With games spread throughout the day Monday, FanDuel and DraftKings are handling things a bit differently. DraftKings has broken things down into four slates, three of which are featured contests. Meanwhile, the main slate on FanDuel starts at 5:00 PM EST. For this article, we’ll only look at players for games that start at that time, or later.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 9 2020
Thursday brings the customary quiet night in the NBA with only four games on the schedule. Still, there is money to be won in DFS.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/18/18
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/18/18
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POINT GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. IND
FanDuel = $9,400
DraftKings = $8,700
Lillard has played well since returning from a calf injury, averaging 26.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in four games. He continues to be the main offensive weapon for the Trail Blazers, posting a 30% usage rate that ranks 15th-highest in the league. He has a usage rate of at least 30% in each of the last three seasons, so don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon. With 18 points to go along with seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block in his first meeting with the Pacers this year, Lillard is shaping up to provide big numbers again Thursday.
T.J. McConnell, PHI at BOS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400
Sixers guard J.J. Redick (leg) will not play Thursday, which is a significant loss for their backcourt. Jerryd Bayless is expected to replace him in the starting lineup, but McConnell should see added playing time as well. McConnell has played at least 30 minutes in a game six times this season, averaging 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals in those contests. Even though Bayless may be listed as the starter, McConnell could very well outproduce him in this game.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Victor Oladipo, IND at POR
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $8,500
This should be a fun matchup between Oladipo and C.J. McCollum on Thursday. Oladipo has had the season of his career, posting a 30.2% usage rate that ranks inside the top-15 in the league. He’s not just a scorer though, also averaging 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game He’s had a few subpar stat lines lately, but that was mostly due to lopsided scores limiting his playing time. Expect him to see plenty of minutes and provide excellent value at this price Thursday.
Dwyane Wade, CLE vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,800
Wade has transitioned to a bench role for the Cavaliers and is averaging a career-low 24 minutes per game as a result. While his scoring is down significantly, he’s still provided value by averaging 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He’s already played the Magic twice this season, averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. His limited playing time doesn’t give him a high ceiling, but he can still provide enough production across the board to warrant consideration at this price.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, MIN at HOU
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $8,800
Butler got off to a slow start with his new team but looks like the player we saw on the Bulls last season now. His usage rate is creeping up and he’s averaging 24.6 points over his last 14 games. He’s been the perfect fit for a young Timberwolves team that needed veteran leadership and someone who can make the big shots when it matters the most. Don’t forget that he’s an excellent defender as well, averaging 2.9 steals in his last 10 games. This should be a high scoring game Thursday, leaving Butler with significant upside. Of note, Butler is only small forward eligible on FanDuel as he is listed as a shooting guard on DraftKings.
P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. MIN
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,500
The fallout from some of the Rockets players making their way into the Clippers locker room after Monday’s game is that both Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green have been suspended for the next two games. While Green is the more flashy offensive player, the loss of Ariza is significant because he is averaging 36 minutes per game. His absence should open up some extra minutes for Tucker, who averaged 6.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 three-pointers in the 11 games that he played at least 30 minutes in this season. Factoring in his dirt cheap price, he warrants consideration in tournament play.
POWER FORWARDS
Domantas Sabonis, IND at POR
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,000
Sabonis continues to fill in for Myles Turner (elbow), who will miss at least the next three games. The Pacers have to be thrilled with the progress Sabonis has made during his second season in the league, especially when given added playing time. He’s started 12 games this season, averaging 12.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest. He won’t provide many defensive stats or three-pointers, but he doesn’t need to in order to be valuable at this price.
Taj Gibson, MIN at HOU
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings – $5,400
On the surface, this might not look like an ideal matchup for Gibson against a Rockets team that likes to deploy a lot of small lineups. However, Gibson is a versatile defender who is not out of his element on the perimeter. Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is also known for riding his starters heavy minutes, so don’t expect Gibson to see a decline in playing time Thursday. The Rockets play at the eighth-fastest pace (101.5 possessions per game) in the league, so Gibson should be able to compile enough stats to warrant consideration for your entry on a night with only four games.
CENTERS
Kevin Love, CLE vs. ORL
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,400
The Cavaliers are really struggling right now, losing five of their last six games. They’ve been blown out a couple of times, resulting in some ugly performances by Love. They were able to keep their last two games close, resulting in Love averaging 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. In his first meeting with the Magic earlier this month, Love finished with 27 points, five rebounds, and six three-pointers. The Magic allow the fifth-most points per game on FanDuel and the sixth-most points per game on DraftKings to opposing centers, making Love an excellent option Thursday.
Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. IND
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,400
Nurkic has struggled in his last four games, averaging just 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. The good news is, he was able to salvage some of his value by averaging 2.0 blocks over that same stretch. His inconsistent performances on the season overall have been frustrating, making him a difficult player to count on in DFS. However, he has a favorable matchup Thursday as the Pacers allow the most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing centers. There aren’t a lot of great cheap center options due to the limited slate of games, but Nurkic is someone to consider in tournament play if you need to save some money at the position.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18
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Point Guard
Shabazz Napier
FD $6,500 DK $6,600
Damian Lillard is questionable as we speak, and Napier depends fully on it. If Lillard plays, scratch Napier completely. If Lillard is ruled out, Napier is one of the best plays on the entire slate. Napier has been over 35 minutes in 5 straight games and will be right there again. He’s been over 35 fantasy points in all but 1 game and still got to 30. He’s extremely safe if given the minutes and has a match-up against a Cavs team who’s a bit of a mess. With Isaiah Thomasa returning tonight, you can throw out whatever DVP the Cavs have run against PG’s. It will all change now and is up in the air. Isaiah has been one of the worst defenders in the league for a couple years now and I don’t see him helping at all. Napier is still cheap enough in all formats if starting and would be one of the more popular options on the slate. Once again, if Lillard is ruled in, this is all null and void. Lillard has been ruled out. Shabazz away!
George Hill
FD $4,700 DK $4,600
The Kings have been running a 3 point guard rotation for most of the year now, but might run into some issues tonight. As we sit, Frank Mason is out and DeAaron Fox is questionable. If Fox ends up being ruled out, George Hill should get to 28 minutes as a minimum. He’d be the only healthy PG on the roster and match-up quite nicely with Kemba Walker. Hill has obviously been very disappointing this year, but has shown some flashes of upside and can still produce in big minutes. His price is extremely low on both sites and he’ll only need you around 20-22 in cash games to hit value. There are a lot of other ways to pay up on this slate and PG probably isn’t the best. You can definitely go Kemba or Schroder in tournaments, but don’t know if it’s at all the optimal play. Save some funds instead with Napier/Hill move onto a position with some more depth.
Shooting Guard
Tyreke Evans
FD $9,000 DK $8,200
It’s 2017 and Tyreke Evans is just now realizing his full potential. It may actually be the NBA who was a step behind here, but nonetheless, this is a superstar who’s finally getting the opportunity. He’s sitting over 40 fantasy points in every game and has hit 60 a couple times. The ball is in his hands every possession down the stretch and will rarely not be involved in the final play with Conley out, whether it be a shot attempt or assist. It’s how he’s able to convert with such consistency on a team that lacks PACE and possessions. He’s going to shoot close to 20 times at the very least and stuffs the stat sheet like nobody else at the position. The Clippers rank 25th in the NBA against SG’s and especially struggle with size. Evans is one of the bigger guards in the world and will cause problems for anyone who tries to guard him. This game will stay close and Evans will be in there for 30+ minutes. He’s a safe play in all formats, though he’ll cost you a solid penny.
Kent Bazemore
FD $5,800 DK $6,000
Bazemore never sees huge minutes anymore, but it’s worked into his price tag. He still does damage in his 25-30 minutes and has put up 45+ fantasy points plenty of times around just 30 minutes. He’s one of the few consistent pieces the Hawks can actually trust and have built-in minutes for him. The match-up against the fast-paced Suns squad is obviously a great one. While they don’t rank dead last against SG’s like they have for most of the year, 27th isn’t all that much better. They play fast and have nobody to cover the rim, so it doesn’t matter how good the perimeter defense is. Bazemore is a safe better for 25 fantasy points with the realistic upside for 40. He’s viable in all formats at a very friendly price tag.
Small Forward
LeBron James
FD $11,500 DK $11,700
By default, LeBron is close to a must in all formats. While there are some other high-priced options, LBJ is the only real superstar. He could easily outscore the field by 20 and nobody would bat an eye. LeBron is truly match-up proof, so relies a lot more on the PACE and importance of game. The Blazers play slightly faster than league average and are considered a powerhouse, so I personally expect a big LeBron game. It’ll likely be a combo of Aminu and Turner on him, but it obviously doesn’t matter. He’s going to dominate both of them if his shot is falling and will settle for 50 FP if not. He’ll be in 100% of my lineups and while he’s nowhere near a must, I don’t think he’s an optimal fade with the options on the slate.
Kawhi Leonard
FD $7,500 DK $6,700
Kawhi played 26 and 27 minutes in his last 2 games, so things are getting a little serious. Let’s say there’s no progression. He sits around 26-28 minutes against a Knicks squad that doesn’t play any defense. As I see it, he has a 25 FP floor with a ceiling in the 40s. If he starts, the ball is in his hands all game and the usage is as concrete as it gets. His price is under $8k on both sites and doesn’t need to get you anywhere near his normal production. He is listed as probable right now, so just make sure nothing weird happened before you plug him in. I think there will be some hesitancy to play an expensive guy on a minutes limit, which will hopefully keep his ownership under 20%.
Power Forward
John Collins
FD $5,900 DK $4,900
Power forward is ugly. Kristaps Porzingis and LaMarcus Aldridge will face off as the only 2 expensive options and I don’t love either. Instead, let’s move down to the low/mid range to John Collins. Collins is an extremely talented player and a guy that would be putting up 35+ a night if given the minutes. His playing time has been tempered since returning from injury, but he still sees a consistent 25. The Suns play fast and don’t play much defense under the rim, which plays right into the game of Collins. His minutes are always going to be a concern, but find me a better option at the position and I’ll listen. This is a game you want exposure to and Collins gives you an affordable way to do it.
Jarell Martin
FD $4,200 DK $4,300
We haven’t looked at a punt option since PG with George Hill, so here is a solid one. Even with JaMychal Green back, Jarell Martin is seeing 24+ minutes. He’s been effective when on the floor and the Grizz can’t just stuff him back onto the bench. He’s close to minimum price on both sites and will only need you 20 fantasy points to hit value. He matches up well with the athleticism of Blake Griffin and could end up seeing extended minutes because of it. The Clippers are a bottom 10 defensive team down low and are very easy to score FP against. Martin is a guy who’s very active when on the floor and does a good job of forcing his involvement. He puts up FP with ease and has a very friendly match-up tonight. He’s not a guy who will ever get you 35+ fantasy points, but somewhere between 20 and 30 is very likely and at his price that’s more than enough.
Center
Kevin Love
FD $7,900 DK $8,700
Center has a lot of similar options in the same price range. Kevin Love is easily my favorite in a game that should remain close against Portland. He has been superb this season as a whole and will very rarely fall below 35 fantasy points. His upside is always around 60 if he gets hot and this is a top 10 match-up for him. Jusuf Nurkic is a load in the paint, but can’t play any perimeter defense and isn’t a good rebounder. Love can be penciled in for a double/double with the upside for a lot more. His price is fair on both sites and will only need to have a “good” game to get it done.
Tyson Chandler
FD $4,500 DK $4,400
If you want to pay down at Center, Tyson Chandler is a very strong pivot. At $4500, he’s been at 30 minutes and 20 fantasy points in 2 straight games. If he once again gets the start, it’s safe to assume he runs for 25+ minutes against one of the league’s weakest interiors. With Dedmon out, it’s John Collins and Miles Plumlee at the 5. Chandler is no maestro at the 5 anymore, but he can get a double/double if given the opportunity. Especially against a team who can’t rebound and allows the 3rd most offensive rebounds. I prefer Love if you have the funds, but Chandler makes for a safe play under $5k and will let you pay up elsewhere. Center has a lot of options, but none of them are musts and Chandler shouldn’t be more than 15% owned. Either of these guys can be played in all formats, but know that Chandler has a ceiling around 35.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/25/17
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/25/17
Monday night presents Christmas Day; one of the most entertaining days for the NBA season. With a small but stacked five game slate, you will need to include some low priced plays to be able to afford the large selection of superstars.
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POINT GUARDS:
Russell Westbrook ($11,500 FD/$10,900 DK) –
With so many superstar options in this slate Russell Westbrook may be your guy to pay up for as he is cheaper than LeBron and Harden on both platforms and cheaper than Kevin Durant on FanDuel. Lately, Westbrook has been an absolute menace to the stat sheet. He has scored 20+ points in six straight games, averaging a whopping 60.8 FanDuel PPG over those contests. He meets with former teammate James Harden on Christmas night, and is in great position to put on a show. The Rockets rank first in the league in offensive rating along with 8th in pace which could push the Thunder to increase the tempo and work quicker leading to more possessions and opportunity for Westbrook.
Jordan Clarkson ($4,000 FD/$4,700 DK) –
Although listed as a SG on FanDuel (PG eligible on DraftKings), Clarkson seems to be a great play Monday night. The backup point guard should be getting the start for injured Lonzo Ball, who has already been listed as out for this contest. Clarkson hasn’t been so hot off the bench lately, but we’ve all seen what he’s capable of doing. At one point in the season he was outperforming Ball immensely enough where he would play the entire 4th quarter of games while Ball would sit. His recent decline in productivity has been adjusted into his salary which makes it even better for this slate. He will be playing the Timberwolves, who rank 22nd in defending opposing point guards this season. With a dirt cheap price Clarkson won’t need to do much to exceed value, making him a great asset to withhold a steady salary.
SHOOTING GUARDS:
Klay Thompson ($7,000 FD/$6,400 DK) –
With James Harden being very expensive in this slate ($12,000 FD/$11,100 DK), it may be smart to save some salary on the shooting guard position. Klay meets with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third straight Christmas match-up. Once again Curry is sidelined, giving Klay and KD a heavy offensive workload against the poor defense Cleveland brings to the court. Klay has not had many breakout DFS games with Curry out, but has been very consistent. He has averaged 31.3 FanDuel PPG in the eight game absence from Steph.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($6,100 FD/$5,100 DK) –
Caldwell-Pope has been dealing with some legal issues, as he is unable to leave the state of California. Luckily for him, Monday night’s game is indeed in Los Angeles. Listed at a fairly cheap price, KCP has been very productive in the games he has played recently. Over his last four games he has averaged 34.4 FanDuel PPG. He has also added at least two steals in seven straight games, which weighs heavy on the DFS scoring system especially on FanDuel. In those same seven games, KCP has accompanied his defensive skill set with double digit scoring as well. Caldwell-Pope may be your guy for this slate to fill the void in the SG spot.
SMALL FORWARDS:
Kevin Durant ($12,100 FD/$10,500 DK) –
Kevin Durant can destroy just about any defense which makes his date with the Cavaliers a lot more appealing considering their weak defense discussed in Klay’s feature. The Cavs are allowing an average of 42.5 FPPG to the small forward position. KD has scored 50 or more FanDuel points in 6 of the 8 games played without sharing the court with Curry; with 3 of those 6 accumulating to 65+ points. The intensity of this game seems promising with both teams ranking in the top half of the league in pace. These teams are also “rivals” as they have met in three straight NBA finals. With a high price tag and a ton of superstar options, Kevin Durant seems worth paying up for if you can find the salary to fit him.
Trevor Ariza ($5,600 FD/$5,000 DK) –
In this slate, you’re going to need a few fairly priced plays that will provide you just enough to stack on top of your superstars performance. With that being the case, Trevor Ariza has a reliable resume to hold you over. He has a little bit of a tough game opposing a top defense in the Oklahoma City Thunder, but has proved to be very consistent for his price. Ariza has supplied 20+ FanDuel points along with double digit points in nine straight games. His teammate, Chris Paul, is listed as questionable with a leg injury which could open up a small boost in usage for Ariza if he is in fact incapable of playing. Ariza is definitely worth the risk in this slate as his sub-$6,000 salary will also open room for some bigger plays and will hopefully keep the 20+ streak alive Christmas night.
POWER FORWARDS:
Ben Simmons ($9,400 FD/$9,300 DK) –
Simmons is a versatile play Monday night as he is listed as a PF on FanDuel yet eligible for PG and SF on DraftKings. Regardless of placement, Simmons is in for a great match-up with the New York Knicks. Teammate Joel Embiid is once again listed as questionable as he has missed five of the 76’ers last eight games with back issues. Simmons has averaged 42.5 FanDuel PPG in those five games without Embiid on the court with him. If Embiid is sidelined expect Simmons’ usage to incline a decent amount as he faces off with a sub-par defense. Seeing what Simmons will do in his first game at Madison Square Garden should be interesting, and definitely a match-up to keep on your radar when trying to generate the perfect lineup. You should also keep your eye on Richaun Holmes and Dario Saric as they will also have a heavy workload if Embiid sits.
Jordan Bell ($4,900 FD/$4,900 DK) –
With the same price tag on both main DFS platforms, Jordan Bell brings a lot of upside to your lineup. The rookie has been filling in for Draymond Green as he has been dealing with an injury as of late and has proved himself to be the go-to guy to fill his void. Even with Draymond back in action the last two games, Bell was granted minutes in the low 20’s in which included a breakout double-double game accumulating to 41.5 FanDuel points. Bell is averaging 25 minutes per game over his last five, and will be playing a Cavs defense ranking dead last in the league at defending the big man positions. To add icing on the cake, Draymond is questionable for this game which could annex even higher upside on this very cheap play. Luckily, FanDuel has gifted us all a Christmas present of their own with a late swap enabled slate.
CENTERS:
Kevin Love ($8,000 FD/$7,500 DK) –
It’s hard to stay away from a game with so much more to it than a +1 in the win column which is why Kevin Love makes a great play. Love is averaging a double-double this season and has supplied 20 or more points in four of his last five games with an average of 38.9 FanDuel PPG in that span. Ironically, Love is only averaging just under 30 minutes per game this season despite his immense production. It is safe to assume that Love will see a good amount of minutes in this rivalry match-up with the Warriors, increasing his ceiling for DFS value. At a salary of $7,500-$8,000 Love can be a perfect play to plug in with a higher priced superstar and could even come very close to replicating that player’s statistics.
Julius Randle ($5,900 FD/$5,000 DK) –
If you are looking to spend small on a position, I personally would advise the Center position to do so in. With a recent injury to Laker’s center Brook Lopez, Randle has seen an increase in minutes at the position. He goes into Monday night’s game against the Timberwolves who allow an average of 54.50 FPPG per 48 minutes to centers this season. Randle has been effective offensively of late, scoring double digit points in 8 of his last 9 games with that one game being one where he only logged 8 minutes of action. When logging at least 20 minutes Randle has scored double digit points in 13 straight games. With a small price tag, Randle seems worth the risk in this small five game slate.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/21/17
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/21/17
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POINT GUARDS
Kris Dunn, CHI at CLE
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,300
The Bulls are red hot right now, winning seven straight games. The return of Nikola Mirotic and the improved play of their bench as a unit is a big reason for their recent success, but Dunn has also been a huge factor. Over the seven-game winning streak, Dunn is averaging 16.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. The Bulls have moved to smaller lineups and are playing at a faster pace, which will only continue to help Dunn. He has great upside again Thursday.
Mario Chalmers, MEM at PHO
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,300
Chalmers was given the first crack at replacing Mike Conley (Achilles) at point guard, but struggled and was ultimately moved back to the bench. He’s been serviceable in that role lately, averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.8 three-pointers over his last four games. The key is he played at least 22 minutes in all four of those contests. The Suns allow the second-most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards, so Chalmers might be worth the risk based on his cheap price.
SHOOTING GUARDS
DeMar DeRozan, TOR at PHI
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,800
DeRozan’s scoring is down almost three points per game this season, in large part because he is averaging almost four fewer shot attempts per game. He’s still been productive though with a 30% usage rate that puts him inside the top-15 in the league. He should get plenty of chances to score Thursday as the Sixers play at the third-fastest pace (103.3) in the league. While he’s one of the most expensive guards playing tonight, but he should be worth the price.
Justin Holiday, CHI at CLE
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,600
Holiday’s had a hard time contributing offensively of late, scoring eight points or less in four of his last six games. He’s averaging 12.5 shot attempts per game this season overall but has taken 10 shots or less in five of his last six games. That should come as little surprise with Nikola Mirotic back in the fold. All that being said, he can contribute with more than just scoring as he’s averaging 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 three-pointers per game this season. This could be a high-scoring affair between two teams that use small lineups, so Holiday has some upside.
SMALL FORWARDS
LeBron James, CLE vs. CHI
FanDuel = $12,300
DraftKings = $11,900
James is the best option available at any position Thursday with so few games on the schedule. James continues to get a lot of playing time, averaging 37 minutes per game. While he’s one of the best players in the league on a team with talent, he still plays a ton because the Cavaliers struggles on defense tend to lead to close games. While the Bulls are playing well, they don’t have anyone capable of slowing down James. Pay up for him in this game and enjoy the ride.
Robert Covington, PHI vs. TOR
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,200
Covington is ice cold from the field right now, shooting only 26.7% from over his last three games. He can carry a team when his shot is falling but tends to go through cold streaks like this as well. Even with his struggles, he still provides value. He hit at least two three-pointers in all three of those games, helping him to build a nice scoring floor. He is also excellent defensively, averaging 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocks over those same three games. There aren’t a lot of great cheap options at small forward Thursday, so it’s not a bad idea to spend a little more money on Convington as his upside is high if he can correct his shooting woes.
POWER FORWARDS
Dario Saric, PHI vs. TOR
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,400
Joel Embiid (back) is not expected to play Thursday, which is good news for Saric’s value. In the last five games that Embiid has missed, Saric has averaged 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.2 three-pointers per game. Not only do the Sixers play at a fast pace, but the Raptors do as well as they play at the 10th-fastest pace (100.4) in the league. Saric should see increased usage and value with Embiid out again for this game.
Serge Ibaka, TOR at PHI
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,900
Ibaka missed a game Sunday with knee soreness, but that’s been his only bump in the road of late. The good news is he returned to play 27 minutes Wednesday against the Hornets. He was excellent yet again, scoring 24 points to go along with five rebounds, two blocks, and two three-pointers. He has scored at least 15 points, recorded at least one block and hit at least two three-pointers in each of his last eight games, giving him a nice base to work off of on a nightly basis. The price is right to take a chance on him continuing his recent run of success Thursday.
CENTERS
Kevin Love, CLE vs. CHI
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $8,300
The Cavaliers might be getting some scoring reinforcements with Isaiah Thomas (hip) reportedly set to return soon, but Love will continue to be James’ primary running mate at least until then. He’s been extremely efficient this season as he is shooting a career-high 47.4% from the field. His usage rate of 26.8% is also the highest it’s been since he joined the Cavaliers. The Bulls like to play small outside of Robin Lopez, which should only help Love. He will cost you a lot, but he should be productive again in this game.
Richaun Holmes, PHI vs. TOR
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,600
Like Saric, Holmes should also benefit from Ebiid sitting out Thursday. In the last five games with Embiid out, Holmes averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He doesn’t have nearly the upside that Saric does, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at a cheaper price. There aren’t many great cheap options at center Thursday, making Holmes someone worth considering for your entry.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/16/17
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 12/16/17
Saturday Night’s NBA Main slate presents us an eight game mosh-pit with some interesting match-ups. Some of which provide some value plays given the injury epidemic going on recently.
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POINT GUARDS:
Russell Westbrook ($11,100 FD / $11,500 DK)
If you’re going to pay up for somebody on FanDuel Westbrook may be the foundation to your lineup. He is cheaper on FD than The Greak Freak, LeBron and Harden. He is still very worth it on DK as the triple-double machine is coming off of a triple-overtime game where he stuffed the stat sheet of 27-18-15. He now plays the next night at Madison Square Garden, where he may just put on a show. Westbrooks opponents, the Knicks, rank 25th in defending the position. He logged 52 minutes during last night’s win, however, he should be more than fine. It’s time for the Russ show for my lineup.
Jeff Teague ($6,400 FD/$6,500/DK)
Jeff Teague has a great match-up Saturday against struggling Phoenix Suns, who rank 28th in defending point guards this season as they allow on average 50.52 FPTS per game. Teague has not been so valuable on DFS lately, but he hasn’t had too big of a workload either with the way teammates Jimmy Butler and Karl Anthony-Towns have been playing lately. Regardless, this matchup offers Teague an ideal game to breakout to his old form.
SHOOTING GUARDS:
Donovan Mitchell ($7,800 FD/$6,900 DK)
Donovan Mitchell is one of the most underrated rookies that has emerged in the league this year. Mitchell is slowly and steadily raising eyebrows and sparking a ROTY conversation. A bit pricey on FanDuel, Mitchell has pretty good upside in this contest, as he opposes the defense-weak Cavaliers. He has also been incredibly consistent in fantasy value. With blows to Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert in Friday night’s game, Mitchell would be reintroduced to a heavier workload if one, or both of those are sidelined.
CJ McCollum ($7,100 FD/$6,800 DK)
McCollum has some serious upside in this slate. McCollum has scored 20+ points in four straight games averaging 33 FanDuel PPG in those contests. He appears likely to make it five in a row as he matches up with the Phoenix Suns, the 30th ranked team in defending shooting guards. His price is very fair and adds value to his projections, given his consistency as of lately. McCollum is a little more flexible on DraftKings as he is also eligible for point guard.
SMALL FORWARDS:
Jimmy Butler ($9,700 FD/$9,000 DK)
Not many people have been hotter than Jimmy Butler lately. Holding one of the best SF match-ups of the night, Butler enters Saturday with a stretch in which out of the last 7 games, he has logged an average of 41 minutes and has scored an average of 27 points per game. One beneficial factor about Butler’s match-up against the Suns is that Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t had much trust in his second unit lately, as his starters have been seeing serious minutes regardless of score. This helps the case for obtaining Butler as a potential blowout won’t damage his minutes too much. Butler is listed as SF on FanDuel, but SG on DraftKings.
Harrison Barnes ($6,700 FD/$6,500 DK)
It seems as if regardless of how consistent Barnes is for the DFS community, he will never have the respect he deserves. Barnes meets with San Antonio Saturday night, a team he played earlier in the week. Barnes has played pretty well against the Spurs so far this season, averaging 33.9 FanDuel points per game in his two most recent games versus them. Harrison Barnes has great worth to his name considering his price won’t hurt the salary too much. Speaking of consistency, Barnes has only scored less than 25 FanDuel points once out of his last 18 games. Six of those 25+ games have come in a row as of right now, starting a streak.
POWER FORWARDS:
LaMarcus Aldridge ($8,500 FD/$8,000 DK)
Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard are expected to rest against the Dallas Mavericks today. With this possibility, Aldridge easily grabs the attention of everyone drafting tonight. Aldridge played the Mavs earlier this week, posting 38.6 FanDuel points to accompany a 23 points & 13 rebound double-double. He averages 51 FanDuel points per game against them this season. This time, he is playing at home in San Antonio. Spurs are playing back-to-back games, however, due to a big Rockets win last night Aldridge only logged 26 minutes. There is not many solid options at PF today, and with Porzingis’ status for tonight’s game still unknown, Aldridge may be worth paying up for at the position.
Derrick Favors ($4,900 FD/$5,300 DK)
Favors left Friday’s contest alongside Rudy Gobert against the Celtics with an eye injury after logging in just 12 minutes. If Favors gets the go-ahead to play tonight and Gobert doesn’t, he is almost a must play as he meets with the King and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ever since the return of Rudy Gobert, Favors has not been dominant by any means. If anything, he’s been virtually worthless as he averages a mere 18.6 FanDuel PPG since Gobert’s return. His salary has greatly adjusted to this play as he is now dirt cheap, with a chance to get back into old form against a Cavs defense that ranks in the worst five teams in the league in defending the position.
Alternatives if Gobert plays: Taj Gibson ($5,800 FD/DK) & Carmelo Anthony ($6,800 FD/$7,000 DK)
CENTERS:
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,600 FD/$9,600 DK)
On a slate like this one, Towns may be your ideal “big play” in your lineup. Almost nobody has been on good as KAT as he’s starting to perform as he used to prior to the Wolves stacking their roster with some serious off-season acquisitions. There is a few reliable options at the Center position today, but Towns may be the most necessary. The big man has snapped his slump for now, averaging 59.8 FanDuel PPG in his last four games. His last game of those four consists of a 72.3 night against the Sacramento Kings just the other night. He’s now rested with a great match-up at home. I’m locked in on Towns tonight.
Kevin Love ($8,000 FD/$7,900 DK)
The injuries of Favors and Gobert of Utah may just open an interesting opportunity for Kevin Love in this slate. Gobert is most likely going to be sidelined, taking away one of Utah’s best rim protectors. Love is eligible for PF as well as C on DraftKings, keeping him an even more reliable option given Utah’s injuries. Love has posted a double-double in six of his last seven games, with four of those six consisting of 20+ points. His price tag isn’t too high, which makes him very appealing for someone who doesn’t want Towns, and needs a solid play to compliment his bigger salary plays.