The NBA starts off the week with seven games on the schedule Monday. There aren’t many great matchups, although the contest between the Clippers and Lakers has significant playoff implications. Luckily we can add a little juice to the evening by playing some DFS.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/27/19
Wednesday will be action-packed in the NBA with 11 games on the schedule. That leaves us with a ton of cheap value play options to wade through. Without further ado, here are a couple that stand out as great options at each position.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/22/19
Who’s ready for a busy nine-game Friday in the NBA? If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the options in DFS, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s highlight a couple of cheaper value plays worth targeting at each position.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/13/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
We have plenty of action in the NBA on Wednesday with 11 games on the schedule. That also means a lot of cheap value players to wade through. Le’ts highlight a couple at each position who stand out as having favorable matchups. 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
Landry Shamet, LAC vs. PHO
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000
Shamet hasn’t started in either of his first two games with the Clippers, but he’s certainly made an impact off of the bench by averaging 16 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals. The key is that he logged 27 and 33 minutes, respectively, in those contests. Considering the Suns allow the third-most points per game (115.8) in the league, Shamet stands out as a tournament play option with upside to target at point guard.
Kadeem Allen, NY vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100
With Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) and Frank Ntilikina (groin) out, there has still been significant playing time available for Allen despite the addition of Dennis Smith Jr. at the trade deadline. Allen has cashed in his minutes by averaging 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, six assists and 1.5 steals over his last two games. The Sixers play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) in the league, so Allen could provide value once again in this contest based on his increased role.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Dion Waiters, MIA at DAL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,300
After the Heat traded away Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington, Waiters has found his way into the starting five. The role has suited him so far with him averaging 15.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and four assists. He’s not just a token starter, either, since he logged at least 30 minutes in all three contests. He’s never one to shy away from taking shots, so he’s intriguing in DFS as long as he remains a starter.
Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,100
The key here will be if Kyrie Irving (knee) plays or not. He sat out Tuesday’s game against the Sixers and with the All-Star break approaching, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sits this one out. If he does, Brown should see an increase in scoring opportunities. Across the previous six games that Irving has missed, Brown has averaged 18.3 points, six rebounds and one steal. Even though his performance against the Sixers was underwhelming Tuesday, his track record indicates he could provide value.
SMALL FORWARDS
Mikal Bridges, PHO at LAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,800
The Suns will remain shorthanded with T.J. Warren (ankle) and De’Anthony Melton (ankle) still sidelined. Tyle Johnson (ankle) is also listed as questionable. Bridges has been thriving with added playing time, averaging 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.6 steals over his last seven games. The Clippers play at the ninth-fastest pace (102.2), leaving Bridges with the potential for another valuable stat line.
Joe Harris, BKN at CLE
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,600
The Nets remain in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference as they currently occupy the sixth seed. Harris is not a flashy name, but he’s been a key reason for their success. He’s a lethal three-point shooter, which has propelled him to averaging 16.8 points across his last six games. The Cavaliers allow the second-highest three-point shooting percentage (37 percent) in the league, so Harris has the potential to go off in this contest.
POWER FORWARDS
Dario Saric, MIN vs. HOU
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,600
Saric has finally overtaken Taj Gibson as the starter at power forward. Gibson was a favorite of former coach Tom Thibodeau’s, but Saric has a higher upside at this stage of his career. In a start Monday against the Clippers, Saric scored 19 points to go along with eight rebounds, two assists and two steals across 33 minutes. The previous game in which he logged at least 30 minutes, Saric scored 22 points and had seven rebounds and five assists. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of his new role by deploying him at this reasonable price.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,500
DeMarcus Cousins (rest) will not play in this game, which should make things easier for Aminu and the Blazers’ frontcourt. Aminu hasn’t provided eye-popping stats in three previous meetings against the Warriors this season, but he’s played well with averages of 9.3 points and 8.7 rebounds. It also helps his cause that the Warriors play at the 10th-fastest pace (101.8), so don’t be surprised if he at least approaches a double-double.
CENTERS
Mitchell Robinson, NY vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,100
DeAndre Jordan was averaging 31 minutes a game as a member of the Mavericks. He’s remained a starter for the Knicks, but he’s only averaging 27 minutes a night since joining the team. That’s partly because of the Knicks’ desire to develop Robinson. Robinson has certainly earned the right to stay in the rotation, averaging 9.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks across his last eight games. If this game gets out of hand, he could see even more minutes in garbage time.
Ivica Zubac, LAC vs. PHO
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000
Zubac has had mixed results in his first two games with the Clippers. He stormed out of the gate with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks Saturday against the Celtics. He followed that up with a dud against the Timberwolves on Monday in which he scored three points and grabbed just one rebound. The difference was he played 23 minutes against the Celtics and just 15 against the Timberwolves. Considering how cheap he is, it might be worth taking a chance on him receiving more minutes Wednesday, especially since the Suns allow the sixth-most Yahoo points per game (39.3) to opposing centers.
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 2/11/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Monday brings a busy night in the NBA with nine games on the schedule. Without further ado, let’s dive in and highlight a couple of cheap value plays at each position that stand out as having favorable matchups. 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
Collin Sexton, CLE vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,900
The Cavaliers have wasted no time getting Sexton involved in his rookie season, resulting in him averaging 30 minutes a game. Expect that number to be on the rise after the trade deadline saw them ship away Rodney Hood and Alec Burks. He’s averaging 23.3 points, four rebounds and 3.7 assists across his last three games and has an excellent opportunity to be productive again Monday versus a Knicks team that has their own depth chart problems at guard.
Patrick Beverley, LAC at MIN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,100
With Tobias Harris no longer in town, Beverley is lined up to remain in the starting five. It’s a role that has suited him since he’s averaged 11.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals across his last 12 games. With the Clippers playing at the ninth-fastest pace (102.3 possessions per game) in the league, don’t hesitate to add Beverley to your entry based on his reasonable price on both sites.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,200
Not only are the Cavaliers thin at guard without Hood and Burks, but they were also two of their better offensive players. That leaves Clarkson with even more scoring responsibilities. With averages of 19 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists across his last six games, Clarkson is an intriguing option despite his lack of defensive contributions.
Luke Kennard, DET vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $3,900
Things were looking up for Kennard when the Pistons traded away Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson. However, even without them on the roster, Kennard came off of the bench Friday against the Knicks. The good news is that he attempted 13 shots across 29 minutes. Unfortunately, he made just four of them. To complicate matters, the Pistons have now signed Wayne Ellington after he was bought out by the Suns. That’s not encouraging for Kennard’s long-term value. On the bright side, the Wizards play at the eighth-fastest pace (102.4) and Kennard should still see added playing time Monday. He’s someone to at least consider in tournament play, especially at his cheap price on DraftKings.
SMALL FORWARDS
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,800
The Pacers have picked themselves up after losing Victor Oladipo (knee) for the season, winning five straight games. Bogdanovic has been on fire during that stretch, averaging 24.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals. The key to his offensive explosion is that he averaged 16.8 shot attempts per game in those contests compared to 12.2 for the season, overall. As long as he’s putting up shots at this rate, he’s going to provide increased value.
Jabari Parker, WAS at DET
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,600
Talk about two contrasting prices. Parker isn’t all that cheap on DraftKings, but he’s close to the minimum price on FanDuel. He’s finally getting to play again after being traded away from the Bulls and has shown he can still be very productive. He could receive even more playing time Monday if Jeff Green (hip) is unable to take the floor. He’s a lock for me on FanDuel, but don’t shy away from him on DraftKings, either.
POWER FORWARDS
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at OKC
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400
Aminu has had plenty of success against the Thunder this season, averaging 10 points, 14 rebounds and three assists across their first two meetings. Things should be even easier for him in this game with Jerami Grant (ankle) already ruled out. That could leave him with a very favorable matchup against Patrick Patterson, who hasn’t been productive even in the few games in which he has seen added playing time this season.
Dario Saric, MIN vs. LAC
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,400
This game might favor Saric over Taj Gibson. The Clippers play at a fast pace and play small with Danilo Gallinari starting at power forward. Gibson is a good defender, but chasing Gallinari around the three-point arc is not exactly ideal for him. Saric has had a couple of strong stat lines of late, including a 22-point performance against a tough Grizzlies’ defense last week. Stay away from Saric in cash games, but he could be worth the risk in tournament play, especially at his price on FanDuel.
CENTERS
Dwight Powell, DAL at HOU
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,800
The addition of Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is huge for the Mavericks’ future, but the trade left them extremely thin up front for the rest of this season. The trade of Harrison Barnes to the Kings further complicated matters. Powell is now left as one of the key players to help hold down the fort. He’s managed to turn his increased playing time into averages of 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals and one block across his last five games. The Rockets don’t have much size up front, so this could be a matchup to take advantage of.
Ivica Zubac, LAC at MIN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,000
The Clippers clearly prefer to bring Montrezl Harrell off of the bench. Considering how well he’s playing, that’s not a bad thing. Zubac started in his first game since being acquired from the Lakers and scored 12 points to go along with nine rebounds and three blocks over 23 minutes. Harrell should continue to see the bulk of the playing time at center, but Zubac shouldn’t be overlooked at this cheap price.
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 2/7/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Thursday’s six-game slate in the NBA has a chance to turn on a dime with the trade deadline set for 3:00 PM EST. If there was ever a day to be glued to Twitter for news, this is it. As things currently stand, here are a couple of cheap value plays at each position that are worth considering for your 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
Jerryd Bayless, MIN at ORL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,800
It will be slim pickings at point guard again for the Timberwolves on Thursday with Derrick Rose (ankle) and Tyus Jones (ankle) out and Jeff Teague (foot) listed as doubtful. Bayless had a rough scoring night against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, scoring five points on just 2-for-10 shooting from the field. On the bright side, he did still dish out eight assists. This is a much easier matchup against the Magic and D.J. Augustin, so look for Bayless to have a nice bounce-back performance.
Patrick Beverley, LAC at IND
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,500
The Clippers shook things up this week by trading Tobias Harris to the Sixers. Even though they currently occupy the eighth seed in the Western Conference, they are trying to free up cap space and acquire draft picks to pursue elite players. With Harris no longer in the fold, Beverley should retain his starting job even when Danilo Gallinari (back) does return, which could be as early as this game. Across his last 10 starts, Beverley is averaging 11.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100
As odd as this sounds, the Magic could probably make a push for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference if they made a couple of moves. Their record sits at 22-32, but they are only four games out of the final spot. However, the more likely route they take is to trade away some players with the hopes of gaining draft picks. Ross could be on the trade block since he will be a free agent at the end of the season. If the Magic don’t move him, he’s certainly someone to consider for your lineup based on his averages of 17.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists across his last 15 games.
Justin Holiday, MEM at OKC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200
The Grizzlies could be one of the busiest teams at the deadline. They are reportedly looking to move Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Gasol already won’t play in this game and the Grizzlies are also dealing with several other injuries. The ones that impact Holiday the most are Garrett Temple (shoulder) and Kyle Anderson (shoulder). If both players can’t take the floor, Holiday should receive plenty of playing time. They have actually both missed each of the previous three games, which allowed Holiday to average 17 points, six rebounds and one steal during that stretch.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400
One player who it would be shocking to see moved Thursday is Isaac. He’s one of the building blocks for the Magic after being selected sixth overall in the 2017 Draft. That security alone helps his stock in DFS. Add in the fact that he’s averaging 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks across his last eight games and he’s an even more appealing option to consider.
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,600
Bogdanovic has stepped up offensively with Victor Oladipo (knee) out, averaging 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, three assists across his last four games. He’s averaging 12 field goal attempts per game for the season, but he averaged 16.5 attempts per contest during that four-game stretch. The Clippers play at the ninth-fastest pace (102 possessions per game) in the league, so Bogdanovic could be in line for another significant offensive performance in this matchup.
POWER FORWARDS
Ivan Rabb, MEM at OKC
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,100
With Gasol already ruled out, Rabb should see an increase in playing time. The Grizzlies could really have to lean heavily on him if JaMychal Green (knee) and Joakim Noah (heel) are both forced to miss their second straight game. With all three players out Tuesday against the Timberwolves, Rabb scored 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds, two steals and a block across 33 minutes.
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,500
Morris (knee) is expected to return for this matchup with the Lakers after sitting out Tuesday against the Cavaliers. This is certainly a spot where he could shine considering the Lakers play at the fourth-fastest pace (103.7). Morris is also averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and two assists across his last four games. The only real concern here is if the Lakers pull off a blockbuster move, their roster could be left in shambles while they wait for their new players to join the team. That could lead to a blowout, which might limit Morris’ playing time. If the Lakers remain largely in tack, Morris is a strong option to consider.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,500
If you’re playing on FanDuel, the cheap center options are not very appealing for this slate. With that being said, I’ll have to go a little higher up on the price scale to find an appealing option. Turner stands out as having a great matchup against the Clippers, who allow the second-most DraftKings points per game and the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. Turner has also stepped up since Oladipo went down, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks over his last seven games.
JaVale McGee, LAL at BOS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,500
Of all the names bantered around in trade rumors for the Lakers, you don’t hear McGee come up that often. The more appealing option for teams is the younger Ivica Zubac. If Zubac gets traded, McGee would be in line for a significant increase in playing time. Even if he doesn’t, McGee might be worth considering in tournament play against a banged up Celtics’ frontcourt that will be without Aron Baynes (foot) and could also be missing Robert Williams (back), who is listed as questionable.
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 2/5/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Tuesday’s eight-game schedule in the NBA brings plenty of cheaper value play options, especially with teams like the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Clippers and Celtics all battling injuries. Let’s highlight a couple of players at each position who stand out as having favorable matchups. 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
Jerryd Bayless, MIN at MEM
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,400
Well, Derrick Rose’s (ankle) return from injury was certainly brief. He played 20 minutes against the Nuggets on Saturday but has already been ruled out for this game against the Grizzlies. Tyus Jones (ankle) is out, as well, and Jeff Teague (foot) is listed as doubtful, so expect Bayless to once again receive all of the playing time that he can handle. He’s cashed in his added minutes lately, averaging 15.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, eight assists and one steal across his last six games.
Patrick Beverley, LAC at CHA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200
The Clippers will once again be without the services of Danilo Gallinari (back), although it appears his return is on the horizon. Beverley has played well filling in for him in the starting five, averaging 11 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals across his last nine games. With the Clippers playing at the ninth-fastest pace (102.1 possessions per game) in the league, the added playing time should once again leave Beverley with value.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Dennis Schroder, OKC vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,800
The Thunder still don’t have a very deep roster, but the addition of Schroder over the summer has been huge for them. A fixture of the Hawks starting five the last two seasons, Schroder is averaging 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game despite coming off of the bench for the majority of this year. The key is that he’s still averaging 29 minutes a game to go along with the third-highest usage rate (25.1 percent) on the team. Schroder had plenty of success when these two teams squared off last week, scoring 21 points to go along with three rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes.
Jaylen Brown, BOS at CLE
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,900
The first name that likely comes to mind whenever Kyrie Irving (hip) is out is Terry Rozier. He’s certainly a great option since Irving won’t play in this game, but he’s not overly cheap. Brown, on the other hand, has a juicy price tag on both sites. Across the last five games that Irving has missed, Brown has averaged 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and one steal. That included a matchup with these same Cavaliers when he scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds in 25 minutes. He stands out as one of the best value plays of the night.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jonathan Isaac, ORL at OKC
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,300
Isaac is finally starting to show signs of why the Magic think so highly of him. He’s seen a slight increase in playing time lately, which has helped him average 10.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks across his last seven games. The Magic don’t play at a fast pace, but they’ll need to speed things up Tuesday to keep up with the Thunder, who play at the third-fastest pace (103.9). The last time these two teams met, Isaac had a nice all-around line with 11 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block.
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,100
Batum has been more involved offensively, of late, which helped him average 12.5 points across his last eight games. The increase in scoring leaves him with upside considering he also averaged 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and one block during that stretch. His value could be impacted significantly if the Hornets make any moves leading up to the trade deadline, but for Tuesday, he’s at least someone to consider in DFS.
POWER FORWARDS
Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. BOS
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,800
The Cavaliers won’t have much depth up front for this game with Kevin Love (toe), Tristan Thompson (foot) and Cedi Osman (ankle) all out. They also suffered a blow to their offense when Rodney Hood was traded to the Blazers over the weekend. With so little talent around him, Nance, who is coming off of consecutive double-doubles, has a chance to shine despite this being a tough matchup against the Celtics.
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900
Williams hasn’t been shy about shooting from behind the arc, which has resulted in him averaging a career-high 5.2 three-point attempts per game. He’s made an average of two of them per contest, which has provided a significant boost to his offensive upside. He’s no slouch in the rebounding department, either, with 5.5 boards a night. The first time these two teams met, Williams scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him provide similar production in their rematch.
CENTERS
Ivica Zubac, LAL at IND
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600
Zubac (finger) is listed as probable for this game with the only caveat being his name has been mentioned in trade rumors. With how aggressive the Lakers plan to be on that front, it will be important to monitor for news throughout the day. If no deal is made and Zubac does play Tuesday, he does make for an intriguing option. His price has actually come down a bit lately, but he was still just one rebound shy of a double-double in his last game Saturday against the Warriors.
Boban Marjanovic, LAC at CHA
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,500
After spending a lot of time riding the pine, Marjanovic has reappeared for the Clippers. He’s taken the floor in each of their last three games and averaged 10.3 points, eight rebounds and one steal across 16 minutes per contest. We’ve seen this before, so there’s a chance he might not even play Tuesday. However, with how quickly he can fill up the stat sheet, he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.
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 ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/31/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
As far as Thursday’s go, we have a fairly busy slate in the NBA tonight with six games. There aren’t as many great cheap value plays as we’ve seen the last couple of days, but there are still a couple that stand out at each position that could prove to be profitable. 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
Patrick Beverley, LAC vs. LAL
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,300
Beverley is set to start again Thursday with Danilo Gallinari (back) ruled out. Across the first six games that Gallinari has missed, Beverly has averaged 11 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 steals. He’s only averaging 26 minutes per game for the season, but he averaged 37 minutes a contest during that six-game stretch. Since both of these teams are in the top-eight in the league in pace of play, the added playing time could really benefit Beverley once again.
Shabazz Napier, BKN at SA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,300
How lucky are the Nets that they have Napier? They were already shorthanded with Caris LeVert (foot) and Allen Crabbe (knee) out and have now lost Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb). Napier has stepped up in their absences, averaging 20.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals over his last three games. He has a secure role moving forward, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry despite his climbing price tag.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Avery Bradley, LAC vs. LAL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,700
Bradley isn’t a lock to play Thursday since he is listed as questionable with knee soreness. He’s had a little extra time to rest considering the Clippers haven’t played since Monday, so hopefully, he can take the floor. If he does, he makes a lot of sense at this price based on the uptempo pace at which this game will likely be played. He’s also played well without Gallinari, averaging 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and three assists across his last six games.
Aaron Holiday, IND at ORL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,900
Not only is Victor Oladipo (knee) gone for the season, but Tyreke Evans has missed the last two games with a back injury. If he can’t play again Thursday, Holiday should receive a boost in playing time. His numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, but Holiday has averaged 11.7 points, four rebounds and 2.6 assists over seven games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes. Considering how cheap he is on both sites, Holiday might be worth a look in tournament play.
SMALL FORWARDS
J.J. Redick, PHI at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,500
This should be a fun, high-scoring game. Both teams come into this matchup mostly healthy, so we’ll see if the Sixers’ star trio can hang with the fearsome fivesome that the Warriors have put together. Redick might not be on the same level as Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be productive in this contest. He’s averaging a career-high 18.4 points per game this year and should continue to receive more open looks with opposing defenses having to focus their efforts on the other stars for the Sixers.
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,400
For the most part, Isaac has been a disappointment this year with averages of 8.1 points, five rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. However, he still has a secure role with the team and has actually averaged 29 minutes across his last six games. He’s even stepped things up as a passer, averaging two assists per contest during his last six games. His overall numbers don’t leave him with a very high ceiling, but his contributions across the board could leave him with some value at this price.
POWER FORWARDS
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. MIL
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,200
Despite Siakam not being overly cheap, he still has the potential to provide plenty of value. Across three previous games against the Bucks this year, he’s averaged 23 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and two blocks. That’s not all that surprising since the Bucks play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.1 possessions per game) in the league and don’t possess a ton of size up front. Don’t expect them to be able to slow him down in this game, either.
Ed Davis, BKN at SA
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100
The rebounding machine that is Ed Davis is in prime form right now with an average of 10.7 boards across his last six games. That’s especially impressive considering he’s only averaged 22 minutes a game during that stretch. Even though his scoring upside isn’t great, his ability to crash the offensive glass enabled him to average 7.5 points in those six contests. If he can approach a double-double again Thursday, that could be excellent value considering how his cheap price tag can help free up the rest of your budget. Of note, Davis is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel since he is listed at center on DraftKings.
CENTERS
Ivica Zubac, LAL at LAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,100
Just when we thought Zubac was on a roll, he ran into Joel Embiid and the Sixers on Tuesday. Even though Zubac started once again, he scored only seven points and grabbed two rebounds in 17 minutes. However, this is a favorable spot for him to bounce back considering the Clippers allow the most DraftKings points per game and the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers.
JaVale McGee, LAL at LAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,500
While Zubac struggled against the Sixers, McGee shined with 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in 27 minutes. Don’t count on him to replicate that type of stat line Thursday, but he had averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across his previous six games despite losing his starting job. With how poorly the Clippers have defended against centers, rostering McGee could be a risk worth taking in tournament play.
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 ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/28/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Monday doesn’t bring a ton of action in the NBA with only five games on the schedule. However, with so many teams dealing with injuries, there are actually a lot of cheaper value plays worth considering. Here are a couple at each position who could provide value. 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
Shabazz Napier, BKN at BOS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,600
The Nets are in a tough spot with Caris LeVert (foot) and Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb) on the shelf. To make matters worse, Joe Harris (hip) is listed as questionable for Monday. They don’t have much of a choice but to give Napier more playing time. He logged 28 minutes against the Knicks on Friday and he finished with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. His final line could have been even better if he wasn’t just 3-for-13 from the field. This isn’t a great matchup against a good Celtics’ defense, but Napier’s increased role warrants adding him to your lineup.
Trey Burke, NY at CHA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,200
The Knicks are dealing with their own injury issues. Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) is already hurt and now Frank Ntilikina (groin) went down Sunday. With such a quick turnaround, don’t expect him to play in this contest. Burke is one of the few healthy point guards they have left, so expect him to receive more playing time in this matchup. He’s already scored at least 16 points in both games since Mudiay went down, so he could provide value at his cheap price on both sites.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Allonzo Trier, NY at CHA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,300
Recommending players on the Knicks can be tricky. They change their rotations so often that it’s hard to get a gauge on what they are going to do on a nightly basis. However, the injuries to Mudiay and Ntilikina help to provide a bit of stability because, frankly, they are running out of options. Trier has shown he can be productive when given added playing time by averaging 14.3 points, four rebounds and 2.3 assists across 23 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes.
Avery Bradley, LAC vs. ATL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700
The Clippers will likely be shorthanded again Monday with the expectation that Danilo Gallinari (back) will remain on the sidelines. That’s good news for Bradley, who has averaged 13 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.8 steals across the first five games that Gallinari missed. His upside might not be off the charts, but he’s priced really cheap on both sites and has a great matchup against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (105.2 possessions per game) in the league.
SMALL FORWARDS
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,600
The Pacers are a good defensive team, but this game could get ugly against the Warriors. The loss of Victor Oladipo (knee) puts them in a huge hole offensively, especially since they are already averaging just 108.9 points per game. To put that into perspective, the Warriors are averaging 118.8 points per contest. Bogdanovic is going to need to fire away to keep this game close and should get plenty of opportunities to do so. He already scored 21 points against the Grizzlies on Saturday and averaged 19.4 points per game earlier this season when Oladipo missed 11 straight games.
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,900
Batum is having an off year with averages of 9.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He’s shooting 46.4 percent from the field, but it’s not easy to provide a lot of offense when you have a 13.2 percent usage rate. On a positive note, Batum is averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds and 3.3 assists over his last four games. That’s even more impressive when you consider two of those games came against tough defensive teams in the Pacers and Grizzlies. He likely won’t be met with the same resistance Monday since the Knicks allow the fourth-most points per game (115.3) in the league.
POWER FORWARDS
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300
The Knicks have started to use Lance Thomas at power forward, so their shift to a small lineup could prove beneficial for Williams. Williams has really improved from behind the arc during his tenure in the league and is averaging a career-high two three-pointers per contest this season. He’s also had some access in two previous matchups against the Knicks with averages of 16.5 points, five rebound and one steal.
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900
Morris’ shot was off again Saturday as he hit just three of his 12 attempts against the Warriors. That performance has left him 26-for-77 (33.8 percent) from the field across his last seven games. The good news is that he’s still getting plenty of shot attempts and averaged 6.1 rebounds per game during that stretch. If he can correct his shot Monday, he could prove to be valuable. Avoid him in cash games, but deploying him in tournament play might not be a crazy idea.
CENTERS
Mitchell Robinson, NY at CHA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,100
Enes Kanter’s days with the Knicks appear to be numbered. He hasn’t played in any of their last three games and he hasn’t been shy about voicing his displeasure with that. Since Luke Kornet (ankle) is out, that has left a more secure role off the bench for Robinson. Even though he still isn’t playing a ton of minutes, he’s managed to average eight points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.8 blocks across his last four games. This is a great opportunity to roster him against the Hornets, who allow the sixth-most DraftKings points per game and the 10th-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers.
Mason Plumlee, DEN at MEM
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,900
Whether he starts or comes off of the bench, Plumlee is not someone to ignore in DFS. After scoring 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and one steal in a spot start for Nikola Jokic on Friday against the Suns, he followed that up with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block coming off of the bench Saturday against the Sixers. This game has some blowout potential, which could lead to more minutes for Plumlee. At an even cheaper price than Robinson, he is also someone to consider at center.
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 ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Tuesday brings just four games in the NBA, which doesn’t leave us with a ton of cheap value play options. However, some key injuries do help create a few more viable choices. Let’s highlight a couple of players at each position that might be worth considering for your lineup. 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
Patrick Beverley, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,800
The Clippers are going to be shorthanded Tuesday with Danilo Gallinari (back) out and Lou Williams (hamstring) not expected to play. Beverley started with both players out Sunday against the Spurs and cashed in his opportunity with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block. It will be hard for him to duplicate such lofty numbers, but this matchup is favorable with both the Clippers and the Mavericks in the top half of the league in pace of play.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600
While Beverly shined Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander laid an egg. He played 38 minutes but finished with just seven points, four rebounds, and three assists. The problem was he shot just 3-for-15 from the field. That was certainly an anomaly for him considering he’s shooting 46.8 percent from the field for the season, overall. Don’t let one bad performance scare you away, this is still a great spot to deploy Gilgeous-Alexander.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Danny Green, TOR vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800
Green exploded with Kawhi Leonard (rest) out Saturday against the Grizzlies, scoring 24 points in just 23 minutes. He made a staggering eight three-pointers against one of the better defensive teams in the league, making the performance even more impressive. The expected return of Leonard will somewhat limit Green’s upside Tuesday, but he’s still someone to consider since he’s averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals across his last seven games.
Avery Bradley, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,000
Bradley has been almost non-existent offensively this year, averaging only 7.7 points in 29 minutes per game. His usage rate sits at 14.4 percent and he’s shooting only 37.9 percent from the field, which isn’t exactly a recipe for success. However, he logged a whopping 41 minutes with Gallinari and Williams out Sunday and finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. If he can receive similar playing time in this matchup, he might actually be able to provide value based on his dirt cheap price on both sites.
SMALL FORWARDS
T.J. Warren, PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,700
Despite Warren’s slight scoring average decline this season, he remains a crucial part of the Suns’ offense with his 23.1 percent usage rate. They could rely on him even more so Tuesday with Deandre Ayton (ankle) expected to miss his second straight game. Warren scored 21 points against these same Timberwolves with Ayton out Sunday while also chipping in four rebounds and two steals. His contributions will likely mostly be limited to the scoring column, but he’s still someone to consider during this limited slate.
Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,600
Oubre got off to a bit of a slow start after joining the Suns, but he’s rolling right now with averages of 20.3 points, six rebounds, and 1.6 steals over his last seven games. He started to see increased playing time when Devin Booker missed a few games due to injury and hasn’t relinquished his expanded role even with Booker back on the floor. If you’re deciding between Oubre and Warren, Oubre might actually be the better play since he’s a little cheaper and playing so well right now.
POWER FORWARDS
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at OKC
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,100
Aminu sometimes gets lost behind Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and Jusuf Nurkic. He’s not nearly the same offensive threat that those three are, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored in DFS. He’s a nightly double-double threat with averages of 9.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and he has a high minutes floor with an average of 30 minutes per contest. The last time these two teams met, Aminu thrived with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Dragan Bender, PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,000
With Ayton and Richaun Holmes (foot) out Sunday, Bender found his way into the starting five for the Suns. It was certainly a desperation move, but it almost paid off with the Suns losing by two points in the final seconds. Bender did his part, scoring 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes. If both Ayton and Holmes miss this contest Tuesday, Bender is going to be a very popular pick at this cheap price.
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, DAL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,400
This stands out as a prime opportunity to deploy Jordan since the Clippers allow the most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. In his first two matchups against his former squad, Jordan averaged 13.5 points and 22.5 rebounds. Don’t expect them to be able to slow him down on the boards Tuesday.
Greg Monroe, TOR vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,400
If you’re playing on FanDuel, it’s slim pickings in terms of cheap centers with upside. If you’re looking for a dart throw in tournament play, Monroe might be your guy. The Kings have a lot of depth up front, so Monroe could be asked to log a few extra minutes. This game also has significant blowout potential with the Raptors favored by 11 points, so Monroe could even grab a few extra minutes in garbage time. Across four games in which Monroe has logged at least 20 minutes this season, he’s averaged 11.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. It’s not crazy to think he could at least approach that minute’s threshold in this contest.
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 ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.