There is value galore across Monday’s eight-game slate in the NBA. With so many cheap players set up to potentially thrive, we can also set out sights on a few stars who could shine.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The NBA takes a step back from the 11-game slate Wednesday with only three games on the schedule Thursday. Even with so few options, there are still some great value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Goran Dragic, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000
The Heat were extremely shorthanded Wednesday with James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, and Wayne Ellington all sidelined. Dragic was one of the players who stepped up in their absence, scoring 26 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists and one block in 32 minutes versus the Magic. There is a chance that all four players will sit again Thursday, which would again leave Dragic with an added role in the offense. He might lose a few assists without as many quality players around him, but he should make up for that with added scoring.
Cameron Payne, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,600
Payne enters this season as the backup at point guard to Kris Dunn. Payne had a few decent games last year when given extended playing time, but a lot of those performances came when Dunn was injured. Even though his playing time will be somewhat limited, the Bulls are extremely thin at point guard outside of him and Dunn. In 23 minutes per game last year, Payne averaged 8.8 points, 4.5 assists, one steal and 1.4 three-pointers per contest. His upside isn’t great, but if the Bulls get down big on the road against the far superior Sixers, Payne could be productive in garbage time.
SHOOTING GUARDS
J.J. Redick, PHI vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100
The Sixers are going with an odd strategy of using Markelle Fultz as the starting shooting guard to begin games, but then starting Redick there for the third quarter. Fultz ended up playing 24 minutes under that arrangement in their season opener, but he didn’t play well. Redick, on the other hand, scored 16 points and hit two three-pointers in 29 minutes. Fultz is going to have his growing pains, so expect Redick to edge him out in playing time, at least for now. The Bulls are not a good defensive team, so Redick might be able to light them up from behind the arc.
Justin Holiday, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300
The Bulls entered the preseason with the intention of starting Jabari Parker at small forward and Lauri Markkanen at power forward. Once Markkanen went down with an elbow injury, it opened the door for Parker to slide to power forward and for Holiday to enter the starting five. Parker has since been moved to a sixth man role off the bench, but Holiday remains a member of the starting unit. He won’t get a ton of shots playing alongside Zach LaVine and Bobby Portis, but he should get enough playing time to be worth considering at this cheap price.
SMALL FORWARDS
Josh Richardson, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,200
Not only did Dragic benefit from the Heat’s lack of depth Wednesday, but Richardson finished the game with 21 shot attempts. He wasn’t very efficient and was only 2-for-10 from behind the arc, but he still scored 21 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Should the Heat have the same injury concerns Thursday, look for Richardson to play a vital role in their offense.
Otto Porter Jr., WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,600
Porter doesn’t get a lot of headlines playing with John Wall and Bradley Beal, but he’s a fine player in his own right. He doesn’t always get a lot of shot attempts, but he’s been efficient with a field goal percentage of at least 50.3% in both of the last two seasons. Not only does he provide added value on the glass, but he also averaged 1.5 steals last year and has recorded at least 1.4 steals per contest in each of the last three seasons. Don’t count on him to provide as much scoring as Richardson, but Porter is still a viable option for your entry.
POWER FORWARDS
Bobby Portis, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700
The Bulls made a somewhat surprising decision late in the preseason to start Portis ahead of Parker. Portis was ticketed to provide a ton of energy off their bench, but the Bulls decided to move Parker to a bench role after they struggled mightily on the defensive end at the start of the preseason. Portis is instant offense, posting the second-highest usage rate (26%) on the team last year. LaVine is going to take a ton of shots, but Portis might be the second best offensive weapon among their starters.
Markieff Morris, WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,000
The Wizards added Dwight Howard over the summer, but he’s battling a back injury and is listed as questionable for this contest. Even if he does take the floor, he may not be completely healthy. The Wizards don’t have a ton of quality size up front behind Howard and Morris with their backups including Jeff Green, Ian Manhimi and Jason Smith. Morris might be forced to spend some additional time at center in this game, giving him added opportunities to provide value. He’s going to take a back seat offensively to Wall, Beal, and Porter, but he still chipped in 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 27 minutes per game last year.
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, LAL at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500
The Lakers made several additions during the offseason, one of which was adding McGee to their very shallow group of centers. McGee is expected to start, but he likely won’t see traditional starter’s minutes. Expect the Lakers to deploy a lot of small lineups. With that being said, McGee is still going to play more than the 10 minutes a game he averaged last year with the Warriors. He also has the opportunity for a lot of easy buckets catching passes from LeBron James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball. McGee is also a great source for blocks, making him someone to target in tournament play at this cheap price.
Bam Adebayo, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,900
The Heat were a bit of a mess at center last season. Hassan Whiteside was expected to be their anchor in the middle, but he averaged only 25 minutes a game. That opened up the door for Adebayo to get extra minutes. Whiteside did play 33 minutes in their opener Wednesday, but Abebayo still logged 22 minutes due to all of their injuries. He chipped in nine points, eight rebounds, and a steal, helping him stay in the discussion as a value play option Thursday. However, I do prefer McGee to Adebayo if you want to save money at center.
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
*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.
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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
*Austyn Varney*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/13/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. If you need any help in fantasy or just want to come join in on the fun we highly recommend requesting a join. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like George Hill and Patrick Patterson.
Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package
Point Guard
George Hill
FD $4,700 DK $5,100
Welcome to NBA Tuesday! We have 11 games on our hands tonight with a whole lot to look at. With that being said, there are certainly a few spots to focus on. The Cavaliers are probably the biggest of which. Facing off with the Phoenix Suns, we are going to touch on a ton of them. You can also play the more expensive guys like LeBron and Nance Jr. Let’s start with George Hill, who’s made himself into a huge part of this offense. He’s picking up 30+ minutes on most nights and has averaged 1.16 FP per minute while on the floor. His price is still very fair on both sites around $5k and you’re only needing 25 fantasy points. The Suns have ranked 25th against PG’s on the season and 28th since Payton joined the squad. Hill is a lock at the price and a great way to pay up elsewhere.
Emmanuel Mudiay
FD $4,900 DK $5,000
If you’re not a fan of Hill because you already have enough Cavs or for whatever reason, Emmanuel Mudiay is a very solid option. I think some may look at him as risky, but I have to disagree. If you look at his last 5 games, he’s been under 25 minutes just once and has been over 30 twice. Unlike Burke, Mudiay may have a real future in this league as a prominent PG. Remember, he was drafted just 3 years back as a top 5 pick. He’s not just a shooter who doesn’t get anyone else involved and puts up big numbers. Mudiay isn’t as explosive, but he stuffs the stat sheet and is very safe when given the opportunity. the Mavs are an extremely underwhelming offense and DSJ is the last PG I’m scared of with the size of Mudiay. I’ll have him in both cash games and tournaments, but do like George Hill in a vacuum just a bit more.
Shooting Guard
Jordan Clarkson and J.R. Smith
FD $3,700 – $4,600 DK $4,000 – $5,200
We’re right back to this Cavaliers squad with another 2 very solid value plays. When a team like the Cavs is facing the Suns and has a 230 total with just a 7 point spread, you’re forced to focus on the game. When you add the fact that Rodney Hood is doubtful, these 2 guys can’t at all be ignored. Let’s start with Jordan Clarkson. His only concern is minutes. If Hood is eventually ruled out, it’s safe to assume 25+ mins and easy value. He will be in 100% of my cash games if Hood is ruled out. You then get to J.R. Smith. He’s always volatile and reliant on his jumper, but I think you have to live with that against the Suns. As long as he’s not ice cold, he will get open shots and plenty of them. He’s jumped between 25 and 35 minutes all of this month and should be locked into the higher end if Hood is eventually ruled out. You can play Korver, too, but I personally hate this match-up as they prefer him in halfcourt games where he can separate the defense and get some off-ball attention away from Lebron. For me, Clarkson will be in every lineup and J.R. won’t be far behind. That’s only if Rodney Hood is out as we expect.
Norman Powell
FD $3,700 DK $3,200
If you need to pay way down, Normal Powell has picked up 21, 28, and 31 minutes over the last 3 games. It’s far from exciting and I’ll be on J.R. Smith over him, but it’s an option if you’re off the Cavs. Powell has shown upside plenty of times and has averaged just under 1 FP per minute on the season. If he gets 25-40, he should hit value at that garbage price. He gets to face off with the Brooklyn Nets, so there’s no better match-up for a guy that thrives on running the floor and creating mismatches. Powell isn’t going to be on more than 2 or 3 of my teams, but he’s far better than anyone else under the J.R. Smith price tag. Take that for what you will.
Small Forward
Oct 15, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica (88) dribbles the ball past Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) during the second quarter at KFC! YUM Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Nemanja Bjelica
FD $5,800 DK $6,200
We’re getting a little expensive here, but I just don’t like any value here at SF. LeBron is the guy everyone wants and we will all be trying our best to get there. Bjelica is my 2nd favorite at the position. Let’s just look at the last 3 games to see why. 40 minutes, 40 minutes, and 45 minutes. He’s put up 40 fantasy points in 2 straight games and has had no problem taking some big shots. He’s a big part of this team at this point and will get a lot of minutes in the playoffs after this stretch. Tonight, he sees a Wizards squad that ranks 27th against small forwards. He’s fairly priced on both sites and I’m a fan in all formats. The minutes are a lock and there’s only so bad you can be in 40+ minutes of this match-up.
Rudy Gay
FD $4,400 DK $4,800
Like I said, the value here is pretty weak. Full disclosure, I’m doing my best to get Nemanja Bjelica and LeBron in every lineup. It’s a limb I’m looking to die on tonight. With that being said, ic an appreciate Rudy Gay and his value in the mid-$4k’s. Seeing 22+ minutes a night, you can at least guarantee 15 FP. It’s not great, but better than anyone else in this pricing range. We know the upside Gay has if given the minutes, so I don’t hate him in tournaments. The match-up with Orlando is fine, ranking 22nd against the position since the ASB. I don’t love the spot and won’t be going here myself, but Gay is my favorite way to pay down if I had to.
Power Forward
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jeff Green, right, drives against Houston Rockets’ Ryan Anderson in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Jeff Green
FD $3,800 DK $3,900
I gave you a position off from the Cavs at SF, because, well, we know what to do there with the Cavs. We’re now to PF and right back at it. On the high-end, Larry Nance Jr. is one of the top plays on the entire night. With Tristan Thompson still out, he’s locked into minutes and Lebron loves playing with him. If you want to get cheaper, Jeff Green is a very solid option. I don’t think he’s a very good basketball player, but it doesn’t really matter if he’s going to get the minutes. He loves shooting the ball and I guess he’s going to keep doing so until they start going in. The Suns give up as many open 3’s as anyone in the league and he’s far more athletic than any of the big men that Phoenix will throw his way. The price is insanely low on both sites and you’re only needing 15-20 in cash games. That shouldn’t be tough at all in this match-up.
Patrick Patterson
FD $3,600 DK $3,300
This just hinges on Steven Adams. Adams went into yesterday questionable and then hurt his hip after 20 minutes of court time. You can’t expect them to toss him out the next night against the lowly Hawks. Patterson picked up 20 minutes for the 3rd straight game and you can definitely expect 30 if Adams happens to miss. Especially against a Hawks team that he can use his perimeter work against. Dewayne Dedmon has trouble leaving the paint and Westbrook will love to stretch the floor and create open driving lanes. He’s too cheap on both sites and one of my favorite plays on the slate if Adams is ruled out. I like Jerami Grant, too, but don’t think his minutes are impacted as much by Steven Adams.
Center
Tyson Chandler
FD $4,300 DK $4,500
We’ve touched on a lot of Cavs up to this point, but have managed to ignore the Suns. Devin Booker is one of the best plays on the slate and will be on most of my teams. Elfrid Payton and Dragan Bender are interesting, too. I just liked other guys a bit more. Now at center, we can look at Tyson Chandler. With Thompson out, the Cavs struggle with size. Chandler might not be great at this point, but his size is still there and he’s good at using it. If it stays close and he gets minutes, count on a small double-double. Personally, I want Jokic and Howard at center. I won’t be on Tyson Chandler myself, but he’s just a very solid punt play that can put up 25 FP if things break his way. Full disclosure, I’m looking to pay up at this position by using guys we’ve touched on throughout the article. Good luck tonight!
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18
*Austyn Varney*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18
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 Yogi Ferrell and Justise Winslow.
Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package
Yogi Ferrell
FD $4,000 DK $4,300
You can be a fan of the 24 minutes Ferrell has been seeing in the last couple games, but I’m not convinced it’s indicative of the future. He is one of their youngsters and they have already said, very publicly, that they will try to up those guys’ minutes. Ferrell is always effective when on the floor and this match-up with the Nuggets in phenomenal. On the season, they rank 20th against opposing point guards. Jamal Murray is a bad defender and the interior is even worse. Ferrell is extremely cheap on both sites and this game does have a solid 219 total with just a 5 point spread. I’m a fan of Ferrell in both cash games and tournaments if you need to pay this far down.
Milos Teodosic
FD $4,400 DK $4,700
If you’re looking for cheap consistency, this is an obvious choice. You probably won’t get 40 fantasy points ever out of Milos Teodosic, but you will grab 20+ on 8/10 nights. At his price, that’s all you can ask for. This is also a game we’re all over with a 236 over/under and 2.5 point spread. The minutes are locked in around 28-32 and he’s safe in all formats. He stuffs the stat sheet well and isn’t reliant on any 1 category, like most value guys are. Teodosic will be in a ton of my lineups.
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade
FD $4,900 DK $5,300
You can’t love the minutes for Dwyane Wade, but he’s certainly producing when on the floor. For now, we expect 25 minutes and 25 fantasy points. We hope for 30 minutes and 35 fantasy points in a big game against the Wizards. His price is still fair on both sites and I have no worries in any format. He’s going to shoot when on the floor and has the ball in his hands a ton. The Wizards like to play fast and I don’t see why Wade wouldn’t excel at this PACE. I don’t necessarily love Wade, but he’s the best of what you have to choose from at this position for value. Don’t blame me.
J.J. Redick
FD $4,900 DK $5,200
I don’t really love the value at SG, but both of these guys are going to be all over my rosters. I just don’t have to have anyone at the top either and am fine with paying down for a safe 20-25 fantasy points. You get that out of both Wade and Redick, who faces off with the Hornets in a game with a crazy 236 over/under and 2.5 point spread. Against shooting guards, the Pelicans rank 29th against shooting guards. The only worse team is the Phoenix Suns, who might as well not have a defense. Consider Redick a safe option in both cash games and tournaments. If you make me choose, I go Redick over Wade just barely.
Small Forward
E’Twaun Moore
FD $4,200 DK $4,000
Here are another 2 guys that you don’t necessarily get excited about, but you also don’t worry about them burning you. When E’Twaun Moore gets minutes in a good match-up, you can count on an FP per minute. In a game with a 236 over/under and just a 2.5 point spread, there are a ton of fantasy points to go around. He does see a 14% usage and is typically taking at least 8-10 shots in most games. If he gets hot, we’ve seen the 40 point ceiling more than a couple times. Ranking 26th against SG’s and 23rd against SF’s, we won’t see any problems with the match-up. He’s cheap enough on both sites and I couldn’t blame you for playing him in either format, though I’ll try my best to make it just tourneys. I prefer the next guy in cash games.
Justise Winslow
FD $4,300 DK $4,200
Now for one of the easier plays on the entire slate. Over the last 3 games, Winslow has played 31, 30, and 27 minutes. In those 3 contests, he proceeded to put up 43, 31, and 28 fantasy points. Good luck fading him in a fast-paced contest with the Washington Wizards. A team that’s ranked 26th against SF’s on the season. Winslow needs you 20 fantasy points at $4.2k, so I don’t really see the logic in fading. He’s a great player and is finally rounding into himself coming off the bench. I will have close to 100% in both cash games and tournaments.
Power Forward
Marvin Williams
FD $3,600 DK $4,000
I typically dislike the value at PF and tonight is no different. If it’s up to me, I’ll sit in the mid-range with guys like Tobias, Draymond, and Mirotic. If you need to pay down, however, you can with Marvin Williams. He’s extremely cheapon both sites and seeing 20+ minutes a night. He’s not safe, but you can see 30 fantasy points if he gets hot from behind the line. The Sixers give up the 4th most 3’s to PF’s and the upside is most definitely there. I won’t be on much of Marvin, but could very well end up there on a few lineups as I try to make things work.
Dwight Powell
FD $5,700 DK $5,500
Dwight Powell isn’t all that cheap, but I don’t love anyone else under $5k at the position. Dwight Powell is still a value at under $6k and you can almost guarantee he sees 24+ minutes in every game. It doesn’t seem like a ton for him, but he’s locked in for an FP per minute these days. Especially against a Denver Nuggets squad that ranks 24th against the PF position over the last 20 games. They play big with Jokic at the 5 and Millsap at the 4, so his size will be necessary over a guy like Dirk Nowitzki or Maxi Kleber. Powell isn’t necessarily safe, but you should grab 25 fantasy points and there’s always a chance for 40 if he sees 30+ minutes for whatever reason.
Center
Marcin Gortat
FD $4,100 DK $4,500
At center, Marcin Gortat is the only guy I’m comfortable recommending under $6k. On most teams, you’ll find DeAndre Jordan or Clint Capela in this spot, but there are a few spots where you must pay down. If that’s the case, I have no reservations about a low-$4k Marcin Gortat. He’s far from flashy at this point, but has been right around that 20-25 fantasy point mark in solid match-ups. He sees a match-up against the Heat and Whiteside tonight, who rank 13th against centers. At the insane $4k tag, you’re only needing 20 fantasy points and we know his size will be necessary with Whiteside on the other side.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/2/18
*Austyn Varney*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/2/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/2/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Also, 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 Mario Chalmers and Cristiano Felicio.
Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)
Point Guard
Trey Burke
FD $5,400 DK $5,100
We kick it off with one of the more obvious value plays on the slate and one of the easier value plays of the past week. Trey Burke has always been an electric scorer, but he’s now finally getting the opportunity to shoot as much as he pleases. He’s not getting a crazy amount of minutes, but shooting 15+ times in his 25-30 consistent minutes. Over the last 3 games, he’s sat at 31, 40, and 44 fantasy points. Yes, please. His price is still extremely fair on both sites and you’re only needing 25-30 fantasy points in cash games. The Clippers are a bad defense and Austin Rivers is an atrocious defender. They don’t get much better under the rim, with DJ posting the 26th defensive efficiency in the paint. Trey Burke is a phenomenal option in all formats and I’ll have plenty of exposure myself.
Mario Chalmers
FD $3,500 DK $3,500
This one is very, very easy. Andrew Harrison is questionable and that’s all it really comes down to. If Harrison plays, Chalmers will continue seeing 18-22 minutes and isn’t worth a look in any format. If Andre Harrison is out, you have to expect Mario Chalmers to come in as one of the best plays on the entire slate. Chalmers has always been a very productive player when on the floor and he’s posted a 1.16 FP per minute on the season. The Denver Nuggets rank 23rd against the position and Chalmers will be open plenty. His price is purely insane and you’re only needing 20 fantasy points in cash games. If Andrew Harrison is out, Mario Chalmers will be in 100% of my lineups.
Shooting Guard
Treveon Graham and Jeremy Lamb
FD $3,500 – $4,700 DK $3,400 – $5,100
These are really the only ways I’m fine with paying down at the position. Treveon Graham has seen over 27 minutes in each of the last 2 games and is close to minimum price on both sites. He doesn’t always produce much when on the floor, but minutes = production and there isn’t much else opportunity at the position. Jeremy Lamb is a much better player, but his minutes have been a little bit up and down. If you think this game stays close, Lamb will get over 25 minutes and has a strong match-up against the Philadelphia 76ers. Personally, I’m hoping Chalmers is in play. If not, I’ll go with Graham for a min-priced play.
Small Forward
Josh Jackson
FD $5,700 DK $6,200
Here is another guy that is fully dependent on an injury. T.J. Warren is currently listed as questionable and I suspect he misses another game. With Warren out last game, Josh Jackson put up 50 fantasy points against the Grizzlies. It was one of the tougher possible match-ups he could have had and will now see a very nice one. The Thunder love playing fast and it plays right into the hands of Josh Jackson. If Warren is out, he’s going to get 35+ minutes and he’s one of the safer plays on the entire slate.
David Nwaba
FD $4,800 DK $5,400
David Nwaba has been over 30 minutes in each of the last 4 games and is still very fairly priced at just around $5k. He’s one of the guys that the Bulls want to give minutes and I don’t see a reason that he gets under 30 minutes. This match-up against the Mavericks is a solid one, considering they rank 23rd against the small forward position. He’s been over 30 fantasy points in 2 of the last 4 games and should be very close tonight. Vegas thinks it stays close and only have a 5 point spread, so there’s nothing to be worried about. He’s an elite play in both cash games and tournaments.
Power Forward
Marvin Williams
FD $3,800 DK $4,200
Power forward isn’t a very prolific position on this slate, but there is at least 1 guy you can pay attention to. Marvin Williams has been picking up some substantial minutes as of late and is extremely cheap. Especially on FD. The Sixers have ranked 23rd against the PF position and I’m far from afraid of Dario Saric on a back to back. There is no way to be excited about Marvin Williams, but he’s fine if you need to save funds and don’t want to pay down at guard.
Dwight Powell
FD $5,600 DK $6,100
There isn’t much other value at the position, so let’s look at one of the top mid-range options. Dwight Powell has been picking up some big minutes as of late and the production has obviously followed. With 32 and 37 minutes in each of the last 2 games, he’s posted 27 and 45 fantasy points. He’s been a 1.31 FP per minute player on the season, so it’s no surprise at all to see him capitalize on the opportunity. The match-up against the Bulls is solid (21st against PF) and Powell is far more athletic than anyone they have to offer not named Bobby Portis.
Center
Alex Len
FD $5,100 DK $5,600
There is only one guy I’m comfortable recommending in this tier. Alex Len is going to continue seeing 24-30 minutes and the production should flow. If we’re being completely honest, I will try my best to pay up at Center. Drummond, Embiid, and Howard are all interesting and I will end up with about 10-15% Alex Len. He has a solid match-up against a Thunder squad that has been running a lot more since the ASB. If you need to pay down, Alex Len is the way to go.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18
*Austyn Varney*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Also, 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 Denzel Valentine and George Hill.
Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)
Point Guard
George Hill
FD $4,600 DK $4,600
The point guard position is an intriguing one tonight. On the high-end, you’re looking at Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker. Both are in well above average match-ups and can be played if you have the funds. You also have some solid options in the mid-range like Dinwiddie, Murray, and Dragic. They can all be played and none of them will be overly-owned. We then get to the cheapies, who we’ll touch on. We kick it off with George Hill, who’s already made himself a huge part of this Cavs offense. He got up to just 25 minutes against the Spurs, but sat at 34 and 31 before that. You can expect another 30+ minutes out of Hill if you think this game stays close. The match-up against the Nets is obviously tremendous as a team that plays the 3rd fastest and has no defense to speak of. Hill is super cheap on both sites and you can play him in all formats.
Milos Teodosic
FD $3,600 DK $4,200
Hill is a guy that will likely fit your build, but there is a way to go even cheaper. Teodosic is always a little inconsistent with his minutes, but he should get well over 24 minutes in this one. His price is diminished on both sites and you’re only looking for 15-20 fantasy points in cash games. The match-up with Denver is certainly good, as they rank 22nd in the league against the position. When it comes down to it, we just need minutes. I’m pretty confident that we do see 25+ here, but there is a real possibility he sees just 15-17 and disappoints. For that reason, George Hill is m clear play for value at PG. I’ll have some Teodosic, but I’d rather go there in tournaments. Hill is a guy I’ll have a ton of in all formats, while Teodosic will just be sprinkled in.
Shooting Guard
Tyrone Wallace
FD $4,500 DK $4,000
We’ll stay right in Los Angeles here and take a look at Tyrone Wallace. He got up to 36 minutes against the Suns and came through with 33 fantasy points. With Avery Bradley expected to remain out, you can bank at least 30 minutes for Wallace here. If you’ve watched him play at all, he’s a very good player and is extremely active on the floor. He picks up the ball a ton and grabs a lot of minutes at PG. You then have to consider this match-up against the Nuggets, who are typically good against SG’s. Fortunately, the better defender of the bunch will be on Lou Williams. Wallace will see the Nugs’ worst defender on the team and he shouldn’t have much of an issue getting to value at just $4.5k. Let’s touch on an even cheaper option who’s in play.
Wayne Ellington
FD $3,900 DK $4,000
Wayne Ellington is a guy I find myself on a lot when looking for value at SG. When Dion Waiters went down for the year, he showed a clear initiative to create shots and make a difference. He’s still there, but the addition of Dwyane Wade has definitely hurt. The ball is going to Wade in spots where Ellington would be allowed to create with the 2nd team. He’s getting 26+ minutes every game and is extremely cheap on both sites. He needs you just 20 and gets there with ease against a Philly squad that struggles against the 3 ball. Depending on what game you like more, these 2 guys at SG are somewhat even for me. Wallace is a bit safer in cash games.
Small Forward
Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts after he scored against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.
Denzel Valentine
FD $4,000 DK $4,200
This Bulls team is a bit weird right now. They are trying to get the younger guys some minutes, but have done it in a very weird and unorganized way. What we have seen is Denzel Valentine getting a healthy increase of minutes. He’s gotten up 25, 28, and 29 over the last 3 and it’s no surprise. He’s one of the guys they think is a future role player and they want him to get some experience under his belt. He’s always productive when on the court (1.09 FP per min) and is shooting the ball quite nicely right now. The match-up with Charlotte is average, sitting 17th against SF’s and 19th against SG’s. If you need value at SF, Valentine is the only guy I’m all that comfortable with. We’ll have to increase our salary range for this next one.
Josh Richardson
FD $6,000 DK $5,200
I guess Josh Richardson is more in the mid-range, but he’s still a value at the price. Especially on DK at $5.2k. Richardson is the 2nd best playmaker on this team behind Dragic and is not afraid in the slightest to shoot the ball. He’s been at 47 and 35 fantasy points in each of the last 2 games, despite the inconsistent minutes. He now sees a match-up against a Sixers squad that doesn’t play much defense. They play a lot faster than the Heat and it’ll definitely be an up-pace game for them. A 2016 total isn’t crazy, but a 1 point spread is nice. I suspect we see 30+ minutes tonight out of Richardson and another 30+ fantasy points. It’s going to be very hard to get off of Lebron and Giannis is those nice match-ups, but I will have a bit of ownership to Richardson in both cash games and tournaments. He does have the upside to put up 50 fantasy points and turn the entire slate on it’s head.
Power Forward
Frank Kaminsky
FD $4,400 DK $3,900
Nobody gets excited about Frank Kaminsky, but we’re well aware of how cheap he is here. This was a $7k player last year that was putting up 35+ fantasy points on most nights. He’s been at 35 and 30 fantasy points in the last 2 games and is still seeing an increase of minutes in each game. He’s at 1.17 FP per minute over the last 2 years, so he’s going to produce when on the floor. he faces off with a Bulls squad that ranks 23rd against the position. Markkanen and Portis are lethal on offense, but have a long way to go on the defensive side. Kaminsky only needs you about 20-23 in cash games, which should be pretty easy if the game stays close. He’ll be in most of my cash games.
Lauri Markkanen
FD $6,100 DK $5,700
We once again saw Markkanen pick up 30 minutes and Portis just 20. Markkanen should be the more expensive option, but he’s a whole $1k cheaper right now at just $6k. Markkanen can put up 40 FP with ease if he is feeling his shot and a match-up against Charlotte is nothing to be worried about. Kaminsky and Williams are poor defenders and don’t mind giving up some open 3’s (27th against 3). Markkanen is continuing to see 30+ minutes and he is the 2nd option on the offense. He’s going to put up 30+ fantasy points on most night and I’ll have a whole lot of exposure tonight in all formats.
Center
John Henson
FD $5,500 DK $4,700
If we’re being honest, I want to pay up at center tonight. I’m not here to lie to you. The top 5 priced options are all in excellent spots and at least 3 of them are going to demolish value. Personally, I’ll have most of my eggs in Jokic and Whiteside baskets, with the rest on some value. John Henson is still listed as a PF for some reason on FD, though DK has the obvious C tag that he deserves. Since coming back from injury, he’s seen 34 and 27 minutes, putting up 20 and 26 fantasy points. He’s fully healthy and can be expected to play at least 30 minutes if the game stays close. Gortat is a good defender, but the Wizards play pretty fast and give up plenty of peripherals to guys like Henson that can run the floor and get above the rim. Either pay up or drop down to Henson and hope for a close game.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
POINT GUARDS:
Stephen Curry ($9,500 FD/$10,300 DK) –
Steph is a much more appealing play on FanDuel as he sits below the 10k range. He may be worth paying up for Saturday night as he takes on the Houston Rockets, who rank 22nd in defending point guards and the same team Curry scored 47 FanDuel points against a couple weeks ago. Curry has scored 40+ FanDuel points in 11 straight games, showing serious consistency value wise. The projected total of this game is a massive 234, implying a high scoring contest as well as fast paced with both teams ranking top 10 in the league in pace of play.
Eric Bledsoe ($7,000 FD/$7,600) –
Bledsoe is one of the best point guard plays of the night, and will most likely be a very popular option. The Bucks will be without primary scorer Giannis as he has been ruled out. This lays a much heavier workload for Bledsoe against the Sixers who rank 21st in defending point guards. He’s very affordable and is projected 42.9 FanDuel points, giving him a healthy value of 6.13x.
SHOOTING GUARDS:
Khris Middleton ($7,400 FD/$7,900 DK) –
Alongside Bledsoe, Middleton will also be picking up much more offensive responsibility Saturday night with the Greak Freak sidelined. At a very affordable price it’s safe to say he will be high owned as well. He has a mediocre matchup with the Sixers. Luckily, they play at the fastest pace in the NBA so expect to tempo of the game to be pushed a little faster. This could benefit Middleton greatly.
Wayne Ellington ($4,400 FD/$4,900 DK) –
Ellington is dirt cheap and in a great matchup Saturday with the Charlotte Hornets, who defend shooting guards the worst in the league. He has been seeing great minutes, logging 30 or more in 9 of his last 10 games. He has also provided 20+ FanDuel points in three straight, showing a bit of consistency recently for such a low price tag. If Tyler Johnson remains out Ellington should see a slight increase in workload and opportunity. He seems worth the small risk.
SMALL FORWARDS:
Josh Richardson ($6,000 FD/ $6,000 DK) –
Richardson has been a great offensive presence for the Heat lately, especially with Tyler Johnson out, who may be sitting out Saturday night as well. Richardson has averaged 33.6 FanDuel points in the two matchups Tyler Johnson recently missed. His price tag hasn’t changed much, which is a good thing. The Hornets may make things a bit more hectic as they run at the 10th rank pace in the league while the Heat rank a mere 28th.
PJ Tucker ($4,100 FD/$3,700 DK) –
With Gerald Green and Trevor Ariza suspended last game, that left Tucker as a primary SF. Although he did not perform as expected, collecting 17.8 FDP, he was able to log 33 minutes. He should see this playing time once again Saturday night as Green and Ariza serve their final game of their suspensions. Tucker’s matchup with the Warriors is above average, so if he can get the appropriate minutes he will have plenty of opportunity to exceed value. He’s a bit risky, but also very cheap.
POWER FORWARDS:
Dario Saric ($5,500 FD/$6,200 DK) –
If you need a safe and cheap play, Saric is your guy. He has scored 20+ FanDuel points in eight straight contests, with three of those reaching the 40 point mark or more. He has been a great weapon for this developing Sixers offense. He matches up fair with the Milwaukee Bucks, who will be without Giannis. Saric is currently projected at 27 FanDuel points which would give him a value of nearly 5x. His consistency lately allows him to be a safer bet for your lineup as he also brings some upside.
Montrezl Harrell ($6,200 FD/$4,800 DK) –
Harrell is another cheap option with upside in this slate. His price is much more appealing on DraftKings as his price on FanDuel may be a bit intimidating. Harrell has been very beneficial off the bench for this Clippers squad, especially with DeAndre Jordan sidelined. In the last three games without Jordan, Harrell has averaged 31.8 FanDuel PPG along with 27.6 minutes per game. Jordan has already been officially ruled out Saturday night, giving Harrell the chance to keep this type of play up.
CENTERS:
Joel Embiid ($10,500 FD/$10,400 DK) –
The “process” might have to be trusted in this slate. Embiid is matched up great with the Bucks tonight as he has been on a tear lately. Embiid has three straight games with a double-double and is averaging nearly 2 blocks per game over his last five contests, helping his fantasy scores increase. He’s coming off a monstrous 26-16-6 performance against the Celtics, accumulating to 59.2 FanDuel points. He’s now rested for tonight’s game and appears to be a player to pay up for in this slate.
Hassan Whiteside ($8,700 FD/$7,600 DK) –
Whiteside’s numbers his past two games are impossible to ignore, as the center posted back to back 20 point double-double games. He also combined both games for a total of 10 blocks, making him average 5 each game. In this span, he averaged 55.7 FanDuel points. He has a bit of a tough matchup against the Hornets but at his price and recent production, it’s a little difficult to fade him just for his matchup. Although he is due for major regression, that due date might just not be yet.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/17/18
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/17/18
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
There are 10 games in the NBA on Wednesday, so there are a lot of options to wade through for your DFS entry. We took a look at some excellent options across the price scale in today’s article on Sports Illustrated. Now let’s dive even deeper into the schedule and see which cheap value plays can hopefully help you bring home some money.
POINT GUARDS
Ish Smith, DET at TOR
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,800
Smith continues to do an excellent job filling in for Reggie Jackson (ankle), averaging 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals in nine starts. He’s not a good three-point shooter, but he does only have six turnovers in his last seven games combined. With Jackson likely sidelined through the All-Star break, Smith’s playing time should be secure for the immediate future. At this reasonable price, he should be able to provide valuable production Wednesday.
Milos Teodosic, LAC vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,200
The Clippers continues to deal with injuries to their backcourt, leaving added minutes on the table for Teodosic. His numbers might not jump off the page, but he’s averaged a respectable 11.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 3.0 three-pointers in his last three games. Wednesday brings a favorable matchup against the Nuggets, who allow the third-most points per game to opposing point guards on both FanDuel and DraftKings. There is plenty of potential here to consider Teodosic for your entry.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,200
The Kings have changed up their starting lineup and deployed inconsistent rotations throughout the season, making many of their players a risky play in DFS. Bogdanovic has seen increased playing time lately, logging at least 30 minutes in five of his last six games. The good news is, the Kings recently announced they are going to start resting their veterans to open up minutes for their young players. That’s encouraging for Bogdanovic, who is averaging 14.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 three-pointers in the 11 games that he has played at least 30 minutes this season. With secure minutes likely on top again Wednesday, Bogdanovic could provide significant value.
Zach LaVine, CHI vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,100
If you’ve watched LaVine play in the last two games, it’s hard to believe he missed almost a year with a knee injury. He shot a combined 12-for-21 from the field and 5-for-8 from behind the arc in those two contests. He’s still on a minutes restriction and is not expected to play more than 20 minutes again in this game. However, he has shown he can score even in limited minutes and the Bulls are going to need plenty of offense to keep up with the Warriors. His price is especially cheap on FanDuel, but he is priced low enough of both sites Wednesday to warrant consideration.
SMALL FORWARDS
Josh Richardson, MIA at MIL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,200
The Heat have been decimated by injuries this season, the latest of which is Tyler Johnson (ankle) being listed as doubtful for Wednesday. Richardson has seen his playing time increase as a result, averaging 37 minutes in his last eight games. He’s made the most of the opportunity, averaging 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers over that same stretch. He could be one of the safest cheap options at small forward to provide value in this game.
Denzel Valentine, CHI vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600
The return of LaVine has moved Valentine to the bench, but he still managed to score 12 points to go along with seven rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes Monday against the Heat. His value will likely take a significant hit once LaVine’s minutes restriction is lifted, but you don’t have to worry about that Wednesday. This should be a high scoring game considering the Warriors play at the fourth-fastest pace (102.4 possessions per game) in the league, making Valentine someone to consider at this cheap price.
POWER FORWARDS
Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. DEN
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,500
DeAndre Jordan (ankle) will be out again Wednesday, opening up added minutes for Harrell. Harrell has played at least 21 minutes in both of the last two games with Jordan out, averaging 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. In the last six games that Harrell has played at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 16.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.0 block. His price is especially appealing on DraftKings with increased playing time likely coming again Wednesday.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,600
Mirotic’s name has been mentioned heavily in trade rumors coming out of Chicago, which is no surprise considering how well he has played this season. Not only has he provided a spark off the bench for the Bulls, but he showed his ability to perform when it matters the most by scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter Monday against the Heat. The Warriors play at a fast pace and use a lot of small lineups, which is perfect for Mirotic’s style of play. He already mentioned how excited he is to face them, so look for Mirotic come up big in this game.
CENTERS
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200
Valanciunas has excellent upside, which he has shown by scoring at least 15 points and grabbing at least 13 rebounds in three of his last six games. The problem is, he’s very inconsistent, scoring no more than eight points and grabbing five rebounds or fewer in two of the other three games. He just doesn’t get enough minutes many nights, but the good news is the Raptors may be forced to play him more than normal Wednesday against Andre Drummond. At this price, he might be worth the risk in tournament play.
Marcin Gortat, WAS at CHA
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,200
Gortat is similar to Valanciunas in that his inconsistent playing time makes him a risky play in DFS. He’s shown he can be productive when given the opportunity, averaging 12.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 blocks in 13 games where he has played at least 30 minutes this season. He played 37 minutes in his first meeting with the Hornets this year, finishing with eight points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. He should see added playing time again Wednesday while battling Dwight Howard, making him someone to consider for your entry.