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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18

by John Ferrucci 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS:

Stephen Curry ($9,500 FD/$10,300 DK) –

Steph is a much more appealing play on FanDuel as he sits below the 10k range. He may be worth paying up for Saturday night as he takes on the Houston Rockets, who rank 22nd in defending point guards and the same team Curry scored 47 FanDuel points against a couple weeks ago. Curry has scored 40+ FanDuel points in 11 straight games, showing serious consistency value wise. The projected total of this game is a massive 234, implying a high scoring contest as well as fast paced with both teams ranking top 10 in the league in pace of play.

Eric Bledsoe ($7,000 FD/$7,600) – 

Bledsoe is one of the best point guard plays of the night, and will most likely be a very popular option. The Bucks will be without primary scorer Giannis as he has been ruled out. This lays a much heavier workload for Bledsoe against the Sixers who rank 21st in defending point guards. He’s very affordable and is projected 42.9 FanDuel points, giving him a healthy value of 6.13x.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Khris Middleton ($7,400 FD/$7,900 DK) –

Alongside Bledsoe, Middleton will also be picking up much more offensive responsibility Saturday night with the Greak Freak sidelined. At a very affordable price it’s safe to say he will be high owned as well. He has a mediocre matchup with the Sixers. Luckily, they play at the fastest pace in the NBA so expect to tempo of the game to be pushed a little faster. This could benefit Middleton greatly.

Wayne Ellington ($4,400 FD/$4,900 DK) –

Ellington is dirt cheap and in a great matchup Saturday with the Charlotte Hornets, who defend shooting guards the worst in the league. He has been seeing great minutes, logging 30 or more in 9 of his last 10 games. He has also provided 20+ FanDuel points in three straight, showing a bit of consistency recently for such a low price tag. If Tyler Johnson remains out Ellington should see a slight increase in workload and opportunity. He seems worth the small risk.

SMALL FORWARDS:

Josh Richardson ($6,000 FD/ $6,000 DK) – 

Richardson has been a great offensive presence for the Heat lately, especially with Tyler Johnson out, who may be sitting out Saturday night as well. Richardson has averaged 33.6 FanDuel points in the two matchups Tyler Johnson recently missed. His price tag hasn’t changed much, which is a good thing. The Hornets may make things a bit more hectic as they run at the 10th rank pace in the league while the Heat rank a mere 28th.

PJ Tucker ($4,100 FD/$3,700 DK) – 

With Gerald Green and Trevor Ariza suspended last game, that left Tucker as a primary SF. Although he did not perform as expected, collecting 17.8 FDP, he was able to log 33 minutes. He should see this playing time once again Saturday night as Green and Ariza serve their final game of their suspensions. Tucker’s matchup with the Warriors is above average, so if he can get the appropriate minutes he will have plenty of opportunity to exceed value. He’s a bit risky, but also very cheap.

POWER FORWARDS:

Dario Saric ($5,500 FD/$6,200 DK) –

If you need a safe and cheap play, Saric is your guy. He has scored 20+ FanDuel points in eight straight contests, with three of those reaching the 40 point mark or more. He has been a great weapon for this developing Sixers offense. He matches up fair with the Milwaukee Bucks, who will be without Giannis. Saric is currently projected at 27 FanDuel points which would give him a value of nearly 5x. His consistency lately allows him to be a safer bet for your lineup as he also brings some upside.

Montrezl Harrell ($6,200 FD/$4,800 DK) – 

Harrell is another cheap option with upside in this slate. His price is much more appealing on DraftKings as his price on FanDuel may be a bit intimidating. Harrell has been very beneficial off the bench for this Clippers squad, especially with DeAndre Jordan sidelined. In the last three games without Jordan, Harrell has averaged 31.8 FanDuel PPG along with 27.6 minutes per game. Jordan has already been officially ruled out Saturday night, giving Harrell the chance to keep this type of play up.

CENTERS:

Joel Embiid ($10,500 FD/$10,400 DK) – 

The “process” might have to be trusted in this slate. Embiid is matched up great with the Bucks tonight as he has been on a tear lately. Embiid has three straight games with a double-double and is averaging nearly 2 blocks per game over his last five contests, helping his fantasy scores increase. He’s coming off a monstrous 26-16-6 performance against the Celtics, accumulating to 59.2 FanDuel points. He’s now rested for tonight’s game and appears to be a player to pay up for in this slate.

Hassan Whiteside ($8,700 FD/$7,600 DK) – 

Whiteside’s numbers his past two games are impossible to ignore, as the center posted back to back 20 point double-double games. He also combined both games for a total of 10 blocks, making him average 5 each game. In this span, he averaged 55.7 FanDuel points. He has a bit of a tough matchup against the Hornets but at his price and recent production, it’s a little difficult to fade him just for his matchup. Although he is due for major regression, that due date might just not be yet.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Tuesday’s 4-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Yogi Ferrell and Dragan Bender.


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Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Yogi Ferrell
FD $5,300 DK $4,500

J.J. Barea has already been ruled out for this game, so Yogi is one of the easiest plays of the night. He’s been at 33, 36, and 42 minutes over the last 3 and can be bet on for 35+. He could easily get up to 40 as he’s being relied on for minutes at both the 1 and 2. We know he produces when on the floor and is never a guy that’s going to disappear in the corner for a long stretch. The Mavs match-up with Denver, who rank 20th in the league against PG’s. Jamal Murray already a bad enough defender, but it doesn’t help that Nikola Jokic is one of the worst rim protectors in the conference. Ferrell will get himself involved all game long and have another 25+ fantasy points. His ceiling is in the 50’s if he gets hot and the Mavs match the Nuggets PACE.

Tyler Ulis
FD $4,200 DK $4,000

Tyler Ulis has been pretty inconsistent as a whole on this season, but never as a point per $ producer. When given the minutes, he produces. He did it all of last year and has followed through this season with a 1.14 combined FP per minute. He was seeing over 30 minutes with Canaan injured and jumped down to 25 with him back. Tonight, he should fall in between 25 and 30. At $4200 against a weak Blazers defense, that will be plenty. The Blazers rank 19th against PG’s on the season and 26th in terms of assists (where Ulis thrives). Vegas hasn’t dropped a line on this game yet, but I’d be willing to bet it’s over a 216 total with a spread around 3 or 4. It’s a game we want exposure to in all formats. Ulis has been over 20 fantasy for 4 games in a row and will look to make it 5 at close to minimum-price. He’s in play in all formats as the price is just a little too low.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Marcus Smart
FD $5,500 DK $5,200

If you’re looking for value at shooting guard, you have to wait for some injury news. As of now, you can’t really go under $5k. We’ll look at two mid-range options in Smart and Fournier that won’t break the bank and have a very high chance of hitting cash game value. Starting with Smart, he’s getting consistent minutes with the 2nd team and is always in the game down the stretch. He gets a match-up against a Pelicans squad that ranks 26th in the league against the SG position. Smart is going to fill the stat sheet like always and will have plenty of open shots against a weak Pelicans perimeter defense. You can count on 20 out of Smart with the upside for 35 if he can get his 3 to fall. He’s a viable option in all formats, though he’ll be limited to my cash games.

Evan Fournier
FD $5,400 DK $5,100

Here we have a guy with some more upside in Evan Fournier. Fournier is always going to be a bit reliant on his shot, but that’s how he derives a lot of his upside. He takes 15 shots in most games and has been over 20 fantasy points in each of the last 4. This match-up with the Timberwolves is slightly below average on paper, but I think it ends up as a high-scoring affair and we know Fournier is going to be needed for that. His price is extremely fair just over $5k on both sites and he has the upside to hit 40 if it stays close. Fournier is a guy I’ll have in all formats, though I understand the risk that comes along with it.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Jonathan Simmons
FD $4,700 DK $4,900

Jonathan Simmons got injured on January 3rd and has been battling back ever since. For the first time in two weeks, he saw 30+ minutes last game. He looked like his normal self and put up 29 fantasy points. He’s assumed to be fully healthy and a guy we can bet on for 30+ minutes at this point. His price is still depressed under $5k and I have a hard time believing he misses value if the game stays close. Jimmy Butler is a menace at the 3, but he’s by no means going to shadow Simmons. He will see a bunch of different defenders and a few of which he’ll have a clear advantage over. He’s a shot maker and will be needed if the Magic want to live up to the 217 over/under that Vegas has set. Simmons is simply WAY too cheap and a lock in my cash games because of it. He’s a great player that can be locked in for 20 with the upside for 40+ if it stays close. At one of the weaker positions on the slate, he should be popular.

Josh Jackson
FD $5,200 DK $4,800

With T.J. Warren questionable to play, Josh Jackson has a chance to step in as one of the top value plays on the board. He saw 30 minutes last game with Warren out and put up 30 fantasy points. He’s been over 1 FP per minute on the season and can be trusted when given the opportunity. The Blazers are a subpar defense against the wing and have allowed the 5th most 3’s to small forwards. If Warren plays, Jackson would fall into his usual 22-25 minutes and still be fine in cash games. Don’t play him if Warren is ruled in, but I don’t mind taking a flier if he’s still questionable at lineup lock. Jackson is a solid player and this is a game we want exposure to in any way possible.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Dragan Bender
FD $4,800 DK $4,600

With Chriss out, Bender has put up 39, 32, and 30 minutes. He figured out a way to put up just 3 fantasy point last game but poured in 43 and 32 the nights before. He is an extremely productive DFS player that seems to get involved in almost every possession. He’s far from scared to shoot 15 times and can get hot from anywhere. He’s a versatile 4 that’s going to give the Blazers some huge issues. They’ll toss Ainu at him for most of the night, who’s a good defender, but is undersized to contest Bender in the paint. As long as Chris’s remains out, Bender is a top value option on the slate. He can’t be trusted for a floor, but should put up 30-50 in this spot on most nights.

Marcus Morris
FD $4,700 DK $4,500

Marcus Morris is in play here no matter what. He’s getting 24+ minutes a night and producing quite nicely. Even if everything breaks against him, he’s going to see 24 minutes against a weak Pelicans defense. Under $5k, it’s doable. I certainly prefer Bender, but you can do much worse. Now if Jayson Tatum sits, it’s a whole new world. Morris would likely jump up to 30-35 minutes and be one of the easier plays on the board. He’s been playing well and has been over 30 a ton in limited playing time. The Pelicans are a poor defense as a whole and can be taken advantage of inside. Morris is always involved when on the court and a value option I’ve been all over recently. His price has slowly risen, but not to the point it should be. If Tatum is out, plug in Morris across the board. Daniel Theis would also become interesting if he gets the start.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/16/18

Bismack Biyombo
FD $6,400 DK $5,600

I’m sure some were surprised by the 50 FP Biyombo outburst a game ago, but you can’t be if you’ve been paying attention to him for longer than this year. He’s a very able big man that has stepped in in the past and dominated, with Nikola Vucevic and is seeing similar minutes he has already been over 35 fantasy points three times. He’s nowhere near the asset on offense but gets himself involved as much as anyone. As one of the best rebounders in the league, you can lock in 10 against Minnesota. In a game with a 217 over/under, his size will be needed against Towns. He’s not as cheap as he’s been, but a consistent week of production with some mixed in 40’s will do that. The T-Wolves struggle against big men and Biyombo should have all that much trouble putting up numbers in 30-34 minutes.

Aron Baynes
FD $3,800 DK $3,800

This is admittedly a stretch, but hear me out. If Tatum misses this game, Baynes has to see over 22 minutes. The Pelicans front court is just too big and he’s too valuable to sit on the bench while Al Horford and Marcus Morris struggle. He’s always one of the best FP producers when on the floor and it always just comes down to him getting out there. If you’re looking for safety, pay up at center and grab one of the many safe options. If you need to pay down in a tournament and want a shot at 30, Baynes is the guy. I will have more exposure than the field of Tatum is out and don’t see how it could go wrong. Just kidding, this is Aron Baynes and it doesn’t take much for it to go wrong. I just see him getting stretched for 22-28 minutes against a frontcourt that can be handled on offense.

 

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*


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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

It’s important to know the intricacies of the NBA schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head fantasy league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are some moves you might want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

There are only ten teams playing four games each this week, which means you might be left with less of a base to build off of on your current squad than normal. If you need help filling out your starting lineup, consider adding the below players who are still available in most leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

Jarrett Jack, New York Knicks

The Knicks brought in Jack on a non-guaranteed contract and not only has he played well, but he has started 40 games this season. He was expected to split time with rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina but has firmly grabbed a hold of the starting job. Jack is averaging 27 minutes per game this season but has played at least 32 minutes in five of the last seven games. Jack has taken full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 14.8 points, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals in those five games. Two of his four games this week come against the Nets and Lakers, both of which are in the top-five in the league in pace of play. Jack is still available in 65% of Yahoo! leagues and should be on your radar if you need a point guard.

Wayne Ellington, Miami Heat

The Heat have been one of the teams impacted the most by injuries this season, most recently losing Dion Waiters (ankle) for the season. Ellington has been a crucial part of their rotation as a result, averaging 25 minutes per game overall. He’s played much more than that lately though, logging at least 30 minutes in 12 of his last 13 games. He won’t provide much in the way of rebounds or assists, but he has made the sixth-most three-pointers (121) in the league. If you need a boost from behind the arc, he could be a difference maker with four games on tap for this week. He is still available in 66% of Yahoo! leagues.

JaMychal Green, Memphis Grizzlies

Green has been limited to just 26 games this season, but he is averaging a career-high 10.0 points to go along with 6.7 rebounds and 0.8 three-pointers per game. He’s off to a hot start in January, averaging 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 block through four games. He could be in line for added minutes this week as the Grizzlies will need his size battling four big frontcourts in the Lakers, Knicks, Kings, and Pelicans. None of the four are particularly strong teams defensively either. Still available in 85% of Yahoo! leagues, Green has upside this week.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns

With only two teams playing two games each this week, rolling with players on the Mavericks or Suns will put you at a disadvantage. As a result, consider benching the players below who you may normally start most weeks.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns

Warren has stepped up to be the Suns’ second-best player this year, averaging career-highs in points (19.7), rebounds (5.5) and assists (1.4) per game. The problem is, he doesn’t provide great defensive stats and is only averaging 0.3 three-pointers per game. His two opponents this week are the Nuggets and the Trail Blazers, two teams in the bottom half of the league in terms of pace of play. With scoring being his main source of value, he just won’t have the volume this week to warrant starting.

Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are lacking depth and young talent, so Smith has been a welcomed addition to their roster. Although he’s only averaging 28 minutes per game, he’s still provided value because of his 28.3% usage rate that ranks inside the top-25 in the league. His percentages have hurt his value though as he’s shooting just 39.4% from the field and 69.3% from the charity stripe. Ironically, the Mavericks also play the Nuggets and Trail Blazers this week, so it might be best to keep Smith on your bench.

Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks

Barnes has been the most productive player on the Mavericks, averaging 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 three-pointers per game. His field goal percentage is down this season at only 45.5%, but he’s been excellent from the charity stripe, shooting 82.8%. He doesn’t provide many steals or blocks, so it’s going to be tough to get enough value from him with such a limited schedule this week. It might be wise to look elsewhere ar forward this week.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/10/18 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/10/18 – Value Plays

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
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There are 11 games in the NBA on Wednesday, giving you plenty of options to choose from in DFS. We took a look at players across the price scale over on Sports Illustrated, but now let’s focus on just some cheaper options who could provide value.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Dennis Smith Jr, DAL at CHA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,100

Smith has been limited to only 28 minutes per game this season but played an encouraging 34 minutes Tuesday against the Magic. He’s played at least 30 minutes in a game nine times this season, averaging 18.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.2 three-pointers per contest. If you could guarantee he’d see that much playing time again Wednesday, he’d be a virtual lock for your lineup. Even if he sees fewer minutes in this game, he can still provide value at this price based on his 28.8% usage rate.

Shabazz Napier, POR at HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $6,200

Napier excelled filling in for the injured Damian Lillard (calf) on Tuesday against the Thunder, scoring 21 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and two three-pointers. He’s made six starts this season in place of Lillard, averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in those contests. Lillard’s status is uncertain for Wednesday, so keep an eye out for updates as the day progresses. If he is out again, make sure to get Napier in your entry, especially on FanDuel with his extremely cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Caris LeVert, BKN vs. DET
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,400

LeVert returned from a groin injury Monday to play 27 minutes against the Raptors. He only scored five points in the game, shooting just 2-for-13 from the field. Two encouraging takeaways from that game are that he played significant minutes and saw a high volume of shots, which bodes well for Wednesday’s game against the Pistons. DeMarre Carroll (knee) has already been ruled out and Allen Crabbe (shin) is listed as doubtful for this game, so LeVert could be in line for extra playing time. At this price, he could provide significant value.

Wayne Ellington, MIA at IND
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

The Heat have dealt with a lot of injuries this season, leaving Ellington to play at least 31 minutes in 10 of his last 11 games. He’s played at least 30 minutes in a game 13 times this season, averaging 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 three-pointers in those contests. The Heat will be shorthanded again Wednesday with Justise Winslow (knee) and Dion Waiters (ankle) out. Not only that but Tyler Johnson (shoulder) didn’t play Tuesday and James Johnson could be suspended for throwing a punch in that same game. With plenty of minutes likely available, consider Ellington for your entry.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Gerald Green, HOU vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

The Rockets signed Green towards the end of December to add depth to their bench, but the move turned out to be crucial with James Harden (hamstring) getting injured. Green has stepped up to provide a scoring punch, averaging 20.2 points and 4.8 three-pointers in his last six games. He’s not going to provide hardly any assists, but he did average 3.3 rebounds per game over that same stretch. He should get plenty of shot attempts again Wednesday, making him a viable option for your entry.

Joe Harris, BKN vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Harris started Monday in place of Carroll, scoring 12 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and two three-pointers in 37 minutes. Crabbe played in that game, so Harris is likely looking at big minutes again Wednesday with both he and Carroll likely out. The Nets play at the fifth-fastest pace (102.4 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Harris with a great opportunity to be productive at this price with a heavy workload on tap.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $6,400

Sabonis has made major strides in his first season with the Pacers but has stepped up his game even more of late, averaging 21.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in his last three contests. Myles Turner (elbow) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game, which could open up significant frontcourt minutes. Sabonis has played at least 30 minutes in a game five times this season, averaging 19.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in those contests. If Turner ultimately can’t go, Sabonis would be primed for a big game.

Markieff Morris, WAS vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,300

Morris is off to a slow start this season, mainly because he is averaging only 25 minutes per game. He’s seen increased playing time lately, logging at least 30 minutes in four of his last six games. He took full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 13.8 points and 11.5 rebounds in those four games. The Jazz don’t have much size up front, which could lead to another potential double-double for Morris on Wednesday. If you are playing in a tournament, he’s a viable option based on his upside.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Steven Adams, OKC at MIN
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $6,500

Adams doesn’t have flashy numbers, but he’s averaging career-highs in points (13.6), rebounds (8.6) and steals (1.2) per game. The Thunder have virtually no depth up front, leaving Adams to play at least 31 minutes in eight of his last 10 games. He played very well in his first three games against the Timberwolves this season, averaging 21.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. He’s priced low enough to take a chance on him making it four straight big games against them.

Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,500

The Nuggets made a change in the beginning of December by adding Plumlee to the starting lineup and he has started 18 of the last 19 games since. He’s put up respectable numbers in those starts, averaging 8.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest. The key is he is averaging seven more minutes per game as a starter than he did coming off the bench. With the Hawks lacking talent up front, Plumlee could approach a double-double again in this game. He won’t cost you much, making him someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Tuesday’s 4-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper value plays are that could make your lineup a stand out amongst the rest in a GPP?


BRING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Russell Westbrook is the only true Daily Fantasy Sports superstar on this slate. He’s extremely easy to afford and you’ll be working uphill without him.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet
FD $4,800 – $3,600 DK $4,400 – $3,500

Kyle Lowry went down last night with a scary fall and didn’t comfort any with his reaction. After writhing in pain on the ground, he got up and proceeded to go back down with what was obviously nerve pain in his back. While he hasn’t officially been ruled out for this game yet, all signs are pointing to him missing a week or 2. If he does indeed sit, Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright are both phenomenal options. Splitting a sure 48 minutes, plus 5 or 6 at SG, should put both of these guys close to 30 minutes. Weight has been seeing more backup minutes, but I see a world where VanVleet is the guy they prefer to run the starters with. Personally, I’ll have a lot of exposure to both, but prefer VanVleet for the price. They are both really strong DFS players and neither will disappear on the floor. The Heat are league-average against point guards and Vegas thinks this stays close. Both VanVleet and Wright are worth serious consideration in all formats.

Shabazz Napier
FD $4,8000 DK $5,400

With Damian Lillard already ruled out for this one, Napier has to be considered as one of the top value plays on the entire slate. The only reason he is under $7k right now is because Damian Lillard returned for 2 games. He went right back to 38 fantasy points last game in his absence and now sees a strong match-up with the Thunder. On paper, they’re strong against PG’s, but hey funnel an extra 3% usage there and Westbrook doesn’t mind giving up buckets. Napier hasn’t disappointed in a single game without Damian Lillard and I can’t see why it starts here in a game with a high over/under and close spread. Napier is a guy I’ll personally have in 100% of lineups.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Wayne Ellington
FD $4,400 DK $4,700

With Dion Waiters out, Wayne Ellington has been a rock-steady option for the Heat. He’s always going to be volatile as he relies on his scoring, but this offense helps a lot. Without anywhere for the ball to really go, he’s being allowed to take 15 shots a game if he’s feeling it. At under $4.5k, he doesn’t need you any more than 25 fantasy points. If this stays close, I don’t see a way around that. He’ll be out there for his usual 32-36 minutes with either DeRozan or the PG on him. DeRozan, aside from wasting all his energy on offense without Lowry, is an average defender. They rank 14th in the league, but have faced the 22nd best schedule. There are a few quality ways to pay up at SG, but Ellington gives you a good shot at 25 with the upside for 40 at way too cheap.

Garrett Temple
FD $3,900 DK $3,800

If you really need to pay down, Garrett Temple is fine. His minutes have been somewhat inconsistent, though he hasn’t seen less than 21 in a while. He’s been over 26 minutes in 4 of his last 8 games and has hit value in each of them. He now draws an extremely friendly match-up with a Lakers squad ranked 27th against shooting guards. Temple is still a fine player and can score if given the opportunity. Under $4k, you don’t need much. If he gets the 28-31 minutes he’s been seeing in some games, he could demolish value and be one of the top value plays on the board. With all of that being said, this is Garrett Temple and he can put up 7 fantasy points without hesitating. I do prefer the value else where, but will have a little bit of Garrett Temple in my tournaments. Hield and Bogdanovic are in the same boat.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Mario Hezonja
FD $4,800 DK $5,100

With Jonathon Simmons out last game, Hezonja stepped in and played 38 minutes. He put up 30 fantasy points against the Cavs and had a real presence in the game. Simmons is questionable for tonight, so make sure you keep an eye out on Twitter. The match-up with the Mavs doesn’t seem great on the surface, but it is. On the season, Barnes and the Mavs have ranked 25th against SF’s. with Barnes being such a quality defender, it has a lot to do with the lack of rim protection behind him. Hezonja likes to play down low and from the 3, so shouldn’t have a big problem find a weakness somewhere. If Simmons returns, Hezonja should go right back to his 22-26 minutes off the bench. If he’s out again, Hezonja will be a main piece of every cash game of mine. As well as most tournaments.

Evan Turner
FD $4,000 DK $4,300

Evan Turner is inconsistent. I don’t care if he’s the only guy on the floor, he can find a way to put up 14 fantasy points. It’s just the nature of the game for a guy who solely relies on “getting in a groove” so to speak. However, with Damian Lillard on the sideline, he’s going to get that opportunity. With Napier coming off of the bench and into the starting lineup, Turner is the main ball handler on the 2nd team. He will see a guaranteed 23 minutes and gets up over 30 if he’s having a good game. The Thunder play fast and we know he excels in the open floor. He’s been at 35+ fantasy points in 2 of his last 4 and sees a match-up better than either of those games. Evan Turner is never a comfortable name to click on, but he’s priced down around the industry and shouldn’t have much trouble hitting value. His upside is huge at the price and it will draw a strong tournament ownership %.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Serge Ibaka
FD $5,900 DK $5,600

Power forward is one of the more bleh positions on the slate. Especially from a value standpoint. Let’s take a look at Serge Ibaka, who’s not a “value” play, but he’s still too cheap at under $6k. He’s been over 28 in 4 straight and 35 in 3 of those 4. He’s seeing the ball a lot on offense and combining them with dominant defensive performances. Now, he may see the ball even more with Kyle Lowry presumed out. Kelly Olynyk is a great scorer, but he stinks on defense and Ibaka will have his way in the paint. He’s a $6.5-$7k player that is going to be there in the next couple days. For now, take advantage of the discount and move on at a very underwhelming power forward position.

Dwight Powell
FD $4,400 DK $3,800

I’m admittedly scraping the bottom of the barrel here, but I do think I’ll end up with some exposure myself. Dwight Powell saw just 14 minutes last game, but saw 27 and 28 the games before. Against the Warriors and Bulls. Both teams warranted his athleticism. Against the Knicks, Dirk matched up well and Powell fell by the wayside. Tonight, the Mavs are facing Aaron Gordon. I would say he’s just a tad bit athletic. It’s truly impossible to guarantee anything with this frontcourt, but from what the trends are saying, we may be looking at a 28-minute game out of Powell at $4k. He’s always productive when on the floor and the Magic are no interior to be scared of. He’s a lot shakier of an option than some of the guards, but PF overall is bad and you could be getting a huge leg up here. Or taking a huge step back. This is easily the most dangerous player so far that I’ve touched on.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays Lineup Picks for 1/9/18

Bismack Biyombo
FD $5,600 DK $5,800

With Nikola Vucevic out, Bismack Biyombo has been even more consistent than anyone had imagined. Aside from 1 stinker against a Rockets team that didn’t fit his style, he’s been around 30 minutes in every game and putting up 30-40 fantasy points. He’s not a scorer, but does absolutely everything on the floor and is extremely active. Facing the Mavs tonight, he won’t be forced to run. Sarah Mejri has been getting some minutes at the 5, who is probably the worst pound for pound defender in the league. Biyombo is never going to go off for 50+, but I think his floor here is around 25 with a ceiling around 40. For $5600 at center, you can do a lot worse.

Jonas Valunciunas
FD $5,500 DK $5,100

Hey Raptors, you have yourself a very skilled big man here. Unless something I truly don’t understand is going on, please play Jonas Valunciunas for a measly 30 minutes a night. He putting up close to 2 FP per min and has hit 40 fantasy points in each of his last 2 games, all the while playing just 17 and 26 minutes. If he ever does see the minutes, he could easily hit 50 fantasy points. It’s tough to say because 10 is just as likely. His size should be needed against Hassan Whiteside and he’s not a great defender, but who really knows. Not the head coach, so definitely not us. Valunciunas is going to produce when on the floor and we know he’ll be out there for at least 20. He’s a guy I’ll have in just tournaments, but see the merit in letting him ride across the board. Good luck tonight and feel free to comment below! Thanks!

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/29/17 – Value Plays

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/29/17 – Value Plays



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Friday’s schedule in the NBA is packed with nine games, giving you plenty of options for your DFS entry. Let’s take a deep dive and look at only the cheaper value plays that could help make you a winner.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Tyler Johnson, MIA vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $6,000

The Heat have been one of the most injured teams in the league of late, leaving Johnson to average 36 minutes over his last five games. He hasn’t let that opportunity go to waste, averaging 16.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 three-pointer per game. While Goran Dragic is back healthy, now the Heat have lost Dion Waiters (ankle). The Nets play at the fourth-fastest pace (102.8) in the league, leaving Johnson with the potential to provide excellent value Friday.

J.J. Barea, DAL at NO
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900

Although Barea is only averaging 23 minutes per game off the bench for the Mavericks this season, he is still averaging a career-high 12 points per game. The main reason for that has been his 25.8% usage rate, which is second highest on the team. Barea should have added chances to score Friday as not only do the Pelicans play at the seventh-fastest pace (101.9) in the league, but they also allow the second-most points per game (110.9). The price is right to take a chance on him in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Wayne Ellington, MIA vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,700

Ellington is another player benefiting from the rash of injuries on the Heat, playing at least 32 minutes in five straight games. He’s been lethal from behind the arc, shooting 20-for-44 (45.5%) during that stretch. Scoring hasn’t been his only contribution to the Heat either, grabbing at least six rebounds in three of those five games. Considering the small lineups the Nets deploy and the fast pace at which they play, Ellington is a viable option for your entry.

Josh Hart, LAL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600

The Lakers have dealt with depth issues at guard lately, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being unable to play outside of the state of California because of legal issues and Lonzo Ball (shoulder) injured. Hart has seen an unexpected bump in playing time, as a result, logging at least 30 minutes in three straight games. While he hasn’t put up any monster performances, he’s provided value by averaging 10.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 three-pointers over that stretch. While Caldwell-Pope will be able to play Friday, Ball will still be out of action. Considering his cheap price, he is an option to consider at shooting guard.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Lance Stephenson, IND at CHI
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,600

Stephenson will likely start again Friday with Victor Oladipo (knee) ruled out for the second straight game. Stephenson was fantastic in his first start filling in for Oladipo on Wednesday, scoring 16 points to go along with 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two three-pointers. Even with limited minutes outside of Wednesday’s game, Stephenson has now scored at least 10 points in four of his last five games. Look for him to be productive again in this game versus the Bulls.

Allen Crabbe, BKN at MIA
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Like most starters on the Nets, Crabbe struggled in limited minutes Wednesday against the Pelicans. He had averaged 12.6 points in five games entering that contest, so chalk it up to just a bad performance by the team in general. He’s not just an offensive weapon for the Nets either, grabbing at least five rebounds in five straight games. This should be a game filled with small lineups Friday, so Crabbe might be worth the risk at this price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Markieff Morris, WAS vs. HOU
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Morris is finally starting to get consistent playing time, resulting in at least 27 minutes in five of his last six games. In those five games, he averaged 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 three-pointers per contest. The Rockets play a lot of small lineups, to begin with, but will likely really go small with Clint Capela (face) out Friday. Considering they play at the eighth-fastest pace (101.4) in the league, Morris is worth consideration for your entry.

Ryan Anderson, HOU at WAS
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100

Speaking of the Rockets going small with Capela out, Anderson played a whopping 40 minutes without Capela on Thursday against the Celtics. He didn’t have an explosive performance but managed to finish with nine points, eight rebounds, one steal, one block and two-three-pointers against a tough Celtics defense. His volume alone makes him a possible option for your lineup, but he could really be worth it if he gets hot from behind the arc.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Julius Randle, LAL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100

Randle played only 11 minutes while struggling against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, but had averaged 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in three games prior. His struggles Wednesday shouldn’t be surprising as the Grizzlies allow the fewest points per game to opposing centers on both FanDuel and DraftKings. Expect him to play more minutes and fair better Friday, especially if Kyle Kuzma (quad) does not play.

Jakob Poeltl, TOR vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,300

Poeltl is establishing a significant role off the bench for the Raptors, averaging 22 minutes over his last seven games. He doesn’t put up gaudy numbers but did average 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over that stretch. The Hawks don’t have much size up front, resulting in allowing the seventh-most points per game on FanDuel and the sixth most points per game on DraftKings to opposing centers. His ceiling isn’t very high, but Poeltl is a viable option if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17


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Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Kris Dunn
FD $7,400 DK $7,000

After a very entertaining 5-game Christmas slate, we have an unusual 8-gamer on a Tuesday. There are a lot of interesting spots and plenty of games to dissect. We’ll kick it off in Milwaukee with Kris Dunn and the Bulls. Point guard is actually a spot that’s much worse than usual. At least at the top. The 5 highest-priced options are all in average-subpar spots. Kris Dunn has the best match-up of the 5, facing off with Eric Bledsoe in what should be a very close game. With a 212 total and 6 point line, Dunn should be in there for his full complement of 34-38 minutes. Eric Bledsoe is a fine defender, but the Bucks have no help underneath the rim and Dunn will exploit that. Bledsoe is also a very turnover prone PG and Dunn is probably the most skilled in the league in forcing turnovers. He’s by no means a must at this price, but he’s in a better spot than the rest and is affordable. He’ll be a huge part of both my cash games and tournaments.

Milos Teodosic
FD $5,900 DK $4,600

If you’re looking to pay down at PG, we have a guy here that is going to hit value in most cases. Milos Teodosic is an extremely consistent player and it’s shown in his minutes. He runs a strict rotation and is looking at 32 minutes right now. Against a Kings squad that ranks 22nd against PG’s, sign me up. Teodosic is one of the main playmakers on this Clippers squad, though he is admittedly still trying to find himself. He’s not a typical rookie and shouldn’t be treated like one. His price is too low and I don’t think he gets under 25 FP here. The Clippers are missing both SF’s, so we’ll see Rivers move over to the 2 down the stretch with Teodosic at the 1. The game is expected to stay close and I don’t see much chance of missed value.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Wayne Ellington, vs. Magic (FD: $4600, DK: $3900)
Projected Points: FD: 22.02, DK: 23.16

Now for one of the easier plays on the slate. With Dion Waiters ruled out, you can pencil in Ellington for 34-40 minutes and 10+ shots. This isn’t at all a guy who’s going to stand in the corner and disappear. He is actively used on the offense and if you’ve rostered a separate Heat player, you know that all too well. He’s a streaky shooter who can get hot in any game. The Magic are an extremely average defense and they rank 17th against the 2. Ellington is just an extremely safe play in all formats that will likely be around 35-40% owned in cash games. I will be there.

Tyreke Evans
FD $8,500 DK $8,600

If you can pay up at SG, I think you go Tyreke Evans. With the Grizzlies typically being one of the slower teams in the league (Evans still destroys), it’s a big deal when they play up in pace to such an extreme. The Suns are the fastest team in the league at a 109 PAE, compared to the 98 the Grizzlies baseline at. Evans is going to see an extra 4-5 shots here and will have the ball in his hands a lot as he can handle the fast pace. The Suns may have Devin Booker back, but that will just hopefully help Evans. They’ve ranked 21st against SG’s on the season, but it’s almost meaningless for a guy like Evans who plays 1-3 throughout the game. He’s one of my favorite expensive plays on the slate and a guy I think gets over 45 fantasy points at an affordable tag.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Harrison Barnes
FD $6,300 DK $6,200

Small forward is the ugliest position on this slate. If Giannis Antetokounmpo is a full go, I’ll be doing my best to get there. He’s the only guy who can hit 60 fantasy points and could blow the entire position out of the water. If not, I’m looking for consistency in Harrison Barnes. He is a guy I often lean on in cash games and you know what you’re going to get on 95% of the nights. The other 5% will consist of some stinkers and explosions, but it’s not why he’s in your lineup. He gets a match-up with the Raptors tonight that will give him OG Anunboy and Norman Powell. Neither of them is anything at all to be scared of and Barnes is going to do his normal thing. If you need 28-40 out of SF and have $6,500, here you go. The game isn’t all that exciting and we might not target it again, but Barnes is not dependent on a fast pace or bad team defense.

Chandler Parsons
FD $4,200 DK $4,000

Chandler Parsons has seen 25 and 26 minutes in each of the last two games. I will play him in 100% of my lineups at this price. He’s a very good player that is just catching his legs before he can finally get healthy. if that ever happens. As for tonight, he gets an ideal match-up against the Suns where the FP will be easy to come by. T.J Warren isn’t a bad defender at all, but he doesn’t have much help behind him with such a pitiful interior that can’t keep up. Vegas has this game staying close and is high-scoring for the Grizzlies. Parsons is extremely cheap and will only need you 15-20 in cash games. he could easily get hot from behind the line and get to 30. This is a guy making more money than 99% of the league.

Power Forward

Zach Randolph
FD $6,000 DK $6,000

Small forward is the worst position, but power forward isn’t all that great either. You have LaMarcus Aldridge at the top, but you don’t know how many minutes he will play against a lowly Nets squad. You then have a questionable Aaron Gordon against a slow Heat team. That leads us down to Zach Randolph, who’s consistent and priced fairly. He’s not even getting huge minutes, but touching the ball on almost every possession he’s in there. He’s always been a productive offensive player and his shot is still there. The Clippers are extremely weak at the 4 with Griffin out and he’ll take advantage. Expect another 25-35 fantasy points with the upside for 45 if it stays close and he plays 30+ minutes. He’s somehow a top option on this offense and while he may go back to scoring 10 FP a night like he has for the better part of the 2 season, he has his legs right now and it’s not at all a fluke. At an extremely weak position, I’ll take it 100/100 times.

John Henson
FD $5,300 DK $4,700

John Henson is still getting the start and he’s getting some solid minutes. He’s been over 38 in 3 of his last 4, which may be the first time in his career. He’s always been a guy that produces when on the court, but hasn’t been able to be trusted to get the minutes. NOw, you can pencil in at least 22-23 if foul trouble doesn’t hit. He’s been stretched over 30 multiple times, so the upside is there if he’s wreaking havoc on this weak Bulls interior. Mirotic and Portis are both average defenders, but neither have the height or length to stay with Henson under the rim. It’ll likely be Robin Lopez to start, but I don’t see that lasting very long either. Getting minutes at both the 4 and 5, Henson is a guy you can guarantee production from. At this price, he won’t be a guy that kills you. His floor is around 20 with a ceiling well over 40.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/26/17

Bismack Biyombo
FD $4,400 DK $3,800

With Nikola Vucevic out for the foreseeable future, look for Biyombo to do exactly what he did last year and get up to $6k very soon. Unless the Magic change their entire approach, he’ll get close to 30 minutes and be a big part of the offense. He doesn’t get plays run for him, but is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league and finds tons of ways to get involved. If you’ve been playing NBS DFS for some time now, you know exactly what I mean. The Heat are short-handed without Whiteside and Adebayo is nothing to be all that worried about. He’s cheap across the board and will help you pay up for some guys at other positions that are very scary to fade.

Nikola Jokic
FD $8,900 DK $7,900

Make sure you don’t look at this match-up with the Jazz in the same light as usual. With Rudy Gobert out of the lineup, they are very weak down low against skilled players. Jokic is one of the best big men in this league and will be back to putting up 6-70 a night when he gets rolling. He’s played 36+ minutes in each of the last 3 games, so he’s definitely 100% healthy and ready to go. Instead of Gobert, it’ll be Derrick Favors and Epke Udoh on Jokic. Ya, not the same. The game is expected to stay close (-4) and Jokic is the only place the ball goes down the stretch. The Nuggets last played 3 days ago, so throw out playing time eas a concern. Jokic is expensive, but he won’t be popular and has 45+ FP upside.