Tuesday’s seven-game slate in the NBA is loaded with star power since the Bucks, Lakers, Nuggets and Celtics will be among the teams in action. Let’s dive into the matchups and highlight a couple of players at each position who could thrive.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for February 11 2020
Tuesday brings a fairly quiet night in the NBA with only five games on the schedule. However, there is still a nice mix of high-priced stars and cheaper value plays in DFS.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for February 6 2020
The big headline Thursday in the NBA is the trade deadline. Teams are already wheeling and dealing, which could make for a fun afternoon. We also have a five-game evening slate in DFS that could be significantly impacted by trades.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for February 4 2020
After a busy Monday, we don’t have a ton of action Tuesday with only four games in the NBA.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 1 2020
As we ring in the New Year, we have a light four-game schedule in the NBA on Wednesday. Both sites are handling things a little differently with DraftKings including all four games in their main slate while FanDuel only has the three later games in theirs.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for December 30 2019
Monday brings a fairly quiet six-game slate. We have several significant mismatches, which could lead to a few blowouts.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for December 23 2019
The NBA will give every team the night off Tuesday, so Monday will be a busy slate consisting of 11 games. That leaves us with a lot of great options to consider up and down the price scale.
Read MoreNBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 24
*Mike Barner*
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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 24
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
Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards
There are 17 teams who each play four games this week, which is a big help considering the number of injuries piling up across the league. If you need some help for your squad in what is likely championship week in your league, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.
Quinn Cook, Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have been decimated by injuries to their star players, the most significant of which is to Stephen Curry (knee). Curry returned from an ankle injury only to hurt his knee and will not only miss the rest of the regular season but also likely part of the playoffs. Quinn has excelled with Curry out, averaging 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.5 three-pointers in his last six games. It’s important to note that Kevin Durant (ribs), Klay Thompson (thumb) and Draymond Green (illness) have all missed time during that stretch as well. Durant and Green are likely to return at some point this week, which would limit Cook’s role in the offense. However, with Curry and Thompson out, Cook will get enough playing time to provide a boost if your squad needs a guard. He’s still available in 57% of Yahoo! leagues.
Cameron Payne, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are tanking hard down the stretch and have been extra cautious with injuries, one of which is to starting point guard Kris Dunn (toe). Dunn is likely out for most, if not all, of Week 24. Even if he does play at some point this week, he would likely be on a minutes restriction. Payne has played well in Dunn’s absence, averaging 11 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in five starts. He won’t help your shooting percentage though as he is shooting just 42.2% from the field this season. If you need assists and three-pointers though, he could be a valuable addition who is still available in 85% of Yahoo! leagues.
Luke Kennard, Detroit Pistons
Kennard is having his best month of the season in March, averaging 11 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 three-pointers in 10 games. It’s no coincidence that his playing time has been on the rise, averaging 26 minutes per contest over that same stretch. Three of his four games this week are great matchups against the Lakers, Knicks, and Nets. The Lakers and the Nets are both in the top seven in the league in pace of play and the Knicks are struggling mightily down the stretch. Kennard is still available in 95% of Yahoo! leagues, but could be in line for a big week when it might matter to you the most.
Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are the only team with just two games this week, dealing a significant blow to the players on their roster. Of the teams playing three games each this week, some are dealing with injury issues as well. Here are some players that you may normally start who might be better suited to be on your bench this week.
Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
The Heat have three games this week, but Whiteside (hip) hasn’t played in eight straight games. The Heat still have yet to announce a timetable for his return, which is not encouraging for him this week. With their first game coming up quickly Tuesday, it’s reasonable to expect him to miss at least one more contest. Even if he does return at some point this week, he could be on a minutes restriction. He’s a great option when healthy, but he’s just too risky to put into your lineup this week.
Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
Valanciunas is closing out the season on a high note, averaging 16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in March. However, having only two games this week really hurts his value. One of them is against the Celtics, a team he only averaged four points and five rebounds against in two previous games this season. His playing time can be inconsistent as well, so the time might be right to place him on your bench.
Serge Ibaka, Toronto Raptors
Unlike Valanciunas, Ibaka is not playing well down the stretch, averaging just 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in March. Ibaka’s value comes mainly from being able to provide contributions in multiple categories, but he doesn’t excel in any one particular area. With only two games this week, he just won’t have enough opportunities to help you across the board to warrant putting him in your lineup.
Daily Fantasy Basketball NBA Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/01/18
*Cory Hanley*
Daily Fantasy Basketball NBA Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/01/18
Tonight is a perfect night to create a mid-tiered salary lineup that our friend Mike Ferrara Jr. is so fond of in our Facebook Group. He even gives you pointers on how to use our tools to create a solid lineup. If you need any help in fantasy or just want to come join in on the fun we highly recommend requesting a join. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like DeMarre Carroll and Nemanja Bjelica.
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Point Guards
Jeff Teague, vs. Trail Blazers (FD: $7,700, DK: $7,200)
Projected Points: FD: 28.49, DK: 28.93
Over his last five starts Teague has been en feugo. Putting up 21.6 points per game, 6.4 assists, getting the heavy minutes (35), all of this while averaging 40 fantasy points per game. At this price point, with this floor (~32.5), I just don’t see why you wouldn’t have him locked in your DraftKings cash lineup.
De’Aaron Fox, vs. Nets (FD: $5800, DK: $5600)
Projected Points: FD: 28.42, DK: 28.81
If you can’t afford Lillard as the stud of the night then look no further than Fox. Fox is on the uptick every since getting over his tragic pink-eyed incident last Sunday. He’ll get the minutes that you’ll want to see, around 30, which should be where his floor will remain intact versus the sad Brooklyn Nets.
Stud of Night:
Damian Lillard – The expensive pick of the night but I believe that he will be worth it, as he has been on a roll lately.
Shootings Guards
C.J. McCollum, vs. Timberwolves (FD: $7200, DK: $6900)
Projected Points: FD: 33.9, DK: 35.05
Could be one of the chalkiest plays of the night, however, some people might stay away as he had a rough night last night after only scoring 11 points. But, history generally shows that after a rough game he bounces back just fine, especially against Minnesota who give up 35 fantasy points to shooting guard starters. McCollum devoured the Wolves last time out, hitting the perfect lineup and in both DraftKings and FanDuel.
D’Angelo Russell, vs. Kings (FD: $7500, DK: $7300)
Projected Points: FD: 36.72, DK: 38.35
Russell really came through in the last quarter of Tuesday nights game versus the Cavs. Scoring 45 fantasy points, while hitting 9-of-18 shots and three 3-pointers for a total of 25 points, five rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes of play. His numbers have certainly looked solid, and so has the knee he had surgery on since joining the Nets.
Small Forward
DeMarre Carroll, vs. Kings (FD: $5900, DK: $5900)
Projected Points: FD: 29.07, DK: 29.48
I like Carroll tonight to EAT against the Sacramento defense, as Rich Block from Rich’s Building Blocks videos would say in our Lineuplab Facebook Group. His salary is inexpensive and he should undoubtedly hit around the 5x value range. His fantasy points per game have increased over his last five starts showing that this is his perfect time for a perfect lineup.
Nemanja Bjelica, vs. Trail Blazers (FD: $5800, DK: $5300)
Projected Points: FD: 26.29, DK: 26.56
With Jimmy Butler now out for several weeks, it’s the ideal time to lock him into your lineups. Another underpriced player who is playing around the high 30’s in minutes per game. Monday night versus Sacramento Bjelica was in both of the perfect lineups after garnering 36 FanDuel points and 34 DraftKings points. At this price, he is a steal with a solid floor for cash games.
Studs of the Night (if you can afford them, go for it):
Brandon Ingram, vs. Heat (FD: $7400, DK: $6900)
Projected Points: FD: 31.38, DK: 31.66
LeBron James, vs. 76ers (FD: $12200, DK: $11900)
Projected Points: FD: 55.31, DK: 56.42
Power Forward
Dario Saric, vs. Cavaliers (FD: $7100, DK: $6500)
Projected Points: FD: 29.19, DK: 30.49
Saric has been one of the most consistent players for the 76ers, scoring double digits in 40 straight games. What worries me, slightly, is that Philadelphia has just acquired Ersan Ilyasova and is available to play in Thursday nights game, however, being brand new to the squad it is hard to imagine him taking away a lot of playing time from the most consistent guy on the team.
Zach Randolph, vs. Nets (FD: $6100, DK: $6300)
Projected Points: FD: 27.32, DK: 28.11
Randolph tonight is yet another guy poised to go off if Skal Labissiere (ankle) sits (as of right now he is probable). Randolph has been playing well as the Kings continue to have problems with the Center/Forward position. He scored 36.5 DK and 35.1 FanDuel points and does rather well against teams that play at a higher pace (the Nets play at the sixth pace in the league, while the Kings are close the bottom, locking in the 3rd slowest pace in the league.)
Punt Play:
Ed Davis, vs. Timberwolves (FD: $4000, DK: $4200)
Projected Points: FD: 13.4, DK: 13.25
Center
Hassan Whiteside, vs. Lakers (FD: $7,700, DK: $8,000)
Projected Points: FD: 39.9, DK: 40.17
Over the course of the past ten games, Whiteside has managed to average a double-double putting up 13.7 points per game while grabbing 12.3 rebounds per game. He’s also nearly averaging two blocks per game during the same timeframe and you know how valuable those blocks can be in fantasy basketball. On Tuesday night he crushed the 76ers, putting up 46 DraftKings and 49 FanDuel points.
Julius Randle, vs. Heat (FD: $7,700, DK: $7,500)
Projected Points: FD: 33.8, DK: 34.4
What’s not to love about Julius Randle as of late? Even his coach commended him, saying that he been playing with energy, impact and consistency. His minutes over the last three games have averaged up to 32.5 per game, while his fantasy points have been value-worthy (44.3 DraftKings / 41 FanDuel). Randle has a solid floor of the high 30’s/low 40’s lately, look for him to beat projections tonight.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/20/18
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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.