We will have plenty of action in the NBA on Tuesday with nine games on the schedule.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for March 2 2020
The NBA kicks off the week with seven games on the schedule Monday. Let’s try to start things off on the right foot in DFS by highlighting a couple of players to consider at each position.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 3/5/19
Tuesday’s limited six-game slate in the NBA doesn’t leave a ton of viable cheaper value play options in DFS. However, there are still a couple at each position worth highlighting due to favorable matchups.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/28/19
Thursday’s are usually pretty quiet in the NBA, but tonight brings some added action with six games on the schedule. Let’s highlight a couple of cheaper value play options at each position who could be in for a productive evening.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/14/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There isn’t much to get excited about in the NBA on Thursday with just three games on the schedule. That also makes for fewer cheap value plays than normal, so we’ll have to extend our price range a bit in an effort to come up with a winning entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Dennis Smith Jr., NY at ATL
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,500
Smith is shooting an unsightly 39.8 percent from the field across six games with the Knicks, but his 28.1 percent usage rate has still enabled him to average 16.7 points. With how gutted the Knicks roster is at this point, expect him to continue to receive all of the shots that he can handle. He hasn’t just been a scorer, either, with averages of 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals during that stretch. The Hawks play at the fastest pace (104.7 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Smith with another great opportunity to be productive.
Kadeem Allen, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,200
Smith’s backup has been Allen since Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) and Frank Ntilikina (groin) have been sidelined with injuries. Allen has certainly made the most of his opportunity, averaging 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and two steals across his last three games. If both Mudiay and Ntilikina are unable to play in this game, Allen could provide excellent value considering the Hawks’ up-tempo pace and defensive struggles.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,200
Ross threw up a dud of a performance Tuesday against the Pelicans, scoring just three points on 1-of-7 shooting. However, he only played 18 minutes due to the lopsided score, so it’s hard to be too worried about one bad performance. Before that, he had averaged 19.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across his previous nine games. Even though he doesn’t provide many defensive stats, his scoring prowess leaves him with upside at this price.
Deonte Burton, OKC at NO
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,600
The Thunder are going to be shorthanded again Thursday with Dennis Schroder (personal) and Jerami Grant (ankle) listed as out. That’s not good news for a team that doesn’t have a ton of depth, to begin with. With both players sidelined Monday against the Blazers, Burton played 26 minutes and scored 18 points to go along with three blocks. At near the minimum price on both sites, he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play since both of these teams are in the top-six in pace of play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. CHA
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,800
Isaac is rolling as we head into the break, averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks across his last 12 games. He’s a big part of the Magic’s future, so it’s no surprise that he averaged 29 minutes a game during that stretch. With his ability to contribute on the defensive end, he can provide a lot of value when he’s contributing as many points and rebounds as he has been lately, as well.
Kevin Knox, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,900
After playing at least 34 minutes in six straight games, Knox only spent 19 minutes on the floor Wednesday against the Sixers. The reason was not due to poor play, but due to foul trouble as he racked up five of them in his limited playing time. He’s one of the best offensive weapons the Knicks have left, so as long as he can stay on the floor Thursday, this is a great spot for him to provide a bounce-back performance against the Hawks.
POWER FORWARDS
John Collins, ATL vs. NY
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $7,700
Collins is certainly not cheap, but I’m not overly excited about the majority of cheap options at power forward. Therefore, it might be worth paying up to get him into your entry. He’s thrived in the Hawks style of play, averaging 19.9 points and 8.3 rebounds over his last 15 games. This is a great matchup for him against a Knicks team that allows the second-most rebounds per game (48.1) in the league.
Marvin Williams, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,600
Williams can be a bit of a volatile option. Case in point, he scored 27 points against the Hawks on Saturday, but that was sandwiched between two five-point performances. The good news is that he gets plenty of playing time and is averaging a career-high two three-pointers per game this season. He’s also a solid source for rebounds, making him one of the few cheaper players to consider at power forward.
CENTERS
Cody Zeller, CHA at ORL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,800
Zeller was eased back into action after missing time with a hand injury, but he’s since returned to the starting five. Over four total games since his return from the sidelines, he’s been productive with averages of 10.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and two assists. Even though he has a tough defensive assignment trying to slow down Nikola Vucevic, Zeller still has plenty of appeal for this small slate.
Mitchell Robinson, NY at ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,100
With the Knicks being defeated handily by the Sixers on Wednesday, Robinson was able to log 28 minutes. He made his presence felt with 14 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and four blocks. That continued an excellent stretch for him that has seen him average 12.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks across his last five games. His role with the second unit is secure moving forward, making him a very intriguing option against the Hawks.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/7/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Thursday’s six-game slate in the NBA has a chance to turn on a dime with the trade deadline set for 3:00 PM EST. If there was ever a day to be glued to Twitter for news, this is it. As things currently stand, here are a couple of cheap value plays at each position that are worth considering for your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
Jerryd Bayless, MIN at ORL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,800
It will be slim pickings at point guard again for the Timberwolves on Thursday with Derrick Rose (ankle) and Tyus Jones (ankle) out and Jeff Teague (foot) listed as doubtful. Bayless had a rough scoring night against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, scoring five points on just 2-for-10 shooting from the field. On the bright side, he did still dish out eight assists. This is a much easier matchup against the Magic and D.J. Augustin, so look for Bayless to have a nice bounce-back performance.
Patrick Beverley, LAC at IND
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,500
The Clippers shook things up this week by trading Tobias Harris to the Sixers. Even though they currently occupy the eighth seed in the Western Conference, they are trying to free up cap space and acquire draft picks to pursue elite players. With Harris no longer in the fold, Beverley should retain his starting job even when Danilo Gallinari (back) does return, which could be as early as this game. Across his last 10 starts, Beverley is averaging 11.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100
As odd as this sounds, the Magic could probably make a push for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference if they made a couple of moves. Their record sits at 22-32, but they are only four games out of the final spot. However, the more likely route they take is to trade away some players with the hopes of gaining draft picks. Ross could be on the trade block since he will be a free agent at the end of the season. If the Magic don’t move him, he’s certainly someone to consider for your lineup based on his averages of 17.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists across his last 15 games.
Justin Holiday, MEM at OKC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,200
The Grizzlies could be one of the busiest teams at the deadline. They are reportedly looking to move Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Gasol already won’t play in this game and the Grizzlies are also dealing with several other injuries. The ones that impact Holiday the most are Garrett Temple (shoulder) and Kyle Anderson (shoulder). If both players can’t take the floor, Holiday should receive plenty of playing time. They have actually both missed each of the previous three games, which allowed Holiday to average 17 points, six rebounds and one steal during that stretch.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400
One player who it would be shocking to see moved Thursday is Isaac. He’s one of the building blocks for the Magic after being selected sixth overall in the 2017 Draft. That security alone helps his stock in DFS. Add in the fact that he’s averaging 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks across his last eight games and he’s an even more appealing option to consider.
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. LAC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,600
Bogdanovic has stepped up offensively with Victor Oladipo (knee) out, averaging 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, three assists across his last four games. He’s averaging 12 field goal attempts per game for the season, but he averaged 16.5 attempts per contest during that four-game stretch. The Clippers play at the ninth-fastest pace (102 possessions per game) in the league, so Bogdanovic could be in line for another significant offensive performance in this matchup.
POWER FORWARDS
Ivan Rabb, MEM at OKC
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,100
With Gasol already ruled out, Rabb should see an increase in playing time. The Grizzlies could really have to lean heavily on him if JaMychal Green (knee) and Joakim Noah (heel) are both forced to miss their second straight game. With all three players out Tuesday against the Timberwolves, Rabb scored 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds, two steals and a block across 33 minutes.
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,500
Morris (knee) is expected to return for this matchup with the Lakers after sitting out Tuesday against the Cavaliers. This is certainly a spot where he could shine considering the Lakers play at the fourth-fastest pace (103.7). Morris is also averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and two assists across his last four games. The only real concern here is if the Lakers pull off a blockbuster move, their roster could be left in shambles while they wait for their new players to join the team. That could lead to a blowout, which might limit Morris’ playing time. If the Lakers remain largely in tack, Morris is a strong option to consider.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,500
If you’re playing on FanDuel, the cheap center options are not very appealing for this slate. With that being said, I’ll have to go a little higher up on the price scale to find an appealing option. Turner stands out as having a great matchup against the Clippers, who allow the second-most DraftKings points per game and the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. Turner has also stepped up since Oladipo went down, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks over his last seven games.
JaVale McGee, LAL at BOS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,500
Of all the names bantered around in trade rumors for the Lakers, you don’t hear McGee come up that often. The more appealing option for teams is the younger Ivica Zubac. If Zubac gets traded, McGee would be in line for a significant increase in playing time. Even if he doesn’t, McGee might be worth considering in tournament play against a banged up Celtics’ frontcourt that will be without Aron Baynes (foot) and could also be missing Robert Williams (back), who is listed as questionable.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/14/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
With 11 games in the NBA on Wednesday, many of the best players in the league will be in action. In order to fit some of them into your DFS entry, you’ll need to find the right mix with cheap value plays. Here are some of the better options to consider when crafting your lineup. 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
Collin Sexton, CLE at WAS
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,000
Sexton might still have a lot of developing to do, but he’s shown promise while filling in as the starting point guard with George Hill (shoulder) out. Across three games since assuming the role, Sexton is averaging 17 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. The key is that he has logged at least 34 minutes in each of those contests, something that likely won’t change Wednesday based on the limited depth behind him. The Wizards play at the seventh-fastest pace (103.4 possessions per game), so that could afford Sexton with even more opportunities to provide value.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700
Augustin has started all 14 games for the Magic this year and isn’t going to lose that job anytime soon. Not only do they have no viable options behind him, but he’s averaged a respectable 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per contest. In his first game against the Sixers this year, Augustin finished with nine points, three rebounds and nine assists. Considering the Sixers play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.6), Augustin could be a viable option in tournament play for their rematch.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,000
Ross continues to lead the Magic’s second unit with a 24 percent usage rate. In fact, the only two players on the team with higher usage rates are both starters in Evan Fournier (26.1 percent) and Nikola Vucevic (25.3 percent). Ross is also averaging a whopping six three-point attempts per contest, which has helped him post 13.8 points and 2.3 three-pointers a night. With the potential for this game to be played at a faster pace than the Sixers are accustomed to, Ross could be in line for another valuable offensive outing.
J.R. Smith, CLE at WAS
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000
The Cavaliers are running out of healthy players, so they’ve had to turn to a familiar face in Smith to cover some of the extra available minutes. Never one to shy away from taking shots, Smith has scored at least 13 points in four of his last five games. It hasn’t been just about scoring for Smith, though, who is also averaging 2.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals during that five-game stretch. The Wizards are allowing the most points per game (118.5), making Smith a potential bargain at this price.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jae Crowder, UTA at DAL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,200
Crowder continues to thrive off the bench for the Jazz, averaging 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. His 69.6 percent shooting from the charity stripe leaves a lot to be desired, but that’s more a season-long fantasy concern than it is in DFS. In his first two games against the Mavericks this season, Crowder averaged 14.5 points and six rebounds, almost exactly in line with his overall marks for the year. His upside might not be off the charts, but he also has a relatively high floor for a player at this price.
Jeff Green, WAS vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200
The Wizards are finally healthy, but that hasn’t stopped Green from being a valuable part of their second unit. Actually, he’s averaging 14.6 points and six rebounds over his last five games. He may not get a ton of shots, but he’s been extremely efficient by shooting 51 percent from the floor and 96.9 percent from the charity stripe. In a matchup against his former team that is currently decimated by injuries, Green is an intriguing option in tournament play.
POWER FORWARDS
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at LAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900
The Blazers don’t count on Aminu to score much, leaving him with a paltry 11.9 percent usage rate. However, he’s still managed to average 8.5 points per contest. Add that to his 8.7 rebounds a game and he’s a nightly threat to at least approach a double-double. This is a good matchup for him against a Lakers team that deploys a lot of small lineups and plays at the third-fastest pace (105.6). The last time these two teams met, Aminu had four points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Derrick Favors, UTA at DAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Favors was forced to play extra minutes last season with Rudy Gobert out for an extended period of time, but with Gobert healthy, Favors is back to playing just 23 minutes a game this year. That hasn’t stopped him from being productive, though, with averages of 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. The Mavericks have improved their overall roster, but Favors is a tough matchup for them at power forward. When these two teams played each other last week, Favors finished with 13 points, six rebounds, two steals, and three blocks.
CENTERS
Tristan Thompson, CLE at WAS
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,800
With Kevin Love (toe), Sam Dekker (ankle) and Cedi Osman (back) all out, the Cavaliers have been forced to play Larry Nance Jr. more at power forward. That’s left Thompson to handle the bulk of the time at center, resulting in him playing at least 28 minutes in each of his last four games. He hasn’t let those minutes go to waste, averaging 15.5 points and 16 rebounds a contest.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,000
Valanciunas has bounced in and out of the starting five based on matchups, but this looks like an instance where he’ll start against Andre Drummond. Even though Valanciunas is still only averaging 22 minutes a game as a starter, he’s posted 13.2 points, eight rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest in that role. Thompson has the higher upside, but Valanciunas is also someone to consider who comes at an even cheaper price.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/12/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The NBA tips off the week with nine games on the schedule Monday. With so many potential value plays to sift through, let’s get right down to business and discuss some of the best ones 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
Quinn Cook, GS at LAC
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000
Cook couldn’t have done a better job filling in for Stephen Curry (groin) on Saturday against the Nets, scoring 27 points to go along with three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three three-pointers. Across 18 starts last year, Cook averaged 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 three-pointers. With Curry out again Monday, Cook is a great option against a Clippers team that is playing at the eighth-fastest pace (103.5 possessions per game) in the league.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC vs. GS
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,200
An ankle injury to Avery Bradley opened up a starting role for Gilgeous-Alexander and he’s played so well that he will likely hold onto it even once Bradley returns. Over three games as a member of the starting five, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 13.7 points, four rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 three-pointers. Bradley is listed as questionable for Monday, but even if he returns, Gilgeous-Alexander could provide plenty of value at this price.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL at WAS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,100
The Magic have had their problems offensively, but Ross is averaging a career-high 13.2 points per contest. Even though he’s come off the bench for all 13 games, his 23.5 percent usage rate is third-highest on the team. His other contributions might not jump off the page at 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest, but this is a great matchup against a Wizards team that is defensively challenged and plays at the seventh-fastest pace (103.9).
Wayne Ellington, MIA vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,800
The Heat have dealt with depth issues for most of the season and will be without James Johnson (sports hernia), Dwyane Wade (personal), and Dion Waiters (ankle) again Monday. Ellington battled foul troubles in a disappointing performance Friday against the Pacers, but he rebounded to score 16 points to go along with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal Saturday against the Wizards. Ellington is only someone to consider in tournament play, but he might be worth the risk at this price based on the Sixers playing at the sixth-fastest pace (103.9).
SMALL FORWARDS
T.J. Warren, PHO at OKC
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,500
After starting out the season coming off of the bench for the Suns, Warren has started in four the last five games in which he has played. The change in role has resulted in a significant increase in value with Warren averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two three-pointers across those starts. His usage rate has remained the same as when he was coming off of the bench, but he’s averaging 12 more minutes a game as a starter. The last time he faced the Thunder this season, he scored 18 points to go along with eight rebounds in 22 minutes.
Jae Crowder, UTA at MEM
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,200
This may not exactly be a high-scoring affair between two good defensive teams. When they met earlier in the year, the Grizzlies won 110-100, although, Donovan Mitchell missed that game with an injury. Crowder had a strong performance with 18 points and six rebounds across 32 minutes off the bench. Even though he’s only started one game in the early going, that hasn’t stopped Crowder from averaging 30 minutes a night. With 14.7 points, 5.5 boards, and 2.3 three-pointers per contest, Crowder is a viable option again Monday.
POWER FORWARDS
Taj Gibson, MIN vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,400
There are a few players who should see an increase in value due to Jimmy Butler being traded to the Sixers, but Gibson likely won’t be one of them. With Dario Saric coming to the Timberwolves in the deal, Gibson could be in line for a decrease in playing time and might even lose his starting job. Saric won’t play Monday, though, leaving Gibson with one last opportunity to provide increased value. Across the first 13 games, Gibson is averaging 11 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per contest.
Derrick Favors, UTA at MEM
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,300
Favors has started all 11 games he’s played in this season, but he’s only averaging 22 minutes per contest. That’s down considerably from 28 minutes a night last year, but he’s still managed to average 11.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. He’s actually been very consistent of late, scoring at least 11 points and grabbing at least five boards in six straight games. At this cheap price, Favors is a viable target if you want to save money at power forward.
CENTERS
Jarrett Allen, BKN at MIN
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,100
Allen is averaging 26 minutes a game this season, up from 20 a night last year. The Nets plan for him to be a big part of their future, so he should continue to have an expanded role. The added playing time has benefited him so far, averaging 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. The Timberwolves have been one of the worst teams in the league at defending centers, making Allen a strong option to consider.
Mohamed Bamba, ORL at WAS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100
With Nikola Vucevic ahead of him, Bamba is only playing 19 minutes a game. Even in a limited role, Bamba is still averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. When these two teams met last week, Bamba posted 15 points, two rebounds, and two blocks. His scoring upside might be limited, but his ability to provide rebounds and blocks makes him worth considering at this price.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/9/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Friday isn’t particularly busy with seven games in the NBA, but there are a lot of great expensive options available in DFS. In order to fit a few studs into your lineup, you’ll need to find the right mix of cheap value plays. Here are some players to consider when creating your lineup. 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
Derrick Rose, MIN at SAC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,800
The Timberwolves star trio is Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins, but the loss of Jeff Teague (knee) has left them with a significant hole to fill at point guard. Coach Tom Thibodeau has turned to a familiar face in Rose to take on the role and he certainly hasn’t let him down. Not only did Rose have a monster 50-point performance against the Jazz, but he’s scored at least 21 points in both of his last two games. The Kings are tied for the third-most points allowed per game (118.8) in the league, leaving Rose with the potential for another offensive outburst.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,500
Although it’s not an ideal fit, Augustin continues to start for the Magic. After coming off of the bench for the majority of his career, Augustin is averaging 10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 three-pointers per contest in his new role. The Wizards play at the seventh-fastest pace (104.5 possessions per game) and have allowed the most points per game (120.5), so Augustin and the offensive-challenged Magic could have one of their higher scoring performances of the year.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,700
With this matchup against the Wizards, just about everyone on the Magic gets a boost in value. Ross has carved out a significant role off the bench, posting the third-highest usage rate (23.4 percent) on the team, behind only Evan Fournier (26.2 percent) and Nikola Vucevic (24.7 percent). The Magic will also be a little shorthanded with Jonathan Isaac (ankle) out, which could leave Ross with some added playing time. Across the last three games with Isaac out, Ross is averaging 15.7 points, three rebounds, and 2.7 three-pointers.
Malik Monk, CHA at PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400
The Hornets don’t exactly play at a neck-breaking speed, but they might be forced to Friday against a Sixers team that plays at the sixth-fastest pace (104.7). If the Hornets are going to keep up offensively, Monk will need to be a big part of their success off the bench. He’s already been one of their most potent shooters from behind the arc, averaging 13.4 points and 2.3 three-pointers per contest. At his cheap price on both sites, he’s worth considering in tournament play, even if you can’t count on him to provide much in other categories.
SMALL FORWARDS
Justise Winslow, MIA vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,600
The Heat will continue to have depth issues with James Johnson (sports hernia), Dwyane Wade (personal), Dion Waiters (ankle) and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) already ruled out Friday. Things could be even worse if Goran Dragic (ankle) is forced to miss his second straight game. Winslow should get plenty of time on the floor against the Pacers, and although he doesn’t excel in any one area, he can still provide value since he is averaging 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, four assists, and 1.7 three-pointers.
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at MIA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Unlike the Heat, the Pacers are fortunate to enter this game healthy. Although he’s not one of their flashiest players, Bogdanovic is averaging 30 minutes a game as a member of the starting five. He’s been extremely efficient in the early going, shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 49 percent from behind the arc. Both of those numbers are likely to regress as the season wears on, but Bogdanovic did average 14.3 points and 1.9 three-pointers a game last season. If you want to go really cheap at small forward, Bogdanovic is a viable target.
POWER FORWARDS
Taj Gibson, MIN at SAC
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900
Gibson might fly under the radar due to all of the talent that the Timberwolves have in their starting five but don’t sleep on him in DFS. Not only is he a strong rebounder and defender, but he’s averaging 11.2 points per game with teams having to focus their defensive attention elsewhere. With the Kings defensive deficiencies already detailed, Gibson is another Timberwolves player to target for your entry.
Trey Lyles, DEN vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5.000
DraftKings = $4,700
Lyles has played well when given extended playing time, averaging 11.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.9 steals across nine games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes. He’s also coming off one of his best performances so far, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. That’s probably towards the top of Lyles’ upside, but he’s priced low enough to possibly be worth the risk in tournament play. There is also some potential that this game becomes a blowout, which could lead to a few added minutes for Lyles.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND at MIA
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,800
Turner’s price is falling as his minutes continue to be limited with Domantas Sabonis playing so well off of the bench. Turner’s 4.8 rebounds per game are disappointing for a starting center, but his 11.3 points and 2.4 blocks per contest still leave him with some upside. There is the possibility that he gains a few extra minutes in this game with the Pacers needing him to defend Hassan Whiteside. If that’s the case, his price has come down enough to warrant consideration.
Mason Plumlee, DEN vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,800
Plumlee is one of the better backup centers in the league. Even though he’s only playing 18 minutes a game, he’s still averaging 7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per contest. His playing time isn’t going to increase anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored in tournament play. The Nets have been one of the worst teams in the league at defending opposing centers, so Plumlee could still do some damage off the bench.