Who’s ready for a busy nine-game Friday in the NBA? If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the options in DFS, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s highlight a couple of cheaper value plays worth targeting at each position.
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 1/28/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Monday doesn’t bring a ton of action in the NBA with only five games on the schedule. However, with so many teams dealing with injuries, there are actually a lot of cheaper value plays worth considering. Here are a couple at each position who could provide value. 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
Shabazz Napier, BKN at BOS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,600
The Nets are in a tough spot with Caris LeVert (foot) and Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb) on the shelf. To make matters worse, Joe Harris (hip) is listed as questionable for Monday. They don’t have much of a choice but to give Napier more playing time. He logged 28 minutes against the Knicks on Friday and he finished with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. His final line could have been even better if he wasn’t just 3-for-13 from the field. This isn’t a great matchup against a good Celtics’ defense, but Napier’s increased role warrants adding him to your lineup.
Trey Burke, NY at CHA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,200
The Knicks are dealing with their own injury issues. Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) is already hurt and now Frank Ntilikina (groin) went down Sunday. With such a quick turnaround, don’t expect him to play in this contest. Burke is one of the few healthy point guards they have left, so expect him to receive more playing time in this matchup. He’s already scored at least 16 points in both games since Mudiay went down, so he could provide value at his cheap price on both sites.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Allonzo Trier, NY at CHA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,300
Recommending players on the Knicks can be tricky. They change their rotations so often that it’s hard to get a gauge on what they are going to do on a nightly basis. However, the injuries to Mudiay and Ntilikina help to provide a bit of stability because, frankly, they are running out of options. Trier has shown he can be productive when given added playing time by averaging 14.3 points, four rebounds and 2.3 assists across 23 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes.
Avery Bradley, LAC vs. ATL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700
The Clippers will likely be shorthanded again Monday with the expectation that Danilo Gallinari (back) will remain on the sidelines. That’s good news for Bradley, who has averaged 13 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.8 steals across the first five games that Gallinari missed. His upside might not be off the charts, but he’s priced really cheap on both sites and has a great matchup against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (105.2 possessions per game) in the league.
SMALL FORWARDS
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,600
The Pacers are a good defensive team, but this game could get ugly against the Warriors. The loss of Victor Oladipo (knee) puts them in a huge hole offensively, especially since they are already averaging just 108.9 points per game. To put that into perspective, the Warriors are averaging 118.8 points per contest. Bogdanovic is going to need to fire away to keep this game close and should get plenty of opportunities to do so. He already scored 21 points against the Grizzlies on Saturday and averaged 19.4 points per game earlier this season when Oladipo missed 11 straight games.
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,900
Batum is having an off year with averages of 9.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He’s shooting 46.4 percent from the field, but it’s not easy to provide a lot of offense when you have a 13.2 percent usage rate. On a positive note, Batum is averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds and 3.3 assists over his last four games. That’s even more impressive when you consider two of those games came against tough defensive teams in the Pacers and Grizzlies. He likely won’t be met with the same resistance Monday since the Knicks allow the fourth-most points per game (115.3) in the league.
POWER FORWARDS
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. NY
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300
The Knicks have started to use Lance Thomas at power forward, so their shift to a small lineup could prove beneficial for Williams. Williams has really improved from behind the arc during his tenure in the league and is averaging a career-high two three-pointers per contest this season. He’s also had some access in two previous matchups against the Knicks with averages of 16.5 points, five rebound and one steal.
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900
Morris’ shot was off again Saturday as he hit just three of his 12 attempts against the Warriors. That performance has left him 26-for-77 (33.8 percent) from the field across his last seven games. The good news is that he’s still getting plenty of shot attempts and averaged 6.1 rebounds per game during that stretch. If he can correct his shot Monday, he could prove to be valuable. Avoid him in cash games, but deploying him in tournament play might not be a crazy idea.
CENTERS
Mitchell Robinson, NY at CHA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,100
Enes Kanter’s days with the Knicks appear to be numbered. He hasn’t played in any of their last three games and he hasn’t been shy about voicing his displeasure with that. Since Luke Kornet (ankle) is out, that has left a more secure role off the bench for Robinson. Even though he still isn’t playing a ton of minutes, he’s managed to average eight points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.8 blocks across his last four games. This is a great opportunity to roster him against the Hornets, who allow the sixth-most DraftKings points per game and the 10th-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers.
Mason Plumlee, DEN at MEM
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,900
Whether he starts or comes off of the bench, Plumlee is not someone to ignore in DFS. After scoring 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and one steal in a spot start for Nikola Jokic on Friday against the Suns, he followed that up with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block coming off of the bench Saturday against the Sixers. This game has some blowout potential, which could lead to more minutes for Plumlee. At an even cheaper price than Robinson, he is also someone to consider at center.
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 Lineup Picks 1/15/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/15/18
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
POINT GUARDS:
Chris Paul ($10,800 FD/$10,300 DK) –
Aside from the immense production CP3 has provided as the primary source of offense while Harden is sidelined, Paul has a rather interesting matchup in this small four game main slate. He will be seeing some familiar faces Monday night in his reunion with his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a “revenge game”, but CP will definitely want to make a statement with his play. This matchup is set to be with high tempo as both teams rank in the top 11 in the league in pace of play, which could benefit Paul greatly. He may be a perfect play to pay up for.
De’Aaron Fox ($6,300 FD/$4,900 DK) –
With the recent blow to Frank Mason, Fox has picked up some extra minutes running the point for this Sacramento team. He has logged 30 or more minutes in five of the six games since Mason’s absence, averaging 29.4 FanDuel PPG in that span. His matchup with OKC isn’t very favorable in any means, but at a reduced price and almost guaranteed 30+ minutes in a small slate like this one, he seems to be worth the risk.
SHOOTING GUARDS:
Lou Williams ($9,100 FD/$8,900 DK) –
Lou Will has been one of the biggest beneficiaries to the Clipper’s injury epidemic as he is consuming much bigger usage rates and more minutes. His opponent Monday, the Houston Rockets, rank 18th in defending shooting guards giving Lou a bit of an advantage. He is averaging 48 FanDuel PPG over his last three contests as he still remains under $10,000, giving him a massive value recently. He won’t stuff the stat sheet in many categories besides points, but has been efficient enough to obliterate the point column along with a steal or two. (Had 4 in his last game.)
Donovan Mitchell ($7,400 FD/$7,100 DK) –
One of the more consistent plays in this slate, both production and salary wise consists of Donovan Mitchell. The rookie has scored 30 or more FanDuel points in 7 straight games. At a low 7K range salary Mitchell is a great plug in play to compliment your superstars with a fairly cheap price tag and upside. He is capable of 40+ point nights in just about any slate which gives him that hidden upside when taking him.
SMALL FORWARDS:
Kevin Durant ($10,700 FD/$9,800 DK) –
There’s always a bit of attention drawn in when the Warriors and Cavaliers meet which is a matchup Kevin Durant has some serious upside in. The last time these teams met KD provided 54.9 FanDuel points on a 25 point and 5 block performance. This game features a massive 231 projected total as the Cavs hold one of the leagues worst defenses. With both teams having decent pace, expect a lot of offense to be on display in this one in which Kevin Durant leads the pack. (Hopefully)
Gerald Green ($4,600 FD/$5,300 DK) –
Gerald Green will always be my favorite SF play during this Harden-less Rockets era. Green remains to be extremely cheap, and reliable. His increase of minutes adds more value to his play as it’s not easy turning down a player listed at $4,600 who you know will be seeing minutes in the high 20’s or low 30’s. That goes especially for this matchup as the Clippers rank 27th in the league in defending small forwards. You’ll need a few cheap options in your lineup tonight, and you should start with Gerald Green.
POWER FORWARDS:
Draymond Green ($8,200 FD/$7,700 DK) –
Another day, another thin PF slate. Green appears to have the best matchup of night among the PF’s in the main slate as he squares off with the already mentioned Cavaliers. At around 8K Draymond has an opportunity to do some damage. Green has been stuffing the stat sheet lately, generating at least 7 assists in five of his last six games. He also added double digit scoring to four of those six games as well. In addition to points and assists, in those same six games he has grabbed double digit rebounds in four of them. Against Cleveland’s poor defense, Green has no reason not to exceed value and collect digits in every category.
Montrezl Harrell ($5,400 D/$4,600 DK) –
Harrell has been a spark off the Clippers bench recently, averaging 29.4 FanDuel PPG over his last three games. Scoring has not been a problem off the bench for the big man, as he has easily put up double digits in those three games while averaging roughly 24 minutes of playing time. His matchup is a little tough, but shouldn’t worry you. If Harrell can maintain his recent production and maybe obtain a steal and block or two, he will be a lot more than you expected when constructing your lineup.
CENTERS:
Clint Capela ($7,800 FD/$7,200 DK) –
Similar to the PF position, Center isn’t very attractive either. Capela shows a lot of upside tonight especially with his small bump in usage he’s already obtained through Harden’s court vacancy. Capela has posted a double-double in four of his last five games, with the one lone game consisting of him falling one single rebound short. His matchup is mediocre Monday night but as mentioned he will get some extra touches as a result of the Rocket’s leading source of offense is injured.
Kevin Love ($7,000 FD/$7,600 DK) –
For a player like Kevin Love, both price tags are too cheap. Love has proved this season just how effective he can be on any given night. He must be excited to play GSW again, as the last time they met Love scorched them for 31 points and 18 rebounds. The Warriors rank a fair 16th in the league in defending centers, giving Love a little bit of upside to work with. One thing remarkable about Love this season is that he is producing these healthy numbers on a shortage of minutes, however, since GSW plays small most of the time, Love may see more minutes to assert a center’s presence on the court.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/8/17
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/8/17
Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 10% off Seasonal Package
POINT GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $9,300
Curry has picked up right where he left off last season as he is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.8 three-pointers per game. He is still productive even when he doesn’t get a ton of playing time due to a lopsided score as he has scored at least 20 points in all three games where he played less than 30 minutes this season. Wednesday brings a favorable matchup against a Timberwolves team that has allowed the fourth most points (24.0) and third most assists (10.0) per game to opposing point guards.
Frank Ntilikina, NY at ORL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,800
You often have to take risks to cash in big in tournament play. Ntilikina provides an interesting opportunity Wednesday based on how little he costs on both sites. After missing the start of the season due to injury, Ntilikina is finding his groove and has played at least 25 minutes in three of the last four games. While he doesn’t provide much offense, he dished out at least seven assists in all three of those games where he saw increased playing time. If you want to take a chance on a very cheap play at point guard, Ntilikina is a viable option.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Avery Bradley, DET vs. IND
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,500
Bradley has seen an increase in playing time of late as he has logged at least 33 minutes in each of the last four games. It’s no coincidence that his numbers were stellar as a result as he averaged 19.5 points, 2.0 steals and 2.8 three-pointers over that stretch. His rebounding is down this season, but the 6.1 rebounds per game he averaged last season were highly unsustainable as his previous career high for a season was 3.8. He will still provide enough value Wednesday and I especially like using him on DraftKings based on his price.
Tim Hardaway Jr., NY at ORL
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,100
Hardaway has the green light to shoot on the Knicks as he is averaging career highs in shot attempts (14.2) and three-point attempts (8.2) per game. Outside of Kristaps Porzingis, Hardaway is the best offensive talent they have on the team. Hardaway is averaging 21.0 points, 3.3 three-pointers and 1.8 steals over his last six games, making him a strong play again Wednesday against the Magic.
SMALL FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $10,400
DraftKings = $9,700
I really don’t have to make much of an argument to justify using Durant on any given night. He has been providing his usual stellar stats as he is averaging 24.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.9 three-pointers per game. This is a promising match up though against the Timberwolves as they have allowed the second most points per game (109.8) in the Western Conference this season.
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at DET
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,800
Bogdanovic has seen increased playing time on a rebuilding Pacers team that is lacking depth as he is averaging a career-high 29 minutes per game. Increased playing time has led to increased production as he is averaging 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 three-pointers per game. He has been even better offensively of late, averaging 15.4 points and 2.4 three-pointers over his last five games. If you are looking to save money at small forward, look no further.
POWER FORWARDS
Kristaps Porzingis, NY at ORL
FanDuel = $9,800
DraftKings = $9,500
Porzingis has been one of the more entertaining players to watch so far this season. His unique set of size and athleticism have lead to some crazy plays on both ends of the floor. His first season without Carmelo Anthony has gone swimmingly as he is averaging career highs in points (30.0), rebounds (7.5), blocks (2.3) and three-pointers (1.9) per game. Although he will cost you a lot Wednesday, the volume he gets is worth the price.
James Johnson, MIA at PHO
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,400
Johnson may be one of the more underrated players in the NBA, but you shouldn’t look past him for your lineup Wednesday. He has the ability to provide excellent all-around production, evident by his averages of 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 three-pointer per game this season. With that type of talent, it provides for a high floor on a nightly basis in terms of DFS production. Expect much of the same from him against a bad Suns defense in this game.
CENTERS
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at PHO
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $7,400
Whiteside threw up a clunker in his last game against the Golden State Warriors and was benched in the second half for a lack of effort. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said this shouldn’t carry over into tonight’s game, so expect Whiteside to return to his normal allotment of minutes. He has scored at least 21 points and grabbed at least 14 rebounds in three of the fives games he has played this season, providing tremendous value. Look for him to respond with a strong performance tonight, making him an especially good play based on his price on DraftKings.
Enes Kanter, NY at ORL
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,200
Kanter has thrived as the starting center for the Knicks as he is averaging a double-double (13.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game) for the first time in his career. What makes his production even more impressive is the fact that he is only averaging 25 minutes per game. The Magic have depth up front with Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo, so the Knicks will be counting on Kanter to provide valuable minutes again Wednesday. If you can’t spend the money on Whiteside, Kanter is a solid mid-tier priced option.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 10/25/17
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 10/25/17
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook
FD $10,800 DK $11,400
If you’re looking at Westbrook and trying to decide if he’s in the same spot as last year, you’re in the same boat as the rest of us. Personally, I don’t think his stats will be AS crazy, but I do think he’s still underpriced at this number. I look for Westbrook to put up around 60 FP on most nights. Tonight, he draws an elite match-up with the fast-paced Pacers. They have Darren Collison at point guard, who’s all but a great defender. Westbrook will blow by him with ease and look at an interior full of guys like Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Leaf, and Al Jefferson. He should have his way in every facet of the game tonight and when you consider that the Pacers prefer to run, it’s gravy. Westbrook is an elite play in all formats, but be cognizant that he is expensive and you’ll be sacrificing later in spots you may not want to. My other favorite top PG is John Wall, who’s just a bit cheaper and facing a similar Lakers squad. Don’t be afraid of these high-end PG’s tonight. At least one of them is going to go nuts.
Tyler Johnson
FD $4,200 DK $4,300
We enter the day with Hassan Whiteside out while Dion Waiters and Goran Dragic remain questionable. Tyler Johnson has been seeing big minutes with these guys in, so he’d be forced to get close to 40 if they both miss. This is a guy who just signed a $50 million dollar deal with the Heat a year ago, so he’s going to get worked into the game plan as much as anyone. This isn’t a punt play where you have to worry about the guy seeing the court. Anyway these injuries end up, Johnson will see between 30-40 minutes. The Spurs are still a good defensive team, but not nearly to the same degree as when Kawhi is on the floor. Johnson is a pure minutes and price play. The match-up isn’t great, but it’s doable.
Shooting Guard
Avery Bradley
FD $5,300 DK $5,000
Stan Van Gundy has “taken fault” for the Pistons early struggles. Uh ya, I think so, Stan. When you pick up one of the best perimeter defenders in the league that can also shoot the 3 and rebound, you don’t play him 20 minutes for no reason. Avery Bradley should NEVER see less than 34 minutes if the Pistons goal is to win. But no, he will let Stanley Johnson accumulate 0 fantasy points in 40 minutes for who knows what reason. Sorry for the rant, but let’s hope it works. Bradley finally saw normal minutes last game and stunk. Sweet. Now his price is low and people will be off of him. The best of both worlds. If you think Bradley is just bad now, pick up my h2h’s. He sees a match-up with the T-Wolves where his defense will be very necessary. If Van Gundy finds a way to leave Bradley off the court against Wiggins and Butler, I give up on Stan the man for good. If Bradley sees the floor like normal, pencil in 6x value at $5k with the upside for much more.
Bradley Beal
FD $8,000 DK $7,300
Bradley Beal is one of the guys in the NBA that is truly fun to watch. He doesn’t flop. He doesn’t exaggerate or whimper over screens and throw his hands in 84 directions. He plays solid basketball on both sides of the floor. He was a top 4 3-point shooter in 2016 to combo with the Wizards effectiveness against opposing SG’s. Beal is one of the best SG’s in the game and sees a phenomenal match-up with the fast-pace Lake show. Beal has been over 40 in 2 of his first 3 contests and sees his best match-up yet. With a 231 over/under, Beal will demolish value as long as he sees 4 quarters of action. Vegas doesn’t expect it to be much of a blowout, so you can’t fade for that reason when these guys are projected so high. Shooting guard has some options, but Beal won’t be popular and has a great shot at putting up 45 in the late night hammer.
Small Forward
Brandon Ingram
FD $5,100 DK $5,200
Brandon Ingram joins Bradley Beal as one of the guys in the NBA that’s fun to watch. The only problem is you never know if he’s going to be in the game. The Lakers rotations are always weird, but it looks like Walton is focused on getting Ingram over 28, at least. He is an FP per minute monster when on the floor and gives you some solid savings from similar guys a bit higher. The Wizards play just as fast as the Lakers, if not faster, and Kelly Oubre Jr. is no shutdown defender. This is also the same game we just touched on with the 231 over/under, so there’s never anything wrong with stacking that total. Ingram gives you a good amount of safety with an unknown ceiling. Expect this guy to have a couple games this year that blow people away. From the looks of my teams right now, let’s hope that’s tonight.
Paul George
FD $8,700 DK $8,000
I’d be careful to call this a “grudge match” or anything of the sort, but put yourself in his situation. For Paul George, this is one of the most important games of the season. For everyone else, it’s a game against a crappy Eastern Conference team in October. For that reason, look for George to get it working early and often. The Pacers don’t really have an SF, so they’ll toss a combo of Bogan Bogdanovich and Lance Stephenson at him. Good luck. Paul George is also still in his prime, so let’s not look at him as such a clear cut 2nd option. He’s definitely a cut behind Russ, but most 2nd options aren’t putting up 50 FP a night. Play George if you have the salary and get the 40-60 safe fantasy points.
Power Forward
Draymond Green
FD $7,800 DK $7,200
Draymond has yet to have a big game, which I love. Unless the narrative is that he’s now a bad basketball player, there is no argument as to why he’s a bad play. He’s facing a Raptors interior that will likely be without Jonas Valunciunas. That leaves a bunch of young PF’s and C’s with no experience to face off against Draymond Green, who is lethal from any spot on the court. He has the ability to go for 60 FP by stuffing the stat sheet, as long as the game stays close. He can also have an average Draymond game with 20 points, 8 board, 8 assists and a solid 50 fantasy points. This match-up with the Raptors won’t stand out to the public with more eye-catching games like Hou-Phi and Was-Lal. I’m not sure who they plan to put on Green, but they will definitely struggle. He’s a match-up problem for every team, but they should struggle to a much different degree. I guess Serge Ibaka will do his best as he has a pretty good defensive reputation, but it’s not for facing guys like Draymond. He is good against back to the basket PF’s. Not guys who do everything from everywhere. I hate Draymond Green as much as the next guy, but have to admit when the guy is in a good spot. I’ll have exposure to him over Simmons in a lot of tournaments. The % owned difference will be hilarious.
James Johnson and Kelly Olynyk
FD $6,500 – $5,500 DK $6,100 – $5,600
This, like Tyler Johnson, is a pure opportunity play. With Hassan Whiteside already ruled out, the Heat will be forced into some size against the Spurs. This will give both Kelly Olynyk and James Johnson around 30-35 minutes. They are both well over 1 FP/minute so far this year and it’s pretty consistent with 2016. Olynyk is a bit risky by nature(3-point shooter), but the opportunity will be there against guys like Pau Gasol and LMA. As for me, I’ll have exposure to both. I’m not a big fan of the 195 over/under, but as long as it keeps the crowds away, it’s fine. The Spurs play slow and so do the Heat, but these guys are just too cheap and seeing extended minutes at good positions. LMA and Gasol are also bad defenders, so it’s not like old Spurs team. The only real worry is the snail pace without Kawhi. Both Johnson and Olynyk are in play across the board. Keep out for news on who I’ll start against a bigger Spurs squad.
Center
Rudy Gobert
FD $8,500 DK $7,500
The Suns play fast, and while that doesn’t help most centers this size, Gobert is amazing in it. He loves running the floor as it results in an abundance of blocks, putbacks, and transition dunks. The Jazz don’t typically run very much, so they see a huge uptick in production and projection when they do. He’ll individually face off with Tyson Chandler and Alex Len, who are both pretty good defenders. The thing is it doesn’t really matter. Gobert doesn’t score 1-on-1. He gets his numbers from everyone else screwing up. He’s a bit too cheap on both sites and it could cause him to gain some ownership, but there are a lot of good options at center, so maybe not.
Steven Adams
FD $6,900 DK $5,800
It looks like Myles Turner will be out once again and it opens the door up for Steven Adams. Adams has 40 fantasy points in 2 of his last 3 games and sees his best match-up yet. The Pacers, who play very fast, are also missing the only big guy that can guard anyone. Domantas Sabonis will have no chance at banging with Adams and you can pencil in the double-double right now. We’ve touched on a few of these Thunder guys and it has a lot to do with pace. The Pacers are extremely fast and have no problem shooting with 16 on the shot clock. They also give up a ton of FP to everyone besides the SG position. Take advantage of the high total and opportunity here.