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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/31/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/31/18

Use Code "LABWP50" at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
Use Code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Isaiah Thomas, CLE vs. MIA
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,600

The Cavaliers suffered a significant loss Tuesday when Kevin Love went down with a hand injury. He was averaging 17.9 points per game this season, now leaving a big hole in their offense. Thomas is never one to shy away from extra shot attempts and already has the second-highest usage rate (29.5%) on the team. While Thomas leaves a lot to be desired defensively, his offensive skills are impressive. The price is right to take a chance on him for your entry Wednesday.

Terry Rozier, BOS vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,300

Marcus Smart (hand) has missed the last three games for the Celtics, leaving Rozier with a more significant role off the bench. While his numbers weren’t off the charts, he averaged a respectable 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 three-pointers in those three contests. Wednesday brings a favorable matchup against the Knicks who have struggled to defend opposing point guards this season. His upside may not be as high as Thomas’, but his ability to contribute in multiple categories still makes him a viable option.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Nicolas Batum, CHA at ATL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,200

Batum has been slowed by an elbow injury at times this season, which could be a major factor in why he is shooting a career-low 30.1% from behind the arc. Playing time has not been an issue though as he has played at least 33 minutes in seven of his last 10 games. He’s had a few big offensive games lately, scoring at least 19 points in three of his last six contests. He also played well against these same Hawks last week, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds, eight assists and three three-pointers. If his shot is falling again Wednesday, he could provide significant value when combined with his ability to contribute both rebounds and assists.

Dwyane Wade, CLE vs. MIA
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,700

Wade played 28 minutes Tuesday against the Pistons, the most playing time he has seen in a game in over a month. He took advantage of the opportunity, scoring 18 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. The Cavaliers have taken a cautious approach with his minutes this season, but they might need him to play more now with Love out of action. He might have some extra motivation facing his former team Wednesday as well, so he could be in line for a valuable performance.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,700

Carroll has been a bright spot for the Nets this season, averaging career-highs in points (13.0), rebounds (6.7) and assists (1.9) per game. The Nets have dealt with a lot of injuries, but Carroll has played in 46 of their 51 games. He’s not showing any signs of slowing down, averaging 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in January. The Sixers and Nets are both in the top-five in the league in pace of play, which could result in added production from Carroll on Wednesday.

Denzel Valentine, CHI at POR
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,500

Although Valentine has shifted to the bench with Zach LaVine finally healthy, he’s still logged at least 30 minutes in three of his last four games. LaVine is still on a minutes restriction, so Valentine should see similar playing time until that is lifted. The Bulls might really need Valentine to provide an offensive spark Wednesday with Lauri Markkanen (personal) out and Nikola Mirotic (leg) listed as questionable. Valentine is more than just a scorer though, averaging 4.7 assists in his last six games. He could be in line for one of his better performances of the season.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Jarell Martin, MEM at IND
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,900

The Grizzlies are decimated by injuries right now. James Ennis III (calf) and Chandler Parsons (knee) have already been ruled out for Wednesday while JaMychal Green (ankle) is doubtful and Dillon Brooks (knee), Mario Chalmers (hamstring), Deyonta Davis (knee) and Ben McLemore (knee) are all listed as questionable. With so few healthy options, Martin should get plenty of playing time in this game. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game six times this season, averaging 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers in those contests. Don’t hesitate to take a chance on him again Wednesday.

Bobby Portis, CHI at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,900

If both Markkanen and Mirotic don’t play Wednesday, Portis is going to be in line for huge minutes. Even is Mirotic does manage to play, Portis should still see a jump in playing time with Markkanen sidelined. Portis has the second-highest usage rate (25.9%) on the team, so the added playing time should give him a significant boost in value. While Portis should provide value on both sites, he could really outproduce his dirt cheap price on FanDuel.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Myles Turner, IND vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,100

Turner was excellent in his second game back from an elbow injury Monday, scoring 22 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists and one block in just 21 minutes. He looks to be rounding back into form and is reportedly likely to rejoin the starting five Wednesday. It won’t be a cake walk considering the Grizzlies allow the fewest points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers, but it’s not too often you’ll see Turner priced this low. This might be the time to take advantage of the opportunity.

Jahlil Okafor, BKN vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,600

The Nets started Jarrett Allen at center for the first time this season Tuesday, but Okafor still managed to play 25 minutes off the bench. He’s actually played at least 24 minutes in back-to-back contests, averaging 13.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.0 block. Tyler Zeller didn’t play at all Tuesday, so it appears the Nets want to give Allen and Okafor extended looks for the time being. Okafor has the higher upside between the two and might be worth taking a chance on if you want to try a very cheap center in tournament play.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/30/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/30/18

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

Milos Teodosic
FD $4,700 DK $4,900

Our first value option is a guy that’s been in play for a few weeks now due to injury. Austin Rivers was originally supposed to miss just a couple weeks, but has already missed 3 and is going to miss at least another 2. Milos Teodosic hasn’t lit the world on fire, but he’s been the consistent PG the Clippers have needed. The entire team is in a bit of a limbo tonight as they’ll likely be missing both the guys they traded and the ones they acquired. It will leave quite a few shots up for grabs and Teodosic can use as many as he can get. The match-up against the Blazers is a great one with Dame Lillard being one of the worst around and Nurkic being a subpar rim protector. Teodosic typically sits around 20-25 fantasy points and it’s all he needs at the price. He could easily get over that tonight with a positive match-up and some usage up for grabs. With a lot of questions at the high-end of PG, I completely understand paying down for a Teodosic in cash games or tournaments.

Spencer Dinwiddie
FD $5,500 DK $6,500

The next option we’re going to touch on is a gem that’s simply underpriced. As a guy that’s been putting up 30+ points a night all year long, his price shouldn’t be this low. Especially on FanDuel at just $5,500. He’s still in play on DraftKings at $6.5k, but he’s still a little too cheap. He has been in the 20-30 range as of late, which is still perfectly fine. Dinwiddie is the clear leader of this offense and will shoot 15 times if a game if it’s close. He sees a phenomenal match-up against a Knicks team that ranks 24th in the league against point guards. If you’ve watched Jarret jack play defense over the last few years, you know exactly why. Dinwiddie is extremely fast off the dribble and will have no problem getting into the lane that allows the 6th highest FG% efficiency. Aside from being way too cheap, the match-up is solid and the position isn’t very deep. Dinwiddie makes sense in all formats and sees a small bump with LeVert out.

Shooting Guard

Eric Gordon
FD $5,400 DK $6,300

Eric Gordon has seen his price crash back down to earth after James Harden and Chris Paul returned, but he may be back to having extra opportunity. Chris Paul is questionable, and you can lock in Gordon if he’s sitting. Let’s get that out of the way. Again, lock in Eric Gordon if Chris Paul is out. Now if Paul sits, Gordon is still in play. Trevor Ariza has already been ruled out, so there’s 35 minutes that’s already up for grabs. Gordon is already seeing 30-35 minutes a game and 25+ fantasy points, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see 40 minutes and 15+ shots tonight. The Magic are a lackluster defense at best and the only good perimeter defender they have will be on Harden or Paul. Gordon is way too cheap and I’ll have a ton of exposure no matter what. 100% if Paul is ruled out.

Tyrone Wallace
FD $4,400 DK $4,500

Assuming Avery Bradley doesn’t show up in time, Tyrone Wallace is a lock for 30+ minutes. He’s been over 30 minutes in every game since January 10th and is looking at an identical situation tonight. He’ll also, like I mentioned earlier with Teodosic, pick up a few shots with Blake Griffin out of the lineup. This Blazers defense is one you’re never scared of and against shooting guards, they rank 18th in the league with 43 FPPG allowed. McCollum is a fine individual defender, but isn’t good enough to excel without strong help. Tyrone Wallace had his best game yet as a Clipper and you have to think his confidence is up. This game is expected to be close and the minutes are a true lock. His price is fair on both sites and you only need about 20 in both formats to be happy. I’ll have plenty of Tyrone Wallace once we know Avery Bradley will wait until next game.

Small Forward

Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker
FD $3,900 – $3,500 DK $4,800 – $3,800

With Trevor Ariza out “for the recent future”, we’re going to see both Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker jump into the spotlight. Green is obviously the more exciting of the 2 and he can put up 40 fantasy points in 25 minutes, but he’s also more volatile and reliant on his jumper. Oh ya, also more expensive. Tucker is dirt cheap on both sites and is guaranteed to see 35+ minutes tonight. The Orlando Magic defense is bleh at best and they are absolutely atrocious against SF’s, ranking 29th. Both of these guys are going to produce when on the floor and will split at least 60-70 minutes. Go ahead and play either in all formats. If Chris Paul is also out, I don’t know how you stay away.

Joe Ingles
FD $4,500 DK $4,700

Green and Tucker are the two guy you’re looking at if you want value, but Joe Ingles is a great mid-priced option if you think the azz can keep it close. We know Ingles will put up 20+ fantasy points with this PACE and 30 will be easy if the game is competitive throughout. It’s just tough to bet on that with the Warriors on the opposite side. Ingles sees 30+ minutes in each game and does take a lot of shots for a guy that probably shouldn’t take any. He also puts up FP in just about every way possible, so the floor is concrete. His price at $4500 on both sites, so you’re needing 20 in cash and 25 in tournaments. It just comes down to whether or not the Jazz can keep it close. If you think it’s a blowout, stay far away from Ingles. If you think the Jazz keep it close, count on 25+ FP for a nice price.

Power Forward

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 22: Chris Paul #3 and Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets celebrate a win against the Denver Nuggets on November 22, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Khem Birch
FD $4,600 DK $3,800

Aaron Gordon is currently questionable and this play just comes down to whether or not he plays. If Gordon plays, Birch will play his regular 15-20 minutes and be a negligible play at best. If Gordon misses, Khem Birch should slide in for 30-35 minutes against a fast-paced Rockets squad. Birch is a bit of an unknown to us, but is very well-known in Canada. He’s not a typical rookie and a guy that will produce when on the floor. Just look at what he’s done over the last 5. In games with just 17, 18, and 18 minutes, he put up 35, 22, and 27. This is not a guy that’s going to ever stand in the corner and do nothing. He has serious 40 fantasy point upside if Gordon misses. The Rockets defense stinks and is in a rut with Trevor Ariza out for the recent future. If Aaron Gordon is out, play Khem birch in every format. I know I will, at least.

Luc Mbah a Moute
FD $4,300 DK $4,200

Khem Birch is where you go with your value spot if Aaron Gordon is out. If Gordon plays, you’ll have to look elsewhere. With Trevor Ariza out, Mbah a Moute is locked into 30+ minutes and is in a tremendous match-up. The Magic rank 20th against power forwards, so whether it’s Gordon or Birch doesn’t really matter. The team doesn’t have any rim protection and plays at a very average PACE. Mbah a Moute isn’t the best scorer when on the floor, but he spreads it around nicely and is a lock for 20 when given opportunity. He’s trusted to play big minutes and fits into this match-up very nicely. Birch is the clear way to go, but Mbah a Moute is a guy to keep on the radar if things don’t break right.

Center

Kosta Koufos
FD $4,000 DK $4,200

With Willie Cauley-Stein out, Kosta Koufos gets 30 minutes. He put up 20 fantasy points against the Spurs a game ago and now sees a much friendlier match-up against New Orleans. The Pelicans are still intimidating without DeMarcus Cousins, but are certainly one of the weakest interiors on defense in the entire league. Koufos isn’t a very exciting player, but he’s smart around the rim and has averaged 1.01 FP per minute over the last 2 seasons. His price is still sitting at $4k on both sites, so you’re plenty happy with 20 fantasy points. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get close to 30 if the game stays close and he stays out of foul trouble against AD.

Kyle O’Quinn
FD $4,300 DK $3,900

Enes Kanter has been upgraded to probable, so O’Quinn can probably be ignored. On the off chance Enes Kanter does get ruled out, O’Quinn would be in line to pick up 25-30 minutes. If that happens, lock him into your cash games and tournaments. The price is insane on both sites and O’Quinn is always a guy that produces when given the opportunity. The match-up against the Nets is the best possible one in the entire league and you could lock him in for 30 fantasy points if given the start. Good luck tonight and feel free to comment below!!!

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/26/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/26/18

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Dejounte Murray, SA vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400

Murray has started the last three games at point guard for the Spurs since taking over the job from Tony Parker, averaging 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.3 steals per game. Murray is not going to provide big assist totals and is not a good three-point shooter, but he is going to provide added value with both rebounds and steals. The Sixers play at the second-fastest pace (102.8 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Murray with added opportunities to provide value Friday.

Milos Teodosic, LAC at MEM
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700

Teodosic’s first season in the league has been a struggle due to injuries and inconsistent production when he has been able to take the floor. His shot has been off for large portions of the season as he is shooting just 38.3% from the field. However, he’s shown the ability to provide value, producing at least 12 points, five assists and three three-pointers in three of his last five games. At this cheap price, he could be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. POR
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,300

The Mavericks don’t have a lot of talent on their roster, which has left Matthews to average 34 minutes per game this season. That’s nothing unusual for Matthews though, who has averaged at least 33 minutes per game in each of the last eight seasons. He’s been productive of late, averaging 18.6 points, 3.4 points, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.8 three-pointers over his last five games. One of those games came against these same Trail Blazers when he scored 23 points in 38 minutes. The price is right to take a chance on him again in their rematch.

Zach LaVine, CHI vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,900

The Bulls have slowly increased LaVine’s minutes since he returned from a knee injury, topping out at 24 minutes in each of the last two games. He looked great in both contests, averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 three-pointers. He could play 26-28 minutes Friday, which is significant news considering the Lakers play at the fastest pace (103.2) in the league. He’s an elite offensive talent who can provide upside even in limited minutes.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Brandon Ingram, LAL at CHI
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,200

Ingram has missed some time recently due to an ankle injury but looks to be healthy now, playing 33 minutes Tuesday against the Celtics. He’s struggling to find his shot, shooting a combined 9-for-31 from the field in his last three games. However, Friday brings an excellent matchup against a Bulls team that is struggling defensively. Ingram played well against them in their first meeting earlier this season as well, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks. Don’t be surprised if Ingram gets himself back on track in this game.

Dillon Brooks, MEM vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200

The injury bug has bitten the Grizzlies, who will be without JaMychal Green (ankle), Chandler Parsons (knee) and James Ennis III (calf) on Friday. To make matters worse, Jarrell Martin (knee, ankle) is also listed as questionable. The Grizzlies just need healthy bodies at this point, so Brooks should see plenty of playing time. Brooks has logged at least 27 minutes in each of his last six games, posting averages of 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. He could provide significant upside at this dirt cheap price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Kyle Kuzma, LAL at CHI
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $6,300

Kuzma can explode offensively in any game, which is exactly what he did scoring 28 points in 27 minutes Tuesday against a strong defensive team in the Celtics. He hit five three-pointers in that game and has made 15 three-pointers over his last five contests. The Bulls like to play small and have a lot of bigs who play around the perimeter, which is a perfect fit for Kuzma’s style of play. If Kuzma catches fire again in this game, he could significantly outproduce his price point.

Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,500

Nowitzki is only averaging 25 minutes per game this year and is a shell of his former self offensively, scoring less than 10 points in four of his last five games. The Mavericks have been using him at center this season, but he’s only averaging 5.5 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per contest. There is hope for playing him Friday though as he played very well against these same Trail Blazers on Saturday, scoring 21 points on 8-of-12 from the field. He can score in a hurry like that still if his shot is falling and he won’t cost much, so he could be a sneaky tournament option to consider.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Enes Kanter, NY at PHO
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,900

Kanter went through a stretch where he was only seeing limited playing time, but he has logged at least 26 minutes in eight of his last nine games. He scored at least 15 points and grabbed at least seven rebounds in six of those eight games, continuing his recent success from earlier this season. The Suns have a lot of size and depth at center, so Kanter should see enough minutes again Friday to be worth considering for your entry.

Greg Monroe, PHO vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,700

The Suns’ center rotation can be an extreme source of frustration, with really no consistency of who plays when. Monroe has managed to play both of the last two games, averaging 17.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per contest. Alex Len (ankle) did not play in the team’s last game Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Friday, so Monroe could get significant playing time again if he Len can’t play. Keep an eye on Len’s status throughout the day and get Monroe in your lineup if he does get ruled out.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/25/18

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Stephen Curry, GS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $9,900
DraftKings = $10,400

Curry has been a model of consistency for the Warriors, largely due to his 30.9% usage rate that ranks 10th-highest in the league. Add in the fact that the Warriors play at the third-fastest pace (102.5 possessions per game) in the league and he’s going to provide a high floor in DFS most nights. Over his last nine games, he’s averaging 29.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 5.3 three-pointers per game. The Timberwolves don’t defend opposing point guards particularly well, making Curry an excellent option to consider Thursday.

De’Aaron Fox/George Hill, SAC at MIA
FanDuel: $5,400/$4,500
DraftKings: $5,200/$4,500

The Kings continue to give their young players more minutes and sat Hill for rest purposes Tuesday against the Magic. Fox looked primed for a big performance but had to leave the game early due to an abdominal injury. He underwent an MRI and while the results were negative, his status is questionable for Thursday’s game. If he does play, he could provide significant value at this price. However, if he is unable to go, expect Hill to return and see added minutes. Keep an eye out for updates throughout the day and adjust with Fox and Hill accordingly.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Andrew Wiggins, MIN at GS
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $7,000

The Timberwolves have been without Jimmy Butler (knee) for the last three games, leading to a major increase in production for Wiggins. In those three games, Wiggins averaged 31.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers per game. He’s only averaging 15.9 shot attempts per game this season but averaged 22 shot attempts over those three contests. If Butler can’t go again Thursday, Wiggins is someone to strongly consider for your entry. Even if Butler does return, Wiggins can still be productive as the Timberwolves try to keep up with the Warriors high-powered offense.

Will Barton, DEN vs. NY
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,800

Barton has been in and out of the Nuggets starting lineup lately, starting four of the last six games. He’s been very productive as a member of the starting five this season, averaging 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 three-pointers in 12 games. His usage rate off the bench is actually 3% higher than it is when he starts, but he has averaged nine more minutes per game as a starter. He’s priced low enough to warrant consideration even if he comes off the bench Thursday, but he could have considerable upside if he does start.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kevin Durant, GS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $10,500
DraftKings = $9,900

It’s not hard to make a case to start Durant any given night. Not only does his 30.1% usage rate rank inside the top-15 in the league, but he’s also averaging career-highs in assists (5.6) and blocks (2.1) per game. Even with a lot of offensive talent around him, Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game, which would mark the tenth straight season that he has averaged at least 25 points. The Timberwolves are struggling defensively right now, allowing an average of 109.6 points in their last seven games. Don’t expect them to be able to slow down Durant on Thursday.

Nemanja Bjelica, MIN at GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500

Bjelica has started the last three games with Butler out, averaging 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 three-pointers per contest. Based on how much coach Tom Thibodeau plays his starters, it’s not surprising that Bjelica played at least 35 minutes in two of those games. If Butler is out again Thursday, there should be plenty of opportunities for Bjelica to provide value at this price. However, if Butler is cleared to play, Bjelica likely won’t see enough playing time to warrant using in your lineup. Make sure to monitor Butler’s status throughout the day.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Draymond Green, GS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings – $7,500

Green takes a backseat offensively to the Warriors’ star scoring trio of Curry, Durant and Klay Thompson, but he still provides tremendous value due to his all-around contributions. Although he’s averaging just 11.3 points per game, he also has averages of 7.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks. He’s currently in the midst of one of his best stretches this season, averaging 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in his last 10 games. With his high floor, he makes for a viable option for your entry again Thursday.

Skal Labissiere, SAC at MIA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,000

Labissiere is finally seeing consistent playing time with the Kings shifting focus to their young players, averaging 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block in his last five games. In three of those five contests, he played at least 28 minutes. His price is rising on both sites, but he’s still priced low enough to provide value in this game.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Steven Adams, OKC vs. WAS
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,600

Adams is usually one of the safer center options because the Thunder have virtually no depth behind him. He gets plenty of playing time as a result and is averaging career-highs in points (13.7), rebounds (8.9) and steals (1.2) per game. With dominant offensive players around him in Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, Adams still finds a way to score in large part because he averages 5.1 offensive rebounds per game. He won’t kill your budget Thursday and has a relatively high floor based on his role on the team.

Enes Kanter, NY at DEN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000

The Knicks are slumping right now and have fallen four games out of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. They might become sellers at the NBA trade deadline as a result, which could become interesting because of their depth at center. Kanter has been one of their bright spots at the position and has kept it rolling during their struggles, averaging 15.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists over his last four games. He should see plenty of playing time against a big Nuggets frontcourt Thursday, making him worth consideration for your entry.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/24/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/24/18

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Dejounte Murray, SA at MEM
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,800

Murray has started the last two games for the Spurs and should start in place of Tony Parker going forward. The move has paid off well so far with Murray averaging 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 5.0 steals in those two contests. He’s not going to provide traditional point guard numbers in terms of assists and he’s not a good three-point shooter, but he makes up for it with his ability to rebound and rack up steals. His price is going to climb quickly if he keeps up this pace, but he’s still a great option at this cheap price Wednesday.

Yogi Ferrell, DAL vs. HOU
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

Ferrell has seen increased playing time of late, logging at least 31 minutes in five of his last six games. He cashed in the added minutes by averaging 15.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 three-pointers in those five contests. He should see plenty of playing time again Wednesday against a Rockets team that likes to use a lot of small lineups. Considering the Rockets also play at the eighth-fastest pace (101.2 possessions per game) in the league, Ferrell is a strong candidate to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Jeremy Lamb, CHA vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,900

Lamb did a great job filling in for Nicolas Batum when he was injured to start the season but moved back to the bench once he returned. While his usage rate as a starter and a reserve are almost identical, he’s averaging seven fewer minutes per game when he comes off the bench. That doesn’t mean he still can’t provide value at this price though, evident by the fact that he is averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 three-pointers in his last nine games. Not only does Wednesday’s opponent in the Pelicans play at the sixth-fastest pace (101.5) in the league, but they also allow the second-most points per game (110.9). While his upside is limited based on his role off the bench, Lamb is still a viable option to consider for your entry.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, PHI vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,900

Luwawu-Cabarrot has been moved into the starting lineup with J.J. Redick (leg) and Jerryd Bayless (wrist) both injured. Redick will be out again Wednesday while Bayless is listed as questionable. Not only that, but T.J. McConnell (personal) has already been ruled out as well. If Bayless ultimately does not play, Luwawu-Cabarrot is going to be in for all the minutes he can handle. He averaged 18.0 points. 2.0 assists and 4.5 three-pointers while starting the last two games, so keep an eye on Bayless’ status throughout the day. If he is also ruled out, Luwawu-Cabbarrot could provide significant value.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Kyle Anderson, SA at MEM
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,900

As the Spurs continue to deal with injuries to Kawhi Leonard (quad), Rudy Gay (heel) and Manu Ginobili (thigh), it has resulted in Anderson playing at least 30 minutes in three straight games. He is usually productive when given added playing time, averaging 9.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 block in 14 games this season where he has played at least 30 minutes. He may not be flashy, but that’s valuable production at this reasonable price.

Nemanja Bjelica, MIN at POR
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,300

The key here is the status of Jimmy Butler (knee), who is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game. Bjelica has started the last two games with Butler out, averaging 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. He played at least 26 minutes in both games, which is no surprise considering how much playing time coach Tom Thibodeau gives all of his starting players. If Butler is ruled out for this game, Bjelica is an excellent value play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Dario Saric, PHI vs. CHI
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $6,400

Saric had some big games when Joel Embiid was out earlier this season, but he’s still valuable even with Embiid on the floor. Embiid hasn’t missed a game in January, but Saric has still managed to average 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.7 three-pointers per contest during that stretch. The Sixers play at the second-fastest pace (102.8) in the league, which helps Saric gain added value. Wednesday brings a favorable matchup against the Bulls who also like to play fast and use a lot of small lineups, making Saric someone to consider using for your entry.

Jarrell Martin, MEM vs. SA
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,600

The Grizzlies are going to be lacking depth up front Wednesday with JaMychal Green (ankle) and Chandler Parsons (knee) already ruled out. Martin is not certain to play either as he is listed as questionable with a knee injury. If he is able to play, he could get a lot of minutes. He’s played at least 31 minutes in three of the last four games, averaging 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 three-pointers per contest. Keep an eye on his status leading up to tipoff.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,500

Valanciunas can sure take you on a rollercoaster ride in DFS. Take a look at his last four games in DraftKings for example. In those four games, he has scored 14.8, 43.5, 31.3 and 4.8 DraftKings points, respectively. It’s no coincidence that he played at least 27 minutes in both games that he performed well and 14 minutes or fewer in the two games that were flops. Consistent playing time has been an issue for him all season, so he’s usually only someone you want to take a chance on in tournament play. That being said, the Hawks do allow the fourth-most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers, so we might see the good side of Valanciunas on Wednesday.

Robin Lopez, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Talk about two tough games for Lopez. He had to battle DeMarcus Cousins on Monday and now he follows that up with a game against Joel Embiid. The good news is, that likely means plenty of playing time again Wednesday as the Bulls really don’t have anyone else who can match up with Embiid’s size. In 13 games that Lopez has played between 30 and 39 minutes this year, he is averaging 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest. If you want to go really cheap at center in a tournament, Lopez might be worth considering.

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.

 

Draftkings NFL Championship Round: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

by Cesar Becerra 0 Comments

Draftkings NFL Championship Round: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

 

 

Vegas.

Vikings (20.75) at Eagles (17.75) | MIN [-3] | Over/Under 38.5

Draftkings NFL Championship Round: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

Unlike the AFC game, the NFC game isn’t your traditional top offense meets a top defense. These two teams were the top seeds in the NFC, but the Eagles aren’t the team that earned them the number 1 seed. This game features two unlikely quarterbacks and two teams that rank in the bottom 10 in pace of play and the rank as the top 2 defenses DVOA per Football Outsiders.With two relatively unproven quarterbacks and two very good defenses, it explains why the game total sits at 38.5. Both teams are expected to play really conservative and focus on protecting the ball long enough for their defense to make a play to win the game.

Philadelphia Eagles (17.5)

Draftkings NFL Championship Round: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

* News * 

D. Ellerbe (LB) – returned to practice on Thursday (hamstring) – questionable

For the second consecutive week, the Eagles come in as home underdogs. They did just enough to win the game last week but have their hands full with the number 1 defense in the league. The Vikings’ defense ranks 1st overall, 4th against the pass, and 5th against the run. Going up against such a dominant defense, it’s no secret why they have the lowest implied total on the slate. So how will the Eagles attack this dominant Vikings defense?

There’s no double they will miss Carson Wentz. Nick Foles ($4,800) is the lowest priced quarterback on the slate. He’s had four starts as the Eagles starting quarterback but has really only played three full games. If we remove week 17 where he was rested, Foles is completing 62% of his passes and has thrown for a combined 626 yards (215 YPG), while throwing 4 touchdowns to 1 interceptions. At first glance, those numbers don’t seem half bad when considering his price tag. But those numbers are inflated from his start against the Giants. If we remove the Giants game, Foles numbers drop to a 61% completion percentage with 409 yards (204 YPG) and 1 touchdown and 1 interception. In 4 starts, Foles has yet to surpass 250 yards in any game. Even last week when he did a good job managing the game, Foles did not find the end zone. In all but one start this year Foles has yet to top 10 DK points and now going up against this stingy Minnesota defense that held Drew Brees to 62% completion percentage and picked him off twice. It’s not a good spot at all for Foles.

As you’d expect the matchup is just as bad for the Eagles receivers. Last week Alshon Jeffery ($4,600) led the receivers in targets with 5, followed by Torrey Smith ($3,000) with 4, and Nelson Agholor ($4,800) with 3. The three receivers combined for 10 catches and 124 yards (12.4 YPC) on 12 targets. If those were numbers from one receiver, we might be able to justify playing this combo receiver, but it’s not. This week they go up against Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Terrence Newman, all of which have a PFF grade higher than 78. Like Nick Foles, I’m not touching these Eagles wide receivers. If there is any receiver I have a slight interest in, it’s Torrey Smith. Smith offers some value because he is $3,000, plays more than 60% of the snaps, and doesn’t have to face Rhodes. On top of that, Smith still has the potential to catch a deep ball for a 60-yard touchdown. Agholor could become an essential part of the passing game with Jeffery presumably being locked up by Rhodes, but at $4,600 I rather take a shot at one of the Jags receivers given that their role is a little more stable.

I always love me some Zach Ertz ($5,300), but he disappointed last week with only 3 catches on 5 targets, and the Vikings rank 2nd in DVOA against tight ends. This season the Vikings have only allowed two tight ends to pass 50 yards and score more than 9 DK points. If I’m playing the Vegas narrative that the Eagles will be trailing in this game, Ertz is the only pass catcher that I would trust from Philadelphia’s offense.

Perhaps the most trusted Eagle this week is Jay Ajayi ($5,200). It’s only a matter of time before Doug Pederson realizes that Ajayi is the most talented back on their roster. Last week Ajayi led the team in touches with 15 carries and 3 receptions for 99 yards. Unfortunately, like the Patriots situation, Ajayi is splitting time with two other running backs. LeGarrette Blount ($3,700) is their goal-line back, and Corey Clement ($3,000) is their third-down back that gets work out of the passing game. Ajayi got 54% of the running back touches last week and is also explosive enough to break one, but after watching the Vikings front seven slow down Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram to 3.2 YPC last week, you can’t help but be hesitant about the entire Eagles offense. Kamara was able to get behind the secondary and score a 14-yard touchdown, so maybe Clement can get some of that same luck. It’s not a matchup-proof situation for these running backs, but it’s a two-game slate, you need to get risky sometime.

EAGLES PLAYS:

J. Ajayi, Eagles Defense, Z. Ertz

Minnesota Vikings (20.75)

Draftkings NFL Championship Round: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

* News * 

A. Sendejo (FS) – limited practice on Thursday (concussion) – expected to play

A. Thielen – missed practice on Thursday (back) – Probable

The Vikings have the second highest implied total on the slate at 20.75. It’s not pretty, but that’s what you get when you have 3 top 5 defenses in the league in the final 4. The Eagles also have good defensive metrics DVOA (2nd total, 7th pass, 3rd rush). The biggest concern is how the Vikings will stop the Eagles defensive line. The Eagles relentless defensive line has 5 of PFF top 30 pass rushers with Brandon Graham (91.6), Fletcher Cox (90.7), Vinny Curry, (84.7) Tim Jernigan (82.7)and Chris Long (91.8). Their defensive line is among the best in the league and matches up well against the offensive line of the Vikings (offensive line average grade via PFF is 57.28). The Eagles are also allowing 10 fewer points per game at home opposed to on the road this season. Despite this line and home-field advantage for Philadelphia, I still like some Vikings again this week.

Case Keenum ($6,600) was able to salvage a poor fantasy day with a miracle catch by Stefon Diggs. Fortunately for Keenum, he has the best wide receiving corps left in the playoffs with Adam Thielen ($7,400) and Stefon Diggs ($6,900). Fortunately for Minnesota, the most exploitable hole in the Eagles defense is their secondary as they ranked 21st in aFPA to wide receivers, per 4for4. So the recipe for success for Keenum is to get the ball into their playmaking receivers quickly. Keenum is not a safe bet by any means because of the Eagles defensive line tendency to put pressure on the quarterback, but he has some upside with the talent he has surrounding him. I just can’t justify not spending the extra $1,100 to get Brady.

The Vikings receivers are where I would like to get exposure to this game. The Eagles secondary gave up 100 yards to Julio last week and also allowed for Sanu to go for 50 yards on 3 catches. According to PFF, the cornerback worth exploiting is Jalen Mills who has given up a league-high 9 touchdowns. Mills is not a pushover by any means, but he ranks the lowest (75) of their other two cornerbacks Patrick Robinson (89.7) and Ronald Darby (83.2). It’s difficult to say who will see Mills the most either Thielen or Diggs, especially after last week when Thielen spent the most time outside of the slot than he had all season. Part of that was due to a season-high in snap count by Jarius Wright ($3,000) who played a season-high in snaps and caught 3 of his 6 targets. I’m growing more and more confident about each of these receivers matchup this week, especially Diggs who I think should see the majority of Mills. My rankings for the Vikings receivers are Diggs, Thielen, Wright.

The Vikings running backs have done better at home than on the road, averaging 13.21 DK points at home opposed to 9.51 DK points on the road. Jerick McKinnon ($5,100) was slightly better on the road averaging 10.71 points while Latavius Murray ($5,700) averaged 8.47. In the 4 road game where the Vikings were favored, McKinnon also outscored Murray 11.65 to 8.3. In a backfield that is an actual 50-50 split, I’m torn 50-50. I feel like the game script should favor McKinnon with the Vikings moving the ball with dump-offs and screens to the running backs in hopes of slowing down the pass rush. But I’m hesitant in going all-in McKinnon over Murray because Murray has a higher floor and higher touchdown equity. Over the past two games, Murray has out-touched McKinnon 42 to 23 and has outscored McKinnon 3 to 1. Murray is the goal-line back and gets almost all of the work in the early downs. In a game that should be slow paced and slugged out, Murray could touch the ball 25 times.

VIKINGS PLAYS:

S. Diggs, J. McKinnon, A. Thielen, L. Murray, Vikings Defense

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/19/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/19/18

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Darren Collison, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,600

Collison’s overall scoring average is down at 12.8 points per game, but he sure is efficient, shooting a career-high 50.7% from the field to go along with 88.8% from the free-throw line. Although he’s not a volume scorer, he still provides a steady floor with averages of 2.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 three-pointers per game. He gets a favorable match Friday against a Lakers team that plays at the fastest pace (103.6 possessions per game) in the league, which should give him added opportunities to provide value at this reasonable price.

Tyler Ennis, LAL vs. IND
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,900

The Lakers are going to be short-handed at guard Friday with both Lonzo Ball (knee) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Achilles) ruled out, so expect Ennis to be in the starting lineup. He’s played well in his previous five starts this season, averaging 9.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 0.8 steals per game. His upside isn’t extremely high, but it doesn’t have to be to warrant consideration for your entry at this very cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Tim Hardaway Jr., NY at UTA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $6,100

Hardaway has played well in three games since returning from a leg injury, averaging 19.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.7 three-pointers per game. He played 26 minutes or less in two of those games, so his ceiling could be much higher if he can return to his normal amount of playing time Friday. With a career-high 24% usage rate this year, Hardaway is one of the better value plays of the night at shooting guard.

Josh Hart, LAL vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,600

Hart is another player who will likely see increased playing time with both Ball and Caldwell-Pope injured. Hart has played at least 30 minutes in a game five times this season, averaging 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. Jordan Clarkson is in a shooting slump right now, hitting only 37.6% of his shots so far this month. While Clarkson might have the higher upside when his shot is falling, I feel more comfortable going with Hart’s consistency Friday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Wilson Chandler, DEN vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,300

Chandler’s scoring is way down this season at 9.4 points per game, his lowest since the 2011-12 season where he only played eight total games. His playing time hasn’t decreased, but his usage rate is a career-low 14.8%. The good news is the minutes are still there and he is averaging 6.7 rebounds over his last seven games. He played very well in his first meeting with the Suns this season, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three three-pointers. The Suns play at the fourth-fastest pace (102.4) and allow the most points per game (112.4) in the league, so Chandler does have some upside in this contest.

Dillon Brooks, MEM vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,200

Brooks enters Friday on a small hot streak, averaging 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 three-pointers in his last two games. He played at least 27 minutes in both of those games and could be in line for added playing time again Friday with James Ennis III (calf) already ruled out. The Kings have struggled to defend opposing small forwards this season, so Brooks might be worth the risk if you are playing in a tournament Friday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Domantas Sabonis, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,400

Sabonis continues to fill in as the starting center for the Pacers with Myles Turner (elbow) sidelined. He’s done a nice job so far, averaging 12.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists through 13 starts. Not only will the Lakers uptempo pace likely afford Sabonis a few extra opportunities to produce, but they also allow the sixth-most FanDuel points per game and the eighth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers. Expect Sabonis to at least approach another double-double in this game.

JaMychal Green, MEM vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,300

Green is in the midst of one of his most productive stretches this season, averaging 12.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal in his last six games. The Grizzlies are struggling this season and don’t have great depth up front, so Green is likely going to see heavy playing time if he keeps this up. The Kings have a lot of size up front but have struggled to defend power forwards throughout this season. Don’t be surprised if he and Sabonis have very similar stat lines when the night is all said and done.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Julius Randle, LAL vs. IND
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,600

Randle has been one of the most productive players for the Lakers, posting the third-highest usage rate (24.8%) on the team. His overall numbers have been a bit inconsistent of late but he has still managed to score at least 15 points in five of his last seven games. With the Lakers thin at guard, they could look to their frontcourt for added production. The Pacers allow the most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers, making Randle someone to strongly consider for your entry.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,400

Valanciunasis playing well right now, scoring at least 15 points and grabbing at least 13 rebounds in four of his last seven games. He’s only averaging 21 minutes per game this season but has played at least 26 minutes in three of his last six contests. The Spurs have a lot of size up front, so Valanciunas could be in line for added playing time again Friday. At this price, don’t be afraid to take a chance on him in tournament play based on his minutes potential.

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations – Conference Championships

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations – Conference Championships

The NFL DFS season comes to a close with the Conference Championships on Sunday. Thank you for reading all of our articles throughout this season. We hope we were able to help you craft a winning entry more often than not. Let’s ride off into the sunset with one more big payday. Put your favorite recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

**QUARTERBACKS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations - Conference Championships

Tom Brady vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $7,700
FanDuel = $9,000

Brady is well known for his success in the playoffs and started out true to form last weekend, throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns against the Titans. He has by far the most playoff experience of any of the quarterbacks still playing, appearing in 11 career Conference Championship games. He threw for 2,756 yards and 15 touchdowns in those games. The Jaguars have an elite defense, but most teams still left standing at this point are going to be tough to score against. The Jaguars did allow 42 points to the Steelers last week, so they aren’t impenetrable. Brady is the most expensive quarterback, but he also has the highest upside.

Case Keenum vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $6,600
FanDuel = $8,000

Keenum carried his excellent play during the regular season into the playoffs, throwing for 318 yards and one touchdown last week against the Saints. The fact that he played so well and helped lead an improbable comeback was especially impressive when you consider it was his first career start in the playoffs. The Eagles defense is no pushover, but they did allow 24 passing touchdowns this season, tied with the Patriots for the most among the four teams still playing. If you don’t want to pay up for Brady, Keenum should be the next best option.

**RUNNING BACKS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations - Conference Championships

Leonard Fournette vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $7,200
FanDuel = $8,500

Fournette is the one clear workhorse left at running back in the playoffs. He rushed 25 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns in the Divisional Round, marking his ninth game with at least 20 carries this season. He’s been fairly involved in the passing game as well, receiving at least four targets in five of his last six games. Although the Patriots allowed only six rushing touchdowns all season, they did allow an average of 114.8 rushing yards per game, placing them in the bottom half of the league.  With plenty of carries likely on tap this week, Fournette is an excellent option for your entry.

Dion Lewis vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $8,100
FanDuel = $7,700

Lewis racked up yardage against the Titans last week, rushing 15 times for 62 yards and hauling in nine of ten targets for 79 yards. It marked his third-straight game with at least 100 total yards, all of which came with Rex Burkhead (knee) injured. Burkhead is expected to be available to return this week, but he might not be able to resume his normal workload right away. Lewis has done nothing to lose any touches either. The Jaguars allowed 116.3 rushing yards per game during the regular season, the most of any of the four remaining teams. Look for Lewis to provide enough value again in this game.

Latavius Murray vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $5,700
FanDuel = $6,900

Murray has been splitting time with Jerick McKinnon in the Vikings backfield but had 20 rushing attempts last week compared to only eight for McKinnon. He rushed for just 50 yards, but he did manage to score a touchdown. He’s had a knack for reaching the end zone lately, scoring at least one touchdown in three of his last four games. The Eagles are tough against the run, but Murray can still provide value at this price based on his touchdown potential.

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations - Conference Championships

Adam Thielen vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $7,400
FanDuel = $7,400

Thielen set career-highs across the board this season, finishing in the top-10 in the league in targets (142), receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,276). He only had four touchdowns, but still provided tremendous value in DFS most weeks. He showed no signs of slowing down last week against the Saints, hauling in six of nine targets for 74 yards. The Eagles allowed Julio Jones to record nine catches and 101 receiving yards for the Falcons in the Divisional Round, so they can give up some big performances. Volume alone makes Thielen worth consideration.

Stefon Diggs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $6,900
FanDuel = $6,700

Diggs had 20 fewer receptions this regular season than he did in the previous year, but a lot of that was because his catch percentage dropped by almost nine percent. He still received 95 targets and finished with a career-high eight touchdowns. He made the most of his catches as well, averaging 13.3 yards per reception this season compared to only 10.8 yards per reception last year. Last week against the Saints, he caught six of 10 targets, finishing with 136 yards and, of course, the game-winning touchdown. Playing both he and Thielen in your lineup is not a bad idea when you consider the other options available during a limited week.

Marqise Lee vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $4,400
FanDuel = $6,100

Simply put, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles has struggled to throw the ball in two games during the playoffs, combining to complete 26-of-49 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns. He’s provided value with rushing yards, but that doesn’t help his receivers. The Jaguars might need to throw the ball more Sunday to keep up with the Patriots offense, which could mean added production for Lee. Lee received six targets last week against the Steelers and had 95 targets during the regular season as one of Bortles’ go-to options. Of all the receivers on the Jaguars, Lee might have the highest ceiling.

Chris Hogan vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $5,000
FanDuel = $6,100

Hogan only caught one of his four targets last week but salvaged the day by cashing in that one catch for a touchdown. Although he only played nine games during the regular season, he finished with a career-high five touchdown receptions. He averaged 6.6 targets per game, so he’s played a significant role in the Patriots offense when healthy. There aren’t a lot of great cheap options with so many excellent defenses taking the field Sunday, but Hogan’s touchdown potential gives him upside.

**TIGHT ENDS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations - Conference Championships

Rob Gronkowski vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $7,900
FanDuel = $8,400

Gronkowski had another dominant playoff performance against the Titans last week, catching six passes for 81 yards and one touchdown. In 11 career playoff games, Gronkowski has 835 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The Jaguars limited opposing tight ends to just five touchdowns during the regular season, but facing Gronkowski is an entirely different animal. He’s clearly the tight end with the highest ceiling in the Conference Championships.

Kyle Rudolph vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $4,500
FanDuel = $6,100

Rudolph finished with 83 receptions and 840 yards in 2016 but had only 57 receptions for 532 yards this year. He saw a drastic decrease in targets, but still managed to score eight touchdowns, which was actually one more than last year. The Vikings look for him when they get in close as he received 18 targets inside the red zone this season. If you don’t want to pay up for Gronkowski, take a chance on Rudolph possibly scoring a touchdown in this game.

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations - Conference Championships

Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $3,800
FanDuel = $4,900

Eagles quarterback Nick Foles wasn’t overly impressive against the Falcons last week, throwing for 246 yards and no touchdowns. He gets a tough matchup Sunday against a Vikings defense that allowed the second-fewest net passing yards per game (192) and the fewest touchdown passes (13) in the league during the regular season. With six interceptions in their last four games, the Vikings defense has excellent value Sunday.

New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $3,500
FanDuel = $5,200

With Bortles struggling, the Patriots defense could be in line for a big performance. They don’t create a ton of turnovers, but they do have 18 sacks in their last three games. Bortles really struggled on the road during the regular season, throwing only six touchdown passes to go along with eight interceptions away from EverBank Field. That’s not a recipe for success against the Patriots, who are dominant at home.

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

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

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

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Damian Lillard, POR vs. IND
FanDuel = $9,400
DraftKings = $8,700

Lillard has played well since returning from a calf injury, averaging 26.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in four games. He continues to be the main offensive weapon for the Trail Blazers, posting a 30% usage rate that ranks 15th-highest in the league. He has a usage rate of at least 30% in each of the last three seasons, so don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon. With 18 points to go along with seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block in his first meeting with the Pacers this year, Lillard is shaping up to provide big numbers again Thursday.

T.J. McConnell, PHI at BOS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400

Sixers guard J.J. Redick (leg) will not play Thursday, which is a significant loss for their backcourt. Jerryd Bayless is expected to replace him in the starting lineup, but McConnell should see added playing time as well. McConnell has played at least 30 minutes in a game six times this season, averaging 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals in those contests. Even though Bayless may be listed as the starter, McConnell could very well outproduce him in this game.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Victor Oladipo, IND at POR
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $8,500

This should be a fun matchup between Oladipo and C.J. McCollum on Thursday. Oladipo has had the season of his career, posting a 30.2% usage rate that ranks inside the top-15 in the league. He’s not just a scorer though, also averaging 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game He’s had a few subpar stat lines lately,  but that was mostly due to lopsided scores limiting his playing time. Expect him to see plenty of minutes and provide excellent value at this price Thursday.

Dwyane Wade, CLE vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,800

Wade has transitioned to a bench role for the Cavaliers and is averaging a career-low 24 minutes per game as a result. While his scoring is down significantly, he’s still provided value by averaging 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He’s already played the Magic twice this season, averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. His limited playing time doesn’t give him a high ceiling, but he can still provide enough production across the board to warrant consideration at this price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Jimmy Butler, MIN at HOU
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $8,800

Butler got off to a slow start with his new team but looks like the player we saw on the Bulls last season now. His usage rate is creeping up and he’s averaging 24.6 points over his last 14 games. He’s been the perfect fit for a young Timberwolves team that needed veteran leadership and someone who can make the big shots when it matters the most. Don’t forget that he’s an excellent defender as well, averaging 2.9 steals in his last 10 games. This should be a high scoring game Thursday, leaving Butler with significant upside. Of note, Butler is only small forward eligible on FanDuel as he is listed as a shooting guard on DraftKings.

P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. MIN
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,500

The fallout from some of the Rockets players making their way into the Clippers locker room after Monday’s game is that both Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green have been suspended for the next two games. While Green is the more flashy offensive player, the loss of Ariza is significant because he is averaging 36 minutes per game. His absence should open up some extra minutes for Tucker, who averaged 6.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 three-pointers in the 11 games that he played at least 30 minutes in this season. Factoring in his dirt cheap price, he warrants consideration in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Domantas Sabonis, IND at POR
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,000

Sabonis continues to fill in for Myles Turner (elbow), who will miss at least the next three games. The Pacers have to be thrilled with the progress Sabonis has made during his second season in the league, especially when given added playing time. He’s started 12 games this season, averaging 12.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest.  He won’t provide many defensive stats or three-pointers, but he doesn’t need to in order to be valuable at this price.

Taj Gibson, MIN at HOU
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings – $5,400

On the surface, this might not look like an ideal matchup for Gibson against a Rockets team that likes to deploy a lot of small lineups. However, Gibson is a versatile defender who is not out of his element on the perimeter. Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is also known for riding his starters heavy minutes, so don’t expect Gibson to see a decline in playing time Thursday. The Rockets play at the eighth-fastest pace (101.5 possessions per game) in the league, so Gibson should be able to compile enough stats to warrant consideration for your entry on a night with only four games.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kevin Love, CLE vs. ORL
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,400

The Cavaliers are really struggling right now, losing five of their last six games. They’ve been blown out a couple of times, resulting in some ugly performances by Love. They were able to keep their last two games close, resulting in Love averaging 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. In his first meeting with the Magic earlier this month, Love finished with 27 points, five rebounds, and six three-pointers. The Magic allow the fifth-most points per game on FanDuel and the sixth-most points per game on DraftKings to opposing centers, making Love an excellent option Thursday.

Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. IND
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,400

Nurkic has struggled in his last four games, averaging just 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. The good news is, he was able to salvage some of his value by averaging 2.0 blocks over that same stretch. His inconsistent performances on the season overall have been frustrating, making him a difficult player to count on in DFS. However, he has a favorable matchup Thursday as the Pacers allow the most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers. There aren’t a lot of great cheap center options due to the limited slate of games, but Nurkic is someone to consider in tournament play if you need to save some money at the position.