NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/6/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on February 6, 20180 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/6/18

Tuesday’s 8-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 Tyler Ulis and Josh Hart.

Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

Tyler Ulis
FD $3,700 DK $4,200

Devin Booker has already been ruled out for this game and Tyler Ulis was named the starter. For once, the Suns have made it easy on us. They typically encrypt their injury data, but it looks like we can count on Ulis to run the point and play heavy into the 30’s. Ulis has always been a very productive guy when on the floor and it always just comes down to how many minutes we can get him on the floor for. With both Booker and Canaan out, you can only assume he gets over that 30 mark. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see him get close to 40. He’s trusted by the coaching staff and has played 30+ minutes for long stretches before. The match-up against the Lakers is obviously tremendous as a team that loves to run and gun. They play at the 6th fastest PACE in the league and will do their best to match the PACE the Suns play at. Ulis is a tremendous option in all formats and one of my favorite plays on the entire slate.

Andrew Harrison
FD $5,400 DK $5,000

Even with Mario Chalmers back in action, Andrew Harrison managed to pick up 30 minutes last game. He’s concreted himself as the starting PG with Conley out and can be relied on night in and night out. His price has slowly risen, but you’re still looking for just 25-30 in cash games at $5k. The match-up against Atlanta is also exceptional, as they rank 24th against the position. Harrison isn’t the most exciting guy to watch or roster, but he’s safe, cheap, and in a good match-up. You can do a lot worse. I still prefer Ulis as one of my favorite plays on the entire slate, regardless of price.

Shooting Guard

Wayne Selden
FD $3,800 DK $4,400

Wayne Selden is currently questionable, so we don’t know where we will end up going here. If Selden plays, he’s seeing 30+ minutes at close to minimum-price. If he’s out, Ben McLemore and Mario Chalmers will pick up some big minutes. It would put Chalmers in play for sure. With that being said, I do expect Selden to suit up. He’s been playing extremely well and has been getting more and more comfortable with every start. Assuming he plays, expect 30 minutes and 18+ fantasy points. His upside is well noted and I don’t see many reasons to stay away if he’s cleared to play.

Josh Hart
FD $5,000 DK $4,300

Josh Hart is one of the better plays on this slate. Let’s sort out the mess. Though listed as a SG and starting at PG, he’s playing SF. With Lonzo Ball out, its been Ingram looking to run the offense. Hart has been touching it a ton, but often in scoring situations. I just think there may be a confusion about who this guy is. He’s a scorer and rebounder. There’s a reason he doesn’t do much facilitating. We know the match-up against Phoenix is incredible and it’s even better with Devin Booker missing. Hart is a lock for 30 minutes, 25 fantasy points and cash game value. I’ll personally have 100% exposure in hopes he gets hot and reaches 40 or 50. It’s definitely a real possibility with Ball out of the lineup.

Small Forward

Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker
FD $4,800 – $3,900 DK $5,300 – $4,000

With Trevor Ariza fully expected to remain out tonight, Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker have to be in play. Why? The Nets. If they were facing a solid defense, I could easily pass. Neither are playing exceptionally and are fairly priced. However, we know just how terrible the Nets defense is. The Rockets are going to put up points and both of these guys will see minutes, whether it’s a blowout or not. In tournaments, I’ll have a whole lot of Gerald Green. If he gets hot against Brooklyn, I can only imagine. Tucker is always safer and a solid cash play at near-minimum priced, but you won’t find 30 FP there. If that’s the goal, take a shot on Gerald Green or pay up for one of these next guys. Make sure Ariza is still out and plug either one of these guys in against a bottom 3 NBA defense.

T.J. Warren
FD $6,800 DK $6,700

Fine, these guys aren’t necessarily cheap. They are, however, value in the sense that they are far too cheap for their expected performance. With Devin Booker rules out, give Warren and Jackson 5 minutes each, at least. Jackson could easily move over against Hart and play 35+. Either way, both of them will see huge minutes and the match-up against the Lakers is obviously great (27th against SF). Warren will lead the offense tonight and 15-20 shots wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. He’s the only real guy on the floor that will dictate the ball and he’s around guys who have 0 problem at all passing it up. He’s going to be a guy I have close to 100% of. As for Jackson, he’s a bit more risky and reliant on his scoring ability. With that said, I’ll have cash game exposure because of the match-up and minutes bump. I’m just not as comfortable as I am with any of the other 3 guys above. Small forward is pretty nice and we didn’t even touch on Giannis, LeBron, or KD. Yikes.

Power Forward

Ryan Anderson and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
FD $4,200 – $4,300 DK $4,700 – $4,200

I know, another Houston Rockets combo. Both Anderson and Mbah a Moute are seeing over 30 minutes and are looking at an ideal match-up. Against power forwards, they rank dead last in the NBA. Dead last. 30th. Minaj a Moute is pretty safe in this style of game, but I can’t lie. I’m still attracted to the upside Ryan Anderson brings. We know the 3 point ball can fall with ease on occasion and it’ll turn into 30+ FP without effort. I’ll personally be all over RyNo for that reason, but see Mbah a Moute getting to 25 fantasy points with ease. In cash games, I’ll go there. It’ll be Quincy Acy manning the 4, who can barely keep up with himself, let alone anyone who can shoot. Both Anderson and Mbah a Moute are worthy of consideration in all formats.

Serge Ibaka
FD $4,800 DK $5,000

I can’t sit here and guarantee Serge Ibaka hits value. I surely could if I could guarantee the minutes, but 22-25 is a real possibility at this point. So is 32-35, though, and at this insane price, I may be willing to take a chance. We know Ibaka is productive when on the floor and will still get close to 20 if on the low-end side of his minutes. He could easily work into the 30’s if part of the down-the-stretch lineup, but that’s up in the air. We just know he’s under $5,000, which is unacceptable for a guy with his skill. Against a Boston team that should keep it extremely close, I expect closer to 35 minutes. Tatum is a solid defender, but more effective on smaller players. Ibaka will have no issue producing when matched up. I will guarantee at least 20 fantasy points.

Center

Tyson Chandler
FD $4,200 DK $4,700

Tyson Chandler saw 27+ minutes in 2 of the last 3 games, so you have to pay attention here. For one, Tyson Chandler is an extremely talented player. Evan at his old age, he’s always putting up numbers when given the opportunity. Especially against an interior like the Lakers that can’t defend anyone. On the season, they rank 21st against the position. Assuming Chandler gets the minutes, he will get over 20 fantasy points with ease. Personally, I like paying up at center tonight. With that being said, Chandler can be played in all formats. The match-up is tremendous and he’s always productive when on the floor.

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

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on January 30, 20180 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

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 Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on January 23, 20180 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

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

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

Point Guard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on January 16, 20180 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

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

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

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

Point Guard

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

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

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

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

Shooting Guard

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

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

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

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

Small Forward

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

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

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

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

Power Forward

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

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

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

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

Center

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

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

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

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/12/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on January 12, 20180 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/12/18

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There are nine games in the NBA on Friday, leaving plenty of elite options to choose from for your DFS entry. In order to fit them in though, you need to find those cheaper value plays, or “sleepers” if you will, to help you bring home some money. Consider using the players below to hopefully end your night a winner.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Ricky Rubio, UTA at CHA
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,600

Rubio has seen his assists drop off dramatically in his first season with the Jazz, averaging only 4.8 per game. His previous career low was 7.3 in the 2012-13 season and he had averaged a career-high 9.1 per game with the Timberwolves last year. However, he’s showing signs of his all-around game improving lately, averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in his last five games. He’s still averaging 29 minutes per game this season, so he’ll likely have the ball in his hands enough to provide value Friday.

Malcolm Delaney, ATL vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,700

The rebuilding Hawks don’t have much depth, which has led to Delaney averaging a career-high 19 minutes per game this season. He’s coming off back-to-back solid performances against the Clippers and Nuggets where he averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. This has the makings of a promising matchup against a Nets team that deploys a lot of small lineups and plays at the fifth-fastest pace (102.4 possessions per game) in the league. His upside is limited at best, but he can provide value at this extremely cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Malcolm Brogdon, MIL vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,500

Brogdon has come off the bench for the majority of this season but has now started each of the last three games. He did start the first nine games he played this season but his numbers during that time period have to be taken into context because Eric Bledsoe had not yet joined the team. He has played well in the last three starts though, averaging 12.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. The Warriors play at the fourth-fastest-pace (102.7) in the league and use a lot of small lineups, leaving Brogdon with an opportunity to shine in this game.

Caris LeVert, BKN at ATL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,500

LeVert has done an excellent job helping run the offense with all of the Nets injuries this year, averaging 4.2 assists per game. Before missing two games with a groin injury, LeVert had at least 12 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in four straight games. He hasn’t played as well in two games since returning, but it shows what kind of upside he can provide. In his last game against the Hawks, LeVert scored 17 points to go along with two rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He is someone you should consider for your entry again Friday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Gerald Green, HOU at PHO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,500

Green has helped pick up the slack offensively with James Harden (hamstring) out, averaging 19.0 points and 4.6 three-pointers in his last seven games. His usage rate is 21.7%, which is fourth-highest on the team behind Harden, Chris Paul, and Eric Gordon. Friday brings an excellent matchup against the Suns who play at the third-fastest pace (102.8) and allow the most points per game (112.1) in the league. Look for Green to score plenty in this game.

Joe Ingles, UTA at CHA
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,800

While Green’s value comes from his ability to score, Ingles’ comes from his ability to contribute across the board. It’s not sexy, but his averages of 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 three-pointers provide value at this price. He’s averaging 31 minutes per game this season, which has led to career-highs almost across the board. The Hornets allow the second-most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing small forwards, making Ingles someone to consider for this game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

JaMychal Green, MEM at DEN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,700

Green is coming off his best performance on the season when he scored 20 points to go along with 14 rebounds, two steals, and one block Wednesday against the Pelicans. One of the keys to his performance was that he played 34 minutes. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game 10 times this season, averaging 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in those contests. He could be in store for added minutes again Friday with the Nuggets going big with both Nikola Jokic and Mason Plumlee in their starting five. The Nuggets allow the fifth-most DraftKings points per game and the sixth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing power forwards, leaving Green as a nice option.

Dragan Bender, PHO vs. HOU
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Bender will move into the starting lineup Friday with Marquese Chriss (hip) already ruled out. Chriss also left early in the Suns last game Monday against the Thunder due to the same injury. As a result, Bender ended up playing 39 minutes. He did not let the added minutes go to waste, scoring 20 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists, one steal, three blocks and a staggering six three-pointers. This has the makings of a great matchup as both the Suns and the Rockets are in the top-eight in the league in terms of pace of play. At this price, Bender could be the best value play of the night.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Plumlee has now started 19 of the last 20 games for the Nuggets, averaging 8.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 blocks in his new role. He only averaged 17 minutes per game coming off the bench this season but has averaged 24 minutes as a starter. Finding cheap center options can be difficult, especially on FanDuel where there is no position flexibility. That being said, Plumlee should be able to average enough across the board to present a viable option.

Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. ORL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,900

Gortat had averaged at least 30 minutes per game in each of the last six seasons but has seen his role change this year. He enters Friday averaging just 27 minutes per game, playing at least 30 minutes in a game only three times in his last 20 contests. His numbers have declined as you would have expected, but he’s still averaged a respectable 9.1 points and 8.1 rebounds. Friday brings a favorable matchup against a Magic team that struggles to defend the center position, so Gortat could be productive even in limited minutes.

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