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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

We’ve got a massive slate with 11 games Friday, leaving plenty of viable value play options. Here are a couple who stand out at each position that could provide significant returns. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/30/18

Tim Frazier, NO at MIA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,200

The loss of Elfrid Payton (finger) has created a significant void for the Pelicans. To make matters worse, Frank Jackson (ankle) was unable to play Wednesday. Frazier moved into the starting lineup and thrived, scoring 12 points to go along with six rebounds, 12 assists an two steals across 37 minutes against the Wizards. Jackson is listed as doubtful for Friday, which could leave Frazier with another start. If that were to be the case, Fraizer could be a steal at this price.

Elie Okobo, PHO vs. ORL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,000

With the Suns going nowhere fast, they finally decided to jettison veteran Isaiah Canaan from their roster. Even though they are extremely thin at point guard, the move made sense considering the Suns needed to give more playing time to their younger players. One of those players is Okobo, who logged 32 minutes Wednesday in the first game since Canaan’s release. He certainly stated his case for more playing time, scoring 19 points to go along with four assists and three steals. His price on FanDuel is great, but he’s an especially appealing tournament play option on DraftKings at the minimum price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/30/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at BOS
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,300

After attempting just five shots against the Timberwolves on Monday, Clarkson scored 25 points on 22 shot attempts Wednesday versus the Thunder. Considering his 28.9 percent usage rate, it’s not that surprising that he quickly returned to jacking up a ton of shots. Facing the Celtics defense is no easy task, but with so few offensive weapons around him, Clarkson has a relatively high floor at this price.

Marcus Smart, BOS vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Jaylen Brown (foot) was unable to play Monday against the Pelicans, opening up a chance for Smart to make his first start of the season. He logged a whopping 40 minutes in that game, recording eight points, two rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. Brown has been ruled out for Friday, likely leaving Smart with plenty of playing time once again. His offensive upside isn’t great, but he’s still someone to consider based on his minute’s floor.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/30/18

Kelly Oubre Jr., WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,600

The Wizards are going to have to get used to playing small now with Dwight Howard (lower body) likely to miss a significant amount of time. Oubre has shifted into the starting lineup due to his absence, averaging 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and one steal across his last five games. With the Sixers playing small themselves with Wilson Chandler at power forward, expect Oubre to start once again. The added playing time could provide him with a significant boost in production since both of these teams are in the top-seven in the league in pace of play.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA vs. UTA
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,800

Speaking of teams with limited depth up front, the Hornets are in a similar position as the Wizards. It’s not due to injuries, just a lack of talent at the position. They like to use Kidd-Gilchrist a lot when they deploy small lineups, which has helped him average 8.5 points, six rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. This won’t be easy facing Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, but Kidd-Gilchrist still warrants consideration in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/30/18

Richaun Holmes, PHO vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $3,600

When Holmes was a member of the Sixers, he showed flashes of promise filling in whenever Joel Embiid was out. Now that Tyson Chandler is no longer on the Suns, Holmes has the backup center job all to himself. He’s proven to be productive once again, averaging 10.6 points, five rebounds, and two blocks across his last six games. His price is starting to climb, but he could still provide excellent value, especially on DraftKings.

JaMychal Green, MEM at BKN
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,300

Green has played well off the bench since returning from injury, averaging 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across his last six games. Marc Gasol (foot) is said to be a game-time decision for Friday, which could have a significant impact for Green. If Gasol is out, Green could see extended run in his absence. Even if Gasol does play, Green has a large enough role off the bench to make him a viable option in tournament play.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/30/18

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,300

Zeller is coming off of arguably his best game of the season Wednesday against the Hawks, scoring 19 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Facing Rudy Gobert is a completely different animal, but the Hornets might have to throw a few extra minutes Zeller’s way due to the depth the Jazz have in their frontcourt.

Aron Baynes, BOS vs. CLE
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,200

The Celtics will be resting Al Horford for this game, which makes a lot of sense with them playing an inferior opponent in the Cavaliers and having a quick turnaround Saturday on the road against the Timberwolves. When Horford sat out last week against the Hawks, Baynes started in his place and finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and one block. At this dirt cheap price on both sites, it’s hard to pass up on Baynes if he starts again.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

The NBA brings a loaded slate Wednesday with 10 games. The Pelicans, Rockets, Bucks, and Sixers are among the teams in action, leaving a ton of the top talent as options for your DFS lineup. In order to fit those in, you’ll also need the right mix of cheap value plays. Below are two players at each position that stand out as having matchups to possibility capitalize on. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

J.J. Barea, DAL at HOU
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,000

Barea is only averaging 20 minutes a game, but that hasn’t stopped him from being extremely productive. His 27.1 percent usage rate is actually the highest on the team, helping him average 10.9 points per contest. He also does a great job of facilitating the offense for their second unit with 5.8 assists per night. Both Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) and Luka Doncic (illness) are listed as questionable, so Barea could be in line for a significant increase in playing time if either or both of them were unable to play. Even if they do take the floor, Barea is an appealing option at this price.

D.J. Augustin, ORL at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Augustin’s 15.4 percent usage rate isn’t great, but he’s still been able to average 10.3 points per game in large part because he is logging 27 minutes a night. The Magic don’t have any other viable options to start at point guard, which has also resulted in Augustin averaging 5.4 assists per contest. His upside isn’t great, but Augustin has a secure enough role to be worth considering in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

Eric Gordon, HOU vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,800

The key to this game is the status of Chris Paul (hamstring). If he is forced to miss his third straight game, Gordon will once again be a part of the starting five. He’s thrived in that role this season, averaging 19.9 points and 3.4 rebounds across seven games. His usage rate is 25.2 percent as a starter, which is up from 22.3 percent as a member of the second unit. Gordon’s price has jumped up after a couple of great performances, but he’s still worth adding to your lineup if Paul sits.

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at OKC
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,100

Clarkson had a strange performance against the Timberwolves on Monday where he scored just four points on five shot attempts. Clarkson has a 28.6 percent usage rate and hadn’t attempted fewer than 10 shots in any previous game this year, so chalk it up as just one off night. The Cavaliers are going to need him to score in bunches to keep this game close against Russell Westbrook and company, so don’t be surprised if Clarkson has a bounce-back scoring effort.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000

Moore was already an important part of the Pelicans success, but he became even more vital after they lost starting point guard Elfrid Payton (finger). Jrue Holiday has been assuming the point guard duties with Payton out, shifting Moore over to shooting guard. Although he might not get a lot of headlines, Moore is averaging 15.8 points per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field. The last time these two teams met Saturday, Moore scored 19 points. Since both of these teams are in the top-six in the league in pace of play, expect Moore to have plenty of opportunities to score again during their rematch.

Jeff Green, WAS at NO
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000

The Wizards are going to be shorthanded up front again with Dwight Howard (lower body) already ruled out. While Green doesn’t play the same position, he is still in line for added playing time. Green is also one of their better rebounders, averaging 5.2 rebounds in just 25 minutes a game. His scoring upside isn’t great, but this game should be played at a fast enough pace to make him someone to at least consider if you want to go really cheap at small forward.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

Marvin Williams, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Williams is only averaging 25 minutes a game this season, but he’s logged at least 31 minutes in each of his last three games. That’s especially encouraging since the Michael Kidd-Gilchrist returned from injury Monday. Across five games in which Williams has logged at least 30 minutes, he is averaging 14 points. 8.2 rebounds, and one block. He’s also had plenty of success in two previous matchups against the Hawks, averaging 20 points and 10.5 rebounds.

Richaun Holmes, PHO at LAC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,400

Holmes makes this list for the second straight night after scoring eight points to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks Tuesday against the Pacers. Over the last five games, Holmes is now averaging 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and two blocks. His role is secure as the primary backup to Deandre Ayton and the Clippers have some size up front with Montrezl Harrell, Marcin Gortat, and Boban Marjanovic, so expect Holmes to get enough playing time to provide value at this price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

Tristan Thompson, CLE at OKC
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $6,300

Thompson isn’t overly cheap, but center is usually one of the tougher positions to fill in terms of value plays, especially on FanDuel.  Thompson continues to dominate the minutes in the middle for the Cavaliers and should be set there for a while with the news that Kevin Love (toe) isn’t eyeing a return until January. Facing Steven Adams isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but Thompson should at least be a threat to post a double-double Wednesday.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,100

If you want a cheap play with significant upside, Zeller is not your man. However, he does have a relatively high floor with averages of 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest. The Hawks are not a good team by any stretch of the imagination, but they do have size up front with Dewayne Dedmon and Alex Len. When these two teams met Sunday, Zeller finished with seven points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in 28 minutes.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

Monday brings seven games on the NBA schedule. The Celtics, Warriors, Rockets, and Pelicans will be among the teams in action, leaving a lot of the top-tier options on the board for your DFS entry. In order to get them into your lineup, let’s examine some cheap value plays to also consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Sexton may have run away with the starting point guard job to the point where he might not relinquish it even when George Hill (shoulder) eventually returns. He’s logging 33 minutes per game as a starter with little depth behind him, helping him to average 19.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. The Timberwolves play at the 10th-fastest pace (102.3 possessions per game) in the league, which could lead Sexton with even more scoring chances Monday.

Cory Joseph, IND at UTA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500

Joseph hasn’t started a game for the Pacers this season, but he’s still averaging 26 minutes a game, just one fewer than starting point guard Darren Collison. Victor Oladipo (knee) has missed their last three games, which left Joseph to average nine points, 3.7 rebounds, six assists and two steals in his absence. If Oladipo is unable to play again Monday, Joseph is a viable option in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Justin Holiday, CHI vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

The Bulls have been decimated by injuries in the early going, leaving Holiday to average 35 minutes a game. He doesn’t really excel in any one area, but his high minute’s floor has helped him to average 13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest in November. This might not be a high-scoring affair between two teams in the bottom half of the league in pace of play, but don’t let that shy you away from using Holiday.

Marcus Smart, BOS at NO
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100

If there is any team built to deal with injuries, it’s the Celtics with their insane depth. They are off to a disappointing 10-10 start, but some of that might be due to players getting adjusted to new roles. Smart’s playing time is down significantly, but he could be in line for an expanded role Monday with Jaylen Brown (back) listed as doubtful. The last three games in which Smart has logged at least 25 minutes, he’s averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at UTA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Bogdanovic is another player who has seen a boost in production with Oladipo out, averaging 20.7 points, two rebounds, and 2.3 assists across the last three games. He’s shooting a stellar 54.9 percent from the field, overall, this season, which has been boosted by his insane 52.5 percent shooting from behind the arc. That number obviously won’t hold up throughout the entire year, but ride the hot hand while you can, especially if Olidaipo can’t play again.

Jeff Green, WAS vs. HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000

Injuries to key players are a common theme Monday with the status of Dwight Howard (lower body) still in doubt. Even if he does play, this could be a prime opportunity for Green to take advantage of all the small lineups that the Rockets like to deploy. You might be surprised to learn that the Rockets play at the second-slowest pace (96.8) in the league, but with the Wizards playing at the sixth-fastest pace (104), Green could still thrive with the potential for added playing time.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Derrick Favors, UTA vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Favors came off the bench for the first time this year Sunday against the Kings, but he still logged 24 minutes, which is right in line with his season average. His production wasn’t impacted by the change, either, with him scoring 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench Monday, he is still a viable cost-effective option.

Marcus Morris, BOS at NO
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,200

One player who hasn’t really seen his role change this year is Morris. His usage rate is down slightly, but he’s helped make up for that by shooting 48.2 percent from the field. He’s also been one of the Celtics best rebounders with a career-high 6.4 boards per contest. The Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (105.1), so don’t be surprised if this ends up as one of the Celtics highest-scoring games of the season in the early going.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,100

Thompson has always been a great rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. He’s not much of a scorer, but his 5.2 offensive rebounds a game has helped him to average 11.1 points per contest. It is a bit disappointing that he’s only averaging 0.3 blocks per contest, but he wouldn’t be priced this low based on his points and rebounds if he wasn’t struggling in that category. Even though his price is climbing, it’s still reasonable enough to warrant considering him for your entry.

Mohamed Bamba, ORL at GS
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,300

There aren’t a lot of great really cheap center options, so if you want to go that route, it will come with some risk. Bamba doesn’t play much behind Nikola Vucevic, but this could be a chance for him to get a few added minutes if the Magic get down big early. The Warriors might be missing some key players, but they are still a much better team than the Magic, especially at home. Across five games in which Bamba has played at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 8.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/20/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

There’s not a ton of action with just four games in the NBA on Tuesday. That doesn’t leave us with many value play options, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t some great ones to consider. Here are some players at each position that stand out for the slate. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/20/18

Tyler Johnson, MIA vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,400

The Heat will be without Goran Dragic (knee) on Tuesday, marking the fifth game in which he has missed this season. Across the previous four contests, Johnson averaged 14.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. The key is that he logged at least 32 minutes in three of those contests. Don’t expect him to start against the Nets, but he’s still likely going to receive enough playing time to be a great option at this price.

D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. TOR
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,300

Augustin has racked up at least seven assists in each of his last three games as he continues to run the point for the Magic. He hasn’t just been stockpiling assists, either, scoring at least 12 points in back-to-back contests. His overall upside is limited based on his 15.5 percent usage rate, but the Magic have little choice but to give him the bulk of the minutes at point guard, making him a viable option for such a small slate.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/20/18

Allonzo Trier, NY vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000

The Knicks are trying anything and everything right now in terms of rotations. In their last game against the Magic, they started Trier, Kevin Knox, Emmanuel Mudiay and Mitchell Robinson alongside Tim Hardaway Jr. It was a disaster, which led to Enes Kanter, Noah Vonleh and Trey Burke logging significant minutes off the bench. Trier only had seven points and two rebounds across his 13 minutes after logging at least 32 minutes in back-to-back contests. He’s shown the ability to score when given the opportunity, making him a risk worth considering at this price.

Wayne Ellington, MIA vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,400

Johnson isn’t the only player on the Heat who has benefited from Dragic missing time this year. In those four games that Dragic was previously unable to play, Johnson scored at least 19 points twice. It’s hard to count on Ellington for much outside of points and steals, but he can get hot in a hurry from behind the arc. The return of Dwyane Wade (personal) does hurt Ellington’s upside some, but he should still receive added playing time.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/20/18

Joe Harris, BKN at MIA
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Harris has started all 17 games for the Nets this season, averaging 13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 29 minutes a game. He’s one of their most lethal three-point shooters, averaging 2.5 a game while shooting 50.6 percent from behind the arc. This could be an opportunity for him to shine against a Heat team that has allowed the third-highest three-point shooting percentage (37.9 percent) in the league.

Jeff Green, WAS vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,200

The Wizards have certainly dug themselves an early hole at 5-11. The locker room appears to be a mess and there are already rumors of them looking to make trades. One player who has quietly performed well is Green, who is averaging 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The Wizards could be without Dwight Howard (back) for this game, which would likely force them to play a lot of small lineups. Green would likely see added minutes in that scenario, so keep an eye on Howard’s status leading up to tip-off.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/20/18

Markieff Morris, WAS vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,900

Another player who would benefit greatly if Howard can’t play is Morris. With Howard sidelined for the first six games of the season, Morris averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. Over nine games since Howard made his debut, Morris has averaged just 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks. Both of these teams are in the top-eight in the league in pace of play, so any added role could provide significant returns for Morris.

Ed Davis, BKN at MIA
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,900

If there is one thing you can count on from Davis, it’s that he’s going to attack the glass. He only averaged 19 minutes a game last year with the Blazers, but still grabbed 7.4 rebounds a night. Despite logging just 17 minutes a game since joining the Nets, he’s actually been even better with 8.3 rebounds per contest. The Nets are going to need Davis to battle with Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo, making him a viable target at this price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/20/18

Enes Kanter, NY vs. POR
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,300

Kanter played 38 minutes off the bench Sunday against the Magic, posting 21 points and 19 rebounds. The Knicks continue to play him with their second unit, but they’ve lost five straight, so it’s fair to question why he isn’t starting. Luckily, his 25.9 percent usage rate off the bench has still enabled him to average 15 points and 12.1 rebounds per game in that role. Look for him to at least be a double-double threat again Tuesday.

Mitchell Robinson, NY vs. POR
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,600

Robinson is certainly someone you only want to consider in tournament play. Even then, he’s awfully risky. He had five fouls in just nine minutes against the Magic, leaving him with 14 fouls across his last three games. His offensive game is still very raw, but he can pile up rebounds and blocks in a hurry due to his athleticism. With so few quality cheap centers on the board, Robinson should at least be in the discussion if you want to save money at the position.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/14/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/14/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/14/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/14/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/14/18

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/14/18

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 11/2/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA has plenty of action to start off your weekend with eight games on the schedule Friday night. That gives us a lot of DFS value plays to wade through, so let’s get right down to business. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Elie Okobo, PHO vs. TOR
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,300

The Suns entered the season with a significant hole at point guard. Isaiah Canaan has been a member of the starting five with shooting guard Devin Booker also taking on more of a facilitating role. However, both of them are injured and listed as questionable for Friday. Okobo has logged at least 28 minutes in both of the last two games as a result of their injuries. His production hasn’t been off the charts, but he’s averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds, six assists, and 1.5 three-pointers during that stretch. If Booker and/or Canaan are forced to sit again Friday, Okobo is worth considering in tournament play.

Dante Exum, UTA vs. MEM
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,700

The Jazz will be without Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) in this game, leaving a huge void in their offense. It will likely take a group effort to make up for his absence, especially considering his 29.4 percent usage rate. Exum has already been averaging 19 minutes a game for the Jazz, but he could be one of the players who sees a few more minutes, and shots, Friday. Exum has averaged 13.5 points, four rebounds, 3.5 assists and one three-pointer across the two games in which he has played at least 20 minutes this year, leaving him with some upside at near the minimum price on both sites.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Justin Holiday, CHI vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600

The Bulls have a laundry-list of injuries right now with Lauri Markkanen (elbow), Kris Dunn (knee) and Bobby Portis (knee) all on the shelf. They are clearly a rebuilding team, but they’ve been forced to play Holiday more due to their lack of depth. His upside isn’t tremendously high, but Holiday is averaging a respectable 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.8 three-pointers per contest. Although he doesn’t come at a huge discount on FanDuel, his DraftKings price is appealing.

Eric Gordon, HOU at BKN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,900

James Harden (hamstring) appears to be nearing a return, but he’s not expected to take the floor against the Nets. In the first two games that Harden has missed, Gordon averaged 16 shot attempts. While he only made seven total shots, the added volume gives him plenty of scoring potential. If he can correct his shooting woes in this contest, he could be an asset at this price. Keep him out of cash contests, but he might be worth a look in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Tyreke Evans, IND at CHI
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900

Evans was thrust into a significant role for the Grizzlies last year when Mike Conley was lost for the season, resulting in Evans averaging 31 minutes a game. The Pacers are a much deeper team, so it’s not all that surprising that he’s only averaged 20 minutes a game so far. Even with limited time of the floor, Evans is still averaging 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, three assists, and 1.3 three-pointers. The Bulls are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, which should give a bump to Evans and just about everyone else on the Pacers’ roster. If this game also gets out of hand early, Evans could see some extra garbage time minutes.

Kelly Oubre Jr., WAS vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,800

The Wizards are a disappointing 1-6, but they’ve also dealt with their share of injury issues. Oubre has been one of their few bright spots, averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and two three-pointers a game. It’s not as if he’s seen a huge jump in playing time, either, with his 27 minutes a night on par with his average from last season. The Wizards should be getting Dwight Howard (back) and Markieff Morris (concussion) back Friday, but Oubre is still going to be a significant part of their second unit.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Noah Vonleh, NY at DAL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

It’s no surprise that the Knicks are 2-6 with Kristaps Porzingis still recovering from a torn ACL. What is surprising is that they have been bringing one of their better players in Enes Kanter off the bench lately. Vonleh has been moved into the starting five, as a result, averaging 9.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks in that role. With no signs that the Knicks will make a change back to Kanter for this contest, Vonleh will continue to have added value.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN vs. HOU
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,900

Hollis-Jefferson has come off the bench in all five games since returning from injury, but you have to wonder how much longer the Nets will continue to have him in that role while Jared Dudley starts. Even though Hollis-Jefferson has only averaged 21 minutes, he’s been able to record 8.6 points, six rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per contest. With the Rockets playing at a fast pace and using a lot of small lineups, this has the potential to be Hollis-Jefferson’s best performance of the year if he can get a few extra minutes.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/2/18

Steven Adams, OKC at WAS
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100

If you are playing on FanDuel, there aren’t a lot of great cheap center options. As a result, this might be one of the positions to pay up for. Adams isn’t overly expensive, but he has a high floor with averages of 13.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks. The Thunder did add some depth at center with Nerlens Noel, but Adams is still logging 35 minutes a game. The Thunder and Wizards are both in the top-six in the league in pace of play, which could leave Adams with even more opportunities to stuff the stat sheet.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at PHO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,300

Valanciunas’ role continues to fluctuate based on matchups. The Suns have a promising big man in Deandre Ayton, so look for Valanciunas to be in the starting lineup for the Raptors. When he starts, he has averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest. The Suns have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, making Valanciunas someone to key in on if you are looking for some budget relief at center.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

There are a lot of great value plays on tap Tuesday in DFS with eight games on the NBA schedule. Here are some options to consider as you craft what will hopefully be a winning 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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,000

The Cavaliers continue to start George Hill at point guard, but Sexton is their future at the position. He’s not your traditional point guard, though, averaging just 2.2 assists in 24 minutes per game. After getting off to a slow start, Sexton is showing some promising signs by averaging 13.3 points, 3.3 assists and one steal across his last three games. The Hawks play at the fastest-pace (108.8 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Sexton with a few added opportunities to provide value Tuesday.

D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300

The Magic have scored the fewest points per game (100.8) and some of that might be due to their lack of talent at point guard. Augustin has been starting for them, but he’s much better suited to be in a backup role at this stage of his career. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but his averages of 8.7 points, five assists and 1.5 three-pointers per contest make him someone to not completely overlook. This might be a spot to put him into your lineup against a Kings team that has played at the second-fastest pace (107.6).

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Rodney McGruder, MIA at CHA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $6,200

McGruder didn’t exactly have a great performance with seven points, six rebounds, and one three-pointer Monday against the Kings. On a positive note, he did play 32 minutes. With all of the injuries the Heat suffered to start the year, McGruder found himself in an expanded role that he has yet to relinquish. With averages of 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and 2.3 three-pointers look for him to have a bounce-back performance Tuesday.

Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,600

With the Cavaliers loss of Kevin Love (foot), they have a gaping hole in their offense. Clarkson’s 28.8 percent usage rate is already the highest on the team, but he could be looking for even more shots moving forward. The departure of LeBron James certainly hasn’t been good for the Cavaliers, but it has benefited Clarkson, who is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game. Considering the fast pace at which the Hawks play, this could be a big night for Clarkson.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. SAC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,700

The Magic have some ugly offensive numbers, but they’ve played three tough teams in a row in the Celtics, Blazers, and Bucks. Isaac actually played well during that stretch, averaging 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. He still has a lot of improving to do offensively, but he can be a menace defensively and on the glass. With the added scoring potential facing a Kings team that has allowed the fourth-most points per game (119.3), Isaac is someone to consider in tournament play.

Jeff Green, WAS at MEM
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

One of the biggest disappointments of the season has to be the Wizards and their 1-5 start. They are allowing a staggering 125 points per game and they again don’t appear to be the most cohesive unit. A contributing factor for their struggles has to be injuries with Dwight Howard (back) yet to make his debut. Howard won’t play again Tuesday and the Wizards could also be without Markieff Morris, who is in the concussion protocol. If he can’t play, either, this is a prime spot for Green to get added playing time. Don’t expect lofty production, but he is averaging 11 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 26 minutes per game.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

Montrezl Harrell, LAC at OKC
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Marcin Gortat might be the starting center for the Clippers, but Harrell is the player who has seen the most playing time at the position. In the three games in which Harrell has played at least 20 minutes, he’s averaging a staggering 19.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks. The Thunder could be really thin at center Tuesday with both Steven Adams (calf) and Nerlens Noel (ankle) listed as questionable. If either or both of them don’t play, the Thunder will have to go small, which could mean even fewer minutes for Gortat. Even if they do take the floor, Harrell can provide value at this price.

Zach Collins, POR at HOU
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000

Collins might only be averaging 22 minutes a game, but he’s been extremely efficient, shooting 69.4 percent from the field, 54.4 percent from behind the arc and 88.2 percent from the charity stripe. It’s going to be hard for him to continue to shoot that well, but he’s clearly made himself a fixture of the second unit for the Blazers. With the Rockets propensity to use small lineups and play at a fast pace, Collins could be set up for another valuable evening.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/30/18

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

The Raptors continue to play matchups at center, which resulted in Valanciunas coming off the bench Monday against the Bucks. Expect him to be back in the starting lineup Tuesday with the Raptors set to face Joel Embiid and the Sixers. Across the three games in which Valanciunas has started, he’s averaging 13 points and nine rebounds.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. MIA
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,100

Even though the Hornets like to use a lot of small lineups, Zeller has started all seven of their games. He doesn’t get traditional starter’s minutes at just 22 per game, but that hasn’t stopped him from averaging a respectable 9.4 points and six rebounds. The Hornets might be forced to give him more playing time against Hassan Whiteside, making Zeller someone to consider if you want to go really cheap at center.

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

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

It isn’t necessarily the busiest Friday we’ll see in the NBA with seven games on the schedule, but there are still a lot of great value plays available in DFS. Let’s examine some players to consider as you wade through the options. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

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

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

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

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

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

SHOOTING GUARDS

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

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

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

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

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

SMALL FORWARDS

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

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

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

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

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

POWER FORWARDS

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

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

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

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

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

CENTERS

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

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

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

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

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Wednesday’s NBA schedule is jam-packed with 11 games. There are a ton of value plays to consider, as a result. Let’s get right down to business and examine some to target for your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

Derrick Rose, MIN at TOR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Tom Thibodeau loves him some Derrick Rose. The two have a long-standing relationship since their days with the Bulls and Thibodeau clearly plans to play him a lot this season, or, at least for as long as Rose is healthy. Rose is averaging 28 minutes per contest, helping him post 14.8 rebounds, 3.8 rebounds, and five assists. Rose is not a good three-pointer shooter, but his 23.5% usage rate is encouraging for his scoring upside. Look for him to get enough time on the floor Wednesday to provide value at this price.

Isaiah Canaan, PHO vs. LAL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300

With the ugliness that is the Suns’ point guard position, Canaan has started each of their first three games. Devin Booker is also helping to facilitate their offense, but Canaan has still been able to log 30 minutes per contest. Canaan can go damage from behind the arc, so the added playing time has helped him average 10 points and two three-pointers per contest. The Lakers play at the fastest pace (108.7 possessions per game) in the league, so Canaan could be in line for even more opportunities to score in this contest.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

Eric Gordon, HOU vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,800

Chris Paul will be out due to his suspension again Wednesday, leaving Gordon with another opportunity to start. He excelled without Paul on Sunday against the Clippers, scoring 21 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and five three-pointers. Across 30 starts last year, Gordon averaged 21.5 points. 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.8 three-pointers per contest. His usage rate also increased from 22% in a reserve role to 27.8% when he started.

Wesley Matthews, DAL at ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,200

Matthews may not get a ton of publicity, but he’s an important part of the Mavericks. He’s averaged at least 34 minutes per game in every season that he’s been with the team, including through the first three games this year. His field goal percentage usually isn’t great, but he’s still managed to average 13.8 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game for his career. The Hawks have allowed 122.7 points per game, making Matthews a strong option to consider based on his minutes floor.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

T.J. Warren, PHO vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

Warren started all 65 games that he played in last year, but he’s moved to the bench this season. His playing time has dropped from 33 minutes to 23 minutes per game, but his usage rate has increased from 24.9% to a whopping 29.6%. He should continue to see the bulk of the scoring opportunities with the Suns’ second unit, making him a great option in what should be a high-scoring contest versus the Lakers.

Jae Crowder, UTA at HOU
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

This game sets up really well for Crowder. The Rockets like to play a lot of small lineups and will have their depth challenged with both Paul and James Ennis (hamstring) out. They also play at the eighth-fastest pace (105) in the league. Crowder plays a crucial role within the second unit for the Jazz, helping him average 30 minutes per contest. He’s cashed in the added playing time by averaging 15 points, 6.7 rebounds and two three-pointers.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

Markieff Morris, WAS at GS
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700

Speaking of dealing with limited depth, the Wizards frontcourt is hurting entering play Wednesday. Dwight Howard (back) will be out yet again and has yet to play a game this season. Fill in starter Ian Mahinmi is listed as questionable with a back injury of his own. Even if he does play, this is not a good matchup for him considering all the small lineups the Warriors like to deploy. Morris is averaging 16.3 points, seven rebounds, one steal, 1.7 blocks and three three-pointers across 27 minutes per game this year and should at least see similar playing time in this contest, if not more.

Dwight Powell, DAL at ATL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,000

Powell is only averaging 17 minutes a game, but his 26.3 percent usage rate has helped him average 15.7 points. Both numbers are likely to decline over the course of the season, but he’s proven the Mavericks can rely on him for however long it takes Dirk Nowitzki to return from injury. The Hawks will again be without John Collins (ankle) on Wednesday, leaving Powell with a chance to thrive against their weak frontcourt.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/24/18

JaVale McGee, LAL at PHO
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,300

McGee isn’t going to last as a value play for much longer. His price is steadily climbing because he’s averaging 15 points, 7.3 rebounds, and three blocks through three games. Having excellent passers around him like LeBron James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball is going to help him get a lot of easy buckets and he’s proven to be a force when it comes to blocks. Facing Deandre Ayton might not be an easy task, but McGee is still in line for valuable performance.

Myles Turner, IND at SA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,800

Is this finally the year that Turner breaks out? Well, it certainly doesn’t look like it through four games. With averages of just 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, a lot of Turner’s value on a nightly basis hinges on his ability to block shots. Luckily, he hasn’t disappointed in that department with 1.8 rejections per contest. Domantas Sabonis eats into some of Turner’s playing time, but it’s not often that you can roster Turner at this cheap of a price. It might be worth taking a chance on him in tournament play.

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

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA takes a step back from the 11-game slate Wednesday with only three games on the schedule Thursday. Even with so few options, there are still some great value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

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

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

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

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

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

SHOOTING GUARDS

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

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

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

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

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

SMALL FORWARDS

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

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

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

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

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

POWER FORWARDS

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

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

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

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

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

CENTERS

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

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

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

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

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