Header Image - PICK LIKE THE PROS

Tag Archives

27 Articles

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

*Austyn Varney*

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

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. If you need any help in fantasy or just want to come join in on the fun we highly recommend requesting a join. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like George Hill and Patrick Patterson.

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

Point Guard

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

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

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

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

Shooting Guard

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

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

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

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

Small Forward

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

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

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

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

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

Power Forward

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

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

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

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

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

Center

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

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

 

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/6/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Find out how to create your own floors and ceilings in Mike’s new videos on our Facebook Group. If you need any help in fantasy or just want to come join in on the fun we highly recommend requesting a join. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and find the value players that are low-owned on FanDuel and DraftKings like Yogi Ferrell and Justise Winslow.

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

Yogi Ferrell
FD $4,000 DK $4,300

You can be a fan of the 24 minutes Ferrell has been seeing in the last couple games, but I’m not convinced it’s indicative of the future. He is one of their youngsters and they have already said, very publicly, that they will try to up those guys’ minutes. Ferrell is always effective when on the floor and this match-up with the Nuggets in phenomenal. On the season, they rank 20th against opposing point guards. Jamal Murray is a bad defender and the interior is even worse. Ferrell is extremely cheap on both sites and this game does have a solid 219 total with just a 5 point spread. I’m a fan of Ferrell in both cash games and tournaments if you need to pay this far down.

Milos Teodosic
FD $4,400 DK $4,700

If you’re looking for cheap consistency, this is an obvious choice. You probably won’t get 40 fantasy points ever out of Milos Teodosic, but you will grab 20+ on 8/10 nights. At his price, that’s all you can ask for. This is also a game we’re all over with a 236 over/under and 2.5 point spread. The minutes are locked in around 28-32 and he’s safe in all formats. He stuffs the stat sheet well and isn’t reliant on any 1 category, like most value guys are. Teodosic will be in a ton of my lineups.

Shooting Guard

Dwyane Wade
FD $4,900 DK $5,300

You can’t love the minutes for Dwyane Wade, but he’s certainly producing when on the floor. For now, we expect 25 minutes and 25 fantasy points. We hope for 30 minutes and 35 fantasy points in a big game against the Wizards. His price is still fair on both sites and I have no worries in any format. He’s going to shoot when on the floor and has the ball in his hands a ton. The Wizards like to play fast and I don’t see why Wade wouldn’t excel at this PACE. I don’t necessarily love Wade, but he’s the best of what you have to choose from at this position for value. Don’t blame me.

J.J. Redick
FD $4,900 DK $5,200

I don’t really love the value at SG, but both of these guys are going to be all over my rosters. I just don’t have to have anyone at the top either and am fine with paying down for a safe 20-25 fantasy points. You get that out of both Wade and Redick, who faces off with the Hornets in a game with a crazy 236 over/under and 2.5 point spread. Against shooting guards, the Pelicans rank 29th against shooting guards. The only worse team is the Phoenix Suns, who might as well not have a defense. Consider Redick a safe option in both cash games and tournaments. If you make me choose, I go Redick over Wade just barely.

Small Forward

E’Twaun Moore
FD $4,200 DK $4,000

Here are another 2 guys that you don’t necessarily get excited about, but you also don’t worry about them burning you. When E’Twaun Moore gets minutes in a good match-up, you can count on an FP per minute. In a game with a 236 over/under and just a 2.5 point spread, there are a ton of fantasy points to go around. He does see a 14% usage and is typically taking at least 8-10 shots in most games. If he gets hot, we’ve seen the 40 point ceiling more than a couple times. Ranking 26th against SG’s and 23rd against SF’s, we won’t see any problems with the match-up. He’s cheap enough on both sites and I couldn’t blame you for playing him in either format, though I’ll try my best to make it just tourneys. I prefer the next guy in cash games.

Justise Winslow
FD $4,300 DK $4,200

Now for one of the easier plays on the entire slate. Over the last 3 games, Winslow has played 31, 30, and 27 minutes. In those 3 contests, he proceeded to put up 43, 31, and 28 fantasy points. Good luck fading him in a fast-paced contest with the Washington Wizards. A team that’s ranked 26th against SF’s on the season. Winslow needs you 20 fantasy points at $4.2k, so I don’t really see the logic in fading. He’s a great player and is finally rounding into himself coming off the bench. I will have close to 100% in both cash games and tournaments.

Power Forward

Marvin Williams
FD $3,600 DK $4,000

I typically dislike the value at PF and tonight is no different. If it’s up to me, I’ll sit in the mid-range with guys like Tobias, Draymond, and Mirotic. If you need to pay down, however, you can with Marvin Williams. He’s extremely cheapon both sites and seeing 20+ minutes a night. He’s not safe, but you can see 30 fantasy points if he gets hot from behind the line. The Sixers give up the 4th most 3’s to PF’s and the upside is most definitely there. I won’t be on much of Marvin, but could very well end up there on a few lineups as I try to make things work.

Dwight Powell
FD $5,700 DK $5,500

Dwight Powell isn’t all that cheap, but I don’t love anyone else under $5k at the position. Dwight Powell is still a value at under $6k and you can almost guarantee he sees 24+ minutes in every game. It doesn’t seem like a ton for him, but he’s locked in for an FP per minute these days. Especially against a Denver Nuggets squad that ranks 24th against the PF position over the last 20 games. They play big with Jokic at the 5 and Millsap at the 4, so his size will be necessary over a guy like Dirk Nowitzki or Maxi Kleber. Powell isn’t necessarily safe, but you should grab 25 fantasy points and there’s always a chance for 40 if he sees 30+ minutes for whatever reason.

Center

Marcin Gortat
FD $4,100 DK $4,500

At center, Marcin Gortat is the only guy I’m comfortable recommending under $6k. On most teams, you’ll find DeAndre Jordan or Clint Capela in this spot, but there are a few spots where you must pay down. If that’s the case, I have no reservations about a low-$4k Marcin Gortat. He’s far from flashy at this point, but has been right around that 20-25 fantasy point mark in solid match-ups. He sees a match-up against the Heat and Whiteside tonight, who rank 13th against centers. At the insane $4k tag, you’re only needing 20 fantasy points and we know his size will be necessary with Whiteside on the other side.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/2/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/2/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/2/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Also, try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Mario Chalmers and Cristiano Felicio.



Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

Trey Burke
FD $5,400 DK $5,100

We kick it off with one of the more obvious value plays on the slate and one of the easier value plays of the past week. Trey Burke has always been an electric scorer, but he’s now finally getting the opportunity to shoot as much as he pleases. He’s not getting a crazy amount of minutes, but shooting 15+ times in his 25-30 consistent minutes. Over the last 3 games, he’s sat at 31, 40, and 44 fantasy points. Yes, please. His price is still extremely fair on both sites and you’re only needing 25-30 fantasy points in cash games. The Clippers are a bad defense and Austin Rivers is an atrocious defender. They don’t get much better under the rim, with DJ posting the 26th defensive efficiency in the paint. Trey Burke is a phenomenal option in all formats and I’ll have plenty of exposure myself.

Mario Chalmers
FD $3,500 DK $3,500

This one is very, very easy. Andrew Harrison is questionable and that’s all it really comes down to. If Harrison plays, Chalmers will continue seeing 18-22 minutes and isn’t worth a look in any format. If Andre Harrison is out, you have to expect Mario Chalmers to come in as one of the best plays on the entire slate. Chalmers has always been a very productive player when on the floor and he’s posted a 1.16 FP per minute on the season. The Denver Nuggets rank 23rd against the position and Chalmers will be open plenty. His price is purely insane and you’re only needing 20 fantasy points in cash games. If Andrew Harrison is out, Mario Chalmers will be in 100% of my lineups.

Shooting Guard

Treveon Graham and Jeremy Lamb
FD $3,500 – $4,700 DK $3,400 – $5,100

These are really the only ways I’m fine with paying down at the position. Treveon Graham has seen over 27 minutes in each of the last 2 games and is close to minimum price on both sites. He doesn’t always produce much when on the floor, but minutes = production and there isn’t much else opportunity at the position. Jeremy Lamb is a much better player, but his minutes have been a little bit up and down. If you think this game stays close, Lamb will get over 25 minutes and has a strong match-up against the Philadelphia 76ers. Personally, I’m hoping Chalmers is in play. If not, I’ll go with Graham for a min-priced play.

Small Forward

Josh Jackson
FD $5,700 DK $6,200

Here is another guy that is fully dependent on an injury. T.J. Warren is currently listed as questionable and I suspect he misses another game. With Warren out last game, Josh Jackson put up 50 fantasy points against the Grizzlies. It was one of the tougher possible match-ups he could have had and will now see a very nice one. The Thunder love playing fast and it plays right into the hands of Josh Jackson. If Warren is out, he’s going to get 35+ minutes and he’s one of the safer plays on the entire slate.

David Nwaba
FD $4,800 DK $5,400

David Nwaba has been over 30 minutes in each of the last 4 games and is still very fairly priced at just around $5k. He’s one of the guys that the Bulls want to give minutes and I don’t see a reason that he gets under 30 minutes. This match-up against the Mavericks is a solid one, considering they rank 23rd against the small forward position. He’s been over 30 fantasy points in 2 of the last 4 games and should be very close tonight. Vegas thinks it stays close and only have a 5 point spread, so there’s nothing to be worried about. He’s an elite play in both cash games and tournaments.

Power Forward

Marvin Williams
FD $3,800 DK $4,200

Power forward isn’t a very prolific position on this slate, but there is at least 1 guy you can pay attention to. Marvin Williams has been picking up some substantial minutes as of late and is extremely cheap. Especially on FD. The Sixers have ranked 23rd against the PF position and I’m far from afraid of Dario Saric on a back to back. There is no way to be excited about Marvin Williams, but he’s fine if you need to save funds and don’t want to pay down at guard.

Dwight Powell
FD $5,600 DK $6,100

There isn’t much other value at the position, so let’s look at one of the top mid-range options. Dwight Powell has been picking up some big minutes as of late and the production has obviously followed. With 32 and 37 minutes in each of the last 2 games, he’s posted 27 and 45 fantasy points. He’s been a 1.31 FP per minute player on the season, so it’s no surprise at all to see him capitalize on the opportunity. The match-up against the Bulls is solid (21st against PF) and Powell is far more athletic than anyone they have to offer not named Bobby Portis.

Center

Alex Len
FD $5,100 DK $5,600

There is only one guy I’m comfortable recommending in this tier. Alex Len is going to continue seeing 24-30 minutes and the production should flow. If we’re being completely honest, I will try my best to pay up at Center. Drummond, Embiid, and Howard are all interesting and I will end up with about 10-15% Alex Len. He has a solid match-up against a Thunder squad that has been running a lot more since the ASB. If you need to pay down, Alex Len is the way to go.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/27/18. Put the picks into our lineup optimizer and generate lineups. Also, try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Denzel Valentine and George Hill.



Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

George Hill
FD $4,600 DK $4,600

The point guard position is an intriguing one tonight. On the high-end, you’re looking at Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker. Both are in well above average match-ups and can be played if you have the funds. You also have some solid options in the mid-range like Dinwiddie, Murray, and Dragic. They can all be played and none of them will be overly-owned. We then get to the cheapies, who we’ll touch on. We kick it off with George Hill, who’s already made himself a huge part of this Cavs offense. He got up to just 25 minutes against the Spurs, but sat at 34 and 31 before that. You can expect another 30+ minutes out of Hill if you think this game stays close. The match-up against the Nets is obviously tremendous as a team that plays the 3rd fastest and has no defense to speak of. Hill is super cheap on both sites and you can play him in all formats.

Milos Teodosic
FD $3,600 DK $4,200

Hill is a guy that will likely fit your build, but there is a way to go even cheaper. Teodosic is always a little inconsistent with his minutes, but he should get well over 24 minutes in this one. His price is diminished on both sites and you’re only looking for 15-20 fantasy points in cash games. The match-up with Denver is certainly good, as they rank 22nd in the league against the position. When it comes down to it, we just need minutes. I’m pretty confident that we do see 25+ here, but there is a real possibility he sees just 15-17 and disappoints. For that reason, George Hill is m clear play for value at PG. I’ll have some Teodosic, but I’d rather go there in tournaments. Hill is a guy I’ll have a ton of in all formats, while Teodosic will just be sprinkled in.

Shooting Guard

Tyrone Wallace
FD $4,500 DK $4,000

We’ll stay right in Los Angeles here and take a look at Tyrone Wallace. He got up to 36 minutes against the Suns and came through with 33 fantasy points. With Avery Bradley expected to remain out, you can bank at least 30 minutes for Wallace here. If you’ve watched him play at all, he’s a very good player and is extremely active on the floor. He picks up the ball a ton and grabs a lot of minutes at PG. You then have to consider this match-up against the Nuggets, who are typically good against SG’s. Fortunately, the better defender of the bunch will be on Lou Williams. Wallace will see the Nugs’ worst defender on the team and he shouldn’t have much of an issue getting to value at just $4.5k. Let’s touch on an even cheaper option who’s in play.

Wayne Ellington
FD $3,900 DK $4,000

Wayne Ellington is a guy I find myself on a lot when looking for value at SG. When Dion Waiters went down for the year, he showed a clear initiative to create shots and make a difference. He’s still there, but the addition of Dwyane Wade has definitely hurt. The ball is going to Wade in spots where Ellington would be allowed to create with the 2nd team. He’s getting 26+ minutes every game and is extremely cheap on both sites. He needs you just 20 and gets there with ease against a Philly squad that struggles against the 3 ball. Depending on what game you like more, these 2 guys at SG are somewhat even for me. Wallace is a bit safer in cash games.

Small Forward

Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts after he scored against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

Denzel Valentine
FD $4,000 DK $4,200

This Bulls team is a bit weird right now. They are trying to get the younger guys some minutes, but have done it in a very weird and unorganized way. What we have seen is Denzel Valentine getting a healthy increase of minutes. He’s gotten up 25, 28, and 29 over the last 3 and it’s no surprise. He’s one of the guys they think is a future role player and they want him to get some experience under his belt. He’s always productive when on the court (1.09 FP per min) and is shooting the ball quite nicely right now. The match-up with Charlotte is average, sitting 17th against SF’s and 19th against SG’s. If you need value at SF, Valentine is the only guy I’m all that comfortable with. We’ll have to increase our salary range for this next one.

Josh Richardson
FD $6,000 DK $5,200

I guess Josh Richardson is more in the mid-range, but he’s still a value at the price. Especially on DK at $5.2k. Richardson is the 2nd best playmaker on this team behind Dragic and is not afraid in the slightest to shoot the ball. He’s been at 47 and 35 fantasy points in each of the last 2 games, despite the inconsistent minutes. He now sees a match-up against a Sixers squad that doesn’t play much defense. They play a lot faster than the Heat and it’ll definitely be an up-pace game for them. A 2016 total isn’t crazy, but a 1 point spread is nice. I suspect we see 30+ minutes tonight out of Richardson and another 30+ fantasy points. It’s going to be very hard to get off of Lebron and Giannis is those nice match-ups, but I will have a bit of ownership to Richardson in both cash games and tournaments. He does have the upside to put up 50 fantasy points and turn the entire slate on it’s head.

Power Forward

Frank Kaminsky
FD $4,400 DK $3,900

Nobody gets excited about Frank Kaminsky, but we’re well aware of how cheap he is here. This was a $7k player last year that was putting up 35+ fantasy points on most nights. He’s been at 35 and 30 fantasy points in the last 2 games and is still seeing an increase of minutes in each game. He’s at 1.17 FP per minute over the last 2 years, so he’s going to produce when on the floor. he faces off with a Bulls squad that ranks 23rd against the position. Markkanen and Portis are lethal on offense, but have a long way to go on the defensive side. Kaminsky only needs you about 20-23 in cash games, which should be pretty easy if the game stays close. He’ll be in most of my cash games.

Lauri Markkanen
FD $6,100 DK $5,700

We once again saw Markkanen pick up 30 minutes and Portis just 20. Markkanen should be the more expensive option, but he’s a whole $1k cheaper right now at just $6k. Markkanen can put up 40 FP with ease if he is feeling his shot and a match-up against Charlotte is nothing to be worried about. Kaminsky and Williams are poor defenders and don’t mind giving up some open 3’s (27th against 3). Markkanen is continuing to see 30+ minutes and he is the 2nd option on the offense. He’s going to put up 30+ fantasy points on most night and I’ll have a whole lot of exposure tonight in all formats.

Center

John Henson
FD $5,500 DK $4,700

If we’re being honest, I want to pay up at center tonight. I’m not here to lie to you. The top 5 priced options are all in excellent spots and at least 3 of them are going to demolish value. Personally, I’ll have most of my eggs in Jokic and Whiteside baskets, with the rest on some value. John Henson is still listed as a PF for some reason on FD, though DK has the obvious C tag that he deserves. Since coming back from injury, he’s seen 34 and 27 minutes, putting up 20 and 26 fantasy points. He’s fully healthy and can be expected to play at least 30 minutes if the game stays close. Gortat is a good defender, but the Wizards play pretty fast and give up plenty of peripherals to guys like Henson that can run the floor and get above the rim. Either pay up or drop down to Henson and hope for a close game.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/13/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/13/18

Tuesday’s 6-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Davis Bertans and Raymond Felton.



Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

Raymond Felton
FD $5,000 DK $4,900

We open up tonight’s 6-game slate with a play that’s fully dependent on injury news. Russell Westbrook is currently questionable to play and has missed the last 2 games. Felton picked up 33 and 31 minutes and put up 22 and 32 fantasy points. The Cavs are ranked 29th against PG’s on the season, but let’s not be nieve. George Hill is a lot better of a defender than anyone the Cavs have had and they will slowly improve. With that being said, he’s not amazing and will not shut down anyone. If Russell Westbrook is once again ruled out, Felton can be locked in for 30 minutes and 25 fantasy points. This match-up between the Thunder and Cavaliers is an extremely fun one tonight and we’ll be looking to get as much exposure as possible with a high total and low spread. Felton will be in 100% of my cash games and tournaments if Westbrook is ruled out.

George Hill
FD $4,800 DK $4,900

Speaking of George Hill, he’s certainly in play. He looked like a completely different player in a Cavs uniform than he has in Sacramento and it’s not at all surprising. He’s always been a huge competitor and seems to thrive off of relevancy. He’s a great defender and will be on the court a ton if Westbrook is ruled in. Even if he’s not, it’s safe to expect at least 20-25 minutes. The road to 30+ minutes should be slow, but it might not be. There is still a ton of upside at this insanely low price, so you can absolutely play him in all formats. I’ll have a lot more of Hill if Westbrook is ruled in, as he’ll pull all interest away from Felton. Point guard is always important and you’ll need to get it right on this slate with some solid expensive options.

Shooting Guard

Andrew Wiggins
FD $6,200 DK $6,200

I try to focus on some of the cheaper options at each position, but we know SG is usually pretty tough to pay down at. You’ll often find your main value guys around $4k or $5k, opposed to the typical minimum-priced guy at each other position. Tonight, we’ll look at 2 mid-priced options here. The first is Andrew Wiggins, who figures to match-up with James Harden. That’s all that really needs to be said. Wiggins is back to his normal self and is a lot more comfortable in the offense than he was earlier in the season. He’s putting up 20+ every night and typically sitting around 35 in solid match-ups. He’s always a bit reliant on his scoring, but that should be fine in a game with a 222 total and 2.5 point spread. If you’re wanting exposure to this game, Wiggins is an extremely easy choice at a lackluster SG position.

Rodney Hood
FD $5,000 DK $4,800

We’re on to another new Cavalier in Rodney Hood, who’ll inevitably be in the $6 or $7k’s very soon. He only saw 18 minutes in a blowout against the Celtics, but still put up 20+ fantasy points. He would have easily seen close to 25 minutes and should easily get there tonight, assuming the game stays close. Hood is going to be a huge part of this team before long and he’s always been a dynamic DFS player when on the floor. As of now, Hood is just $5k. He needs you 25 fantasy points and it shouldn’t be a problem at all if the game stays close. I do prefer Wiggins and will try to pay up, but there is still a lot of safety and tournament upside here with Rodney Hood. Don’t be afraid of the 18 minutes in that blowout.

Small Forward

Taurean Prince
FD $4,000 DK $4,700

If you’re looking to pay down at small forward, it’ll be kind of tough. PG and PF are the real spots to pay down tonight and everywhere else is just a tad bit reaching. With that being said, Taurean Prince is a guy I will have decent exposure to. He’s simply too cheap and always a solid option. While he saw 22 minutes last game, he’s been between 26 and 32 minutes on most nights since January. His price is now far below $5k on both sites and you’re only looking for 20 fantasy points. The Milwaukee Bucks rank 21st against small forwards and it’s safe to assume Khris Middleton will be on him, opposed to Giannis. I don’t love the upside prince has, but he’s cheap and pretty safe in cash games.

LeBron James
FD $11,500 DK $11,500

I know, quite the value play. I just didn’t want to pass up LeBron here as my favorite play on the entire slate. We know the hype behind this new Cavs squad and nobody is feeling it more than LeBron. He’s now the only catalyst for this offense and is going to see a usage rate well over 35%. His price is obviously up there, but he’s going to have the ball in his hands for 40 minutes against a fast-paced Thunder team. Paul George is obviously a good defender, but do yourself a favor and watch some LBJ highlights against the Pacers. He doesn’t have much trouble. This is a game I’m all over tonight and I will have 100% LeBron James. Small forward is one of the weaker position on the slate and LeBron can erase all of that. Don’t try to get cute with another value play.

Power Forward

Davis Bertans
FD $5,000 DK $4,800

With LaMarcus Aldridge remaining out, you can count on Davis Bertans for an encore of last night. Against the Jazz, he played 28 minutes and put up 29 fantasy points. He’s always extremely reliable when on the floor with a 1.02 FP per minute and it just depends on the opportunity he has. Tonight, the match-up with Denver is far better. He now has a solid match-up as well, so we could be looking at a bit of upside. His price is still under $5k on both sites and you’re only needing about 20-25 fantasy points. He’s a very safe option with plenty of upside in tournaments.

Patrick Patterson
FD $3,900 DK $3,800

If Carmelo Anthony is ruled out, you can certainly punt with Patrick Patterson. Over the last 3 games, he’s seen 35, 29, and 25 minutes. At close to minimum-price, even the 25 minutes doesn’t kill you. If he sees 29 or 35, you’re way in the money against a Cavs team that gives it up to bigs. Jerami Grant will also be locked into 30ish minutes, but he’s just not cheap enough for me to lock him into my cash games. If Melo is ruled out, I have no problem getting more exposure to this game with a punt PF that can shoot the 3 and rebound against Cleveland. If Melo is in, completely ignore Patterson.

Center

Pau Gasol
FD $6,000 DK $5,600

Pau put up 50 fantasy points with LMA out last game and while it’s ambitious to expect, it’s not crazy. He is this good of a player and he’s only not over 30 FP every night because of Popovich and his brain. If Gasol was on the T-Wolves with the moron that is Tom Thibodeau, he put be putting 40 FP a night and be dead by April. The only problem people may have with Gasol is the 33 minutes last night. With the ASB coming up, I don’t think it’s a worry AT ALL. If this game stays close, expect another 28-33 minutes out of Gasol and 30-40 FP against a weak Denver interior.

Tristan Thompson
FD $4,500 DK $4,500

Nobody loves rostering Tristan Thompson, but we all know he’s the motor of this team. LeBron is obviously the man, but you know when the Cavs are playing well. it’s when Thompson is all over the place and somehow making a difference on every ball in the paint. We saw it last game, even without a big FP performance. He’s going to continue seeing minutes with this new style of team and his price is very low at just $4.5k. You’re looking for 15-20 in cash games, which is 3 quarters of meh basketball against the Thunder for Thompson. He’s a guy I’ll have a lot of in tournaments, but Gasol is in too good of a spot for me to overlook.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 2/7/18

*Mike Barner*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 2/7/18

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

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Jeff Teague, MIN at CLE
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,700

Teague has not been good offensively lately, scoring nine points or less in four of his last five games. He doesn’t provide many rebounds either, leaving him with limited upside when he struggles to score. The good news is he gets to face the Cavaliers on Wednesday, who have been horrible defensively. They have been particularly poor defending points guards, allowing the second-most points per game on FanDuel and the third-most points per game on DraftKings to the position. It might be worth the risk that he rebounds offensively in this game based on his price.

Tyler Ulis, PHO vs. SA
FanDuel =$4,400
DraftKings = $4,400

Ulis started with Devin Booker (hip) injured Tuesday, scoring eight points to go along with seven assists and one rebound. The key is he played 30 minutes in the game. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game nine times this season, averaging 10.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals per contest. Booker is not expected to play again Wednesday, so the volume of playing time alone makes Ulis someone worth considering for your entry.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Danny Green, SA at PHO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,900

Green has struggled with his shot this season, shooting only 39.7% from the field. That would actually mark his third-straight season shooting under 40%. He’s made up for his offensive deficiencies lately though, averaging 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.0 blocks in his last three games. In his first meeting with the Suns this season, Green scored 14 points to go along with two rebounds, two assists, one steal and two three-pointers. The Suns allow the most points per game (112.2) in the league, so Green might be worth the risk at this cheap price.

Wayne Ellington, MIA vs. HOU
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300

The Heat have suffered a lot of injuries this season, but their health has improved of late. As a result, Ellington has played 29 minutes or less in three of his last five games. The majority of his value comes from his ability to score and hit three-pointers, so limited playing time is going to hinder his value. However, he could see a few extra minutes Wednesday as the Rockets like to use a lot of small lineups. The Rockets also play at the ninth-fastest pace (100.7 possessions per game) in the league, so Ellington might be someone to take a chance on in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at NO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,200

Bogdanovic has scored at least 18 points in four straight games, shooting 53.8% from behind the arc during that stretch. He’s not always one of the Pacers primary scoring options, but he can put up points in a hurry when he gets in a groove. Wednesday brings a favorable matchup against the Pelicans who allow the second-most points per game (111.1) and play at the fourth-fastest pace (101.8) in the league, giving Bogdanovic excellent upside.

Reggie Bullock, DET vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Bullock has seen an increase in playing time since the Pistons big trade with the Clippers, logging at least 34 minutes in three straight games. He’s an excellent three-point shooter, hitting 7-of-16 shots from behind the arc during that stretch. The Nets play at the sixth-fastest pace (101.1) in the league, which is a plus for Bullock when you factor in his increased playing time. Although he might not provide much outside of scoring, Bullock is still priced low enough to warrant consideration Wednesday.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Thaddeus Young, IND at NO
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,500

Young may not put up flashy numbers, but he’s averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in his last six games. It’s important to note that he played at least 34 minutes in four of those six contests. The heavy minutes could mean added opportunities to produce Wednesday with the Pelicans struggles on defense and their up-tempo style of play. The Pelicans allow the third-most points per game on DraftKings and the fourth-most points per game on FanDuel to opposing power forwards, making Young a viable option for your lineup.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, HOU at MIA
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,000

Mbah a Moute has been getting a lot of playing time for the Rockets lately, logging at least 35 minutes in three of his last four games. With Trevor Ariza (hamstring) out and Ryan Anderson (ankle) questionable for Wednesday, Mbah a Moute should see plenty of action again in this game. His limited offensive skills don’t leave him with great upside, but he could contribute enough across the board to be worth consideration at this cheap price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

Jarrett Allen, BKN at DET
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,100

Allen has taken over as the starting center for the Nets and that should continue moving forward, especially since they just traded Tyler Zeller to the Bucks. In five starts this season, Allen is averaging 15.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. He’s playing just 24 minutes per game as a starter and doesn’t provide great defensive numbers, but he can still provide value on a night like Wednesday with only six games on the schedule.

Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,700

The Heat have been limiting Hassan Whiteside’s playing time, especially late in games. Adebayo has been one of the primary beneficiaries of that move, logging at least 24 minutes in three straight games. He’s made the most of the opportunity, recording a double-double in two of those games. This isn’t a great matchup against a Rockets team that likes to play small, but the Heat may be forced to give Adebayo plenty of playing time if Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) is unable to play. Keep your eye on Olynyk’s status throughout the day and if he is indeed ruled out, Adebayo is a viable option in tournament play.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/6/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 2/6/18

Tuesday’s 8-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Tyler Ulis and Josh Hart.



Use the code “LABWP50” at checkout for 50% off Seasonal Package (including playoffs)

Point Guard

Tyler Ulis
FD $3,700 DK $4,200

Devin Booker has already been ruled out for this game and Tyler Ulis was named the starter. For once, the Suns have made it easy on us. They typically encrypt their injury data, but it looks like we can count on Ulis to run the point and play heavy into the 30’s. Ulis has always been a very productive guy when on the floor and it always just comes down to how many minutes we can get him on the floor for. With both Booker and Canaan out, you can only assume he gets over that 30 mark. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see him get close to 40. He’s trusted by the coaching staff and has played 30+ minutes for long stretches before. The match-up against the Lakers is obviously tremendous as a team that loves to run and gun. They play at the 6th fastest PACE in the league and will do their best to match the PACE the Suns play at. Ulis is a tremendous option in all formats and one of my favorite plays on the entire slate.

Andrew Harrison
FD $5,400 DK $5,000

Even with Mario Chalmers back in action, Andrew Harrison managed to pick up 30 minutes last game. He’s concreted himself as the starting PG with Conley out and can be relied on night in and night out. His price has slowly risen, but you’re still looking for just 25-30 in cash games at $5k. The match-up against Atlanta is also exceptional, as they rank 24th against the position. Harrison isn’t the most exciting guy to watch or roster, but he’s safe, cheap, and in a good match-up. You can do a lot worse. I still prefer Ulis as one of my favorite plays on the entire slate, regardless of price.

Shooting Guard

Wayne Selden
FD $3,800 DK $4,400

Wayne Selden is currently questionable, so we don’t know where we will end up going here. If Selden plays, he’s seeing 30+ minutes at close to minimum-price. If he’s out, Ben McLemore and Mario Chalmers will pick up some big minutes. It would put Chalmers in play for sure. With that being said, I do expect Selden to suit up. He’s been playing extremely well and has been getting more and more comfortable with every start. Assuming he plays, expect 30 minutes and 18+ fantasy points. His upside is well noted and I don’t see many reasons to stay away if he’s cleared to play.

Josh Hart
FD $5,000 DK $4,300

Josh Hart is one of the better plays on this slate. Let’s sort out the mess. Though listed as a SG and starting at PG, he’s playing SF. With Lonzo Ball out, its been Ingram looking to run the offense. Hart has been touching it a ton, but often in scoring situations. I just think there may be a confusion about who this guy is. He’s a scorer and rebounder. There’s a reason he doesn’t do much facilitating. We know the match-up against Phoenix is incredible and it’s even better with Devin Booker missing. Hart is a lock for 30 minutes, 25 fantasy points and cash game value. I’ll personally have 100% exposure in hopes he gets hot and reaches 40 or 50. It’s definitely a real possibility with Ball out of the lineup.

Small Forward

Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker
FD $4,800 – $3,900 DK $5,300 – $4,000

With Trevor Ariza fully expected to remain out tonight, Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker have to be in play. Why? The Nets. If they were facing a solid defense, I could easily pass. Neither are playing exceptionally and are fairly priced. However, we know just how terrible the Nets defense is. The Rockets are going to put up points and both of these guys will see minutes, whether it’s a blowout or not. In tournaments, I’ll have a whole lot of Gerald Green. If he gets hot against Brooklyn, I can only imagine. Tucker is always safer and a solid cash play at near-minimum priced, but you won’t find 30 FP there. If that’s the goal, take a shot on Gerald Green or pay up for one of these next guys. Make sure Ariza is still out and plug either one of these guys in against a bottom 3 NBA defense.

T.J. Warren
FD $6,800 DK $6,700

Fine, these guys aren’t necessarily cheap. They are, however, value in the sense that they are far too cheap for their expected performance. With Devin Booker rules out, give Warren and Jackson 5 minutes each, at least. Jackson could easily move over against Hart and play 35+. Either way, both of them will see huge minutes and the match-up against the Lakers is obviously great (27th against SF). Warren will lead the offense tonight and 15-20 shots wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. He’s the only real guy on the floor that will dictate the ball and he’s around guys who have 0 problem at all passing it up. He’s going to be a guy I have close to 100% of. As for Jackson, he’s a bit more risky and reliant on his scoring ability. With that said, I’ll have cash game exposure because of the match-up and minutes bump. I’m just not as comfortable as I am with any of the other 3 guys above. Small forward is pretty nice and we didn’t even touch on Giannis, LeBron, or KD. Yikes.

Power Forward

Ryan Anderson and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
FD $4,200 – $4,300 DK $4,700 – $4,200

I know, another Houston Rockets combo. Both Anderson and Mbah a Moute are seeing over 30 minutes and are looking at an ideal match-up. Against power forwards, they rank dead last in the NBA. Dead last. 30th. Minaj a Moute is pretty safe in this style of game, but I can’t lie. I’m still attracted to the upside Ryan Anderson brings. We know the 3 point ball can fall with ease on occasion and it’ll turn into 30+ FP without effort. I’ll personally be all over RyNo for that reason, but see Mbah a Moute getting to 25 fantasy points with ease. In cash games, I’ll go there. It’ll be Quincy Acy manning the 4, who can barely keep up with himself, let alone anyone who can shoot. Both Anderson and Mbah a Moute are worthy of consideration in all formats.

Serge Ibaka
FD $4,800 DK $5,000

I can’t sit here and guarantee Serge Ibaka hits value. I surely could if I could guarantee the minutes, but 22-25 is a real possibility at this point. So is 32-35, though, and at this insane price, I may be willing to take a chance. We know Ibaka is productive when on the floor and will still get close to 20 if on the low-end side of his minutes. He could easily work into the 30’s if part of the down-the-stretch lineup, but that’s up in the air. We just know he’s under $5,000, which is unacceptable for a guy with his skill. Against a Boston team that should keep it extremely close, I expect closer to 35 minutes. Tatum is a solid defender, but more effective on smaller players. Ibaka will have no issue producing when matched up. I will guarantee at least 20 fantasy points.

Center

Tyson Chandler
FD $4,200 DK $4,700

Tyson Chandler saw 27+ minutes in 2 of the last 3 games, so you have to pay attention here. For one, Tyson Chandler is an extremely talented player. Evan at his old age, he’s always putting up numbers when given the opportunity. Especially against an interior like the Lakers that can’t defend anyone. On the season, they rank 21st against the position. Assuming Chandler gets the minutes, he will get over 20 fantasy points with ease. Personally, I like paying up at center tonight. With that being said, Chandler can be played in all formats. The match-up is tremendous and he’s always productive when on the floor.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/30/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/30/18

Tuesday’s 5-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Joffrey Lauvergne and Josh Hart.


Use the code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
Use the code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

Milos Teodosic
FD $4,700 DK $4,900

Our first value option is a guy that’s been in play for a few weeks now due to injury. Austin Rivers was originally supposed to miss just a couple weeks, but has already missed 3 and is going to miss at least another 2. Milos Teodosic hasn’t lit the world on fire, but he’s been the consistent PG the Clippers have needed. The entire team is in a bit of a limbo tonight as they’ll likely be missing both the guys they traded and the ones they acquired. It will leave quite a few shots up for grabs and Teodosic can use as many as he can get. The match-up against the Blazers is a great one with Dame Lillard being one of the worst around and Nurkic being a subpar rim protector. Teodosic typically sits around 20-25 fantasy points and it’s all he needs at the price. He could easily get over that tonight with a positive match-up and some usage up for grabs. With a lot of questions at the high-end of PG, I completely understand paying down for a Teodosic in cash games or tournaments.

Spencer Dinwiddie
FD $5,500 DK $6,500

The next option we’re going to touch on is a gem that’s simply underpriced. As a guy that’s been putting up 30+ points a night all year long, his price shouldn’t be this low. Especially on FanDuel at just $5,500. He’s still in play on DraftKings at $6.5k, but he’s still a little too cheap. He has been in the 20-30 range as of late, which is still perfectly fine. Dinwiddie is the clear leader of this offense and will shoot 15 times if a game if it’s close. He sees a phenomenal match-up against a Knicks team that ranks 24th in the league against point guards. If you’ve watched Jarret jack play defense over the last few years, you know exactly why. Dinwiddie is extremely fast off the dribble and will have no problem getting into the lane that allows the 6th highest FG% efficiency. Aside from being way too cheap, the match-up is solid and the position isn’t very deep. Dinwiddie makes sense in all formats and sees a small bump with LeVert out.

Shooting Guard

Eric Gordon
FD $5,400 DK $6,300

Eric Gordon has seen his price crash back down to earth after James Harden and Chris Paul returned, but he may be back to having extra opportunity. Chris Paul is questionable, and you can lock in Gordon if he’s sitting. Let’s get that out of the way. Again, lock in Eric Gordon if Chris Paul is out. Now if Paul sits, Gordon is still in play. Trevor Ariza has already been ruled out, so there’s 35 minutes that’s already up for grabs. Gordon is already seeing 30-35 minutes a game and 25+ fantasy points, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see 40 minutes and 15+ shots tonight. The Magic are a lackluster defense at best and the only good perimeter defender they have will be on Harden or Paul. Gordon is way too cheap and I’ll have a ton of exposure no matter what. 100% if Paul is ruled out.

Tyrone Wallace
FD $4,400 DK $4,500

Assuming Avery Bradley doesn’t show up in time, Tyrone Wallace is a lock for 30+ minutes. He’s been over 30 minutes in every game since January 10th and is looking at an identical situation tonight. He’ll also, like I mentioned earlier with Teodosic, pick up a few shots with Blake Griffin out of the lineup. This Blazers defense is one you’re never scared of and against shooting guards, they rank 18th in the league with 43 FPPG allowed. McCollum is a fine individual defender, but isn’t good enough to excel without strong help. Tyrone Wallace had his best game yet as a Clipper and you have to think his confidence is up. This game is expected to be close and the minutes are a true lock. His price is fair on both sites and you only need about 20 in both formats to be happy. I’ll have plenty of Tyrone Wallace once we know Avery Bradley will wait until next game.

Small Forward

Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker
FD $3,900 – $3,500 DK $4,800 – $3,800

With Trevor Ariza out “for the recent future”, we’re going to see both Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker jump into the spotlight. Green is obviously the more exciting of the 2 and he can put up 40 fantasy points in 25 minutes, but he’s also more volatile and reliant on his jumper. Oh ya, also more expensive. Tucker is dirt cheap on both sites and is guaranteed to see 35+ minutes tonight. The Orlando Magic defense is bleh at best and they are absolutely atrocious against SF’s, ranking 29th. Both of these guys are going to produce when on the floor and will split at least 60-70 minutes. Go ahead and play either in all formats. If Chris Paul is also out, I don’t know how you stay away.

Joe Ingles
FD $4,500 DK $4,700

Green and Tucker are the two guy you’re looking at if you want value, but Joe Ingles is a great mid-priced option if you think the azz can keep it close. We know Ingles will put up 20+ fantasy points with this PACE and 30 will be easy if the game is competitive throughout. It’s just tough to bet on that with the Warriors on the opposite side. Ingles sees 30+ minutes in each game and does take a lot of shots for a guy that probably shouldn’t take any. He also puts up FP in just about every way possible, so the floor is concrete. His price at $4500 on both sites, so you’re needing 20 in cash and 25 in tournaments. It just comes down to whether or not the Jazz can keep it close. If you think it’s a blowout, stay far away from Ingles. If you think the Jazz keep it close, count on 25+ FP for a nice price.

Power Forward

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 22: Chris Paul #3 and Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets celebrate a win against the Denver Nuggets on November 22, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Khem Birch
FD $4,600 DK $3,800

Aaron Gordon is currently questionable and this play just comes down to whether or not he plays. If Gordon plays, Birch will play his regular 15-20 minutes and be a negligible play at best. If Gordon misses, Khem Birch should slide in for 30-35 minutes against a fast-paced Rockets squad. Birch is a bit of an unknown to us, but is very well-known in Canada. He’s not a typical rookie and a guy that will produce when on the floor. Just look at what he’s done over the last 5. In games with just 17, 18, and 18 minutes, he put up 35, 22, and 27. This is not a guy that’s going to ever stand in the corner and do nothing. He has serious 40 fantasy point upside if Gordon misses. The Rockets defense stinks and is in a rut with Trevor Ariza out for the recent future. If Aaron Gordon is out, play Khem birch in every format. I know I will, at least.

Luc Mbah a Moute
FD $4,300 DK $4,200

Khem Birch is where you go with your value spot if Aaron Gordon is out. If Gordon plays, you’ll have to look elsewhere. With Trevor Ariza out, Mbah a Moute is locked into 30+ minutes and is in a tremendous match-up. The Magic rank 20th against power forwards, so whether it’s Gordon or Birch doesn’t really matter. The team doesn’t have any rim protection and plays at a very average PACE. Mbah a Moute isn’t the best scorer when on the floor, but he spreads it around nicely and is a lock for 20 when given opportunity. He’s trusted to play big minutes and fits into this match-up very nicely. Birch is the clear way to go, but Mbah a Moute is a guy to keep on the radar if things don’t break right.

Center

Kosta Koufos
FD $4,000 DK $4,200

With Willie Cauley-Stein out, Kosta Koufos gets 30 minutes. He put up 20 fantasy points against the Spurs a game ago and now sees a much friendlier match-up against New Orleans. The Pelicans are still intimidating without DeMarcus Cousins, but are certainly one of the weakest interiors on defense in the entire league. Koufos isn’t a very exciting player, but he’s smart around the rim and has averaged 1.01 FP per minute over the last 2 seasons. His price is still sitting at $4k on both sites, so you’re plenty happy with 20 fantasy points. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get close to 30 if the game stays close and he stays out of foul trouble against AD.

Kyle O’Quinn
FD $4,300 DK $3,900

Enes Kanter has been upgraded to probable, so O’Quinn can probably be ignored. On the off chance Enes Kanter does get ruled out, O’Quinn would be in line to pick up 25-30 minutes. If that happens, lock him into your cash games and tournaments. The price is insane on both sites and O’Quinn is always a guy that produces when given the opportunity. The match-up against the Nets is the best possible one in the entire league and you could lock him in for 30 fantasy points if given the start. Good luck tonight and feel free to comment below!!!

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

*Austyn Varney*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Tuesday’s 5-game slate leaves slim opportunities. You know who the studs are, but do you know who the cheaper daily fantasy basketball sleepers are that could make your lineup stand out amongst the rest in a GPP? Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter most and find the value players that are low-owned on Draftkings & Fanduel like Joffrey Lauvergne and Josh Hart.


Use the code "NEWYEAR40" at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
Use the code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package

Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Isaiah Thomas
FD $6,500 DK $6,000

We’re starting with 2 guys that aren’t all that cheap, but are definitely considered “value”. Isaiah Thomas is a player that should be over $8k on both sites and will be very soon. He’s definitely not at that line of production yet and is still figuring his way into this offense, but we know who this guy is. He’s a 1.5-2 FP per minute player when on the floor and has been over 30 minutes already a few times. He sees a match-up against the Spurs that is not too shabby. Sure, the Spurs are always a solid team defense, but PG is a spot you can get them at. On the season, they rank 15th against the position. Thomas is way too cheap and is going to continue putting up 30+ fantasy points a night, until he figures it out and is at 40-50. This game is going to be close and he’ll be in there against guards who don’t play much offense.

De’Aaron Fox
FD $5,700 DK $5,200

Fox is going to come in a little bit cheaper than IT2 and I don’t see why. Aside from playing 30+ minutes in 4 of the last 5 games, he’s sitting over 30 fantasy points in most decent match-ups. He’s obviously the future for this team and they are now focused on him as the sole point guard. He’s going to be well over $7k very soon and we’ll be looking back at these days as missed opportunities. Fox and the Kings match-up with Orlando tonight, who’s an underwhelming defense by every measure. They rank 27th in the league against PG’s and seem to give up a big game almost every night. Fox is a near-lock for 25 FP (value) and has a phenomenal shot of getting to 35 and being a monster in tournaments. This is a value article, but these are still my 2 favorite PG’s on this slate, regardless of price.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Alex Caruso and Josh Hart
FD $4,200 – $3,700 DK $4,500

With Lonzo Ball already ruled out, we know minutes and shots are up for grabs. We then have Kentavious Caldwell-pope doubtful, who’s extremely important. If KCP plays, I don’t have any interest in Caruso or Hart. If KCP is out, I think both see over 24 minutes and hit value in a competitive game against the Celtics. Jordan Clarkson is obviously the guy who’s in for the biggest workload increase, but he’s expensive and going to cost you a stud elsewhere. Hart and Caruso are both 1+ FP per minute players that do get involved and will rarely disappoint when given the opportunity. The Celtics aren’t a bad defense, but Vegas think it stays close and high-scoring with a 209 O/U and 4.5 point spread. Caruso is the guy who seems to be safer, but Hart has been over 30 minutes in worse spots. Both are in play for tournaments and I’m ok with either in cash if KCP is ruled out.

Jonathan Simmons
FD $5,300 DK $5,300

If you’re on DraftKings, Simmons is a stellar value option at shooting guard. You’ll have to wait for small forward on FanDuel, but just be patient and deal with it. Simmons is still way too cheap on both sites and in a game with a weak Kings perimeter, he’ll struggle to miss value. He’s getting 30 minutes in every close game and has been the 2nd option since Vucevic went out with an injury. When I said a weak Kings perimeter, I mean. They only rank 20th on the season against SG’s, but dead last over the last 10 games. Hield and Bogdanovic are both pitiful defenders that can be taken advantage of from anywhere on the floor. WCS has also been a disappointment in terms of rim security. Simmons isn’t anything crazy tonight, but he’s just a little too cheap and in a better than usual spot. A cash game beast.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Jaylen Brown
FD $5,500 DK $6,200

Let’s be honest, most of the world will be focusing on the high-end at this position. We have Kevin Durant and LeBron James in interesting situations with a cheaper Paul George in an ideal match-up. Those 3 guys deserve most of the ownership at the position and will get it. We will instead focus on some cheaper guys who may not be as highly owned. Jaylen Brown is never the most exciting player to roster, but he’s extremely consistent and always a great cash game option. Just do yourself a favor and take a look at his box scores. He’s over 33 minutes in every close game and is never under 20 fantasy points. His price is extremely fair on both sites for a guy that will put up 30 FP in most cases against the Lakers. Ranking 2nd to last against the SF position, you have nothing to worry about here with a match-up. Brown will do what he wants and it just comes down to how many minutes he’s in the game for.

Allen Crabbe
FD $4,600 DK $4,400

If you really need to pay down at small forward, Allen Crabbe is perfectly fine. In a game that the Nets will need some scoring, you know Crabbe will raise his hand. He loves shooting the ball and will often get into 15-20 shots if given 30 minutes. He’s been over that 30-minute mark in 4 of the last 6 games, but is guaranteed for 26 no matter what. His price is a little bit too low for a guy that’s guaranteed 20 with a ceiling in the 40’s. He’s a legitimately good player and one that often gets hot in fast-paced match-ups like this. On paper, the Thunder rank 16th against the SF, except it doesn’t really matter. Paul George will be on Carroll, leaving Crabbe on either Grant or Roberson. Both are downgrades from George. I’d much rather pay up for Jaylen Brown in cash games, but see the merit in paying down at a spotion everyone else will be paying up for.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Marcus Morris
FD $4,700 DK $5,000

There is some pretty solid value here at power forward. Starting with Marcus Morris, the value is safe. Morris has slowly gotten himself back involved in the offense and is sitting around 25-28 minutes at this point. Because of that, he’s not going to ever demolish value, but shouldn’t get under 20 FP either. He’s been over 17 FP in each of the last 5 and got up to 35. The Lakers rank 25th against power forwards on the season with 3 guys who just can’t play defense. Vegas has this game staying close and competitive, so Morris can be counted on for his concrete 25+ minutes. His price is still under $5k on both sites and it allows you to play him in all formats. He’s a lock for 20 with the upside for 35. Safe as can be on a slate like this.

Davis Bertans
FD $3,600 DK $3,700

We’re about to touch on 2 guys that are directly benefiting from Pau Gasol being out. Gasol has been getting over 30 minutes on most nights, so we have a lot to look at. Davis Bertans was already getting 20-25 minutes a night, so this should push him over 30 without much trouble. He is one of the guys Pop is willing to play big minutes and we know he can produce when out there. He matches up well with the Cavs bigs and shouldn’t have much trouble getting open shots. At close to minimum price, he may be one of my highest owned players on the slate. I just don’t see him missing value, with him only needing 20-ish.

 

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 1/23/18

Joffrey Lauvergne
FD $3,500 DK $3,300

With Pau Gasol and his 30-33 minutes out of the lineup, you have to look at Lauvergne. We know the Spurs are comfortable playing him for 25+ minutes and we know he’s one of those guys who produce a ton when given the opportunity. He also is a very good match-up for this game against the Cavs, where speed is extremely important. He likes to shoot a ton and the Spurs don’t have anyone outside of LMA that dictates the ball at this point. Lauvergne is a safe bet for 20 minutes and a lock for value at lose to $3k. Don’t be afraid of the recent box scores.

Enes Kanter
FD $5,800 DK $6,200

This is most certainly risky, but the upside is there. We know bigs can sometimes see diminished minutes against the Warriors and end up with one of their worst games on the season. They can also find a way to fit into the PACE and have one of their best, as the Warriors can struggle against bigs that can run. Kanter can run and has a good chance of staying in the game for 25+ minutes. His price is perfectly fine on both sites and he needs to get you in the low 30’s in cash games. It’s a near lock if he can find a way to fit into the game as the Warriors don’t have a single guy who can handle his offensive skills. I’ll still be Lauvergne-heavy on most of my teams, but Kanter deserves some looks in tournaments.

 

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/22/18

*Cesar Becerra*

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/22/18

SALE: 40% off entire NBA Seasonal Package - Coupon Code "NEWYEAR40" (including playoffs)
Use Code “NEWYEAR40” at checkout for 40% off Seasonal Package
 

Point Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/22/18

Tj McConnell
Draftkings: $5,000
Fanduel $6,700
Tj McConnell has been on fire over his last four games averaging over 32 DK points in 28 minutes since JJ Redick has been sidelined. Today Redick is expected to miss again, and Jerryd Bayless is questionable so McConnell could continue to pick up the slack for the Sixers guards. When both Bayless and Redick are off the court, McConnell holds a 27.4 assist usage percentage. His price is a little elevated given his recent 45 point performance a week ago, but he’s primed to get close to 30 minutes today.

Donovan Mitchell
Draftkings: $7,800
(SG) Fanduel $8,000
Rodney Hood has already been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. When Hood is off the court, Mitchell has a team-high usage rate of 29.4% and an assist rate of 20.4% second behind only Ricky Rubio. Mitchel is averaging over 33 minutes per game and is currently averaging 1.1 DK points per minute. He faces a Hawks defense that allows opposing point guards to score 4 points above-projected points total.

Shooting Guard

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/22/18

Malcolm Brogdon
Draftkings: $5,000
Fanduel: $6,300
Brogdon will return tonight after missing Saturday’s contest for personal reasons. He should be well rested and expected to resume his 30-34 minutes. For the year, Brogdon is averaging .78 fantasy points per minute and is going up against the Suns who play at one of the league’s fastest pace. The Bucks are projected to score just under 110 points so that should open the door for Brogdon to chuck up 3’s.

Wayne Ellington
Draftkings: $5,300
Fanduel: $4,800
Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, and Hassan Whiteside have all been ruled out for tonight’s contest against the Rockets. In situations when all three of those players are off the court, Ellington has been the primary beneficiary. In 185 minutes played, Ellington has seen the biggest boost in minutes (185) and usage (22.9%). Ellington is averaging .75 fantasy points per minutes and should be in line to start and could see upwards of 30 minutes.

Small Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/22/18

Andrew Wiggins
Draftkings: $6,100
Fanduel: $6,200
Jimmy Butler and Jamal Crawford have been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Clippers. When both are off the court, Wiggins leads the Timberwolves with a 28.9% usage percentage and is second in offensive rating (112.5). This game has the second highest over-under so there should be plenty of opportunity for Wiggins.

Nemanja Bjelica
Draftkings: $3,000
Fanduel: $3,600
As I mentioned above Butler has already been ruled out, and Bjelica got the spot start for Butler when he didn’t play the last game. Bjelica played 26 minutes on Saturday and scored 8 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists. He’ll be one of the highest owned players on the slate given the matchup, price, and game flow against the Clippers.

Power Forward

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/22/18

Kelly Olynyk
Draftkings: $4,800
Fanduel: $4,500
I already talked about the Heat players who have been ruled out, that list included Hassan Whiteside. With Whiteside out, that opens up a spot in the frontcourt for Olynyk to get more minutes. He’s averaging just under 1 fantasy point per minute (.95) and is in an uptempo game against the Rockets.

Trey Lyles
Draftkings: $5,300
Fanduel: $5,400
Trey Lyles has seen upwards of 24 minutes in both of the past two games. Lyles is averaging just over 1 fantasy point per minute (1.01) and faces the Blazers who leave have allowed opposing power forwards to score +2.22 points above salary expectations. The Nuggets are 3 point favorites over the Blazers and Lyles should see 25 minutes tonight.

Center

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers for 1/22/18

Clint Capela
Draftkings: $6,600
Fanduel: $7,700
More of a play on Draftkings than Fanduel because of his extremely affordable price, Capela should benefit from Whiteside being off the court tonight. Capela continues to play right around 30 minutes a night and is averaging over 1 fantasy point per minute (1.31). With no Whiteside protecting the rim, Capela should be in store for a double-double tonight, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him pass 40 fantasy points.

Marcin Gortat
Draftkings: $5,100
Fanduel: $4,700
Since I gave you a DK play with Capela, I thought I’d give you a Fanduel play at center with Gortat. Gortat has struggled over his last three games failing to reach 20 Fanduel points in each, but tonight he has a good opportunity to bounce back. His salary has dipped below $5,000 on Fanduel, and he faces the Mavericks who allow opposing centers to score 2.19 points above salary expectations.