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

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

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



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

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

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

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

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

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

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

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

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

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

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

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

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

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

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

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

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

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

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

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

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

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

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

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

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

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/21/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/21/17



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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kris Dunn, CHI at CLE
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,300

The Bulls are red hot right now, winning seven straight games. The return of Nikola Mirotic and the improved play of their bench as a unit is a big reason for their recent success, but Dunn has also been a huge factor. Over the seven-game winning streak, Dunn is averaging 16.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. The Bulls have moved to smaller lineups and are playing at a faster pace, which will only continue to help Dunn. He has great upside again Thursday.

Mario Chalmers, MEM at PHO
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,300

Chalmers was given the first crack at replacing Mike Conley (Achilles) at point guard, but struggled and was ultimately moved back to the bench. He’s been serviceable in that role lately, averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.8 three-pointers over his last four games. The key is he played at least 22 minutes in all four of those contests. The Suns allow the second-most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards, so Chalmers might be worth the risk based on his cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

DeMar DeRozan, TOR at PHI
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,800

DeRozan’s scoring is down almost three points per game this season, in large part because he is averaging almost four fewer shot attempts per game. He’s still been productive though with a 30% usage rate that puts him inside the top-15 in the league. He should get plenty of chances to score Thursday as the Sixers play at the third-fastest pace (103.3) in the league. While he’s one of the most expensive guards playing tonight, but he should be worth the price.

Justin Holiday, CHI at CLE
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,600

Holiday’s had a hard time contributing offensively of late, scoring eight points or less in four of his last six games. He’s averaging 12.5 shot attempts per game this season overall but has taken 10 shots or less in five of his last six games. That should come as little surprise with Nikola Mirotic back in the fold. All that being said, he can contribute with more than just scoring as he’s averaging 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 three-pointers per game this season. This could be a high-scoring affair between two teams that use small lineups, so Holiday has some upside.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE vs. CHI
FanDuel = $12,300
DraftKings = $11,900

James is the best option available at any position Thursday with so few games on the schedule. James continues to get a lot of playing time, averaging 37 minutes per game. While he’s one of the best players in the league on a team with talent, he still plays a ton because the Cavaliers struggles on defense tend to lead to close games. While the Bulls are playing well, they don’t have anyone capable of slowing down James. Pay up for him in this game and enjoy the ride.

Robert Covington, PHI vs. TOR
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,200

Covington is ice cold from the field right now, shooting only 26.7% from over his last three games. He can carry a team when his shot is falling but tends to go through cold streaks like this as well. Even with his struggles, he still provides value. He hit at least two three-pointers in all three of those games, helping him to build a nice scoring floor. He is also excellent defensively, averaging 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocks over those same three games. There aren’t a lot of great cheap options at small forward Thursday, so it’s not a bad idea to spend a little more money on Convington as his upside is high if he can correct his shooting woes.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Dario Saric, PHI vs. TOR
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,400

Joel Embiid (back) is not expected to play Thursday, which is good news for Saric’s value. In the last five games that Embiid has missed, Saric has averaged 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.2 three-pointers per game. Not only do the Sixers play at a fast pace, but the Raptors do as well as they play at the 10th-fastest pace (100.4) in the league. Saric should see increased usage and value with Embiid out again for this game.

Serge Ibaka, TOR at PHI
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,900

Ibaka missed a game Sunday with knee soreness, but that’s been his only bump in the road of late. The good news is he returned to play 27 minutes Wednesday against the Hornets. He was excellent yet again, scoring 24 points to go along with five rebounds, two blocks, and two three-pointers. He has scored at least 15 points, recorded at least one block and hit at least two three-pointers in each of his last eight games, giving him a nice base to work off of on a nightly basis. The price is right to take a chance on him continuing his recent run of success Thursday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kevin Love, CLE vs. CHI
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $8,300

The Cavaliers might be getting some scoring reinforcements with Isaiah Thomas (hip) reportedly set to return soon, but Love will continue to be James’ primary running mate at least until then. He’s been extremely efficient this season as he is shooting a career-high 47.4% from the field. His usage rate of 26.8% is also the highest it’s been since he joined the Cavaliers. The Bulls like to play small outside of Robin Lopez, which should only help Love. He will cost you a lot, but he should be productive again in this game.

Richaun Holmes, PHI vs. TOR
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,600

Like Saric, Holmes should also benefit from Ebiid sitting out Thursday. In the last five games with Embiid out, Holmes averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He doesn’t have nearly the upside that Saric does, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at a cheaper price. There aren’t many great cheap options at center Thursday, making Holmes someone worth considering for your entry.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/22/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/22/17

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kyle Lowry, TOR at NY
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $8,200

Lowry’s scoring is down significantly this season at only 14.6 points per game, However, most of that is due to a poor start as he has scored at least 17 points in six of his last seven games. Wednesday brings a rematch against the Knicks, a team that posted 22 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and five-three pointers against last week. That should come as no surprise as the Knicks struggle to defend opposing point guards, so roll with Lowry again in this game.

Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,000

Chalmers has played well as a member of the starting five for the Grizzlies, averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.3 steals in four starts this season. While his usage rate is about the same whether he starts or comes off the bench, he’s averaging seven more minutes per game as a starter, leading to the added value. The Mavericks are in the top-10 in terms of most fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards this season, making Chalmers an excellent value play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Bradley Beal, WAS at CHA
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $7,800

Beal has been an offensive force again this season, averaging 24.2 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game. Throw in averages of 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game and you get an excellent all-around option. His 28.8% usage rate is the highest on the team and puts him inside the top-20 in the NBA. The Hornets are allowing the fifth-most points per game (24.6) to opposing shooting guards this season, making Beal a strong option for your entry.

Troy Daniels, PHO vs. MIL
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,300

With so many elite players in action Wednesday, you want to try and find a couple of really cheap tournament plays to help with your budget. Daniels has surprisingly been a big part of the Suns’ offense of late, averaging 15.7 points and 4.3 three-pointers over his last three games. The Suns play at the second-fastest pace (106.6) in the NBA, so Daniels has opportunities to produce even in limited minutes. He won’t cost you much, so take a chance on him in tournament play if you need to save some money.

 

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Paul George, OKC vs. GS
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,500

This will be a fun game to see how the Thunder’s new “big 3” hold up against the loaded Warriors. While the Thunder are only 7-9 to start the season, George is still averaging 21.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 steals and 3.4 three-pointers per game. The Thunder have so little depth that even with two other superstars on the team, George can still put up lofty numbers. This has the potential to be a high-scoring contest Wednesday, resulting in George having significant value.

Denzel Valentine, CHI at UTA
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,800

The rebuilding Bulls brought Valentine off the bench to start this season, but have finally moved him to the starting small forward in place of Paul Zipser. Valentine appears to have grabbed hold of the position, averaging 14.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.0 three-pointers in his last three games. Without the injured Rudy Gobert anchoring their defense, the Jazz aren’t the same team defensively. Valentine has the potential to be one of the best value plays for the evening.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at CLE
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,400

Hollis-Jefferson is coming off one of his best games of the season when he scored 16 points to go along with 12 rebounds, five assists and one steal Sunday against the Warriors. The Cavaliers present a similar opponent in style of play as they too tend to use a lot of small lineups, which is ideal for Hollis-Jefferson. The Nets play at the fastest pace (107) in the NBA, leaving Hollis-Jefferson with plenty of opportunities to provide production. Get him in your lineup at this reasonable price.

Lauri Markkanen, CHI at UTA
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,600

The Bulls continue to struggle this season, but Markkanen has been one of the bright spots on their depleted roster. The rookie is averaging 15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.5 three-pointers in 31 minutes per game. The fight between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic opened up a starting spot for Markkanen and it appears he is now going to hold onto it for the rest of the season. As one of the few quality scoring options on the team, he should continue to see heavy minutes again Wednesday. Based on his production and role on the team, this is a very reasonable price for Markkanen on both sites.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Nikola Jokic, DEN at HOU
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,900

The Nuggets were dealt a significant blow Wednesday when it was announced Paul Millsap needs surgery on his injured wrist and will be out indefinitely. Millsap had the second-highest usage rate (23.7%) on the team, leaving a lot of opportunities for others to produce now that he is out. Jokic was already one of the focal points of the team as he had a 21.1% usage rate himself, but he could see increased production going forward. Both the Nuggets and Rockets and are in the top-12 in the NBA in terms of pace, so this could be a huge night for Jokic.

Thon Maker, MIL at PHO
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,300

The Bucks are going to be thin up front Wednesday as John Henson has already been ruled out for this game with an eye injury. That’s not good news because even though the Suns are horrible, they have a lot of size up front in Tyson Chandler, Alex Len, and Greg Monroe. Maker is only averaging 18 minutes per game this season but could see significantly more playing time in this contest. If you want to take a chance on a cheap center in tournament play, Maker could be in line for a decent performance.

 

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 6

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

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Point Guard

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 6

Week 6 brings a bit of a different schedule in the NBA as there is only one game Tuesday and no teams will play Thursday. There are still advantages to be gained over your opponent though by diving deeper into which teams play the most and fewest games. Here are the moves you want to consider for your team based on the schedule this week.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers

There are 11 teams that all play four games each this week, giving their players added value. Fantasy suds like Kyrie Irving, DeMarcus Cousins, and Kristaps Porzingis will be even more valuable with this advantage. If you aren’t lucky enough to have several players from these teams on your fantasy squad, consider adding the players below.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 6

Denzel Valentine, Chicago Bulls

Valentine has finally moved into the starting lineup for the Bulls after they had really struggled to find a viable starter at small forward. He played at least 32 minutes in both starts, averaging 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.5 three-pointers. Even though David Nwaba has a chance of returning from injury at some point this week, Valentine is still one of the better scoring options on the Bulls. He is still available in 71% of Yahoo! leagues and would be an especially good pickup if you need help with three-pointers.

Mario Chalmers, Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are down one of their best players as Mike Conley will be out for at least two weeks due to injury. His absence opens up an opportunity for Mario Chalmers to join the starting five. Chalmers has played well in three starts so far this season, averaging 7.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game. With two of his four games this week being matchups against bad teams in the Mavericks and Nets, Chalmers could be in for some big assists and steals totals. He is still available in 88% of Yahoo! leagues.

Jerami Grant, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have one of the best starting five in the league, but they also have one of the weakest second units. One of their best bench players is Grant, who is averaging 24 minutes per game as a result. While he hasn’t excelled in any particular area, he has been solid with averages of 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Grant has great matchups this week with three of his four games coming against the Warriors, Pistons and Mavericks, all teams that tend to use small lineups. If you need to bench a forward who is only playing two games this week, look for Grant on waivers as he is still available in 92% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers

With so many teams playing four games this week, the players on the three teams that only play two games take a major hit. Consider benching the below players who would normally be in your starting lineup.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 6
Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Lakers

Lopez is having a down year overall as he is averaging 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.5 three-pointers per game. Part of the problem is that he is averaging a career-low 24 minutes per contest. He always struggled to provide sufficient rebounding numbers out of the center spot, but his value takes a real hit if he’s not playing enough to provide added value from behind the arc. With only two games on the schedule this week, it’s best to put Lopez on your bench.

Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons

Jackson has been a steady source of production for fantasy owners as he is averaging 15.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 three-pointers per game. One of the main reasons for his improvement is that he is shooting 45.1% from the field after struggling to shoot only 41.9% last year. While he does have two decent matchups this week against the Cavaliers and Thunder, he doesn’t excel in any one area enough to keep him in your lineup. Valentine and Chalmers are both shaping up to be better options than Jackson this week.

Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets

Gordon is having one of the best starts to his career as he is averaging 20.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.5 three-pointers per game. One of the main reasons for his hot start is because he was starting in place of the injured Chris Paul. Paul has returned, pushing Gordon back to a bench role. In his last two games off the bench, Gordon is averaging 12.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per game. In his new role and only two games this week, it would be wise to put him on your bench.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/15/17

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/15/17

Use Code "LLNBA17" at checkout for 10% off Seasonal PackageUse Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 10% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. CLE
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,400

Walker posted his second double-double of the season Friday against the Boston Celtics and has at least 20 points, five rebounds, seven assists and one steal in both of his last two games. Not only does his 26.7% usage rate lead the Hornets, but it ranks Walker 33rd in the NBA. The Cavaliers have one of the worst defenses in the league and have struggled to guard point guards all season. Look for Walker to put up big numbers in this contest.

Frank Ntilikina, NY vs. UTA
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,900

Ntilikina doesn’t provide much offense as he has only scored at least 10 points in a game once this season. He provides tremendous value defensively though as he is averaging 2.0 steals in only 21 minutes per game. The Knicks have played him more of late as he has logged at least 23 minutes in each of the last five games. He finished with five assists in four of those five games, so he can provide value at this cheap price even if he isn’t providing much offense.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Tyreke Evans, MEM vs. IND
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,600

Evans has been one of the best players coming off the bench in the league as he is averaging 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.0 three-pointers per game. He has played even better lately as he is averaging 24.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.2 three-pointers over his last six games. The Pacers are allowing the seventh-most points per game (109.1) in the NBA, so Evans is primed for another big performance Wednesday.

Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,800

Clarkson scored a season-high 25 points in his last game Monday against the Phoenix Suns and has been a sparkplug off the bench for the Lakers by averaging 15.5 points per game on the season overall. While he is playing fewer minutes this year, he has become a much more efficient player as he is shooting 51.2% from the field and 40.0% from behind the arc, both career-highs. The Sixers are allowing the sixth-most points per game (109.5) in the league, so Clarkson could outproduce his price point Wednesday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. DET
FanDuel = $12,200
DraftKings = $11,300

Giannis is in the midst of an MVP-type season for the Bucks as he is tied for the fourth-best usage rate (33.6%) in the league. While he’s not a good three-point shooter, that still hasn’t stopped him from averaging 31.3 points per game. Throw in averages of 10.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.8 blocks per game and you get someone worthy of his lofty price Wednesday. He’s a slightly better value on FanDuel where he would cost 20.3% of your budget as opposed to a commitment of 22.6% of your budget on DraftKings.

Denzel Valentine, CHI at OKC
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bulls will be without Justin Holiday Wednesday after the birth of his child and it is expected that Kris Dunn will take his place in the starting lineup. While Dunn would be replacing him in the starting five, it likely will also lead to more minutes for Valentine. When the Bulls faced the Thunder earlier this season, Valentine scored eight points go to along with nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and two three-pointers in 31 minutes. He was only 3-for-12 from the field in that game, so he could have had a really big night if he wasn’t ice cold from the floor. At this price, Valentine could be a great value play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at MIN
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,200

If there has been one benefit to Kawhi Leonard having yet to play this season due to injury, it’s that Aldridge has been able to re-establish himself as an elite talent. He enters Wednesday averaging 22.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. This is a promising matchup against the Timberwolves as Aldridge scored 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks against them earlier this season. He is very reasonably priced on both sites based on his production potential.

Bobby Portis, CHI at OKC
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,300

Portis has come off suspension to thrive on a Bulls team with a serious lack of talent as he is averaging 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in three games this season. Playing time has not been an issue and he played a season-high 30 minutes in his last game Saturday against the Spurs. The Thunder are lacking size up front and will likely be without Steven Adams due to injury as well, meaning plenty of small lineups. Portis could also steal some minutes at the five from Robin Lopez as a result. Get him in your lineup.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. WAS
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,000

Whiteside is a nightly threat for a big double-double as he is averaging 15.9 points and 13.0 rebounds per game this season. He continues to be an excellent defender as well, averaging 1.9 blocks per contest. There are a lot of elite DFS options at the center position taking the floor Wednesday, but Whiteside may provide the most value based on his price on both sites. He won’t bust your budget while providing you with a high floor option.

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100

Dedmon is in the midst of his most productive stretch of the season as he is averaging 14.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks over his last five games. Given his first chance to play extended minutes in his career, Dedmon is currently averaging career-highs pretty much across the board. Wednesday brings a great matchup against the Kings as they are one of the worst teams at defending the center position in the league. If you need to save money at center, look no further than Dedmon.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4

One of the important aspects of playing in a head-to-head season-long NBA fantasy league is to know the ins and outs of the schedule. Unlike in rotisserie leagues, there may be times when it makes sense to bench one of your better players because they only play a limited amount of games. Let’s take a look at the Week 4 schedule and see what moves you should consider for your squad.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns

Only six teams play four games each this week, which is great news for owners who have Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker and Hassan Whiteside. Your elite players get an added edge this week. You will also want to consider adding the players below to help gain the edge over your opponent.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4
Mike James, Phoenix Suns

James has taken over the starting point guard position as the team looks to trade unhappy veteran Eric Bledsoe. He has been successful so far, averaging 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in seven starts. Although he is only shooting 37.3% from the field this season, those are significant counting stats for someone you can grab off waivers in 60% of Yahoo! leagues. Three of his four games this week come against poor defensive teams in the Nets, Magic and Timberwolves.

Tyler Johnson, Miami Heat

The Heat need Johnson to provide scoring off the bench and he has done just that this season, averaging 11.0 points and 1.2 three-pointers in 27 minutes per game. He has made at least three three-pointers in three of his last six games, so a four-game week with Johnson in your lineup could give you a big boost if you struggle in that category. Three of the four games the Heat play come against the Warriors, Suns and Pistons, three teams that tend to deploy small lineups. Still available in 65% of Yahoo! leagues, Johnson is someone you should consider adding if you need a guard.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are in full rebuild mode, leaving Bogdanovic to average a career-high 29 minutes per game this season. He has not disappointed as he is averaging 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 three-pointers per game. His performance has been even better of late as he has scored at least 15 points and hit at least two three-pointers in four of his last five games.  The Pacers get to face the Pelicans, Pistons, Bulls and Rockets this week, so Bogdanovic could be in for some big scoring numbers. He’s still available in 57% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers

With only four teams playing two games this week, it can be a crushing blow if you have players on these squads. While you may normally start the players below, consider putting them on your bench this week and using someone else with a more favorable schedule.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4

Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

The main reason you own Wiggins is for offense as he is averaging 19.9 points and 1.6 three-pointers per game. Outside of also averaging 4.6 rebounds per game, he doesn’t provide you with much else in terms of counting stats. With only two games this week, his ability to help your team offensively will be limited. One of those games comes against a bad Suns team, so there is concern he could see limited minutes in a blowout. Proceed with caution if you have Wiggins this week.

Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets

Lamb has been excellent while filling in for the injured Nicolas Batum, averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 three-pointers per game. He is also shooting a career high 48.5% from the field, so everything has come up roses for his owners so far. This might be the week to put him on your bench though as he is only playing two games, one of which comes against a Celtics team that is only allowing an NBA low 93.2 points per game.

Dwight Howard, Charlotte Hornets

Howard’s move to Charlotte has done wonders for his value as he is averaging 14.6 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. While he is playing 31 minutes a game, he’s not the defender that he once was as he is only averaging 1.3 blocks per game. His free-throw shooting also continues to be awful at 40.4%. Outside of his rebounding numbers, it’s going to be hard for him to provide enough value this week with only two games.