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 Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on January 22, 20180 Comments

*Mike Barner*

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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

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 – 4 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs

With 13 teams playing four games each this week, you could already be set at several positions on your team. However, if you need a player or two to help you get over the hump, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

Dewayne Dedmon, Atlanta Hawks

Dedmon began the season as the Hawks starting center and was off to a strong start before missing over a month with a knee injury. He’s healthy now and has played in six straight games, averaging 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks over that stretch. While his numbers don’t jump off the charts and he’s coming off the bench now, having someone who can at least approach a double-double every night of a four-game week can provide value. He faces the Jazz, Raptors, Hornets and Wizards this week, all four of which are teams with big centers. Dedmon could see some added playing time as a result. He’s still available in 58% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to target if you need help in the middle.

T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers guard J.J. Redick (leg) has missed the last two games due to injury, opening up added playing time for McConnell. He’s taken full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 three-pointer in those two contests. The initial diagnosis for Redick suggests that he could be out for part, or all, of Week 15, which would give McConnell a significant boost in value. McConnell has proven he can produce with added minutes, averaging 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.0 steals in seven games that he has played at least 30 minutes in this season. Still available in 70% of Yahoo! leagues, McConnell could be in store for a big week.

Wesley Johnson, Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have been one of the teams hit hardest by injuries this season, which has led to some unexpectedly productive players on their roster. Johnson is one of them, who is averaging 24 minutes per game this year. That’s double his playing time average with the Clippers last season. His overall numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s been playing much better of late, averaging 13.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.2 blocks and 2.6 three-pointers in his last five games. He’s still available in 91% of Yahoo! leagues and is a worthy pickup, especially if you need help in three-pointers.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Orlando Magic

The Magic are the only team to play just two games this week, significantly reducing the value of the players on their roster. As a result, consider benching the players below who you may normally start most weeks.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic

Fournier has been an excellent source of offense for the Magic, averaging 18.0 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game. The problem is, those are the only counting stats where he provides significant value as he is averaging just 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals per game. With only two games this week, he likely won’t have enough opportunities to accumulate points and three-pointers to warrant starting.

Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic

Biyombo has done an excellent job filling in for Nikola Vucevic (hand), averaging 9.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 12 games. He does get two juicy matchups against the Kings and Pacers, two of the worst teams in the league at defending the center position. However, with so many other teams playing four games each, it’s tough to roll out Biyombo based on his limited offensive upside. He will continue to be valuable for as long as Vucevic is out, but this might be the week to place him on your bench.

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 Lineup Picks 1/1/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by John Ferrucci on December 31, 20170 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/1/18

Monday night holds the first NBA slate of 2018 featuring a small 4 game slate.

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POINT GUARDS:

Elfrid Payton ($8,000 FD/$7,100 DK) –

With the Magic vs. Nets game having a predicted total of 217, it’s evidently projected to be high scoring. The Nets allow a massive 48.60 fantasy points per 48 minutes to the point guard position which puts Payton in a great spot. Payton has been solid to say the least for the struggling Orlando Magic this season, and runs the offense pretty well. With teammate Nikola Vucevic sidelined for a little bit, he has seen a bump in usage rate and should be able to be the foundation of the Magic offense alongside Aaron Gordon in this match-up.

Shabazz Napier ($6,000 FD/$5,500 DK) –

With Damian Lillard injured, nobody has stepped up the plate to properly fill the void that was left more than Shabazz Napier. The Trailblazers’ backup point guard has been beyond efficient in replacing the superstar for the meanwhile. He is averaging 39 FanDuel PPG over his last 4 starts and collected 3 steals in three of those four games. He has a phenomenal match-up with the Bulls today, who rank in the bottom third of the NBA in defending the position. Lillard is questionable though for this game, meaning his return would send Napier to the bench and diminish his fantasy value.

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

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Evan Fournier ($6,100 FD/$5,900 DK) –

In this slate, the shooting guard options don’t require you to pay up as there as a few cheap options that could benefit your lineup. One of those is Evan Fournier. He has a great match-up with the Brooklyn Nets who rank 23rd in defending SG’s this season. With the absence of teammate Nikola Vucevic, Fournier reigns among the few beneficiaries in usage increase alongside Payton & Gordon. He’s projected for 30.6 FanDuel points in this contest and at $6,100 you can’t really complain about that bargain.

Josh Hart ($4,400 FD/$4,800 DK) –

As the Lakers play another road game, it’s likely Josh Hart will draw the start. Hart exploded or 26 points and 6 rebounds in 36 minutes in his last start, accumulating to 37.7 FanDuel points. He still remains dirt cheap as he only gets starts while KCP is dealing with his legal issues and cannot leave California. The last time Hart opposed the Timberwolves he scored 24.2 FanDuel points which is very healthy for his price tag. He also logged 38 minutes in that game so hopefully he sees the same workload tonight.

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

SMALL FORWARDS:

Jimmy Butler ($9,300 FD/$8,700 DK) –

If you are going to pay up at the SF position, Jimmy Butler may be your go-to. Not only does he have a better match-up than the Greek Freak, but he is projected for around the same amount of points while being $1,600 cheaper on FanDuel. Butler is honestly too cheap and his price needs to be taken advantage of. He has scored 45+ FanDuel points in four of his last five games, making him very consistent as of recently. His match-up with the Lakers today is one of the best among SF’s and is extremely appealing when making your lineup.

Corey Brewer ($3,700 FD/$3,400 DK) –

With such a small slate you will need a dirt cheap play to get your value and help you afford the superstars available. Corey Brewer has solid upside today. In the last two games with KCP out, Brewer has seen a significant boost in minutes, averaging 30.9 FanDuel PPG in those contests. He could be seeing around the same minute increase tonight. Mixing Brewer and Hart could be a great combination in this small slate to get a decent amount of value back as well as afford players with higher price tags.

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

POWER FORWARDS:

Aaron Gordon ($7,900 FD/$7,900 DK) –

The Orlando Magic offensive core is a great target for the defensively weak Brooklyn Nets. Aaron Gordon is the foundation of that core and comes at a fairly decent price. Recently coming off injury, Gordon’s minutes in his first two games back have been pretty healthy, logging 30 and 35 in the two contests. He should see likewise minutes today as he’s coming off a monstrous 39 point performance against the Miami Heat. Keep an eye out for Gordon in this one.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($7,400 FD/$6,300 DK) –

Nobody has been more consistent for the Nets lately than Hollis-Jefferson. He is averaging 35.5 FanDuel PPG over his last six contests, although his minutes are a bit inconsistent. In those six games, Hollis-Jefferson’s minutes range from 22-36, though he has made the most of them in each game. He is projected to see 30 minutes flat today, along with a projection of 31.4 points. He could make for a decent plug-in play for your lineup.

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

CENTERS:

Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,600 D/$9,700 DK) –

With a projected total of 214, the Lakers and Timberwolves game is assumed to be high scoring. Towns will most likely be the primary source of offense alongside Jimmy Butler (Who is featured above). The Lakers rank 28th in the league in defending the Center position. Towns is coming off a 63.8 FanDuel scoring night posting a double-double with 6 blocks. Although he may not replicate that performance, we may see something close enough out of KAT tonight. He is definitely a player worth paying up for.

Bismack Biyombo ($6,500 FD/$5,600 DK) –

Given the injury to Nikola Vucevic, Biyombo has been granted the starting position to take his place. He has been a rebound machine collecting double digit rebounds in three straight games. He is also averaging 32.5 FanDuel PPG in his last three games, with two of them being double-double performances. If you aren’t paying up for KAT, Biyombo is your next best bet. He remains extremely affordable and appears to be capable of exceeding value in his match-up with the Nets who rank 27th in defending Centers.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/10/17

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on November 10, 20170 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/10/17

Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 10% off Seasonal Package

POINT GUARDS

Damian Lillard, POR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $9,400

Lillard has been stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis as he is averaging 25.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.3 three-pointers per game. His scoring has been off the charts of late as he has scored at least 32 points in four of his last five games. He is averaging 19 shot attempts and 8 free-throw attempts in 36 minutes per game on the season overall, giving him plenty of opportunities to continue to produce. The Nets are allowing the most points in the NBA, making this a juicy for Lillard.

Mike James, PHO vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100

James has played well since taking over for Eric Bledsoe, averaging 12.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in nine starts. With Bledsoe now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and the team preferring to bring Tyler Ulis off the bench, James’ role is pretty set going forward barring another trade. If you are looking for a cost effective point guard Friday, James is your man.

SHOOTING GUARDS

C.J. McCollum, POR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,400

Although Jusuf Nurkic has been a valuable addition for Portland, they are only going to go as far as Lillard and McCollum can carry then. Like Lillard, McCollum has also excelled to start the season by averaging 23.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.3 three-pointers per game. He hasn’t really had an off night as he has scored at least 16 points in every game so far. I already detailed the struggles the Nets have on defense, making McCollum an excellent play Friday as well.

Lou Williams, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200

The Clippers are dealing with several injuries Friday as both Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari have already been ruled out while Austin Rivers is listed as questionable. That’s three key players in the Clippers rotation. Williams should take on a more prominent role as a result, giving him a great opportunity to provide a lot of value at this cheap price. He’s already averaging 14.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 three-pointers in only 23 minutes per game, so the extra minutes can really make him move the fantasy needle.

SMALL FORWARDS

Evan Fournier, ORL at PHO
FanDuel = $6,800
Draft Kings = $7,200

The Magic are off to a surprising 7-4 start and Fournier is a big reason for their success as he’s averaging career highs in points (20.5), rebounds (4.5), assists (3.6), steals (1.5) and three-pointers (2.7) per game. He has only scored less than 20 points in a game twice this season and is averaging 34 minutes per game, giving him a pretty high floor. The Suns are allowing 115.8 points per game, so look for Fournier to stay hot in this game.

Denzel Valentine, CHI vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bulls can’t seem to settle on a starting small forward as Valentine, Paul Zipser and David Nwaba have all started at the position this season. Zipser and Nwaba have logged the majority of the starts though as Valentine has only been a member of the first unit in one of their nine games. Nwaba is out with an injury and Zipser has not played well at all, so Valentine might be in for a larger role going forward. He has played at least 23 minute in each of the last three games, averaging 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.0 three-pointers per game. That’s great production for a player at this price, making him a strong value play against the Pacers.

POWER FORWARDS

Blake Griffin, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $8,600

As I already mentioned, the Clippers will be limited in the players they will have available for this game. Griffin has been stellar even with the team at full strength as he is averaging 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.1 three-pointers per game. The increase in three-pointers is impressive as he had never averaged more than 0.6 per game heading into this season. The Thunder are struggling right now, losing four games in a row. They are extremely thin up front, so they really don’t have anyone capable of guarding Griffin. Get him in your lineup and enjoy the ride.

Luke Babbitt, ATL at DET
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,700

The Hawks are in full rebuild mode, leaving them with a roster with limited talent and depth. Add that to injuries to both Ersan Ilyasova and Mike Muscala and you get Babbitt playing at least 25 minutes in four straight games. He has taken advantage of the extended playing time by averaging 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers per game over that stretch. You won’t have to pay much for his services against the Pistons, making him a viable value play for your entry.

CENTERS

Andre Drummond, DET vs. ATL
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $8,800

The Hawks don’t have much size up front, which is a recipe for disaster against Drummond. Drummond has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in every game this season and has failed to log a double-double only three times. Not known as much of a passer, he has surprisingly dished out at least four assists in a game six times already this season. With the type of production he provides and the lack of resistance, he should see from the Hawks centers, pay up for Drummond.

Aron Baynes, BOS vs. CHA
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Al Horford missed the Celtics last game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a concussion, resulting in Baynes taking over as the starting center. While he only played 23 minutes, he was highly efficient as he scored 21 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Horford will be out again Friday, leaving Baynes with another start. He may be needed to log even more minutes against Dwight Howard, making him a great cheap option at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 10/21/17

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on October 21, 20170 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 10/21/17

Point Guard

Yogi Ferrell and J.J. Barea
FD $4,100 – $3,900 DK $4,200 – $4,200

Dennis Smith Jr. missed the game last night and has already been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Rockets. J.J. Barea and Yogi Ferrell will benefit most, deserving plenty of attention in both cash games and tournaments. Chris Paul has already been ruled out on the other side, so the match-up here won’t be an issue. J.J. Barea got the start last night, but both him and Ferrell got 30 minutes. You can expect at least that many tonight in a fast-paced matchup with Houston. With CP3 gone, Eric Gordon shifted over to covering the PG and split time there with James Harden. Both Harden and Gordon are lackluster defenders would much rather run the floor than grind it out. I really don’t prefer either over the other, but if you forced me, I’ll go with Ferrell as he was controlling the ball when the game mattered down the stretch. He’s also just a tad bit cheaper on both sites, so there’s that.

Ricky Rubio
FD $7,600 DK $7,000

I don’t love PG tonight, so I’m fine punting with all of the value available. I think Westbrook may be popular, and he’s great in cash games, but the match-up with the Jazz is pace-down and he will need to be almost perfect to hit value. Looking a bit cheaper, Ricky Rubio stands out. He’s played over 30 minutes in each of the first 2 games and has held on to a 1.56 FP/minute. It’s obviously an insanely small sample size, but it’s nice to see a guy like him starting off hit. Thibs will keep him on the court a lot when playing like this and the match-up is perfect tonight. Russell Westbrook has the athleticism to be a great defender, but he doesn’t have the lungs. He has enough to do on the other side and it’s why the Thunder ranked 22nd against PG’s in 2016. Rubio isn’t going to put up a bunch of real-life points, but he’ll stuff the sheet in a fast-paced game where he’ll be needed a ton on both sides.

Shooting Guard

James Harden
FD $11,000 DK $10,600

I’m writing this on Thursday night, so forgive me if my assumptions are off a bit. I assume Russell Westbrook is going to be a lot more popular than James Harden and I like Harden more. For one, Chris Paul is out. He’s going to eat into Harden’s numbers this year, as he holds the ball a ton. Two, Westbrook has more opportunity cost. There are some nice options at PG, compared to the mess that is value SG’s. Harden was the primary ballhandler last game and that shouldn’t change here after playing well. The match-up with the Mavs is great, especially with Seth Curry and Dennis Smith being ruled out. That leaves Barea, Ferrell, and Wes Matthews at the 1 and 2. Matthews will cover him most of the time, but the other guys will eventually have to take a shot. It won’t end well for any of them. Harden is going to dominate this defense and their non-existent interior. I’m not saying it’s the safest option, but I’ll be going Harden over Westbrook tonight.

Buddy Hield
FD $5,000 DK $5,400

Shooting Guard is currently my least favorite position, so I’m pretty happy we have James Harden to lean on at the top. With that being said, there are still some guys you can lean on for 25+ FP. Buddy Hield is the easy choice for me. He is going to be a big part of the Kings offense this year and he’s already shown it, going for 32 over the first 2 games. He’s shot the 3rd most on the team and will continue to get around 30 minutes. He’ll see a pairing of Will Barton and Gary Harris on defense, who are both pretty average. The game is sitting at a 216 over/under, so getting some exposure is probably a good idea. Hield lets you do that at a friendly price, while maintaining the upside to give you a huge boost. Hield went over 40 FP 8 times in 2016 and he’s still 4 years from his prime, so it’s possible. It really just depends if he’s hot or not. You’ll know early.

Small Forward

Evan Fournier
FD $5,800 DK $5,600

Elfrid Payton hurt his hamstring last night and he left the game for good. I could be wrong, but I don’t see him coming back tonight. If he does, you can lower my love for Even Fournier here. You also have Aaron Gordon questionable, who missed last night entirely. Fournier and the Magic will have to travel to Cleveland and face off with the same Cavs that just laid the smacking on a skilled Bucks team last night. The Magic don’t have much of a chance at winning here, but they will have to score. Fournier is going to see a lot of ball-handling opportunities and I expect the Magic to run a lot of Fournier/Vucevic PnR. Vuc played a lot last night, however, so I think Fournier steps up and takes on the scoring responsibility. We also shouldn’t have to worry about LeBron covering him (unless he gets hot_, as he won’t be playing the 3 at all with Elfrid out. Small forward isn’t pretty today and Fournier gives you a 30 floor and 60 ceiling at 5.5K.

Josh Richardson
FD $4,900 DK $4,600

This is one of my favorite plays of the night. Josh Richardson played 34 minutes last game and stunk. I love to see it. With just 1 game on the board, people will look at that and draw conclusions. Josh Richardson is a damn good basketball player and one that can fill it up for fantasy. If he continues seeing 30+ minutes at this price, you play him. Every game. The match-up with the Pacers is exquisite, considering they played at the 3rd fastest pace in 2016 and lead thus far in ’17. Richardson is a guy who thrives in the open court, but is perfectly fine in the halfcourt set as well. The Pacers, like the Heat, don’t have a real SF, so Lance Stephenson should be on him a lot. With Hassan Whiteside ruled out, the Heat are going to need a few guys to step up. I expect Josh Richardson to be one of them and for him to be about 5% owned. If he had a good game last time out, he would be close to 40%. Sample size. use it to your advantage.

Power Forward

Blake Griffin
FD $9,800 DK $9,800

I highlighted why I like Griffin so much this season in his first game and everything turned out perfectly. Like I was hoping, Doc Rivers has handed Blake Griffin the offense. It is run around him and what he wants to do. Against Phoenix, that should be a very, very glorious thing to watch. Well, only if you click on his name. I’m of the opinion that Griffin is a top 5 fantasy player this season, so it’s going to be tough for me to not recommend him in any match-up, let alone against the Suns. He’s getting the ball whenever he wants and has a diverse post-game, while also keeping the pace and possesions up. It’s great news if you’re a fan of Blake Griffin. He put up 50 fantasy points in just 33 minutes in game 1 and will look to turn that into 60+ tonight. As long as the game stays close, I don’t see anyone stopping that from happening. I like Harden a bit more, but I’ve been able to fit both on FD without much quarrel. On DK, we all know how tight it can get.

James Johnson and Kelly Olynyk
FD $$5,300 – $4,400 DK $5,200 – $4,800

With Hassan Whiteside out, these are the 2 guys who will fill the hole. Or at least try there best. As for a minutes projection, I’m looking for 32 out of Johnson and 28 from Olynyk, give or take 5. It’s a perfect match-up with the Pacers and they’ll both be able to play down if Myles Turned remains out with a concussion. James Johnson is one of my favorite cash game value plays on the slate and I think he may be the safest of all. Against the Pacers, there is no chance he sees less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect game for his style of play (aggressive). The Pacers run as much as anyone and it’s shown when a team like the Heat in is a game with a 212 over/under. They like to play slow and aren’t very good at scoring. As for Olynyk, I’ve learned my lesson enough times in cash games. He does have 40 fantasy point upside, however, so it’d be wise to get some GPP exposure. The only worry is if both teams agree to play small and Johnson ends up at the 5. If Myles Turner plays, I may have to try my hand again at Olynyk in cash games. His size will be needed.

Center

Nikola Jokic
FD $9,000 DK $9,300

Jokic faced Rudy Gobert in game 1, so go ahead and throw it out the window. He still played pretty well, but I’m glad people are going to see a 37 when considering to play him or not. He was one of the best fantasy assets in 2016 and the Nuggets have only tailored the offense more in his favor. He is the focal point of the team and is leaned on to not only score but to distribute as well. He’s one of the more gifted passers in basketball and will see double-digit assists plenty of times in the campaign. This game is sitting at a 216 over/under with the Nuggets -11. The Kings will toss Willie Cauley-Stein and Zach Randolph at Jokic, but neither will stick. WCS has a better shot, but he’s not gifted enough on defense and is also a bit skinny. Jokic is a top 2 center in my book and against the Kings, I’ll have exposure every time. I do like him less than Blake Griffin, but BARELY.

Robin Lopez
FD $5,800 DK $5,400

Ya, I know. It seems kind of early to be recommending Robin Lopez. Trust me, I don’t want to play him either. I just have to be objective. With Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis out for an extended period of time, RoLo will be forced to play AT LEAST 30 minutes. He should see close to 40 on certain occasionas. He faces off with the Spurs tonight, who on the surface dont look like a great match-up. However, pace-adjusted, they ranked 21st against centers in 2016. Neither Pau Gasol nor LaMarcus Aldridge is any good at defense, so it makes sense. This is also a different Robin Lopen than you’re used to. Nobody is left on this team, so he’s almost the leader. He’s going to shoot the ball close to 15 times a game and should be close to a lock for a double-double on most nights. Good luck out there tonight! Here’s to avoiding the traps!

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