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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/19/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

We’ve got a bevy of value play options to choose from Wednesday with 12 games on the schedule. Let’s dive right in and highlight a couple at each position that could hopefully help you win some cash. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/19/18

Terry Rozier, BOS vs. PHO
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,300

Rozier shined filling in last season when the Celtics were dealing with several key injuries, but he’s been limited to just 23 minutes a game this year with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back in the fold. However, there are a couple of factors that could work in his favor Wednesday. First, Jaylen Brown (hand) is listed as questionable, so if he doesn’t take the floor, that could open up some added minutes for Rozier. Second, this game could get out of hand early with how poorly the Suns have played and this game being played in Boston. Rozier would also gain some added garbage time minutes in that scenario, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play.

Tyus Jones, MIN vs. DET
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,600

The Timberwolves will be without Jeff Teague (ankle), which will move Derrick Rose into the starting five. Rose is a great DFS option, as a result, but his price doesn’t exactly make him a cheap value play. Jones, on the other hand, isn’t too far off from the minimum price on both sites. He ended up playing 24 minutes in a blowout win over the Kings on Monday, scoring 10 points to go along with three rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals. This game figures to be closer, but that doesn’t mean Jones won’t play enough to be worth considering for your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/19/18

Marcus Smart, BOS vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900

Like Rozier, Smart has seen a significant reduction in his playing time this season. However, if Brown doesn’t play, Smart will likely move into the starting five. Across nine previous starts, Smart has averaged 8.8 points. 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 steals. His scoring upside won’t be high whether he starts or comes off the bench, but his contributions in other areas would still make him a viable target with the added playing time.

Jamal Crawford, PHO at BOS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,600

In a bit of an odd move, the Suns have waived Austin Rivers after acquiring him from the Wizards. They don’t have much depth at point guard, so Rivers could have been a valuable addition. Maybe they really like the production that they have received from Crawford, who is averaging nine points, 2.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists across his last three games. Crawford will continue to be relied on to help play point guard Wednesday, so he could provide value despite this matchup against a tough Celtics defense.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/19/18

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC vs. OKC
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Monday’s game was pretty much worst-case scenario for the starters on the Kings. They were pulled early after digging a deep deficit and never returned to the game. Bjelica only played five minutes, but don’t get scared away from him because of one oddball game. Marvin Bagley III (knee) will be out again Wednesday, setting Bjleica up for the opportunity for heavy playing time if the Kings can keep this game close.

E’Twaun Moore, NO at MIL
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

Speaking of teams dealing with injuries, things are looking ugly for the Pelicans for this game. Elfrid Payton (finger), Julius Randle (ankle) and Nikola Mirotic (ankle) will all be out, leaving a ton of available minutes. Randle and Mirotic are also two of their best offensive options, so expect Moore to be one of the players that they look to for adding offense. That could leave him as a great option in DFS since both the Pelicans and Bucks are in the top-five in the league in pace of play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/19/18

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at CHI
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,600

Hollis-Jefferson was sidelined with an injury to start the season and then he was stuck behind Jared Dudley when he was able to return. He’s finally reclaimed his starting spot, which is key because he’s averaged eight minutes more per game as a starter than when he comes off of the bench. The added playing time has helped him average 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across his 13 starts and he’ll get a great opportunity to build on those numbers against the struggling Bulls.

Cheick Diallo, NO at MIL
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,500

With Randle and Mirotic out, Anthony Davis is going to have to carry even more of the load up front for the Pelicans. However, someone is going to have to help fill Randle’s and Mirotic’s minutes. Diallo is likely one of the prime candidates to spend more time on the floor. While opportunities have been few and far between for him this year, he had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the lone game in which he has logged at least 20 minutes. That’s obviously not a great sample size to be working with, but he might still be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/19/18

Jarrett Allen, BKN at CHI
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,500

Allen is averaging seven more minutes a game this year compared to his rookie season with the Nets viewing him as a key part of their future. His production has increased along with his playing time, boosting him to averages of 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. The Bulls allow the second-most FanDuel and DraftKings points per game to opposing centers, leaving Allen with a prime opportunity to shine.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. CLE
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Zeller has battled injuries throughout his career, but he’s been able to play 28 games already this season. He’s not logging heavy minutes despite his starting role, but he’s still put up respectable numbers with 9.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, two assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per contest. The Cavaliers are thin at center with Kevin Love (toe) and Tristan Thompson (foot) out, so don’t sleep on Zeller.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/17/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

The NBA will be plenty busy Monday night with eight games on the schedule. The Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, and Sixers are among the teams in action, leaving a ton of elite talent to choose from in DFS. Let’s highlight some cheap value plays at all of the positions to try and help you squeeze a star or two into your lineup. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/17/18

Derrick Rose, MIN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,300

The Timberwolves didn’t have much of a choice but to trade Jimmy Butler since he no longer wanted to play for the team, but his departure left a huge hole in their offense. Karl-Anthony Towns has seen a significant increase in his usage rate since the trade, but the Timberwolves have also relied on Rose to provide a scoring punch off the bench. He hasn’t let them down and is now averaging 18.7 points and 4.4 assists per game for the season, overall. The Kings play at the second-fastest pace (105.3 possessions per game) in the league, which should help Rose to continue to be productive in this contest.

T.J. McConnell, PHI at SA
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,800

McConnell has seen his playing time decrease to 19 minutes a game this season, but he’s logged at least 21 minutes in nine straight games with Markelle Fultz (neck/shoulder) on the sidelines. His numbers don’t stand out, but McConnell is averaging 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals across 13 games in which he has played at least 20 minutes. Jimmy Butler has dealt with a groin injury of late, but he returned to play 25 minutes on Sunday. With such a quick turnaround Monday, Butler might again receive limited playing time, which could open up even more opportunities for McConnell.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/17/18

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC at MIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,800

Bogdanovic started in place of Iman Shumpert (hip) on Sunday, which allowed him to log a season-high 37 minutes. He didn’t let the rare starting opportunity go to waste, scoring 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists. If Shumpert can’t play again Monday, expect Bogdanovic to receive another start. Even if Shumpert does play, Bogdanovic is still a viable target since he has logged at least 30 minutes in five straight games.

Langston Galloway, DET vs. MIL
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,400

The Pistons recently received a boost with Stanley Johnson and Reggie Bullock returning from injury, but they are still shorthanded with Ish Smith (groin) and Glenn Robinson III (ankle) on the shelf. Galloway is able to play multiple positions, which has resulted in him averaging 30 minutes across his last five games. With 13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game during that stretch, Galloway should at least be on your radar in tournament play, especially with the Bucks playing at the fifth-fastest pace (103.4).

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/17/18

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at MIN
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,400

The Kings drafted who they hope will be the power forward of their future in Marvin Bagley III, but he’s currently sidelined with a knee injury. Bjelica has a clear path to significant playing time during his absence, evident by the fact that he played 35 minutes Sunday. He’s averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and two blocks across six games in which he has logged at least 30 minutes, making him very hard to pass up at this price.

Jae Crowder, UTA at HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,400

Crowder has mostly come off of the bench this season, but he has started more of late when the Jazz play smaller teams. He actually started when these two teams met less than two weeks ago, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. His upside isn’t all that high, but he is still an intriguing option based on his potential playing time and cheap price on both sites.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/17/18

Noah Vonleh, NY vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,500

Mitchell Robinson (ankle) did not play Sunday against the Pacers and might not take the floor Monday, either, which could leave Vonleh with a more reliable role. The Knicks constantly changing up their rotations can make things challenging, but Vonleh has averaged 11.5 points, 10 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks across 13 games in which he has logged at least 30 minutes. It should also help his cause that the Suns have allowed the seventh-most points per game (112.7) in the league.

Richaun Holmes, PHO at NY
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,000

Being the backup to the top overall pick might not always be ideal, but Holmes has made it work for his fantasy value. Across his last 15 games, he’s averaged 10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. His role is solidified with Tyson Chandler now on the Lakers, so he’s worth a look Monday even though his ceiling isn’t that high.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/17/18

Enes Kanter, NY vs. PHO
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,700

Kanter steamrolled a strong defensive team in the Pacers on Sunday for 20 points and 15 rebounds. That marked his fifth double-double over his last seven games, which is especially impressive when you factor in that he logged 26 minutes or fewer in three of those five contests. The Suns allow the third-most FanDuel points per game and the fourth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down Kanter.

Brook Lopez, MIL at DET
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,100

It might not have been the sexiest of moves, but the Bucks bringing in Lopez during the offseason has been one of the key reasons for their success. His 2.6 three-pointers per game have provided them with a much-needed ability to stretch the floor, but he’s also helped defensively with 1.8 blocks per contest. They’ll need his size to battle with Andre Drummond in this contest, leaving him with a secure enough minutes floor to warrant considering in tournament play.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

We’ve only got three games in the NBA on Thursday, leaving us with very few value options to choose from. That being said, there are still some players to highlight who have favorable matchups that are still worth considering. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Darren Collison, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,700

It looks like the Pacers will be without Victor Olaipo (knee) once again. Collison hasn’t seen a significant increase in playing time, but he is averaging 7.6 assists across five games with Oladipo out compared to 4.8 assists for the season, overall. His 16.6 percent usage rate isn’t all that appealing, but Collison might be able to contribute enough across the board Thursday in this matchup against a Lakers team that plays at the fifth-fastest pace (103.9 possessions per game).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900

An injury to Avery Bradley opened up a starting spot for Gilgeous-Alexander that he has yet to relinquish. Don’t expect him to lose the job anytime soon, either, since he is averaging 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 11 games. His usage rate is also 19.7 percent as a starter, up from 15.6 percent when he was coming off of the bench. Both the Clippers and the Kings are in the top-eight in the league in pace of play, which could leave Gilgeous-Alexander with a few more opportunities to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Buddy Hield, SAC vs. LAC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,700

Hield was limited to 25 minutes a game last year, but the Kings are giving him a chance to shine this season with 31 minutes a night. He hasn’t let them down, averaging 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest. His usage rate of 24.4 percent has remained largely unchanged from last year, but it’s the second-highest on the team behind Harry Giles (26.7 percent). This game could be a shootout with Hield right in the center of it all.

Aaron Holiday, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,700

Holiday was awful against the Suns on Tuesday, going 1-for-6 from the field for two points and two assists across 15 minutes. Prior to that, he had averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two assists across four games with Oladipo out. There is certainly risk involved with putting Holiday into your entry, but it might be one worth taking based on his price. Of note, he is only eligible at shooting guard on FanDuel as he is listed at point guard on DraftKings.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,300

If you’re looking for an efficient scorer, look no further than Bogdanovic. His 19.2 percent usage rate is nothing to write home about, but he’s shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 53.5 percent from behind the arc. Strangely enough, he is shooting a career-low 79 percent from the charity stripe, but he’s still averaging 15.6 points per game. He’s taken on more offensive responsibilities with Oladipo out, making him another Pacer to target Thursday.

Doug McDermott, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,500

McDermott has not been able to live up to the hype of being the 11th-overall pick in the 2014 Draft and is now on his fifth team. He’s mostly a three-point specialist, shooting 40.5 percent from behind the arc for his career. Normally he doesn’t get many shot attempts, but he’s been more involved due to the absence of Oladipo. Across his last five games, McDermott is actually averaging 13.8 points. At near the minimum price on both sites, McDermott could provide some value in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. GS
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,500

With the Warriors lack of size up front, this would appear to be a game in which Ibaka will receive significantly more playing time than Jonas Valanciunas. Across five games in which Ibaka has logged at least 30 minutes, he is averaging 17.6 points, six rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. He’s not overly cheap, but this could still be a matchup to exploit.

Thaddeus Young, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Young had a minuscule 15.7 percent usage rate through his first eight games but has been more involved with an 18.1 percent usage rate across his last 13 contests. He’s another one of the players on the Pacers to see a bump in productivity with Oladipo out, averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across the last five games. His upside isn’t nearly as high as Ibaka’s, but he also provides a little more savings for your budget, leaving him in the discussion at power forward.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. LAC
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,900

Cauley-Stein has hit a rough patch, averaging 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds over his last five games. However, it should be noted that two of those contests were blowouts in which he logged 18 and 23 minutes, respectively. The Clippers have allowed the fifth-most DraftKings points per game and the eighth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers, so this might be just what the doctor ordered to get Cauley-Stein back on track.

Boban Marjanovic, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,500

Marcin Gortat (back) was a late scratch for Wednesday’s game against the Suns, opening up a spot start for Marjanovic. He recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds and is now averaging nine points and nine rebounds across four starts this season. He’s clearly not going to log as many minutes as Montrezl Harrell even if he starts Thursday, but Gortat being out again would make Marjanvic a great option in tournament play.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/21/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

There are no games in the NBA on Thursday because of Thanksgiving, but Wednesday brings a packed slate of 13 games. Let’s try to go into the off day on a high note with a winning DFS entry. Here are some cheap value plays that could help lead you to a successful evening. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/21/18

Quinn Cook, GS vs. OKC
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,300

The Warriors will continue to have their depth tested Wednesday with Stephen Curry (groin) and Draymond Green (toe) out. Cook has played an increased role since Curry went down, but his upside really increases when Green is out, as well. Across four games that both Curry and Green have missed, Cook averaged 19 points, 3.8 rebounds, and four assists. His price has climbed since taking on a more significant role, but Cook is still cheap enough to consider for your entry.

Fred VanVleet, TOR at ATL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,900

The Raptors could have depth issues of their own Wednesday. Playing in the second game of a back-to-back set, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kawhi Leonard sit since he hasn’t played two straight days yet this season. Kyle Lowry also entered Tuesday’s game with an ankle injury and even though he played, there could be a chance he is rested against a far inferior Hawks team, as well. VanVleet started with Leonard out Saturday against the Bulls and scored 18 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. This could be a great opportunity for him to shine.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/21/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,200

The Cavaliers are not only running out of healthy players but now J.R. Smith is away from the team as they work on trading him. They don’t have many offensive weapons left, resulting in them averaging the fourth-fewest points per game (103.3) in the league. Clarkson does a lot of the heavy lifting on offense with a 28.5 percent usage rate, which is by far the highest mark of his career. The Lakers play at the fourth-fastest pace (104.9 possessions per game), so Clarkson could receive even more opportunities to fill up the scoring column Wednesday.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC at UTA
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,100

After missing the start of the season due to injury, Bogdanovic has come off of the bench in all six games since his return. After a quiet couple of first performances, Bogdanovic is averaging 16 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across his last four games. He hasn’t played more than 25 minutes in any of those contests, but the Kings play at the second-fastest pace (106.5), which provides a boost to his upside.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/21/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at CHA
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Victor Oladipo (knee) was unable to play Monday against the Jazz, which helped Bogdanovic tie his season high with 14 shot attempts. Oldaipo is listed as questionable for this contest, so if he is ruled out, Bogdanovic could be a steal at this price. Even if Oladipo does play, Bogdanovic is worth considering since he is averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals for the season, overall.

Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,800

Injuries are the theme of the day Wednesday with the Mavericks being no exception. Wesley Matthews (hamstring) has already been ruled out, marking the third straight game that he will miss. Finney-Smith started the first two games with Matthews sidelined, logging at least 34 minutes in both contests. His numbers didn’t jump off the page, but he averaged 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals in those starts, making him an option in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/21/18

Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at MIL
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,500

If there’s one thing you can count on with Aminu, it’s that he’s going to gobble up rebounds. He has at least seven rebounds in six of his last seven games and is averaging 8.4 boards for the season, overall. His 12 percent usage rate illustrates how few opportunities he receives to score, but he’ been able to average 8.7 points per game because of his ability to shoot from behind the arc. The Bucks play at the fifth-fastest pace (104.1), which should work in his favor Wednesday.

Jonas Jerebko, OKC at GS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,100

Not only will the Warriors be without Green, but Alfonzo McKinnie (foot) will miss his third straight game Wednesday. Jerebko started both of the first two contests, averaging 6.5 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Don’t expect Jerebko to score much, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at this price, especially when the other options the Warriors have up front are Kevon Looney, Jordan Bell and, Damian Jones.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/21/18

Brook Lopez, MIL vs. POR
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,300

The Bucks needed a boost in perimeter shooting and a center heading into this season and brought in Lopez to fill both of those voids. He’s been stellar from behind the arc, averaging a career-high 2.9 three-pointers per contest. Although he might not provide the traditional rebounding numbers that we expect from centers, Lopez is averaging 1.8 blocks per contest. After scoring 22 points to go along with four rebounds and one block when these two teams met earlier this season, Lopez is someone to also consider for their rematch.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,100

The Hornets like to deploy a lot of small lineups, but there are two factors working against that Wednesday. First, the Pacers have a lot of size and depth at center. Second, Michael Kidd-Gilchrest (ankle), who they like to play up front when they go small, will be missing his fourth straight contest. Across the previous three games that he missed, Zeller averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. That’s not overly impressive, but it at least brings him into the discussion if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

It isn’t necessarily the busiest Friday we’ll see in the NBA with seven games on the schedule, but there are still a lot of great value plays available in DFS. Let’s examine some players to consider as you wade through the options. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Derrick Rose, MIN vs. MIL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Rose hasn’t started a game for the Timberwolves this season, but he’s playing a key role off of their bench. Across 29 minutes per contest, he’s averaging 15 points, 3.6 rebounds, and five assists. He won’t provide much in the way of defensive stats or three-pointers, but his 23.4 percent usage rate is third-highest on the team behind Jimmy Butler (24.7 percent) and Andrew Wiggins (24.5 percent) percent. The Bucks are a tough defensive team, but Rose is still worth considering for your entry.

J.J. Barea, DAL at TOR
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,700

Barea is listed as questionable for Friday with a hamstring injury, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for updates on his status leading up to the game. If he does play, he could be a bargain at this price. Even though he’s only averaging 20 minutes off the bench, he’s averaging 8.3 points, 8.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 three-pointers per contest. His usage rate is down this season due to the addition of Luka Doncic, but it’s still relatively high at 22.7 percent.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Damyean Dotson, NY vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,200

With Kristaps Porzingis still recovering from a torn ACL, the Knicks need to find offense any way they can get it. They’re currently riding Dotson’s hot hand, who exploded for 20 points and three three-pointers Wednesday against the Heat. He’s making a case to continue to see extended playing time with averages of 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals and three three-pointers across the three games that he has played in.

Danny Green, TOR vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,200

Green hasn’t exactly been consistent to start out the season. He’s scored at least 14 points in two of his five games but scored six points or fewer in two of the other three contests. On a positive note, he did receive at least eight shot attempts in all five contests and is averaging 2.8 three-pointers made. The Mavericks have been horrid defensively in the early going by allowing 119.3 points per game, leaving Green with some upside for your entry.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,000

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride this season in terms of production from Bjelica. When he gets extended playing time, he’s been valuable, averaging 13.7 points, eight rebounds, two steals and 1.3 blocks across three games in which he has logged at least 27 minutes. However, trying to predict what rotations the Kings are going to use on a nightly basis is not easy, which makes Bjelica a risky option. With that being said, if he does get the added minutes, he could be an asset at this price.

Mario Hezonja, NY vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Hezonja’s playing time has been a product of the game score through five contests. In the Knicks’ two games that have been decided by fewer than 10 points, Hezonja only averaged 12 minutes. In their three blowouts, he averaged 24 minutes. Over those three contests, he posted 16 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. It would be pretty surprising if the Knicks can hang with the Warriors on Friday, which could lead to garbage time stats for Hezonja.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Markieff Morris, WAS at SAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

If there’s one thing the Kings have, it’s size up front. The Wizards are currently lacking options in that department with Dwight Howard (back) yet to make his season debut. To complicate matters, Ian Mahinmi is listed as questionable for Friday with a back injury of his own. They might be forced to lean heavily on Morris, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.8 three-pointers. The Kings and Wizards are also both inside the top-five in the league in terms of pace of play, which could lead to even more opportunities for Morris to stuff the stat sheet.

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at HOU
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600

The Clippers brought in Marcin Gortat to replace DeAndre Jordan, but they might have been better off leaving the center position to Harrell and Boban Marjanovic. Both have had some impressive performances so far while Gortat has mostly struggled. With the small lineups the Rockets like to use and the face pace at which they play, Harrell is likely going to lead the Clippers in minutes at center Friday. When these two teams met Sunday, Harrell recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocks over 24 minutes.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400

The Raptors have been playing matchups at center, leaving Valanciunas to come off of the bench in three of their five games. Despite only averaging 19 minutes a contest, he’s still recorded 11.8 points and 8.6 rebounds a night. This could be one of the games where he does get added minutes facing DeAndre Jordan, making him one of the better cheap options at center to take a chance on in tournament play.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,100

These two teams squared off Wednesday in what was a high-scoring affair that came down to the final seconds. The Bulls lost Bobby Portis to a knee injury in that game, but they still have depth at center with Wendell Carter Jr., Robin Lopez, and Cristiano Felicio. Zeller didn’t exactly thrive in that game, but his stat line was respectable with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists across 21 minutes. While he doesn’t have nearly the upside that Valanciunas does, Zeller could be an option if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

After a busy night with nine games Monday, there are only three games on the NBA schedule Tuesday. With their being so few options to choose from, let’s examine players across the entire price scale to consider for your 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

De’Aaron Fox, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,100

Fox’s improved numbers this year can be attributed to two factors in the early going. First, he’s averaging 35 minutes per game compared to 28 minutes per contest last season. Second, he’s shooting 52.5 percent from the field compared to 41.2 percent during his rookie campaign. While his shooting percentage is likely to decline, his increased playing time might stick. He’s shown he can contribute across the board by averaging 20.7 points, five rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals, making him a great option Tuesday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,900

Like many rookies, Gilgeous-Alexander has been inconsistent to start his career. While he has chipped in exactly four assists in each of his three games, he sandwiched 11 and 12 point games around a two-point performance against the Thunder. On the bright side, he logged between 23 and 28 minutes in all three games. The Pelicans play at the second-fastest pace (108.8 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Gilgeous-Alexander with added opportunities to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Markelle Fultz, PHI at DET
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,900

Ben Simmons had to leave Saturday’s game against the Magic early due to a stiff back. He’s listed as questionable for Tuesday, so his status is something to monitor as game time approaches. If he doesn’t play, Fultz could see a significant boost in value. Even if Simmons does take the floor, Fultz has averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals across his first three games. His shot still has a long ways to go, but that’s enough overall production to be worth considering for your entry on such a limited slate.

Torrey Craig, DEN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,800

The Nuggets suffered a tough blow when they lost Will Barton to a groin injury. Craig started in his place Saturday and should remain in that role moving forward. His five points in 27 minutes were nothing to write home about, but he did chip in with nine rebounds, a steal, and a block. At near the minimum price on both sites, his minutes floor alone making him an intriguing option in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Danilo Gallinari, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,300

If only Gallinari could put together a healthy season. Since entering the league in 2008-09, Gallinari has played at least 70 games in a season only two times. He missed the entire 2013-14 season with a torn ACL and has played 63 games or fewer in all four seasons since. Last year, he only played in 21 contests. The good news is that he’s healthy now and firing on all cylinders, averaging 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and three three-pointers. He has a 25.8% usage rate and is playing 31 minutes per contest, so take advantage of him being healthy while you still can.

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Bjelica has started each of the Kings first three games, which is a bit surprising considering they drafted Marvin Bagley III. Not only is Bjelica starting, but he logged at least 27 minutes in two of those three contests. He didn’t always get a lot of playing time for the Timberwolves last year, but Bjelica did average 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals across his 21 starts. Although he’s risky, he could outproduce this price point if given extended minutes again Tuesday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Tobias Harris, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,500

The Clippers made a franchise-altering move last year when they traded Blake Griffin to the Pistons. Harris was part of the return for the Clippers and has been one of the focal points of their offense ever since. He’s currently averaging a career-high 22.7 points per game and has chipped in eight rebounds per contest. His 50% field goal percentage is likely unsustainable, but his 24.9% usage rate is going to leave him with a high floor most nights.

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Another significant change the Clippers underwent was the departure of DeAndre Jordan. They brought in Marcin Gortat to take over the starting center job, but he’s played 20 minutes or fewer in each of their three games. Harrell and Boban Marjanovic have been rotating as his primary backup, but this game against the athletic Pelicans seems to be a contest better suited for Harrell’s skillset. He can put up numbers when given the opportunity, scoring 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three blocks across 24 minutes Saturday against the Rockets.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Julius Randle, NO vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,700

The Pelicans may have lost DeMarcus Cousins to the Warriors, but Randle was a great addition to their roster. He’s wasted no time making a significant impact, averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds over their first two games. Even though he’s coming off the bench, he still played at least 24 minutes in both games and has a 26.4% usage rate. Based on the pace at which the Pelicans play, expect him to continue to have plenty of chances to provide value.

Zaza Pachulia, DET vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,800

Andre Drummond missed practice with the flu Monday and is considered questionable for Tuesday. Facing Joel Embiid, this isn’t likely a situation where the Pistons can just go small should Drummond miss the game. One player who would seemingly benefit from his absence is Pachulia, who has already grabbed at least seven rebounds in both of their games. Don’t count on Pachulia to score much, but considering his bargain basement price, he’s someone to consider if Drummond sits.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA enters the weekend with nine games on the schedule Friday. Not only are there plenty of elite players to choose from for your lineup, but there are also a lot of value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

De’Aaron Fox, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,500

The Kings didn’t have one player average at least 30 minutes per game last year but had five players log at least 30 minutes in their opener against the Jazz. Fox was one of them, finishing with 21 points, found rebounds, seven assists and three steals across 38 minutes. While it’s unlikely he’s going to play that much on a nightly basis, there is a real chance that he could see more playing time this season. This should be a high-scoring game against a Pelicans team that played at the fastest pace (101.6 possessions per game) in the league last year, potentially setting up Fox for a valuable performance.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,800

The Clippers badly needed to add depth to their backcourt over the summer and they did just that, with Gilgeous-Alexander being one of their prized acquisitions at 11th overall in the draft. It was encouraging to see him play 28 minutes in their opener against the Nuggets and he took advantage of his opportunity, scoring 11 points to go along with two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Patrick Beverley will continue to start at point guard, but he likely won’t see a normal stater’s allotment of minutes and isn’t a great offensive player. The Clippers get to face a thin Thunder roster that could be without Russell Westbrook (knee) again, making Gilgeous-Alexander someone to consider at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Buddy Hield, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600

Hield logged 32 minutes Wednesday and should continue to see added playing time with Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) injured. He had a balanced performance, scoring 19 points and recording six rebounds, one steal, one block, and one three-pointer. Maybe the stat that is the most exciting about his prospects for Friday is the 18 shot attempts that he had in that game Wednesday. Considering the pace at which this game will likely be played, Hield could be in line for another offensive outburst.

Rodney Hood, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Hood played so poorly after being traded to the Cavaliers that some people forget how well he played for the Jazz at the start of last year. Across 39 games before he was traded, Hood averaged 16.8 points and 2.6 three-pointers. He attempted 14.2 shots per game with Jazz, but only 9.5 per game with the Cavaliers. Now with LeBron James in LA, Hood is in line for more scoring opportunities this season. His 12 points in their opener weren’t great, but he did attempt 13 shots and had to face a good defensive team in the Raptors. Don’t count on him for much outside of scoring, but he could still be a viable option if you want to save money at shooting guard.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Cedi Osman, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,400

Osman was a trendy player to take in the later rounds of season-long drafts due to his likely expanded role this season. He provided glimpses of his upside last season by averaging 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the three games in which he played at least 30 minutes. The Cavaliers gave him 33 minutes Wednesday, resulting in him posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. The fact that it came against the Raptors is even more impressive. This might be an opportunity to take advantage of by plugging him into your lineup before his price starts to climb.

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

The Kings have a ton up depth up front but still decided to bring in Bjelica over the summer. They were intent on giving him extended run Wednesday and he finished the game with 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. Their top pick in the draft Marvin Bagley only played 12 minutes and veteran Zach Randolph didn’t see the floor at all. Their rotations still appear to be very much up in the air, but it might be worth taking a chance that Bjelica sees added minutes again Friday based on this matchup.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Jerami Grant, OKC at LAC
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Patrick Patterson started at power forward for the Thunder in their opener, but he only played 19 minutes and was 2-for-9 from the field. Grant wasn’t much better offensively, finishing with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting. However, he did play 29 minutes and chipped in three blocks. He’s a better defender and more athletic than Patterson is at this stage of his career, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Grant continue to get more minutes than Patterson. If he can hit a few more shots, Grant could provide value at this price based on his ability to contribute defensively.

Ersan Ilyasova, MIL vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Bringing in Ilyasova and his ability to stretch the floor was a key move for the Bucks. He didn’t start in their opener, but he played 29 minutes and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a three-pointer. With opposing defenses focusing on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe, Ilyasova could get a lot of open looks. While Grant is also a viable cheap option, Ilyasova has the higher upside between the two.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18

Myles Turner, IND at MIL
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,800

Turner only played 20 minutes in the Pacers first game of the season, but that was mostly because they destroyed the Grizzlies. Even with his limited playing time, Turner finished with eight points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Coming off signing a hefty contract extension, he’s clearly their main man in the middle. Expect this game to be much more competitive and for Turner to outproduce his prince point.

Alex Len, ATL at MEM
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100

It’s hard to look as bad as the Hawks did in their first game. Playing without John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon certainly didn’t help a roster that is severely lacking talent, to begin with. They were destroyed 126-107 by the Knicks, of all teams. Len only played 21 minutes, which could partly be attributed to the score. With Collins and Dedmon both out again Friday, Len has the opportunity to get a significant workload. Across three games in which Len played at least 30 minutes last year, he averaged 17.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/29/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/29/18

Thursday is Opening Day for baseball, but there is also still plenty of money to be won in DFS for the night’s five-game slate in the NBA. It’s key to find the right cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers to hopefully help create a winning entry. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like Wayne Ellington and Noah Vonleh.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package<

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/29/18

Quinn Cook, GS vs. MIL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $6,400

Cook has done an excellent job picking up the slack for all of the injured Warriors, averaging 19 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 three-pointers in his last six games. He was heavily involved in the offense, averaging 15.2 shot attempts during that stretch. Stephen Curry (knee) and Klay Thompson (thumb) will be out again Thursday, leaving Quinn with additional playing time once again. However, he might not get as many shots as he has been with Kevin Durant (ribs) and Draymond Green (illness) expected to return. Even if he is less involved, he has a high enough minutes floor that he can still provide value for your entry.

Tyler Johnson, MIA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,400

Johnson hasn’t been consistent offensively of late, scoring eight points or fewer in four of his last six games. However, he scored at least 19 points in both of the other two games. Thursday brings a great matchup against the Bulls, who have allowed an average of 119.6 points in their last five games. His price is the lowest it’s been in awhile due to his recent struggles, so now might be the time to capitalize.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/29/18

Buddy Hield, SAC vs. IND
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,800

Hield has had his best month of the season in March, averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.4 three-pointers per game. He’s also averaged 28 minutes per game this month, which is higher than any previous month this season. The Kings are giving their young players more opportunities down the stretch, so expect Hield to see an expanded role again Thursday. His production outside of scoring is inconsistent, but his offensive upside is still high enough to warrant considering him for your entry.

Wayne Ellington, MIA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,300

Although the Heat have been thin up front, their backcourt is healthy for the most part. That has resulted in Ellington logging 27 minutes or fewer in four straight games. He’s still taking plenty of shots from behind the arc though, attempting 25 three-pointers in those four contests. The Bulls have allowed opponents to shoot 37.1% from behind the arc this season, which is eighth-highest in the league. Ellington might be low owned Thursday, but he could be worth the risk in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/29/18

Denzel Valentine, CHI at MIA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,200

The Bulls should continue to have limited depth in their backcourt Thursday with Kris Dunn (toe) and Zach LaVine (knee) both likely out. Valentine has had some big offensive performances in their absence, scoring at least 18 points in three of his last six games. He continues to fire away from behind the arc, attempting at least seven three-pointers in six of his last seven contests. The Heat are one of the better defensive teams in the league, but with the Bulls missing so many key players up and down their roster, Valentine’s increased usage makes him a viable option to consider.

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at SAC
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,100

After a five-game stretch during the middle of March where Bogdanovic really struggled, he’s heated back up by averaging 21 points and 2.7 three-pointers in his last three games. He’s even provided value on the boards, grabbing at least six rebounds in two of those three contests. He played well in his first meeting with the Kings this season, scoring 17 points and hitting three three-pointers in only 27 minutes. On a night with so few options, Bogdanovic’s offensive upside makes him a strong cost-effective option at small forward.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/29/18

Skal Labissiere, SAC vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200

The Kings have been one of the most frustrating teams when it comes to their rotations this season. No player on the team has averaged more than 28 minutes per game this season, leaving many of them with limited upside. Labissiere is finally starting to see more minutes with the Kings playing for nothing but a high draft pick, logging 30 minutes in each of the last three games. He’s taken advantage of the playing time, averaging 14 points, 7.7 rebounds, three assists and 1.3 blocks. His ceiling likely isn’t very high against a tough Pacers defense, but he can still provide value at this price.

Noah Vonleh, CHI at MIA
FanDuel =$4,600
DraftKings = $4,700

The Bulls have already been resting Robin Lopez and will now likely be without Cristiano Felicio (back), who is listed as doubtful for Thursday. Vonleh has already played at last 20 minutes in seven straight games, averaging 8.9 points, nine rebounds, and one steal during that stretch. Even if Lopez does start Thursday, he will likely only see limited minutes and not play at all in the second half. Vonleh is not a big offensive threat, but he should still at least approach a double-double Thursday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/29/18

Steven Adams, OKC at SA
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,800

There aren’t a lot of great center options Thursday, especially on FanDuel. Adams is certainly not cheap, but you might need to pay up at center to have a winning entry. Adams gets a ton of playing time on a Thunder squad that lacks depth up front, averaging a career-high 33 minutes per game this season. He has posted a double-double in three of his last five games and also scored at least 24 points twice during that same stretch. He should have a high floor again Thursday, even against a tough Spurs defense that allows the fewest points per game (99.4) in the league.

Marcin Gortat, WAS at DET
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

Gortat doesn’t provide much offense, scoring seven points or fewer in six of his last nine games. He’s still been able to contribute on the boards though, grabbing at least seven rebounds in five of his last six contests. He’s only averaging 22 minutes per game in March, which severely limits his upside. The Wizards are going to need him to battle with Andre Drummond on Thursday though and Gortat has had some success against the Pistons, averaging 10.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in their three previous matchups this season. If you are determined to save money at center, Gortat might be your best bet to get some value.

NBA FanDuel / Draftkings Lineup For Tonight

by Cory Hanley 0 Comments

*Cory Hanley*
T: @Hanley_Cory

NBA FanDuel / Draftkings Lineup For Tonight

Thursday brings us a smaller slate of six games in the NBA, leaving you with the right options if you know what you’re looking for in your DFS entry. Consider using some of the players below and plugging them into our NBA Lineup Optimizer to round out your lineups. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package<

 

Point Guard

Ricky Rubio, vs. Mavericks (FD: $7,400, DK: $7,100)
Projected Points: FD: 33.66, DK: 34.15

The Jazz are currently battling over the eighth playoff spot in the West versus the Nuggets and Clippers. This leaves Rubio to leave it all on the court night after night, which he continues to prove to do so. Averaging an insanely impressive plus/minus of +21.3 over the last 617 minutes, he has turned into the superstar of his team.


Dennis Schroder, vs. Kings (FD: $6,200, DK: $6,500)
Projected Points: FD: 35.61, DK: 37.03

Schroder didn’t get the memo that the Hawks are out of contention for a playoff spot. Tuesday night, in an unlikely win over the Jazz he managed a career-high 41 points. Thursday night he’ll go up against a mediocre Sacramento defense that is currently giving up 22.4 points per game and 8.27 assists to point guards, two categories that Schroder has been excelling in lately.

Shooting Guard

James Harden, vs. Pistons (FD: $11,600, DK: $11,600)
Projected Points: FD: 53.49, DK: 55.01

In USA Today, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said it quite well when he stated, “That’s the best offensive player I’ve ever seen. They were running guys to him, and he just steps a little further back and hits a three. You know, the way he can pass and see the floor, get fouls, layups, floaters, maybe a lob, maybe out to the corner, he has so many weapons, and now he’s shooting those stepback threes, it’s impossible to guard him. It’s impossible.” Look for him to put on another show at home tonight versus the Pistons.


Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, vs. Pelicans (FD: $5,500, DK: $6,200)
Projected Points: FD: 32.6, DK: 32.72

The Lakers rank first in pace of play, while the Pelicans check in at third, making this Thursday’s fastest-paced matchup. It’s entirely possible that if you blink, you might miss a possession. Caldwell-Pope will receive plenty of opportunities at the shooting guard position, as the Pelicans are on the second game of a back-to-back. I like him best for FanDuel cash games, as his salary there seems perfectly priced. You should see him hit his expected floor of around 32 points.

 

Small Forward

Joe Ingles, vs. Mavericks (FD: $6,600, DK: $6,400)
Projected Points: FD: 27.01, DK: 28.16

If you’re looking for a hot hand on one of the hottest teams in the NBA, look no further than Ingles. The Jazz, having won 9 out of their last 10, are on a heater at the right time of the season. Each member of the team is stepping up like never before. The price is most certainly right for Ingles, as in his last 10 games he has averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Don’t be surprised when you look up on the stat sheet and find him having a 6x-6.5x value game against the Mavs Thursday night.


E’Twaun Moore, vs. Lakers (FD: $4,500, DK: $4,300)
Projected Points: FD: 21.16, DK: 21.64

Even though I’ve already given you a relatively inexpensive option for small forward, I have one more, Moore. In what promises to be the fastest-paced game of the night, Moore will have more than ample opportunities to shoot the ball, which is perfect timing as he appears to be at the beginning of a heater. The Lakers are giving up 30.2 fantasy points to small forward starters, and it shows as last time out versus the Lakers, he scored 29.5 DraftKings/FanDuel points.

 

Power Forward

Anthony Davis, vs. Lakers (FD: $12,500, DK: $11,700)
Projected Points: FD: 61.82, DK: 61.33

In the middle of the Pelicans’ charge to the playoffs, no team has proved itself capable of stopping Davis. As a result, the Pelicans are leaning hard on him towards the end of the season. In his last ten games, he has managed to average a double-double grabbing 11.3 rebounds and 28.3 points per game. If you can afford the hefty price tag, there is undoubtedly an opportunity for him to go off against the Lakers. In their last two meetings against each other this season he has 71.25 DK points and 72.7 FanDuel points.


Aaron Gordon, vs. 76ers (FD: $7,500, DK: $7,300) 
Projected Points: FD: 34.84, DK: 35.01

With Coach Frank Vogel giving Gordon 34 minutes of playing time in Tuesday nights game, you can rest assured Gordon is back and ready to play some ball. Historically, he has done quite well versus the 76ers this season, averaging 18 points, eight rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. If you can’t afford the sizable salary of Anthony Davis in your lineup, you can pivot toward Gordon. Being the hero of what is left of the Magic, he is unlikely to let you down.

 

Center

Rudy Gobert, vs. Mavericks (FD: $9,500, DK: $8,300)
Projected Points: FD: 39.81, DK: 39.72

With a price of only $8,300 on Draftkings, I don’t see why you shouldn’t lock Gobert in all of your DK lineups for Thursday night. Gobert has been an unstoppable force as no player has been better than him value-wise for March. He has managed to rack up 18.9 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and has been getting the minutes, averaging 36.1 per game. The FanDuel price seems right, but take advantage of the low salary play on DraftKings while you have the chance.

 

Dewayne Dedmon, vs. Kings (FD: $5,300, DK: $5,600)
Projected Points: FD: 29.58, DK: 29.37

Dedmon has been on the receiving end of some extra minutes in place of John Collins, who has been dealing with an ankle injury. Tuesday night he went off, most impressively against one of the top defenses in the league, managing to hit 15 points, 15 rebounds, two steals, four assists and a block in 29 minutes of action on the court. He could easily crush value tonight on both websites, as last time out versus the Kings he scored 55 FanDuel points and 56 DraftKings points in only 24 minutes of play. Just imagine what he will accomplish with those few extra precious minutes.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18

Wednesday brings seven games in the NBA with several elite players taking the floor. We all know the studs,  but it’s key to find the right cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers to hopefully help create a winning entry. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like De’Aaron Fox and Ben McLemore.

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18

De’Aaron Fox, SAC vs. NO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,600

Fox hasn’t provided many assists lately, totaling just six in his last three games. The good news is that he is still heavily involved in the offense, attempting at least 12 shots in seven of his last nine contests. His usage rate has increased each of the last two months and is at a season-high 27.1% through three games in March. Wednesday’s opponent in the Pelicans plays at the second-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) and allows the second-most points per game (111.7) in the league, so Fox could be in line for a valuable performance at this price.

D.J. Augustin, ORL at LAL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,000

His numbers don’t jump off the page, but Augustin is averaging a respectable 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 assists in 18 starts this season. With Elfrid Payton now in Phoenix, that should be a role that Augustin holds on to for the rest of the year. Wednesday could be a high scoring game with both the Magic and the Lakers in the top eight in the league in pace of play. Augustin might not have a huge upside, but he’s priced low enough to still warrant considering for your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18

Ben McLemore, MEM at CHI
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,500

The Grizzlies will have very little depth at guard Wednesday with Tyreke Evans (ribs), Andrew Harrison (wrist) and Mario Chalmers (hamstring) all ruled out. McLemore missed Monday’s game due to a personal matter, but he is expected to play against the Bulls. He had played at least 30 minutes in both of his previous two games, averaging 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and 2.5 steals. The Bulls allow the seventh-most points per game (109.4) in the league, leaving McLemore as an excellent inexpensive option with upside.

Kobi Simmons, MEM at CHI
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Simmons is another player who should see added playing time in the Grizzlies’ backcourt Wednesday. He played at least 20 minutes in both of their last two games, averaging 13.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal. Expect him to log fewer minutes and have a lower upside than McLemore, but he’s also priced very cheap. Going with the duo of McLemore and Simmons could open up a significant portion of your budget to spend at other positions and might be a strategy to deploy in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18

Dillon Brooks, MEM at CHI
FanDuel =$4,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Brooks is another player who has seen more playing time due to all of the Grizzlies injuries, logging at least 30 minutes in seven of his last eight games. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game 27 times this season, averaging 11 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in those contests. Most of his value is tied to his scoring, but that might not necessarily be a bad thing considering how bad the Bulls are on defense.

C.J. Miles, TOR at DET
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,800

Miles has seen a slight increase in his role with OG Anunoby (ankle) sidelined the last three games, averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and four three-pointers in 22 minutes per contest. Like Brooks, Miles value is mostly dependent on his ability to score. However, he’s been excellent from behind the arc, averaging a career-high 2.5 three-pointers per game this season. At near the minimum price on both sites, Miles could be worth the risk Wednesday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18

Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. ORL
FanDuel = $6,100
Draft Kings = $6,100

Brandon Ingram’s (groin) injury has opened up added playing time for Kuzma, who has started each of the last two games. He played well in both contests, averaging 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals, one block and two three-pointers. With this likely to be an up-tempo, high scoring game, it fits well with Kuzma’s style of play. Don’t be surprised if he has a big offensive performance Wednesday.

Skal Labissiere/Zach Randolph, SAC vs. NO
FanDuel = $6,100/$5,900
DraftKings = $5,500/$5,800

Willie Cauley-Stein (back) is out again Wednesday, opening up some minutes in the Kings frontcourt. Labissiere has been seeing added playing time and performing well lately, so he would be my choice to add to your lineup Wednesday. However, he’s listed as questionable with a knee injury. If he is also unable to play, that could open up big minutes for Randolph. Randolph has the highest usage rate (27.5%) on the Kings, so he’s likely to produce if given added playing time. Keep your eye out for updates as the day progresses. If Labissiere plays, I’d get him in your lineup. If he doesn’t, I’d roll with Randolph.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18

Brook Lopez, LAL vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,800

The Lakers already freed up their logjam up front by trading Larry Nance Jr. to the Cavaliers, but Lopez could see even more playing time now with Kuzma assuming some of Ingram’s minutes. In the last two games with Ingram injured, Lopez has averaged 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals, one block and 1.5 three-pointers. The Magic are in the bottom ten in terms of points allowed to opposing centers on both FanDuel and DraftKings, leaving Lopez with an opportunity to provide value.

Jakob Poeltl, TOR at DET
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,800

Poeltl doesn’t score much, recording eight points or less in five of his last six games. A lot of his value is tied to his defensive prowess as he is averaging 1.4 steals and 2.4 blocks in his last five contests. The Raptors have been winning games in a deciding fashion lately, which has opened up some added playing time late in games for Poeltl. One of those instances came against these same Pistons a little over a week ago when the Raptors won by 29 points. In that game, Poeltl played 22 minutes and finished with eight points, four rebounds, three steals and one block. If you want to take a risk on a really cheap center in tournament play, Poeltl could be an option.