Thursday’s are usually tough to find cheaper value plays, but we have a busier than normal six-game slate tonight. There is a ton of top-tier talent on the board, so luckily there are still a couple of cheap options at each position to help balance out your budget.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 3/11/19
Monday’s six-game slate will have the Raptors, Celtics, Rockets, Thunder and Jazz all in action, which means there are plenty of top-tier options in DFS. In order to fit them into your entry, you’ll need to find the right mix with cheaper value plays.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/26/19
It’s going to be a quiet Tuesday in the NBA with only three games on the schedule. That doesn’t leave us with many viable cheap value play options, so we’ll have to move a little higher up on the price scale than normal to find some players with value..
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/31/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
As far as Thursday’s go, we have a fairly busy slate in the NBA tonight with six games. There aren’t as many great cheap value plays as we’ve seen the last couple of days, but there are still a couple that stand out at each position that could prove to be profitable. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Patrick Beverley, LAC vs. LAL
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,300
Beverley is set to start again Thursday with Danilo Gallinari (back) ruled out. Across the first six games that Gallinari has missed, Beverly has averaged 11 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 steals. He’s only averaging 26 minutes per game for the season, but he averaged 37 minutes a contest during that six-game stretch. Since both of these teams are in the top-eight in the league in pace of play, the added playing time could really benefit Beverley once again.
Shabazz Napier, BKN at SA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,300
How lucky are the Nets that they have Napier? They were already shorthanded with Caris LeVert (foot) and Allen Crabbe (knee) out and have now lost Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb). Napier has stepped up in their absences, averaging 20.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals over his last three games. He has a secure role moving forward, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry despite his climbing price tag.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Avery Bradley, LAC vs. LAL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,700
Bradley isn’t a lock to play Thursday since he is listed as questionable with knee soreness. He’s had a little extra time to rest considering the Clippers haven’t played since Monday, so hopefully, he can take the floor. If he does, he makes a lot of sense at this price based on the uptempo pace at which this game will likely be played. He’s also played well without Gallinari, averaging 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and three assists across his last six games.
Aaron Holiday, IND at ORL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,900
Not only is Victor Oladipo (knee) gone for the season, but Tyreke Evans has missed the last two games with a back injury. If he can’t play again Thursday, Holiday should receive a boost in playing time. His numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, but Holiday has averaged 11.7 points, four rebounds and 2.6 assists over seven games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes. Considering how cheap he is on both sites, Holiday might be worth a look in tournament play.
SMALL FORWARDS
J.J. Redick, PHI at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,500
This should be a fun, high-scoring game. Both teams come into this matchup mostly healthy, so we’ll see if the Sixers’ star trio can hang with the fearsome fivesome that the Warriors have put together. Redick might not be on the same level as Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be productive in this contest. He’s averaging a career-high 18.4 points per game this year and should continue to receive more open looks with opposing defenses having to focus their efforts on the other stars for the Sixers.
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,400
For the most part, Isaac has been a disappointment this year with averages of 8.1 points, five rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. However, he still has a secure role with the team and has actually averaged 29 minutes across his last six games. He’s even stepped things up as a passer, averaging two assists per contest during his last six games. His overall numbers don’t leave him with a very high ceiling, but his contributions across the board could leave him with some value at this price.
POWER FORWARDS
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. MIL
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,200
Despite Siakam not being overly cheap, he still has the potential to provide plenty of value. Across three previous games against the Bucks this year, he’s averaged 23 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and two blocks. That’s not all that surprising since the Bucks play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.1 possessions per game) in the league and don’t possess a ton of size up front. Don’t expect them to be able to slow him down in this game, either.
Ed Davis, BKN at SA
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100
The rebounding machine that is Ed Davis is in prime form right now with an average of 10.7 boards across his last six games. That’s especially impressive considering he’s only averaged 22 minutes a game during that stretch. Even though his scoring upside isn’t great, his ability to crash the offensive glass enabled him to average 7.5 points in those six contests. If he can approach a double-double again Thursday, that could be excellent value considering how his cheap price tag can help free up the rest of your budget. Of note, Davis is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel since he is listed at center on DraftKings.
CENTERS
Ivica Zubac, LAL at LAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,100
Just when we thought Zubac was on a roll, he ran into Joel Embiid and the Sixers on Tuesday. Even though Zubac started once again, he scored only seven points and grabbed two rebounds in 17 minutes. However, this is a favorable spot for him to bounce back considering the Clippers allow the most DraftKings points per game and the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers.
JaVale McGee, LAL at LAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,500
While Zubac struggled against the Sixers, McGee shined with 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in 27 minutes. Don’t count on him to replicate that type of stat line Thursday, but he had averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across his previous six games despite losing his starting job. With how poorly the Clippers have defended against centers, rostering McGee could be a risk worth taking in tournament play.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/22/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Tuesday brings just four games in the NBA, which doesn’t leave us with a ton of cheap value play options. However, some key injuries do help create a few more viable choices. Let’s highlight a couple of players at each position that might be worth considering for your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Patrick Beverley, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,800
The Clippers are going to be shorthanded Tuesday with Danilo Gallinari (back) out and Lou Williams (hamstring) not expected to play. Beverley started with both players out Sunday against the Spurs and cashed in his opportunity with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block. It will be hard for him to duplicate such lofty numbers, but this matchup is favorable with both the Clippers and the Mavericks in the top half of the league in pace of play.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600
While Beverly shined Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander laid an egg. He played 38 minutes but finished with just seven points, four rebounds, and three assists. The problem was he shot just 3-for-15 from the field. That was certainly an anomaly for him considering he’s shooting 46.8 percent from the field for the season, overall. Don’t let one bad performance scare you away, this is still a great spot to deploy Gilgeous-Alexander.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Danny Green, TOR vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800
Green exploded with Kawhi Leonard (rest) out Saturday against the Grizzlies, scoring 24 points in just 23 minutes. He made a staggering eight three-pointers against one of the better defensive teams in the league, making the performance even more impressive. The expected return of Leonard will somewhat limit Green’s upside Tuesday, but he’s still someone to consider since he’s averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals across his last seven games.
Avery Bradley, LAC at DAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,000
Bradley has been almost non-existent offensively this year, averaging only 7.7 points in 29 minutes per game. His usage rate sits at 14.4 percent and he’s shooting only 37.9 percent from the field, which isn’t exactly a recipe for success. However, he logged a whopping 41 minutes with Gallinari and Williams out Sunday and finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. If he can receive similar playing time in this matchup, he might actually be able to provide value based on his dirt cheap price on both sites.
SMALL FORWARDS
T.J. Warren, PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,700
Despite Warren’s slight scoring average decline this season, he remains a crucial part of the Suns’ offense with his 23.1 percent usage rate. They could rely on him even more so Tuesday with Deandre Ayton (ankle) expected to miss his second straight game. Warren scored 21 points against these same Timberwolves with Ayton out Sunday while also chipping in four rebounds and two steals. His contributions will likely mostly be limited to the scoring column, but he’s still someone to consider during this limited slate.
Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,600
Oubre got off to a bit of a slow start after joining the Suns, but he’s rolling right now with averages of 20.3 points, six rebounds, and 1.6 steals over his last seven games. He started to see increased playing time when Devin Booker missed a few games due to injury and hasn’t relinquished his expanded role even with Booker back on the floor. If you’re deciding between Oubre and Warren, Oubre might actually be the better play since he’s a little cheaper and playing so well right now.
POWER FORWARDS
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at OKC
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,100
Aminu sometimes gets lost behind Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and Jusuf Nurkic. He’s not nearly the same offensive threat that those three are, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored in DFS. He’s a nightly double-double threat with averages of 9.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and he has a high minutes floor with an average of 30 minutes per contest. The last time these two teams met, Aminu thrived with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Dragan Bender, PHO vs. MIN
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,000
With Ayton and Richaun Holmes (foot) out Sunday, Bender found his way into the starting five for the Suns. It was certainly a desperation move, but it almost paid off with the Suns losing by two points in the final seconds. Bender did his part, scoring 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes. If both Ayton and Holmes miss this contest Tuesday, Bender is going to be a very popular pick at this cheap price.
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, DAL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,400
This stands out as a prime opportunity to deploy Jordan since the Clippers allow the most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. In his first two matchups against his former squad, Jordan averaged 13.5 points and 22.5 rebounds. Don’t expect them to be able to slow him down on the boards Tuesday.
Greg Monroe, TOR vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,400
If you’re playing on FanDuel, it’s slim pickings in terms of cheap centers with upside. If you’re looking for a dart throw in tournament play, Monroe might be your guy. The Kings have a lot of depth up front, so Monroe could be asked to log a few extra minutes. This game also has significant blowout potential with the Raptors favored by 11 points, so Monroe could even grab a few extra minutes in garbage time. Across four games in which Monroe has logged at least 20 minutes this season, he’s averaged 11.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. It’s not crazy to think he could at least approach that minute’s threshold in this contest.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/1/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The NBA starts off 2019 with just five games on the schedule Tuesday. That leaves fewer value play options to choose from than normal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a profitable evening. Let’s dig into the matchups to see where you might be able to gain an edge. 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
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,500
The Raptors will once again be without the services of Kyle Lowry (back) when they take on the Jazz. He’s missed seven of the last eight games, which has allowed VanVleet to move into the starting five. VanVleet has thrived across 11 total starts this season, averaging 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and one steal. The Jazz are a good defensive team, but VanVleet should still receive enough playing time to consider deploying in your lineup.
T.J. McConnell, PHI at LAC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,600
With Markelle Fultz (shoulder) still out, the Sixers really need McConnell to be a productive member of their second unit. His 14 percent usage rate leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s still provided some offensive value due to his 56.1 percent field goal percentage. He’s also averaged 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals across his last 13 games, leaving him with some appeal in this contest between two teams in the top-eight in the league in pace of play.
SHOOTING GUARDS
J.J. Redick, PHI at LAC
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,100
Redick has remained a vital part of the Sixers’ offense despite the addition of Jimmy Butler, averaging 17.8 points and posting a 22.8 percent usage rate across his last 13 games. He’s averaging 18 points per game for the season, overall, which is even more impressive when you consider he’s only shooting 36.9 percent from behind the arc. This should be a high-scoring affair, making Redick a great option against his former squad.
Iman Shumpert, SAC vs. POR
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300
Shumpert has not only remained in the starting five for the Kings, but he’s actually attempted at least 11 shots in three straight games. He’s also having by far his best season from behind the arc, averaging two three-pointers per game. Throw in his 1.3 steals per contest and he’s remained DFS relevant despite his lack of rebounds and assists. At his reduced price on both sites, he could be worth the risk in tournament play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Joe Ingles, UTA at TOR
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,200
It’s hard to read too much into Ingles’ production lately since four of the Jazz’s last five games have been decided by at least 17 points. His minutes have been limited in a few of those contests, leading to some less-than-stellar stat lines. However, his overall numbers for the season are strong with averages of 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest. If the Jazz can keep this game close, which could be easier with Lowry out, Ingles could have a bounce-back performance.
Wilson Chandler, PHI at LAC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,800
The Sixers continue to have a huge void at power forward after they traded Dario Saric to the Timberwolves. Chandler has assumed the starting role in his absence and has averaged 7.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 20 games. It’s hard to get excited about those numbers, but this is still a favorable matchup for him. Both teams play at a fast pace and the Clippers use a lot of small lineups, so there is the potential here for Chandler to have one of his more productive outings of the year.
POWER FORWARDS
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at SAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900
Aminu has had injury issues the last couple of years. Luckily for the Blazers, he’s started all 37 of their games this season. Although he may not grab a lot of headlines, he’s been a big part of their success with averages of 9.3 points, eight rebounds, and one steal. The Kings play at the second-fastest pace (105.3 possessions per game), which should afford Aminu with even more opportunities to pad the stat sheet Tuesday.
Luke Kornet, NY at DEN
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,600
I can’t figure out Kornet’s price on FanDuel. Both Zach Randolph and Michael Porter Jr., two guys who haven’t played all season, are priced $300 higher than Kornet. Kornet started the last two games for the Knicks and averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and five assists. Enes Kanter (back) is also questionable for this game, so Kornet could be in line for even more playing time. He’s a lock for me on FanDuel and his price on DraftKings also leaves him with plenty of upside.
CENTERS
Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. NY
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,000
The Nuggets finally received some good news on the injury front Saturday when Paul Millsap returned from his toe injury. He only played 14 minutes off the bench and might be limited once again Tuesday. His return is bad news for Plumlee, who was starting alongside Nikola Jokic during his absence. Even if Millsap returns to the starting five in this game, Plumlee might not be a bad option in DFS. This could be a blowout at home against the lowly Knicks, especially if Kanter doesn’t play. Millsap likely wouldn’t play much if that were to be the case, which would still leave a significant role for Plumlee. I’d probably avoid him on DraftKings since more players are eligible at center, but he’s at least in the discussion on FanDuel.
Brook Lopez, MIL vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300
The Bucks are going to need plenty of help from Lopez in this matchup against Andre Drummond and the Pistons. Lopez has only averaged 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds across their first two meetings this season, but he blocked a total of eight shots. I prefer deploying him over Plumlee if you want to save money at center on FanDuel and his higher minute’s floor might make him a more appealing option on DraftKings, as well, despite the slightly higher price tag.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/5/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Wednesday is shaping up to be an awesome night in the NBA with 10 games on the schedule. Not only is their a ton of top-tier talent to choose from, but there are also a lot of excellent cheap value plays. Here are a couple to consider at each position to help round out 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
Jeremy Lin, ATL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900
The Hawks will be without Taurean Prince (ankle) for the at least the next three weeks, which is a huge loss since he has the fourth-highest usage rate (22.6 percent) on the team. There are several players who could see an increase in scoring with Prince out, including Lin. Lin actually already has a higher usage rate (23.2 percent) than Prince does, which has enabled him to maintain value despite coming off of the bench. His price is climbing, but Lin is still a viable option based on his role with the team.
Tim Frazier, NO vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500
Frazier didn’t exactly shine with seven points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal Monday against the Clippers, but he did log 29 minutes. That marked the third time in the last four games that he has spent at least 29 minutes on the floor. The Pelicans won’t count on him to score much, but he should continue to have the ability to rack up assists with so many talented players around him. It also helps that the Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (104.5 possessions per game) in the league.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Kevin Huerter, ATL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,700
Huerter had a hard time finding consistent playing time earlier in this season, but he’s started five straight games and logged at least 25 minutes in each of his last three contests. His role should be even more secure now with Prince out. His scoring numbers haven’t been stellar, but he has averaged nine points, 5.3 rebounds, four assists, and one steal across those three games. Both the Hawks and the Wizards are in the top-six in the league in pace of play, further strengthening a case to take a chance on Huerter in tournament play.
Alec Burks, CLE vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,000
The Cavaliers don’t have a ton of talent, which has enabled Burks to immediately take on a significant role off the bench after being acquired from the Jazz. He’s made the most of his opportunity, averaging 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and one steal across three games. His usage rate is also 24.4 percent, so he could jack up plenty of shots Wednesday as the Cavaliers attempt to keep pace with the high-scoring Warriors.
SMALL FORWARDS
Juancho Hernangomez, DEN at ORL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,400
Not only is Will Barton (groin) still on the sidelines, but the Nuggets will also be without Gary Harris (hip) for this contest. Hernangomez likely won’t see significantly more scoring opportunities even with Harris out, but he’s still a great option in DFS. Across 11 games as a starter, he’s averaging 12.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.2 three-pointers per contest.
Kelly Oubre Jr., WAS at ATL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,600
The Wizards are thin up front with Dwight Howard (lower body) out, but it might be better if they just leave Oubre as a member of their second unit. He’s averaging 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds a game coming off the bench compared to 9.9 points and 4.4 rebounds when he starts. Consistency is a concern with him, but considering how poorly the Hawks play, this might be the time to take a chance on Oubre in tournament play.
POWER FORWARDS
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,800
This matchup between the Raptors and Sixers should be one of the best games of the night. They enter as the top two teams in the Eastern Conference and are separated by just three games. The acquisition of Jimmy Butler was huge for the Sixers, but it also left them with Wilson Chandler as their starting power forward. They don’t have great options behind him, either, potentially setting up Ibaka for a big performance.
Frank Kaminsky, CHA at MIN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700
Marvin Williams (shoulder) hasn’t been overly productive for the Hornets, but he has been starting and averaging 25 minutes a game. With him out for at least a week, a few players could be in line for added playing time. Miles Bridges might see the most significant jump, but don’t forget about Kaminsky, either. He’s only played at least 20 minutes in a game twice all season, but he averaged 15 points, four rebounds, and 1.5 assists in those contests. At near the minimum price, Kaminsky could be a gamble worth taking Wednesday.
CENTERS
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,900
The Hawks don’t have a ton of talent, but they do have both Dedmon and Alex Len at center. They’ve eaten into each other’s fantasy value, but Len is starting to see his playing time dwindle lately. Dedmon tied his season high by playing 31 minutes Monday against the Warriors and finished with six points to go along with 10 rebounds, four steals, and one block. With Howard out of the picture for the Wizards, Dedmon could provide plenty of value if he’s given extended playing time again.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300
The Raptors have been playing small lately, leaving Valanciunas to come off of the bench in each of their last four games. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return to the starting five for this matchup against Embiid. Valanciunas has been much more productive as a starter, averaging 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds across nine games. When these two teams met earlier this season, he scored 23 points and grabbed four rebounds over just 17 minutes.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18
*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
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
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
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
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
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 11/27/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There are only five games in the NBA on Tuesday, which doesn’t exactly leave for a ton of viable cheap value play options. We might have to dig a little deeper than normal, but here are a couple of players at each position that stand out as viable 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
Trey Burke, NY at DET
FanDuel =$6,100
DraftKings = $4,700
The Knicks sure don’t make rostering their players in DFS feel comforting. They frequently change up their rotations with Burke maybe being the poster child for this practice. He sat out three games entirely towards the beginning of November, but he’s logged at least 26 minutes in five of their last six games. It’s going to be hard for the Knicks to bench him now since he averaged 23.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and four assists over those five contests.
Cory Joseph, IND at PHO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600
With Victor Oladipo (knee) out the last four games, Joseph has averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest. He’s an excellent defender and the primary backup to starting point guard Darren Collison, so Joseph still has secure minutes even if Oladipo does return Tuesday. This also has the potential to be a blowout against a bad Suns team, which could afford Joseph some added opportunities in garbage time.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Rodney McGruder, MIA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,900
The Heat are going to be thin in their backcourt again Tuesday with Goran Dragic (knee) and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) already listed as out. That should leave added playing time for a few players, including McGruder. His production has slowed down a bit since the start of the season, but he’s still averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and three assists per contest in November. Since the Hawks play at the fastest pace (106.7 possessions per game) in the league, McGruder is a viable option to consider due to his high minute’s floor.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL at DEN
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,600
Caldwell-Pope’s playing time is down significantly this year at 21 minutes per contest. However, the injury to Rajon Rondo (hand) has allowed him to take on a more prominent role. Across five games since Rondo was injured, Caldwell-Pope has averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals over 27 minutes a game. His upside might not be as high as McGruder’s, but he’s also dirt cheap on both sites.
SMALL FORWARDS
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at PHO
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900
The Pacers destroyed the Jazz on Monday with Bogdanovic once again playing a key role in their success. He only attempted nine shots, but he still scored 15 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and one steal. If Oladipo can’t play again Tuesday, Bogdanovic stands out as a great value play option. However, even if he does return, Bogdanovic is still someone to consider based on this limited slate.
Juancho Hernangomez, DEN vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,800
Hernangomez has really stepped up with Will Barton (groin) on the sidelines. He’s moved into the starting five and has thrived in the role with 12.3 points and seven rebounds per contest. The Nuggets normally play at a slow pace, but they might have to speed things up Tuesday with the Lakers playing at the fourth-fastest pace (104.2). With Hernangomez already receiving more minutes, this could be a favorable spot for him to be productive.
POWER FORWARDS
JaMychal Green, MEM vs. TOR
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200
Power forward might be the toughest position of the night if you want to save money, especially if you play on FanDuel. Green began the season as a starter for the Grizzlies, but after missing an extended stretch due to injury, he’s lost his job to Jaren Jackson Jr. However, Green has still been productive off the bench, averaging 8.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across five games. Don’t expect eye-popping numbers from him Tuesday, but he’s still in the discussion for tournament contests.
Richaun Holmes, PHO vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,300
After the Suns moved on from Tyson Chandler, Holmes emerged as the clear backup center to Deandre Ayton. Holmes has really come into his own of late, averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two blocks across his last four games. His price on FanDuel isn’t bad, but his price on DraftKings is especially appealing. The Pacers have a lot of size up front, so Holmes might even see a few added minutes, as well.
CENTERS
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at MEM
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,300
The Raptors continue to play matchups at center, which sometimes forces Valanciunas into a reserve role. That shouldn’t be the case Tuesday, though, against Marc Gasol. Valanciunas has still managed to be productive coming off the bench, but he’s been better as a starter with 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,500
Adebayo had his best game of the year Sunday against the Raptors, scoring 16 points to go along with 21 rebounds and two blocks across 36 minutes. Hassan Whiteside was limited to just 12 minutes due to foul trouble, which was the main reason for Adebayo’s bump in playing time. Guessing scores can sometimes be tricky when planning your DFS lineup, but this has the potential to be a blowout win for the Heat at home against the Hawks. If that were to be the case, Adebayo could feast in garbage time.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/21/18
*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
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
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
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
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
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.