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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

With nine games in the NBA on Monday, we’ve got plenty of value play options to consider in DFS. Here are some players with favorable matchups who could help you bring home some cash. 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 11/5/18

Collin Sexton, CLE at ORL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Things are getting ugly in Cleveland in a hurry. Kevin Love (foot) will be out for at least six more weeks, they’ve already fired their head coach, and now there are reports that some veterans on the team think that Sexton doesn’t “know how to play.” Sexton certainly has a long way to go with his development, but he hasn’t been terrible from a fantasy perspective with 11.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across just 24 minutes per game. His upside isn’t great, but he’s still worth considering Monday against a Magic team that doesn’t exactly have good point guards in D.J. Augustin and Jerian Grant.

Shelvin Mack, MEM at GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Mack has bounced around the league in his career, but he’s found a key role as Mike Conley’s backup with the Grizzlies. He’s even been able to carve out 26 minutes a game, averaging 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers per contest. With the Warriors playing at the 10th-fastest pace (103.9 possessions per game) and this having the potential to be a blowout, Mack could again get enough playing time to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at ORL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,500

Clarkson struggled after being dealt to the Cavaliers at the trade deadline last year, averaging 12.6 points across 23 minutes per contest. His playing time has remained the same this season, but he’s averaging 15.8 points per game in large part because his usage rate has jumped up to 28.7 percent. His contributions are mostly limited to points, but with Love out, Clarkson should get plenty of chances to score again Monday.

Garrett Temple, MEM at GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700

After spending the last two seasons with the Kings, Temple has found himself with a starting job in Memphis. He’s not a token starter, either, averaging 32 minutes a game. His 16.7 percent usage rate doesn’t leave him with a ton of scoring upside, but he’s generally played well with 13.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 three-pointers per contest. This game could get out of hand early for the Grizzlies, but Temple is still someone to consider for your entry.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

E’Twaun Moore, NO at OKC
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

The Pelicans have some great players on their team, but their depth is actually somewhat limited, aside from Julius Randle coming off the bench, of course. They’ll be without Elfrid Payton (ankle) again Monday, which should force Jrue Holiday to play more at the point. With opposing teams having to focus on stopping Anthony Davis, Holiday and Nikola Mirotic, Moore is sometimes a forgotten man. Don’t sleep on him, though, with his averages of 14.9 points and 1.8 three-pointers game. This could also be a high-scoring contest against two teams who are both in the top-six in the league in pace of play.

Chandler Hutchison, CHI at NY
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,500

The Bulls are shorthanded right now without Lauri Markkanen (elbow), Kris Dunn (knee) and Bobby Portis (knee). Hutchison, one of their two first-round picks in last year’s draft, has been forced to play more than expected early on. His overall numbers aren’t exciting, but he’s started to play more lately and is one of the Bulls’ better defenders. That helped him stay on the floor for 27 minutes Saturday against the Rockets, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. At this cheap price, he could be worth the risk in tournament play. Of note, Hutchison is only eligible at small forward on FanDuel since he is listed as a shooting guard on DraftKings.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Thankfully for everyone who plays fantasy basketball, it appears the Clippers are pulling the plug early on Marcin Gortat as their starting center. This is great news for Harrell and Boban Marjanovic. Although Marjanovic might get another start Monday, this isn’t necessarily a great matchup for him against Karl-Anthony Towns, who is attempting five three-pointers per game. Harrell’s athleticism might result in him playing more than Marjanovic. Across five games in which Harrell has logged at least 20 minutes, he’s averaging 15.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, two blocks, and 1.2 steals.

Jerami Grant, OKC vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

Another starting experiment that has been cut short is Patrick Patterson at power forward for the Thunder. Grant has taken over that role, averaging 13.6 points, five rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers across five games. His scoring will remain limited playing with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, but he has some upside Monday considering the fast pace at which this game will likely be played.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/5/18

Boban Marjanovic, LAC vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Many within the fantasy community have pined for Marjanovic to get adding playing time, including yours truly. This might finally be his opportunity. Despite only averaging 13 minutes a game this year, Marjanovic has posted nine points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per contest. In his start Friday against the Magic, he had 10 points and 11 rebounds over 23 minutes. Even though this is not a great matchup for him against Towns, his price won’t remain this cheap for long if he continues to start.

Mitchell Robinson, NY vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

Noah Vonleh is now starting at center for the Knicks, but he’s been plagued by foul trouble the last two games. As a result, he only logged a total of 20 minutes in those contests. That opened up some playing time for Robinson, who took advantage by averaging 11.5 points, eight rebounds, and one block. Robinson’s inconsistent playing time makes him a risky option, but there is some upside here.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/1/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA starts off the month of November with six games on the schedule Thursday. That’s a busier than normal Thursday, but there are still a limited amount of viable value plays available. Let’s take a look at some of the options that stand out based on their matchups. 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 11/1/18

George Hill, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,700

There’s going to be a point this season, possibly sooner than some might have originally thought, when the Cavaliers are going to start playing their young players more. There have already been rumors of them exploring trades to move some of their veterans. Hill is starting at point guard for now, but don’t be surprised if his minutes start to dwindle in the near future. That’s of little concern Thursday, though, which brings him into the discussion for cheap point guards. Don’t count on him for many assists, but he is averaging 13 points and 1.1 three-pointers per contest.

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

It would make a lot of sense for Sexton to eventually replace Hill in the starting lineup this year. They are actually kind of similar players in that neither is going to rack up assists as a traditional point guard would. However, Sexton has had a few impressive offensive showings, scoring at least 12 points in four of his last five games. The Nuggets are a far superior team, so if they race out to a big lead early, Sexton could get plenty of garbage time minutes. I actually think he has a slightly higher upside than Hill, making him an intriguing option in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/1/18

J.J. Redick, PHI vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,600

Redick is still not starting games for the Sixers, but his playing time hasn’t dropped at 30 minutes per game. His 39.5 percent shooting percentage is well below his career mark, but his 23.8 percent usage rate has still helped him average 18.5 points and 3.8 three-pointers per contest. Both of these teams are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, which could lead to even more scoring opportunities for Redick.

Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,400

The loss of Kevin Love (foot) and his 27.3 percent usage rate is a crushing blow for an already thin Cavaliers roster. Clarkson has been one of their other primary scoring options, leading to him averaging 16 points despite playing in only 23 minutes a night. The key has been his 27.8 percent usage rate, which would be the highest mark of his career. His other contributions are limited, at best, but Clarkson can still provide value.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/1/18

Evan Turner, POR vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,100

Turner doesn’t excel in any one area, but his all-around contributions still leave him with some value. Despite averaging only 24 minutes a game, Turner has averages of 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals. Maurice Harkless (knee) could eventually eat into some of Turner’s minutes, but he’s already been ruled out again for Thursday. With the Pelicans playing at the third-fastest pace (106.7 possessions per game), Turner could do just enough across the board to warrant consideration.

Sam Dekker, CLE vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,600

The Cavaliers are a mess right now with Love out, Tyronn Lue fired and the uncertainty surrounding the status of interim head coach Larry Drew. It’s hard to read too much into how the Cavaliers plan to replace Love with their recent coaching change, but Dekker has started both of their last two games. He had his best performance of the year Tuesday against the Hawks, scoring 12 points to go along with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals across 29 minutes. Facing the Nuggets is a much tougher task, but Dekker has upside if he remains in the starting five.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/1/18

Zach Collins, POR vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Collins has been crazy efficient to start this year, shooting 65.1 percent from the field, 50 percent from behind the arc and 88.9 percent from the charity stripe. Add that to his uptick in playing time and he’s become a weapon off the bench for the Blazers. His ability to shoot three-pointers and play at a fast pace could be key for the Blazers in this matchup against the Pelicans, so don’t sleep on Collins.

Trey Lyles, DEN at CLE
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,500

The Nuggets played Wednesday against the Bulls in Chicago, winning a close game that went to overtime. Lyles played 20 minutes in that game and has logged at least 20 minutes in five straight contests. He’s shown an ability to contribute when given the opportunity, averaging 11 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across those five games. His ceiling isn’t off the charts, but this is a matchup to exploit with the Cavaliers allowing 117.9 points per game.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/1/18

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Dedmon was in foul trouble Tuesday against the Cavaliers, resulting in him posting four points and four rebounds across just 16 minutes. He’s had his ups and downs this season and is still coming off of the bench behind Alex Len, but he could see extended minutes against the big Kings frontcourt if he can stay out of foul trouble. The Hawks and Kings play at the two fastest paces in the league, which could also help Dedmon’s bottom line.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000

The Hornets like to play small, which is one of the reasons why Zeller is averaging only 22 minutes a game despite starting all eight contests. Even with his limiting playing time, he’s still averaging a respectable 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. Whether they like it or not, the Hornets might be forced to play Zeller more Thursday in a matchup against Steven Adams. Zeller is a significant amount cheaper than Dedmon, so he might be the way to go at center if you really want budget relief at the position.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

There are a lot of great value plays on tap Tuesday in DFS with eight games on the NBA schedule. Here are some options to consider as you craft what will hopefully be a winning lineup. 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 10/30/18

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,000

The Cavaliers continue to start George Hill at point guard, but Sexton is their future at the position. He’s not your traditional point guard, though, averaging just 2.2 assists in 24 minutes per game. After getting off to a slow start, Sexton is showing some promising signs by averaging 13.3 points, 3.3 assists and one steal across his last three games. The Hawks play at the fastest-pace (108.8 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Sexton with a few added opportunities to provide value Tuesday.

D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300

The Magic have scored the fewest points per game (100.8) and some of that might be due to their lack of talent at point guard. Augustin has been starting for them, but he’s much better suited to be in a backup role at this stage of his career. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but his averages of 8.7 points, five assists and 1.5 three-pointers per contest make him someone to not completely overlook. This might be a spot to put him into your lineup against a Kings team that has played at the second-fastest pace (107.6).

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Rodney McGruder, MIA at CHA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $6,200

McGruder didn’t exactly have a great performance with seven points, six rebounds, and one three-pointer Monday against the Kings. On a positive note, he did play 32 minutes. With all of the injuries the Heat suffered to start the year, McGruder found himself in an expanded role that he has yet to relinquish. With averages of 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and 2.3 three-pointers look for him to have a bounce-back performance Tuesday.

Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600

With the Cavaliers loss of Kevin Love (foot), they have a gaping hole in their offense. Clarkson’s 28.8 percent usage rate is already the highest on the team, but he could be looking for even more shots moving forward. The departure of LeBron James certainly hasn’t been good for the Cavaliers, but it has benefited Clarkson, who is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game. Considering the fast pace at which the Hawks play, this could be a big night for Clarkson.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,700

The Magic have some ugly offensive numbers, but they’ve played three tough teams in a row in the Celtics, Blazers, and Bucks. Isaac actually played well during that stretch, averaging 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. He still has a lot of improving to do offensively, but he can be a menace defensively and on the glass. With the added scoring potential facing a Kings team that has allowed the fourth-most points per game (119.3), Isaac is someone to consider in tournament play.

Jeff Green, WAS at MEM
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

One of the biggest disappointments of the season has to be the Wizards and their 1-5 start. They are allowing a staggering 125 points per game and they again don’t appear to be the most cohesive unit. A contributing factor for their struggles has to be injuries with Dwight Howard (back) yet to make his debut. Howard won’t play again Tuesday and the Wizards could also be without Markieff Morris, who is in the concussion protocol. If he can’t play, either, this is a prime spot for Green to get added playing time. Don’t expect lofty production, but he is averaging 11 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 26 minutes per game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Marcin Gortat might be the starting center for the Clippers, but Harrell is the player who has seen the most playing time at the position. In the three games in which Harrell has played at least 20 minutes, he’s averaging a staggering 19.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks. The Thunder could be really thin at center Tuesday with both Steven Adams (calf) and Nerlens Noel (ankle) listed as questionable. If either or both of them don’t play, the Thunder will have to go small, which could mean even fewer minutes for Gortat. Even if they do take the floor, Harrell can provide value at this price.

Zach Collins, POR at HOU
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000

Collins might only be averaging 22 minutes a game, but he’s been extremely efficient, shooting 69.4 percent from the field, 54.4 percent from behind the arc and 88.2 percent from the charity stripe. It’s going to be hard for him to continue to shoot that well, but he’s clearly made himself a fixture of the second unit for the Blazers. With the Rockets propensity to use small lineups and play at a fast pace, Collins could be set up for another valuable evening.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400

The Raptors continue to play matchups at center, which resulted in Valanciunas coming off the bench Monday against the Bucks. Expect him to be back in the starting lineup Tuesday with the Raptors set to face Joel Embiid and the Sixers. Across the three games in which Valanciunas has started, he’s averaging 13 points and nine rebounds.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. MIA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,100

Even though the Hornets like to use a lot of small lineups, Zeller has started all seven of their games. He doesn’t get traditional starter’s minutes at just 22 per game, but that hasn’t stopped him from averaging a respectable 9.4 points and six rebounds. The Hornets might be forced to give him more playing time against Hassan Whiteside, making Zeller someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

There are only four games in the NBA on Thursday, but the night is not short on superstars with the Lakers, Celtics, Thunder, Blazers, and Nuggets all in action. In order to fit some of those top-tier players into your lineup, you’re going to need the right mix of value plays. Let’s examine some players to consider as you wade through the options. 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 10/25/18

Jamal Murray, DEN at LAL
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,900

Murray posted a rare dud Sunday against the Warriors, scoring just three points while shooting 0-for-9 from the field. He rebounded in a big way Tuesday by shooting 6-for-10 from the field for 19 points in just 19 minutes against the Kings. After posting a 45.1 percent field goal percentage last year, don’t read too much into Sunday’s outlier performance. This is a matchup he could exploit against a Lakers team that has allowed the most points per game (127.3) in the league.

D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700

The Magic are extremely thin at point guard, leaving the journeyman Augustin to start at the position. He’s averaging just eight points per game, but a lot of that is due to his abnormally low 28.6 percent field goal percentage. His 5.8 assists per contest would be his highest mark since the 2011-12 season and he’s also averaging 27 minutes a game, so he could provide value at this price if he can get his shot corrected Thursday.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Clarkson is only averaging 23 minutes per game, but that hasn’t stopped him from posting 16 points per contest. He’s been one of the players charged with trying to make up for the loss of LeBron James on offense, resulting in a lofty 30.2 percent usage rate. The Cavaliers have been horrible on defense, so they are going to need all the help they can get from Clarkson to try and keep pace with the Pistons.

Reggie Bullock, DET vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,500

Bullock logged 41 minutes in the Pistons big overtime win against the Sixers on Tuesday, shooting 6-for-14 from the field for 17 points. This performance came on the heels of him scoring 16 points on 13 shot attempts Saturday against the Bulls. His 18.8 percent usage rate would be a significant jump from his 15.7 percent mark last year, especially if he continues to play at least 30 minutes a game. With the Cavaliers allowing 120.5 points per game, there is potential here for Bullock to have another strong offensive showing.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. POR
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Isaac dealt with foul trouble in the Magic’s first two games, limiting him to 18 minutes or fewer in both contests. He hasn’t had those issues the last two games, allowing him to average 13 points, nine rebounds, 1.5 steals and two three-pointers in 27 minutes per contest. With his double-double upside and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, it might be worth taking a risk on Isaac staying out of foul trouble Thursday.

Lance Stephenson, LAL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700

The Lakers steamrolled the Suns on Wednesday, leading to plenty of garbage time production. Stephenson may have had the most surprising performances of the night, scoring 23 points to go along with eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in a season-high 25 minutes. It’s highly unlikely he comes close to that type of production against the Nuggets, but he could see added minutes again with Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram still suspended. Of note, Stephenson is only eligible at point guard and shooting guard on DraftKings.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at ORL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000

Aminu is an underrated part of the Blazers’s success. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he averaged 9.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.8 three-pointers across 30 minutes per game last year. He’s been a bit inconsistent through his first three games, but he posted 16 points and 15 rebounds Monday against the Wizards. Look for the Blazers to lean on him heavily in this contest against a talented Magic frontcourt.

Trey Lyles, DEN at LAL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600

The Nuggets lost a big part of their starting five when Will Barton went down with a groin injury. He might not carry the same name value a Nikola Jokic or Gary Harris, but he’s an important part of their offense. Torrey Craig has replaced Barton in the starting lineup, but Lyles has also seen added minutes since Barton went down, averaging nine points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals over his last two games. With the potential for this to be a high-scoring affair, Lyles is someone to consider in tournament play.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

JaVale McGee, LAL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,300

McGee has proven to be a great addition for the Lakers in the early going. He’s only averaging 24 minutes but has responded with 16.3 points, seven rebounds and 3.3 blocks per contest. Facing Jokic is no easy task, but with such a limited slate, McGee makes a ton of sense at this price.

Tristan Thompson, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,800

Thompson has seen a significant bump in playing time so far, averaging 29 minutes per game compared to 20 last year. It’s hard to count on him for much offense, but he is averaging 10.8 rebounds per contest. The Cavaliers will likely use Kevin Love or Larry Nance Jr. at center when they want to go small, but they might not be able to much against Andre Drummond on Thursday. Thompson’s upside isn’t close to McGee’s, but he’s still someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at the position.

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 Lineup Picks 12/31/17

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/31/17

Sunday night presents the last NBA DFS slate of 2017 so let’s end the year right.


Use code "CYBER30" for 30% off of NBA Seasonal Package - START WINNING TODAY at Lineuplab.comUse Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package

POINT GUARDS:

Russell Westbrook ($11,900 FD/$11,600 DK) –

With Sunday being a small five game main slate, Russell Westbrook almost seems to be a necessity with very little “superstars” available and Harden coming off a poor performance. Westbrook is currently riding a very impressive 7 game streak in which he has provided 55+ FanDuel points. He will be opposing the Mavs Sunday, who rank mediocre in defending the position. Needless to say, defensive rankings don’t really matter when dealing with the animal Westbrook has been. In his last meeting with the Mavs he nearly dropped a triple double, falling one assist short. That game was in Dallas and now will be in Oklahoma City, with the cheer of thousands backing his dominance.

Jordan Clarkson ($7,200 FD/$6,500 DK) – 

With Lonzo Ball sidelined with a shoulder injury for the last three games, Jordan Clarkson has been effectively filling the starting PG void that was left. In these three games Clarkson has averaged 37.5 FanDuel PPG. He has an interesting match-up Sunday against the Houston Rockets, who rank in the bottom third tier of the league in defending point guards. The Lakers and Rockets both rank top 10 in pace of play, making it seem a beneficial spot for Clarkson. One major concern is that the current line sits at Houston -15, raising concern for a blowout. With a small slate, Clarkson may be the play you need regardless of game score.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Tyreke Evans ($8,600 FD/$7,900 DK) – 

Speaking of hot streaks, it’s hard to ignore what Tyreke Evans has been doing lately. He has scored 20 or more points in 7 of his last 8 games, accumulating to an average of 42.6 FanDuel PPG in those games. For this type of production, he seems to be too cheap, especially in this match-up with the struggling Sacramento Kings. Although this game is the second of a back-to-back venture for Evans, it shouldn’t be too big of an issue as he only went for 30 minutes in the first game.

Josh Hart ($3,900 FD/$4,900 DK) – 

Due to legal issues, Lakers SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope cannot leave the state of California for the meanwhile, which draws Josh Hart a start whenever the Lakers are on the road. He has also been benefiting off the injury to teammate Lonzo Ball. Luckily for Hart, Lakers take a road trip with Lonzo Ball ruled out. Hart is dirt cheap, especially on FanDuel and to afford a player like Westbrook or Harden in this small slate he may be your perfect cheap play and provide you great value.

 

SMALL FORWARDS:

Brandon Ingram ($7,000 FD/$6,400 DK) – 

The small forward options on this slate seem very thin, with no players who are active costing more than $7,600 on FanDuel. Ingram seems to be a great play to meet ends on the SF portion of your lineup. Ingram has played fairly well in his two previous meetings with the Rockets, with an average of 35.8 FanDuel points. The Rockets rank 25th in the league in defending small forwards as they allow 43.80 fantasy points per 48 minutes to SF’s. With the game having a pretty high total at  226.5 it appears Ingram will be a main source of the Lakers offense.

Trevor Ariza ($5,200 FD/$5,600 DK) – 

Ariza is a very cheap and consistent option in this slate. He has scored at least 20 or more FanDuel points in 11 of his last 12 games, averaging a healthy amount of minutes per game in that span. The last time Ariza met with the Lakers he managed to put up 48.7 FanDuel points in a double-double effort that included 4 steals. He most likely won’t produce that tonight, however, he is  great cheap option you can count on to get you a mediocre amount of points or even more. Trevor Ariza is currently projected to score 28.5 FanDuel points tonight.

POWER FORWARDS:

Kyle Kuzma ($6,500 FD/$7,100 DK) – 

Although not very impressive his last two games, Kyle Kuzma has great upside Sunday night. Kuzma is opposing the same team he slaughtered just about 2 weeks ago, posting 38 points and 7 rebounds. The Rockets rank poorly defending forwards this season. (Ranked 25th) For a relatively cheap price tag Kuzma seems worth the risk considering his peaks and potential he’s shown throughout this season. He’s averaging 37 minutes per game over his last 5, which most likely will uphold so expect Kuzma’s workload Sunday night to be a little heavy.

Blake Griffin ($8,500 FD/$7,600 DK) – 

Griffin recently played his first game back from injury and looked as if he didn’t miss any time, posting a stat line of 24-6-6 against the Lakers in 32 minutes. Griffin could be a risky play as he isn’t guaranteed to see 30+ minutes again tonight but he has a great match-up against the Hornets who rank 22nd in defending the position. Griffin’s teammate Austin Rivers is questionable for this game and if ruled out, Griffin could see his first small boost in usage since returning. I don’t project Griffin’s ownership tomorrow to be high at all considering he is coming off an injury, which could make him very valuable in this small five game main slate.

CENTERS:

Joel Embiid ($10,500 FD/$9,900 DK) – 

One of the only three players costing more than $10,000 on FanDuel is Joel Embiid in this small slate, and he seems beyond worth paying up for. The big man for the 76ers has an amazing match-up with the defensively struggling Phoenix Suns. He is also well rested as he sat last night’s game to preserve his health. For 9 straight games, Joel Embiid has scored 20 or more points when logging 30 minutes or more. With teammate Ben Simmons struggling, Joel may have an increased workload solely trying to pick up the slack, although his other teammates do a fine job at doing so also. Embiid may be the play to pay up for.

Dwight Howard ($8,400 FD/$7,400 DK) – 

The Center position is one of the most stacked tonight, sporting a few solid options to play. Dwight Howard seems very appealing with his current price tag. He has been electric of late, averaging 48.4 FanDuel PPG over his last three. He exploded for 29 points and 13 rebounds in his last game accumulating to 57.1 FPTS. If there is one thing we know about modern day Dwight Howard it’s that he is inconsistent and nothing good lasts forever with him, always making him somewhat of a risk. It seems tonight will not be the night he slows down.

 

 

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/27/17 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/27/17 – Value Plays



Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

Wednesday’s slate in the NBA is loaded with 10 games, giving you plenty of options for your DFS entry. We took a look at some of the overall excellent plays in Wednesday’s article on Sports Illustrated, but let’s now dive deeper into only the cheaper value plays that can help make you a winner.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

J.J. Barea, DAL at IND
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,000

The Mavericks continue to struggle, but Barea has been one of their better players this season. He’s had an excellent month of December, averaging 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in 13 games. Although he comes off the bench, he has no shortage of opportunities to produce, posting the second-highest usage rate (25.6%) on the team. The Pacers allow the ninth-most points per game (106.9) in the league, so Barea will have an opportunity to provide value again in this game.

Andrew Harrison, MEM at LAL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,100

Harrison has been counted on to play extra minutes with Mike Conley (Achilles) out, logging at least 30 minutes in five of his last seven games. He has played well in his new role, averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 three-pointers in those five games. He gets to play a Lakers team that plays at the fastest pace (104.3) in the league Wednesday, leaving him with the potential to provide value at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

Clarkson did an excellent job filling in for the injured Lonzo Ball (shoulder) on Monday, scoring 17 points to go along with six rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in 35 minutes. His performance could have been even better if he didn’t shoot an ugly 8-for-24 from the field. He should be in line to start again Wednesday with Ball still out of action. Considering his 27.8% usage rate is the highest on the Lakers, Clarkson should be in for another big game with extended minutes likely on tap.

Marcus Smart, BOS at CHA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200

Smart is playing well right now, averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 three-pointers over his last six games. He could see extra playing time Wednesday as the Celtics will have a limited roster with Marcus Morris (knee) out and Jaylen Brown (knee) listed as doubtful. His ceiling isn’t very high based on his 33.7% field goal percentage, but he can still do enough across the board to provide value at this cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

DeMarre Carroll, BKN at NO
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,300

Carroll couldn’t have played much worse Tuesday against the Spurs, scoring only two points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field. Chalk that up to one bad game against a good defense as he was shooting 42.2% from the field in six games entering Tuesday. Look for him to be more productive Wednesday as both the Nets and the Pelicans are in the top-seven in the league in pace of play. Not only that, but the Pelicans allow the second-most points per game on FanDuel and the most points per game on DraftKings to opposing small forwards.

Wilson Chandler, DEN at MIN
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Chandler has seen extensive playing time for the Nuggets, logging at least 33 minutes in five straight games. He’s played well over that stretch, averaging 13.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 three-pointers per game. He struggled to only score five points against these same Timberwolves last week but salvaged the game with 10 rebounds and six assists. He might not have a ton of upside based on his limited offensive game, but that doesn’t mean he’s not someone to consider at this price based on his ability to contribute in other areas.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Trey Lyles, DEN at MIN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Lyles has established a significant role off the bench for the Nuggets, averaging 27 minutes per game in December. His production this month has been excellent, averaging 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.9 three-pointers per game. There are no signs of his minutes dwindling anytime soon as Kenneth Faried hasn’t even played in the last five games. The price is right to take a chance on his recent run of production continuing Wednesday.

Markieff Morris, WAS at ATL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700

Morris’ minutes are way down this season at only 24 minutes per game, his fewest since the 2012-13 season. He’s played a little more than that lately though, logging at least 27 minutes in four of his last five games. Those four games came against the Cavaliers, Nets, Magic and Celtics, all teams that use a lot of small lineups. He’ll face a similar opponent Wednesday as the Hawks don’t have much size up front. Morris is averaging 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 block in the last seven games that he has played at least 27 minutes, making him a viable option based on his potential Wednesday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Enes Kanter, NY at CHI
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,800

Kanter is having a stellar season for the Knicks, averaging a double-double (14.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game) for the first time in his career. He destroyed Joel Embiid and the Sixers on Monday, scoring 31 points to go along with 22 rebounds. That’s not good news for Robin Lopez and the Bulls. The Bulls don’t have much size outside of Lopez either, so this has the makings of another big game for Kanter, although you shouldn’t expect him to replicate Monday’s performance.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at OKC
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings – $4,700

Valanciunas continues to struggle to get playing time this season, averaging a career-low 21 minutes per game. He’s shown what he can do with extended minutes, averaging 18.3 points and 13.0 rebounds in the last four games that he played at least 25 minutes. Three of those games came against the Kings, Suns, and Clippers, each of which is either a team with depth up front or a dominant center who gets plenty of playing time. He faces a similar opponent Wednesday as center Steven Adams is averaging 33 minutes per game for the Thunder. The potential for added minutes is here, so Valanciunas has some upside.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/25/17

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/25/17

Monday night presents Christmas Day; one of the most entertaining days for the NBA season. With a small but stacked five game slate, you will need to include some low priced plays to be able to afford the large selection of superstars.



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POINT GUARDS:

Russell Westbrook ($11,500 FD/$10,900 DK) – 

With so many superstar options in this slate Russell Westbrook may be your guy to pay up for as he is cheaper than LeBron and Harden on both platforms and cheaper than Kevin Durant on FanDuel. Lately, Westbrook has been an absolute menace to the stat sheet. He has scored 20+ points in six straight games, averaging a whopping 60.8 FanDuel PPG over those contests. He meets with former teammate James Harden on Christmas night, and is in great position to put on a show. The Rockets rank first in the league in offensive rating along with 8th in pace which could push the Thunder to increase the tempo and work quicker leading to more possessions and opportunity for Westbrook.

Jordan Clarkson ($4,000 FD/$4,700 DK) – 

Although listed as a SG on FanDuel (PG eligible on DraftKings), Clarkson seems to be a great play Monday night. The backup point guard should be getting the start for injured Lonzo Ball, who has already been listed as out for this contest. Clarkson hasn’t been so hot off the bench lately, but we’ve all seen what he’s capable of doing. At one point in the season he was outperforming Ball immensely enough where he would play the entire 4th quarter of games while Ball would sit. His recent decline in productivity has been adjusted into his salary which makes it even better for this slate. He will be playing the Timberwolves, who rank 22nd in defending opposing point guards this season. With a dirt cheap price Clarkson won’t need to do much to exceed value, making him a great asset to withhold a steady salary.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Klay Thompson ($7,000 FD/$6,400 DK) –

With James Harden being very expensive in this slate ($12,000 FD/$11,100 DK), it may be smart to save some salary on the shooting guard position. Klay meets with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third straight Christmas match-up. Once again Curry is sidelined, giving Klay and KD a heavy offensive workload against the poor defense Cleveland brings to the court. Klay has not had many breakout DFS games with Curry out, but has been very consistent. He has averaged 31.3 FanDuel PPG in the eight game absence from Steph.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($6,100 FD/$5,100 DK) – 

Caldwell-Pope has been dealing with some legal issues, as he is unable to leave the state of California. Luckily for him, Monday night’s game is indeed in Los Angeles. Listed at a fairly cheap price, KCP has been very productive in the games he has played recently. Over his last four games he has averaged 34.4 FanDuel PPG. He has also added at least two steals in seven straight games, which weighs heavy on the DFS scoring system especially on FanDuel. In those same seven games, KCP has accompanied his defensive skill set with double digit scoring as well. Caldwell-Pope may be your guy for this slate to fill the void in the SG spot.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Kevin Durant ($12,100 FD/$10,500 DK) – 

Kevin Durant can destroy just about any defense which makes his date with the Cavaliers a lot more appealing considering their weak defense discussed in Klay’s feature. The Cavs are allowing an average of 42.5 FPPG to the small forward position. KD has scored 50 or more FanDuel points in 6 of the 8 games played without sharing the court with Curry; with 3 of those 6 accumulating to 65+ points. The intensity of this game seems promising with both teams ranking in the top half of the league in pace. These teams are also “rivals” as they have met in three straight NBA finals. With a high price tag and a ton of superstar options, Kevin Durant seems worth paying up for if you can find the salary to fit him.

Trevor Ariza ($5,600 FD/$5,000 DK) – 

In this slate, you’re going to need a few fairly priced plays that will provide you just enough to stack on top of your superstars performance. With that being the case, Trevor Ariza has a reliable resume to hold you over. He has a little bit of a tough game opposing a top defense in the Oklahoma City Thunder, but has proved to be very consistent for his price. Ariza has supplied 20+ FanDuel points along with double digit points in nine straight games. His teammate, Chris Paul, is listed as questionable with a leg injury which could open up a small boost in usage for Ariza if he is in fact incapable of playing. Ariza is definitely worth the risk in this slate as his sub-$6,000 salary will also open room for some bigger plays and will hopefully keep the 20+ streak alive Christmas night.

POWER FORWARDS:

Ben Simmons ($9,400 FD/$9,300 DK) – 

Simmons is a versatile play Monday night as he is listed as a PF on FanDuel yet eligible for PG and SF on DraftKings. Regardless of placement, Simmons is in for a great match-up with the New York Knicks. Teammate Joel Embiid is once again listed as questionable as he has missed five of the 76’ers last eight games with back issues. Simmons has averaged 42.5 FanDuel PPG in those five games without Embiid on the court with him. If Embiid is sidelined expect Simmons’ usage to incline a decent amount as he faces off with a sub-par defense. Seeing what Simmons will do in his first game at Madison Square Garden should be interesting, and definitely a match-up to keep on your radar when trying to generate the perfect lineup. You should also keep your eye on Richaun Holmes and Dario Saric as they will also have a heavy workload if Embiid sits.

Jordan Bell ($4,900 FD/$4,900 DK) –

With the same price tag on both main DFS platforms, Jordan Bell brings a lot of upside to your lineup. The rookie has been filling in for Draymond Green as he has been dealing with an injury as of late and has proved himself to be the go-to guy to fill his void. Even with Draymond back in action the last two games, Bell was granted minutes in the low 20’s in which included a breakout double-double game accumulating to 41.5 FanDuel points. Bell is averaging 25 minutes per game over his last five, and will be playing a Cavs defense ranking dead last in the league at defending the big man positions. To add icing on the cake, Draymond is questionable for this game which could annex even higher upside on this very cheap play. Luckily, FanDuel has gifted us all a Christmas present of their own with a late swap enabled slate.

CENTERS:

Kevin Love ($8,000 FD/$7,500 DK) – 

It’s hard to stay away from a game with so much more to it than a +1 in the win column which is why Kevin Love makes a great play. Love is averaging a double-double this season and has supplied 20 or more points in four of his last five games with an average of 38.9 FanDuel PPG in that span. Ironically, Love is only averaging just under 30 minutes per game this season despite his immense production. It is safe to assume that Love will see a good amount of minutes in this rivalry match-up with the Warriors, increasing his ceiling for DFS value. At a salary of $7,500-$8,000 Love can be a perfect play to plug in with a higher priced superstar and could even come very close to replicating that player’s statistics.

Julius Randle ($5,900 FD/$5,000 DK) – 

If you are looking to spend small on a position, I personally would advise the Center position to do so in. With a recent injury to Laker’s center Brook Lopez, Randle has seen an increase in minutes at the position. He goes into Monday night’s game against the Timberwolves who allow an average of 54.50 FPPG per 48 minutes to centers this season. Randle has been effective offensively of late, scoring double digit points in 8 of his last 9 games with that one game being one where he only logged 8 minutes of action. When logging at least 20 minutes Randle has scored double digit points in 13 straight games. With a small price tag, Randle seems worth the risk in this small five game slate.