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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 2/8/18

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 2/8/18

Use Code "LABWP50" at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
Use Code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

J.J. Barea, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,700

The Mavericks have struggled to score this season, which has resulted in Barea posting the second-highest usage rate (25%) on the team. He’s played well in his first three matchups against the Warriors this season, averaging 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per contest. Combine his usage rate with the fact that the Warriors play at the second-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) in the league and Barea becomes a viable option for your entry.

Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,600

VanVleet has been given more playing time lately, logging at least 20 minutes in each of his last five games. He’s made the most of the opportunity, averaging 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per contest. He gets a great matchup against a depleted Knicks squad Thursday that allows the sixth-most points per game on FanDuel and the seventh-most points per game on DraftKings to opposing point guards. At this price, he might be worth the risk.

 

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Josh Hart, LAL vs. OKC
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,500

Hart has started each of the last three games for the Lakers, logging at least 31 minutes in each contest. He hasn’t let the Lakers down, averaging 14.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.7 three-pointers per contest. The Lakers won each game, so look for him to stick in the starting lineup with Lonzo Ball (knee) still sidelined. He just scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the Thunder on Sunday and should be someone to consider again in their rematch.

Wesley Matthews, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Matthews is not a great offensive player, but he still has value because he plays a lot on a Mavericks team thin on talent. He only has a 17.5% usage rate, but he’s averaging 34 minutes per game. He has also played well in three games against the Warriors this season, averaging 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steal and 3.7 three-pointers per contest. The price is right to take a chance on him again Thursday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Michael Beasley, NY at TOR
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,300

Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is out for the season, likely leaving Beasley to take over as the Knicks starting power forward. He is a volume scorer and has played well when given extended playing time this season, averaging 25.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in six games where he has played at least 30 minutes. His priced already jumped up significantly, but it’s still low enough to make him worth consideration for your entry.

Mario Hezonja, ORL vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300

The Magic will be without Aaron Gordon (hip) again on Thursday, marking the sixth straight game he will miss. Hezonja has played at least 25 minutes in each of the first five games that Gordon was sidelined, averaging 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.2 three-pointers per contest. The Magic play at the seventh-fastest pace (101) in the league and get to face a bad Hawks team Thursday, leaving Hezonja with upside.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Dwight Powell, DAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,500

Powell has started each of the last three games for the Mavericks, averaging 10.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in those three contests. He averaged 29 minutes per game in those three starts compared to 19 minutes per game on the season overall. The added playing time gives him a big boost in value, especially Thursday considering the pace at which the Warriors play. At this price, he’s worth taking a chance on in tournament play.

Jerami Grant, OKC at LAL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,800

The Thunder have one of the thinnest benches in the league, leaving Grant as one of the best members of their second unit. He’s currently having one of his best stretches of the season, averaging 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in his last six games. Thursday brings a favorable matchup against the Lakers, who play at the fastest pace (103) and allow the fifth-most points per game (109.7) in the league. Both Russell Westbrook (ankle) and Carmelo Anthony (ankle) are listed as questionable as well, so the Thunder might really need to lean on Grant if either of them can’t play. Even if they both do take the floor, Grant is still a viable option for your entry.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Steven Adams, OKC at LAL
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,700

Adams continues to anchor the middle for the Thunder, posting a double-double in eight of his last 13 games. He’s provided value defensively as well, recording at least three steals in five games during that same stretch. In his first three meetings with the Lakers this season, Adams averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per contest. His price isn’t that cheap, but it’s still reasonable enough to give him value Thursday.

Kyle O’Quinn, NY at TOR
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

The Knicks are clearly sellers heading into Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, so you’ll have to keep an eye on O’Quinn’s status throughout the day as he could be dealt. If he isn’t traded though, he is going to be in line for significant playing time Thursday with Porzingis and Enes Kanter (mouth) out and Willy Hernangomez traded to the Hornets. He has played at least 20 minutes in a game 15 times this season, averaging 10.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest. He could end up being one of the better value plays of the night if he’s still on the Knicks.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

*Mike Barner*


RING in 2018 with code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
RING in 2018 with code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

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, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs

With 13 teams playing four games each this week, you could already be set at several positions on your team. However, if you need a player or two to help you get over the hump, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

Dewayne Dedmon, Atlanta Hawks

Dedmon began the season as the Hawks starting center and was off to a strong start before missing over a month with a knee injury. He’s healthy now and has played in six straight games, averaging 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks over that stretch. While his numbers don’t jump off the charts and he’s coming off the bench now, having someone who can at least approach a double-double every night of a four-game week can provide value. He faces the Jazz, Raptors, Hornets and Wizards this week, all four of which are teams with big centers. Dedmon could see some added playing time as a result. He’s still available in 58% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to target if you need help in the middle.

T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers guard J.J. Redick (leg) has missed the last two games due to injury, opening up added playing time for McConnell. He’s taken full advantage of the opportunity, averaging 13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 three-pointer in those two contests. The initial diagnosis for Redick suggests that he could be out for part, or all, of Week 15, which would give McConnell a significant boost in value. McConnell has proven he can produce with added minutes, averaging 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.0 steals in seven games that he has played at least 30 minutes in this season. Still available in 70% of Yahoo! leagues, McConnell could be in store for a big week.

Wesley Johnson, Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have been one of the teams hit hardest by injuries this season, which has led to some unexpectedly productive players on their roster. Johnson is one of them, who is averaging 24 minutes per game this year. That’s double his playing time average with the Clippers last season. His overall numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s been playing much better of late, averaging 13.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.2 blocks and 2.6 three-pointers in his last five games. He’s still available in 91% of Yahoo! leagues and is a worthy pickup, especially if you need help in three-pointers.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Orlando Magic

The Magic are the only team to play just two games this week, significantly reducing the value of the players on their roster. As a result, consider benching the players below who you may normally start most weeks.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic

Fournier has been an excellent source of offense for the Magic, averaging 18.0 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game. The problem is, those are the only counting stats where he provides significant value as he is averaging just 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals per game. With only two games this week, he likely won’t have enough opportunities to accumulate points and three-pointers to warrant starting.

Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic

Biyombo has done an excellent job filling in for Nikola Vucevic (hand), averaging 9.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 12 games. He does get two juicy matchups against the Kings and Pacers, two of the worst teams in the league at defending the center position. However, with so many other teams playing four games each, it’s tough to roll out Biyombo based on his limited offensive upside. He will continue to be valuable for as long as Vucevic is out, but this might be the week to place him on your bench.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/28/17

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/28/17



Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Ish Smith, DET at ORL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900

The Pistons suffered a big loss with Reggie Jackson (ankle) being ruled out for 6-to-8 weeks. Luckily, they have a solid backup ready to fill in with Smith. Smith is only averaging 20 minutes per game this season but has put up respectable averages of 8.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He showed what he can do in 32 starts with the Pistons last year, averaging 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in 30 minutes per game. The Magic allow the most points per game to opposing point guards on both FanDuel and DraftKings, so take advantage of Smith at this price.

Tyus Jones, MIN at MIL
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,400

Timberwolves starting point guard Jeff Teague went down with a knee injury Wednesday that did not look good. An exact timetable for his absence has yet to be determined, but Jones will now step into a starting role for the foreseeable future. He played very well in three starts earlier this season, averaging 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.7 three-pointers per game. Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is used to dealing with his starting point guard being out from his days with Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Backups like Aaron Brooks, John Lucas III, D.J. Augustin, Mike James and Nate Robinson all thrived when given the chance to start, so Jones’ success isn’t that surprising. Make sure Jones is in your lineup at this cheap price Thursday.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Khris Middleton, MIL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,500

Middleton has been getting all the playing time he can handle of late, logging at least 37 minutes in 10 of his last 11 games. The heavy minutes are great for his value as his 25.1% usage rate is inside the top-45 in the league. He’s averaging career-highs in points (20.7), rebounds (5.2), assists (4.5) and three-pointers (2.1) per game as a result. Expect him to play big minutes and put up valuable numbers again Thursday against the Timberwolves.

Terry Rozier, BOS vs. HOU
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Rozier has been getting consistent minutes lately, playing at least 26 minutes in four straight games. He’s taken advantage of the opportunity, averaging 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.8 three-pointers per game. Jaylen Brown (knee) missed Wednesday’s game and might not play Thursday either, which should leave Rozier with the chance for extra playing time again. The Rockets already like to use a lot of small lineups, but might really go small with Clint Capela (face) out for this game. Rozier is cheap enough to take a chance on at this price. Of note, he is shooting guard eligible only on DraftKings as he is point guard eligible on FanDuel.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Jimmy Butler, MIN at MIL
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $7,700

If you watched any of the Timberwolves overtime victory against the Nuggets on Wednesday, one thing for certain is that Butler is clutch. He scored 12 points in overtime and finished with 39 points overall, the third time in the last five games that he has scored at least 32 points. If you think he might see limited minutes on the second night of a back-to-back after playing 42 minutes Wednesday, you’ve got another thing coming. Butler always plays big minutes and coach Thibodeau is never one to rest his star players. Butler’s 24.0% usage rate is second highest on the team (behind Jamal Crawford of all people), so expect him to thrive again Thursday. Of note, he is only small forward eligible on FanDuel as he is listed at shooting guard on DraftKings.

Reggie Bullock, DET at ORL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000

Avery Bradley (groin) is expected to be out again Thursday, leaving Bullock with added minutes. Bradley has missed the last five games for the Pistons, during which Bullock has averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.0 three-pointers per game. The Magic play at the sixth-fastest pace (102) in the league, so Bullock should have added opportunities to score in this contest. He’s cheap enough to warrant consideration if you want to save money at small forward.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. NY
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $7,800

Aldridge continues to be a rock for the Spurs, averaging 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game this season. Even though his production is likely to decline with the return of Kawhi Leonard, Leonard hasn’t played more than 26 minutes in any game so far. Even with Leonard playing 26 minutes Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets, Aldridge finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and one block. The Knicks have a lot of size up front, so expect Aldridge to keep things rolling Thursday.

Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. HOU
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Tatum continues to get plenty of playing time in his rookie season, logging at least 33 minutes in four straight games. Marcus Morris (knee) sat out Wednesday’s game against the Hornets and will likely only see limited minutes if he does return Thursday. As already mentioned, this should be a game full of small lineups with Capela out. The Rockets also play at the eighth-fastest pace (101.4) in the league, so look for Tatum to get his chance to provide value at this price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at MIL
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $8,900

The addition of Butler has certainly hurt Towns’ value as he’s averaging almost five points less per game this season. His usage rate of 22.9% is the lowest of his three-year career. That being said, he’s still averaging a gaudy 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 three-pointers per game. The Bucks don’t have much size up front, which has resulted in them allowing the fifth-most points per game on FanDuel and the fourth-most points per game on DraftKings to opposing centers. If you saved money going with cheap guards, it might be wise to spend some of it on Towns.

Bismack Biyombo, ORL vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600

Biyombo played 30 minutes Tuesday is his first start filling in for Nikola Vucevic (hand). He only scored three points, but his offensive skills are not why you consider him for your entry. He came through with 12 rebounds and five blocks, which was no easy task with Hassan Whiteside back for the Miami Heat. He’ll be counted on for big minutes again Wednesday against Andre Drummond, making him a great value play option at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/22/17 – Value Plays

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/22/17 – Value Plays



Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

With nine games on the NBA schedule Friday, there are a lot of lineup possibilities for your DFS entry. That also means there are more opportunities to add some cheaper value plays to your entry. Let’s examine only those value plays today as we attempt to end your week on a high note.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Austin Rivers, LAC at HOU
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,600

With the bevy of injuries suffered by the Clippers this season, Rivers is averaging a career-high 33 minutes per game. He also has a career-high 21.7% usage rate, which brings him significant value when you factor in the added playing time. The Rockets play at the eighth-fastest pace (101.5) in the league, so Rivers should have added opportunity to provide value. The price is right to consider him for your entry Friday.

Shabazz Napier, POR vs. DEN
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300

Napier has shown the ability to provide some scoring punch off the bench, averaging 8.0 points in 17 minutes per game this season. He doesn’t provide much in the way of rebounds or assists, but his 1.2 steals per game is impressive considering his limited minutes. Damian Lillard (hamstring) will not play Friday and while Napier might not start in his place, he still should see added minutes. The Nuggets allow the fourth-most points per game on FanDuel and fifth-most points per game on DraftKings to opposing point guards, so Napier might be worth the risk at this very cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Eric Gordon, HOU vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,900

Gordon is expected to enter the starting lineup with Chris Paul (leg) out Friday, which is a role he thrived in earlier this season. He made 13 starts with Paul out previously, averaging 22.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 4.0 three-pointers per game. The Clippers are struggling right now and don’t have a lot of size outside of DeAndre Jordan, which is great news for the style that Gordon and the Rockets like to play. I can’t get him in my lineups fast enough.

Wesley Matthews, DAL at MIA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600

The Mavericks are not just a bad team, they are a bad team that can’t score as they are one of only five teams in the league averaging less than 100 points per game. Matthews is not a great offensive weapon at this stage of his career, but his average of 12.0 points per game is tied for third-highest on the team. The good news is he gets a lot of playing time, averaging 34 minutes per game for his third straight season. His ceiling isn’t very high, but he’s cheap enough to consider Friday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Josh Richardson, MIA vs. DAL
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,100

Richardson is going to be too expensive to be considered as this type of value play if he keeps up his recent excellent play. The Heat have been decimated by injuries, leaving Richardson to average 24.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.7 blocks and 3.3 three-pointers over his last three games. Hassan Whiteside (knee) and James Johnson (ankle) will be out again Friday while Justise Winslow (knee) might not play again either. Richardson should have a big role again in this game, making him someone to strongly to consider for your entry.

Mario Hezonja, ORL vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,700

Hezonja only scored 12 points and grabbed two rebounds Wednesday against the Bulls, but he only played 24 minutes as the Magic were down big early. Both Aaron Gordon (calf) and Evan Fournier (ankle) are doubtful for Friday, which should leave significant playing time open for Hezonja. The Magic and Pelicans are both in the top-seven in the league in pace of play, so take a chance that he rebounds with a better performance in this contest. Of note, Hezonja is small forward eligible only on FanDuel as he is listed as a shooting guard on DraftKings.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Larry Nance Jr., LAL at GS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,200

The Lakers will be without starting center Brook Lopez (ankle) for the next three weeks, opening up minutes in their frontcourt. While Kyle Kuzma rightfully stole all the headlines with his play Wednesday against the Rockets, Nance was no slouch either. He played 22 minutes in the game, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. This should be a high-scoring game between the Lakers and Warriors as they are both in the top-four in the league in terms of pace of play. Kuzma is priced significantly higher and will be a great option Friday, but Nance should also be considered an excellent value play.

Mike Scott, WAS at BKN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

Scott is rolling right now, averaging 21.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 three-pointers over his last three games. He played at least 23 minutes in all three of those contests, largely because of Otto Porter Jr. (hip) missing time due to injury. Porter is listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Nets, so Scott would likely be in line for increased playing time if he sits again. The Nets play at the fourth-fastest pace (103.3) in the league, so scoring opportunities could be plentiful for Scott. If Porter is ruled out, make sure Scott is in your lineup.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Marcin Gortat, WAS at BKN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,200

Gortat is not having a great season and has played especially poorly of late, scoring nine points or less in seven of his last nine games. One of those performances came against these same Nets when he only scored five points, but he somewhat salvaged the game by grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out three assists. Even though the Nets added some size up front in Jahlil Okafor, he has barely played as the team tries to improve his conditioning and get him familiar with their offense. There aren’t many great cheap options at center, but Gortat has potential based on the Nets struggles at center.

Nene Hilario, HOU vs. LAC
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,700

Clint Capela (knee) is listed as doubtful for Friday, which would likely lead to Nene playing a more significant role. He only scored four points to go along with six rebounds while helping fill in for Capela on Wednesday, but that was not a good matchup against a Lakers team that went with a lot of small lineups. The Rockets are going to need him to battle with DeAndre Jordan on Friday, which is much better suited for Nene’s game. Considering how little he will cost, he could provide nice value if you want to go really cheap at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/20/17 – Value Plays

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 12/20/17 – Value Plays



Use Code “CYBER30” at checkout for 30% off Seasonal Package
 

Wednesday’s slate in the NBA is loaded with 12 games, giving you plenty of options for your DFS entry. We took a look at some of the overall excellent plays in Wednesday’s article on Sports Illustrated, but let’s now dive deeper into only the cheaper value plays that can help make you a winner.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

George Hill, SAC at BKN
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

Hill did not play Tuesday due to an illness but is expected to return for Wednesday’s game against the Nets. Fellow guard De’Aaron Fox (quad) entered Tuesday’s game with an injury and tried to play, but had to leave the game early. Considering Fox missed Sunday’s game with the same injury, it would be surprising if he plays Wednesday. That would leave Hill in line for increased minutes, giving him a boost in value. He scored 16 points to go along with five assists and one steal in 33 minutes with Fox out Sunday, making him someone to consider again for this game.

Dejounte Murray, SA at POR
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100

The Spurs have ruled out starting point guard Tony Parker (rest) on Wednesday, which should open up more playing time for Murray. Murray started the last three games that Parker missed, averaging 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. While it might be hard to replicate those numbers Wednesday, he won’t need to in order to still have excellent value at this price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Justin Holiday, CHI vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,200

Holiday has seen significant playing time of late, logging at least 38 minutes in three of his last six games. The Bulls finally have some depth with Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis, and David Nwaba all healthy, which is making it harder for defenses to key in on Holiday. He’s not just an offensive threat either as he is averaging career-highs in both rebounds (4.5) and steals (1.3) per game. The Magic play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.2) in the league, so look for Holiday to have a chance to make a big impact in this game.

Josh Hart, LAL at HOU
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,000

Hart is likely to receive another start Wednesday as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be unable to play as he can’t leave the state of California due to a legal issue. Hart started on the road Thursday against the Cavaliers, finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 33 minutes. Both the Lakers and Rockets are in the top-eight in the league in pace of play, so this could be a high-scoring affair. Hart is someone to consider based on his dirt cheap price on both sites.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Josh Richardson, MIA at BOS
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,900

The Heat are running out of healthy players. Hassan Whiteside (knee) and James Johnson (ankle) have already been ruled out Wednesday, Justise Winslow (knee) is doubtful and Goran Dragic (elbow) is going to try and play after missing Monday’s game. With so few options left, Richardson has been forced to log at least 36 minutes in three of his last four games. He has shown great upside in his last two games, averaging 27.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 2.5 blocks and 4.0 three-pointers per contest. With plenty of minutes likely available Wednesday, consider Richardson for your entry.

Mario Hezonja, ORL at CHI
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,700

Injuries continue to pile up around the league as the Magic will be without Aaron Gordon (calf) on Wednesday. Hezonja has played at least 31 minutes in three of the last four games due to Gordon’s absence, averaging 17.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks and 3.7 three-pointers per contest. The Bulls have allowed at least 100 points in five of their last six games, so this could be another high-scoring contest based on the Magic’s pace of play. He is only shooting guard eligible on DraftKings, but should still provide value on both sites regardless of his position.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Kyle Kuzma, LAL at HOU
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,800

The Lakers frontcourt is going to be a little thin going forward as Brook Lopez (ankle) has been ruled out for three weeks. While he wasn’t playing particularly well, Lopez was still averaging 22 minutes per game. Kuzma should be one of the players who benefits from Lopez’s absence, which he showed by playing 40 minutes in Monday’s overtime loss to the Warriors. The Rockets like to use a lot of small lineups, which fits well with Kuzma’s skillset. The price is right to get him in your lineup for this game.

Trey Lyles, DEN vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Lyles did not play much earlier this year, logging at least 20 minutes in only one of the first 19 games. An injury to Nikola Jokic opened up some playing time for Lyles, and it doesn’t look like he’s planning on going back to a limited role anytime soon. He’s developed a consistent role over his last 10 games, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 three-pointers per contest. He’s passed Kenneth Faried on the depth chart as Faried hasn’t even played in two of the last four games. At this price, it might be worth taking a chance that Lyles keeps things rolling Wednesday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Value Plays

Alex Len, PHO at LAC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,600

The Suns center position is extremely frustrating. They have been rotating DNP’s between Len, Tyson Chandler, and Greg Monroe, making it difficult to choose who to us in DFS any given night. One sliver of hope is that Len has played the last three games in a row, averaging 11.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. He seems to be the more talented player between the three, it’s just a matter of getting consistent minutes. Keep an eye on his status throughout the day as he has value at this price if he takes the floor.

Bam Adebayo, MIA at BOS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,600

With all the Heat’s problems with injuries already detailed, Adebayo is one of the players who has been counted on for extra minutes. His offensive upside isn’t great, but Adebayo has averaged 11.0 points and 6.2 rebounds over his last five games. This isn’t an ideal matchup against a tough Celtics defense, but there aren’t great cheap options at center Wednesday. If you want to take a chance on someone who won’t cost much, Adebayo could provide value.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

*Mike Barner*

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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

The NBA starts off the first full week of December with three days with at least 10 games. With 52 total games this week, it’s important to know the intricacies of the schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are the moves you want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

There are a staggering 19 teams with four games each this week, meaning you might not need as much help as you have in previous weeks this season. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have most of your players on these teams this week, consider adding the below to gain back that edge.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

Jonathon Simmons, Orlando Magic

After beginning the season as a member of the second unit, Simmons has started each of his last four games. With Terrence Ross (knee) out indefinitely, Simmons should continue to start and get big minutes. One of his four starts was a dud against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he averaged 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.7 three-pointers over the other three. The Magic have four favorable matchups this week as they play the Hornets, Nuggets and the Hawks twice, all three of which are in the top half of the NBA in terms of pace of play. If you need offense, Simmons can give you a boost and is still available in 57% of Yahoo! leagues.

Ersan Ilyasova, Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are decimated up front as they are expected to be without Dewayne Dedmon (leg) and John Collins (shoulder) for this entire week. Mike Muscala (ankle) is also without a timetable for his return, so Ilyasova should have a big role until the Hawks start to get healthy. He showed what he can do with more minutes last season as he averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 24 minutes per game. He could get even more playing time than that, giving him excellent value. Still available in 64% of Yahoo! leagues, you shouldn’t hesitate to pick him up if you can.

Tomas Satoransky, Washington Wizards

Tim Frazier has been starting in place of John Wall (knee), but he’s not the player you want to pick up this week. Satoransky has outplayed him to this point, averaging 12.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.0 three-pointers over his last three games. His scoring has increased in all three of those games as he continues to get comfortable playing extended minutes. If he continues to play this well, he’s only going to get more opportunities to produce. If you need point guard help, go get Satoransky as he’s still available in 88% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers

With so many teams playing four games this week, the five teams that only play two each will see their players value decrease significantly.  Consider benching the below players who would normally be in your starting lineup otherwise.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers

Ball has been a killer for fantasy owners in terms of percentages as he is shooting only 31.3% from the field and 50.0% from the charity stripe. The main value he provides owners is his ability to provide all-around counting stats, but even that is hurt by his 8.7 points per game average. The Lakers have shown a tendency to bench him late in games if he’s struggling and he has now played 26 minutes or less in two of his last four games. With only two games on the schedule this week, Ball likely won’t be able to provide enough value to warrant being in your lineup.

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Ingram has really improved offensively this season as not only is he averaging 16.0 points per game, but he’s shooting 46.3% from the field after shooting only 40.2% last year. He has already scored at least 20 points in a game five times this season, something he only did twice all last season. The problem for this week is that he doesn’t excel in any other area and provides little in terms of steals, blocks, and three-pointers. With only two games on the schedule, there just isn’t enough meat on the bone here to warrant starting him.

James Johnson, Miami Heat

Johnson is the opposite of Ingram as his value comes in terms of his all-around value. His scoring is down this season, but he’s averaging career-highs in rebounds (5.2) and assists (4.1) per game. He’s hit a rough patch lately, averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists over his last three games. With Hassan Whiteside (knee) out of action for that stretch, it’s no surprise that Johnson saw a decrease in assists without one of the team’s best scoring options. With very little upside, make sure Johnson is firmly on your bench this week.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/10/17

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/10/17

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Damian Lillard, POR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $9,400

Lillard has been stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis as he is averaging 25.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.3 three-pointers per game. His scoring has been off the charts of late as he has scored at least 32 points in four of his last five games. He is averaging 19 shot attempts and 8 free-throw attempts in 36 minutes per game on the season overall, giving him plenty of opportunities to continue to produce. The Nets are allowing the most points in the NBA, making this a juicy for Lillard.

Mike James, PHO vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100

James has played well since taking over for Eric Bledsoe, averaging 12.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in nine starts. With Bledsoe now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and the team preferring to bring Tyler Ulis off the bench, James’ role is pretty set going forward barring another trade. If you are looking for a cost effective point guard Friday, James is your man.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. BKN
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,400

Although Jusuf Nurkic has been a valuable addition for Portland, they are only going to go as far as Lillard and McCollum can carry then. Like Lillard, McCollum has also excelled to start the season by averaging 23.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.3 three-pointers per game. He hasn’t really had an off night as he has scored at least 16 points in every game so far. I already detailed the struggles the Nets have on defense, making McCollum an excellent play Friday as well.

Lou Williams, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200

The Clippers are dealing with several injuries Friday as both Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari have already been ruled out while Austin Rivers is listed as questionable. That’s three key players in the Clippers rotation. Williams should take on a more prominent role as a result, giving him a great opportunity to provide a lot of value at this cheap price. He’s already averaging 14.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 three-pointers in only 23 minutes per game, so the extra minutes can really make him move the fantasy needle.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Evan Fournier, ORL at PHO
FanDuel = $6,800
Draft Kings = $7,200

The Magic are off to a surprising 7-4 start and Fournier is a big reason for their success as he’s averaging career highs in points (20.5), rebounds (4.5), assists (3.6), steals (1.5) and three-pointers (2.7) per game.  He has only scored less than 20 points in a game twice this season and is averaging 34 minutes per game, giving him a pretty high floor. The Suns are allowing 115.8 points per game, so look for Fournier to stay hot in this game.

Denzel Valentine, CHI vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bulls can’t seem to settle on a starting small forward as Valentine, Paul Zipser and David Nwaba have all started at the position this season. Zipser and Nwaba have logged the majority of the starts though as Valentine has only been a member of the first unit in one of their nine games. Nwaba is out with an injury and Zipser has not played well at all, so Valentine might be in for a larger role going forward. He has played at least 23 minute in each of the last three games, averaging 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.0 three-pointers per game. That’s great production for a player at this price, making him a strong value play against the Pacers.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Blake Griffin, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $8,600

As I already mentioned, the Clippers will be limited in the players they will have available for this game. Griffin has been stellar even with the team at full strength as he is averaging 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.1 three-pointers per game. The increase in three-pointers is impressive as he had never averaged more than 0.6 per game heading into this season. The Thunder are struggling right now, losing four games in a row. They are extremely thin up front, so they really don’t have anyone capable of guarding Griffin. Get him in your lineup and enjoy the ride.

Luke Babbitt, ATL at DET
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,700

The Hawks are in full rebuild mode, leaving them with a roster with limited talent and depth. Add that to injuries to both Ersan Ilyasova and Mike Muscala and you get Babbitt playing at least 25 minutes in four straight games. He has taken advantage of the extended playing time by averaging 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers per game over that stretch. You won’t have to pay much for his services against the Pistons, making him a viable value play for your entry.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks
Andre Drummond, DET vs. ATL
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $8,800

The Hawks don’t have much size up front, which is a recipe for disaster against Drummond. Drummond has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in every game this season and has failed to log a double-double only three times. Not known as much of a passer, he has surprisingly dished out at least four assists in a game six times already this season. With the type of production he provides and the lack of resistance, he should see from the Hawks centers, pay up for Drummond.

Aron Baynes, BOS vs. CHA
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Al Horford missed the Celtics last game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a concussion, resulting in Baynes taking over as the starting center. While he only played 23 minutes, he was highly efficient as he scored 21 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Horford will be out again Friday, leaving Baynes with another start. He may be needed to log even more minutes against Dwight Howard, making him a great cheap option at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 10/24/17

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 10/24/17


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Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - D'Angelo Russell - Los Angeles Lakers

D’Angelo Russell
FD $7,800 DK $7,800

We expected D’Angelo to play like he has, but the absence of Jeremy Lin has only helped. He now has the ball in his hands for every minute he’s on the court and is already showing his per minute effectiveness. The Nets and Magic will face off for the 2nd time in a week, after these 2 teams combined for 247 points on the 20th. Russell ended up with 34 fantasy points in just 25 minutes of work. He should be back up to the 35-ish minute total here and see a similar FP per min, putting him well over 40. The Magic are without Elfrid Payton, who’s a pretty good defender. Especially compared to D.J. Augustin and Evan Fournier, who will take turns on Russell. Point guard may be pretty deep, but Russell is both safe and has upside in a match-up featuring a 229 over/under. You’ll need exposure to this game and Russell is the safest way to do it on the Nets.

Jrue Holiday
FD $6,900 DK $6,500

With Rajon Rondo out for the first few weeks, Jrue Holiday will step back into his PG role for the time being. He’s been a point guard his entire career, so it’s not much of a change. The switch to SG might take a few weeks, but there’s nothing to worry about with him at the 1. He’s been consistent to start the season, but hasn’t exploded yet. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are getting all the shots, and rightfully so. Holiday does have an excellent match-up with Damian Lillard, however, so he should try to get it going on offense a bit. This affair between the Blazers and Pelicans should be close, high-scoring and full of fantasy goodness. Don’t shy away from the guards or big men.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - TrailBlazers - Lineuplab.com

C.J. McCollum
FD $7,800 DK $7,100

We’ll stay in Portland and take a look at the backcourt mate of Damian Lillard. McCollum missed the first game of the year, but returned with no hiccup. He’s been over 26 real-life points in each of the first 2 contests and has contributed plenty of peripherals.  This match-up with the Pelicans is prime and I’m not sure who plans on covering him. E’Twaun Moore is starting at SG, but he’s just nowhere near good enough to cover McCollum. The Pelicans allowed the 4th most FP’s to guards in 2016 and have similar guys manning the spots. McCollum is going to shoot at least 15-20 times and if he’s hot, value is no problem. His price is fair across the industry and with SG being pretty weak, he should be popular. He’s a fair play in both cash games and tournaments.

Tim Hardaway Jr.
FD $4,700 DK $5,000

Looking at the box scores, you probably don’t have interest in Tim Hardaway Jr. If you’re looking at what you should be, you probably love him. He shot 16 times last game and dropped just 4 buckets. He shot closer to 50% in 2016 and is a very good shooter in general. His numbers will certainly go up and I don’t think the general public will be on him. The Boston Celtics play fast and don’t love defense. They don’t guard the paint and are extremely susceptible to SG’s (If Marcus Smart is out). Hardaway is way too cheap on both sites and if he has a typical game, it will be around 25 fantasy points. If he gets hot, it can get to 40. He hit 40 fantasy points 3 times in the last month of 2016. Don’t be short-sighted and ignore him because of a couple rough shooting nights.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler
FD $8,300 DK $7,000

On DraftKings, go ahead and plug Jimmy Butler into your cash games. I know he hasn’t been amazing, but that is going to 1000% change. He is getting used to playing with these guys and will be putting up 50 burgers in no time. Thibs is giving him the 38 minutes a game we expected and I’m willing to put my head on the line that production is coming soon. The Pacers are the 3rd fastest team in the last 2 years and it’s why a slow team like the Wolves is in a 217 over/under. Butler has had 3 tough match-ups so far and now sees a Pacers team who has no true SF. Lance Stephenson and Bojan Bogdanovich will see the 48 minutes there and neither can guard Jimmy. Wiggins also has a pretty tough match-up with Oladipo, so the ball should get funneled towards Butler on the perimeter. He’s the safest option in SF for his price and he’ll  be locked into my cash games.

Evan Fournier
FD $7,000 DK $6,1oo

Fournier has exceeded expectations so far, which has led to his price going up just a little bit. On FanDuel, you don’t have to get exposure outside of tournaments. He can still smash value, but there are some better values. On DK, however, $6,100 is perfect. Fournier has been phenomenal to start the season and without Elfrid Payton on the court, he is doing whatever he wants. He now sees the same Nets team that he put 44 fantasy points up on less than a week ago. He also saw just 25 minutes last game, so he’s fully rested and ready to go once again. With a 229 over/under and some injuries to take advantage of, this is a game I want a lot of cash game exposure to. Fournier gives you a 30 point floor with a 50 point ceiling, as long as Payton remains out.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Anthony Davis - Pelicans

Anthony Davis
FD $12,200 DK $10,900

Alright, this is getting fun. Watching Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins play next to each other is fun. There is no other team I can put my eye on when they are playing. Tonight, the Pelicans take on the Blazers and their non-existent interior. I guess the only guy you can give some credence to is Jusuf Nurkic, who at least has some size. He’ll be on DeMarcus Cousins, so that leaves Aminu and Swanigan to cover Anthony Davis. Nope. No shot. Good luck. This, in my opinion, turns into a shootout between Lillard/McCollum and Cousins/Davis. If you’re looking for a game to stack, this is as good of a candidate as any. Because they all are so expensive, Cousins is the 1 of the 4 I would fade. There are plenty of other options at center. Anthony Davis is my favorite superstar of the night and I’m not sure how close it is. The Blazers allowed over 60 FP per game to Davis in 2016 and he looks like he’s turned the leaf that will hand him the MVP trophy this season. As for tonight, I’ll do whatever I can to get the Brow in 100% of my lineups.

Kristaps Porzingis
FD $9,300 DK $8,500

Talking about turning over a leaf, here’s Kristaps Porzingis. I don’t know if Porzingis is much better or if it’s because Melo is gone, but Porzingis is playing phenomenal. He has 46 and 47 fantasy points in each of the first 2 games and sees his best match-up yet against the Celtics. The Celtics are tossing Jaylen Tatum at PF, who has quite the disadvantage against Kristaps. They also have Horford at C, who’s a pitiful rebounder and worse defender. His price is yet to get too high and I want to take advantage against one of the best match-ups possible. Power Forward is pretty deep, so let’s take a look at another guy a bit cheaper.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
FD $6,200 DK $5,200

It was either Trevor Booker or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson here. With Aaron Gordon looking like he will return, I expect the Nets to match his athleticism with that of Hollis-Jefferson. RHJ has been damn good to start the year when given opportunity and he’s actually taking initiative on a Nets team that needs some. I’ve said it enough, but this game is sitting at a 229 total, so we’ll be all over it. RHJ is a concrete solid value play that will let you pay up for guys like Davis while still holding some upside. He’s a lot better priced on DraftKings, so I may just find a way to pay up completely on FanDuel if no value emerges. All in all, power forward is a spot where you may need to hit the nuts in tournaments.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks - Orlando Magic - Lineup Lab

Nikola Vucevic
FD $9,800 DK $8,300

We’ve looked this game up and down, so let’s top it off with the whipped cream, cherry, and fudge. Vucevic has been disgusting this year and it looks like this is finally a team he’s locked down as his. He gets a touch on almost every possession and sees the best match-up possible. The Nets don’t really have a center, but they throw Timofey Mozgov and Jarrett Allen there for the bulk of the game. If you were able to watch Vucevic face these guys a couple of days ago, you’ve already plugged him into your lineup. It was utter domination on every possession and the game had a total 15 fewer than tonight. There are a lot of solid high-priced options tonight, so it’ll be tough to choose who you want to lead your squad. However, if you go with Vuc, there’s a good shot you’ll be in the mix. He, like a few other guys, see a much friendlier tag on DraftKings. He’ll be tough to fade there.

Jusuf Nurkic
FD $7,900 DK $6,800

Both of the centers in this game are in play, but Nurkic is cheaper and we already looked at Vuc on top. Nurkic finally got things going last game with 41 fantasy points in 31 minutes. That’s what we expect. He should see closer to 40 minutes tonight to match the Pelicans size and he should put up at least 30 with a 70 ceiling. Ya, I know that sounds crazy, but he did it twice last year and didn’t look like he was having a fluke game either. Cousins is not a good defender and the Pelicans ranked 8th worst against centers in 2016. Lillard and McCollum should take most of the responsibility here, but they have no chance of winning unless Nurkic has a big game. He’s very fairly priced on both sites and you can play him in all formats. There are 2 big games we like to target tonight and as long as they stay close, things should turn out. Good luck!!!