With a busy 11-game slate in the NBA on Monday, we have a bevy of options to choose from in DFS.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There are only four games in the NBA on Thursday, but the night is not short on superstars with the Lakers, Celtics, Thunder, Blazers, and Nuggets all in action. In order to fit some of those top-tier players into your lineup, you’re going to need the right mix of value plays. Let’s examine some players to consider as you wade through the options. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Jamal Murray, DEN at LAL
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,900
Murray posted a rare dud Sunday against the Warriors, scoring just three points while shooting 0-for-9 from the field. He rebounded in a big way Tuesday by shooting 6-for-10 from the field for 19 points in just 19 minutes against the Kings. After posting a 45.1 percent field goal percentage last year, don’t read too much into Sunday’s outlier performance. This is a matchup he could exploit against a Lakers team that has allowed the most points per game (127.3) in the league.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700
The Magic are extremely thin at point guard, leaving the journeyman Augustin to start at the position. He’s averaging just eight points per game, but a lot of that is due to his abnormally low 28.6 percent field goal percentage. His 5.8 assists per contest would be his highest mark since the 2011-12 season and he’s also averaging 27 minutes a game, so he could provide value at this price if he can get his shot corrected Thursday.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Jordan Clarkson, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600
Clarkson is only averaging 23 minutes per game, but that hasn’t stopped him from posting 16 points per contest. He’s been one of the players charged with trying to make up for the loss of LeBron James on offense, resulting in a lofty 30.2 percent usage rate. The Cavaliers have been horrible on defense, so they are going to need all the help they can get from Clarkson to try and keep pace with the Pistons.
Reggie Bullock, DET vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,500
Bullock logged 41 minutes in the Pistons big overtime win against the Sixers on Tuesday, shooting 6-for-14 from the field for 17 points. This performance came on the heels of him scoring 16 points on 13 shot attempts Saturday against the Bulls. His 18.8 percent usage rate would be a significant jump from his 15.7 percent mark last year, especially if he continues to play at least 30 minutes a game. With the Cavaliers allowing 120.5 points per game, there is potential here for Bullock to have another strong offensive showing.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. POR
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,400
Isaac dealt with foul trouble in the Magic’s first two games, limiting him to 18 minutes or fewer in both contests. He hasn’t had those issues the last two games, allowing him to average 13 points, nine rebounds, 1.5 steals and two three-pointers in 27 minutes per contest. With his double-double upside and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, it might be worth taking a risk on Isaac staying out of foul trouble Thursday.
Lance Stephenson, LAL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700
The Lakers steamrolled the Suns on Wednesday, leading to plenty of garbage time production. Stephenson may have had the most surprising performances of the night, scoring 23 points to go along with eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in a season-high 25 minutes. It’s highly unlikely he comes close to that type of production against the Nuggets, but he could see added minutes again with Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram still suspended. Of note, Stephenson is only eligible at point guard and shooting guard on DraftKings.
POWER FORWARDS
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at ORL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000
Aminu is an underrated part of the Blazers’s success. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he averaged 9.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.8 three-pointers across 30 minutes per game last year. He’s been a bit inconsistent through his first three games, but he posted 16 points and 15 rebounds Monday against the Wizards. Look for the Blazers to lean on him heavily in this contest against a talented Magic frontcourt.
Trey Lyles, DEN at LAL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600
The Nuggets lost a big part of their starting five when Will Barton went down with a groin injury. He might not carry the same name value a Nikola Jokic or Gary Harris, but he’s an important part of their offense. Torrey Craig has replaced Barton in the starting lineup, but Lyles has also seen added minutes since Barton went down, averaging nine points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals over his last two games. With the potential for this to be a high-scoring affair, Lyles is someone to consider in tournament play.
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. DEN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,300
McGee has proven to be a great addition for the Lakers in the early going. He’s only averaging 24 minutes but has responded with 16.3 points, seven rebounds and 3.3 blocks per contest. Facing Jokic is no easy task, but with such a limited slate, McGee makes a ton of sense at this price.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,800
Thompson has seen a significant bump in playing time so far, averaging 29 minutes per game compared to 20 last year. It’s hard to count on him for much offense, but he is averaging 10.8 rebounds per contest. The Cavaliers will likely use Kevin Love or Larry Nance Jr. at center when they want to go small, but they might not be able to much against Andre Drummond on Thursday. Thompson’s upside isn’t close to McGee’s, but he’s still someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at the position.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/30/17
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/30/17
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POINT GUARDS
Eric Bledsoe, MIL at POR
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,800
Bledsoe has played well since being traded to the Bucks as he’s averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 three-pointers per game with his new squad. Now the second best offensive weapon on the team, he’s posting a 27.9% usage rate. His numbers are going to continue to get better as he gets accustomed to his new teammates and he’s already showing signs of that as he has averaged 23.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists over his last three games. On a night with only five games on the schedule, Bledsoe presents an excellent option for your entry.
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,000
Murray doesn’t provide much outside of scoring, but he has managed to average 13.9 points and 1.2 three-pointers in only 27 minutes per game. He still has a significant role in the offense as his 24.4% usage rate is the highest on the team. Thursday’s matchup against the Bulls is favorable for Murray as the Bulls struggle to defend point guards. They have been especially poor of late, allowing an average of 23.6 points per game to opposing starting point guards over their last three contests. At this price, Murray can provide value.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Lou Williams, LAC vs. UTA
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,300
The Clippers are absolutely decimated by injuries and will be without Blake Griffin, Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic on Thursday. When you think about how much offense the Clippers were counting on from Griffin and Gallinari, that’s a lot of scoring to make up for. Enter Williams as he is never afraid to shoot the rock. He is currently averaging a career-high 13.7 shot attempts per game to go along with a 27.8% usage rate. Expect him to lead the Clippers offense Thursday, giving him value even at this expensive price.
Gary Harris, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,600
One thing you get with Harris is consistent playing time as he has played at least 30 minutes in all but three games this season, one of which he played 29 minutes. He’s not going to give you much in the way of rebounds or assists, but he makes up for it by averaging 1.8 steals to go along with 14.3 points per game. He has actually had at least three steals in three of his last four games. With plenty of minutes and shots on tap for Thursday’s matchup against a bad Bulls defense, consider adding Harris into your lineup.
SMALL FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at POR
FanDuel = $11,800
DraftKings = $11,100
Not much needs to be said to make a case to start Giannis on Thursday. His 33.5% usage rate is fifth-best in the NBA, which is even better when you take into consideration he leads the league with 37 minutes per game. He also crushed the Trail Blazers earlier this season when he scored 44 points to go along with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. He and LeBron James are the two best options at small forward for the evening, but I’d lean towards Giannis as this game should be more competitive than the Cavaliers taking on a bad Atlanta Hawks team.
Juan Hernangomez, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,700
While the Nuggets aren’t as injury-riddled as the Clippers, they are dealing with problems of their own with Paul Millsap out for three months and Wilson Chandler already ruled out for this game with a back injury. Chandler missed the Nuggets last game Tuesday, leading to a start for Hernangomez. He came through with seven points, 10 rebounds and one block in 28 minutes, marking his best game of the season. With the expectation that he will see increased minutes again Thursday, he could provide significant value at this cheap price.
POWER FORWARDS
Derrick Favors, UTA at LAC
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,600
Favors is in the midst of his best stretch this season as he is averaging 19.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over his last five games. With so little depth behind him up front due to Rudy Gobert’s injury, he is going to continue to see extended playing time. This should be a fun matchup against DeAndre Jordan, one of the few quality big men still healthy on the Clippers. With Jordan likely to get heavy minutes, the Jazz will need Favors to come through again. Without a lot of great options at power forward for your entry, Favors provides one of the safer bets to produce.
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,700
Morris has taken a big step backward in terms of playing time as his 24 minutes per game is his lowest average since the 2013-14 season. With the talent Boston has up front, that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The good news is that he has done more with less as his 23.9% usage rate is the highest of his career. With Joel Embiid resting for the Sixers Thursday, they could use some smaller-than-usual lineup combinations. The Sixers play at the fourth-fastest pace (104.8) in the NBA already, so this could be one of the more uptempo games you see the Celtics play. Take a chance on Morris to have a big game based on his opponent and his reasonable price.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $9,100
With Embiid resting Thursday, Jokic becomes the center with the highest upside. While his scoring is slightly down, his overall numbers are even better than last year as he’s averaging 15.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 three-pointers per game. One of the best passing centers in the league, his ability to contribute in multiple categories gives him the potential to provide massive production any given night. With a matchup against the Bulls on the slate, this could be one of those evenings when Jokic leads you to some money in DFS.
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. UTA
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,100
With Jordan approaching last-man-standing status in the Clippers frontcourt, he could put up some big numbers going forward. His scoring is down at 10.0 points per game, but he may get a few extra shot attempts with Griffin now on the sidelines. Always a valuable contributor on the glass, he should get all the minutes he can handle Thursday. If you can’t pay up for Jokic, Jordan can provide value at a more budget-friendly price.