8,200 DK $8,100

Gasol is a stud. He’s always one of the safest options at center, year in and year out. He will then put up 60+ fantasy points every week or so. Tonight, he sees a big match-up with a WC foe in the Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic is a great offensive player, but he’s a very unstable defender. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get into early foul trouble and for Gasol to take advantage of young guys like Noah Vonleh and Plumlee. There is a clear mismatch for Gasol here and he should take advantage in a very close game.

Steven Adams
FD $6,200 DK $5,700

Adams came right back from injury and had 30 fantasy points in 34 minutes. Tonight, he will be needed BADLY against a huge Pelicans team. His defense is the only hope they have to stay close in this game. I think you can chalk 35 minutes up if he stays out of foul trouble and while the Pelicans will score, they don’t really stop centers. They are league average against big men and Adams doesn’t rely on scoring, so the minutes bump will do more than enough. I prefer Gasol and will do my best to pay up, but have no issue settling for Adams in a few lineups.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/18/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/18/17

Get 20% off for a limited time off of NBA Seasonal Packages
Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 20% off Seasonal Package
 

Point Guard

Damian Lillard
FD $9,500 DK $8,800

With a packed Saturday full of football, the NBA has blessed us with a very solid 8-game slate to keep up. We start things off with Damian Lillard, who will be hosting the Kings in Portland. We know Lillard prefers being home and he sees more minutes there as well. The match-up with the Kings is pretty average, considering they all the 11th most FPPG to opposing point guards. Fox and Hill are 2 very different guys. Hill is much better on defense and Fox is offensive-driven. If Fox is in there to match the pace of the Blazers, Lillard should have no problem putting up big numbers on him. His price is fair on both sites and I’m willing to play him in both cash games and tournaments. POint guard isn’t all that great on this slate and Lillard is easily my favorite.

Raul Neto
FD $4,000 DK $3,000

There isn’t a ton of value yet on this slate, so let’s take a look at a guy who does deserve some attention. With Ricky Rubio out of last game, Net0 only played 19 minutes, but went crazy and dropped 32 fantasy points in that time. With that performance, you have to think he sees at least 20-25 minutes tonight against an average Magic squad. His prie is near-minimum on both sites, so he’ll need you about 15-20 in cash games. He’s proven his ability to produce when on the floor, so you can be certain this won’t be one of the guys who just stand in the corner for 28 minutes. You then run into a situation where maybe Neto gets almost 30 minutes, in which case you have to have him everywhere. No matter what, unless more news breaks at PG, Neto is my value guy.

Shooting Guard

MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 21: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Tyreke Evans
FD $7,400 DK $7,000

The resurgence of Tyreke Evans has been pretty cool. I definitely wasn’t expecting it after he signed with the slowest team of his career. He’s been great in every way imaginable, putting up between 30 and 45 FP in almost every game. He now sees a match-up with a Rockets squad that likes to run. Evans will be out there for both his athleticism in the open court as well as his ability to match the Rockets scoring surge. He’ll presumably match-up with Harden, at least to start, and will have a field day. Expect Ariza to take him for the rest of the game, who isn’t much a lockdown defender anymore anyways. Evans is getting expensive, but he’s consistently producing at this price tag and sees an excellent match-up.

Donovan Mitchell
FD $6,400 DK $6,700

Mitchell would be in play here no matter the circumstance, but Ricky Rubio being out just pushes it over the top. Mitchel has been incredible in his rookie season, putting up 20+ in 8 of his last 9 and 30+ in 5 of them. Without Rubio, he saw 35 minutes and put up 40 fantasy points. It was in a stellar match-up against the Nets, but that doesn’t really matter. He held a 38% usage rate in the game, compared to the 43% Westbrook held in 2016. The point is that he’s doing whatever he wants without Rubio on the floor and he has the trust of coaches. He’s an elite play in all formats and a guy I have more than a lot of.

Small Forward

Harrison Barnes
FD $7,100 DK $6,200

Like every other day, you won’t have much fun rostering Harrison Barnes. Barnes is a very boring player, but he’s extremely consistent. Extremely. He’s the number 1 option on this team and he will shoot between 15-20 times, at least. He sits around 30-40 fantasy points every game and now gets a solid match-up with the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo may see some time on Barnes, but I highly doubt he follows him around all game. He only plays about 1/4 of his time at SF and it would create mismatches elsewhere. This game will remain close throughout and Barnes is sure to see at least 34+ minutes.

Wesley Johnson
FD $3,800 DK $3,700

I know Wesley Johnson scored 50 fantasy points against the Cavs, but that’s not the reason we’re targeting him. With Danilo Gallinari out, he’s sitting around 30 minutes a game and takes plenty of shots. His price is still way down on both sites and you can rely on at least 15 FP, which is all you really need in cash games. The upside for WAY more is obviously there as we just saw it last game. The match-up is very average, but it comes down to minutes = production and the lack of value on this slate. Johnson isn’t exciting most games, but he should get it done pretty easily.

Power Forward

John Henson
FD $5,500 DK $4,800

Power forward is pretty ugly, so let’s take a look at 2 guys you can save a little with. John Henson is matching up with Dirk Nowitzki, who has no chance of staying with his physicality at this point in his career. Henson is playing extremely well and this is exactly when people expected him to get good. he was extremely young and raw when drafted, so it made sense that he was foul-trouble prone and unable to stay on the court for more than 20 minutes. He’s getting 25-30 minutes a game right now and is a fantasy monster when in there. The Mavs lack any interior presence and his size should disrupt.

Dario Saric
FD $4,600 DK $4,500

Dario Saric is still getting the minutes and his price is not nearly high enough. He’s been over 30 minutes in 4 of his last 5 games and the fantasy production has followed. The Warriors are obviously a tough match-up, but Saric will be getting the worst defender out there. Saric was a guy that was putting up 40 FP every night last year and while I doubt that ever happens again, he’s way too cheap for his ability to play. Saric is a little more risky than Henson, but the upside is greater too.

Center

Nikola Vucevic
FD $7,800 DK $6,800

It feels unnatural to recommend a center against the Jazz, but here we are. With Rudy Gobert out for an extended time, we’re seeing Epke Udoh and Derrick Favors at center. This team will see a huge hit against big men and defend the paint in general. However, they will still remain the slow snails they like being. In turn, centers should be in a good spot to produce. Most prefer slow-paced games and now don’t have to worry about a big presence to stop you. Vucevic will be able to dice up both Favors and Udoh down low and can hit from the outside as well. I do think this is a little bit risky, but every single C play comes with risk tonight. Vucevic will shoot 15-20 times here in a game that should remain close throughout. Don’t fade Vucevic because of a guy that’s not playing. He makes u for about 70% of the team defense. Literally.

Willie Cauley-Stein
FD $4,100 DK $4,200

The big question mark in any game that Willie Cauley-Stein plays in is the minutes. If you can handcuff the coach and play him for 33-35 every single night, he would in the $6k-$7k range. He puts up over 1 FP per minute (high) and does so in nearly every match-up. Tonight, a match-up with the Blazers should dictate his size be out there. Jusuf Nurkic is a hoss in the paint and WCS is the only guy good enough on defense to stop him. He’ll also be tasked with slowing the penetration of Lillard and McCollum. If he’s able to stay out of foul trouble, I see his getting 30 minutes here. At least. His upside is in the 50’s and he doesn’t really have a floor. With the minutes, his floor is about 25. I’ll have more Vucevic than WCS, but exposure to both is definite.