*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 4/4/18
After a busy night that included 13 games Tuesday, the NBA quiets down with just six games Wednesday. With fewer options to choose from, it’s key to find the right cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers to hopefully help 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 Anthony Tolliver and Ersan Ilyasova.
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POINT GUARDS
Isaiah Taylor, ATL vs. MIA
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,200
The Hawks are in full tank mode and dealing with several injuries, including the loss of Dennis Schroder (ankle) for the season. Taylor has stepped into a prominent role as a result, logging at least 29 minutes in five straight games. He’s made the most of his opportunity, averaging 16.4 points and 6.6 assists over that stretch. He just played the Heat on Tuesday, finishing with 15 points and nine assists in 38 minutes. He could provide significant value again in their rematch.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,800
Augustin only played 20 minutes in a blowout win Tuesday against the Knicks but he had played at least 32 minutes in four straight games. He may not be flashy, but he did average 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and 1.5 three-pointers in those four contests. The Mavericks allow the eighth-most FanDuel points per game and the sixth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing point guards, making Augustin a viable option for your entry.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Josh Hart, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,600
Lonzo Ball (knee) did not play Tuesday against the Jazz and the Lakers have already said they are going to take a cautious approach with his return. Unless he is completely pain-free Wednesday, don’t expect him to play. With Isaiah Thomas (hip) also out for the season, the Lakers have turned to Hart for added minutes. Hart has logged at least 26 minutes in each of the last three games, averaging 9.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 three-pointers. He doesn’t have a lot of offensive upside, but his above-average ability to grab rebounds as a guard still makes him someone to consider.
Ben McLemore, MEM at NO
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,300
It’s going to be another skeleton crew for the Grizzlies on Wednesday with Tyreke Evans (personal), Andrew Harrison (wrist), Wayne Selden Jr. (wrist) and JaMychal Green (knee) all ruled out. McLemore has played at least 23 minutes in back-to-back contests, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and one steal. He gets a favorable matchup against the Pelicans, who play at the third-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) in the league, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play based on his expanded role.
SMALL FORWARDS
Robert Covington, PHI at DET
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,200
Covington was well on his way to a monster performance Tuesday against the Nets but only ended up playing 26 minutes with Sixers opening up a big lead. Even in limited action, he still scored 12 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, four steals, three blocks and four three-pointers. The Sixers were without both Joel Embiid (eye) and Dario Saric (elbow) in that game and both will sit again Wednesday. Expect Covington to see increased usage as a result, giving him tremendous upside when combined with his defensive prowess.
MarShon Brooks, MEM at NO
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600
Brooks (ankle) is nursing his own injury and is listed as questionable for Wednesday. He didn’t play Sunday due to the injury but averaged a surprising 22.5 points, two assists, 1.5 steals and three three-pointers in his previous two games. If he can play Wednesday, he should get plenty of minutes with the Grizzlies’ laundry list of injured players. Keep an eye out for updates leading up to the game and get him into your lineup if he suits up. Of note, Brooks is only small forward eligible on FanDuel as he is listed as shooting guard on DraftKings.
POWER FORWARDS
Anthony Tolliver, DET vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,500
Blake Griffin (ankle) has missed the last three games for the Pistons and isn’t scheduled to even be re-evaluated until Friday. Tolliver has taken on a prominent role in his absence, playing at least 31 minutes in all three contests. He’s provided valuable production, averaging 13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.3 three-pointers per contest. His price is climbing, but it’s still low enough to warrant consideration for your entry.
Ersan Ilyasova, PHI at DET
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,600
Ilyasova is another player who benefits from the injuries to Embiid and Saric as he now moves into the starting lineup for the Sixers. Although he was only needed for 28 minutes Tuesday, he still managed to finish with 11 points, 13 rebounds and two three-pointers. The Pistons will be playing small with Griffin out, which fits well with Ilyasova’s skillset. He and Tolliver present two excellent value opportunities facing off against each other Wednesday.
CENTERS
Mike Muscala, ATL vs. MIA
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,300
The Hawks tanking has led to significant playing time for Muscala, who has logged at least 25 minutes in six straight games. He played 33 minutes with Dewayne Dedmon (ribs) out Tuesday, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and three three-pointers. Dedmon was a late scratch for that game and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Hawks held him out again Wednesday. If they do, Muscala could get plenty of minutes again.
Richaun Holmes, PHI at DET
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,300
Amir Johnson has been starting in place of Embiid, but Holmes has still played at least 22 minutes in three of the last four games. His numbers aren’t off the charts, but he averaged a respectable 11 points and five rebounds in those three contests. This certainly won’t be an easy matchup against Andre Drummond, but with only six games on the schedule Wednesday, Holmes is still someone to consider using in tournament play.
