Thursday’s nine-game slate in the NBA will be loaded with star power since the Rockets, Celtics, Sixers and Thunder are all scheduled to take the floor. In order to fit some of those top-tier options into your DFS entry, you’ll need to find the right mix with cheaper value players.
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Despite there only being six games in the NBA on Tuesday, there are still plenty of cheap options to consider in DFS. Seven of the top-10 teams in the league in pace of play will be in action, so there is the potential for several high-scoring contests.
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*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There are plenty of value plays to wade through Monday with eight games on the NBA schedule. Here are a couple of players at each position who stand out based on their matchups. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Derrick White, SA at DET
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,000
The Spurs may have finally settled on White as their starting point guard. Not only has he started nine straight games, but he’s also logged at least 27 minutes in seven straight contests. During that seven-game stretch, he’s averaged 13.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks. Even though those aren’t eye-popping numbers, that still brings him into the DFS discussion for Monday based on his reasonable price on both sites.
D.J. Augustin, ORL at SAC
FanDuel – $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600
The Magic are approaching the halfway point of the season and Augustin is still their starting point guard. While that might say more about the state of their roster than it does anything else, Augustin has remained DFS relevant in the role. He’s averaged 28 minutes per game, which is his highest mark since the 2011-12 season. The Kings play at the second-fastest pace (104.9 possessions per game) in the league, which should afford Augustin with a few more opportunities to provide value, as well. The Kings have also allowed the third-most FanDuel points per game and the fourth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing point guards.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Malcolm Brogdon, MIL vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,200
The Bucks continue to be one of the best teams in the league and Brogdon has been a key part of their success. He’s able to provide steady contributions across the board, averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per contest. His defensive contributions are limited, but he is shooting a career-high 42.8 percent from behind the arc. The Bucks also play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.1), leaving Brogdon as a viable option to consider.
Austin Rivers, HOU vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700
The Rockets are on a roll right now despite not having Chris Paul (hamstring) or Eric Gordon (knee) on the floor. It turned out adding Rivers has been crucial for their depth. He’s averaged a whopping 38 minutes per game with the Rockets, recording 13.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a night. With both players out once again Monday, Rivers should receive all the playing time that he can handle.
SMALL FORWARDS
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at BOS
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300
Speaking of teams dealing with injuries, the Nets will likely be without the services of Allen Crabbe (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) for this contest. Carroll hasn’t played a ton this season, but he’s logged at least 27 minutes in all three games since both players went down. With averages of 19.7 points, five rebounds, and 2.7 assists during that stretch, Carroll still has some upside despite facing a stingy Celtics’ defense. In fact, he scored 20 points and grabbed five rebounds against an equally tough Grizzlies’ defense on Friday.
Danuel House, HOU vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,200
Another beneficiary to all of the injuries on the Rockets is House, who has started each of their last seven games. He’s done nothing to make the Rockets remove him from that role, averaging 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 three-pointers. With no reinforcements coming Monday, House will once again be a cheap option in tournament play who could provide some upside.
POWER FORWARDS
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,900
Morris (neck) did not play Friday against the Mavericks, but with a few days off, he’s listed as probable for this matchup with the Nets. Kyrie Irving (eye) should also return, so this could be a tough task for the red-hot Nets. Morris is in the midst of arguably the best season of his career, averaging 15.4 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 three-pointers. That’s saying something considering the depth that the Celtics have. If Morris plays, he makes a lot of sense in tournament play, especially based on his price on FanDuel.
Ed Davis, BKN at BOS
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,600
Davis is a rebounding machine. He’s only averaging 18 minutes a game this season, but that hasn’t stopped him from averaging 8.5 boards per contest. The Nets have relied on him to log more minutes since Hollis-Jefferson went down, which has propelled Davis to averages of 6.3 points and 11.3 rebounds across his last three contests. Of note, Davis is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel since he is listed at center on DraftKings.
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, LAL at DAL
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,500
The Lakers have turned into the walking-wounded with LeBron James (groin), Rajon Rondo (hand) and Kyle Kuzma (back) all dealing with injuries. Even if Kuzma makes his return Monday, James and Rondo will still be sidelined. McGee normally doesn’t receive a lot of scoring opportunities, but he has attempted at least 14 shots in two of his last three games. It’s hard to rely on him to be an offensive force, but even a couple of extra shot attempts per game makes a big difference when combined with his ability to rebound and block shots.
Al Horford, BOS vs. BKN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,600
The one thing I don’t like about Horford is his lack of playing time since returning from a knee injury. He hasn’t logged more than 25 minutes in any of his last five games. However, three of those games were decided by at least 13 points, so it might not have made much sense to push Horford in those outings. The Nets are terrible at defending opposing centers, so even if Horford is somewhat limited Monday, he could still be productive.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 4/6/18
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 4/6/18
Friday brings one of the last big slates of the regular season for the NBA with 20 teams in action. With so many options to choose from, 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 MarShon Brooks and Anthony Tolliver.
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POINT GUARDS
Tyler Ulis, PHO vs. NO
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,900
The Suns don’t have many healthy players in their backcourt with Devin Booker (hand), Elfrid Payton (knee) and Troy Daniels (ankle) all unlikely to play. Ulis has played at least 30 minutes in five straight games due to all of the injuries on the Suns, averaging 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, eight assists and 1.8 three-pointers per contest. The Suns and Pelicans are the top two teams in the league in terms of pace of play, which should leave Ulis with plenty of opportunities to produce again Friday.
Tyler Ennis, LAL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,900
Lonzo Ball (knee) will be out again Friday, which will open up more playing time for Ennis against the Timberwolves. Ennis has logged at last 22 minutes in back-to-back contests, averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, six assists, 1.5 steals and one block. What’s even more impressive is that he accomplished that against two tough defensive teams in the Jazz and the Spurs. Although he doesn’t have a ton of offensive upside, Ennis has the potential to contribute enough across the board to warrant consideration at this cheap price.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Danuel House, PHO vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,900
With the Suns running out of healthy players, House has been able to establish a significant role for himself as the season comes to a close. He has logged at least 25 minutes in three straight games, averaging 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 three-pointers during that stretch. Not only do both of these teams play at a fast pace, but the Pelicans also allow the second-most points per game (110.7) in the league. House could provide significant value again Friday.
Malik Monk, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,400
The Hornets have been officially eliminated from the playoffs, which has resulted in more playing time for Monk. He has received exactly 24 minutes in each of the last three games, averaging 18 points, 2.7 assists and four three-pointers per contest. The Magic have nothing left to play for either and struggle to defend opposing guards, making Monk a candidate to have another productive offensive showing in this game.
SMALL FORWARDS
David Nwaba, CHI at BOS
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,700
The Bulls will be shorthanded down the stretch as Kris Dunn (toe), Zach LaVine (knee) and Denzel Valentine (knee) have already been ruled out for the remainder of the season. That has opened up significant playing time for Nwaba, who has thrived when given add minutes this season. In 13 games that he has played at least 30 minutes this season, he is averaging 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals. The Celtics are a tough defensive matchup, but Nwaba is still a viable option at this price.
MarShon Brooks, MEM vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,200
The Grizzlies are right up there for teams tanking the hardest down the stretch and will be without most of their noteworthy players again Friday. Brooks has become one of the main offensive threats that they have left, averaging 23.3 points and 3.7 three-pointers in the last three games. He took at least 12 shots in each game and should continue to be heavily involved. His price is climbing, but it’s still low enough to give him value. Of note, Brooks is only eligible at small forward on FanDuel as he is listed at shooting guard on DraftKings.
POWER FORWARDS
Anthony Tolliver, DET vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,700
Tolliver is yet another one of the many players around the league benefiting from injuries to star players as the Pistons are currently without Blake Griffin (ankle). In the last four games with Griffin sidelined, Tolliver has averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, one steal and 3.5 three-pointers. The Mavericks are dealing with their own issues up front and will be without Dirk Nowitzki (ankle) and Nerlens Noel (suspension), leaving Tolliver with an even better opportunity to thrive against their backups.
Ivan Rabb, MEM vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,000
Not only are the Grizzlies missing several key players in their backcourt, but they will also be without Marc Gasol (rest), JaMychal Green (knee), Jarell Martin (ankle) and Chandler Parsons (knee) on Friday. Rabb should get all the minutes he can handle as a result. In the last five games that Rabb has played at least 20 minutes, he has averaged 10 points and 7.8 rebounds. Expect him to easily match that minute’s threshold Friday with 30 minutes not out of the question.
CENTERS
Alex Len, PHO vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,100
Len had one of his better games of the season Tuesday against the Kings, finishing with 17 points and 15 rebounds in 32 minutes. Playing time has been a concern for him, logging at least 30 minutes in a game only three times all year. He’ll have a chance to approach that much playing time Friday with both Tyson Chandler (neck) and Alan Williams (knee) already ruled out. Based on his upside, he might be worth the risk in tournament play.
Willy Hernangomez, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,900
The Hornets will be without Cody Zeller (knee) for the rest of the season, which has opened up some extra playing time for Hernangomez off the bench. He has played at least 16 minutes in three straight games, averaging 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and one steal per contest. The Magic allow the eighth-most FanDuel points per game and the ninth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers, making Hernangomez a viable option again Friday.