NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/10/18 – Value Plays
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/10/18 – Value Plays
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
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
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
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
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
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
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.