NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on February 27, 20180 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Also, try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Denzel Valentine and George Hill.

Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

George Hill
FD $4,600 DK $4,600

The point guard position is an intriguing one tonight. On the high-end, you’re looking at Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker. Both are in well above average match-ups and can be played if you have the funds. You also have some solid options in the mid-range like Dinwiddie, Murray, and Dragic. They can all be played and none of them will be overly-owned. We then get to the cheapies, who we’ll touch on. We kick it off with George Hill, who’s already made himself a huge part of this Cavs offense. He got up to just 25 minutes against the Spurs, but sat at 34 and 31 before that. You can expect another 30+ minutes out of Hill if you think this game stays close. The match-up against the Nets is obviously tremendous as a team that plays the 3rd fastest and has no defense to speak of. Hill is super cheap on both sites and you can play him in all formats.

Milos Teodosic
FD $3,600 DK $4,200

Hill is a guy that will likely fit your build, but there is a way to go even cheaper. Teodosic is always a little inconsistent with his minutes, but he should get well over 24 minutes in this one. His price is diminished on both sites and you’re only looking for 15-20 fantasy points in cash games. The match-up with Denver is certainly good, as they rank 22nd in the league against the position. When it comes down to it, we just need minutes. I’m pretty confident that we do see 25+ here, but there is a real possibility he sees just 15-17 and disappoints. For that reason, George Hill is m clear play for value at PG. I’ll have some Teodosic, but I’d rather go there in tournaments. Hill is a guy I’ll have a ton of in all formats, while Teodosic will just be sprinkled in.

Shooting Guard

Tyrone Wallace
FD $4,500 DK $4,000

We’ll stay right in Los Angeles here and take a look at Tyrone Wallace. He got up to 36 minutes against the Suns and came through with 33 fantasy points. With Avery Bradley expected to remain out, you can bank at least 30 minutes for Wallace here. If you’ve watched him play at all, he’s a very good player and is extremely active on the floor. He picks up the ball a ton and grabs a lot of minutes at PG. You then have to consider this match-up against the Nuggets, who are typically good against SG’s. Fortunately, the better defender of the bunch will be on Lou Williams. Wallace will see the Nugs’ worst defender on the team and he shouldn’t have much of an issue getting to value at just $4.5k. Let’s touch on an even cheaper option who’s in play.

Wayne Ellington
FD $3,900 DK $4,000

Wayne Ellington is a guy I find myself on a lot when looking for value at SG. When Dion Waiters went down for the year, he showed a clear initiative to create shots and make a difference. He’s still there, but the addition of Dwyane Wade has definitely hurt. The ball is going to Wade in spots where Ellington would be allowed to create with the 2nd team. He’s getting 26+ minutes every game and is extremely cheap on both sites. He needs you just 20 and gets there with ease against a Philly squad that struggles against the 3 ball. Depending on what game you like more, these 2 guys at SG are somewhat even for me. Wallace is a bit safer in cash games.

Small Forward

Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts after he scored against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

Denzel Valentine
FD $4,000 DK $4,200

This Bulls team is a bit weird right now. They are trying to get the younger guys some minutes, but have done it in a very weird and unorganized way. What we have seen is Denzel Valentine getting a healthy increase of minutes. He’s gotten up 25, 28, and 29 over the last 3 and it’s no surprise. He’s one of the guys they think is a future role player and they want him to get some experience under his belt. He’s always productive when on the court (1.09 FP per min) and is shooting the ball quite nicely right now. The match-up with Charlotte is average, sitting 17th against SF’s and 19th against SG’s. If you need value at SF, Valentine is the only guy I’m all that comfortable with. We’ll have to increase our salary range for this next one.

Josh Richardson
FD $6,000 DK $5,200

I guess Josh Richardson is more in the mid-range, but he’s still a value at the price. Especially on DK at $5.2k. Richardson is the 2nd best playmaker on this team behind Dragic and is not afraid in the slightest to shoot the ball. He’s been at 47 and 35 fantasy points in each of the last 2 games, despite the inconsistent minutes. He now sees a match-up against a Sixers squad that doesn’t play much defense. They play a lot faster than the Heat and it’ll definitely be an up-pace game for them. A 2016 total isn’t crazy, but a 1 point spread is nice. I suspect we see 30+ minutes tonight out of Richardson and another 30+ fantasy points. It’s going to be very hard to get off of Lebron and Giannis is those nice match-ups, but I will have a bit of ownership to Richardson in both cash games and tournaments. He does have the upside to put up 50 fantasy points and turn the entire slate on it’s head.

Power Forward

Frank Kaminsky
FD $4,400 DK $3,900

Nobody gets excited about Frank Kaminsky, but we’re well aware of how cheap he is here. This was a $7k player last year that was putting up 35+ fantasy points on most nights. He’s been at 35 and 30 fantasy points in the last 2 games and is still seeing an increase of minutes in each game. He’s at 1.17 FP per minute over the last 2 years, so he’s going to produce when on the floor. he faces off with a Bulls squad that ranks 23rd against the position. Markkanen and Portis are lethal on offense, but have a long way to go on the defensive side. Kaminsky only needs you about 20-23 in cash games, which should be pretty easy if the game stays close. He’ll be in most of my cash games.

Lauri Markkanen
FD $6,100 DK $5,700

We once again saw Markkanen pick up 30 minutes and Portis just 20. Markkanen should be the more expensive option, but he’s a whole $1k cheaper right now at just $6k. Markkanen can put up 40 FP with ease if he is feeling his shot and a match-up against Charlotte is nothing to be worried about. Kaminsky and Williams are poor defenders and don’t mind giving up some open 3’s (27th against 3). Markkanen is continuing to see 30+ minutes and he is the 2nd option on the offense. He’s going to put up 30+ fantasy points on most night and I’ll have a whole lot of exposure tonight in all formats.

Center

John Henson
FD $5,500 DK $4,700

If we’re being honest, I want to pay up at center tonight. I’m not here to lie to you. The top 5 priced options are all in excellent spots and at least 3 of them are going to demolish value. Personally, I’ll have most of my eggs in Jokic and Whiteside baskets, with the rest on some value. John Henson is still listed as a PF for some reason on FD, though DK has the obvious C tag that he deserves. Since coming back from injury, he’s seen 34 and 27 minutes, putting up 20 and 26 fantasy points. He’s fully healthy and can be expected to play at least 30 minutes if the game stays close. Gortat is a good defender, but the Wizards play pretty fast and give up plenty of peripherals to guys like Henson that can run the floor and get above the rim. Either pay up or drop down to Henson and hope for a close game.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/13/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on February 13, 20180 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/13/18

Tuesday’s 6-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Davis Bertans and Raymond Felton.

Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

Raymond Felton
FD $5,000 DK $4,900

We open up tonight’s 6-game slate with a play that’s fully dependent on injury news. Russell Westbrook is currently questionable to play and has missed the last 2 games. Felton picked up 33 and 31 minutes and put up 22 and 32 fantasy points. The Cavs are ranked 29th against PG’s on the season, but let’s not be nieve. George Hill is a lot better of a defender than anyone the Cavs have had and they will slowly improve. With that being said, he’s not amazing and will not shut down anyone. If Russell Westbrook is once again ruled out, Felton can be locked in for 30 minutes and 25 fantasy points. This match-up between the Thunder and Cavaliers is an extremely fun one tonight and we’ll be looking to get as much exposure as possible with a high total and low spread. Felton will be in 100% of my cash games and tournaments if Westbrook is ruled out.

George Hill
FD $4,800 DK $4,900

Speaking of George Hill, he’s certainly in play. He looked like a completely different player in a Cavs uniform than he has in Sacramento and it’s not at all surprising. He’s always been a huge competitor and seems to thrive off of relevancy. He’s a great defender and will be on the court a ton if Westbrook is ruled in. Even if he’s not, it’s safe to expect at least 20-25 minutes. The road to 30+ minutes should be slow, but it might not be. There is still a ton of upside at this insanely low price, so you can absolutely play him in all formats. I’ll have a lot more of Hill if Westbrook is ruled in, as he’ll pull all interest away from Felton. Point guard is always important and you’ll need to get it right on this slate with some solid expensive options.

Shooting Guard

Andrew Wiggins
FD $6,200 DK $6,200

I try to focus on some of the cheaper options at each position, but we know SG is usually pretty tough to pay down at. You’ll often find your main value guys around $4k or $5k, opposed to the typical minimum-priced guy at each other position. Tonight, we’ll look at 2 mid-priced options here. The first is Andrew Wiggins, who figures to match-up with James Harden. That’s all that really needs to be said. Wiggins is back to his normal self and is a lot more comfortable in the offense than he was earlier in the season. He’s putting up 20+ every night and typically sitting around 35 in solid match-ups. He’s always a bit reliant on his scoring, but that should be fine in a game with a 222 total and 2.5 point spread. If you’re wanting exposure to this game, Wiggins is an extremely easy choice at a lackluster SG position.

Rodney Hood
FD $5,000 DK $4,800

We’re on to another new Cavalier in Rodney Hood, who’ll inevitably be in the $6 or $7k’s very soon. He only saw 18 minutes in a blowout against the Celtics, but still put up 20+ fantasy points. He would have easily seen close to 25 minutes and should easily get there tonight, assuming the game stays close. Hood is going to be a huge part of this team before long and he’s always been a dynamic DFS player when on the floor. As of now, Hood is just $5k. He needs you 25 fantasy points and it shouldn’t be a problem at all if the game stays close. I do prefer Wiggins and will try to pay up, but there is still a lot of safety and tournament upside here with Rodney Hood. Don’t be afraid of the 18 minutes in that blowout.

Small Forward

Taurean Prince
FD $4,000 DK $4,700

If you’re looking to pay down at small forward, it’ll be kind of tough. PG and PF are the real spots to pay down tonight and everywhere else is just a tad bit reaching. With that being said, Taurean Prince is a guy I will have decent exposure to. He’s simply too cheap and always a solid option. While he saw 22 minutes last game, he’s been between 26 and 32 minutes on most nights since January. His price is now far below $5k on both sites and you’re only looking for 20 fantasy points. The Milwaukee Bucks rank 21st against small forwards and it’s safe to assume Khris Middleton will be on him, opposed to Giannis. I don’t love the upside prince has, but he’s cheap and pretty safe in cash games.

LeBron James
FD $11,500 DK $11,500

I know, quite the value play. I just didn’t want to pass up LeBron here as my favorite play on the entire slate. We know the hype behind this new Cavs squad and nobody is feeling it more than LeBron. He’s now the only catalyst for this offense and is going to see a usage rate well over 35%. His price is obviously up there, but he’s going to have the ball in his hands for 40 minutes against a fast-paced Thunder team. Paul George is obviously a good defender, but do yourself a favor and watch some LBJ highlights against the Pacers. He doesn’t have much trouble. This is a game I’m all over tonight and I will have 100% LeBron James. Small forward is one of the weaker position on the slate and LeBron can erase all of that. Don’t try to get cute with another value play.

Power Forward

Davis Bertans
FD $5,000 DK $4,800

With LaMarcus Aldridge remaining out, you can count on Davis Bertans for an encore of last night. Against the Jazz, he played 28 minutes and put up 29 fantasy points. He’s always extremely reliable when on the floor with a 1.02 FP per minute and it just depends on the opportunity he has. Tonight, the match-up with Denver is far better. He now has a solid match-up as well, so we could be looking at a bit of upside. His price is still under $5k on both sites and you’re only needing about 20-25 fantasy points. He’s a very safe option with plenty of upside in tournaments.

Patrick Patterson
FD $3,900 DK $3,800

If Carmelo Anthony is ruled out, you can certainly punt with Patrick Patterson. Over the last 3 games, he’s seen 35, 29, and 25 minutes. At close to minimum-price, even the 25 minutes doesn’t kill you. If he sees 29 or 35, you’re way in the money against a Cavs team that gives it up to bigs. Jerami Grant will also be locked into 30ish minutes, but he’s just not cheap enough for me to lock him into my cash games. If Melo is ruled out, I have no problem getting more exposure to this game with a punt PF that can shoot the 3 and rebound against Cleveland. If Melo is in, completely ignore Patterson.

Center

Pau Gasol
FD $6,000 DK $5,600

Pau put up 50 fantasy points with LMA out last game and while it’s ambitious to expect, it’s not crazy. He is this good of a player and he’s only not over 30 FP every night because of Popovich and his brain. If Gasol was on the T-Wolves with the moron that is Tom Thibodeau, he put be putting 40 FP a night and be dead by April. The only problem people may have with Gasol is the 33 minutes last night. With the ASB coming up, I don’t think it’s a worry AT ALL. If this game stays close, expect another 28-33 minutes out of Gasol and 30-40 FP against a weak Denver interior.

Tristan Thompson
FD $4,500 DK $4,500

Nobody loves rostering Tristan Thompson, but we all know he’s the motor of this team. LeBron is obviously the man, but you know when the Cavs are playing well. it’s when Thompson is all over the place and somehow making a difference on every ball in the paint. We saw it last game, even without a big FP performance. He’s going to continue seeing minutes with this new style of team and his price is very low at just $4.5k. You’re looking for 15-20 in cash games, which is 3 quarters of meh basketball against the Thunder for Thompson. He’s a guy I’ll have a lot of in tournaments, but Gasol is in too good of a spot for me to overlook.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/6/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on February 6, 20180 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/6/18

Tuesday’s 8-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Tyler Ulis and Josh Hart.

Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

Tyler Ulis
FD $3,700 DK $4,200

Devin Booker has already been ruled out for this game and Tyler Ulis was named the starter. For once, the Suns have made it easy on us. They typically encrypt their injury data, but it looks like we can count on Ulis to run the point and play heavy into the 30’s. Ulis has always been a very productive guy when on the floor and it always just comes down to how many minutes we can get him on the floor for. With both Booker and Canaan out, you can only assume he gets over that 30 mark. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see him get close to 40. He’s trusted by the coaching staff and has played 30+ minutes for long stretches before. The match-up against the Lakers is obviously tremendous as a team that loves to run and gun. They play at the 6th fastest PACE in the league and will do their best to match the PACE the Suns play at. Ulis is a tremendous option in all formats and one of my favorite plays on the entire slate.

Andrew Harrison
FD $5,400 DK $5,000

Even with Mario Chalmers back in action, Andrew Harrison managed to pick up 30 minutes last game. He’s concreted himself as the starting PG with Conley out and can be relied on night in and night out. His price has slowly risen, but you’re still looking for just 25-30 in cash games at $5k. The match-up against Atlanta is also exceptional, as they rank 24th against the position. Harrison isn’t the most exciting guy to watch or roster, but he’s safe, cheap, and in a good match-up. You can do a lot worse. I still prefer Ulis as one of my favorite plays on the entire slate, regardless of price.

Shooting Guard

Wayne Selden
FD $3,800 DK $4,400

Wayne Selden is currently questionable, so we don’t know where we will end up going here. If Selden plays, he’s seeing 30+ minutes at close to minimum-price. If he’s out, Ben McLemore and Mario Chalmers will pick up some big minutes. It would put Chalmers in play for sure. With that being said, I do expect Selden to suit up. He’s been playing extremely well and has been getting more and more comfortable with every start. Assuming he plays, expect 30 minutes and 18+ fantasy points. His upside is well noted and I don’t see many reasons to stay away if he’s cleared to play.

Josh Hart
FD $5,000 DK $4,300

Josh Hart is one of the better plays on this slate. Let’s sort out the mess. Though listed as a SG and starting at PG, he’s playing SF. With Lonzo Ball out, its been Ingram looking to run the offense. Hart has been touching it a ton, but often in scoring situations. I just think there may be a confusion about who this guy is. He’s a scorer and rebounder. There’s a reason he doesn’t do much facilitating. We know the match-up against Phoenix is incredible and it’s even better with Devin Booker missing. Hart is a lock for 30 minutes, 25 fantasy points and cash game value. I’ll personally have 100% exposure in hopes he gets hot and reaches 40 or 50. It’s definitely a real possibility with Ball out of the lineup.

Small Forward

Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker
FD $4,800 – $3,900 DK $5,300 – $4,000

With Trevor Ariza fully expected to remain out tonight, Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker have to be in play. Why? The Nets. If they were facing a solid defense, I could easily pass. Neither are playing exceptionally and are fairly priced. However, we know just how terrible the Nets defense is. The Rockets are going to put up points and both of these guys will see minutes, whether it’s a blowout or not. In tournaments, I’ll have a whole lot of Gerald Green. If he gets hot against Brooklyn, I can only imagine. Tucker is always safer and a solid cash play at near-minimum priced, but you won’t find 30 FP there. If that’s the goal, take a shot on Gerald Green or pay up for one of these next guys. Make sure Ariza is still out and plug either one of these guys in against a bottom 3 NBA defense.

T.J. Warren
FD $6,800 DK $6,700

Fine, these guys aren’t necessarily cheap. They are, however, value in the sense that they are far too cheap for their expected performance. With Devin Booker rules out, give Warren and Jackson 5 minutes each, at least. Jackson could easily move over against Hart and play 35+. Either way, both of them will see huge minutes and the match-up against the Lakers is obviously great (27th against SF). Warren will lead the offense tonight and 15-20 shots wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. He’s the only real guy on the floor that will dictate the ball and he’s around guys who have 0 problem at all passing it up. He’s going to be a guy I have close to 100% of. As for Jackson, he’s a bit more risky and reliant on his scoring ability. With that said, I’ll have cash game exposure because of the match-up and minutes bump. I’m just not as comfortable as I am with any of the other 3 guys above. Small forward is pretty nice and we didn’t even touch on Giannis, LeBron, or KD. Yikes.

Power Forward

Ryan Anderson and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
FD $4,200 – $4,300 DK $4,700 – $4,200

I know, another Houston Rockets combo. Both Anderson and Mbah a Moute are seeing over 30 minutes and are looking at an ideal match-up. Against power forwards, they rank dead last in the NBA. Dead last. 30th. Minaj a Moute is pretty safe in this style of game, but I can’t lie. I’m still attracted to the upside Ryan Anderson brings. We know the 3 point ball can fall with ease on occasion and it’ll turn into 30+ FP without effort. I’ll personally be all over RyNo for that reason, but see Mbah a Moute getting to 25 fantasy points with ease. In cash games, I’ll go there. It’ll be Quincy Acy manning the 4, who can barely keep up with himself, let alone anyone who can shoot. Both Anderson and Mbah a Moute are worthy of consideration in all formats.

Serge Ibaka
FD $4,800 DK $5,000

I can’t sit here and guarantee Serge Ibaka hits value. I surely could if I could guarantee the minutes, but 22-25 is a real possibility at this point. So is 32-35, though, and at this insane price, I may be willing to take a chance. We know Ibaka is productive when on the floor and will still get close to 20 if on the low-end side of his minutes. He could easily work into the 30’s if part of the down-the-stretch lineup, but that’s up in the air. We just know he’s under $5,000, which is unacceptable for a guy with his skill. Against a Boston team that should keep it extremely close, I expect closer to 35 minutes. Tatum is a solid defender, but more effective on smaller players. Ibaka will have no issue producing when matched up. I will guarantee at least 20 fantasy points.

Center

Tyson Chandler
FD $4,200 DK $4,700

Tyson Chandler saw 27+ minutes in 2 of the last 3 games, so you have to pay attention here. For one, Tyson Chandler is an extremely talented player. Evan at his old age, he’s always putting up numbers when given the opportunity. Especially against an interior like the Lakers that can’t defend anyone. On the season, they rank 21st against the position. Assuming Chandler gets the minutes, he will get over 20 fantasy points with ease. Personally, I like paying up at center tonight. With that being said, Chandler can be played in all formats. The match-up is tremendous and he’s always productive when on the floor.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/30/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Austyn Varney on January 30, 20180 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/30/18

Tuesday’s 5-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Joffrey Lauvergne and Josh Hart.

Use the code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Milos Teodosic
FD $4,700 DK $4,900

Our first value option is a guy that’s been in play for a few weeks now due to injury. Austin Rivers was originally supposed to miss just a couple weeks, but has already missed 3 and is going to miss at least another 2. Milos Teodosic hasn’t lit the world on fire, but he’s been the consistent PG the Clippers have needed. The entire team is in a bit of a limbo tonight as they’ll likely be missing both the guys they traded and the ones they acquired. It will leave quite a few shots up for grabs and Teodosic can use as many as he can get. The match-up against the Blazers is a great one with Dame Lillard being one of the worst around and Nurkic being a subpar rim protector. Teodosic typically sits around 20-25 fantasy points and it’s all he needs at the price. He could easily get over that tonight with a positive match-up and some usage up for grabs. With a lot of questions at the high-end of PG, I completely understand paying down for a Teodosic in cash games or tournaments.

Spencer Dinwiddie
FD $5,500 DK $6,500

The next option we’re going to touch on is a gem that’s simply underpriced. As a guy that’s been putting up 30+ points a night all year long, his price shouldn’t be this low. Especially on FanDuel at just $5,500. He’s still in play on DraftKings at $6.5k, but he’s still a little too cheap. He has been in the 20-30 range as of late, which is still perfectly fine. Dinwiddie is the clear leader of this offense and will shoot 15 times if a game if it’s close. He sees a phenomenal match-up against a Knicks team that ranks 24th in the league against point guards. If you’ve watched Jarret jack play defense over the last few years, you know exactly why. Dinwiddie is extremely fast off the dribble and will have no problem getting into the lane that allows the 6th highest FG% efficiency. Aside from being way too cheap, the match-up is solid and the position isn’t very deep. Dinwiddie makes sense in all formats and sees a small bump with LeVert out.

Shooting Guard

Eric Gordon
FD $5,400 DK $6,300

Eric Gordon has seen his price crash back down to earth after James Harden and Chris Paul returned, but he may be back to having extra opportunity. Chris Paul is questionable, and you can lock in Gordon if he’s sitting. Let’s get that out of the way. Again, lock in Eric Gordon if Chris Paul is out. Now if Paul sits, Gordon is still in play. Trevor Ariza has already been ruled out, so there’s 35 minutes that’s already up for grabs. Gordon is already seeing 30-35 minutes a game and 25+ fantasy points, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see 40 minutes and 15+ shots tonight. The Magic are a lackluster defense at best and the only good perimeter defender they have will be on Harden or Paul. Gordon is way too cheap and I’ll have a ton of exposure no matter what. 100% if Paul is ruled out.

Tyrone Wallace
FD $4,400 DK $4,500

Assuming Avery Bradley doesn’t show up in time, Tyrone Wallace is a lock for 30+ minutes. He’s been over 30 minutes in every game since January 10th and is looking at an identical situation tonight. He’ll also, like I mentioned earlier with Teodosic, pick up a few shots with Blake Griffin out of the lineup. This Blazers defense is one you’re never scared of and against shooting guards, they rank 18th in the league with 43 FPPG allowed. McCollum is a fine individual defender, but isn’t good enough to excel without strong help. Tyrone Wallace had his best game yet as a Clipper and you have to think his confidence is up. This game is expected to be close and the minutes are a true lock. His price is fair on both sites and you only need about 20 in both formats to be happy. I’ll have plenty of Tyrone Wallace once we know Avery Bradley will wait until next game.

Small Forward

Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker
FD $3,900 – $3,500 DK $4,800 – $3,800

With Trevor Ariza out “for the recent future”, we’re going to see both Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker jump into the spotlight. Green is obviously the more exciting of the 2 and he can put up 40 fantasy points in 25 minutes, but he’s also more volatile and reliant on his jumper. Oh ya, also more expensive. Tucker is dirt cheap on both sites and is guaranteed to see 35+ minutes tonight. The Orlando Magic defense is bleh at best and they are absolutely atrocious against SF’s, ranking 29th. Both of these guys are going to produce when on the floor and will split at least 60-70 minutes. Go ahead and play either in all formats. If Chris Paul is also out, I don’t know how you stay away.

Joe Ingles
FD $4,500 DK $4,700

Green and Tucker are the two guy you’re looking at if you want value, but Joe Ingles is a great mid-priced option if you think the azz can keep it close. We know Ingles will put up 20+ fantasy points with this PACE and 30 will be easy if the game is competitive throughout. It’s just tough to bet on that with the Warriors on the opposite side. Ingles sees 30+ minutes in each game and does take a lot of shots for a guy that probably shouldn’t take any. He also puts up FP in just about every way possible, so the floor is concrete. His price at $4500 on both sites, so you’re needing 20 in cash and 25 in tournaments. It just comes down to whether or not the Jazz can keep it close. If you think it’s a blowout, stay far away from Ingles. If you think the Jazz keep it close, count on 25+ FP for a nice price.

Power Forward

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 22: Chris Paul #3 and Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets celebrate a win against the Denver Nuggets on November 22, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Khem Birch
FD $4,600 DK $3,800

Aaron Gordon is currently questionable and this play just comes down to whether or not he plays. If Gordon plays, Birch will play his regular 15-20 minutes and be a negligible play at best. If Gordon misses, Khem Birch should slide in for 30-35 minutes against a fast-paced Rockets squad. Birch is a bit of an unknown to us, but is very well-known in Canada. He’s not a typical rookie and a guy that will produce when on the floor. Just look at what he’s done over the last 5. In games with just 17, 18, and 18 minutes, he put up 35, 22, and 27. This is not a guy that’s going to ever stand in the corner and do nothing. He has serious 40 fantasy point upside if Gordon misses. The Rockets defense stinks and is in a rut with Trevor Ariza out for the recent future. If Aaron Gordon is out, play Khem birch in every format. I know I will, at least.

Luc Mbah a Moute
FD $4,300 DK $4,200

Khem Birch is where you go with your value spot if Aaron Gordon is out. If Gordon plays, you’ll have to look elsewhere. With Trevor Ariza out, Mbah a Moute is locked into 30+ minutes and is in a tremendous match-up. The Magic rank 20th against power forwards, so whether it’s Gordon or Birch doesn’t really matter. The team doesn’t have any rim protection and plays at a very average PACE. Mbah a Moute isn’t the best scorer when on the floor, but he spreads it around nicely and is a lock for 20 when given opportunity. He’s trusted to play big minutes and fits into this match-up very nicely. Birch is the clear way to go, but Mbah a Moute is a guy to keep on the radar if things don’t break right.

Center

Kosta Koufos
FD $4,000 DK $4,200

With Willie Cauley-Stein out, Kosta Koufos gets 30 minutes. He put up 20 fantasy points against the Spurs a game ago and now sees a much friendlier match-up against New Orleans. The Pelicans are still intimidating without DeMarcus Cousins, but are certainly one of the weakest interiors on defense in the entire league. Koufos isn’t a very exciting player, but he’s smart around the rim and has averaged 1.01 FP per minute over the last 2 seasons. His price is still sitting at $4k on both sites, so you’re plenty happy with 20 fantasy points. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get close to 30 if the game stays close and he stays out of foul trouble against AD.

Kyle O’Quinn
FD $4,300 DK $3,900

Enes Kanter has been upgraded to probable, so O’Quinn can probably be ignored. On the off chance Enes Kanter does get ruled out, O’Quinn would be in line to pick up 25-30 minutes. If that happens, lock him into your cash games and tournaments. The price is insane on both sites and O’Quinn is always a guy that produces when given the opportunity. The match-up against the Nets is the best possible one in the entire league and you could lock him in for 30 fantasy points if given the start. Good luck tonight and feel free to comment below!!!

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/18/18

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on January 18, 20180 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/18/18

Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Damian Lillard, POR vs. IND
FanDuel = $9,400
DraftKings = $8,700

Lillard has played well since returning from a calf injury, averaging 26.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in four games. He continues to be the main offensive weapon for the Trail Blazers, posting a 30% usage rate that ranks 15th-highest in the league. He has a usage rate of at least 30% in each of the last three seasons, so don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon. With 18 points to go along with seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block in his first meeting with the Pacers this year, Lillard is shaping up to provide big numbers again Thursday.

T.J. McConnell, PHI at BOS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400

Sixers guard J.J. Redick (leg) will not play Thursday, which is a significant loss for their backcourt. Jerryd Bayless is expected to replace him in the starting lineup, but McConnell should see added playing time as well. McConnell has played at least 30 minutes in a game six times this season, averaging 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals in those contests. Even though Bayless may be listed as the starter, McConnell could very well outproduce him in this game.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Victor Oladipo, IND at POR
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $8,500

This should be a fun matchup between Oladipo and C.J. McCollum on Thursday. Oladipo has had the season of his career, posting a 30.2% usage rate that ranks inside the top-15 in the league. He’s not just a scorer though, also averaging 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game He’s had a few subpar stat lines lately, but that was mostly due to lopsided scores limiting his playing time. Expect him to see plenty of minutes and provide excellent value at this price Thursday.

Dwyane Wade, CLE vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,800

Wade has transitioned to a bench role for the Cavaliers and is averaging a career-low 24 minutes per game as a result. While his scoring is down significantly, he’s still provided value by averaging 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He’s already played the Magic twice this season, averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. His limited playing time doesn’t give him a high ceiling, but he can still provide enough production across the board to warrant consideration at this price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Jimmy Butler, MIN at HOU
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $8,800

Butler got off to a slow start with his new team but looks like the player we saw on the Bulls last season now. His usage rate is creeping up and he’s averaging 24.6 points over his last 14 games. He’s been the perfect fit for a young Timberwolves team that needed veteran leadership and someone who can make the big shots when it matters the most. Don’t forget that he’s an excellent defender as well, averaging 2.9 steals in his last 10 games. This should be a high scoring game Thursday, leaving Butler with significant upside. Of note, Butler is only small forward eligible on FanDuel as he is listed as a shooting guard on DraftKings.

P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. MIN
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,500

The fallout from some of the Rockets players making their way into the Clippers locker room after Monday’s game is that both Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green have been suspended for the next two games. While Green is the more flashy offensive player, the loss of Ariza is significant because he is averaging 36 minutes per game. His absence should open up some extra minutes for Tucker, who averaged 6.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 three-pointers in the 11 games that he played at least 30 minutes in this season. Factoring in his dirt cheap price, he warrants consideration in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Domantas Sabonis, IND at POR
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,000

Sabonis continues to fill in for Myles Turner (elbow), who will miss at least the next three games. The Pacers have to be thrilled with the progress Sabonis has made during his second season in the league, especially when given added playing time. He’s started 12 games this season, averaging 12.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest. He won’t provide many defensive stats or three-pointers, but he doesn’t need to in order to be valuable at this price.

Taj Gibson, MIN at HOU
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings – $5,400

On the surface, this might not look like an ideal matchup for Gibson against a Rockets team that likes to deploy a lot of small lineups. However, Gibson is a versatile defender who is not out of his element on the perimeter. Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is also known for riding his starters heavy minutes, so don’t expect Gibson to see a decline in playing time Thursday. The Rockets play at the eighth-fastest pace (101.5 possessions per game) in the league, so Gibson should be able to compile enough stats to warrant consideration for your entry on a night with only four games.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Kevin Love, CLE vs. ORL
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,400

The Cavaliers are really struggling right now, losing five of their last six games. They’ve been blown out a couple of times, resulting in some ugly performances by Love. They were able to keep their last two games close, resulting in Love averaging 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. In his first meeting with the Magic earlier this month, Love finished with 27 points, five rebounds, and six three-pointers. The Magic allow the fifth-most points per game on FanDuel and the sixth-most points per game on DraftKings to opposing centers, making Love an excellent option Thursday.

Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. IND
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,400

Nurkic has struggled in his last four games, averaging just 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. The good news is, he was able to salvage some of his value by averaging 2.0 blocks over that same stretch. His inconsistent performances on the season overall have been frustrating, making him a difficult player to count on in DFS. However, he has a favorable matchup Thursday as the Pacers allow the most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers. There aren’t a lot of great cheap center options due to the limited slate of games, but Nurkic is someone to consider in tournament play if you need to save some money at the position.

Tag Archives