There are a lot of cheap value play options to consider across the NBA on Monday. There are nine games on the schedule and injuries and suspensions will have significant impacts on the slate.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 3/4/19
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 2/28/19
Thursday’s are usually pretty quiet in the NBA, but tonight brings some added action with six games on the schedule. Let’s highlight a couple of cheaper value play options at each position who could be in for a productive evening.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/25/19
The NBA starts off the final week of February with 11 games on the schedule Monday. That leaves us with plenty of cheaper value play options to wade through in DFS. We’ll make that task a little easier for you by highlighting a couple of players at each position with particularly appealing matchups.
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 1/30/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Wednesday brings eight games to the table in the NBA. There aren’t many exciting matchups, so this is a perfect time to add some juice to the night by playing DFS. Let’s highlight a couple of cheaper options at each position that stand out as having favorable opportunities to 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
Jerryd Bayless, MIN vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,000
Things are already looking bleak at point guard for the Timberwolves for this contest. Jeff Teague (foot) and Tyus Jones (ankle) have been ruled out while Derrick Rose (ankle) is listed as questionable. Bayless has been forced into a more prominent role due to all of their injuries and has played well with averages of 15 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and one steal across his last four games. The Grizzlies are a tough defensive team, but if Rose is unable to play again, Bayless should receive enough playing time to still provide value.
Tim Frazier, NO vs. DEN
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,200
Elfrid Payton (ankle) was a late scratch for Tuesday’s game against the Rockets, which left Frank Jackson to start. Even though Frazier came off of the bench, he still logged 23 minutes and finished with 10 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and a steal. Across 19 games in which Frazier has played at least 20 minutes, he’s provided respectable averages of 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 0.9 steals, so he could be someone to take a chance on in tournament play if Payton can’t play again.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. CHA
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,700
The Celtics will likely be without their top offensive weapon Wednesday since Kyrie Irving (hip) is expected to miss his second straight game. Terry Rozier is usually the first name that comes to mind as someone to roster when Irving is out, but don’t sleep on Brown. He played 32 minutes Monday and finished with 21 points, six rebounds and two assists. In the previous game that Irving missed against the Cavaliers, Brown scored 23 points to go along with six rebounds and a steal.
Wayne Ellington, MIA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,500
The Heat are already playing without Goran Dragic (knee) and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) and could also be missing Tyler Johnson (calf) and Dwyane Wade (knee), who are both listed as questionable for Wednesday. Ellington started with Johnson out Sunday against the Knicks and scored 19 points across 31 minutes. His contributions outside of the scoring column will likely continue to be limited, but he could be someone to take a risk on if he gets another start considering how poorly the Bulls have played defensively.
SMALL FORWARDS
Darius Miller, NO vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,800
With all of the injuries that the Pelicans are dealing with, Miller received another start Tuesday. He played a whopping 40 minutes, which helped him to record 14 points, one rebound, four assists and three steals. He generally makes the most of added playing time, averaging 10.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.9 steals across 12 games in which he has logged at least 30 minutes. If Julius Randle (ankle) is out again, Miller is someone to target.
Jabari Parker, CHI at MIA
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100
Just when we thought Parker was in fantasy wasteland, he explodes for 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks against the Nets on Tuesday. The key was that he played 23 minutes, which was just the second time he has logged at least 20 minutes in a game since the beginning of December. It’s hard to count on him to receive added playing time again, but he has the offensive skillset to put up lines like this if given extended run. Considering how cheap he is on both sites, rostering him might be a risk worth taking.
POWER FORWARDS
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300
Morris provided a well-rounded performance against the Nets on Monday, scoring 15 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks over 31 minutes. He attempted 13 shots and should continue to be relied upon offensively with Irving set to miss Wednesday’s game. He’s been in a bit of a shooting slump lately, but his role in the offense leaves him with enough upside to warrant consideration.
Derrick Favors, UTA at POR
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300
Despite averaging just 23 minutes a game, Favors has been able to average 11 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest. He’s shooting a career-high 57.1 percent from the field, which has really helped to offset his lack of playing time. After averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks across three previous games against the Blazers this year, Favors also has some appeal at his reasonable price on both sites.
CENTERS
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at SAC
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600
The Hawks have to be thrilled with how well Dedmon is playing leading up to the trade deadline. Since they are in the early stages of their rebuilding process, he figures to be one of the players that they try to move. He’s averaging 15.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, two assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over his last four games and should continue to start moving forward. There could be even more opportunities for him to be productive Wednesday since the Hawks and the Kings are the top-two teams in the league in pace of play.
Mitchell Robinson, NY vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,000
The Knicks seem to be making it clear that Enes Kanter isn’t going to play anymore. Luke Kornet (ankle) is still on the shelf, so Robinson is going to have a secure role with their second unit. Over the last four games without both players, Robinson has averaged 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and three blocks. Expect his scoring upside to remain limited, but his defensive abilities make him an intriguing tournament option.
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 1/15/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Tuesday brings another limited slate with just six games in the NBA. There aren’t as many viable cheap value play options as there were Monday, but let’s highlight some that still stand out at each position. 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
De’Anthony Melton, PHO at IND
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600
Devin Booker (back) is expected to return for this contest, so Melton isn’t nearly as appealing as he has been lately with Booker on the sidelines. His price has also increased as a result of his recent run of success. However, that doesn’t mean you should just ignore him in Booker’s return. Melton has been starting even when Booker has played and he has a fairly secure role given the Suns lack of depth at point guard. He won’t score much, but his defensive contributions still make him someone to consider. If this game becomes a blowout against a far superior Pacers team, he could also see added minutes in garbage time.
T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,700
I have a hard time keeping McConnell off this list most nights, let alone a night like Tuesday with so few options on the board. He’s a big part of the Sixers’ second unit and has provided valuable all-around contributions with averages of 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals across his last 20 games. His playing time is secure and he is especially appealing considering his price on DraftKings.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Dennis Schroder, OKC at ATL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,400
This has the potential to be one of the higher scoring games of the night with both the Thunder and the Hawks inside the top-four in the league in pace of play. The first time Schroder faced his former squad this season, he scored 18 points to go along with three rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in Oklahoma City. This will be his first time playing in Atlanta with the Thunder. His production has been a bit up and down of late, but this is a prime spot for him to be productive.
Dwyane Wade, MIA at MIL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,900
Wade’s return to Miami last year didn’t provide much of a boost to his fantasy value considering he was averaging just 22 minutes per game. However, with Goran Dragic (knee) out, the Heat have needed Wade to help facilitate the offense for their second unit. He’s averaging 25 minutes per game for the season, overall, and is playing well right now by averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 0.9 steals over his last 10 contests.
SMALL FORWARDS
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,500
Outside of Victor Oladipo, the Pacers don’t have many sexy names on their roster. However, they do have a lot of very good players that leave them with excellent depth. One of those players is Bogdanovic, who is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game. His usage rate isn’t exceptionally high at 20.2 percent, but he’s been very efficient by shooting 50 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from behind the arc. The Suns are tied for the fifth-most points allowed per game (114.3) in the league, setting up Bogdanovic with significant scoring upside in this contest.
Chandler Hutchison, CHI at LAL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,600
When the Bulls traded Justin Holiday to the Grizzlies, it created a significant void at small forward since Holiday was averaging 35 minutes per game. Hutchinson has stepped into Holiday’s starting spot and averaged 26.4 minutes across his last five games. The added playing time is important for Hutchison since his usage rate is a measly 12.5 percent. If you’re looking for a high-upside play, Hutchison is not your guy. However, if you want to load up on stars and roll with someone at near the minimum price who has secure playing time, Hutchison is someone to consider.
POWER FORWARDS
Richaun Holmes, PHO at IND
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000
Holmes had cooled off for a brief time period, but he’s heating up again with averages of 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over his last six games. Even if Myles Turner (shoulder) doesn’t play in this game, the Pacers still have plenty of size up front with Domantas Sabonis and Kyle O’Quinn, so Holmes is going to be busy off of the bench. Take advantage of his hot streak while you can.
Omari Spellman, ATL vs. OKC
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,800
Spellman hasn’t played much this season even with the Hawks trying to develop their young players. However, Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) was unable to play Sunday against the Bucks, which allowed Spellman to move into the starting lineup. He made a case to receive more playing time moving forward, scoring 13 points to go along with six rebounds and four blocks in 30 minutes. With Dedmon listed as doubtful for this game, Spellen could be worth considering in tournament play if he starts again.
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,300
McGee has hit a rough patch with averages of 5.2 points and 6.6 rebounds across his last five games. However, during that stretch, he had to battle with Karl-Anthony Towns, DeAndre Jordan, Andre Drummond, Rudy Gobert, and Tristan Thompson. All five of those players are excellent rebounders, which is going to take some opportunities away from McGee. This is a much more favorable matchup for him against Wendell Carter Jr. and the Bulls, who have allowed the second-most FanDuel points per game and the third-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers.
Alex Len, ATL vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100
Len is another player who could see more action for the Hawks if Dedmon is indeed sidelined. He played 17 minutes with Dedmon out Sunday and scored 12 points to go along with eight rebounds. He might also be a better fit to battle with Steven Adams than either Spellman or John Collins. Len has averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 20 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes this season.
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 1/8/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The NBA doesn’t let up Tuesday with eight more games on the schedule. With the combination of a busy slate and plenty of injuries throughout the league, we have some great value play options to consider. 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
T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,300
McConnell continues to provide excellent defensive contributions by averaging 1.5 steals across his last 20 games. His scoring numbers aren’t always there, but his steals and assists still make him someone to consider. This also stands out as an excellent matchup for him with both the Sixers and the Wizards in the top-nine in the league in pace of play.
De’Anthony Melton, PHO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,100
Devin Booker (back) didn’t practice Monday after having to leave Sunday’s game against the Hornets. Melton was forced to play 26 minutes in that contest and finished with five points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal. If Booker is unable to play, Melton has some upside against a Kings team that plays at the second-fastest pace (104.9 possessions per game). Even if Booker is able to give it a go, Melton might be worth a look in tournament play based on the Suns’ overall lack of depth at point guard.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Dwyane Wade, MIA vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,000
Wade might be in the twilight of his career, but don’t sleep on him Tuesday. He comes into this game playing well, averaging 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and four assists across his last nine games. With Goran Dragic (knee) out, Wade should continue to see added opportunities to help facilitate the Heat’s offense. This isn’t necessarily a great matchup against a tough Nuggets’ defense, but Wade is still priced low enough on both sites to warrant consideration.
Josh Okogie, MIN at OKC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,300
It’s going to be important to monitor the Timberwolves’ rotations over their next few games with Tom Thibodeau out as their head coach. Thibodeau was notorious for having short rotations and riding his starters for heavy minutes, so there could be a few players that have significant swings in value. The good news for Tuesday from a minutes projection perspective is that both Derrick Rose (ankle) and Robert Covington (ankle) have already been ruled out. Okogie could receive another starting nod, as a result. Across 10 previous starts, he has averaged 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and one steal.
SMALL FORWARDS
DeAndre’ Bembry, ATL at TOR
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600
Another team battling various injuries is the Hawks, who will be without Taurean Prince (ankle) and Kent Bazemore (ankle) for this matchup against the Raptors. Bembry has been forced into more playing time of late and has come through with averages of 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, two assists, and 1.1 steals across his last seven games. Even though this will be a tough task against a good defensive team, the Hawks play at the fastest pace (105.5) in the league, leaving Bembry with some upside based on his expanded role.
Otto Porter Jr., WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,600
Porter stands out as a great cheap option, especially on FanDuel. He hasn’t played more than 24 minutes in any of his three games since returning from injury, but that hasn’t stopped him from averaging 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals across his last two contests. This game should be played at a fast pace and Porter is said to have no minute’s restriction, further making a case to roll with him in your entry.
POWER FORWARDS
Marvin Williams, CHA at LAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300
Williams’ averages for the season aren’t really anything to get overly excited about. However, he’s heated up after a slow start, averaging 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and one steal across his last 10 games. He’s been especially hot from behind the arc, draining at least two three-pointers in a game eight times during that stretch. The Clippers allow the seventh-most points per game (114.3) in the league, setting up Williams with a favorable opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
Josh Jackson, PHO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,900
If Booker doesn’t play in this game, Jackson is another option who could stand to benefit from his absence. Jackson has had a hard time finding consistent playing time, but he’s averaged 11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, three assists, and one steal across 25 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes.
CENTERS
Willy Hernangomez, CHA at LAC
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400
After Cody Zeller (hand) went down, the Hornets immediately turned to Hernangomez as their starting center. However, his stint in that role lasted just one game. He’s come off of the bench in two games since and has still been productive with averages of 14.5 points, seven rebounds, and 2.4 assists. The Clippers allowed the fifth-most FanDuel and DraftKings points per game to opposing centers, making Hernangomez a great cheap option to target.
Kevon Looney, GS vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000
I’m definitely in favor of rolling with Henrnangomez in your lineup if you want to save money at center. However, if your budget needs even more assistance, Looney could also be productive. The Knicks can’t stop anyone right now and continue to change their rotations up front, so it’s hard to establish any sort of rhythm defensively. Despite playing with so many stars around him, Looney has still managed to average 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds over his last seven games.
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 12/28/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Friday brings plenty of action in the NBA with 10 games on the schedule. Injuries continue to be a common theme throughout the league, creating even more value plays to consider for your DFS entry. Let’s highlight a couple at each position who could thrive based on their matchups. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
J.J. Barea, DAL at NO
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,100
The Mavericks could be extremely thin in their backcourt Friday with Wesley Matthews (foot) already ruled out and Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) listed as questionable. That should open up added minutes for Barea, who has the highest usage rate (28 percent) on the team. When these two teams squared off Wednesday, Barea shined with 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.
Tyler Johnson, MIA vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $6,000
Goran Dragic (knee) will be out for at least two months, which has left the Heat with a significant void at point guard. They’ve decided to have Justise Winslow take over for him in the starting five but Johnson is also in line for an expanded role. He’s made the most of his added playing time heading into this contest, averaging 15.8 points, three rebounds, and 2.7 assists across his last six games. His price has jumped up significantly on DraftKings, but he could be a real bargain on FanDuel.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Jordan Clarkson, CLE at MIA
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,000
Clarkson continues to be one of the offensive leaders for the Cavaliers, averaging a career-high 17.1 points per game and posting a 29.4 percent usage rate. He should receive even more scoring opportunities with Rodney Hood (Achilles) out Friday. In the last two games that Hood missed, Clarkson scored 17 and 24 points, respectively. His 24-point showing was especially impressive considering it came against the stout Grizzlies’ defense.
Josh Hart, LAL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,200
The Lakers depth is currently being tested with LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (finger) on the shelf. Hart moved into the starting five with both players sidelined Thursday and scored 10 points to go along with four rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block. The key was that he logged 33 minutes. With a similar role likely in the cards for Friday, Hart could be someone to take a chance on in tournament play since both the Lakers and the Clippers are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Juancho Hernangomez, DEN vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,800
The Nuggets have been one of the teams impacted the most by injuries this season. It appears that they might get a couple of players back soon, but they still won’t have much depth Friday. Hernangomez has excelled since being moved into the starting five, averaging 12.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. These two teams just faced off Wednesday and the Spurs couldn’t slow him down in that contest, leaving Hernangomez to score 27 points to go along with 13 rebounds.
Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO vs. OKC
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600
Oubre had a hard time finding significant playing time with the Wizards, but he’s averaged 30 minutes a game since joining the Suns. The added playing time has paid off, helping Oubre average 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and one block. Even though he will likely continue to come off of the bench, that shouldn’t scare you away from deploying him in DFS at this cheap price.
POWER FORWARDS
Jerami Grant, OKC at PHO
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800
The Thunder are clearly led by the trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Steven Adams. However, don’t underestimate the value that Grant brings to the team. They don’t have much depth, which has helped Grant average a career-high 31 minutes a game. He’s been productive, overall, but he’s been even better with averages of 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, one steal, and 1.6 blocks across his last seven games.
James Johnson, MIA vs. CLE
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400
Johnson might not be a flashy player, but he entered this year having averaged at least 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in back-to-back seasons. Injuries derailed the start of his current campaign, but he’s come on lately by averaging 10.8 points, five rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals across his last four games. He might continue to be asked to help facilitate the offense more with Dragic out, so don’t sleep on him at this price.
CENTERS
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at MIN
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,500
Get ready to see a heavy dose of Dedmon on Friday with Alex Len (back) and Miles Plumlee (knee) set to sit this one out. Dedmon logged 37 minutes with both players out Wednesday against the Pacers, finishing with 18 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. The added playing time is an even greater benefit to his upside when you consider that the Hawks play at the fastest pace (106.3 possessions per game) in the league.
Willy Hernangomez, CHA vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,000
Cody Zeller continues to start for the Hornets, but he’s logged 22 minutes or fewer in four of their last five games. Hernangomez has seen an expanded role in all four of those contests, which led him to average 12 points and 8.3 rebounds. The Nets are one of the worst teams in the league at defending opposing centers, so it’s not all that surprising that Hernangomez recorded seven points and 11 rebounds across just 14 minutes against them Wednesday. If you want to deploy a really cheap center in tournament play, Hernangomez is an intriguing option.
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 12/12/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
We’ve got another packed night of NBA action Wednesday with 11 games on the schedule. With the Warriors, Raptors, Pelicans, and Sixers among the teams in action, there is a ton of top-tier talent to choose from. However, in order to fit them into your entry, you also need to find the right mix of cheap value plays. Let’s highlight a couple of players at each position who could help lead you to a winning entry. 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
Derrick Rose, MIN at SAC
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,800
The chance that the Timberwolves took by reuniting Rose with his former coach Tom Thibodeau has provided significant returns this season. Despite spending the majority of his time as a member of the second unit, Rose is averaging 18.4 points, three rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. The trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Sixers has helped open up even more scoring opportunities for Rose, which has helped boost his usage rate to 25.2 percent. Considering the Kings play at the second-fastest pace (105 possessions per game) in the league, Rose could have plenty of chances to fill up the scoring column again Wednesday.
Jalen Brunson, DAL vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,800
Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) is set to miss his fourth straight game for the Mavericks. Brunson has done a nice job filling in during his absence, averaging 14 points, 4.7 assists, and two steals across three games. The key is that he logged at least 25 minutes in each contest. With the Hawks playing at the fastest pace (107), this could be a great opportunity to deploy Brunson in your lineup at a very cheap price.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Jaylen Brown, BOS at WAS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,400
The Celtics are expected to get Kyrie Irving (shoulder) back Wednesday, but Gordon Hayward (illness) is listed as doubtful. That should open up some added playing time for Brown, who is averaging 21 points, five rebounds, and 2.7 assists across his last three games. Add in the fact that the Wizards play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.2) and Brown has an excellent opportunity to extend his recent run of success.
Luke Kennard, DET at CHA
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,500
Injuries continue to be a common theme Wednesday with the Pistons being no exception. Ish Smith (groin), Glenn Robinson III (ankle) and Reggie Bullock (ankle) will all likely be out while Stanley Johnson (knee) might also not be able to play. That doesn’t leave them with a ton of healthy options. Kennard logged a season-high 37 minutes with the Pistons battling injuries Monday, scoring 28 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. At this dirt cheap price, he could be worth the risk in tournament play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Cedi Osman, CLE vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Already down Kevin Love (toe), the Cavaliers lost another key member of their frontcourt with Tristan Thompson (foot) out for at least the next two weeks. Larry Nance Jr. will likely have to spend more time at center, which could open up increased playing time for Osman. He has shown an ability to produce when given extended run, averaging 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, three assists, and 0.8 steals across 18 games in which he has logged at least 30 minutes.
Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,900
Finney-Smith might not play the same position that Smith does, but he’s also benefited from his time on the sidelines by averaging 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds across his last three games. With all of the injuries that the Hawks are also dealing with, there is a chance that the Mavericks race out to a big lead at home. If that’s the case, Finney-Smith could see some added minutes during garbage time. At this cheap price, he’s someone to at least consider in tournament play.
POWER FORWARDS
Kelly Olynyk, MIA at UTA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,000
The Heat will be missing one of their key players up front again Wednesday with Hassan Whiteside (personal) already ruled out. Bam Adebayo has stepped into the starting lineup with Whiteside out the last three games and has played extremely well. However, he’s not the only Heat player who has received a boost in production. During that same stretch, Olynyk has averaged 14.3 points, six rebounds, 3.3 assists, and one steal.
Dwight Powell, DAL vs. ATL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,600
Planning for a blowout can be tricky, but if you agree with me that the Mavericks could win this one going away, Powell is another cheap option with upside in tournament play. Despite averaging just 17 minutes a game this season, he’s recorded 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per night. The Hawks do at least have a lot of size up front, which could also help lead to added playing time for Powell.
CENTERS
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at DAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,400
Alex Len appears to have fallen out of favor right now, resulting in him logging a total of 31 minutes across the last three games. That’s provided a significant boost in playing time for Dedmon, who averaged 7.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and one block during that stretch. With the fast pace at which the Hawks play, Dedmon should have another favorable opportunity to be productive in this contest.
Cody Zeller, CHA vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Zeller might not be a flashy option, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value. The Hornets are going to need him to battle with Andre Drummond, which could lead to some added minutes. The last time these two teams met, Zeller logged 32 minutes and scored 14 points to go along with six rebounds and three blocks. He did eventually foul out, but it’s reasonable to expect similar playing time for him during their rematch.