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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/25/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA rebounds from a quiet Thursday with 10 games on the schedule Friday. The combination of so many games and the increasing amount of injuries across the league have made for a lot of cheap value play options to consider. Here are a couple that stand out at each position. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/25/19

Jerryd Bayless, MIN at UTA
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,600

The Timberwolves are running out of healthy point guards. Jeff Teague (foot) and Tyus Jones (ankle) have already been on the shelf and then Derrick Rose (ankle) went down Thursday. With all three of them very much in doubt for this contest, Bayless could find himself with plenty of playing time. He played well after Rose left Thursday, scoring 16 points to go along with two rebounds, eight assists and one steal across 30 minutes.

Shabazz Napier, BKN vs. NY
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,600

The Nets are dealing with their own injury issues. Spencer Dinwiddie is being evaluated for a thumb injury and could be out awhile if it’s determined that he is indeed dealing with torn ligaments. Losing him could be devastating with Caris LeVert (foot) and Allen Crabbe (knee) still out, as well. If Dinwiddie doesn’t take the floor Friday, expect Napier to receive more playing time. Across 10 games in which Napier has played at least 20 minutes, he’s averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/25/19

Eric Gordon, HOU vs. TOR
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300

Chris Paul (hamstring) appears to be nearing a return, but reports seem to indicate he might sit out Friday despite being listed as questionable. If he does indeed sit, Gordon would remain a great option in DFS. He’s been an excellent running mate for James Harden, averaging 19.5 points, four rebounds and 2.7 assists over four games since returning from injury. However, once Paul does return, expect Gordon to see a decline in scoring opportunities.

Josh Okogie, MIN at UTA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

With the Timberwolves depleted at guard, Okogie is another player who with the potential for added playing time. He logged a whopping 40 minutes against the Lakers on Thursday and finished with nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. It should be noted that he was only 2-for-14 from the field. If he can get close to that many shot attempts again Friday, he could provide value at his cheap price on both sites.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/25/19

Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO at DEN
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,600

Oubre kept things rolling against the Blazers on Thursday, scoring 18 points to go along with six rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three blocks. He played 35 minutes and should continue to receive a heavy dosage of playing time with T.J. Warren (ankle) out for the next two-to-three weeks. When the Suns faced the Nuggets a couple of weeks ago, Oubre exploded for 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

Gary Harris, DEN vs. PHO
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,000

The Nuggets initially brought Harris off the bench after his return from injury, but he started Wednesday against the Jazz. He played 28 minutes and finished with 16 points, two rebounds, two assists and a block. Expect him to start and see more playing time again Friday. Of note, Harris is only listed at small forward on FanDuel since he is listed at shooting guard on DraftKings. His price on DraftKings isn’t all that appealing, but he’s a bargain worth considering on FanDuel.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/25/19

Bobby Portis, CHI vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,700

With the Bulls in a free fall, they would be wise to play Portis as much as possible. He’s not shy about taking shots, which is evident by his 26.2 percent usage rate. Across nine games in which he has played at least 20 minutes, Portis has been productive with averages of 13.9 points and 8.8 rebounds. Don’t expect much from him defensively, but this is still a great matchup against the Clippers, who allow the most DraftKings points per game and the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers.

Dragan Bender, PHO at DEN
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

The Suns have been playing shorthanded up front with Deandre Ayton (ankle) and Richaun Holmes (foot) out for each of their last three games. That’s opened up a starting job for Bender, who has cashed in by averaging 14 points and 7.7 rebounds. If both Ayton and Holmes can’t play Friday, Bender is a great option to deploy in tournament play.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/25/19

Mitchell Robinson, NY at BKN
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,000

The Knicks are a mess. They continue to change up their rotations, especially at center. Luke Kornet (ankle) will be out for a couple of weeks and the team seems to be souring on Enes Kanter, who didn’t play at all Wednesday against the Rockets. This could mean more minutes for Robinson, who is a shot blocking machine. He played at least 16 minutes in both of the last two games and averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, one steal and 2.5 blocks. The Nets allow the third-most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers, leaving Robinson with the potential for a productive stat line.

Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. PHO
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,900

This game has the potential to get ugly early. Not only do these two teams have very different records, but they are both headed in the opposite direction in terms of injuries. Don’t be surprised if this becomes a blowout, which could lead to added playing time for Plumlee. That could be huge considering the Suns allow the most FanDuel points per game and the fifth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers.

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/24/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

There are only four games in the NBA on Thursday, but the evening is full of star power with the Warriors, Thunder, and Blazers all set to take the floor. If you want to get some of the studs into your DFS lineups, you’ll need to find some cheaper value plays to help with your budget. Let’s examine two players are each position that fit that mold. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/24/19

Derrick Rose, MIN at LAL
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,500

The Timberwolves blew out the Suns on Tuesday, leaving Rose to play just 23 minutes. He only attempted nine shots, his fewest in a game in over a month. This matchup is set up for him to have a nice rebound performance considering the Lakers play at the third-fastest pace (104 possessions per game) in the league. Jeff Teague (foot) is listed as questionable and Tyus Jones (ankle) might not be able to play again Thursday, either, which could leave Rose with plenty of playing if this game stays close.

Tomas Satoransky, WAS vs. GS
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,400

Satoransky continues to receive significant playing time with John Wall (heel) out, logging at least 30 minutes in eight of his last 11 games. That’s an important threshold for him to reach since he has averaged 12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals across 11 games in which he’s played at least 30 minutes. This has the potential to be a high scoring game between two teams that are both in the top-10 in the league in pace of play, making Satoransky an intriguing option.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/24/19

Dennis Schroder, OKC vs. NO
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

Schroder had a lofty 30.4 percent usage rate on a bad Hawks team last year, so there was no question that number was going to decline this season playing with Russell Westbrook and Paul George. While that has come to fruition, he’s still one of the Thunder’s main scoring options with his 25.5 percent usage rate. This is another great opportunity for him to be productive with the both the Thunder and the Pelicans inside the top-six in pace of play. In his first two meetings with the Pelicans, he’s averaged 23 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Josh Hart, LAL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

Hart returned to the starting five Tuesday, but only played 20 minutes due to the lopsided score. There’s a chance he could return to the bench for this contest if Rajon Rondo (hand), who is listed as questionable, is able to play. Even if Rondo does return, the Lakers will still be playing shorthanded without LeBron James (groin) and Lonzo Ball (ankle). There should be enough available minutes for Hart to at least be worth considering at this cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/24/19

Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO vs. POR
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,700

Yet another injury has impacted the Suns with T.J. Warren (ankle) being their lastest player to go down. He’s already been ruled out for Thursday, which is significant considering he’s averaging 32 minutes a game and has a 22.9 percent usage rate. Oubre is one of the players who should see increased playing time as a result of Warren’s absence. Oubre is already rolling with averages of 19.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals across his last eight games, so any added minutes could be huge for his upside.

Jeff Green, WAS vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Otto Porter Jr. is starting to come on strong for the Wizards but they continue to bring him off the bench. Green has been the one in the starting five and has averaged 12.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 22 games in that role. Based on the pace at which this game should be played, Green is a viable option at his cheap price on both sites.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/24/19

Josh Jackson, PHO vs. POR
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,300

The other player who should benefit from the absence of Warren is Jackson, who could even move into the starting five. Regardless of whether he starts or not, the potential for added playing time makes Jackson very appealing. Over the nine games in which he has played at least 30 minutes, he’s been very productive with averages of 15 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.1 steals.

Dragan Bender, PHO vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

The Suns’ frontcourt could be extremely thin in this game with Deandre Ayton (ankle) and Richaun Holmes (foot) listed as questionable. Ayton and Holmes have missed back-to-back games, which left Bender to start. He came through with a double-double in both games, so it’s hard to argue against rolling with him at this price if he starts despite the Blazers being tough on opposing centers.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/24/19

Jahlil Okafor, NO at OKC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900

Okafor hasn’t had many opportunities to take the floor with the Pelicans. However, they decided to move him into the starting five due to the injury to Anthony Davis (finger). To say that the experiment has gone well is an understatement. He played at least 31 minutes in both games, averaging 18.5 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. Expect him to start again Thursday, leaving him with plenty of upside if you’re looking to save some money at center.

Ivica Zubac, LAL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,700

Zubac is heating up again. He’s played at least 20 minutes in each of the last three games, which helped him average 20.3 points and 7.7 rebounds during that stretch. Tyson Chandler is starting to see his playing time trail off, so don’t be surprised if Zubac continues to hang onto an expanded role. His upside isn’t as high as Okafor’s, but Zubac is not someone to overlook if you can’t make Okafor’s price work within your budget.

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Tuesday brings just four games in the NBA, which doesn’t leave us with a ton of cheap value play options. However, some key injuries do help create a few more viable choices. Let’s highlight a couple of players at each position that might be worth considering for your lineup. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19

Patrick Beverley, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,800

The Clippers are going to be shorthanded Tuesday with Danilo Gallinari (back) out and Lou Williams (hamstring) not expected to play. Beverley started with both players out Sunday against the Spurs and cashed in his opportunity with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block. It will be hard for him to duplicate such lofty numbers, but this matchup is favorable with both the Clippers and the Mavericks in the top half of the league in pace of play.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600

While Beverly shined Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander laid an egg. He played 38 minutes but finished with just seven points, four rebounds, and three assists. The problem was he shot just 3-for-15 from the field. That was certainly an anomaly for him considering he’s shooting 46.8 percent from the field for the season, overall. Don’t let one bad performance scare you away, this is still a great spot to deploy Gilgeous-Alexander.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19

Danny Green, TOR vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Green exploded with Kawhi Leonard (rest) out Saturday against the Grizzlies, scoring 24 points in just 23 minutes. He made a staggering eight three-pointers against one of the better defensive teams in the league, making the performance even more impressive. The expected return of Leonard will somewhat limit Green’s upside Tuesday, but he’s still someone to consider since he’s averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals across his last seven games.

Avery Bradley, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,000

Bradley has been almost non-existent offensively this year, averaging only 7.7 points in 29 minutes per game. His usage rate sits at 14.4 percent and he’s shooting only 37.9 percent from the field, which isn’t exactly a recipe for success. However, he logged a whopping 41 minutes with Gallinari and Williams out Sunday and finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. If he can receive similar playing time in this matchup, he might actually be able to provide value based on his dirt cheap price on both sites.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19

T.J. Warren, PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,700

Despite Warren’s slight scoring average decline this season, he remains a crucial part of the Suns’ offense with his 23.1 percent usage rate. They could rely on him even more so Tuesday with Deandre Ayton (ankle) expected to miss his second straight game. Warren scored 21 points against these same Timberwolves with Ayton out Sunday while also chipping in four rebounds and two steals. His contributions will likely mostly be limited to the scoring column, but he’s still someone to consider during this limited slate.

Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,600

Oubre got off to a bit of a slow start after joining the Suns, but he’s rolling right now with averages of 20.3 points, six rebounds, and 1.6 steals over his last seven games.  He started to see increased playing time when Devin Booker missed a few games due to injury and hasn’t relinquished his expanded role even with Booker back on the floor. If you’re deciding between Oubre and Warren, Oubre might actually be the better play since he’s a little cheaper and playing so well right now.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19

Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at OKC
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,100

Aminu sometimes gets lost behind Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and Jusuf Nurkic. He’s not nearly the same offensive threat that those three are, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored in DFS. He’s a nightly double-double threat with averages of 9.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and he has a high minutes floor with an average of 30 minutes per contest. The last time these two teams met, Aminu thrived with 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Dragan Bender, PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,000

With Ayton and Richaun Holmes (foot) out Sunday, Bender found his way into the starting five for the Suns. It was certainly a desperation move, but it almost paid off with the Suns losing by two points in the final seconds. Bender did his part, scoring 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes. If both Ayton and Holmes miss this contest Tuesday, Bender is going to be a very popular pick at this cheap price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19

DeAndre Jordan, DAL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,400

This stands out as a prime opportunity to deploy Jordan since the Clippers allow the most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. In his first two matchups against his former squad, Jordan averaged 13.5 points and 22.5 rebounds. Don’t expect them to be able to slow him down on the boards Tuesday.

Greg Monroe, TOR vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,400

If you’re playing on FanDuel, it’s slim pickings in terms of cheap centers with upside. If you’re looking for a dart throw in tournament play, Monroe might be your guy. The Kings have a lot of depth up front, so Monroe could be asked to log a few extra minutes. This game also has significant blowout potential with the Raptors favored by 11 points, so Monroe could even grab a few extra minutes in garbage time. Across four games in which Monroe has logged at least 20 minutes this season, he’s averaged 11.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. It’s not crazy to think he could at least approach that minute’s threshold in this contest.

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Monday’s holiday brings a packed slate in the NBA consisting of 11 games. With games going on throughout the day, DraftKings and FanDuel have broken things up a little differently. FanDuel’s main contests start at 3pm EST while DraftKings has a five-game contest that starts at 1pm EST and a four-game one that starts at 6pm EST. Let’s highlight some cheap value plays across all of the contests that could be worth adding to your entry. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

D.J. Augustin, ORL at ATL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,100

Augustin is averaging 28 minutes a game this season, which is his highest mark since the 2011-12 season. Regardless of whether or not he’s suited to be a starter at this stage of his career, his minutes aren’t going away anytime soon, barring a trade. He’s provided value with averages of 11.6 points, 4.8 assists and 1.7 three-pointers per game and has an excellent matchup Monday against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (105.5 possessions per game) in the league.

Shelvin Mack, MEM vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = NA

This game isn’t included in either of the contests on DraftKings, but Mack is playing so well right now that he’s not someone to overlook if you filling out a lineup on FanDuel. Across his last six games, Mack is averaging 12.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. The Pelicans play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.4), leaving Mack with the potential for even more opportunities to provide value at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

Eric Gordon, HOU at PHI
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,900

James Harden finally has some help with Gordon healthy. Over two games since returning from a knee injury, Gordon is averaging 25 points, four rebounds, and three assists. The most encouraging part is the fact that he logged 32 minutes against the Lakers on Saturday. He’s likely going to receive plenty of scoring opportunities again Monday, especially with the Sixers playing at the seventh-fastest pace (102.9).

Josh Hart, LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Injuries continue to pile up for the Lakers with Lonzo Ball (ankle) their most recent player to go down. Rajon Rondo (hand) and LeBron James (groin) are both listed as doubtful for this game, so the Lakers are going to have to try and patch things together against a Warriors team that has its’ full complement of weapons. Hart should be one of the players to receive increased minutes. Across 16 games in which the Lakers have played him at least 30 minutes this season, Hart is averaging 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 steals.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

Taurean Prince, ATL vs. ORL
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,200

Prince has mostly started for the Hawks this season, but he’s come off of the bench in all three games since returning from an ankle injury. Kevin Huerter and DeAndre’ Bembry both played well in his absence, so Prince may not get his starting job back anytime soon. The good news is he attempted 14 shots in 23 minutes Saturday against the Celtics. With the uptempo pace at which the Hawks play, Prince should still get enough scoring opportunities to be worth considering Monday, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.

Lance Stephenson, LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000

With Ball out, Brandon Ingram will likely be the primary ball handler for the Lakers. Stephenson will also likely have to take on some of those responsibilities, especially for the second unit. This sets up for him to see an increase in playing time, at least until Rondo and James return. He has played well when given extended playing time this season, averaging 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds. 3.9 assists and one steal over 12 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes. Of note, Stephenson is only eligible at small forward on FanDuel since he is listed at point guard and shooting guard on DraftKings.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

P.J. Tucker, HOU at PHI
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Tucker might be one of the more underappreciated players in the league. His value doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, but his ability to defend multiple positions and log a ton of minutes is key for the Rockets. With Clint Capela (thumb) out, they need Tucker even more up front. He’s stepped up in a big way, averaging 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.3 steals across three games since Capela went down. Reinforcements are likely coming in the form of Kenneth Faried, but Tucker is still a great option Monday with his high minute’s floor.

Marcus Morris, BOS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Morris is only averaging 7.5 points across his last four games, but don’t panic. He averaged 10.5 shot attempts during that stretch, which is almost exactly in line with his season average. He’s still one of the key offensive pieces for the Celtics, leaving him with a 21.2 percent usage rate that ranks fourth-highest on the team. His price has come down a bit due to his recent struggles, so this could be a good opportunity to take a chance on him in tournament play. If he can correct his shooting woes, he could provide excellent value.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

DeMarcus Cousins, GS at LAL
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,700

Cousins only played 15 minutes in his debut with the Warriors on Friday, but that didn’t stop him posting 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Opposing defenses have always had to focus on slowing him down, but with this type of talent around him, easy scoring opportunities could pop up for him more often than ever before. Cousins could play up to 20 minutes Monday, which makes him a viable option considering both of these teams are in the top-10 in the league in pace of play.

Ivica Zubac, LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,500

The Lakers brought in Tyson Chandler to provide depth at center behind JaVale McGee, but they might have been better off just playing Zubac more. He had a productive stretch in December while filling in for McGee when he was out due to an illness. He’s been at it again the last couple of games, recording 26 points and 12 rebounds against the Thunder on Thursday and 17 points and seven rebounds against the Rockets on Saturday. There is a good chance that he receives extended minutes again Monday, especially if this game becomes a blowout. At this cheap price, he has some appeal in tournament play.

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.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Conference Championships

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

And then there were four. The NFL brings us the Conference Championships this weekend with the top four teams set to face off for a chance to play in the Super Bowl. It also means this will be our last opportunity to play anything other than single-game contests in DFS. Let’s discuss some players who stand out at each position based on their matchups. Of note, there will be no breakdown for defense/special teams. The reason is all four of these teams have great offenses, so don’t overthink the position. Just play whichever team fits into the slot after you’ve selected your offensive players. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NFL Lineup Optimizer to help you build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

QUARTERBACKS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Conference Championships

Patrick Mahomes vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $6,600

The Chiefs scored 31 points last week, so Mahomes must have shined, right? Well, not exactly. He did complete 65.9 percent of his passes for 278 yards and did not throw an interception. However, he also didn’t throw a touchdown pass for just the second time this season. Luckily, he chipped in a rushing touchdown, but it was still a disappointing state line, overall. He’ll look to rebound against the Patriots, who allowed 29 passing touchdowns during the regular season. The Chiefs also might be forced to throw the ball more to keep up with the Patriots’ offense, setting up Mahomes to potentially have a nice bounce-back performance.

Tom Brady vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $5,800

This game between the Patriots and Chiefs should be the more fantasy-friendly contest despite the potential for playing in cold conditions. The Chiefs allowed the second-most passing yards per game (273) during the regular season and Brady torched them for 340 yards in Week 6. Even though Brady doesn’t have the benefit of playing this game at home, the potential for a shootout makes him an appealing option if you don’t want to pay up for Mahomes.

RUNNING BACKS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Conference Championships

James White vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $5,400

Technically, White is a running back. However, he didn’t receive a single carry last week against the Chargers. That didn’t stop him from having a monster game, though, as he caught 15 of 17 targets for 97 yards. While the 17 targets seem like a crazy number, White actually had four games during the regular season in which he received at least 10 targets, so it’s not as outlandish as you might think. The Chiefs allowed the fifth-most receiving yards (895) to opposing running backs during the regular season, leaving White with tremendous upside once again.

Sony Michel vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,600

One of the reasons why White didn’t carry the ball against the Chargers is because Michel was eating them up on the ground. He finished the game with 24 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns. The lopsided score certainly helped with his workload, but don’t expect him to slow down in his second meeting with the Chiefs this season. The last time they played each other, Michel piled up 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. The Chiefs allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (132.1) during the regular season, setting up Michel with the potential for another monster performance.

Damien Williams vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,400

Everything went right for Williams last week against the Colts. He received a season-high 25 carries with Spencer Ware (hamstring) once again inactive and made the most of his opportunities by piling up 129 yards. He also recorded a rushing touchdown and caught five of six targets for an additional 25 yards. With teams having to focus so much on the Chiefs’ passing game, it’s hard to slow down Williams, as well. They also move the ball up and down the field so well that Williams is left with plenty of scoring opportunities. Even if Ware returns this week, expect Williams to receive the bulk of the carries once again.

WIDE RECEIVERS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Conference Championships

Michael Thomas vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,200

Thomas entered last week with an extremely favorable matchup against an injury-riddled Eagles’ secondary. He certainly didn’t disappoint, catching 12 of 16 targets for 171 yards and a touchdown. The 16 targets were very encouraging to see because the Saints have been known to spread the ball around at times this season. Even though this isn’t as favorable of a matchup, Thomas had no problems against the Rams in Week 9 when he recorded 12 receptions on 15 targets for 211 yards and a touchdown. He’s by far the best receiving option on the Saints and stands out as the wide receiver with maybe the highest upside of anyone in action Sunday.

Julian Edelman vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $6,600

The Patriots suffered a significant loss when Josh Gordon had to leave the team. Rob Gronkowski has appeared to be a shell of his former self, which has required them to lean even more heavily on Edelman. He was plenty involved last week against the Chargers, catching nine of 13 targets for 151 yards. He now has a total of 52 targets across their last five games. Edelman stands out as a stellar play against the porous Chiefs’ defense.

Phillip Dorsett vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $3,900

With only two games, viable cheap options are few and far between. However, your budget won’t allow you to load up on stars, so you need to take chances somewhere. Dorsett might be a risk worth taking after he caught four of five targets for 51 yards and a touchdown last week. He now has a touchdown in back-to-back contests and doesn’t receive a ton of attention from opposing defenses since they have to try and slow down Edelman, Gronkowski, Michel, and White. If he finds his way into the end zone again here, he could be a difference maker in DFS.

TIGHT ENDS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Conference Championships

Travis Kelce vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,100

If there was ever a week to pay up for Kelce, this is it. The other options outside of him are not very exciting. He came through with seven catches for 108 yards last week after totaling at least 100 yards in a game five times during the regular season. Expect the Patriots to try and key in on shutting him down, but he receives so many targets that his floor is still exceptionally high. The Patriots also allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends during the regular season.

Rob Gronkowski vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,100

It looks like Gronkowski’s days in the NFL are numbered. He’s having a hard time getting open and isn’t nearly involved offensively as a result. He only had one target last week, marking his third straight game with three or fewer targets. The clear choice at tight end is Kelce, but if you decide you want to load up elsewhere, Gronkowski is a dart throw with some upside since the Chiefs were destroyed for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns by tight ends in the regular season.

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/16/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

It’s been a fairly quiet week in the NBA, but things pick up a little bit with eight games on the schedule Wednesday. There are still several teams dealing with injury issues, helping to create some cheaper value plays with upside. Here are a couple at each position to consider when crafting your lineup. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/16/19

Shelvin Mack, MEM vs. MIL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,800

Mack had fallen out of the Grizzlies’ rotation recently, but with Kyle Anderson (ankle) out, some added minutes may have opened up for him. He logged 23 minutes against the Rockets on Monday and finished with 10 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and one steal. Anderson was actually injured in Saturday’s game against the Heat, which propelled Mack to score 13 points to go along with one rebound and two assists over 28 minutes. The Bucks play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.2 possessions per game) in the league, so the added playing time makes Mack a viable target in tournament play.

Jalen Brunson, DAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,400

The Mavericks suffered a really tough blow when J.J. Barea (Achilles) was lost for the season. Dennis Smith Jr. has missed their last three games with a back injury and is now dealing with illness, as well, making him questionable for Wednesday. Brunson logged 30 minutes with both players out Sunday against the Warriors and finished with 12 points, four rebounds, an assist and a block. If Smith can’t play, Brunson is at least someone to consider, especially at near the minimum price on FanDuel.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/16/19

Austin Rivers, HOU vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400

The Rockets continue to lean heavily on Rivers, who has averaged 37 minutes a game since joining the team. They might get Eric Gordon (knee) back Wednesday, but since he’s missed their last eight games, he likely won’t log a ton of minutes even if he does play. Even though Rivers doesn’t provide many rebounds or defensive stats, his role within the offense has still left him with value more often than not.

Kyle Korver, UTA at LAC
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,200

The Jazz will once again be taking the floor Wednesday without any of their top three point guards. With so many key players unavailable, it’s opened up added playing time for Korver. Over the last three games, he’s averaged 14.6 points, three rebounds and 3.7 three-pointers over 26.3 minutes per game. The Clippers allow the seventh-most points per game (114.3) in the league, leaving Korver with some upside if he gets hot from behind the arc.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/16/19

Cedi Osman, CLE at POR
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Osman is coming off of one of his best games of the season after he recorded 20 points, eight rebounds, and two steals Sunday against the Lakers. He was on the floor for a whopping 42 minutes and tied his season-high with 17 shot attempts. The Cavaliers don’t have a lot of depth up front with Kevin Love (toe) and Larry Nance Jr. (knee) out, which should leave Osman with plenty of playing time once again Wednesday.

Royce O’Neale, UTA at LAC
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,500

Speaking of players seeing added playing time due to injuries, O’Neale has stepped up lately for the Jazz. He’s only averaging 17 minutes per game for the season, but he’s logged at least 27 minutes in each of his last three games. People may be down on him after a scoreless outing Monday against the Pistons. However, he had played well in his previous two games and has a much more favorable matchup against the Clippers, who also play at the ninth-fastest pace (102.5 possessions per game) in the league.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/16/19

P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,700

The Rockets are really hurting up front with Clint Capela (thumb) out for at least the next four weeks. They already play a lot of small lineups, so expect that to be the case even more so moving forward. Tucker is a key part of those small lineups based on his ability to guard multiple positions. That’s left him to average 35 minutes a game this season. His numbers don’t exactly stand out, but his respectable averages of eight points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game make him a viable tournament play option.

Maxi Kleber, DAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

Brunson isn’t the only player who could receive a boost in playing time if Smith doesn’t take the floor for the Mavericks. Kleber has logged at least 26 minutes in three straight games, averaging 10.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. Across seven games in which Kleber has logged at least 25 minutes this season, he’s averaged 8.2 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/16/19

Jarrett Allen, BKN at HOU
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,600

With Capela out, Allen will be left to battle with Nene Hilario, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Marquese Chriss. That’s not exactly an intimidating group. There is the chance that the Nets try to match the Rockets’ small lineups, which could lead to fewer minutes for Allen. However, there is also the chance that he receives his normal allotment of playing time and thrives against weaker talent. Based on his reasonable price tag, deploying him in DFS might be a risk worth taking.

Kevon Looney, GS vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Looney came through with another productive stat line Tuesday, scoring nine points to go along with 12 rebounds, four assists and one block against the Nuggets. His time as a starter will be coming to an end with DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) expected to return Friday, so take advantage of Looney at this cheap price while you can. This is another favorable matchup for him with both the Warriors and the Pelicans inside the top-10 in the league in pace of play.

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Tuesday brings another limited slate with just six games in the NBA. There aren’t as many viable cheap value play options as there were Monday, but let’s highlight some that still stand out at each position. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

De’Anthony Melton, PHO at IND
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600

Devin Booker (back) is expected to return for this contest, so Melton isn’t nearly as appealing as he has been lately with Booker on the sidelines. His price has also increased as a result of his recent run of success. However, that doesn’t mean you should just ignore him in Booker’s return. Melton has been starting even when Booker has played and he has a fairly secure role given the Suns lack of depth at point guard. He won’t score much, but his defensive contributions still make him someone to consider. If this game becomes a blowout against a far superior Pacers team, he could also see added minutes in garbage time.

T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,700

I have a hard time keeping McConnell off this list most nights, let alone a night like Tuesday with so few options on the board. He’s a big part of the Sixers’ second unit and has provided valuable all-around contributions with averages of 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals across his last 20 games. His playing time is secure and he is especially appealing considering his price on DraftKings.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

Dennis Schroder, OKC at ATL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,400

This has the potential to be one of the higher scoring games of the night with both the Thunder and the Hawks inside the top-four in the league in pace of play. The first time Schroder faced his former squad this season, he scored 18 points to go along with three rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in Oklahoma City. This will be his first time playing in Atlanta with the Thunder. His production has been a bit up and down of late, but this is a prime spot for him to be productive.

Dwyane Wade, MIA at MIL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,900

Wade’s return to Miami last year didn’t provide much of a boost to his fantasy value considering he was averaging just 22 minutes per game. However, with Goran Dragic (knee) out, the Heat have needed Wade to help facilitate the offense for their second unit. He’s averaging 25 minutes per game for the season, overall, and is playing well right now by averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 0.9 steals over his last 10 contests.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,500

Outside of Victor Oladipo, the Pacers don’t have many sexy names on their roster. However, they do have a lot of very good players that leave them with excellent depth. One of those players is Bogdanovic, who is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game. His usage rate isn’t exceptionally high at 20.2 percent, but he’s been very efficient by shooting 50 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from behind the arc. The Suns are tied for the fifth-most points allowed per game (114.3) in the league, setting up Bogdanovic with significant scoring upside in this contest.

Chandler Hutchison, CHI at LAL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,600

When the Bulls traded Justin Holiday to the Grizzlies, it created a significant void at small forward since Holiday was averaging 35 minutes per game. Hutchinson has stepped into Holiday’s starting spot and averaged 26.4 minutes across his last five games. The added playing time is important for Hutchison since his usage rate is a measly 12.5 percent. If you’re looking for a high-upside play, Hutchison is not your guy. However, if you want to load up on stars and roll with someone at near the minimum price who has secure playing time, Hutchison is someone to consider.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

Richaun Holmes, PHO at IND
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Holmes had cooled off for a brief time period, but he’s heating up again with averages of 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over his last six games. Even if Myles Turner (shoulder) doesn’t play in this game, the Pacers still have plenty of size up front with Domantas Sabonis and Kyle O’Quinn, so Holmes is going to be busy off of the bench. Take advantage of his hot streak while you can.

Omari Spellman, ATL vs. OKC
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,800

Spellman hasn’t played much this season even with the Hawks trying to develop their young players. However, Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) was unable to play Sunday against the Bucks, which allowed Spellman to move into the starting lineup. He made a case to receive more playing time moving forward, scoring 13 points to go along with six rebounds and four blocks in 30 minutes. With Dedmon listed as doubtful for this game, Spellen could be worth considering in tournament play if he starts again.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

JaVale McGee, LAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,300

McGee has hit a rough patch with averages of 5.2 points and 6.6 rebounds across his last five games. However, during that stretch, he had to battle with Karl-Anthony Towns, DeAndre Jordan, Andre Drummond, Rudy Gobert, and Tristan Thompson. All five of those players are excellent rebounders, which is going to take some opportunities away from McGee. This is a much more favorable matchup for him against Wendell Carter Jr. and the Bulls, who have allowed the second-most FanDuel points per game and the third-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers.

Alex Len, ATL vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Len is another player who could see more action for the Hawks if Dedmon is indeed sidelined. He played 17 minutes with Dedmon out Sunday and scored 12 points to go along with eight rebounds. He might also be a better fit to battle with Steven Adams than either Spellman or John Collins. Len has averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 20 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes this season.

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/14/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The two top options for Monday’s six-game slate in the NBA are James Harden and Anthony Davis. Both are costly, so if you want to add them to your DFS lineup, you’ll need to find the right mix with cheaper value plays. Here are a couple of options at each position to consider. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/14/19

Derrick White, SA vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,400

This is a great matchup for the Spurs. They are a much better team at home and the Hornets are an ugly 5-15 on the road. The Hornets’ defense has also been awful since Cody Zeller (hand) went down, allowing an average of 119.5 points across their last six games. That could lead to a productive offensive showing from White, who enters this contest having averaged 17.1 points across his last seven games.

Terry Rozier, BOS at BKN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700

The key here is the status of Kyrie Irving. Irving is dealing with a right quadriceps bruise and is considered a game-time decision. If he can’t play, Rozier would likely assume his spot in the starting five. Over four starts this season, Rozier has averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds. 5.3 assists and two steals. He would be a lock for me at this dirt cheap price on both sites.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/14/19

Austin Rivers, HOU vs. MEM
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,700

Rivers had another strong offensive showing for the Rockets on Sunday by scoring 25 points against the Magic. He logged 37 minutes in that game and hit four three-pointers. With all of the injuries that the Rockets have in their backcourt, Rivers has averaged 37 minutes per game since joining the team. Couple his increased playing time with added three-point attempts and Rivers is still someone to consider in tournament play despite having to face a tough Grizzlies’ defense Monday.

Kyle Korver, UTA vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,800

The Jazz are basically playing without a point guard right now due to injuries. With three point guards currently on the sidelines, it’s opened up added playing time for a couple of players on the roster. Korver is one of them and is coming off of a productive game Saturday against the Bulls when he scored 16 points to go along with five rebounds and a block in 26 minutes. He’s not going to be someone who helps facilitate the offense, but the added playing time makes him someone to target at this cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/14/19

Royce O’Neale, UTA vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,700

The other player who has seen a significant increase in playing time lately is O’Neale, who has logged at least 37 minutes in both of the last two games. To say he’s come through for the Jazz is an understatement. Friday, he scored 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, one assist and two steals in a blowout win over the Lakers. He followed that up Saturday with eight points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and two blocks against the Bulls. Don’t hesitate to add him to your entry.

Evan Turner, POR at SAC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

The Blazers don’t have nearly the injury issues that the Jazz have, but they could be missing a key part of their rotation in Maurice Harkless (knee). He’s missed each of their last three games and might not be able to take the floor again Monday. If he can’t, that could leave Turner with added playing time. That’s key considering he doesn’t excel in any one particular category. It also helps Turner’s cause that the Kings play at the second-fastest pace (104.7 possessions per game) in the league.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/14/19

Marcus Morris, BOS at BKN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,800

Another player who could potentially benefit from the absence of Irving is Morris. Despite the Celtics’ stellar depth across the roster, Morris is averaging a career-high 15.6 points per game. Even though Morris doesn’t provide hardly any defensive stats, he has chipped in another career-high with an average of six rebounds a night. The Nets are dealing with some injuries to their frontcourt, so look for Morris to have an opportunity to thrive. He’s is still worth considering if Irving plays, but his upside is likely higher if Irving can’t take the floor.

JaMychal Green, MEM at HOU
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

The Grizzlies lost Kyle Anderson (ankle) over the weekend and could be without his services for up to four weeks. The Grizzlies do have Justin Holiday to step into a larger role, but Jaren Jackson Jr. could also see some playing time at small forward. The trio of Jackson, Green and Marc Gasol actually shared some time on the floor Saturday against Heat. Green is averaging 10.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in only 23 minutes a game this year, so any added playing time could provide him with a boost in value.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/14/19

Al Horford, BOS at BKN
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,200

Horford’s value comes from his ability to contribute in multiple areas. His production has been capped lately, though, due to a minute’s restriction after missing time with a knee injury. That restriction was increased to 30 minutes Saturday against the Magic and he responded with 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block. The Nets allow the most DraftKings points per game and the second-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers, so the added playing time makes Horford a great target for your entry.

Bismack Biyombo, CHA at SA
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,200

The Hornets turned to Willy Hernangomez when Zeller initially went down, but his time as a starter lasted just one game. Biyombo has started each of their last five contests and averaged 7.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. If you want to load up at other positions, rolling with Biyombo at center in tournament play could help significantly with your budget while providing modest upside.

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.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Divisional Round

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

With Wild Card Weekend in the books, the NFL moves on to the Divisional Round of the playoffs this week. There will be some excellent offenses in action, which could set up for a high scoring weekend in DFS. Let’s discuss some players who stand out at each position based on their matchups. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NFL Lineup Optimizer to help you build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

QUARTERBACKS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Divisional Round

Patrick Mahomes vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $7,000

The Chiefs couldn’t have asked for anything more from Mahomes this season. He not only brought them back to the playoffs in his first season as a starter, but he threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns. There were some concerns heading into the season that Mahomes could be prone to throwing interceptions, but that never really came to fruition as he finished with only 12 picks. He had the highest floor of any quarterback in DFS, throwing for at least two touchdown passes in all but two games. With the Chiefs running game still dealing with the loss of Kareem Hunt, their chances of advancing to the next round rest squarely on Mahomes’ shoulders. Look for him to come through with another productive outing.

Nick Foles vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400

Foles and the Eagles are at it again. They went on the road last week and knocked off a tough Bears team, 16-15. Foles carried over his playoff success from last year, throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, he threw two interceptions, as well, but his overall stat line is still impressive considering his opponent. Now he’ll get to face a Saints team that tied for the third-most passing yards allowed per game (269) during the regular season. At this cheap price, rolling with Foles in tournament play is a viable option.

RUNNING BACKS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Divisional Round

Ezekiel Elliott vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,200

The Cowboys don’t have a great offense, but Elliott can cover up a lot of holes. He was the key to their win over the Seahawks last week, carrying the ball 26 times for 137 yards and a touchdown. He was also plenty busy in the passing game, catching four of five targets for an additional 32 yards. With at least 100 total yards in nine straight games, Elliott is a safe bet to be productive. The Rams’ defense has had their problems stopping the run and ended the regular season allowing the most yards-per-carry (5.1) in the league.

Marlon Mack vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,800

Andrew Luck grabs a lot of the headlines for the Colts, and rightfully so. His return to form is the main reason that they have been successful. However, Mack was just as important last week against the Texans, rushing for 148 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. He’s now logged at least 24 carries in three of their last four games, averaging 135.3 yards. He’s also had a nose for the end zone, scoring at least one touchdown in five straight contests. The Chiefs allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (132.1) and tied for the third-most rushing touchdowns allowed (19) this year, setting up Mack with another opportunity to shine.

Darren Sproles vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,400

Oddly enough, Sproles received more carries than any other Eagles’ running back last week against the Bears. He turned his 13 carries into just 21 yards, but that workload says something about how the team views him within their offense. He was on the field for 56 percent of their offensive snaps, compared to 41 percent for Wendell Smallwood and one percent for Josh Adams. With how well the Saints have stopped the run this year, it’s hard to see any of their running backs rushing for a lot of yards. However, the Eagles might have to throw a lot to keep up with the Saints offense, so that game script would seem to favor Sproles. Even at this late stage of his career, he is still a dangerous pass catcher out of the backfield. If you’re looking for a cheap option in tournament play, Sproles has some upside.

WIDE RECEIVERS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Divisional Round

Michael Thomas vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $7,900

Overall, Thomas had a spectacular season with 125 receptions on 147 targets for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns. However, a lot of his damage came early in the year. He was fairly quiet down the stretch, posting 49 yards or fewer in four of his last six contests. The Saints spread the ball around quite a bit, which sometimes didn’t leave Thomas with a ton of opportunities. With that being said, don’t let that shy you away from deploying him this week. The Eagles secondary is a mess and was torched by Allen Robinson for 10 receptions, 143 yards, and a touchdown last week. Nothing against Robinson, but he’s not in the same league as Thomas. The Eagles have their work cut out for them.

Alshon Jeffery vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,800

The return of Foles at quarterback has done wonders for Jeffery. Before Foles took over in Week 15, Jeffery only had two games all season with at least 80 receiving yards. However, with Foles at the helm, he reached that mark three times across four contests. Considering how banged up the Eagles’ defense is and how well the Saints play at home, there is a good chance that the Eagles are going to have to score a lot to keep this game close. That should lead to plenty of targets for Jeffery.

Dontrelle Inman vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,800

T.Y. Hilton stands out as by far the best receiving threat on the Colts. Behind him, they haven’t really had a consistent producer. Inman hasn’t received a ton of opportunities, but he enters this contest with a touchdown in each of his last three games. He received a total of 15 targets during that stretch and was on the field for 70 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps last week, highest among all other wide receivers behind Hilton. With how poorly the Chiefs’ defense has played, don’t overlook Inman if you need a cheap option in tournament play.

TIGHT ENDS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Divisional Round

Eric Ebron vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $5,500

Ebron was only on the field for 49 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps last week, but that didn’t stop him from catching another touchdown. Even though his yardage production has been hit-or-miss, he’s still a great option in DFS based on his touchdown production. This is about as juicy of a matchup as it gets against a Chiefs team that allowed 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns to tight ends this year.

Rob Gronkowski vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,600

Are we seeing the demise of Gronk? He scored just three touchdowns during the regular season, marking the first time in his career where he scored fewer than eight touchdowns during a season in which he played at least 10 games. His 52.5 receiving yards per game was also the second-lowest mark of his career. His upside isn’t what it once was, but he’s still an important part of the Patriots’ offense. Ebron is the safe pick, but if you’re looking to save some even more money at tight end, Gronkowski is a viable option during such a limited slate.

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Divisional Round

Los Angeles Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,000

The Rams defense can give up some points, but that doesn’t mean they are a bad option. They finished with 18 interceptions during the regular season, which tied for the third-most in the league. They also posted 41 sacks, led by star tackle Aaron Donald. The Cowboys are by no means an offensive juggernaut, even with one of the best running backs in the league on their team, setting up the Rams with the potential to be one of the better defensive plays of the weekend.

New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $2,600

The Chargers running back situation is concerning. Melvin Gordon has been banged up down the stretch and suffered another knee injury last week against the Ravens. He returned to that contest and is expected to play this week, but he might not be 100 percent healthy. Austin Ekeler was ineffective as he battled a groin injury last week, rushing 11 times for just 29 yards. Playing in Gillette Stadium in the playoffs is no easy task, so it’s hard to imagine this being one of the better offensive performances of the year from the Chargers.

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/9/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Wednesday brings 10 games in the NBA, leaving a significant number of options to wade through in DFS. Let’s get right down to business and highlight a couple of cheaper players at each position that could prove to be profitable. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/9/19

T.J. McConnell, PHI at WAS
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,900

The Sixers destroyed the Wizards on Tuesday, a contest in which McConnell scored nine points to go along with four rebounds, five assists, and two steals across 23 minutes. Those numbers are pretty typical of his production since taking on a more expanded role with Markelle Fultz (shoulder) out. With both of these teams in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, there’s no reason to believe that McConnell can’t provide similar production in their rematch Wednesday. While that might not be an overly-exciting line, it’s still valuable at his cheap price on both sites.

De’Anthony Melton, PHO at DAL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,300

Melton shined without Devin Booker (back) on Tuesday, scoring 10 points to go along with four rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and two blocks. The key is that he logged 31 minutes. Across four games this season in which Melton has played at least 30 minutes, he’s averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.8 steals. If Booker can’t play again, don’t hesitate to play Melton in tournament contests.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/9/19

Josh Hart, LAL vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $6,100

There are no reinforcements coming for the Lakers on Wednesday since LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (hand) are still on the shelf. Hart has stepped up in their absences, averaging 12.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals across the last seven games. Since the Lakers play at the third-fastest pace (104.3 possessions per game) in the league, the added playing time should continue to make Hart valuable.

Malcolm Brogdon, MIL at HOU
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,400

Brogdon is one of the most efficient guards in the league, shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 43.2 percent from behind the arc and 98.6 percent from the charity. Add in his career-high 20.1 percent usage rate and he’s averaging 15.5 points per game. He’s more than just about scoring, too, with averages of 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. He has a high minute’s floor for someone in this price range, so look for Brogdon to have another productive stat line.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/9/19

DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,500

Carroll (knee) was unable to play Monday, but he is listed as probable to return for this contest. The Nets could certainly use him with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) and Allen Crabbe (knee) still out. Across his last five games, Carroll has taken advantage of added playing time by averaging 18.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. This is also a great matchup against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (105.5) in the league.

Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO at DAL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,800

Oubre had been scuffling along heading into Tuesday’s game against the Kings, scoring nine points or fewer in five of his previous six contests. However, with Booker on the sidelines, Oubre exploded for 26 points on 15 shot attempts. That marked his most shot attempts in a game since joining the Suns. He wasn’t all about filling in the scoring column, either, chipping in five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. If Booker doesn’t play again Wednesday, Oubre could be a risk worth taking based on his dirt cheap price on both sites.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/9/19

Josh Jackson, PHO at DAL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,200

Another player who benefited from the absence of Booker was Jackson, who replaced him in the starting five. His final line wasn’t as spectacular as Oubre’s, but he still finished with 13 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals. It’s important to note that Jackson played 31 minutes. Across seven games in which Jackson has logged at least 30 minutes this season, he’s averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. Again, keep an eye on Booker’s status leading up to this game.

Ed Davis, BKN vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,800

The Nets are a very appealing team to target against the Hawks. The combination of a limited depth chart and the Hawks playing at a fast pace could prove to be very profitable. Davis is playing well heading into this contest, averaging 6.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and one steal across his last five games. It’s no coincidence that Hollis-Jefferson was sidelined for four of those five contests. With him out, there are a few more minutes available up front. Of note, Davis is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel since he is listed at center on DraftKings.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/9/19

Tristan Thompson, CLE at NO
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000

Thompson played 35 minutes against the Pacers on Tuesday, marking the most minutes he has played in a game since returning from a lengthy stretch on the sidelines with a foot injury. It’s no surprise that he played well, scoring 15 points to go along with 13 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. The Pelicans play at the sixth-fastest pace (103), leaving Thompson with an excellent opportunity to provide another double-double.

Ian Mahinmi, WAS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,500

The Wizards were no match for the Sixers on Tuesday during a game that seemed like it was over from the start. Mahinmi ended up playing 17 minutes in the defeat, scoring 10 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks. This came on the heels of a game against the Thunder where he scored nine points to go along with 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks over 25 minutes. If this is another blowout or if Thomas Bryant finds himself in foul trouble against Joel Embiid, Mahinmi could once again find himself with added playing time.

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.