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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

It isn’t necessarily the busiest Friday we’ll see in the NBA with seven games on the schedule, but there are still a lot of great value plays available in DFS. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Derrick Rose, MIN vs. MIL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Rose hasn’t started a game for the Timberwolves this season, but he’s playing a key role off of their bench. Across 29 minutes per contest, he’s averaging 15 points, 3.6 rebounds, and five assists. He won’t provide much in the way of defensive stats or three-pointers, but his 23.4 percent usage rate is third-highest on the team behind Jimmy Butler (24.7 percent) and Andrew Wiggins (24.5 percent) percent. The Bucks are a tough defensive team, but Rose is still worth considering for your entry.

J.J. Barea, DAL at TOR
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,700

Barea is listed as questionable for Friday with a hamstring injury, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for updates on his status leading up to the game. If he does play, he could be a bargain at this price. Even though he’s only averaging 20 minutes off the bench, he’s averaging 8.3 points, 8.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 three-pointers per contest. His usage rate is down this season due to the addition of Luka Doncic, but it’s still relatively high at 22.7 percent.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Damyean Dotson, NY vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,200

With Kristaps Porzingis still recovering from a torn ACL, the Knicks need to find offense any way they can get it. They’re currently riding Dotson’s hot hand, who exploded for 20 points and three three-pointers Wednesday against the Heat. He’s making a case to continue to see extended playing time with averages of 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals and three three-pointers across the three games that he has played in.

Danny Green, TOR vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,200

Green hasn’t exactly been consistent to start out the season. He’s scored at least 14 points in two of his five games but scored six points or fewer in two of the other three contests. On a positive note, he did receive at least eight shot attempts in all five contests and is averaging 2.8 three-pointers made. The Mavericks have been horrid defensively in the early going by allowing 119.3 points per game, leaving Green with some upside for your entry.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,000

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride this season in terms of production from Bjelica. When he gets extended playing time, he’s been valuable, averaging 13.7 points, eight rebounds, two steals and 1.3 blocks across three games in which he has logged at least 27 minutes. However, trying to predict what rotations the Kings are going to use on a nightly basis is not easy, which makes Bjelica a risky option. With that being said, if he does get the added minutes, he could be an asset at this price.

Mario Hezonja, NY vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Hezonja’s playing time has been a product of the game score through five contests. In the Knicks’ two games that have been decided by fewer than 10 points, Hezonja only averaged 12 minutes. In their three blowouts, he averaged 24 minutes. Over those three contests, he posted 16 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. It would be pretty surprising if the Knicks can hang with the Warriors on Friday, which could lead to garbage time stats for Hezonja.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Markieff Morris, WAS at SAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

If there’s one thing the Kings have, it’s size up front. The Wizards are currently lacking options in that department with Dwight Howard (back) yet to make his season debut. To complicate matters, Ian Mahinmi is listed as questionable for Friday with a back injury of his own. They might be forced to lean heavily on Morris, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.8 three-pointers. The Kings and Wizards are also both inside the top-five in the league in terms of pace of play, which could lead to even more opportunities for Morris to stuff the stat sheet.

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at HOU
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600

The Clippers brought in Marcin Gortat to replace DeAndre Jordan, but they might have been better off leaving the center position to Harrell and Boban Marjanovic. Both have had some impressive performances so far while Gortat has mostly struggled. With the small lineups the Rockets like to use and the face pace at which they play, Harrell is likely going to lead the Clippers in minutes at center Friday. When these two teams met Sunday, Harrell recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocks over 24 minutes.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/26/18

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400

The Raptors have been playing matchups at center, leaving Valanciunas to come off of the bench in three of their five games. Despite only averaging 19 minutes a contest, he’s still recorded 11.8 points and 8.6 rebounds a night. This could be one of the games where he does get added minutes facing DeAndre Jordan, making him one of the better cheap options at center to take a chance on in tournament play.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,100

These two teams squared off Wednesday in what was a high-scoring affair that came down to the final seconds. The Bulls lost Bobby Portis to a knee injury in that game, but they still have depth at center with Wendell Carter Jr., Robin Lopez, and Cristiano Felicio. Zeller didn’t exactly thrive in that game, but his stat line was respectable with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists across 21 minutes. While he doesn’t have nearly the upside that Valanciunas does, Zeller could be an option if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/25/18

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 Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

After a busy night with nine games Monday, there are only three games on the NBA schedule Tuesday. With their being so few options to choose from, let’s examine players across the entire price scale to consider for your entry. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

De’Aaron Fox, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,100

Fox’s improved numbers this year can be attributed to two factors in the early going. First, he’s averaging 35 minutes per game compared to 28 minutes per contest last season. Second, he’s shooting 52.5 percent from the field compared to 41.2 percent during his rookie campaign. While his shooting percentage is likely to decline, his increased playing time might stick. He’s shown he can contribute across the board by averaging 20.7 points, five rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals, making him a great option Tuesday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,900

Like many rookies, Gilgeous-Alexander has been inconsistent to start his career. While he has chipped in exactly four assists in each of his three games, he sandwiched 11 and 12 point games around a two-point performance against the Thunder. On the bright side, he logged between 23 and 28 minutes in all three games. The Pelicans play at the second-fastest pace (108.8 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Gilgeous-Alexander with added opportunities to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Markelle Fultz, PHI at DET
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,900

Ben Simmons had to leave Saturday’s game against the Magic early due to a stiff back. He’s listed as questionable for Tuesday, so his status is something to monitor as game time approaches. If he doesn’t play, Fultz could see a significant boost in value. Even if Simmons does take the floor, Fultz has averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals across his first three games. His shot still has a long ways to go, but that’s enough overall production to be worth considering for your entry on such a limited slate.

Torrey Craig, DEN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,800

The Nuggets suffered a tough blow when they lost Will Barton to a groin injury. Craig started in his place Saturday and should remain in that role moving forward. His five points in 27 minutes were nothing to write home about, but he did chip in with nine rebounds, a steal, and a block. At near the minimum price on both sites, his minutes floor alone making him an intriguing option in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Danilo Gallinari, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,300

If only Gallinari could put together a healthy season. Since entering the league in 2008-09, Gallinari has played at least 70 games in a season only two times. He missed the entire 2013-14 season with a torn ACL and has played 63 games or fewer in all four seasons since. Last year, he only played in 21 contests. The good news is that he’s healthy now and firing on all cylinders, averaging 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and three three-pointers. He has a 25.8% usage rate and is playing 31 minutes per contest, so take advantage of him being healthy while you still can.

Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Bjelica has started each of the Kings first three games, which is a bit surprising considering they drafted Marvin Bagley III. Not only is Bjelica starting, but he logged at least 27 minutes in two of those three contests. He didn’t always get a lot of playing time for the Timberwolves last year, but Bjelica did average 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals across his 21 starts. Although he’s risky, he could outproduce this price point if given extended minutes again Tuesday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Tobias Harris, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,500

The Clippers made a franchise-altering move last year when they traded Blake Griffin to the Pistons. Harris was part of the return for the Clippers and has been one of the focal points of their offense ever since. He’s currently averaging a career-high 22.7 points per game and has chipped in eight rebounds per contest. His 50% field goal percentage is likely unsustainable, but his 24.9% usage rate is going to leave him with a high floor most nights.

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Another significant change the Clippers underwent was the departure of DeAndre Jordan. They brought in Marcin Gortat to take over the starting center job, but he’s played 20 minutes or fewer in each of their three games. Harrell and Boban Marjanovic have been rotating as his primary backup, but this game against the athletic Pelicans seems to be a contest better suited for Harrell’s skillset. He can put up numbers when given the opportunity, scoring 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three blocks across 24 minutes Saturday against the Rockets.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18

Julius Randle, NO vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,700

The Pelicans may have lost DeMarcus Cousins to the Warriors, but Randle was a great addition to their roster. He’s wasted no time making a significant impact, averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds over their first two games. Even though he’s coming off the bench, he still played at least 24 minutes in both games and has a 26.4% usage rate. Based on the pace at which the Pelicans play, expect him to continue to have plenty of chances to provide value.

Zaza Pachulia, DET vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,800

Andre Drummond missed practice with the flu Monday and is considered questionable for Tuesday. Facing Joel Embiid, this isn’t likely a situation where the Pistons can just go small should Drummond miss the game. One player who would seemingly benefit from his absence is Pachulia, who has already grabbed at least seven rebounds in both of their games. Don’t count on Pachulia to score much, but considering his bargain basement price, he’s someone to consider if Drummond sits.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

We’ve got nine games on the NBA schedule Monday, including an exciting matchup between the Lakers and Spurs. Let’s try to add even more fun to the evening with some winning entries in DFS. Here are some cheaper players who could provide significant returns based on their matchups. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

J.J. Barea, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,900

The Mavericks certainly have a lot to be excited about with two promising young players in Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr. They also have some valuable veterans on this roster. One of them is Barea, who has been stalwart of their second unit for many years. This season has been no different with him averaging 10.5 points, two rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 three-pointers over his first two games. Although he doesn’t log a ton of minutes, he can still be valuable based on his 20.6 percent usage rate and ability to rack up assists.

Bryn Forbes, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

If it wasn’t for bad luck, the Spurs would have no luck at all this season when it comes to their point guards. Dejounte Murray (knee) is out for the year and Derrick White is still working his way back from a heel injury. Forbes has started both games in their absence, averaging 14 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, one steal, and three three-pointers. He’s not your traditional point guard in terms of his assists, but his ability to shoot from behind the arc leaves him with upside, especially against a Lakers team that plays at such a fast pace.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Josh Hart, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,100

The Lakers will be without two key parts of their rotation for this game with Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram both suspended. Several players will likely be in line for increased opportunities, including Hart. He’s already off to a good start, averaging 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.5 blocks and two three-pointers per game. He’s also seen his usage rate skyrocket from 13.5% last year to 21.6% this season.

Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,000

Another veteran who plays a significant role for the Mavericks is Matthews. He’s averaged 35 minutes across their first two games and has logged at least 34 minutes per contest in each of his previous three seasons with the team. His numbers aren’t off the charts, but he’s averaged at least 12.5 points per game in each of those seasons in large part because he’s also contributed at least 2.4 three-pointers per contest. The Bulls have allowed an average of 112.5 points across their first two games.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Trevor Ariza, PHO at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100

The Suns have a lot of talented young players on their team and added Ariza over the summer to provide some veteran leadership. His first game with the team couldn’t have gone much better, posting 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five three-pointers against the Mavericks. However, he came crashing back down to Earth with five points and three rebounds in their subsequent game against the Nuggets. The good news is he played at least 29 minutes in both contests and should have a significant role moving forward. With all the small lineups the Warriors like to deploy, look for Ariza to be heavily involved Monday.

Jae Crowder, UTA vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,700

Crowder showed a lot of promise during his tenure with the Celtics, but his brief stint with the Cavaliers in the first half of last season was a train wreck. He played much better after being dealt to the Jazz, averaging 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.8 three-pointers per contest. The Jazz have given him a significant role off the bench this year, as well, helping him post 15 points, six rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers per game. They have also played at the fifth-fastest pace (110.7 possessions per game) in the early going, making Crowder a viable option for your entry.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300

With the league trending towards smaller lineups, you could see the writing on the wall when it came to playing time for Jonas Valanciunas. He averaged a career-low 22 minutes per game last year and has only logged 18 minutes per contest through the first three games this season. Ibaka has been the Raptors preferred option up front when they do go small, helping him average 29 minutes a game. While he’s not putting up the gaudy block numbers like he did during his tenure with the Thunder, Ibaka has still been excellent this year with 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, one steal and 1.7 blocks per game. The Hornets like to play small, so look for Ibaka to see plenty of minutes Monday.

Dwight Powell, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,100

The Mavericks desperately needed to add talent at center and they did just that by bringing in DeAndre Jordan. They still don’t have a ton of talent up front, though, and are missing Dirk Nowitzki as he recovers from an ankle injury. Powell has been extremely involved as a member of their second unit with a 29.1% usage rate. That’s not going to hold up, but he’s going to get added opportunities to produce until Nowitzki returns. Based on how poorly the Bulls have played on the defensive end, Powell could be in line to extend his hot start.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/22/18

Myles Turner, IND at MIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,000

Turner was a trendy pick for a breakout campaign last year, but he didn’t show much improvement. In fact, his 47.9% field goal percentage was the lowest mark of his young career. He’s had an inconsistent start this year, but that could be partly because the Pacers haven’t had a game yet that was decided by fewer than 17 points. Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t a great defender and Turner has the ability to contribute plenty of blocks, leaving him with upside Monday.

JaVale McGee, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900

McGee has done a great job for the Lakers. They like to use a lot of small lineups, but McGee has averaged 21 minutes a game as their starting center. After being relegated to an extremely limited role with the Warriors, McGee has cashed in his added playing time this year for 14.5 points, seven rebounds and four blocks per contest. Even though Rondo won’t play, McGee still has LeBron James and Lonzo Ball to create scoring opportunities for him. If he keeps playing like this, he won’t be this cheap for much longer.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA takes a step back from the 11-game slate Wednesday with only three games on the schedule Thursday. Even with so few options, there are still some great value plays to consider. 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

Goran Dragic, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000

The Heat were extremely shorthanded Wednesday with James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, and Wayne Ellington all sidelined. Dragic was one of the players who stepped up in their absence, scoring 26 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists and one block in 32 minutes versus the Magic. There is a chance that all four players will sit again Thursday, which would again leave Dragic with an added role in the offense. He might lose a few assists without as many quality players around him, but he should make up for that with added scoring.

Cameron Payne, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,600

Payne enters this season as the backup at point guard to Kris Dunn. Payne had a few decent games last year when given extended playing time, but a lot of those performances came when Dunn was injured. Even though his playing time will be somewhat limited, the Bulls are extremely thin at point guard outside of him and Dunn. In 23 minutes per game last year, Payne averaged 8.8 points, 4.5 assists, one steal and 1.4 three-pointers per contest. His upside isn’t great, but if the Bulls get down big on the road against the far superior Sixers, Payne could be productive in garbage time.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

J.J. Redick, PHI vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100

The Sixers are going with an odd strategy of using Markelle Fultz as the starting shooting guard to begin games, but then starting Redick there for the third quarter. Fultz ended up playing 24 minutes under that arrangement in their season opener, but he didn’t play well. Redick, on the other hand, scored 16 points and hit two three-pointers in 29 minutes. Fultz is going to have his growing pains, so expect Redick to edge him out in playing time, at least for now. The Bulls are not a good defensive team, so Redick might be able to light them up from behind the arc.

Justin Holiday, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bulls entered the preseason with the intention of starting Jabari Parker at small forward and Lauri Markkanen at power forward. Once Markkanen went down with an elbow injury, it opened the door for Parker to slide to power forward and for Holiday to enter the starting five. Parker has since been moved to a sixth man role off the bench, but Holiday remains a member of the starting unit. He won’t get a ton of shots playing alongside Zach LaVine and Bobby Portis, but he should get enough playing time to be worth considering at this cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

Josh Richardson, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,200

Not only did Dragic benefit from the Heat’s lack of depth Wednesday, but Richardson finished the game with 21 shot attempts. He wasn’t very efficient and was only 2-for-10 from behind the arc, but he still scored 21 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Should the Heat have the same injury concerns Thursday, look for Richardson to play a vital role in their offense.

Otto Porter Jr., WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,600

Porter doesn’t get a lot of headlines playing with John Wall and Bradley Beal, but he’s a fine player in his own right. He doesn’t always get a lot of shot attempts, but he’s been efficient with a field goal percentage of at least 50.3% in both of the last two seasons. Not only does he provide added value on the glass, but he also averaged 1.5 steals last year and has recorded at least 1.4 steals per contest in each of the last three seasons. Don’t count on him to provide as much scoring as Richardson, but Porter is still a viable option for your entry.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

Bobby Portis, CHI at PHI
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700

The Bulls made a somewhat surprising decision late in the preseason to start Portis ahead of Parker. Portis was ticketed to provide a ton of energy off their bench, but the Bulls decided to move Parker to a bench role after they struggled mightily on the defensive end at the start of the preseason. Portis is instant offense, posting the second-highest usage rate (26%) on the team last year. LaVine is going to take a ton of shots, but Portis might be the second best offensive weapon among their starters.

Markieff Morris, WAS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,000

The Wizards added Dwight Howard over the summer, but he’s battling a back injury and is listed as questionable for this contest. Even if he does take the floor, he may not be completely healthy. The Wizards don’t have a ton of quality size up front behind Howard and Morris with their backups including Jeff Green, Ian Manhimi and Jason Smith. Morris might be forced to spend some additional time at center in this game, giving him added opportunities to provide value. He’s going to take a back seat offensively to Wall, Beal, and Porter, but he still chipped in 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 27 minutes per game last year.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/18/18

JaVale McGee, LAL at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500

The Lakers made several additions during the offseason, one of which was adding McGee to their very shallow group of centers. McGee is expected to start, but he likely won’t see traditional starter’s minutes. Expect the Lakers to deploy a lot of small lineups. With that being said, McGee is still going to play more than the 10 minutes a game he averaged last year with the Warriors. He also has the opportunity for a lot of easy buckets catching passes from LeBron James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball. McGee is also a great source for blocks, making him someone to target in tournament play at this cheap price.

Bam Adebayo, MIA at WAS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,900

The Heat were a bit of a mess at center last season. Hassan Whiteside was expected to be their anchor in the middle, but he averaged only 25 minutes a game. That opened up the door for Adebayo to get extra minutes. Whiteside did play 33 minutes in their opener Wednesday, but Abebayo still logged 22 minutes due to all of their injuries. He chipped in nine points, eight rebounds, and a steal, helping him stay in the discussion as a value play option Thursday. However, I do prefer McGee to Adebayo if you want to save money at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/27/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/27/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/27/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. 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 George Hill and Patrick Patterson.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Quinn Cook
FD $6,000 DK $5,900

We’ll kick things off Golden State with Quinn Cook. He struggled when first handed the starting gig, but has flipped that to the extreme and is dominating on a nightly basis. Curry is going to miss all the way through the first round of the playoffs, so Cook is going to have a cemented role on this team and it’s not going anywhere. He’s been over 34 minutes in 3 of the last 5 games and has come through with 30+ fantasy points in 5 of those 5. He now sees a match-up with the Pacers, who rank 22nd against the point guard position and haven’t improved since the break (26th). Cook is going to have another productive night and the $6k price tag isn’t a worry for me. Let’s go a little cheaper.

Yogi Ferrell
FD $3,900 DK $4,200

Maybe this isn’t the place, but I just want an explanation as to why J.J. Barea misses what seems like 40 games a season and none of them are ever for the same reason. Get yourself together, dude. Either way, he’s out again tonight and Yogi Ferrell will draw the obvious benefit. Already seeing 25 or so minutes a night, this will put him around the 35 number. His price is fair on both sites and you’re looking for 25 fantasy points in cash games. Against De’Aaron Fox defense, that really shouldn’t be so hard. Ferrell isn’t anything special when on the floor, but he’s average 1.13 fantasy points per minute. He’s a great play in all formats and I like Quinn Cook just a tad bit more with the prices considered.

Shooting Guard

Nick Young
FD $4,800 DK $4,800

Young is going to continue seeing huge minutes with Klay Thompson out. He’s been over 30 minutes in 5 of the last 6 games and has been over 36 in 4 of them. 40+ in 2 of them. He’s not the most consistent player when on the floor and he is rather reliant on his jumper, so you can’t be too comfortable in cash games. With that being said, he can go for 40 on any night and it doesn’t really matter who he’s facing. Tonight, it’s the Pacers. They rank 22nd against shooting guards and play fast. Perfect for Swaggy P. His price has risen, but he’s still a value on both sites and a good play in all formats. Let’s move up the price range a little bit.

Eric Gordon
FD $5,600 DK $7,200

Eric Gordon is a tiny bit expensive for a value article, but he’s going to be one of the more popular plays on this slate and rightfully so. He’s going to draw the start for resting James Harden and figures to grab an extra 5-10 shots and minutes. There will be plenty available and we know Gordon has no reservations about shooting a ton. He matches up with a Bulls squad that rank 25th against the position. With a 220 total, there are plenty of fantasy points to go around and we know Gordon is going to get over 30. He’s a lock in both my cash games and tournaments, but do understand the fade for other Rockets.

Small Forward

Joe Johnson and Gerald Green
FD $3,500 – $3,700 DK $3,800 – $4,700

These 2 guys have already been picking up 25-32 minutes a game, so this injury news on the Rockets isn’t just about minutes for these guys. I’m sure they’ll each grab a few minutes with Harden, Mbah a Moute, and Capela all out, but it’s more about the shots up for grab now. With Harden out, you know both Gerald Green and Joe Johnson are going to have some fun when the ball is in their hands. Much like a guy like Michael Beasley, they are automatic production with the ball in their hands. It’s not necessarily good for the team, but these Rockets are good enough to overcome some me-ball from Johnson and Green. I honestly love both and will have a ton of exposure in all formats. This Rockets squad is the top value on the day and these guys are right in the center of it. Still cheap on both sites, don’t be afraid to plug either of those guys into your lineup.

David Nwaba
FD $4,800 DK $4,700

Here’s what we’re working with. Nwaba is currently picking up 25 minutes a night. Denzel Valentine is questionable. If Valentine is in, Nwaba is a nominal play at 25 minutes. He’s fine in cash, but doesn’t blow anyone away. Now if Valentine sits, we’ve seen the Bulls play Nwaba upwards of 35-40 minutes. He is productive when on the floor and has the ability to put up 40 fantasy points with ease. The match-up with Houston is a great one, as it’ll be guys like Gerald Green and Joe Johnson covering him. Ariza and Paul will be on the better players. Nwaba is just under $5k on both sites and one of the top plays in all formats if Valentine is out. Pay attention on Twitter and make sure Valentine is ruled out before plugging Nwaba in everywhere.

Power Forward

NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 03: Cheick Diallo #13 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on October 3, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Cheick Diallo
FD $4,300 DK $4,000

We start off with a very contingent Cheick Diallo at power forward. With Nikola Mirotic out last game, Diallo picked up 25 minutes and put up 34 fantasy points. 30 of those fantasy points came in 14 minutes in the 2nd half. Wow. He has a ton of upside in the right spot and is safe if given the opportunity. Tonight, Nikola Mirotic is questionable and it all depends on his status. If Miro is out, Diallo is going to pick up 25 minutes again and makes sense in all formats. If he plays, I have no interest in Diallo at all.

Tarik Black
FD $3,500 DK $3,000

Along with Harden, Clint Capela is going to take a rest tonight. He plays 26-30 minutes on most nights and is a huge interior presence for this team. The two candidates to take his minutes are Nene Hilario and Tarik Black. Hilario is where you assume they go, but he’s old and coming off of injury. The point of this game is to rest the team, not put an old man right back on the injury report. That’s why I suspect it’ll be the youngin Tarik Black, who won’t touch the floor in the playoffs. He could easily pick up 25 minutes tonight against Felicio and post a quick double-double. I’ll be way over the field at 50% and don’t hate dieing on this branch. As a worst-case scenario, he sees 20 minutes and put up 15 fantasy points. Best case is 26 minutes and 30-35 FP. He’s minimum around the industry and an elite play because of it.

Center

Kosta Koufos
FD $3,800 DK $4,400

There’s only one center I have much love for under $6k. Koufos picked up 32 and 25 minutes over the last two games and has been excellent in both. The 55 fantasy points a few nights ago is obviously lofty expectations, but that isn’t what we need. He’s around $4k on both sites and you only really need 20 to make you extremely happy. The Kings are one of the weakest interiors in all of the league and Koufos won’t have trouble when in there. Expect another 20-25 fantasy points and don’t be surprised if he gets up to that 30 mark. Good luck tonight and comment below with any questions!

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 24

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 24

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.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 24

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.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/20/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/20/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. 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 George Hill and Patrick Patterson.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Yogi Ferrell
FD $4,900 DK $5,300

According to Rick Carlisle, Dennis Smith Jr. is going to “miss some games”. Whatever that means. For a team that’s tanking, it’s just counting down the days until the season is over. In the meantime, you can look towards Yogi Ferrell. He’s already seeing 30 minutes a night and should get close to 40 here. The match-up is impeccable against a Pelicans team that sits 28th against the point guard position. We also have a questionable J.J. Barea. If he misses, Kyle Collinsworth would be forced into 25 minutes and be a good play. For now, Yogi Ferrell is one of the more reliable options at any price point on the slate.

Tyler Dorsey
FD $3,500 DK $3,700

At point guard, Yogi Ferrell really is the cheapest I’m comfortable going in cash games. With that being said, tournaments are a different story and I have a lot of interest in Tyler Dorsey. He’s been picking up 25-28 minutes in most games and typically produces. On the season, he’s sitting at 0.98 fantasy points per minute. He now draws at a match-up against a Jazz squad that ranks 18th against the PG position. His price is sitting extremely low in the mid-$3k’s and you’re only needing 20 in cash games. I don’t think he’s necessary in cash games, but you can pay up at a few other spots in a tournaments and use him. Personally, he’s in about 25% of my lineups.

Shooting Guard

Troy Daniels
FD $3,800 DK $3,900

Daniels played 28 minutes last game without Devin Booker and put up 29 fantasy points. He put up 18 points from the field and sprinkles in 6 combined peripherals. He’s always going to be a tad bit reliant on his jumper, but has a lethal one and can get hot from behind the arc. The match-up with Detroit isn’t ideal, but they rank 23rd against the SG position, so it could be a whole lot worse. If Booker plays, I’ll be ignoring the situation as a whole. If Booker is out, Troy Daniels is a viable cash game punt at a weaker SG position.

Kyle Collinsworth
FD $3,600 DK $3,600

If you’re not a fan of Troy Daniels or just want to go elsewhere, Kyle Collinsworth is pretty interesting. He’s picked up 17-25 minutes in each of the last 3 games and now see Dennis Smith Jr. out. He should get up to at least that 25-minute mark and his price is low enough to play in all formats. It’s hard to trust a guy that isn’t guaranteed any minutes, but it’s what you’re signing up for when you want to pay down at shooting guard. I definitely prefer Daniels and will play him in any format, while Collinsworth is more of a tournament option. Let’s get to small forward.

Small Forward

Maurice Harkless
FD $4,000 DK $4,000

Small forward isn’t the greatest spot to reach for value. There are a few different ways to go, but I’ll probably be doing my best to get to the mid-range. If you do need to pay down, Maurice Harkless is your best bet. Seeing 25+ minutes s night, he’s put up 30+ fantasy points in 2 of the last 3 games. He doesn’t mind being a big part of this offense and has gone on red-hot streaks before. Harkless is insanely cheap at $4k and will need you just about 20 to make you happy in cash games. We know the Rockets love playing fast and Harkless excels in the open floor. Give him a go in all formats and don’t worry about him being the reason you lose.

Doug McDermott
FD $3,500 DK $3,500

McDermott saw 41 minutes last game, so you have to take interest in him at the price. He definitely doesn’t produce like you would want, but he can get hot from behind the line and get to 25 fantasy points. He faces off with a Pelicans squad that ranks 23rd against the SF position. They give up the 4th most 3-pointers in all of the league and have played at the 2nd fastest PACE since the All-Star Break. Book him for 15 fantasy points and 35 minutes. It’s not safe, or fun, but he’ll help you pay up elsewhere and shouldn’t hurt you too badly. Let’s get to some big guys.

Power Forward

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 14: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court against the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)

Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko
FD $5,400 – $3,500 DK $4,600 – $3,300

The two starting PF’s have been ruled out in this game and we’re going to look at a couple guys from the game. Let’s start on the sugar side. With Derrick Favors out, that adds 25-ish minutes to these two guys. With my math, we should see Crowder around 35 and Jerebko 24-28. At the bare minimum price, I don’t think Jerebko will ever hurt you in this spot. Crowder is more expensive, but a lock for 25 with 40+ upside. The Hawks are one of the weakest interiors in all of the league and can be targeted at will with skilled bigs. Both of these guys will make a big impact when in the game and I really like both in either format.

Center

Alex Len
FD $3,900 DK $3,700

The low-end of center is never very good. Tonight is no different. If Tyson Chandler ends up missing, Alex Len should grab 20-25 minutes and faces off with a weak Pistons interior. Because of Andre Drummond, his size is going to be very necessary for the Suns to at least grab some rebounds. He’s been pretty frustrating on this season, but we know Len is a guy that can pick up 30 fantasy points on any given night. This game does hold a 210+ over/under, so Vegas expect there to be plenty of scoring to go around. The Pistons rank 18th against the C position and Len won’t have any problem putting up numbers when in the game. It’s just a matter of actually getting in there.

Aron Baynes
FD $3,70 DK $3,500

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*


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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

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
Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

With more than half of the teams in the league playing at least four games each this week, it’s a big help considering the rash of injuries across the league. If your roster is depleted, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets had the slimmest of playoffs hopes to begin with but suffered a significant blow Saturday with the loss of Nicolas Batum (Achilles). He has already been ruled out for Monday and while there is no definitive timetable for his return, there is really no reason to push him back onto the floor if he’s still in pain. Lamb has played well as a starter this season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 three-pointers in 14 games. He’s still available in 61% of Yahoo! leagues and could be in line for a monster week if Batum misses an extended period of time.

Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies

Brooks has been stellar offensively in March, averaging 18 points and 2.1 three-pointers in nine games while shooting 45.1% from the field and 82.1% from the charity stripe. Even with Tyreke Evans back for the last two games, Brooks scored at least 15 points and hit at least two three-pointers in both contests. He has excellent matchups this week against the Nets, Sixers, Hornets, and Lakers as all four teams are in the top eight in the league in pace of play. He won’t provide you with much in other categories, but if you need an offensive boost, he’s still available in 73% of Yahoo! leagues.

Cameron Payne, Chicago Bulls

If you could say one of the worst teams in the league has played surprisingly well this season, that team would be the Bulls. Picked to be the worst team in the league by many at the start of the season, they have managed to win 24 games already. They are in full tank mode now though and started resting veterans after the All-Star break to the point where the league got involved. This week looks even bleaker in terms of depth at guard with Kris Dunn (toe) and Zach LaVine (knee) out for at least Monday. They have a back-to-back set Friday and Saturday, so expect LaVine to sit out at least one of those two games as well. Payne played well with both players out Saturday, scoring 13 points to go along with 10 assists and three three-pointers. Still available in 88% of Yahoo! leagues, Payne might be a wise pickup if you need a point guard.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 3 Games Each
Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards

All teams in the league this week play either three or four games, so the advantage is not as drastic as it has been in past weeks. However, as injuries continue to pile up in the league, there are still some valuable players you might want to consider benching this week based on their uncertain status.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry (ankle) is going to miss at least Monday’s game against the Spurs before being re-evaluated Tuesday. Even if he is feeling better, it doesn’t make much sense to play him against the lowly Hawks in their next game on Friday. His best-case scenario might be playing in only one game this week against a tough Jazz defense on Sunday, making him someone you want to keep on your bench.

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Ingram has already been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Pacers, so he’ll only play two games this week at best. The Lakers have nothing left to play for and don’t want to take any chances with one of the key pieces of their future, so don’t expect them to rush Ingram back onto the floor. Although the last two games are juicy matchups against the Pelicans and Grizzlies, there’s too much risk involved with starting Ingram.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

The Celtics are extremely thin at guard with Brown (concussion), Kyrie Irving (knee) and Marcus Smart (thumb) all battling injuries. Brown has missed the last four games and has not yet been cleared from the concussion protocol. The Celtics first game this week is Tuesday, so it seems like a stretch that he’ll be ready to play in that contest. He doesn’t excel in any one category, to begin with, so make sure he’s on your bench with a short week in the works.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/13/18

by Austyn Varney 0 Comments

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/13/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. 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 George Hill and Patrick Patterson.

Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

George Hill
FD $4,700 DK $5,100

Welcome to NBA Tuesday! We have 11 games on our hands tonight with a whole lot to look at. With that being said, there are certainly a few spots to focus on. The Cavaliers are probably the biggest of which. Facing off with the Phoenix Suns, we are going to touch on a ton of them. You can also play the more expensive guys like LeBron and Nance Jr. Let’s start with George Hill, who’s made himself into a huge part of this offense. He’s picking up 30+ minutes on most nights and has averaged 1.16 FP per minute while on the floor. His price is still very fair on both sites around $5k and you’re only needing 25 fantasy points. The Suns have ranked 25th against PG’s on the season and 28th since Payton joined the squad. Hill is a lock at the price and a great way to pay up elsewhere.

Emmanuel Mudiay
FD $4,900 DK $5,000

If you’re not a fan of Hill because you already have enough Cavs or for whatever reason, Emmanuel Mudiay is a very solid option. I think some may look at him as risky, but I have to disagree. If you look at his last 5 games, he’s been under 25 minutes just once and has been over 30 twice. Unlike Burke, Mudiay may have a real future in this league as a prominent PG. Remember, he was drafted just 3 years back as a top 5 pick. He’s not just a shooter who doesn’t get anyone else involved and puts up big numbers. Mudiay isn’t as explosive, but he stuffs the stat sheet and is very safe when given the opportunity. the Mavs are an extremely underwhelming offense and DSJ is the last PG I’m scared of with the size of Mudiay. I’ll have him in both cash games and tournaments, but do like George Hill in a vacuum just a bit more.

Shooting Guard

Jordan Clarkson and J.R. Smith
FD $3,700 – $4,600 DK $4,000 – $5,200

We’re right back to this Cavaliers squad with another 2 very solid value plays. When a team like the Cavs is facing the Suns and has a 230 total with just a 7 point spread, you’re forced to focus on the game. When you add the fact that Rodney Hood is doubtful, these 2 guys can’t at all be ignored. Let’s start with Jordan Clarkson. His only concern is minutes. If Hood is eventually ruled out, it’s safe to assume 25+ mins and easy value. He will be in 100% of my cash games if Hood is ruled out. You then get to J.R. Smith. He’s always volatile and reliant on his jumper, but I think you have to live with that against the Suns. As long as he’s not ice cold, he will get open shots and plenty of them. He’s jumped between 25 and 35 minutes all of this month and should be locked into the higher end if Hood is eventually ruled out. You can play Korver, too, but I personally hate this match-up as they prefer him in halfcourt games where he can separate the defense and get some off-ball attention away from Lebron. For me, Clarkson will be in every lineup and J.R. won’t be far behind. That’s only if Rodney Hood is out as we expect.

Norman Powell
FD $3,700 DK $3,200

If you need to pay way down, Normal Powell has picked up 21, 28, and 31 minutes over the last 3 games. It’s far from exciting and I’ll be on J.R. Smith over him, but it’s an option if you’re off the Cavs. Powell has shown upside plenty of times and has averaged just under 1 FP per minute on the season. If he gets 25-40, he should hit value at that garbage price. He gets to face off with the Brooklyn Nets, so there’s no better match-up for a guy that thrives on running the floor and creating mismatches. Powell isn’t going to be on more than 2 or 3 of my teams, but he’s far better than anyone else under the J.R. Smith price tag. Take that for what you will.

Small Forward

Oct 15, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica (88) dribbles the ball past Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) during the second quarter at KFC! YUM Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Nemanja Bjelica
FD $5,800 DK $6,200

We’re getting a little expensive here, but I just don’t like any value here at SF. LeBron is the guy everyone wants and we will all be trying our best to get there. Bjelica is my 2nd favorite at the position. Let’s just look at the last 3 games to see why. 40 minutes, 40 minutes, and 45 minutes. He’s put up 40 fantasy points in 2 straight games and has had no problem taking some big shots. He’s a big part of this team at this point and will get a lot of minutes in the playoffs after this stretch. Tonight, he sees a Wizards squad that ranks 27th against small forwards. He’s fairly priced on both sites and I’m a fan in all formats. The minutes are a lock and there’s only so bad you can be in 40+ minutes of this match-up.

Rudy Gay
FD $4,400 DK $4,800

Like I said, the value here is pretty weak. Full disclosure, I’m doing my best to get Nemanja Bjelica and LeBron in every lineup. It’s a limb I’m looking to die on tonight. With that being said, ic an appreciate Rudy Gay and his value in the mid-$4k’s. Seeing 22+ minutes a night, you can at least guarantee 15 FP. It’s not great, but better than anyone else in this pricing range. We know the upside Gay has if given the minutes, so I don’t hate him in tournaments. The match-up with Orlando is fine, ranking 22nd against the position since the ASB. I don’t love the spot and won’t be going here myself, but Gay is my favorite way to pay down if I had to.

Power Forward

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jeff Green, right, drives against Houston Rockets’ Ryan Anderson in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Jeff Green
FD $3,800 DK $3,900

I gave you a position off from the Cavs at SF, because, well, we know what to do there with the Cavs. We’re now to PF and right back at it. On the high-end, Larry Nance Jr. is one of the top plays on the entire night. With Tristan Thompson still out, he’s locked into minutes and Lebron loves playing with him. If you want to get cheaper, Jeff Green is a very solid option. I don’t think he’s a very good basketball player, but it doesn’t really matter if he’s going to get the minutes. He loves shooting the ball and I guess he’s going to keep doing so until they start going in. The Suns give up as many open 3’s as anyone in the league and he’s far more athletic than any of the big men that Phoenix will throw his way. The price is insanely low on both sites and you’re only needing 15-20 in cash games. That shouldn’t be tough at all in this match-up.

Patrick Patterson
FD $3,600 DK $3,300

This just hinges on Steven Adams. Adams went into yesterday questionable and then hurt his hip after 20 minutes of court time. You can’t expect them to toss him out the next night against the lowly Hawks. Patterson picked up 20 minutes for the 3rd straight game and you can definitely expect 30 if Adams happens to miss. Especially against a Hawks team that he can use his perimeter work against. Dewayne Dedmon has trouble leaving the paint and Westbrook will love to stretch the floor and create open driving lanes. He’s too cheap on both sites and one of my favorite plays on the slate if Adams is ruled out. I like Jerami Grant, too, but don’t think his minutes are impacted as much by Steven Adams.

Center

Tyson Chandler
FD $4,300 DK $4,500

We’ve touched on a lot of Cavs up to this point, but have managed to ignore the Suns. Devin Booker is one of the best plays on the slate and will be on most of my teams. Elfrid Payton and Dragan Bender are interesting, too. I just liked other guys a bit more. Now at center, we can look at Tyson Chandler. With Thompson out, the Cavs struggle with size. Chandler might not be great at this point, but his size is still there and he’s good at using it. If it stays close and he gets minutes, count on a small double-double. Personally, I want Jokic and Howard at center. I won’t be on Tyson Chandler myself, but he’s just a very solid punt play that can put up 25 FP if things break his way. Full disclosure, I’m looking to pay up at this position by using guys we’ve touched on throughout the article. Good luck tonight!