Tuesday brings eight games in the NBA with injuries likely to play a key role in several contests. That leaves us with not only some excellent top-tier options, but also some cheap value plays worth considering.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 23 2020
We don’t have a lot of options to choose from Thursday in DFS with only three games in the NBA. A key injury could also have major ramifications on the slate.
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 November 27 2019
The NBA prepares for a Thanksgiving break with 14 games on the schedule Wednesday.
Read MoreDaily 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.
Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package
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 for 1/11/18
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/11/18
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
POINT GUARDS
Delon Wright, TOR vs. CLE
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,100
Kyle Lowry (back) is considered unlikely to play Thursday, leaving Wright with another opportunity to start. He started for Lowry on Tuesday against the Heat, scoring 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in 29 minutes. Wright has played at least 29 minutes in four of his last six games, averaging 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in those four contests. With an expanded role in the cards again Thursday, Wright could provide excellent value.
Patty Mills, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,500
The Spurs are going to be short-handed Thursday with Kawhi Leonard (shoulder) and Rudy Gay (heel) out, Tony Parker (ankle) doubtful and Danny Green (groin) questionable. If all four players are indeed out, that’s a lot of minutes left on the table. Mills has played at least 30 minutes in a game three times this season, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 three-pointers in those contests. The Lakers play at the fastest pace (103.9 possessions per game) and allow the second-most points per game (111.1) in the league, leaving Mills as a viable option for your entry.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Lou Williams, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,300
Williams is putting the Clippers on his back right now, averaging 31.8 points over his last 10 games. He scored a whopping 50 points Wednesday against the Warriors, but still managed to chip in seven assists in the game. The Clippers continue to be hit hard by injuries, which has led Williams to post a career-high 30% usage rate. The Clippers backcourt will be thin again Thursday, so look for more elite production from Williams against the Kings.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,000
The Kings inconsistent rotations make it hard to rely on their players in DFS but Bogdanovic has been one of the few you can count on lately. He’s played at least 30 minutes in five of his last seven games, which is a significant threshold for his value. He’s played at least 30 minutes in a game nine times this season, averaging 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals. At this reasonable price, he might be one of the more safer cheaper guard options Thursday.
SMALL FORWARDS
LeBron James, CLE at TOR
FanDuel = $11,500
DraftKings = $11,300
James is coming off one of his worst games of the season on Monday, but he only played 27 minutes in a blowout loss to the Timberwolves. Games like that are few and far between based on his 30.8% usage rate, which is ninth-highest in the league. He is the only player priced over $10,000 on both FanDuel and DraftKings on Thursday, but his upside is so high, it’s going to be hard to keep him out of your lineup.
Kyle Anderson, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,400
With the Spurs dealing with injuries to several key players, look for Anderson to make another start Thursday. He’s started each of the last four games, averaging 7.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. While the offensive numbers aren’t anything to write home about, his defensive contributions help him to provide value. Considering how fast the Lakers play and how poorly they are on the defensive end, Anderson could have one of his better offensive games of the season. On a night with limited options, he is definitely someone to consider.
POWER FORWARDS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $9,900
DraftKings = $8,500
Aldridge is off to a great start in January, averaging 28.5 points and 11.5 rebounds through four games. With Leonard back on the shelf, he should continue to be the main contributor on offense for the Spurs. The Lakers struggle to defend opposing power forwards, allowing the fifth-most FanDuel points per game and third-most DraftKings points per game to the position. Aldridge is one of the best options available at any position Thursday, so don’t hesitate to add him to your lineup.
Davis Bertans, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings =4,500
Bertans is another player that has seen increased action due to all of the Spurs injuries, logging at least 27 minutes in four straight games. He’s shown he can provide an offensive jolt, averaging 15.3 points and 3.3 three-pointers in those contests. He’s provided more than just scoring though, also averaging 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 block in those same games. With added playing time likely on tap again Thursday, he could be worth the risk in tournament play at this cheap price.
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,400
The Clippers have dealt with a ton of injuries, but Jordan has been one of the mainstays on their roster. He’s always been a dominant rebounder, but he’s averaging a career-high 15.1 rebounds per game this season. He’s also been forced to take on a bigger role in the offense, averaging 17.6 points in his last five games. If Griffin can’t go again Thursday, it will leave Jordan to be a one-man gang on the glass against a deep Kings frontcourt. Even if Griffin does play, Jordan still has considerable value.
Julius Randle, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,500
The Lakers have finally unleashed Randle. He’s started each of the last seven games, even with the return of Brook Lopez. He’s taken full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 17.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in those starts. While the Spurs are dealing with a lot of injuries, they still have Aldridge and Pau Gasol up front, which should lead to a big role for Randle again in this game. If you can’t afford to squeeze Jordan into your lineup, Randle is someone to strongly consider.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks 1/5/18
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
POINT GUARDS:
Chris Paul ($10,100 FD/$10,000 DK) –
With the absence of James Harden, it is up to Chris Paul to run the Rockets rapid offense. In his first two games since Harden’s injury, Paul posted an average of 41.9 FanDuel PPG between both contests. Although the Pistons defend the position fairly well, it shouldn’t affect Paul too much as somebody will need to be a primary source of offense. He may be a bit pricey considering the superstars he shares the slate with, but if you are paying up at point guard Chris Paul is definitely your guy.
Darren Collison ($6,100 FD/$5,900 DK) –
Collison is a cheap, reliable option in this slate with a great match-up. He opposes the Chicago Bulls, who rank dead last in the NBA in defending point guards. He versed them just a week ago as well and posted 44.1 FanDuel points with a 30 point breakout game. His teammate, Victor Oladipo, is listed questionable for the contest and if ruled out Collison is in for an expanded role and usage. Regardless of Oladipo’s status, Collison is a great play and has potential to be even greater of a play.
SHOOTING GUARDS:
Eric Gordon ($8,000 FD/$6,800 DK) –
Alongside Chris Paul, Eric Gordon has benefited severely with Harden being sidelined. Gordon has been getting the starting bid in his place and has been doing more than the Rockets probably expected. In his two starts so far he has collected an average of 44.6 FanDuel PPG including a massive 55.1 point performance against the Golden State Warriors the other night. His price is steadily rising as he continues to thrive in filling the starting rotation void as he is now listed at $6,800/$8,000 on both platforms. His production should stay on track, although consistent 50 point outings seem unlikely.
Justin Holiday ($5,800 FD/$5,300 DK) –
The SG options are a bit thin Saturday night with Harden out and Oladipo questionable. Justin Holiday is another cheap and reliable option. The Indiana Pacers rank in the bottom half of the league in defending SG’s and Holiday posted 30.4 FanDuel point against them just a week ago. He has also posted 30 or more FanDuel points in three of his last four games, giving him great value at a very cheap price tag. He has also seen 30 or more minutes in six straight games. If that continues Saturday night, he has great potential.
SMALL FORWARDS:
LeBron James ($11,700 FD/$11,600 DK) –
Who other than the King leads the SF position just about every night? He may be worth the high price tag in this one in his match-up with the Orlando Magic, who rank poorly against SF’s. The only concern as per most nights is if the Magic can keep this game close to assure James gets his regular minutes which may be difficult without Center Nikola Vucevic. James is insanely consistent in fantasy value as he has posted 50 or more FanDuel points in 12 of his last 14 contests. His teammate Kevin Love is a GTD with an ankle injury he suffered last game, which could mean extended use of the King if he were to be sidelined.
Gerald Green ($5,700 FD/$5,100 DK) –
Gerald Green has been a great asset for fantasy as of late, seeing a minutes increase due to James Harden as mentioned a couple times. He has posted around 35 FanDuel points in both games without him and has seen his minutes increase with his salary. He remains extremely affordable and a great plug-in play to help afford the superstars in this slate. A benefit to paying for Green is the possibility of a blowout generating more minutes for him, as the Pistons lost by over 30 to the Sixers just last night.
POWER FORWARDS:
Anthony Davis ($11,200 FD/$9,900 DK) –
Davis is the lone stud on today’s PF selection automatically making him a popular option. The big man has posted an average of 55.4 FanDuel PPG over his last five games. He’s accompanied these fantasy points with 29 or more points in four straight games. He will be squaring up with the Timberwolves, who rank 21st in the league in defensive rating and are playing the second game of a back-to-back venture. ‘
Aaron Gordon ($7,900 FD/$8,000 DK) –
Gordon is in a great match-up Saturday night against the defensively poor Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic currently sit at 9.5 point underdogs, so they will definitely need Gordon to put on a show if they want to keep up. The Cavs don’t play at the fastest tempo, but they do rank 13th to accompany the Magic’s pace which ranks 7th. A slight boost in tempo could definitely benefit Gordon and increase his ceiling. His price appears to be a bargain that needs to be taken advantage of.
CENTERS:
Bismack Biyombo ($6,200 FD/$5,700 DK) –
Biyombo has been his best impression of Nikola Vucevic in his starts filling his void. When seeing 28 or more minutes he is averaging 34.7 FanDuel PPG over this current span of starts. Just like Gordon, Biyombo has a match-up that could help him exceed value in this slate. He only saw 18 minutes in his last start, but should see his usual workload since starting for Vucevic.
Mason Plumlee ($5,300 FD/$4,300 DK) –
A bit of a risky play, but Mason Plumlee could be your secret weapon Saturday night. Sitting at just $5,300 on FanDuel and only $4,300 on DraftKings he plays the Kings who rank 22nd in defending centers. On top of that, Plumlee has been pretty consistent of late as he has scored 20 or more FanDuel points in four of his last five games. He is seeing minutes in the lower 20’s about every night as he’s only played less than 20 minutes once since December 8th.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 1/2/18
BRING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
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 for 12/21/17
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/21/17
Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
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 for 12/14/17
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/14/17
Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
POINT GUARDS
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. NY
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,700
Dinwiddie has continued to get plenty of playing time in the Nets’ injury-riddled backcourt, logging at least 30 minutes in eight of his last nine games. He’s been solid in 15 starts this season, averaging 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.4 three-pointers per game. The Knicks struggle to defend point guards, allowing the third-most FanDuel points per game and fourth-most DraftKings points per game to the position. With no elite options available at point guard Thursday, Dinwiddie may have one of the best performances of the night.
J.J. Barea, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600
Barea hasn’t moved into the starting lineup with Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) out the last three games, but he’s provided scoring punch off the bench with at least 16 points in each of the last two games. He doesn’t need to be scoring to provide value either as he has dished out at least six assists in nine of his last 10 games. His 26.3% usage rate puts him ahead of players like Kemba Walker, Goran Dragic, and Kyle Lowry, so he’s heavily involved when he’s on the floor. Considering the Warriors play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.3) in the league, Barea has upside at this price.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Caris LeVert, BKN vs. NY
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,400
LeVert has established himself as an important member of the Nets bench, averaging 16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 three-pointers over his last four games. With all their injuries at point guard, he’s done a nice job of helping run the offense as a member of the second unit. The Nets play at the second-fastest pace (104.4) in the league, which helps create more opportunities for LeVert to contribute. With the Knicks struggles on defense, LeVert is a viable option for your entry.
Wesley Matthews, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,600
The Mavericks have really struggled offensively as they are one of only four teams in the league averaging less than 100 points per game. While Matthews will never be confused as being an elite scorer, his 12.4 points per game are third-most on the team. One of the two players who scorers more than Matthews is Smith, so the Mavericks will really need Matthews to step up if they have any chance of keeping this game close. With the added opportunities to produce, Matthews is someone to consider at this discounted price.
SMALL FORWARDS
LeBron James, CLE vs. LAL
FanDuel = $12,600
DraftKings = $11,900
James continues to dominate the league, posting two triple-doubles and seven double-doubles in his last 10 games. He’s as close to automatic as they come with his production as his 30.4% usage rate is tenth-best in the league. You can go on for days with stats about how excellent James has been, giving him a very high floor in DFS. He’s going to cost a ton, but he can still provide value against a weak defensive team in the Lakers on Thursday.
Andre Iguodala, GS vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,200
Iguodala could be in for an expanded role Thursday with Stephen Curry (ankle) out and Draymond Green (shoulder) listed as doubtful. Both Curry and Green play significant roles in running the Warriors offense, so expect Iguodala to potentially provide extra assists with both likely out. The Mavericks also like to play small, which could lead to some extra run for Iguodala. On a night with limited cheap options with value, Iguodala might be your best bet to save some money at small forward.
POWER FORWARDS
Kristaps Porzingis, NY at BKN
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $9,600
Porzingis is showing no ill effects from a recent ankle injury, playing at least 36 minutes in three straight games. He took advantage of two bad defenses in the Lakers and Hawks his last two games, scoring at least 30 points in both contests. Not only was he great offensively, but he combined for eight blocks and three steals as well. Even with the addition of Jahlil Okafor, the Nets are still lacking depth up front. Porzingis already torched them for 30 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and one steal earlier this season, so get ready for the encore.
Taj Gibson, MIN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,900
Gibson has been somewhat of a security blanket for coach Tom Thibodeau this season as he is averaging 34 minutes per game compared to only 17 minutes per game for Gorgui Dieng. He coached Gibson in Chicago and clearly plans to play him a ton, which is no surprise considering Thibodeau’s history of giving his starters big minutes. The volume has made Gibson fantasy relevant as he’s averaging 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Expect big minutes and solid numbers from him again Thursday.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $10,100
DraftKings = $9,100
Believe it or not, Towns has actually had his playing time decrease in the second year of the Thibodeau era. Don’t be alarmed though, he’s still averaging a whopping 35 minutes per game. His scoring is understandably down with Jimmy Butler now in the fold, but he’s still been fantastic by averaging 20.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. The Kings struggle to defend opposing centers, allowing the second-most points on both FanDuel and DraftKings to the position. Look for a big performance in this game from Towns.
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC at MIN
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,100
Cauley-Stein recently missed three games with a back injury but returned to play 29 minutes Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. It’s encouraging he played so many minutes right off the bat, especially considering the Kings crazy frontcourt rotations. Cauley-Stein has played much better off the bench this season, posting a 24.5% usage rate with the second unit compared to 17.8% as a starter. He should be needed for heavy minutes against the Timberwolves big frontcourt, making him someone to definitely consider.