NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/29/17

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on November 29, 20170 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/29/17

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Russell Westbrook, OKC at ORL
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $11,200

The Thunder are still working through the growing pains of their massive roster overhaul, resulting in Westbrook’s usage rate dropping from 41.7% last year to 32.6% this year. That’s still good enough for sixth-best in the NBA, but his scoring has dropped 10 points per game as a result. He’s playing like his old self of late, averaging 27.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists over his last four games. Wednesday brings a great matchup against a Magic team that really struggles to defend opposing point guards. This is one of those games where you want to pay up to get Westbrook in your entry.

Tomas Satoransky, WAS at PHI
FanDuel =$3,500
DraftKings = $3,100

Tim Frazier has taken over the starting point guard job the last two games with John Wall injured but is averaging only 6.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in those games. Satoransky ended up playing 22 minutes Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to Frazier’s struggles and he came through with seven points, five rebounds, six assists and one steal. He may have earned himself more minutes again Wednesday. This should be an uptempo game as the Sixers play at the fourth-fastest pace (104.6) in the league, so take a chance on Satoransky in tournament play if you need a cheap point guard.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Bradley Beal, WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,100

A popular DFS play Tuesday due to Wall’s injury, Beal was a flop as he scored only eight points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field. He had scored at least 22 points in six straight games entering Tuesday, so don’t read too much into one bad shooting night. His 28.9% usage rate is tied for 16th best in the league, so he clearly will get plenty of opportunities to make up for it in this game. This could be a high-scoring contest, so get Beal back in your lineup.

Nicolas Batum, CHA at TOR
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Batum hasn’t been able to find his groove since returning from injury as he’s only averaging 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He’s had a few extra days to rest as he hasn’t played since Saturday. Starting point guard Kemba Walker is listed as doubtful for this game with a should injury, which could mean Michael Carter-Williams would start in his place. He’s not a great passer, so expect Batum to be even more of a facilitator than normal. The price is right to take a chance that he has a breakout performance Wednesday.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Otto Porter Jr., WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,700

Porter has been one of the main beneficiaries of Wall being out as he has scored at least 22 points in both games with Wall sidelined. He attempted at least 15 shots in both games, something he had done only three times previously this season. He’s also averaging career-highs in rebounds (7.3), steals (1.6) and three-pointers (2.0) per game this season, giving him excellent all-around value. The potential is here for Porter’s production to exceed his price point in this game.

Lance Stephenson, IND at HOU
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,300

Stephenson is only averaging 21 minutes per game this season, but he has played more than that in each of the last five games. He is playing at his best right now as he has at least 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists in both of his last two games. While one of those was a start in place of the since-returned Victor Oladipo, it was encouraging to see him still produce coming off the bench in his last game. Both the Pacers and Rockets play at a fast pace and the Rockets like to use a lot of small lineups, so Stephenson should get plenty of playing time and have value at this price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Tobias Harris, DET vs. PHO
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,500

Harris is currently having the best season of his career as he’s averaging 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a whopping 2.9 three-pointers per game. He’s attempting a career-high 6.1 three-pointers per game and making them at a rate of 47.4%, which may be hard for him to sustain. Don’t worry about that Wednesday though against a Suns team that allows the fifth-highest three-point shooting percentage (37.7%) and the most points per game (115.1) in the league.

Larry Nance Jr., LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,400

The Lakers wasted no time in the first game for Nance in almost a month as he started and played 30 minutes Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers. He just missed a double-double (nine points and eight rebounds) and recorded four steals. Although he has only played in nine games this season, he has recorded at least two steals five times already. This should be an uptempo game with a lot of small lineups, so Nance could really thrive. He’s a good play on both sites, but I really like him on FanDuel based on his price there.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Clint Capela, HOU vs. IND
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $7,400

Capela hasn’t played more than 29 minutes in each of his last six games, but he still managed to average 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over those contests. With the Rockets playing so well, it’s encouraging that Capela can provide value even in games when he plays limited minutes due to the team having a big lead early. The Rockets have been successful playing small lineups and taking a lot of three’s in large part because of Capela’s ability to dominate the glass. He’s a great fit in this offense and should be in line for a big game against a Pacers team that struggles to defend the center position.

Steven Adams, OKC at ORL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,500

Adams recorded only six points and three rebounds in 27 minutes Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks, but it wasn’t a great matchup as the Mavericks like to play small. Wednesday brings a much friendlier opponent in Nikola Vucevic and the Magic. Adams is averaging 31 minutes per game this season, so expect him to get more playing time and return to his productive self in this game.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/24/17

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on November 24, 20170 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks for 11/24/17

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POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. NY
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,600

There are only five players in the NBA averaging at least 19 points and seven assists per game. They are James Harden, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, John Wall and Schroder. That’s some pretty elite company that Schroder is running with. The Hawks have very little talent on their roster, leaving Schroder to produce the 14th best usage rate (29.4%) in the NBA. The Knicks really struggle to defend opposing point guards, so Schroder could be in line for a huge performance Friday.

Antonio Blakeney, CHI at GS
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,000

As I’ve noted many times, you have to take risks if you want to win in tournament play. The Bulls continue to struggle to score, so they have turned to Blakeney to provide some scoring punch off the bench of late. Over the last five games, he is averaging 10.2 points and 1.0 three-pointer in 20 minutes per contest. The Warriors play at the fifth-fastest pace (104.4) in the NBA and could make this one a laugher earlier, leading to a lot of garbage time. He will only cost you the minimum on both sites, so he could provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Tim Hardaway Jr., NY at ATL
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,600

Hardaway has not disappointed in what was expected to be his breakout campaign as he is averaging career-highs pretty much across the board. The Knicks are off to a surprising 10-7 start and a lot of that is because Hardaway and his 18.4 points per game have provided a great compliment to superstar Kristaps Porzingis. The Hawks are not a good defensive team as they are tied for the sixth-most points allowed per game (108.2) this season. This has the potential to be another great scoring night for Hardaway.

Dion Waiters, MIA at MIN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,600

The Heat don’t have a ton of offensive firepower as they have scored the sixth-fewest points per game (100.5) in the league. Waiters has been one of their few bright spots, averaging 15.9 points per game. His 26.3% usage rate ranks 36th in the NBA, ahead of players including Paul George, C.J. McCollum, and Kevin Love. The Timberwolves have not played well defensively and have several excellent options offensively that the Heat will need to keep pace with, so Waiters could provide value at this price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

LeBron James, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $11,900
DraftKings = $11,200

James continues to get plenty of opportunities to produce as he is tied for the second-most minutes (37.7) per game this season. This has the potential to be an up-tempo contest as both the Cavaliers and the Hornets are in the top-12 in the NBA in terms of pace of play. It’s going to cost a pretty penny to get him into your entry, but his workload and rare skillset should make him worth it.

Courtney Lee, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,600

Lee continues to see significant playing time as he is averaging 32 minutes per game in his second consecutive season with the Knicks. Not known as a potent offensive weapon, he is averaging 11.2 points per game, which is the fourth best on the team. He is also averaging career-highs in rebounds (4.1), assists (3.1), steals (1.5), and three-pointers (1.6) per game. With the Hawks defensive struggles already outlined earlier, Lee has the potential to outproduce his pricepoint Friday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Anthony Davis, NO at PHO
FanDuel = $11,300
DraftKings = $10,700

Davis and DeMarcus Cousins have thrived together in New Orleans as they are the only teammates in the league to average at least 25 points and 11 rebounds per game this season. Despite playing a bigger lineup than most teams, the Pelicans actually play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.3) in the NBA. The only concern you should really ever have with playing Davis in DFS is his injury history as you can’t afford to lose a player early in a game at this price. With how horrible the Suns are on defense, get Davis in your lineup and just cross your fingers that he stays healthy.

Bobby Portis, CHI at GS
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,200

Portis came back from suspension and was hot to start the season, averaging 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers over his first three games. He has cooled off considerably since, averaging 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 0.8 three-pointers in his last five games. Even with his recent slump, I like him Friday as the Warriors play a lot of small lineups. I wouldn’t be surprised if Portis plays close to, if not more, minutes than Robin Lopez. At the pace the Warriors play, Portis could be in for a big performance considering his reasonable price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks

Hassan Whiteside, MIA at MIN
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,500

Let’s take a look at the last three performances by centers against the Timberwolves. Andre Drummond had 20 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks Sunday, Dwight Howard had 25 points, 20 rebounds, and four blocks Monday, and Nikola Vucevic had 11 points, 14 rebounds, and one block Wednesday. While Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best offensive centers in the game, he clearly still has a lot of improving to do on the defensive end of the floor. Expect Whiteside to demolish the Timberwolves in this game.

Steven Adams, OKC vs. DET
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,200

The Thunder have one of the weakest benches in the league as their starting five is averaging 79.9 points per game while their second unit is only averaging 23.6 points per game. They are especially thin at center, which has forced Adams to average a career-high 31 minutes per contest. With Friday bringing a matchup against Andre Drummond, Adams is going to be needed to log heavy minutes again in this game. If you want to save money at center, look no further.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 5

NBA Daily Fantasy

by Mike Barner on November 13, 20170 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Use Code “LLNBA17” at checkout for 10% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 5

As you prepare your lineup for your head-to-head league for Week 5, remember it’s important to take a look at the schedule to see where you can gain an edge of your opponent. Not only do you want to target picking up players on waivers who play the most games for the week, but you may also need to make a tough choice and bench one of your better players because they play too few games. Here are the moves you want to consider for your team.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

Nine teams have the advantage of playing four games each this week. With the Warriors, Trail Blazers and Wizards among those teams, some elite fantasy players will have an even greater impact this week. If you need help though, consider checking the waiver wire for the players below.

Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns

Chriss is only averaging 21 minutes per game this season, but he has still been able to average a respectable 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers. He has seen a slight increase in playing time lately as he played at least 25 minutes in two of the last three games. In those two games, he averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers. The four games the Suns play this week come against the Rockets, Bulls and twice against the Lakers. None of these teams have elite defenses and tend to play smaller lineups, which could lead to some very valuable numbers from Chriss. He is currently available in 44% of Yahoo! leagues.

Thabo Sefolosha, Utah Jazz

The Jazz have lost one of their best players in Rudy Gobert for at least a month due to injury, paving the way for more minutes for Sefolosha. He actually started at power forward Saturday against the Nets and finished with nine points, nine rebounds, one assist, five steals and one three-pointer in 32 minutes. This week brings excellent matchups against the Timberwolves, Knicks, Nets and Magic. Sefolosha should see increased playing time throughout the week, making him a valuable pickup who is still available in 90% of Yahoo! leagues.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings

Bogdanovic’s value comes in his offensive production as he is averaging 9.9 points and 0.9 three-pointers in 24 minutes per game. After starting the season coming off the bench, he has now started each of the last seven games. The Kings play the Wizards, Hawks and two games against the Trail Blazers this week, with the games against the Wizards and Hawks providing really favorable matchups. If you need some offense and three-point shooting, Bogdanovic can provide value. He is currently available in 90% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are the only team playing less than three games this week, dealing a blow to the value of their players. Consider benching the players below as a result.

Carmelo Anthony, Oklahoma City Thunder

Anthony sat out Sunday’s game against the Mavericks with a back injury. While it is largely believed that he was sat as a precaution, it’s still worrisome considering he only has two games on the schedule this week. The matchups are not great either as the Thunder play the Bulls and the Spurs. The Bulls are terrible, so if Anthony isn’t rested for that game as well, he at least might play limited minutes once the game gets out of hand. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league, so scoring might be hard to come by in that game. If there was ever a week to put Anthony on your bench, this is it.

Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Like Anthony, Adams is also dealing with an injury and has sat out the last two games. When healthy, he’s been extremely valuable this season as he is averaging 12.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 65.2% from the field and 76.0% from the free-throw line. With his status uncertain heading into the weak and the two unfavorable matchups I already outlined, it might be a wise idea to bench him.

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