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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

There are few days in the NBA season as exciting as the Christmas Day slate of games. The league uses this day to showcase some of their best teams, which also means a lot of the top players will be in action. That means plenty of elite options in DFS will be taking the floor. In order to fit some of those players into your entry, here are some cheaper value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/25/18

Emmanuel Mudiay, NY vs. MIL
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,900

The Knicks have changed up their rotations throughout the season, which left Mudiay with little playing time at the start the year. However, he was inserted into the starting lineup in the middle of November and has yet to relinquish the role. He’s been especially hot of late, averaging 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 11 games in December. His price has increased significantly, but it’s still reasonable enough to warrant considering him for your entry.

T.J. McConnell, PHI at BOS
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,600

With the return of Markelle Fultz (shoulder) nowhere in site, McConnell will continue to be one of the main guards off of the bench for the Sixers. Don’t count on him to score much, but he’s provided respectable all-around contributions by averaging 8.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals across 10 games in December. At near the minimum price on both sites, his secure role off the bench gives him some appeal in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/25/18

Eric Gordon, HOU vs. OKC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,800

Gordon is only averaging 15.3 points per game this season, which is his lowest mark since joining the Rockets. His usage rate of 22.5 percent is down over two percentage points from last season, but he has a great opportunity to be productive for at least the next couple of weeks with Chris Paul (hamstring) out. Across six games in which Paul has missed this season, Gordon has averaged 21.8 points and 4.3 three-pointers.

Marcus Smart, BOS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,400

Smart has been an important part of the Celtics success in recent years, but he’s averaging a career-low 26 minutes per game this season. With the talent that they have across the board, his playing time is likely to remain limited. His scoring numbers have really suffered, but he’s remained DFS relevant with 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. With the Sixers playing at the eighth-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) in the league, Smart might even receive a few more opportunities to provide value Tuesday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/25/18

Joe Ingles, UTA vs. POR
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,700

Ingles entered this season having made at least 44 percent of his three-point attempts in both of the last two seasons, but he’s only shooting 38.1 percent this year. Luckily, his usage rate has jumped to a career-high 17.9 percent, which has helped him to still average 12.1 points per game. He’s also chipped in 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals a game, leaving him with valuable all-around contributions.

Evan Turner, POR at UTA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000

Turner’s career hasn’t gone the way some had expected after he was selected with the second overall pick in the 2010 Draft. However, he’s become a critical member of the bench for a Blazers team that has had plenty of success during his tenure with the team. He doesn’t receive a ton of scoring opportunities, which has left him to average just eight points per game. However, he’s also averaging five rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest, his highest marks in both categories since joining the Blazers. Even with his limited offensive upside, the savings he could provide your budget combined with his production in other categories leaves him with some appeal in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/25/18

Kevin Knox, NY vs. MIL
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600

Mudiay isn’t the only Knick who has come alive of late. Knox, their promising first-round pick, has been on a scoring binge of late, averaging 20.3 points and three three-pointers across his last seven games. He’s also chipped in 6.6 rebounds per contest during that stretch, leaving him with plenty of upside despite his lack of assists or defensive stats. There is some concern that the Knicks could get down big against a far superior Bucks team, but with them looking to develop Knox, his playing time is fairly secure. Case in point, he’s logged at least 35 minutes in each of the last four games in which they have lost by at least 11 points.

Marcus Morris, BOS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,900

After sitting out two games due to a knee injury, Morris returned to log 20 minutes Sunday against the Hornets. The Celtics didn’t need to play him much in a lopsided win, but he still scored 12 points to go along with eight rebounds. Despite the Celtics’ loaded depth chart, Morris is having one of the best seasons of his career by averaging 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 three-pointers. The Sixers are extremely thin at power forward after trading Dario Saric to the Timberwolves, leaving Morris with the potential to thrive in this contest.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/25/18

Steven Adams, OKC at HOU
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,700

Russell Westbrook and Paul George are clearly the offensive leaders for the Thunder, but Adams is no slouch himself, averaging a career-high 16.1 points per game. He’s been a terror on the glass, as well, averaging 10 boards a night. The Thunder added Nerlens Noel to provide some depth behind him, but Adams is still logging 34 minutes a game. While he’s not an overly cheap option, Adams has a high floor considering his price tag.

Brook Lopez, MIL at NY
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bucks are currently the second seed in the Eastern Conference, just one-and-a-half games behind the Raptors. It might not have been a flashy pickup, but the addition of Lopez over the summer is one of the key reasons for their hot start. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a monster, but he thrives in the paint. Having Lopez on the floor alongside him provides valuable spacing since opposing big men have to guard him on the perimeter. There aren’t a lot of great cheap center options Tuesday, but Lopez’s ability to hit three’s and block shots at least makes him someone to consider.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/27/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/27/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/27/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. If you need any help in fantasy or just want to come join in on the fun we highly recommend requesting a join. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like George Hill and Patrick Patterson.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Quinn Cook
FD $6,000 DK $5,900

We’ll kick things off Golden State with Quinn Cook. He struggled when first handed the starting gig, but has flipped that to the extreme and is dominating on a nightly basis. Curry is going to miss all the way through the first round of the playoffs, so Cook is going to have a cemented role on this team and it’s not going anywhere. He’s been over 34 minutes in 3 of the last 5 games and has come through with 30+ fantasy points in 5 of those 5. He now sees a match-up with the Pacers, who rank 22nd against the point guard position and haven’t improved since the break (26th). Cook is going to have another productive night and the $6k price tag isn’t a worry for me. Let’s go a little cheaper.

Yogi Ferrell
FD $3,900 DK $4,200

Maybe this isn’t the place, but I just want an explanation as to why J.J. Barea misses what seems like 40 games a season and none of them are ever for the same reason. Get yourself together, dude. Either way, he’s out again tonight and Yogi Ferrell will draw the obvious benefit. Already seeing 25 or so minutes a night, this will put him around the 35 number. His price is fair on both sites and you’re looking for 25 fantasy points in cash games. Against De’Aaron Fox defense, that really shouldn’t be so hard. Ferrell isn’t anything special when on the floor, but he’s average 1.13 fantasy points per minute. He’s a great play in all formats and I like Quinn Cook just a tad bit more with the prices considered.

Shooting Guard

Nick Young
FD $4,800 DK $4,800

Young is going to continue seeing huge minutes with Klay Thompson out. He’s been over 30 minutes in 5 of the last 6 games and has been over 36 in 4 of them. 40+ in 2 of them. He’s not the most consistent player when on the floor and he is rather reliant on his jumper, so you can’t be too comfortable in cash games. With that being said, he can go for 40 on any night and it doesn’t really matter who he’s facing. Tonight, it’s the Pacers. They rank 22nd against shooting guards and play fast. Perfect for Swaggy P. His price has risen, but he’s still a value on both sites and a good play in all formats. Let’s move up the price range a little bit.

Eric Gordon
FD $5,600 DK $7,200

Eric Gordon is a tiny bit expensive for a value article, but he’s going to be one of the more popular plays on this slate and rightfully so. He’s going to draw the start for resting James Harden and figures to grab an extra 5-10 shots and minutes. There will be plenty available and we know Gordon has no reservations about shooting a ton. He matches up with a Bulls squad that rank 25th against the position. With a 220 total, there are plenty of fantasy points to go around and we know Gordon is going to get over 30. He’s a lock in both my cash games and tournaments, but do understand the fade for other Rockets.

Small Forward

Joe Johnson and Gerald Green
FD $3,500 – $3,700 DK $3,800 – $4,700

These 2 guys have already been picking up 25-32 minutes a game, so this injury news on the Rockets isn’t just about minutes for these guys. I’m sure they’ll each grab a few minutes with Harden, Mbah a Moute, and Capela all out, but it’s more about the shots up for grab now. With Harden out, you know both Gerald Green and Joe Johnson are going to have some fun when the ball is in their hands. Much like a guy like Michael Beasley, they are automatic production with the ball in their hands. It’s not necessarily good for the team, but these Rockets are good enough to overcome some me-ball from Johnson and Green. I honestly love both and will have a ton of exposure in all formats. This Rockets squad is the top value on the day and these guys are right in the center of it. Still cheap on both sites, don’t be afraid to plug either of those guys into your lineup.

David Nwaba
FD $4,800 DK $4,700

Here’s what we’re working with. Nwaba is currently picking up 25 minutes a night. Denzel Valentine is questionable. If Valentine is in, Nwaba is a nominal play at 25 minutes. He’s fine in cash, but doesn’t blow anyone away. Now if Valentine sits, we’ve seen the Bulls play Nwaba upwards of 35-40 minutes. He is productive when on the floor and has the ability to put up 40 fantasy points with ease. The match-up with Houston is a great one, as it’ll be guys like Gerald Green and Joe Johnson covering him. Ariza and Paul will be on the better players. Nwaba is just under $5k on both sites and one of the top plays in all formats if Valentine is out. Pay attention on Twitter and make sure Valentine is ruled out before plugging Nwaba in everywhere.

Power Forward

NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 03: Cheick Diallo #13 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on October 3, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Cheick Diallo
FD $4,300 DK $4,000

We start off with a very contingent Cheick Diallo at power forward. With Nikola Mirotic out last game, Diallo picked up 25 minutes and put up 34 fantasy points. 30 of those fantasy points came in 14 minutes in the 2nd half. Wow. He has a ton of upside in the right spot and is safe if given the opportunity. Tonight, Nikola Mirotic is questionable and it all depends on his status. If Miro is out, Diallo is going to pick up 25 minutes again and makes sense in all formats. If he plays, I have no interest in Diallo at all.

Tarik Black
FD $3,500 DK $3,000

Along with Harden, Clint Capela is going to take a rest tonight. He plays 26-30 minutes on most nights and is a huge interior presence for this team. The two candidates to take his minutes are Nene Hilario and Tarik Black. Hilario is where you assume they go, but he’s old and coming off of injury. The point of this game is to rest the team, not put an old man right back on the injury report. That’s why I suspect it’ll be the youngin Tarik Black, who won’t touch the floor in the playoffs. He could easily pick up 25 minutes tonight against Felicio and post a quick double-double. I’ll be way over the field at 50% and don’t hate dieing on this branch. As a worst-case scenario, he sees 20 minutes and put up 15 fantasy points. Best case is 26 minutes and 30-35 FP. He’s minimum around the industry and an elite play because of it.

Center

Kosta Koufos
FD $3,800 DK $4,400

There’s only one center I have much love for under $6k. Koufos picked up 32 and 25 minutes over the last two games and has been excellent in both. The 55 fantasy points a few nights ago is obviously lofty expectations, but that isn’t what we need. He’s around $4k on both sites and you only really need 20 to make you extremely happy. The Kings are one of the weakest interiors in all of the league and Koufos won’t have trouble when in there. Expect another 20-25 fantasy points and don’t be surprised if he gets up to that 30 mark. Good luck tonight and comment below with any questions!

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/20/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/20/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. If you need any help in fantasy or just want to come join in on the fun we highly recommend requesting a join. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like George Hill and Patrick Patterson.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Yogi Ferrell
FD $4,900 DK $5,300

According to Rick Carlisle, Dennis Smith Jr. is going to “miss some games”. Whatever that means. For a team that’s tanking, it’s just counting down the days until the season is over. In the meantime, you can look towards Yogi Ferrell. He’s already seeing 30 minutes a night and should get close to 40 here. The match-up is impeccable against a Pelicans team that sits 28th against the point guard position. We also have a questionable J.J. Barea. If he misses, Kyle Collinsworth would be forced into 25 minutes and be a good play. For now, Yogi Ferrell is one of the more reliable options at any price point on the slate.

Tyler Dorsey
FD $3,500 DK $3,700

At point guard, Yogi Ferrell really is the cheapest I’m comfortable going in cash games. With that being said, tournaments are a different story and I have a lot of interest in Tyler Dorsey. He’s been picking up 25-28 minutes in most games and typically produces. On the season, he’s sitting at 0.98 fantasy points per minute. He now draws at a match-up against a Jazz squad that ranks 18th against the PG position. His price is sitting extremely low in the mid-$3k’s and you’re only needing 20 in cash games. I don’t think he’s necessary in cash games, but you can pay up at a few other spots in a tournaments and use him. Personally, he’s in about 25% of my lineups.

Shooting Guard

Troy Daniels
FD $3,800 DK $3,900

Daniels played 28 minutes last game without Devin Booker and put up 29 fantasy points. He put up 18 points from the field and sprinkles in 6 combined peripherals. He’s always going to be a tad bit reliant on his jumper, but has a lethal one and can get hot from behind the arc. The match-up with Detroit isn’t ideal, but they rank 23rd against the SG position, so it could be a whole lot worse. If Booker plays, I’ll be ignoring the situation as a whole. If Booker is out, Troy Daniels is a viable cash game punt at a weaker SG position.

Kyle Collinsworth
FD $3,600 DK $3,600

If you’re not a fan of Troy Daniels or just want to go elsewhere, Kyle Collinsworth is pretty interesting. He’s picked up 17-25 minutes in each of the last 3 games and now see Dennis Smith Jr. out. He should get up to at least that 25-minute mark and his price is low enough to play in all formats. It’s hard to trust a guy that isn’t guaranteed any minutes, but it’s what you’re signing up for when you want to pay down at shooting guard. I definitely prefer Daniels and will play him in any format, while Collinsworth is more of a tournament option. Let’s get to small forward.

Small Forward

Maurice Harkless
FD $4,000 DK $4,000

Small forward isn’t the greatest spot to reach for value. There are a few different ways to go, but I’ll probably be doing my best to get to the mid-range. If you do need to pay down, Maurice Harkless is your best bet. Seeing 25+ minutes s night, he’s put up 30+ fantasy points in 2 of the last 3 games. He doesn’t mind being a big part of this offense and has gone on red-hot streaks before. Harkless is insanely cheap at $4k and will need you just about 20 to make you happy in cash games. We know the Rockets love playing fast and Harkless excels in the open floor. Give him a go in all formats and don’t worry about him being the reason you lose.

Doug McDermott
FD $3,500 DK $3,500

McDermott saw 41 minutes last game, so you have to take interest in him at the price. He definitely doesn’t produce like you would want, but he can get hot from behind the line and get to 25 fantasy points. He faces off with a Pelicans squad that ranks 23rd against the SF position. They give up the 4th most 3-pointers in all of the league and have played at the 2nd fastest PACE since the All-Star Break. Book him for 15 fantasy points and 35 minutes. It’s not safe, or fun, but he’ll help you pay up elsewhere and shouldn’t hurt you too badly. Let’s get to some big guys.

Power Forward

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 14: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court against the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)

Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko
FD $5,400 – $3,500 DK $4,600 – $3,300

The two starting PF’s have been ruled out in this game and we’re going to look at a couple guys from the game. Let’s start on the sugar side. With Derrick Favors out, that adds 25-ish minutes to these two guys. With my math, we should see Crowder around 35 and Jerebko 24-28. At the bare minimum price, I don’t think Jerebko will ever hurt you in this spot. Crowder is more expensive, but a lock for 25 with 40+ upside. The Hawks are one of the weakest interiors in all of the league and can be targeted at will with skilled bigs. Both of these guys will make a big impact when in the game and I really like both in either format.

Center

Alex Len
FD $3,900 DK $3,700

The low-end of center is never very good. Tonight is no different. If Tyson Chandler ends up missing, Alex Len should grab 20-25 minutes and faces off with a weak Pistons interior. Because of Andre Drummond, his size is going to be very necessary for the Suns to at least grab some rebounds. He’s been pretty frustrating on this season, but we know Len is a guy that can pick up 30 fantasy points on any given night. This game does hold a 210+ over/under, so Vegas expect there to be plenty of scoring to go around. The Pistons rank 18th against the C position and Len won’t have any problem putting up numbers when in the game. It’s just a matter of actually getting in there.

Aron Baynes
FD $3,70 DK $3,500

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/13/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/13/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. If you need any help in fantasy or just want to come join in on the fun we highly recommend requesting a join. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like George Hill and Patrick Patterson.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

George Hill
FD $4,700 DK $5,100

Welcome to NBA Tuesday! We have 11 games on our hands tonight with a whole lot to look at. With that being said, there are certainly a few spots to focus on. The Cavaliers are probably the biggest of which. Facing off with the Phoenix Suns, we are going to touch on a ton of them. You can also play the more expensive guys like LeBron and Nance Jr. Let’s start with George Hill, who’s made himself into a huge part of this offense. He’s picking up 30+ minutes on most nights and has averaged 1.16 FP per minute while on the floor. His price is still very fair on both sites around $5k and you’re only needing 25 fantasy points. The Suns have ranked 25th against PG’s on the season and 28th since Payton joined the squad. Hill is a lock at the price and a great way to pay up elsewhere.

Emmanuel Mudiay
FD $4,900 DK $5,000

If you’re not a fan of Hill because you already have enough Cavs or for whatever reason, Emmanuel Mudiay is a very solid option. I think some may look at him as risky, but I have to disagree. If you look at his last 5 games, he’s been under 25 minutes just once and has been over 30 twice. Unlike Burke, Mudiay may have a real future in this league as a prominent PG. Remember, he was drafted just 3 years back as a top 5 pick. He’s not just a shooter who doesn’t get anyone else involved and puts up big numbers. Mudiay isn’t as explosive, but he stuffs the stat sheet and is very safe when given the opportunity. the Mavs are an extremely underwhelming offense and DSJ is the last PG I’m scared of with the size of Mudiay. I’ll have him in both cash games and tournaments, but do like George Hill in a vacuum just a bit more.

Shooting Guard

Jordan Clarkson and J.R. Smith
FD $3,700 – $4,600 DK $4,000 – $5,200

We’re right back to this Cavaliers squad with another 2 very solid value plays. When a team like the Cavs is facing the Suns and has a 230 total with just a 7 point spread, you’re forced to focus on the game. When you add the fact that Rodney Hood is doubtful, these 2 guys can’t at all be ignored. Let’s start with Jordan Clarkson. His only concern is minutes. If Hood is eventually ruled out, it’s safe to assume 25+ mins and easy value. He will be in 100% of my cash games if Hood is ruled out. You then get to J.R. Smith. He’s always volatile and reliant on his jumper, but I think you have to live with that against the Suns. As long as he’s not ice cold, he will get open shots and plenty of them. He’s jumped between 25 and 35 minutes all of this month and should be locked into the higher end if Hood is eventually ruled out. You can play Korver, too, but I personally hate this match-up as they prefer him in halfcourt games where he can separate the defense and get some off-ball attention away from Lebron. For me, Clarkson will be in every lineup and J.R. won’t be far behind. That’s only if Rodney Hood is out as we expect.

Norman Powell
FD $3,700 DK $3,200

If you need to pay way down, Normal Powell has picked up 21, 28, and 31 minutes over the last 3 games. It’s far from exciting and I’ll be on J.R. Smith over him, but it’s an option if you’re off the Cavs. Powell has shown upside plenty of times and has averaged just under 1 FP per minute on the season. If he gets 25-40, he should hit value at that garbage price. He gets to face off with the Brooklyn Nets, so there’s no better match-up for a guy that thrives on running the floor and creating mismatches. Powell isn’t going to be on more than 2 or 3 of my teams, but he’s far better than anyone else under the J.R. Smith price tag. Take that for what you will.

Small Forward

Oct 15, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica (88) dribbles the ball past Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) during the second quarter at KFC! YUM Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Nemanja Bjelica
FD $5,800 DK $6,200

We’re getting a little expensive here, but I just don’t like any value here at SF. LeBron is the guy everyone wants and we will all be trying our best to get there. Bjelica is my 2nd favorite at the position. Let’s just look at the last 3 games to see why. 40 minutes, 40 minutes, and 45 minutes. He’s put up 40 fantasy points in 2 straight games and has had no problem taking some big shots. He’s a big part of this team at this point and will get a lot of minutes in the playoffs after this stretch. Tonight, he sees a Wizards squad that ranks 27th against small forwards. He’s fairly priced on both sites and I’m a fan in all formats. The minutes are a lock and there’s only so bad you can be in 40+ minutes of this match-up.

Rudy Gay
FD $4,400 DK $4,800

Like I said, the value here is pretty weak. Full disclosure, I’m doing my best to get Nemanja Bjelica and LeBron in every lineup. It’s a limb I’m looking to die on tonight. With that being said, ic an appreciate Rudy Gay and his value in the mid-$4k’s. Seeing 22+ minutes a night, you can at least guarantee 15 FP. It’s not great, but better than anyone else in this pricing range. We know the upside Gay has if given the minutes, so I don’t hate him in tournaments. The match-up with Orlando is fine, ranking 22nd against the position since the ASB. I don’t love the spot and won’t be going here myself, but Gay is my favorite way to pay down if I had to.

Power Forward

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jeff Green, right, drives against Houston Rockets’ Ryan Anderson in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Jeff Green
FD $3,800 DK $3,900

I gave you a position off from the Cavs at SF, because, well, we know what to do there with the Cavs. We’re now to PF and right back at it. On the high-end, Larry Nance Jr. is one of the top plays on the entire night. With Tristan Thompson still out, he’s locked into minutes and Lebron loves playing with him. If you want to get cheaper, Jeff Green is a very solid option. I don’t think he’s a very good basketball player, but it doesn’t really matter if he’s going to get the minutes. He loves shooting the ball and I guess he’s going to keep doing so until they start going in. The Suns give up as many open 3’s as anyone in the league and he’s far more athletic than any of the big men that Phoenix will throw his way. The price is insanely low on both sites and you’re only needing 15-20 in cash games. That shouldn’t be tough at all in this match-up.

Patrick Patterson
FD $3,600 DK $3,300

This just hinges on Steven Adams. Adams went into yesterday questionable and then hurt his hip after 20 minutes of court time. You can’t expect them to toss him out the next night against the lowly Hawks. Patterson picked up 20 minutes for the 3rd straight game and you can definitely expect 30 if Adams happens to miss. Especially against a Hawks team that he can use his perimeter work against. Dewayne Dedmon has trouble leaving the paint and Westbrook will love to stretch the floor and create open driving lanes. He’s too cheap on both sites and one of my favorite plays on the slate if Adams is ruled out. I like Jerami Grant, too, but don’t think his minutes are impacted as much by Steven Adams.

Center

Tyson Chandler
FD $4,300 DK $4,500

We’ve touched on a lot of Cavs up to this point, but have managed to ignore the Suns. Devin Booker is one of the best plays on the slate and will be on most of my teams. Elfrid Payton and Dragan Bender are interesting, too. I just liked other guys a bit more. Now at center, we can look at Tyson Chandler. With Thompson out, the Cavs struggle with size. Chandler might not be great at this point, but his size is still there and he’s good at using it. If it stays close and he gets minutes, count on a small double-double. Personally, I want Jokic and Howard at center. I won’t be on Tyson Chandler myself, but he’s just a very solid punt play that can put up 25 FP if things break his way. Full disclosure, I’m looking to pay up at this position by using guys we’ve touched on throughout the article. Good luck tonight!

 

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

The NBA returns Thursday with six games on the schedule. Even on a night with limited games, there are still some cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers that could help you create a winning entry. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like Allen Crabbe and Quincy Acy.

 

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 Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Tomas Satoransky, WAS at CLE
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,500

Satoransky took over as the starting point guard when John Wall (knee) was injured, but Tim Frazier was still pushing him for playing time. Satoransky has separated himself from Frazier though, averaging 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks in seven games in February. He also has a 16.4% usage rate this month, which is significantly higher than in any previous month this season. His price is starting to climb, but it’s still low enough to provide value Thursday.

Emmanuel Mudiay, NY at ORL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,400

Mudiay is averaging 23 minutes in his first three games with the Knicks this season, five more than he was averaging with the Nuggets. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, he is averaging a respectable 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and one steal with his new squad. The good news is the Knicks said they are going to give Mudiay more minutes down the stretch, which could provide a significant boost to his value. The Magic allow the most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards, making Mudiay someone to consider at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. OKC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,600

Bogdanovic was playing well heading into the All-Star break, averaging 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.6 three-pointers in his last five games. The Kings are already giving their young players more playing time, resulting in Bogdanovic averaging at least 30 minutes per game in both January and February. The Thunder are tough defensively, but Bogdanovic’s ability to contribute in multiple categories still makes him a viable option Thursday.

Rodney Hood, CLE vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,900

Hood hasn’t played more than 24 minutes in either of his first two games with the Cavaliers, but he shot a combined 7-for-14 from behind the arc in those contests. He won’t have as significant of a role as he did on the Jazz, but he can still provide an offensive spark off the bench with his ability to hit three’s. There aren’t a lot of great cheap options at shooting guard Thursday, especially on FanDuel. Hood’s ability to get hot even in limited playing time makes with worth considering at this price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Allen Crabbe, BKN at CHA
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300

A lot of teams got healthy during the break, but the Nets weren’t one of them. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) and Caris LeVert (knee) will both be out Thursday, marking the fifth straight game that both of them will miss. Crabbe thrived in the first four contests, averaging 25.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 three-pointers. The Nets play at the sixth-fastest pace (101 possessions per game) in the league, which should leave him with plenty of opportunities to produce again Thursday.

David Nwaba, CHI vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,500

The Bulls are not good by any stretch of the imagination, but it is surprising that they have already won 20 games this year. They didn’t deal away many veterans at the trade deadline but have made the decision to play their young players more starting Thursday. As a result, Nwaba will move into the starting lineup. Nwaba has played at least 30 minutes in a game six times this season, averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in those contests. He doesn’t have great upside, but when you combine added minutes with the fact that the Sixers play at the fifth-fastest pace (101.6) in the league, you get a viable option at a very cheap price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,800

Nance played 25 minutes in the last game before the break, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, one steal and two blocks. Expect his playing time to increase closer to 30 minutes per game down the stretch, especially until Kevin Love (hand) returns. He’s already a threat to record a double-double on a nightly basis, which is significant value for someone in this price range. Don’t hesitate to add him to your lineup Thursday.

Quincy Acy, BKN at CHA
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,100

With Hollis-Jefferson and LeVert sidelined, Acy has played at least 31 minutes in three of the last four games. His numbers aren’t flashy, but he did average 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in those three contests. The Nets don’t have a lot of depth left up front, so expect Acy to see significant playing time again Thursday. If you want to go really cheap at power forward in tournament play, he might be worth the risk.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/22/18

Jarrett Allen, BKN at CHA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900

Allen started off February strong, averaging 15.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in his first four games. He’s taken a bit of a step back offensively since, averaging just 8.7 points in his last three games. These are the kind of inconsistencies you tend to see from a lot of rookies, so Allen is certainly not a reliable option. If he was though, he won’t be priced this low. The key is he has shown he can provide upside, making him someone worth considering for your entry.

Cristiano Felicio, CHI vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,000

Like Nwaba, Felicio is going to shift into the starting lineup Thursday. He signed a four-year contract over the summer after showing promising signs last year but was a disaster to start this season. He quickly fell out of the rotation, but the Bulls have nothing to play for at this point other than a high pick in the draft. Cheap centers are not easy to find, especially on a day with only six games. If you are playing in a tournament and want to go very cheap at the position, Felicio’s starting role at least brings him into the conversation. A final line somewhere around six points and eight rebounds with one block seems like a reasonable expectation.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Wednesday brings a packed night in the NBA with 12 games on the schedule. With so many options to choose from, selecting the correct cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers could make the difference in bringing home some money. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like Emmanuel Mudiay and Marcus Morris.

 

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 Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Fred VanVleet, TOR at CHI
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,500

VanVleet has been one of the most productive players off the bench for the Raptors, averaging 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in his last eight games. He is shooting career-highs from the field (43.5%), from the charity stripe (86.7%) and from behind the arc (41.4%), which has allowed him to be productive even in limited minutes. The Bulls allow the seventh-most points per game (109) in the league, leaving VanVleet as someone to consider for Wednesday.

Emmanuel Mudiay, NY vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Mudiay has had mixed results in his first two games with the Knicks, but the good news is that he played at least 19 minutes in both contests. He played more minutes than Jarrett Jack in both games and should be in line for added playing time moving forward. He showed his potential by scoring 14 points and dishing out 10 assists Sunday, which is excellent production at this price. The Wizards could be very thin at point guard Wednesday with Tim Frazier (nose) out and Tomas Satoransky (head) questionable, giving Mudiay the potential to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Nicolas Batum, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,200

Batum might not be highly owned Wednesday because he averaged just 7.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his last two games. He was very productive before those struggles though, averaging 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his previous six contests. The Magic have struggled to defend opposing shooting guards, allowing the fourth-most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to the position. The Magic also play at the seventh-fastest pace (100.8 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Batum with upside in this game.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC at HOU
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,400

The Kings have shifted towards giving their young players more playing time, leading Bogdanovic to log at least 31 minutes in four straight games. He’s made the most of his opportunity, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.3 three-pointers per game. The Rockets score the second-most points per game (114.4) in the league, so the Kings are going to need all the offense they can get from Bogdanovic to keep this game close. He is worth considering for your entry as a result.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at BKN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

Bogdanovic has stepped up his offensive game lately, averaging 20.0 points and 3.0 three-pointers in his last six games. He’s been extremely efficient, shooting 54.3% from the field during that stretch. He gets an excellent matchup Wednesday against the Nets, who play at the sixth-fastest pace (101.2) and allow the fifth-most points per game (109.7) in the league. He doesn’t provide much outside of scoring, but he doesn’t need to in order to have value at this price.

Reggie Bullock, DET vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,000

Bullock continues to get extended playing time with Avery Bradley out of the picture, logging at least 34 minutes in six of his last seven games. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game 20 times this season, averaging 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 three-pointers in those contests. He just scored 20 points and grabbed five rebounds against these same Hawks on Sunday, which is not surprising considering their struggles. Bullock could be in line for a productive evening in their rematch.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Bam Adebayo, MIA at PHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300

With Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) out and the Heat benching Hassan Whiteside during the fourth quarter of games, Adebayo has gained added opportunities to produce. He has shown that he has upside, posting a double-double in three of his last six games. The Heat just played the Sixers earlier this month and Adebayo finished that game with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on him again Wednesday.

Marcus Morris, BOS vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,200

The Celtics are a great team, but they have scored the sixth-fewest points per game (102.9) in the league this season. Outside of Kyrie Irving, Morris might be one of the best scoring options on their roster. His usage rate of 23.1% certainly indicates that as it is the second-highest on the team. The Clippers play at the eighth-fastest pace (100.6) in the league, so Morris could have added opportunities to provide value in this game.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/14/18

Myles Turner, IND at BKN
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,800

Turner isn’t very cheap, but he certainly won’t kill your budget. He’s struggling right now, scoring 13 points or less and grabbing six rebounds or less in three of his last four games. Wednesday could be an entirely different story though because the Nets allow the most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers. Turner has already faced them three times this season, averaging 20.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in those contests. He has tremendous upside Wednesday.

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at DET
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Dedmon has started the last two games for the Hawks, averaging 16.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block. While it doesn’t make a lot of sense to move him back into the starting lineup instead of giving John Collins a chance to shine, it’s good news for everyone who plays DFS. If Dedmon is going to continue to play around 30 minutes per game, he’s going to be a double-double threat on a nightly basis. He just scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Pistons on Sunday and could provide valuable numbers again in their rematch.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*


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

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

It’s important to know the intricacies of the NBA schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head fantasy league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are some moves you might want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 2 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

The NBA All-Star break comes this week, meaning no team will play more than two games. However, with 22 teams each playing two games, you might not need a lot of help this week filling out your roster. If you do, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

Dewayne Dedmon, Atlanta Hawks

Since returning from injury, Dedmon has mostly come off the bench for the Hawks. However, they decided to change things up Sunday and started Dedmon against the Pistons. He played 31 minutes as a result, finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and one block. The Hawks won the game and coach Mike Budenholzer said afterward that they would probably stick with the same starting lineup moving forward. That’s good news for Dedmon, especially since one of his two games this week comes against a Bucks team that struggles to defend centers and the other comes against the Pistons again. He’s still available in 62% of Yahoo! leagues and could give you a boost at center this week.

D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic

The Magic traded Elfrid Payton to the Suns, opening up the starting point guard role for Augustin. He played 35 minutes in the Magic’s first game without Payton, scoring 18 points to go along with nine assists, two steals, and two three-pointers. However, he played just 23 minutes Saturday against the Bucks as Shelvin Mack had the hot hand, logging 28 minutes and posting a double-double. Augustin should continue to start going forward and will likely play closer to 30 minutes on a nightly basis. He gets to face two bad teams in the Bulls and Hornets this week, leaving him with upside. If you need help at point guard, he is still available in 69% of Yahoo! leagues.

Emmanuel Mudiay, New York Knicks

Mudiay thrived in his debut with the Knicks on Sunday, scoring 14 points to go along with 10 assists in 29 minutes. The Knicks are going nowhere with Kristaps Porzingis (knee) out for the season and have stated they want to give their young players an extended look moving forward. Starting point guard Jarrett Jack played only eight minutes Sunday and might not play much down the stretch. Mudiay is still available in 81% of Yahoo! leagues and is worth considering if you need help this week.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 1 Game Each
Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards

Eight teams play only one game each this week, leaving their players with limited upside. As a result, consider benching the players below who you might otherwise have in your starting lineup.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 18

Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers

Nurkic left Sunday’s game against the Jazz and did not return due to lower back soreness and pain in his right hip. With only one game this week, it’s possible the Trail Blazers sit him so he gets extended rest over the break. Even if he does play, it’s not a good matchup against a Warriors team that likes to use a lot of small lineups. It’s not worth the risk starting him this week based on his limited potential.

Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks

Barnes has been one of the best offensive players on the Mavericks this season, averaging 18.3 points and 1.4 three-pointers per game. The problem is, he provides very little production in terms of assists, steals and blocks and his 6.6 rebounds per game isn’t a difference maker either. Since he usually doesn’t provide much outside of scoring, it might not be a bad idea to sit him this week if you need help in other categories.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Tatum has been excellent for the Celtics this year, but his game doesn’t always translate to great fantasy production. He hasn’t excelled in any one area, averaging 13.6 points, 5.1 rebounds. 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers per game. Those types of numbers can be valuable on a week where he has extra games, but with only one game this week, the best decision might be to place him on your bench.