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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Tuesday’s 5-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Joffrey Lauvergne and Josh Hart.


Use the code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
Use the code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Isaiah Thomas
FD $6,500 DK $6,000

We’re starting with 2 guys that aren’t all that cheap, but are definitely considered “value”. Isaiah Thomas is a player that should be over $8k on both sites and will be very soon. He’s definitely not at that line of production yet and is still figuring his way into this offense, but we know who this guy is. He’s a 1.5-2 FP per minute player when on the floor and has been over 30 minutes already a few times. He sees a match-up against the Spurs that is not too shabby. Sure, the Spurs are always a solid team defense, but PG is a spot you can get them at. On the season, they rank 15th against the position. Thomas is way too cheap and is going to continue putting up 30+ fantasy points a night, until he figures it out and is at 40-50. This game is going to be close and he’ll be in there against guards who don’t play much offense.

De’Aaron Fox
FD $5,700 DK $5,200

Fox is going to come in a little bit cheaper than IT2 and I don’t see why. Aside from playing 30+ minutes in 4 of the last 5 games, he’s sitting over 30 fantasy points in most decent match-ups. He’s obviously the future for this team and they are now focused on him as the sole point guard. He’s going to be well over $7k very soon and we’ll be looking back at these days as missed opportunities. Fox and the Kings match-up with Orlando tonight, who’s an underwhelming defense by every measure. They rank 27th in the league against PG’s and seem to give up a big game almost every night. Fox is a near-lock for 25 FP (value) and has a phenomenal shot of getting to 35 and being a monster in tournaments. This is a value article, but these are still my 2 favorite PG’s on this slate, regardless of price.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Alex Caruso and Josh Hart
FD $4,200 – $3,700 DK $4,500

With Lonzo Ball already ruled out, we know minutes and shots are up for grabs. We then have Kentavious Caldwell-pope doubtful, who’s extremely important. If KCP plays, I don’t have any interest in Caruso or Hart. If KCP is out, I think both see over 24 minutes and hit value in a competitive game against the Celtics. Jordan Clarkson is obviously the guy who’s in for the biggest workload increase, but he’s expensive and going to cost you a stud elsewhere. Hart and Caruso are both 1+ FP per minute players that do get involved and will rarely disappoint when given the opportunity. The Celtics aren’t a bad defense, but Vegas think it stays close and high-scoring with a 209 O/U and 4.5 point spread. Caruso is the guy who seems to be safer, but Hart has been over 30 minutes in worse spots. Both are in play for tournaments and I’m ok with either in cash if KCP is ruled out.

Jonathan Simmons
FD $5,300 DK $5,300

If you’re on DraftKings, Simmons is a stellar value option at shooting guard. You’ll have to wait for small forward on FanDuel, but just be patient and deal with it. Simmons is still way too cheap on both sites and in a game with a weak Kings perimeter, he’ll struggle to miss value. He’s getting 30 minutes in every close game and has been the 2nd option since Vucevic went out with an injury. When I said a weak Kings perimeter, I mean. They only rank 20th on the season against SG’s, but dead last over the last 10 games. Hield and Bogdanovic are both pitiful defenders that can be taken advantage of from anywhere on the floor. WCS has also been a disappointment in terms of rim security. Simmons isn’t anything crazy tonight, but he’s just a little too cheap and in a better than usual spot. A cash game beast.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Jaylen Brown
FD $5,500 DK $6,200

Let’s be honest, most of the world will be focusing on the high-end at this position. We have Kevin Durant and LeBron James in interesting situations with a cheaper Paul George in an ideal match-up. Those 3 guys deserve most of the ownership at the position and will get it. We will instead focus on some cheaper guys who may not be as highly owned. Jaylen Brown is never the most exciting player to roster, but he’s extremely consistent and always a great cash game option. Just do yourself a favor and take a look at his box scores. He’s over 33 minutes in every close game and is never under 20 fantasy points. His price is extremely fair on both sites for a guy that will put up 30 FP in most cases against the Lakers. Ranking 2nd to last against the SF position, you have nothing to worry about here with a match-up. Brown will do what he wants and it just comes down to how many minutes he’s in the game for.

Allen Crabbe
FD $4,600 DK $4,400

If you really need to pay down at small forward, Allen Crabbe is perfectly fine. In a game that the Nets will need some scoring, you know Crabbe will raise his hand. He loves shooting the ball and will often get into 15-20 shots if given 30 minutes. He’s been over that 30-minute mark in 4 of the last 6 games, but is guaranteed for 26 no matter what. His price is a little bit too low for a guy that’s guaranteed 20 with a ceiling in the 40’s. He’s a legitimately good player and one that often gets hot in fast-paced match-ups like this. On paper, the Thunder rank 16th against the SF, except it doesn’t really matter. Paul George will be on Carroll, leaving Crabbe on either Grant or Roberson. Both are downgrades from George. I’d much rather pay up for Jaylen Brown in cash games, but see the merit in paying down at a spotion everyone else will be paying up for.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Marcus Morris
FD $4,700 DK $5,000

There is some pretty solid value here at power forward. Starting with Marcus Morris, the value is safe. Morris has slowly gotten himself back involved in the offense and is sitting around 25-28 minutes at this point. Because of that, he’s not going to ever demolish value, but shouldn’t get under 20 FP either. He’s been over 17 FP in each of the last 5 and got up to 35. The Lakers rank 25th against power forwards on the season with 3 guys who just can’t play defense. Vegas has this game staying close and competitive, so Morris can be counted on for his concrete 25+ minutes. His price is still under $5k on both sites and it allows you to play him in all formats. He’s a lock for 20 with the upside for 35. Safe as can be on a slate like this.

Davis Bertans
FD $3,600 DK $3,700

We’re about to touch on 2 guys that are directly benefiting from Pau Gasol being out. Gasol has been getting over 30 minutes on most nights, so we have a lot to look at. Davis Bertans was already getting 20-25 minutes a night, so this should push him over 30 without much trouble. He is one of the guys Pop is willing to play big minutes and we know he can produce when out there. He matches up well with the Cavs bigs and shouldn’t have much trouble getting open shots. At close to minimum price, he may be one of my highest owned players on the slate. I just don’t see him missing value, with him only needing 20-ish.

 

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Joffrey Lauvergne
FD $3,500 DK $3,300

With Pau Gasol and his 30-33 minutes out of the lineup, you have to look at Lauvergne. We know the Spurs are comfortable playing him for 25+ minutes and we know he’s one of those guys who produce a ton when given the opportunity. He also is a very good match-up for this game against the Cavs, where speed is extremely important. He likes to shoot a ton and the Spurs don’t have anyone outside of LMA that dictates the ball at this point. Lauvergne is a safe bet for 20 minutes and a lock for value at lose to $3k. Don’t be afraid of the recent box scores.

Enes Kanter
FD $5,800 DK $6,200

This is most certainly risky, but the upside is there. We know bigs can sometimes see diminished minutes against the Warriors and end up with one of their worst games on the season. They can also find a way to fit into the PACE and have one of their best, as the Warriors can struggle against bigs that can run. Kanter can run and has a good chance of staying in the game for 25+ minutes. His price is perfectly fine on both sites and he needs to get you in the low 30’s in cash games. It’s a near lock if he can find a way to fit into the game as the Warriors don’t have a single guy who can handle his offensive skills. I’ll still be Lauvergne-heavy on most of my teams, but Kanter deserves some looks in tournaments.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS:

Stephen Curry ($9,500 FD/$10,300 DK) –

Steph is a much more appealing play on FanDuel as he sits below the 10k range. He may be worth paying up for Saturday night as he takes on the Houston Rockets, who rank 22nd in defending point guards and the same team Curry scored 47 FanDuel points against a couple weeks ago. Curry has scored 40+ FanDuel points in 11 straight games, showing serious consistency value wise. The projected total of this game is a massive 234, implying a high scoring contest as well as fast paced with both teams ranking top 10 in the league in pace of play.

Eric Bledsoe ($7,000 FD/$7,600) – 

Bledsoe is one of the best point guard plays of the night, and will most likely be a very popular option. The Bucks will be without primary scorer Giannis as he has been ruled out. This lays a much heavier workload for Bledsoe against the Sixers who rank 21st in defending point guards. He’s very affordable and is projected 42.9 FanDuel points, giving him a healthy value of 6.13x.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Khris Middleton ($7,400 FD/$7,900 DK) –

Alongside Bledsoe, Middleton will also be picking up much more offensive responsibility Saturday night with the Greak Freak sidelined. At a very affordable price it’s safe to say he will be high owned as well. He has a mediocre matchup with the Sixers. Luckily, they play at the fastest pace in the NBA so expect to tempo of the game to be pushed a little faster. This could benefit Middleton greatly.

Wayne Ellington ($4,400 FD/$4,900 DK) –

Ellington is dirt cheap and in a great matchup Saturday with the Charlotte Hornets, who defend shooting guards the worst in the league. He has been seeing great minutes, logging 30 or more in 9 of his last 10 games. He has also provided 20+ FanDuel points in three straight, showing a bit of consistency recently for such a low price tag. If Tyler Johnson remains out Ellington should see a slight increase in workload and opportunity. He seems worth the small risk.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Josh Richardson ($6,000 FD/ $6,000 DK) – 

Richardson has been a great offensive presence for the Heat lately, especially with Tyler Johnson out, who may be sitting out Saturday night as well. Richardson has averaged 33.6 FanDuel points in the two matchups Tyler Johnson recently missed. His price tag hasn’t changed much, which is a good thing. The Hornets may make things a bit more hectic as they run at the 10th rank pace in the league while the Heat rank a mere 28th.

PJ Tucker ($4,100 FD/$3,700 DK) – 

With Gerald Green and Trevor Ariza suspended last game, that left Tucker as a primary SF. Although he did not perform as expected, collecting 17.8 FDP, he was able to log 33 minutes. He should see this playing time once again Saturday night as Green and Ariza serve their final game of their suspensions. Tucker’s matchup with the Warriors is above average, so if he can get the appropriate minutes he will have plenty of opportunity to exceed value. He’s a bit risky, but also very cheap.

POWER FORWARDS:

Dario Saric ($5,500 FD/$6,200 DK) –

If you need a safe and cheap play, Saric is your guy. He has scored 20+ FanDuel points in eight straight contests, with three of those reaching the 40 point mark or more. He has been a great weapon for this developing Sixers offense. He matches up fair with the Milwaukee Bucks, who will be without Giannis. Saric is currently projected at 27 FanDuel points which would give him a value of nearly 5x. His consistency lately allows him to be a safer bet for your lineup as he also brings some upside.

Montrezl Harrell ($6,200 FD/$4,800 DK) – 

Harrell is another cheap option with upside in this slate. His price is much more appealing on DraftKings as his price on FanDuel may be a bit intimidating. Harrell has been very beneficial off the bench for this Clippers squad, especially with DeAndre Jordan sidelined. In the last three games without Jordan, Harrell has averaged 31.8 FanDuel PPG along with 27.6 minutes per game. Jordan has already been officially ruled out Saturday night, giving Harrell the chance to keep this type of play up.

CENTERS:

Joel Embiid ($10,500 FD/$10,400 DK) – 

The “process” might have to be trusted in this slate. Embiid is matched up great with the Bucks tonight as he has been on a tear lately. Embiid has three straight games with a double-double and is averaging nearly 2 blocks per game over his last five contests, helping his fantasy scores increase. He’s coming off a monstrous 26-16-6 performance against the Celtics, accumulating to 59.2 FanDuel points. He’s now rested for tonight’s game and appears to be a player to pay up for in this slate.

Hassan Whiteside ($8,700 FD/$7,600 DK) – 

Whiteside’s numbers his past two games are impossible to ignore, as the center posted back to back 20 point double-double games. He also combined both games for a total of 10 blocks, making him average 5 each game. In this span, he averaged 55.7 FanDuel points. He has a bit of a tough matchup against the Hornets but at his price and recent production, it’s a little difficult to fade him just for his matchup. Although he is due for major regression, that due date might just not be yet.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Tuesday’s 4-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Yogi Ferrell and Dragan Bender.


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Yogi Ferrell
FD $5,300 DK $4,500

J.J. Barea has already been ruled out for this game, so Yogi is one of the easiest plays of the night. He’s been at 33, 36, and 42 minutes over the last 3 and can be bet on for 35+. He could easily get up to 40 as he’s being relied on for minutes at both the 1 and 2. We know he produces when on the floor and is never a guy that’s going to disappear in the corner for a long stretch. The Mavs match-up with Denver, who rank 20th in the league against PG’s. Jamal Murray already a bad enough defender, but it doesn’t help that Nikola Jokic is one of the worst rim protectors in the conference. Ferrell will get himself involved all game long and have another 25+ fantasy points. His ceiling is in the 50’s if he gets hot and the Mavs match the Nuggets PACE.

Tyler Ulis
FD $4,200 DK $4,000

Tyler Ulis has been pretty inconsistent as a whole on this season, but never as a point per $ producer. When given the minutes, he produces. He did it all of last year and has followed through this season with a 1.14 combined FP per minute. He was seeing over 30 minutes with Canaan injured and jumped down to 25 with him back. Tonight, he should fall in between 25 and 30. At $4200 against a weak Blazers defense, that will be plenty. The Blazers rank 19th against PG’s on the season and 26th in terms of assists (where Ulis thrives). Vegas hasn’t dropped a line on this game yet, but I’d be willing to bet it’s over a 216 total with a spread around 3 or 4. It’s a game we want exposure to in all formats. Ulis has been over 20 fantasy for 4 games in a row and will look to make it 5 at close to minimum-price. He’s in play in all formats as the price is just a little too low.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Marcus Smart
FD $5,500 DK $5,200

If you’re looking for value at shooting guard, you have to wait for some injury news. As of now, you can’t really go under $5k. We’ll look at two mid-range options in Smart and Fournier that won’t break the bank and have a very high chance of hitting cash game value. Starting with Smart, he’s getting consistent minutes with the 2nd team and is always in the game down the stretch. He gets a match-up against a Pelicans squad that ranks 26th in the league against the SG position. Smart is going to fill the stat sheet like always and will have plenty of open shots against a weak Pelicans perimeter defense. You can count on 20 out of Smart with the upside for 35 if he can get his 3 to fall. He’s a viable option in all formats, though he’ll be limited to my cash games.

Evan Fournier
FD $5,400 DK $5,100

Here we have a guy with some more upside in Evan Fournier. Fournier is always going to be a bit reliant on his shot, but that’s how he derives a lot of his upside. He takes 15 shots in most games and has been over 20 fantasy points in each of the last 4. This match-up with the Timberwolves is slightly below average on paper, but I think it ends up as a high-scoring affair and we know Fournier is going to be needed for that. His price is extremely fair just over $5k on both sites and he has the upside to hit 40 if it stays close. Fournier is a guy I’ll have in all formats, though I understand the risk that comes along with it.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Jonathan Simmons
FD $4,700 DK $4,900

Jonathan Simmons got injured on January 3rd and has been battling back ever since. For the first time in two weeks, he saw 30+ minutes last game. He looked like his normal self and put up 29 fantasy points. He’s assumed to be fully healthy and a guy we can bet on for 30+ minutes at this point. His price is still depressed under $5k and I have a hard time believing he misses value if the game stays close. Jimmy Butler is a menace at the 3, but he’s by no means going to shadow Simmons. He will see a bunch of different defenders and a few of which he’ll have a clear advantage over. He’s a shot maker and will be needed if the Magic want to live up to the 217 over/under that Vegas has set. Simmons is simply WAY too cheap and a lock in my cash games because of it. He’s a great player that can be locked in for 20 with the upside for 40+ if it stays close. At one of the weaker positions on the slate, he should be popular.

Josh Jackson
FD $5,200 DK $4,800

With T.J. Warren questionable to play, Josh Jackson has a chance to step in as one of the top value plays on the board. He saw 30 minutes last game with Warren out and put up 30 fantasy points. He’s been over 1 FP per minute on the season and can be trusted when given the opportunity. The Blazers are a subpar defense against the wing and have allowed the 5th most 3’s to small forwards. If Warren plays, Jackson would fall into his usual 22-25 minutes and still be fine in cash games. Don’t play him if Warren is ruled in, but I don’t mind taking a flier if he’s still questionable at lineup lock. Jackson is a solid player and this is a game we want exposure to in any way possible.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Dragan Bender
FD $4,800 DK $4,600

With Chriss out, Bender has put up 39, 32, and 30 minutes. He figured out a way to put up just 3 fantasy point last game but poured in 43 and 32 the nights before. He is an extremely productive DFS player that seems to get involved in almost every possession. He’s far from scared to shoot 15 times and can get hot from anywhere. He’s a versatile 4 that’s going to give the Blazers some huge issues. They’ll toss Ainu at him for most of the night, who’s a good defender, but is undersized to contest Bender in the paint. As long as Chris’s remains out, Bender is a top value option on the slate. He can’t be trusted for a floor, but should put up 30-50 in this spot on most nights.

Marcus Morris
FD $4,700 DK $4,500

Marcus Morris is in play here no matter what. He’s getting 24+ minutes a night and producing quite nicely. Even if everything breaks against him, he’s going to see 24 minutes against a weak Pelicans defense. Under $5k, it’s doable. I certainly prefer Bender, but you can do much worse. Now if Jayson Tatum sits, it’s a whole new world. Morris would likely jump up to 30-35 minutes and be one of the easier plays on the board. He’s been playing well and has been over 30 a ton in limited playing time. The Pelicans are a poor defense as a whole and can be taken advantage of inside. Morris is always involved when on the court and a value option I’ve been all over recently. His price has slowly risen, but not to the point it should be. If Tatum is out, plug in Morris across the board. Daniel Theis would also become interesting if he gets the start.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Bismack Biyombo
FD $6,400 DK $5,600

I’m sure some were surprised by the 50 FP Biyombo outburst a game ago, but you can’t be if you’ve been paying attention to him for longer than this year. He’s a very able big man that has stepped in in the past and dominated, with Nikola Vucevic and is seeing similar minutes he has already been over 35 fantasy points three times. He’s nowhere near the asset on offense but gets himself involved as much as anyone. As one of the best rebounders in the league, you can lock in 10 against Minnesota. In a game with a 217 over/under, his size will be needed against Towns. He’s not as cheap as he’s been, but a consistent week of production with some mixed in 40’s will do that. The T-Wolves struggle against big men and Biyombo should have all that much trouble putting up numbers in 30-34 minutes.

Aron Baynes
FD $3,800 DK $3,800

This is admittedly a stretch, but hear me out. If Tatum misses this game, Baynes has to see over 22 minutes. The Pelicans front court is just too big and he’s too valuable to sit on the bench while Al Horford and Marcus Morris struggle. He’s always one of the best FP producers when on the floor and it always just comes down to him getting out there. If you’re looking for safety, pay up at center and grab one of the many safe options. If you need to pay down in a tournament and want a shot at 30, Baynes is the guy. I will have more exposure than the field of Tatum is out and don’t see how it could go wrong. Just kidding, this is Aron Baynes and it doesn’t take much for it to go wrong. I just see him getting stretched for 22-28 minutes against a frontcourt that can be handled on offense.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/15/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/15/18


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

 

POINT GUARDS:

Chris Paul ($10,800 FD/$10,300 DK) – 

Aside from the immense production CP3 has provided as the primary source of offense while Harden is sidelined, Paul has a rather interesting matchup in this small four game main slate. He will be seeing some familiar faces Monday night in his reunion with his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a “revenge game”, but CP will definitely want to make a statement with his play. This matchup is set to be with high tempo as both teams rank in the top 11 in the league in pace of play, which could benefit Paul greatly. He may be a perfect play to pay up for.

De’Aaron Fox ($6,300 FD/$4,900 DK) – 

With the recent blow to Frank Mason, Fox has picked up some extra minutes running the point for this Sacramento team. He has logged 30 or more minutes in five of the six games since Mason’s absence, averaging 29.4 FanDuel PPG in that span. His matchup with OKC isn’t very favorable in any means, but at a reduced price and almost guaranteed 30+ minutes in a small slate like this one, he seems to be worth the risk.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Lou Williams ($9,100 FD/$8,900 DK) – 

Lou Will has been one of the biggest beneficiaries to the Clipper’s injury epidemic as he is consuming much bigger usage rates and more minutes. His opponent Monday, the Houston Rockets, rank 18th in defending shooting guards giving Lou a bit of an advantage. He is averaging 48 FanDuel PPG over his last three contests as he still remains under $10,000, giving him a massive value recently. He won’t stuff the stat sheet in many categories besides points, but has been efficient enough to obliterate the point column along with a steal or two. (Had 4 in his last game.)

Donovan Mitchell ($7,400 FD/$7,100 DK) – 

One of the more consistent plays in this slate, both production and salary wise consists of Donovan Mitchell. The rookie has scored 30 or more FanDuel points in 7 straight games. At a low 7K range salary Mitchell is a great plug in play to compliment your superstars with a fairly cheap price tag and upside. He is capable of 40+ point nights in just about any slate which gives him that hidden upside when taking him.

SMALL FORWARDS:

 

Kevin Durant ($10,700 FD/$9,800 DK) – 

There’s always a bit of attention drawn in when the Warriors and Cavaliers meet which is a matchup Kevin Durant has some serious upside in. The last time these teams met KD provided 54.9 FanDuel points on a 25 point and 5 block performance. This game features a massive 231 projected total as the Cavs hold one of the leagues worst defenses. With both teams having decent pace, expect a lot of offense to be on display in this one in which Kevin Durant leads the pack. (Hopefully)

Gerald Green ($4,600 FD/$5,300 DK) – 

Gerald Green will always be my favorite SF play during this Harden-less Rockets era. Green remains to be extremely cheap, and reliable. His increase of minutes adds more value to his play as it’s not easy turning down a player listed at $4,600 who you know will be seeing minutes in the high 20’s or low 30’s. That goes especially for this matchup as the Clippers rank 27th in the league in defending small forwards. You’ll need a few cheap options in your lineup tonight, and you should start with Gerald Green.

POWER FORWARDS:

Draymond Green ($8,200 FD/$7,700 DK) – 

Another day, another thin PF slate. Green appears to have the best matchup of night among the PF’s in the main slate as he squares off with the already mentioned Cavaliers. At around 8K Draymond has an opportunity to do some damage. Green has been stuffing the stat sheet lately, generating at least 7  assists in five of his last six games. He also added double digit scoring to four of those six games as well. In addition to points and assists, in those same six games he has grabbed double digit rebounds in four of them. Against Cleveland’s poor defense, Green has no reason not to exceed value and collect digits in every category.

Montrezl Harrell ($5,400 D/$4,600 DK) – 

Harrell has been a spark off the Clippers bench recently, averaging 29.4 FanDuel PPG over his last three games. Scoring has not been a problem off the bench for the big man, as he has easily put up double digits in those three games while averaging roughly 24 minutes of playing time. His matchup is a little tough, but shouldn’t worry you. If Harrell can maintain his recent production and maybe obtain a steal and block or two, he will be a lot more than you expected when constructing your lineup.

CENTERS:

Clint Capela ($7,800 FD/$7,200 DK) – 

Similar to the PF position, Center isn’t very attractive either. Capela shows a lot of upside tonight especially with his small bump in usage he’s already obtained through Harden’s court vacancy. Capela has posted a double-double in four of his last five games, with the one lone game consisting of him falling one single rebound short. His matchup is mediocre Monday night but as mentioned he will get some extra touches as a result of the Rocket’s leading source of offense is injured.

Kevin Love ($7,000 FD/$7,600 DK) –

For a player like Kevin Love, both price tags are too cheap. Love has proved this season just how effective he can be on any given night. He must be excited to play GSW again, as the last time they met Love scorched them for 31 points and 18 rebounds. The Warriors rank a fair 16th in the league in defending centers, giving Love a little bit of upside to work with. One thing remarkable about Love this season is that he is producing these healthy numbers on a shortage of minutes, however, since GSW plays small most of the time, Love may see more minutes to assert a center’s presence on the court.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Tuesday’s 4-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper value plays are that could make your lineup a stand out amongst the rest in a GPP?


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Russell Westbrook is the only true Daily Fantasy Sports superstar on this slate. He’s extremely easy to afford and you’ll be working uphill without him.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet
FD $4,800 – $3,600 DK $4,400 – $3,500

Kyle Lowry went down last night with a scary fall and didn’t comfort any with his reaction. After writhing in pain on the ground, he got up and proceeded to go back down with what was obviously nerve pain in his back. While he hasn’t officially been ruled out for this game yet, all signs are pointing to him missing a week or 2. If he does indeed sit, Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright are both phenomenal options. Splitting a sure 48 minutes, plus 5 or 6 at SG, should put both of these guys close to 30 minutes. Weight has been seeing more backup minutes, but I see a world where VanVleet is the guy they prefer to run the starters with. Personally, I’ll have a lot of exposure to both, but prefer VanVleet for the price. They are both really strong DFS players and neither will disappear on the floor. The Heat are league-average against point guards and Vegas thinks this stays close. Both VanVleet and Wright are worth serious consideration in all formats.

Shabazz Napier
FD $4,8000 DK $5,400

With Damian Lillard already ruled out for this one, Napier has to be considered as one of the top value plays on the entire slate. The only reason he is under $7k right now is because Damian Lillard returned for 2 games. He went right back to 38 fantasy points last game in his absence and now sees a strong match-up with the Thunder. On paper, they’re strong against PG’s, but hey funnel an extra 3% usage there and Westbrook doesn’t mind giving up buckets. Napier hasn’t disappointed in a single game without Damian Lillard and I can’t see why it starts here in a game with a high over/under and close spread. Napier is a guy I’ll personally have in 100% of lineups.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Wayne Ellington
FD $4,400 DK $4,700

With Dion Waiters out, Wayne Ellington has been a rock-steady option for the Heat. He’s always going to be volatile as he relies on his scoring, but this offense helps a lot. Without anywhere for the ball to really go, he’s being allowed to take 15 shots a game if he’s feeling it. At under $4.5k, he doesn’t need you any more than 25 fantasy points. If this stays close, I don’t see a way around that. He’ll be out there for his usual 32-36 minutes with either DeRozan or the PG on him. DeRozan, aside from wasting all his energy on offense without Lowry, is an average defender. They rank 14th in the league, but have faced the 22nd best schedule. There are a few quality ways to pay up at SG, but Ellington gives you a good shot at 25 with the upside for 40 at way too cheap.

Garrett Temple
FD $3,900 DK $3,800

If you really need to pay down, Garrett Temple is fine. His minutes have been somewhat inconsistent, though he hasn’t seen less than 21 in a while. He’s been over 26 minutes in 4 of his last 8 games and has hit value in each of them. He now draws an extremely friendly match-up with a Lakers squad ranked 27th against shooting guards. Temple is still a fine player and can score if given the opportunity. Under $4k, you don’t need much. If he gets the 28-31 minutes he’s been seeing in some games, he could demolish value and be one of the top value plays on the board. With all of that being said, this is Garrett Temple and he can put up 7 fantasy points without hesitating. I do prefer the value else where, but will have a little bit of Garrett Temple in my tournaments. Hield and Bogdanovic are in the same boat.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Mario Hezonja
FD $4,800 DK $5,100

With Jonathon Simmons out last game, Hezonja stepped in and played 38 minutes. He put up 30 fantasy points against the Cavs and had a real presence in the game. Simmons is questionable for tonight, so make sure you keep an eye out on Twitter. The match-up with the Mavs doesn’t seem great on the surface, but it is. On the season, Barnes and the Mavs have ranked 25th against SF’s. with Barnes being such a quality defender, it has a lot to do with the lack of rim protection behind him. Hezonja likes to play down low and from the 3, so shouldn’t have a big problem find a weakness somewhere. If Simmons returns, Hezonja should go right back to his 22-26 minutes off the bench. If he’s out again, Hezonja will be a main piece of every cash game of mine. As well as most tournaments.

Evan Turner
FD $4,000 DK $4,300

Evan Turner is inconsistent. I don’t care if he’s the only guy on the floor, he can find a way to put up 14 fantasy points. It’s just the nature of the game for a guy who solely relies on “getting in a groove” so to speak. However, with Damian Lillard on the sideline, he’s going to get that opportunity. With Napier coming off of the bench and into the starting lineup, Turner is the main ball handler on the 2nd team. He will see a guaranteed 23 minutes and gets up over 30 if he’s having a good game. The Thunder play fast and we know he excels in the open floor. He’s been at 35+ fantasy points in 2 of his last 4 and sees a match-up better than either of those games. Evan Turner is never a comfortable name to click on, but he’s priced down around the industry and shouldn’t have much trouble hitting value. His upside is huge at the price and it will draw a strong tournament ownership %.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Serge Ibaka
FD $5,900 DK $5,600

Power forward is one of the more bleh positions on the slate. Especially from a value standpoint. Let’s take a look at Serge Ibaka, who’s not a “value” play, but he’s still too cheap at under $6k. He’s been over 28 in 4 straight and 35 in 3 of those 4. He’s seeing the ball a lot on offense and combining them with dominant defensive performances. Now, he may see the ball even more with Kyle Lowry presumed out. Kelly Olynyk is a great scorer, but he stinks on defense and Ibaka will have his way in the paint. He’s a $6.5-$7k player that is going to be there in the next couple days. For now, take advantage of the discount and move on at a very underwhelming power forward position.

Dwight Powell
FD $4,400 DK $3,800

I’m admittedly scraping the bottom of the barrel here, but I do think I’ll end up with some exposure myself. Dwight Powell saw just 14 minutes last game, but saw 27 and 28 the games before. Against the Warriors and Bulls. Both teams warranted his athleticism. Against the Knicks, Dirk matched up well and Powell fell by the wayside. Tonight, the Mavs are facing Aaron Gordon. I would say he’s just a tad bit athletic. It’s truly impossible to guarantee anything with this frontcourt, but from what the trends are saying, we may be looking at a 28-minute game out of Powell at $4k. He’s always productive when on the floor and the Magic are no interior to be scared of. He’s a lot shakier of an option than some of the guards, but PF overall is bad and you could be getting a huge leg up here. Or taking a huge step back. This is easily the most dangerous player so far that I’ve touched on.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Bismack Biyombo
FD $5,600 DK $5,800

With Nikola Vucevic out, Bismack Biyombo has been even more consistent than anyone had imagined. Aside from 1 stinker against a Rockets team that didn’t fit his style, he’s been around 30 minutes in every game and putting up 30-40 fantasy points. He’s not a scorer, but does absolutely everything on the floor and is extremely active. Facing the Mavs tonight, he won’t be forced to run. Sarah Mejri has been getting some minutes at the 5, who is probably the worst pound for pound defender in the league. Biyombo is never going to go off for 50+, but I think his floor here is around 25 with a ceiling around 40. For $5600 at center, you can do a lot worse.

Jonas Valunciunas
FD $5,500 DK $5,100

Hey Raptors, you have yourself a very skilled big man here. Unless something I truly don’t understand is going on, please play Jonas Valunciunas for a measly 30 minutes a night. He putting up close to 2 FP per min and has hit 40 fantasy points in each of his last 2 games, all the while playing just 17 and 26 minutes. If he ever does see the minutes, he could easily hit 50 fantasy points. It’s tough to say because 10 is just as likely. His size should be needed against Hassan Whiteside and he’s not a great defender, but who really knows. Not the head coach, so definitely not us. Valunciunas is going to produce when on the floor and we know he’ll be out there for at least 20. He’s a guy I’ll have in just tournaments, but see the merit in letting him ride across the board. Good luck tonight and feel free to comment below! Thanks!

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/8/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/8/18


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BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

POINT GUARDS:

Chris Paul ($10,200 FD/$10,000 DK) – 

Chris Paul remains an essential fantasy asset with James Harden sidelined. He’s a good play just about any night with the bearded dragon off the floor, however, Monday night he seems to be even more appealing. Paul will be opposing the worst point guard defending team in the Chicago Bulls and will have plenty of a workload to build himself a healthy score for DFS. The total is projected at 221.5 with a Houston -5 spread, indicating a high scoring game and that hopefully pans out to be a somewhat close game. He is now averaging 42.9 FanDuel PPG since Harden’s recent injury occurred.

Delon Wright ($4,800 FD/$4,500 DK) – 

Delon Wright has been a pleasant surprise lately for the Raptor’s second unit. He is averaging 36.4 FanDuel PPG over his last three contests including a dominant 61.1 point performance against the Chicago Bulls. He will be playing the Nets on Monday, who along with the Raptors rank top 10 in pace of play, so this match-up is locked in for an above average tempo. He may be a little bit of a risk as he isn’t guaranteed to uphold his recent performance, but should definitely catch the eye of many in the DFS world at a great price. The Raptors are currently favored by 7.5 points and if the game leads towards a blowout victory, Wright will also pick up a few extra minutes.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Victor Oladipo ($9,400 FD/$8,600 DK) –

After a four game absence, Oladipo took no time getting back into rhythm in his first contest returning exploding for 57.7 FanDuel points in a blowout win against the Bulls which included a roughly 30 FPT first quarter. Due to the blowout victory, Oladipo was cut to 23 minutes and still exceeded value and projections by a landslide. He has a great match-up with the Milwaukee Bucks Monday night, who rank 22nd in defending the position. Oladipo is well rested and should easily exceed value in this bout as he’s still the primary source of offense for this Indian team.

Malcolm Brogdon ($5,200 FD/$4,800 DK) – 

Malcom Brogdon has been fairly consistent for his price of late, scoring 20 or more FanDuel points in seven straight games. He’s been rewarded a starting role recently, and for good reason. He’s currently projected at 25 FanDuel points, giving him great value if that is the legitimate case. At an inexpensive cost, with a track record implying he will exceed value, Brogdon might be the plug-in play you need in this slate.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Jimmy Butler ($9,700 FD/$8,400 DK) – 

Butler simply doesn’t get enough respect in the DFS world, making him a potential play on most nights. After a shaky start to the season he has found his usual form and has been more than the Timberwolves could have asked for when acquiring him. The Cavaliers defense is always a target this season in DFS, who he will be clashing with in this slate which is a major plus. He joins the company of LeBron and The Greek Freak as the only three small forwards on today’s slate projected for 40 or more FanDuel points and is also the cheapest. He may deserve to be paid up for in this one.

Andre Iguodala ($4,300 FD/ $4,200 DK) – 

This play will only work out to it’s full potential if a couple things go right as Iggy as well as Kevin Durant are questionable for this contest. Durant has missed the past two games, opening a starting role for Iguodala to fill his void. He’s performed well for his salary, averaging 26.4 FanDuel PPG in those starts. One of them only nailed him for 22 minutes as the Warriors were up big against the Clippers, making that average a little more impressive. If Iggy was to be cleared for this contest and Durant was to be sidelined for a third straight game, expect Iguodala to keep up the recent play and exceed value for his practically dirt cheap price tag.

POWER FORWARDS:

Tobias Harris ($6,800 FD/$6,500 DK) – 

With Anthony Davis in an unfavorable match-up with the Pistons as well as Draymond Green & Blake Griffin listed as GTD’s Monday night, we are going to focus on two smaller plays at PF, starting with Tobias Harris. His match-up isn’t much better, but Harris has been providing effectively for the Detroit Pistons. He’s coming off a 41.1 FanDuel point bout and has tagged double digit scoring in nine straight games, giving him a little bit of safety in this play. At a mediocre price tag Harris could be a great fit to your lineup to save a little salary without taking too much of a gamble on a low salary play.

Serge Ibaka ($5,900 FD/$5,700 DK) – 

That leaves the second smaller play: Serge Ibaka. Ibaka has been hot of late, averaging 33.8 FanDuel PPG over his last three games while remaining sub-$6,000 on both platforms. He has a decent match-up with the high paced Brooklyn Nets, who he scored nearly the same as that average against just a couple weeks ago. His is pinned to score 29.4 FanDuel points in this contest, giving him a projected value of nearly 5. (4.99 to be exact.) Plugging in Ibaka will not stop you from obtaining those high salary plays, and has the upside to tack on to your superstar’s performances with a good amount of points of his own. Keep an eye out for this guy tonight.

CENTERS:

Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,600 FD/$9,200 DK) – 

Towns always seems to linger in the $9,000 range no matter what, always making him a decent option. The big man has came up with a double-double in nine of his last ten games. He has also gone for 20 or more points in back-to-back contests in hopes of a third Monday night against the defensively weak Cleveland Cavaliers. With the total projected at 222.5 and only a spread of -1 in favor of Minnesota, expect a high scoring intense game (hopefully) for KAT to stuff the stat sheet.

Willie Cauley-Stein ($6,900 FD/$6,200 DK) – 

Remaining at an affordable price, Cauley-Stein continues to be consistent for the Sacramento Kings. He has scored 30 or more FanDuel points in six of his last seven games. Although opposing a top defensive team in the Spurs, Cauley-Stein has a decent math-up considering the Spurs defend the Center position averagely, allowing 50.02 FPPG per 48 minutes to the position. He is a great play at Center if you’d prefer to spend a majority of your salary elsewhere, which a lot of users are likely to do in this slate. He is currently projected at 30.8 FanDuel points in this game, meaning he would stay consistent with his recent play.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18


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BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS:

Chris Paul ($10,100 FD/$10,000 DK) – 

With the absence of James Harden, it is up to Chris Paul to run the Rockets rapid offense. In his first two games since Harden’s injury, Paul posted an average of 41.9 FanDuel PPG between both contests. Although the Pistons defend the position fairly well, it shouldn’t affect Paul too much as somebody will need to be a primary source of offense. He may be a bit pricey considering the superstars he shares the slate with, but if you are paying up at point guard Chris Paul is definitely your guy.

Darren Collison ($6,100 FD/$5,900 DK) – 

Collison is a cheap, reliable option in this slate with a great match-up. He opposes the Chicago Bulls, who rank dead last in the NBA in defending point guards. He versed them just a week ago as well and posted 44.1 FanDuel points with a 30 point breakout game. His teammate, Victor Oladipo, is listed questionable for the contest and if ruled out Collison is in for an expanded role and usage. Regardless of Oladipo’s status, Collison is a great play and has potential to be even greater of a play.

 

SHOOTING GUARDS:

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18 - Lineuplab.com

Eric Gordon ($8,000 FD/$6,800 DK) – 

Alongside Chris Paul, Eric Gordon has benefited severely with Harden being sidelined. Gordon has been getting the starting bid in his place and has been doing more than the Rockets probably expected. In his two starts so far he has collected an average of 44.6 FanDuel PPG including a massive 55.1 point performance against the Golden State Warriors the other night. His price is steadily rising as he continues to thrive in filling the starting rotation void as he is now listed at $6,800/$8,000 on both platforms. His production should stay on track, although consistent 50 point outings seem unlikely.

Justin Holiday ($5,800 FD/$5,300 DK) –

The SG options are a bit thin Saturday night with Harden out and Oladipo questionable. Justin Holiday is another cheap and reliable option. The Indiana Pacers rank in the bottom half of the league in defending SG’s and Holiday posted 30.4 FanDuel point against them just a week ago. He has also posted 30 or more FanDuel points in three of his last four games, giving him great value at a very cheap price tag. He has also seen 30 or more minutes in six straight games. If that continues Saturday night, he has great potential.

 

SMALL FORWARDS:

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18 - Lineuplab.com

LeBron James ($11,700 FD/$11,600 DK) – 

Who other than the King leads the SF position just about every night? He may be worth the high price tag in this one in his match-up with the Orlando Magic, who rank poorly against SF’s. The only concern as per most nights is if the Magic can keep this game close to assure James gets his regular minutes which may be difficult without Center Nikola Vucevic. James is insanely consistent in fantasy value as he has posted 50 or more FanDuel points in 12 of his last 14 contests. His teammate Kevin Love is a GTD with an ankle injury he suffered last game, which could mean extended use of the King if he were to be sidelined.

Gerald Green ($5,700 FD/$5,100 DK) – 

Gerald Green has been a great asset for fantasy as of late, seeing a minutes increase due to James Harden as mentioned a couple times. He has posted around 35 FanDuel points in both games without him and has seen his minutes increase with his salary. He remains extremely affordable and a great plug-in play to help afford the superstars in this slate. A benefit to paying for Green is the possibility of a blowout generating more minutes for him, as the Pistons lost by over 30 to the Sixers just last night.

 

POWER FORWARDS:

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18 - Lineuplab.com

Anthony Davis ($11,200 FD/$9,900 DK) –

Davis is the lone stud on today’s PF selection automatically making him a popular option. The big man has posted an average of 55.4 FanDuel PPG over his last five games. He’s accompanied these fantasy points with 29 or more points in four straight games. He will be squaring up with the Timberwolves, who rank 21st in the league in defensive rating and are playing the second game of a back-to-back venture. ‘

 

Aaron Gordon ($7,900 FD/$8,000 DK) – 

Gordon is in a great match-up Saturday night against the defensively poor Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic currently sit at 9.5 point underdogs, so they will definitely need Gordon to put on a show if they want to keep up. The Cavs don’t play at the fastest tempo, but they do rank 13th to accompany the Magic’s pace which ranks 7th. A slight boost in tempo could definitely benefit Gordon and increase his ceiling. His price appears to be a bargain that needs to be taken advantage of.

 

CENTERS:

 

Bismack Biyombo ($6,200 FD/$5,700 DK) – 

Biyombo has been his best impression of Nikola Vucevic in his starts filling his void. When seeing 28 or more minutes he is averaging 34.7 FanDuel PPG over this current span of starts. Just like Gordon, Biyombo has a match-up that could help him exceed value in this slate. He only saw 18 minutes in his last start, but should see his usual workload since starting for Vucevic.

Mason Plumlee ($5,300 FD/$4,300 DK) – 

A bit of a risky play, but Mason Plumlee could be your secret weapon Saturday night. Sitting at just $5,300 on FanDuel and only $4,300 on DraftKings he plays the Kings who rank 22nd in defending centers. On top of that, Plumlee has been pretty consistent of late as he has scored 20 or more FanDuel points in four of his last five games. He is seeing minutes in the lower 20’s about every night as he’s only played less than 20 minutes once since December 8th.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18 - LineupLab.com

Shabazz Napier
FD $6,500 DK $6,600
Damian Lillard is questionable as we speak, and Napier depends fully on it. If Lillard plays, scratch Napier completely. If Lillard is ruled out, Napier is one of the best plays on the entire slate. Napier has been over 35 minutes in 5 straight games and will be right there again. He’s been over 35 fantasy points in all but 1 game and still got to 30. He’s extremely safe if given the minutes and has a match-up against a Cavs team who’s a bit of a mess. With Isaiah Thomasa returning tonight, you can throw out whatever DVP the Cavs have run against PG’s. It will all change now and is up in the air. Isaiah has been one of the worst defenders in the league for a couple years now and I don’t see him helping at all. Napier is still cheap enough in all formats if starting and would be one of the more popular options on the slate. Once again, if Lillard is ruled in, this is all null and void. Lillard has been ruled out. Shabazz away!

 

George Hill
FD $4,700 DK $4,600
The Kings have been running a 3 point guard rotation for most of the year now, but might run into some issues tonight. As we sit, Frank Mason is out and DeAaron Fox is questionable. If Fox ends up being ruled out, George Hill should get to 28 minutes as a minimum. He’d be the only healthy PG on the roster and match-up quite nicely with Kemba Walker. Hill has obviously been very disappointing this year, but has shown some flashes of upside and can still produce in big minutes. His price is extremely low on both sites and he’ll only need you around 20-22 in cash games to hit value. There are a lot of other ways to pay up on this slate and PG probably isn’t the best. You can definitely go Kemba or Schroder in tournaments, but don’t know if it’s at all the optimal play. Save some funds instead with Napier/Hill move onto a position with some more depth.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18 - LineupLab.com
Tyreke Evans
FD $9,000 DK $8,200

It’s 2017 and Tyreke Evans is just now realizing his full potential. It may actually be the NBA who was a step behind here, but nonetheless, this is a superstar who’s finally getting the opportunity. He’s sitting over 40 fantasy points in every game and has hit 60 a couple times. The ball is in his hands every possession down the stretch and will rarely not be involved in the final play with Conley out, whether it be a shot attempt or assist. It’s how he’s able to convert with such consistency on a team that lacks PACE and possessions. He’s going to shoot close to 20 times at the very least and stuffs the stat sheet like nobody else at the position. The Clippers rank 25th in the NBA against SG’s and especially struggle with size. Evans is one of the bigger guards in the world and will cause problems for anyone who tries to guard him. This game will stay close and Evans will be in there for 30+ minutes. He’s a safe play in all formats, though he’ll cost you a solid penny.

Kent Bazemore
FD $5,800 DK $6,000

Bazemore never sees huge minutes anymore, but it’s worked into his price tag. He still does damage in his 25-30 minutes and has put up 45+ fantasy points plenty of times around just 30 minutes. He’s one of the few consistent pieces the Hawks can actually trust and have built-in minutes for him. The match-up against the fast-paced Suns squad is obviously a great one. While they don’t rank dead last against SG’s like they have for most of the year, 27th isn’t all that much better. They play fast and have nobody to cover the rim, so it doesn’t matter how good the perimeter defense is. Bazemore is a safe better for 25 fantasy points with the realistic upside for 40. He’s viable in all formats at a very friendly price tag.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18 - LineupLab.com
LeBron James
FD $11,500 DK $11,700

By default, LeBron is close to a must in all formats. While there are some other high-priced options, LBJ is the only real superstar. He could easily outscore the field by 20 and nobody would bat an eye. LeBron is truly match-up proof, so relies a lot more on the PACE and importance of game. The Blazers play slightly faster than league average and are considered a powerhouse, so I personally expect a big LeBron game. It’ll likely be a combo of Aminu and Turner on him, but it obviously doesn’t matter. He’s going to dominate both of them if his shot is falling and will settle for 50 FP if not. He’ll be in 100% of my lineups and while he’s nowhere near a must, I don’t think he’s an optimal fade with the options on the slate.

Kawhi Leonard
FD $7,500 DK $6,700

Kawhi played 26 and 27 minutes in his last 2 games, so things are getting a little serious. Let’s say there’s no progression. He sits around 26-28 minutes against a Knicks squad that doesn’t play any defense. As I see it, he has a 25 FP floor with a ceiling in the 40s. If he starts, the ball is in his hands all game and the usage is as concrete as it gets. His price is under $8k on both sites and doesn’t need to get you anywhere near his normal production. He is listed as probable right now, so just make sure nothing weird happened before you plug him in. I think there will be some hesitancy to play an expensive guy on a minutes limit, which will hopefully keep his ownership under 20%.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18 - LineupLab.com

John Collins
FD $5,900 DK $4,900

Power forward is ugly. Kristaps Porzingis and LaMarcus Aldridge will face off as the only 2 expensive options and I don’t love either. Instead, let’s move down to the low/mid range to John Collins. Collins is an extremely talented player and a guy that would be putting up 35+ a night if given the minutes. His playing time has been tempered since returning from injury, but he still sees a consistent 25. The Suns play fast and don’t play much defense under the rim, which plays right into the game of Collins. His minutes are always going to be a concern, but find me a better option at the position and I’ll listen. This is a game you want exposure to and Collins gives you an affordable way to do it.

Jarell Martin
FD $4,200 DK $4,300

We haven’t looked at a punt option since PG with George Hill, so here is a solid one. Even with JaMychal Green back,  Jarell Martin is seeing 24+ minutes. He’s been effective when on the floor and the Grizz can’t just stuff him back onto the bench. He’s close to minimum price on both sites and will only need you 20 fantasy points to hit value. He matches up well with the athleticism of Blake Griffin and could end up seeing extended minutes because of it. The Clippers are a bottom 10 defensive team down low and are very easy to score FP against. Martin is a guy who’s very active when on the floor and does a good job of forcing his involvement. He puts up FP with ease and has a very friendly match-up tonight. He’s not a guy who will ever get you 35+ fantasy points, but somewhere between 20 and 30 is very likely and at his price that’s more than enough.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18 - LineupLab.com

Kevin Love
FD $7,900 DK $8,700

Center has a lot of similar options in the same price range. Kevin Love is easily my favorite in a game that should remain close against Portland. He has been superb this season as a whole and will very rarely fall below 35 fantasy points. His upside is always around 60 if he gets hot and this is a top 10 match-up for him. Jusuf Nurkic is a load in the paint, but can’t play any perimeter defense and isn’t a good rebounder. Love can be penciled in for a double/double with the upside for a lot more. His price is fair on both sites and will only need to have a “good” game to get it done.


Tyson Chandler
FD $4,500 DK $4,400

If you want to pay down at Center, Tyson Chandler is a very strong pivot. At $4500, he’s been at 30 minutes and 20 fantasy points in 2 straight games. If he once again gets the start, it’s safe to assume he runs for 25+ minutes against one of the league’s weakest interiors. With Dedmon out, it’s John Collins and Miles Plumlee at the 5. Chandler is no maestro at the 5 anymore, but he can get a double/double if given the opportunity. Especially against a team who can’t rebound and allows the 3rd most offensive rebounds. I prefer Love if you have the funds, but Chandler makes for a safe play under $5k and will let you pay up elsewhere. Center has a lot of options, but none of them are musts and Chandler shouldn’t be more than 15% owned. Either of these guys can be played in all formats, but know that Chandler has a ceiling around 35.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17


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Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Kris Dunn
FD $7,400 DK $7,000

After a very entertaining 5-game Christmas slate, we have an unusual 8-gamer on a Tuesday. There are a lot of interesting spots and plenty of games to dissect. We’ll kick it off in Milwaukee with Kris Dunn and the Bulls. Point guard is actually a spot that’s much worse than usual. At least at the top. The 5 highest-priced options are all in average-subpar spots. Kris Dunn has the best match-up of the 5, facing off with Eric Bledsoe in what should be a very close game. With a 212 total and 6 point line, Dunn should be in there for his full complement of 34-38 minutes. Eric Bledsoe is a fine defender, but the Bucks have no help underneath the rim and Dunn will exploit that. Bledsoe is also a very turnover prone PG and Dunn is probably the most skilled in the league in forcing turnovers. He’s by no means a must at this price, but he’s in a better spot than the rest and is affordable. He’ll be a huge part of both my cash games and tournaments.

Milos Teodosic
FD $5,900 DK $4,600

If you’re looking to pay down at PG, we have a guy here that is going to hit value in most cases. Milos Teodosic is an extremely consistent player and it’s shown in his minutes. He runs a strict rotation and is looking at 32 minutes right now. Against a Kings squad that ranks 22nd against PG’s, sign me up. Teodosic is one of the main playmakers on this Clippers squad, though he is admittedly still trying to find himself. He’s not a typical rookie and shouldn’t be treated like one. His price is too low and I don’t think he gets under 25 FP here. The Clippers are missing both SF’s, so we’ll see Rivers move over to the 2 down the stretch with Teodosic at the 1. The game is expected to stay close and I don’t see much chance of missed value.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Wayne Ellington, vs. Magic (FD: $4600, DK: $3900)
Projected Points: FD: 22.02, DK: 23.16

Now for one of the easier plays on the slate. With Dion Waiters ruled out, you can pencil in Ellington for 34-40 minutes and 10+ shots. This isn’t at all a guy who’s going to stand in the corner and disappear. He is actively used on the offense and if you’ve rostered a separate Heat player, you know that all too well. He’s a streaky shooter who can get hot in any game. The Magic are an extremely average defense and they rank 17th against the 2. Ellington is just an extremely safe play in all formats that will likely be around 35-40% owned in cash games. I will be there.

Tyreke Evans
FD $8,500 DK $8,600

If you can pay up at SG, I think you go Tyreke Evans. With the Grizzlies typically being one of the slower teams in the league (Evans still destroys), it’s a big deal when they play up in pace to such an extreme. The Suns are the fastest team in the league at a 109 PAE, compared to the 98 the Grizzlies baseline at. Evans is going to see an extra 4-5 shots here and will have the ball in his hands a lot as he can handle the fast pace. The Suns may have Devin Booker back, but that will just hopefully help Evans. They’ve ranked 21st against SG’s on the season, but it’s almost meaningless for a guy like Evans who plays 1-3 throughout the game. He’s one of my favorite expensive plays on the slate and a guy I think gets over 45 fantasy points at an affordable tag.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Harrison Barnes
FD $6,300 DK $6,200

Small forward is the ugliest position on this slate. If Giannis Antetokounmpo is a full go, I’ll be doing my best to get there. He’s the only guy who can hit 60 fantasy points and could blow the entire position out of the water. If not, I’m looking for consistency in Harrison Barnes. He is a guy I often lean on in cash games and you know what you’re going to get on 95% of the nights. The other 5% will consist of some stinkers and explosions, but it’s not why he’s in your lineup. He gets a match-up with the Raptors tonight that will give him OG Anunboy and Norman Powell. Neither of them is anything at all to be scared of and Barnes is going to do his normal thing. If you need 28-40 out of SF and have $6,500, here you go. The game isn’t all that exciting and we might not target it again, but Barnes is not dependent on a fast pace or bad team defense.

Chandler Parsons
FD $4,200 DK $4,000

Chandler Parsons has seen 25 and 26 minutes in each of the last two games. I will play him in 100% of my lineups at this price. He’s a very good player that is just catching his legs before he can finally get healthy. if that ever happens. As for tonight, he gets an ideal match-up against the Suns where the FP will be easy to come by. T.J Warren isn’t a bad defender at all, but he doesn’t have much help behind him with such a pitiful interior that can’t keep up. Vegas has this game staying close and is high-scoring for the Grizzlies. Parsons is extremely cheap and will only need you 15-20 in cash games. he could easily get hot from behind the line and get to 30. This is a guy making more money than 99% of the league.

Power Forward

Zach Randolph
FD $6,000 DK $6,000

Small forward is the worst position, but power forward isn’t all that great either. You have LaMarcus Aldridge at the top, but you don’t know how many minutes he will play against a lowly Nets squad. You then have a questionable Aaron Gordon against a slow Heat team. That leads us down to Zach Randolph, who’s consistent and priced fairly. He’s not even getting huge minutes, but touching the ball on almost every possession he’s in there. He’s always been a productive offensive player and his shot is still there. The Clippers are extremely weak at the 4 with Griffin out and he’ll take advantage. Expect another 25-35 fantasy points with the upside for 45 if it stays close and he plays 30+ minutes. He’s somehow a top option on this offense and while he may go back to scoring 10 FP a night like he has for the better part of the 2 season, he has his legs right now and it’s not at all a fluke. At an extremely weak position, I’ll take it 100/100 times.

John Henson
FD $5,300 DK $4,700

John Henson is still getting the start and he’s getting some solid minutes. He’s been over 38 in 3 of his last 4, which may be the first time in his career. He’s always been a guy that produces when on the court, but hasn’t been able to be trusted to get the minutes. NOw, you can pencil in at least 22-23 if foul trouble doesn’t hit. He’s been stretched over 30 multiple times, so the upside is there if he’s wreaking havoc on this weak Bulls interior. Mirotic and Portis are both average defenders, but neither have the height or length to stay with Henson under the rim. It’ll likely be Robin Lopez to start, but I don’t see that lasting very long either. Getting minutes at both the 4 and 5, Henson is a guy you can guarantee production from. At this price, he won’t be a guy that kills you. His floor is around 20 with a ceiling well over 40.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Bismack Biyombo
FD $4,400 DK $3,800

With Nikola Vucevic out for the foreseeable future, look for Biyombo to do exactly what he did last year and get up to $6k very soon. Unless the Magic change their entire approach, he’ll get close to 30 minutes and be a big part of the offense. He doesn’t get plays run for him, but is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league and finds tons of ways to get involved. If you’ve been playing NBS DFS for some time now, you know exactly what I mean. The Heat are short-handed without Whiteside and Adebayo is nothing to be all that worried about. He’s cheap across the board and will help you pay up for some guys at other positions that are very scary to fade.

Nikola Jokic
FD $8,900 DK $7,900

Make sure you don’t look at this match-up with the Jazz in the same light as usual. With Rudy Gobert out of the lineup, they are very weak down low against skilled players. Jokic is one of the best big men in this league and will be back to putting up 6-70 a night when he gets rolling. He’s played 36+ minutes in each of the last 3 games, so he’s definitely 100% healthy and ready to go. Instead of Gobert, it’ll be Derrick Favors and Epke Udoh on Jokic. Ya, not the same. The game is expected to stay close (-4) and Jokic is the only place the ball goes down the stretch. The Nuggets last played 3 days ago, so throw out playing time eas a concern. Jokic is expensive, but he won’t be popular and has 45+ FP upside.

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

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

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


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Point Guard

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

Jeff Teague
FD $6,500 DK $6,500

Strap in! If you’re looking for a slate of games that comes to us easily and builds a lineup by itself, this isn’t the one. We’re going to need to take some time with this one and dissect each position. Starting off at point guard, it isn’t pretty. It gets better once we get to small forward, but will have to take what we can get until then. While PG is usually a stacked position, Wall is the only expensive option and he’s coming off of a 2-week injury. Instead, we’ll start in the mid-range with Jeff Teague. Teague has disappointed many this year, but I think he’s somewhat easy to project. You don’t play him against a team that plays slow. Go with Towns in that case. Against a Philly squad that likes to run and ranks 22nd against PG’s, Teague has a 25 FP floor with a ceiling over 40. He’s right back to seeing 35+ minutes and won’t have to worry about seeing any Ben Simmons. Teague will be matched up with Jerryd Bayless and McConnell if he plays, giving him the best match-up on the entire team. Teague was pathetic against the Mavericks last game and you can be sure on an improvement from that game. He might draw some ownership by default at this position, but shouldn’t be any higher than 20 or 25%.

Yogi Ferrell
FD $4,500 DK $3,800

Ya, I told you it’s ugly. Dennis Smith Jr. has already been ruled out for this game and it will once again be J.J. Barea and Yogi Ferrell taking the minutes. Barea is fine, but he’s more expensive and no safer than Ferrell. Yogi is sitting under $4.5k on both sites and has seen 32 and 22 minutes with Smith out. He should get over that 25 minute-mark at the very least here against a Spurs squad that can be taken advantage of. While they are still one of the league’s most efficient defenses, PG is a spot to attack. They rank8th worst in basketball, allowing 47 FPPG. They’ve also allowed over 55 a game over the last 10 with the Spurs PG’s rotating with the injury bug. Ferrell is by no means safe, but he’s cheap enough to play in all formats and has immense upside. He’s an electric plug for this offense and I can’t see why they wouldn’t give him minutes in this style of game. With PG lacking any type of depth or opportunity cost, Ferrell is an excellent play in all formats that I’ll use to pay up later on.

Shooting Guard

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

Bradley Beal
FD $8,600 DK $8,600

John Wall is currently questionable to play, though it doesn’t seem like the Wizards beat writers are very optimistic. Make sure you just keep an eye out as the day moves along. Wall is obviously a huge deal for Beal as it gives him a ton more shots and minutes at PG. I actually expect the Wizards to allow Beal to take it easy with reduced minutes for a game or two once Wall is back. If Wall is out, this is a dream match-up with a Nets squad that doesn’t play defense. Beal has been great since pouring in 51 and this is the best match-up yet. The game will remain close if Wall sits and Beal will play 34+ minutes. He’s a phenomenal option in all formats.

Andrew Wiggins
FD $5,900 DK $6,000

My lord, look at this price. it seems like something is wrong, but it’s just Andrew Wiggins and his jump shot. Sitting around 20 fantasy point in a lot of his games recently is more than concerning. I don’t know if he’s hurt or just on a very cold streak, but this has nothing to do with the addition of Jimmy Butler. This is solely on Wiggins and something he’s going through. If there’s a spot to bounce back, this is it. Against shooting guards, the 76ers rank 2nd worst in the entire league with 51.5 FPPG allowed. Redick and TLC are 2 of the worst defenders on the entire team and give up a ton of open lanes. At this price, Wiggins is going to have a hard time hurting you. Even if he hits hit the bottom of the barrel 20 fantasy points, I don’t know if there’s anyone at a similar price at SG that can guarantee me more. His upside is over 50 and supersedes anyone under $7k. This game will remain close and we know Wiggins

Small Forward

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

LeBron James
FD $12,600 DK $11,800

Finally. This slate definitely picks up the pace after shooting guard. We’ll start out with LeBron James in a strong match-up with the Hawks. When looking for a good/bad LeBron match-up, you don’t look at how good the opposing team is against SF’s or how fast/slow they play. You look at how much LeBron cares about the game and whether or not it will stay close. This game checks both of those boxes. An eastern conference foe like the Hawks is a team LeBron will get up to play and in turn, has a 50 FP floor. He put up 94 fantasy points earlier in the year in a worse match-up, so I can’t sit here and predict his upside. With all the value on this slate, he’s close to a must in cash games.

T.J. Warren
FD $8,000 DK $8,000

With Devin Booker out for the last 2 games, Warren has reached cash game value in both. He didn’t go crazy in either, but that’s fine as they were bad match-ups. He now gets a decent match-up with a Kings squad that doesn’t play much defense. They’re also missing their rim protector in Willie Cauley-Stein. Warren is the easy number 1 option on this offense and he is going to have a few games over 40 FP with Booker out. This could very well be one and his price is fair. There’s plenty of value to pay up for both LeBron and Warren, so you shouldn’t be restricted on that front. Small forward is a spot you’ll need to get right.

Power Forward

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

Kristaps Porzingis
FD $9,700 DK $8,500

Kicking us off at power forward is one of my favorite plays of the night. Porzingis and the Knicks face off with the Lakers in MSG tonight. He’s still a bit underpriced on both sites and is back to seeing his normal allotment of minutes. He saw 37 against the Hawks last game and finished with 55 fantasy points. I was able to get him in every lineup at just 6% ownership and it was beyond glorious. He now gets an even better match-up with a Lakers squad that doesn’t play interior defense. Brook Lopez, Kyle Kuzma, and Larry Nance Jr. are all too small and not good defenders in the first place. Porzingis is going to be over $10k on both sites as soon as he can stay healthy for a few weeks and we’re able to take advantage now while he will still be somewhat under-owned.

Taj Gibson
FD $5,300 DK $6,000

We’re touching on our third Timberwolves player on this slate and it has a lot to do with Thibodeau. He’s consistently giving the starters 36+ minutes and it’s hard to miss value against the fast-paced 76ers in that amount of time. Taj Gibson isn’t a very good NBA player in 2017, but it doesn’t really matter when he’s living in a Minnesota bubble that gives him more minutes than Kevin Durant. Whatever Tom Thibedoeu, good thing you got another head coaching gig so we can have some more Luol Deng and Derrick Rose in 5 years. Yay. Excuse the tangent, but I just don’t understand how GM’s continue to allow this fool to ruin careers. We’ll continue using it to our advantage tonight. The 76ers sports Ben Simmons at PF, who will end up on Butler or Wiggins. Gibson will see Saric, Covington, and Holmes on the defensive side and neither are any good. Gibson is a pure volume play and a good one in all formats.

Center

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

Andre Drummond
FD $9,200 DK $9,400

The NBA is lucky the year is 2017 or we would have one of the league’s best players here in Andre Drummond. Unfortunately, his body is made for the 80s and 90s. He’s been much better running the floor this year and it’s helped him a ton against fast-paced teams. Even in the up-tempo era, this is a guy who is a serious threat for a 20/20 against any team. Tonight, he faces off with a Nuggets squad that has no center. With Nikola Jokic already ruled out, it’ll be Plumlee and Faried to draw Drummond. No chance. Drummond is a stone cold lock for 35 fantasy points with the upside for so many more. He’s my favorite center in all formats and a guy I’ll have close to 100% of.

Richaun Holmes
FD $4,500 DK $3,800

I have no interest in messing with a questionable Joel Embiid. None. I don’t care if he gets ruled in and is dancing around on the floor. It’s not necessary tonight and the risk is too high. I’m willing to make sure his knee holds up for another game and am willing to bet he will see limited minutes if he does play. If he sits, Richaun Holmes jumps to the forefront as a top value play on the slate. He saw 23 and 20 minutes the last 2 games and will be right there if Embiid is out again. The T-Wolves are a weak defensive interior that has allowed the 14th most FPPG to opposing centers. With Okafor gone, Holmes is the only other center on the roster and will be out there to match with Towns if needed. He’s always risky, but he’s super cheap and you’re going to need value on this slate. I’ll be doing my best to get 100% Drummond, but Holmes is a great pivot if Joel is out.