Tuesday brings an 11-game slate in the NBA that could be tricky to navigate. Several playoff teams will be resting their stars while a lot of bad teams will be sitting their veterans. Let’s dive into the matchups and highlight a couple of players at each position who stand out as viable targets.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/26/19
It’s going to be a quiet Tuesday in the NBA with only three games on the schedule. That doesn’t leave us with many viable cheap value play options, so we’ll have to move a little higher up on the price scale than normal to find some players with value..
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/14/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There isn’t much to get excited about in the NBA on Thursday with just three games on the schedule. That also makes for fewer cheap value plays than normal, so we’ll have to extend our price range a bit in an effort to come up with a winning entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Dennis Smith Jr., NY at ATL
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,500
Smith is shooting an unsightly 39.8 percent from the field across six games with the Knicks, but his 28.1 percent usage rate has still enabled him to average 16.7 points. With how gutted the Knicks roster is at this point, expect him to continue to receive all of the shots that he can handle. He hasn’t just been a scorer, either, with averages of 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals during that stretch. The Hawks play at the fastest pace (104.7 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Smith with another great opportunity to be productive.
Kadeem Allen, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,200
Smith’s backup has been Allen since Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) and Frank Ntilikina (groin) have been sidelined with injuries. Allen has certainly made the most of his opportunity, averaging 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and two steals across his last three games. If both Mudiay and Ntilikina are unable to play in this game, Allen could provide excellent value considering the Hawks’ up-tempo pace and defensive struggles.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,200
Ross threw up a dud of a performance Tuesday against the Pelicans, scoring just three points on 1-of-7 shooting. However, he only played 18 minutes due to the lopsided score, so it’s hard to be too worried about one bad performance. Before that, he had averaged 19.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across his previous nine games. Even though he doesn’t provide many defensive stats, his scoring prowess leaves him with upside at this price.
Deonte Burton, OKC at NO
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,600
The Thunder are going to be shorthanded again Thursday with Dennis Schroder (personal) and Jerami Grant (ankle) listed as out. That’s not good news for a team that doesn’t have a ton of depth, to begin with. With both players sidelined Monday against the Blazers, Burton played 26 minutes and scored 18 points to go along with three blocks. At near the minimum price on both sites, he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play since both of these teams are in the top-six in pace of play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. CHA
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,800
Isaac is rolling as we head into the break, averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks across his last 12 games. He’s a big part of the Magic’s future, so it’s no surprise that he averaged 29 minutes a game during that stretch. With his ability to contribute on the defensive end, he can provide a lot of value when he’s contributing as many points and rebounds as he has been lately, as well.
Kevin Knox, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,900
After playing at least 34 minutes in six straight games, Knox only spent 19 minutes on the floor Wednesday against the Sixers. The reason was not due to poor play, but due to foul trouble as he racked up five of them in his limited playing time. He’s one of the best offensive weapons the Knicks have left, so as long as he can stay on the floor Thursday, this is a great spot for him to provide a bounce-back performance against the Hawks.
POWER FORWARDS
John Collins, ATL vs. NY
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $7,700
Collins is certainly not cheap, but I’m not overly excited about the majority of cheap options at power forward. Therefore, it might be worth paying up to get him into your entry. He’s thrived in the Hawks style of play, averaging 19.9 points and 8.3 rebounds over his last 15 games. This is a great matchup for him against a Knicks team that allows the second-most rebounds per game (48.1) in the league.
Marvin Williams, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,600
Williams can be a bit of a volatile option. Case in point, he scored 27 points against the Hawks on Saturday, but that was sandwiched between two five-point performances. The good news is that he gets plenty of playing time and is averaging a career-high two three-pointers per game this season. He’s also a solid source for rebounds, making him one of the few cheaper players to consider at power forward.
CENTERS
Cody Zeller, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,800
Zeller was eased back into action after missing time with a hand injury, but he’s since returned to the starting five. Over four total games since his return from the sidelines, he’s been productive with averages of 10.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and two assists. Even though he has a tough defensive assignment trying to slow down Nikola Vucevic, Zeller still has plenty of appeal for this small slate.
Mitchell Robinson, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,100
With the Knicks being defeated handily by the Sixers on Wednesday, Robinson was able to log 28 minutes. He made his presence felt with 14 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and four blocks. That continued an excellent stretch for him that has seen him average 12.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks across his last five games. His role with the second unit is secure moving forward, making him a very intriguing option against the Hawks.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/25/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There are few days in the NBA season as exciting as the Christmas Day slate of games. The league uses this day to showcase some of their best teams, which also means a lot of the top players will be in action. That means plenty of elite options in DFS will be taking the floor. In order to fit some of those players into your entry, here are some cheaper value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Emmanuel Mudiay, NY vs. MIL
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,900
The Knicks have changed up their rotations throughout the season, which left Mudiay with little playing time at the start the year. However, he was inserted into the starting lineup in the middle of November and has yet to relinquish the role. He’s been especially hot of late, averaging 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 11 games in December. His price has increased significantly, but it’s still reasonable enough to warrant considering him for your entry.
T.J. McConnell, PHI at BOS
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,600
With the return of Markelle Fultz (shoulder) nowhere in site, McConnell will continue to be one of the main guards off of the bench for the Sixers. Don’t count on him to score much, but he’s provided respectable all-around contributions by averaging 8.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals across 10 games in December. At near the minimum price on both sites, his secure role off the bench gives him some appeal in tournament play.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. OKC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,800
Gordon is only averaging 15.3 points per game this season, which is his lowest mark since joining the Rockets. His usage rate of 22.5 percent is down over two percentage points from last season, but he has a great opportunity to be productive for at least the next couple of weeks with Chris Paul (hamstring) out. Across six games in which Paul has missed this season, Gordon has averaged 21.8 points and 4.3 three-pointers.
Marcus Smart, BOS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Smart has been an important part of the Celtics success in recent years, but he’s averaging a career-low 26 minutes per game this season. With the talent that they have across the board, his playing time is likely to remain limited. His scoring numbers have really suffered, but he’s remained DFS relevant with 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. With the Sixers playing at the eighth-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) in the league, Smart might even receive a few more opportunities to provide value Tuesday.
SMALL FORWARDS
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. POR
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,700
Ingles entered this season having made at least 44 percent of his three-point attempts in both of the last two seasons, but he’s only shooting 38.1 percent this year. Luckily, his usage rate has jumped to a career-high 17.9 percent, which has helped him to still average 12.1 points per game. He’s also chipped in 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals a game, leaving him with valuable all-around contributions.
Evan Turner, POR at UTA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000
Turner’s career hasn’t gone the way some had expected after he was selected with the second overall pick in the 2010 Draft. However, he’s become a critical member of the bench for a Blazers team that has had plenty of success during his tenure with the team. He doesn’t receive a ton of scoring opportunities, which has left him to average just eight points per game. However, he’s also averaging five rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest, his highest marks in both categories since joining the Blazers. Even with his limited offensive upside, the savings he could provide your budget combined with his production in other categories leaves him with some appeal in tournament play.
POWER FORWARDS
Kevin Knox, NY vs. MIL
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600
Mudiay isn’t the only Knick who has come alive of late. Knox, their promising first-round pick, has been on a scoring binge of late, averaging 20.3 points and three three-pointers across his last seven games. He’s also chipped in 6.6 rebounds per contest during that stretch, leaving him with plenty of upside despite his lack of assists or defensive stats. There is some concern that the Knicks could get down big against a far superior Bucks team, but with them looking to develop Knox, his playing time is fairly secure. Case in point, he’s logged at least 35 minutes in each of the last four games in which they have lost by at least 11 points.
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,900
After sitting out two games due to a knee injury, Morris returned to log 20 minutes Sunday against the Hornets. The Celtics didn’t need to play him much in a lopsided win, but he still scored 12 points to go along with eight rebounds. Despite the Celtics’ loaded depth chart, Morris is having one of the best seasons of his career by averaging 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 three-pointers. The Sixers are extremely thin at power forward after trading Dario Saric to the Timberwolves, leaving Morris with the potential to thrive in this contest.
CENTERS
Steven Adams, OKC at HOU
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,700
Russell Westbrook and Paul George are clearly the offensive leaders for the Thunder, but Adams is no slouch himself, averaging a career-high 16.1 points per game. He’s been a terror on the glass, as well, averaging 10 boards a night. The Thunder added Nerlens Noel to provide some depth behind him, but Adams is still logging 34 minutes a game. While he’s not an overly cheap option, Adams has a high floor considering his price tag.
Brook Lopez, MIL at NY
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,300
The Bucks are currently the second seed in the Eastern Conference, just one-and-a-half games behind the Raptors. It might not have been a flashy pickup, but the addition of Lopez over the summer is one of the key reasons for their hot start. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a monster, but he thrives in the paint. Having Lopez on the floor alongside him provides valuable spacing since opposing big men have to guard him on the perimeter. There aren’t a lot of great cheap center options Tuesday, but Lopez’s ability to hit three’s and block shots at least makes him someone to consider.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/16/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Friday brings eight games in the NBA, which is highlighted by a matchup between the Celtics and Raptors. With a lot of value play options to consider, let’s get right down to business and highlight some players with favorable 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
Shelvin Mack, MEM vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,200
Mack has bounced around a lot during his career, but he seems to have found a home with the Grizzlies. He’s done an outstanding job as part of their second unit, averaging 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. Not known for his scoring abilities, Mack has been pretty consistent with at least 12 points in six of his last eight contests. The Kings play at the second-fastest pace (106.8 possessions per game), which could leave Mack with a few more opportunities to provide value Friday.
Ryan Arcidiacono, CHI at MIL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,100
The Bulls really miss Kris Dunn (knee). They tried Cameron Payne as their starting point guard when Dunn originally went down, but that was largely a disaster. Arcidiacono showed a lot of hustle and the ability to play defense off the bench, which has now allowed him to overtake Payne at point guard. Across three games since taking over the starting role, Arcidiacono is averaging 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. His upside isn’t great, but the Bucks do play at the fifth-fastest pace (104.3), leaving Arcidiacono as an intriguing cheap option.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Rodney McGruder, MIA at IND
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800
The Heat were decimated by injuries to start the season, which opened up a starting job for McGruder that he has yet to relinquish. Things aren’t as bleak on the health front right now for the Heat, but McGruder is still averaging 12.3 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal over his last four contests. One of those was a matchup against these same Pacers when he finished with 11 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal. His ceiling might not be as high as it was earlier in the season, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored at this price.
Allonzo Trier, NY at NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,200
The Knicks continue to change up their rotations, but Trier has remained a member of their second unit for all but one game. His overall numbers don’t jump off the page, but he is averaging 13.7 points per game with a 21.4 percent usage rate across seven games in November. The Pelicans play at the fourth-fastest pace (105.1) and allow the fourth-most points per game (115.8), so don’t be surprised if Trier gets hot in this contest.
SMALL FORWARDS
E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,200
Playing with Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Nikola Mirotic, and Julius Randle doesn’t leave a lot of headlines left for Moore. However, his contributions shouldn’t go unnoticed, especially of late. With the Pelicans battling injuries, Moore has averaged 26 points and 2.7 three-pointers across his last three games. Elfrid Payton (ankle) is targeting a return for Friday, but the status of Nikola Mirotic (ankle) has yet to be decided. If either one of those players doesn’t take the floor, expect Moore to continue to receive added scoring opportunities.
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at WAS
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,000
Speaking of teams dealing with injuries, the Nets aren’t in great shape right now, either. Caris LeVert (foot) is out for the foreseeable future and Jarrett Allen (illness) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle) are both listed as questionable. The Nets don’t have a ton of depth up front, to begin with, so if either Allen or Hollis-Jefferson can’t play, Carroll will likely receive increased playing time. That brings him onto the radar in DFS against a Wizards team that plays at the sixth-fastest pace (103.4).
POWER FORWARDS
Derrick Favors, UTA at PHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500
Favors continues to do damage in limited playing time, averaging 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across just 23 minutes a game. This sets up to be a potential situation where he could dominate based on the Sixers lack of talent up front. The trade of Dario Saric to the Timberwolves has left them with a hole at power forward that they are filling with Wilson Chandler, who doesn’t really have the size to match up well with Favors. Favors likely won’t get extended playing time again Friday, but he could do plenty of damage when he’s on the floor.
Kevin Knox, NY at NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Knox has missed seven games due to injury, but he’s scored at least 10 points in five of the eight games in which he’s been able to take the floor. The Knicks gave him the first start of his career Wednesday against the Thunder, resulting in Knox scoring 15 points to go along with five rebounds and one steal. The key is that he played 29 minutes in that contest. If he starts again in this contest, he could be in for another productive night based on the pace at which the Pelicans play.
CENTERS
Enes Kanter, NY at NO
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,500
Kanter averaged 29 minutes a game as a starter to begin the year but is playing just 25 minutes a night since moving to the bench. The good news is that his usage rate has jumped up to 26.5 percent as a member of the second unit. He’s also continued to gobble up rebounds, enabling him to average 15.1 points and 12.1 rebounds in his new role. Although he doesn’t come at a significant discount, Kanter is still one of the better cheaper options on the board at center.
Mike Muscala, PHI vs. UTA
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,500
Without question, Muscala is someone to only consider in tournament play. His scoring upside is very limited, but the Sixers don’t have much of a choice but to play him after dealing away Saric and Robert Covington. Across the first two games since the trade, Muscala is averaging nine points and 6.5 rebounds while playing at least 26 minutes in both contests. Putting him into your entry would allow you to load up elsewhere with the savings, so if you don’t mind the risk, Muscala is worth considering.