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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Monday’s holiday brings a packed slate in the NBA consisting of 11 games. With games going on throughout the day, DraftKings and FanDuel have broken things up a little differently. FanDuel’s main contests start at 3pm EST while DraftKings has a five-game contest that starts at 1pm EST and a four-game one that starts at 6pm EST. Let’s highlight some cheap value plays across all of the contests that could be worth adding to your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

D.J. Augustin, ORL at ATL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,100

Augustin is averaging 28 minutes a game this season, which is his highest mark since the 2011-12 season. Regardless of whether or not he’s suited to be a starter at this stage of his career, his minutes aren’t going away anytime soon, barring a trade. He’s provided value with averages of 11.6 points, 4.8 assists and 1.7 three-pointers per game and has an excellent matchup Monday against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (105.5 possessions per game) in the league.

Shelvin Mack, MEM vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = NA

This game isn’t included in either of the contests on DraftKings, but Mack is playing so well right now that he’s not someone to overlook if you filling out a lineup on FanDuel. Across his last six games, Mack is averaging 12.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. The Pelicans play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.4), leaving Mack with the potential for even more opportunities to provide value at this cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

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

James Harden finally has some help with Gordon healthy. Over two games since returning from a knee injury, Gordon is averaging 25 points, four rebounds, and three assists. The most encouraging part is the fact that he logged 32 minutes against the Lakers on Saturday. He’s likely going to receive plenty of scoring opportunities again Monday, especially with the Sixers playing at the seventh-fastest pace (102.9).

Josh Hart, LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Injuries continue to pile up for the Lakers with Lonzo Ball (ankle) their most recent player to go down. Rajon Rondo (hand) and LeBron James (groin) are both listed as doubtful for this game, so the Lakers are going to have to try and patch things together against a Warriors team that has its’ full complement of weapons. Hart should be one of the players to receive increased minutes. Across 16 games in which the Lakers have played him at least 30 minutes this season, Hart is averaging 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 steals.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

Taurean Prince, ATL vs. ORL
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,200

Prince has mostly started for the Hawks this season, but he’s come off of the bench in all three games since returning from an ankle injury. Kevin Huerter and DeAndre’ Bembry both played well in his absence, so Prince may not get his starting job back anytime soon. The good news is he attempted 14 shots in 23 minutes Saturday against the Celtics. With the uptempo pace at which the Hawks play, Prince should still get enough scoring opportunities to be worth considering Monday, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.

Lance Stephenson, LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000

With Ball out, Brandon Ingram will likely be the primary ball handler for the Lakers. Stephenson will also likely have to take on some of those responsibilities, especially for the second unit. This sets up for him to see an increase in playing time, at least until Rondo and James return. He has played well when given extended playing time this season, averaging 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds. 3.9 assists and one steal over 12 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes. Of note, Stephenson is only eligible at small forward on FanDuel since he is listed at point guard and shooting guard on DraftKings.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

P.J. Tucker, HOU at PHI
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Tucker might be one of the more underappreciated players in the league. His value doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, but his ability to defend multiple positions and log a ton of minutes is key for the Rockets. With Clint Capela (thumb) out, they need Tucker even more up front. He’s stepped up in a big way, averaging 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.3 steals across three games since Capela went down. Reinforcements are likely coming in the form of Kenneth Faried, but Tucker is still a great option Monday with his high minute’s floor.

Marcus Morris, BOS vs. MIA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Morris is only averaging 7.5 points across his last four games, but don’t panic. He averaged 10.5 shot attempts during that stretch, which is almost exactly in line with his season average. He’s still one of the key offensive pieces for the Celtics, leaving him with a 21.2 percent usage rate that ranks fourth-highest on the team. His price has come down a bit due to his recent struggles, so this could be a good opportunity to take a chance on him in tournament play. If he can correct his shooting woes, he could provide excellent value.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/21/19

DeMarcus Cousins, GS at LAL
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,700

Cousins only played 15 minutes in his debut with the Warriors on Friday, but that didn’t stop him posting 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Opposing defenses have always had to focus on slowing him down, but with this type of talent around him, easy scoring opportunities could pop up for him more often than ever before. Cousins could play up to 20 minutes Monday, which makes him a viable option considering both of these teams are in the top-10 in the league in pace of play.

Ivica Zubac, LAL vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,500

The Lakers brought in Tyson Chandler to provide depth at center behind JaVale McGee, but they might have been better off just playing Zubac more. He had a productive stretch in December while filling in for McGee when he was out due to an illness. He’s been at it again the last couple of games, recording 26 points and 12 rebounds against the Thunder on Thursday and 17 points and seven rebounds against the Rockets on Saturday. There is a good chance that he receives extended minutes again Monday, especially if this game becomes a blowout. At this cheap price, he has some appeal in tournament play.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Tuesday brings another limited slate with just six games in the NBA. There aren’t as many viable cheap value play options as there were Monday, but let’s highlight some that still stand out at each position. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

De’Anthony Melton, PHO at IND
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600

Devin Booker (back) is expected to return for this contest, so Melton isn’t nearly as appealing as he has been lately with Booker on the sidelines. His price has also increased as a result of his recent run of success. However, that doesn’t mean you should just ignore him in Booker’s return. Melton has been starting even when Booker has played and he has a fairly secure role given the Suns lack of depth at point guard. He won’t score much, but his defensive contributions still make him someone to consider. If this game becomes a blowout against a far superior Pacers team, he could also see added minutes in garbage time.

T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,700

I have a hard time keeping McConnell off this list most nights, let alone a night like Tuesday with so few options on the board. He’s a big part of the Sixers’ second unit and has provided valuable all-around contributions with averages of 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals across his last 20 games. His playing time is secure and he is especially appealing considering his price on DraftKings.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

Dennis Schroder, OKC at ATL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,400

This has the potential to be one of the higher scoring games of the night with both the Thunder and the Hawks inside the top-four in the league in pace of play. The first time Schroder faced his former squad this season, he scored 18 points to go along with three rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in Oklahoma City. This will be his first time playing in Atlanta with the Thunder. His production has been a bit up and down of late, but this is a prime spot for him to be productive.

Dwyane Wade, MIA at MIL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,900

Wade’s return to Miami last year didn’t provide much of a boost to his fantasy value considering he was averaging just 22 minutes per game. However, with Goran Dragic (knee) out, the Heat have needed Wade to help facilitate the offense for their second unit. He’s averaging 25 minutes per game for the season, overall, and is playing well right now by averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 0.9 steals over his last 10 contests.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,500

Outside of Victor Oladipo, the Pacers don’t have many sexy names on their roster. However, they do have a lot of very good players that leave them with excellent depth. One of those players is Bogdanovic, who is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game. His usage rate isn’t exceptionally high at 20.2 percent, but he’s been very efficient by shooting 50 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from behind the arc. The Suns are tied for the fifth-most points allowed per game (114.3) in the league, setting up Bogdanovic with significant scoring upside in this contest.

Chandler Hutchison, CHI at LAL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,600

When the Bulls traded Justin Holiday to the Grizzlies, it created a significant void at small forward since Holiday was averaging 35 minutes per game. Hutchinson has stepped into Holiday’s starting spot and averaged 26.4 minutes across his last five games. The added playing time is important for Hutchison since his usage rate is a measly 12.5 percent. If you’re looking for a high-upside play, Hutchison is not your guy. However, if you want to load up on stars and roll with someone at near the minimum price who has secure playing time, Hutchison is someone to consider.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

Richaun Holmes, PHO at IND
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Holmes had cooled off for a brief time period, but he’s heating up again with averages of 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over his last six games. Even if Myles Turner (shoulder) doesn’t play in this game, the Pacers still have plenty of size up front with Domantas Sabonis and Kyle O’Quinn, so Holmes is going to be busy off of the bench. Take advantage of his hot streak while you can.

Omari Spellman, ATL vs. OKC
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,800

Spellman hasn’t played much this season even with the Hawks trying to develop their young players. However, Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) was unable to play Sunday against the Bucks, which allowed Spellman to move into the starting lineup. He made a case to receive more playing time moving forward, scoring 13 points to go along with six rebounds and four blocks in 30 minutes. With Dedmon listed as doubtful for this game, Spellen could be worth considering in tournament play if he starts again.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/15/19

JaVale McGee, LAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,300

McGee has hit a rough patch with averages of 5.2 points and 6.6 rebounds across his last five games. However, during that stretch, he had to battle with Karl-Anthony Towns, DeAndre Jordan, Andre Drummond, Rudy Gobert, and Tristan Thompson. All five of those players are excellent rebounders, which is going to take some opportunities away from McGee. This is a much more favorable matchup for him against Wendell Carter Jr. and the Bulls, who have allowed the second-most FanDuel points per game and the third-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers.

Alex Len, ATL vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Len is another player who could see more action for the Hawks if Dedmon is indeed sidelined. He played 17 minutes with Dedmon out Sunday and scored 12 points to go along with eight rebounds. He might also be a better fit to battle with Steven Adams than either Spellman or John Collins. Len has averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 20 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes this season.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/8/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

The NBA doesn’t let up Tuesday with eight more games on the schedule. With the combination of a busy slate and plenty of injuries throughout the league, we have some great value play options to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/8/19

T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,300

McConnell continues to provide excellent defensive contributions by averaging 1.5 steals across his last 20 games. His scoring numbers aren’t always there, but his steals and assists still make him someone to consider. This also stands out as an excellent matchup for him with both the Sixers and the Wizards in the top-nine in the league in pace of play.

De’Anthony Melton, PHO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,100

Devin Booker (back) didn’t practice Monday after having to leave Sunday’s game against the Hornets. Melton was forced to play 26 minutes in that contest and finished with five points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal. If Booker is unable to play, Melton has some upside against a Kings team that plays at the second-fastest pace (104.9 possessions per game). Even if Booker is able to give it a go, Melton might be worth a look in tournament play based on the Suns’ overall lack of depth at point guard.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/8/19

Dwyane Wade, MIA vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,000

Wade might be in the twilight of his career, but don’t sleep on him Tuesday. He comes into this game playing well, averaging 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and four assists across his last nine games. With Goran Dragic (knee) out, Wade should continue to see added opportunities to help facilitate the Heat’s offense. This isn’t necessarily a great matchup against a tough Nuggets’ defense, but Wade is still priced low enough on both sites to warrant consideration.

Josh Okogie, MIN at OKC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,300

It’s going to be important to monitor the Timberwolves’ rotations over their next few games with Tom Thibodeau out as their head coach. Thibodeau was notorious for having short rotations and riding his starters for heavy minutes, so there could be a few players that have significant swings in value. The good news for Tuesday from a minutes projection perspective is that both Derrick Rose (ankle) and Robert Covington (ankle) have already been ruled out. Okogie could receive another starting nod, as a result. Across 10 previous starts, he has averaged 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and one steal.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/8/19

DeAndre’ Bembry, ATL at TOR
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Another team battling various injuries is the Hawks, who will be without Taurean Prince (ankle) and Kent Bazemore (ankle) for this matchup against the Raptors. Bembry has been forced into more playing time of late and has come through with averages of 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, two assists, and 1.1 steals across his last seven games. Even though this will be a tough task against a good defensive team, the Hawks play at the fastest pace (105.5) in the league, leaving Bembry with some upside based on his expanded role.

Otto Porter Jr., WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,600

Porter stands out as a great cheap option, especially on FanDuel. He hasn’t played more than 24 minutes in any of his three games since returning from injury, but that hasn’t stopped him from averaging 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals across his last two contests. This game should be played at a fast pace and Porter is said to have no minute’s restriction, further making a case to roll with him in your entry.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/8/19

Marvin Williams, CHA at LAC
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Williams’ averages for the season aren’t really anything to get overly excited about. However, he’s heated up after a slow start, averaging 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and one steal across his last 10 games. He’s been especially hot from behind the arc, draining at least two three-pointers in a game eight times during that stretch. The Clippers allow the seventh-most points per game (114.3) in the league, setting up Williams with a favorable opportunity to continue his recent run of success.

Josh Jackson, PHO vs. SAC
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,900

If Booker doesn’t play in this game, Jackson is another option who could stand to benefit from his absence. Jackson has had a hard time finding consistent playing time, but he’s averaged 11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, three assists, and one steal across 25 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/8/19

Willy Hernangomez, CHA at LAC
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400

After Cody Zeller (hand) went down, the Hornets immediately turned to Hernangomez as their starting center. However, his stint in that role lasted just one game. He’s come off of the bench in two games since and has still been productive with averages of 14.5 points, seven rebounds, and 2.4 assists. The Clippers allowed the fifth-most FanDuel and DraftKings points per game to opposing centers, making Hernangomez a great cheap option to target.

Kevon Looney, GS vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,000

I’m definitely in favor of rolling with Henrnangomez in your lineup if you want to save money at center. However, if your budget needs even more assistance, Looney could also be productive. The Knicks can’t stop anyone right now and continue to change their rotations up front, so it’s hard to establish any sort of rhythm defensively. Despite playing with so many stars around him, Looney has still managed to average 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds over his last seven games.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/2/19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

We’ll have our first busy slate of 2019 in the NBA on Wednesday with nine games. There is an abundance of excellent cheap value play options, so here are a couple 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 1/2/19

T.J. McConnell, PHI at PHO
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,600

McConnell doesn’t take many shots, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a valuable contributor. He scored 11 points to go along with two rebounds, three assists, four steals, and one block in Tuesday’s battle with the Sixers. The key is he logged 28 minutes in that game, which was up significantly from his season average of 20 minutes per contest. Expect him to continue to have an expanded role with Markelle Fultz (shoulder) out, especially in this contest since the Sixers will be playing in the second game of a back-to-back set.

Terry Rozier, BOS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300

The key here is the status of Kyrie Irving (eye). After suffering a scratched cornea against the Spurs on Monday, he’s listed as questionable for this contest against the Timberwolves. If he can’t play, Rozier would likely move into a starting role. Rozier has only made two starts this season, but he averaged 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in those games. He thrived filling in for Irving last season, as well, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry if Irving sits.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/2/19

Kevin Huerter, ATL at WAS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,400

The Hawks are going to be extremely thin Wednesday with Taurean Prince (ankle) and Kent Bazemore (ankle) both out. They are two of the Hawks’ top offensive players, so expect them to lean on Huerter to be more productive. With both players out Monday, Huerter set season-highs in both shot attempts (15) and points scored (22), which is even more impressive when you consider it came against a great defensive team in the Pacers. Don’t count on him for much outside of scoring, but he could still provide value.

Malik Monk, CHA vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,600

Injuries continue to be the common theme Wednesday with the Hornets unlikely to have the services of Jeremy Lamb (hamstring). Losing Lamb would be significant since he is averaging a career-high 15.3 points per game. Scoring is certainly Monk’s strength, leaving him with the potential for extra playing time and shot attempts. Across 19 games in which Monk has logged at least 20 minutes this season, he’s averaged 14.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/2/19

DeAndre’ Bembry, ATL at WAS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Bembry has found himself with a more prominent role lately, logging at least 27 minutes in five of his last six games. His numbers might not jump off the page, but he’s been productive, overall, with averages of 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals and one block during that five-game stretch. Both the Hawks and the Wizards are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, leaving Bembry with some appeal in tournament play.

DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. NO
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,000

The Nets find themselves shorthanded for this game with Allen Crabbe (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) both ruled out. Carroll hasn’t received a ton of playing time this season, but that shouldn’t be a problem Wednesday. After Hollis-Jefferson left early Saturday, Carroll logged 35 minutes and finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. This could be another productive outing for him against the Pelicans, who play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.3 possessions per game) in the league.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/2/19

Marcus Morris, BOS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $6,000

They don’t play the same position, but Morris could also see a bump in production if Irving sits out this contest. Irving has the highest usage rate on the team (29.5), so his absence would create a huge offensive void. Morris has the fourth-highest usage rate (21.2 percent), so he would likely be one of the players they look to in order to take some of Irving’s shot attempts. Considering Morris is already averaging career-highs in points (15.5) and rebounds (6.1), he makes a lot of sense despite not being overly cheap on either site.

Rodions Kurucs, BKN vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,200

Kurucs has had a couple of off games for the Nets, combining for seven points and four rebounds against the Hornets and Bucks. However, before those two duds, he had averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds across three contests. With the Nets lacking depth and the Pelicans playing at such a fast pace, it might make sense to take a chance on this being a bounce-back performance for Kurucs.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/2/19

Thomas Bryant, WAS vs. ATL
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $4,700

Markieff Morris (back) will miss his third straight game for the Wizards, leaving them even thinner at center. Bryant has logged at least 30 minutes in both of the last two games and hasn’t wasted his opportunity with averages of 16.5 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. The Hawks allow the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (52) to opposing centers, so this could be another spot for him to thrive. He’s not that cheap on FanDuel, but his price on DraftKings is especially enticing.

Willy Hernangomez, CHA vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $3,800

Cody Zeller fractured his hand against the Magic on Monday, which should pave the way for Hernangomez to enter the starting five. Playing time has been hard to come by for Hernangomez, who is only averaging 13 minutes per contest. However, across the three games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes, he’s averaged 14.7 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. He should reach that threshold with the Hornets needing his size to battle with DeAndre Jordan, making him one of the top cheap options for the evening at any position.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/28/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Friday brings plenty of action in the NBA with 10 games on the schedule. Injuries continue to be a common theme throughout the league, creating even more value plays to consider for your DFS entry. Let’s highlight a couple at each position who could thrive based on their matchups. 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 12/28/18

J.J. Barea, DAL at NO
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,100

The Mavericks could be extremely thin in their backcourt Friday with Wesley Matthews (foot) already ruled out and Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) listed as questionable. That should open up added minutes for Barea, who has the highest usage rate (28 percent) on the team. When these two teams squared off Wednesday, Barea shined with 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.

Tyler Johnson, MIA vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $6,000

Goran Dragic (knee) will be out for at least two months, which has left the Heat with a significant void at point guard. They’ve decided to have Justise Winslow take over for him in the starting five but Johnson is also in line for an expanded role. He’s made the most of his added playing time heading into this contest, averaging 15.8 points, three rebounds, and 2.7 assists across his last six games. His price has jumped up significantly on DraftKings, but he could be a real bargain on FanDuel.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/28/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at MIA
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,000

Clarkson continues to be one of the offensive leaders for the Cavaliers, averaging a career-high 17.1 points per game and posting a 29.4 percent usage rate. He should receive even more scoring opportunities with Rodney Hood (Achilles) out Friday. In the last two games that Hood missed, Clarkson scored 17 and 24 points, respectively. His 24-point showing was especially impressive considering it came against the stout Grizzlies’ defense.

Josh Hart, LAL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,200

The Lakers depth is currently being tested with LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (finger) on the shelf. Hart moved into the starting five with both players sidelined Thursday and scored 10 points to go along with four rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block. The key was that he logged 33 minutes. With a similar role likely in the cards for Friday, Hart could be someone to take a chance on in tournament play since both the Lakers and the Clippers are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/28/18

Juancho Hernangomez, DEN vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,800

The Nuggets have been one of the teams impacted the most by injuries this season. It appears that they might get a couple of players back soon, but they still won’t have much depth Friday. Hernangomez has excelled since being moved into the starting five, averaging 12.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. These two teams just faced off Wednesday and the Spurs couldn’t slow him down in that contest, leaving Hernangomez to score 27 points to go along with 13 rebounds.

Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO vs. OKC
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600

Oubre had a hard time finding significant playing time with the Wizards, but he’s averaged 30 minutes a game since joining the Suns. The added playing time has paid off, helping Oubre average 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and one block. Even though he will likely continue to come off of the bench, that shouldn’t scare you away from deploying him in DFS at this cheap price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/28/18

Jerami Grant, OKC at PHO
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

The Thunder are clearly led by the trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Steven Adams. However, don’t underestimate the value that Grant brings to the team. They don’t have much depth, which has helped Grant average a career-high 31 minutes a game. He’s been productive, overall, but he’s been even better with averages of 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, one steal, and 1.6 blocks across his last seven games.

James Johnson, MIA vs. CLE
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,400

Johnson might not be a flashy player, but he entered this year having averaged at least 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in back-to-back seasons. Injuries derailed the start of his current campaign, but he’s come on lately by averaging 10.8 points, five rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals across his last four games. He might continue to be asked to help facilitate the offense more with Dragic out, so don’t sleep on him at this price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/28/18

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at MIN
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,500

Get ready to see a heavy dose of Dedmon on Friday with Alex Len (back) and Miles Plumlee (knee) set to sit this one out. Dedmon logged 37 minutes with both players out Wednesday against the Pacers, finishing with 18 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. The added playing time is an even greater benefit to his upside when you consider that the Hawks play at the fastest pace (106.3 possessions per game) in the league.

Willy Hernangomez, CHA vs. BKN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,000

Cody Zeller continues to start for the Hornets, but he’s logged 22 minutes or fewer in four of their last five games. Hernangomez has seen an expanded role in all four of those contests, which led him to average 12 points and 8.3 rebounds. The Nets are one of the worst teams in the league at defending opposing centers, so it’s not all that surprising that Hernangomez recorded seven points and 11 rebounds across just 14 minutes against them Wednesday. If you want to deploy a really cheap center in tournament play, Hernangomez is an intriguing option.

 

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/12/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

We’ve got another packed night of NBA action Wednesday with 11 games on the schedule. With the Warriors, Raptors, Pelicans, and Sixers among the teams in action, there is a ton of top-tier talent to choose from. However, in order to fit them into your entry, you also need to find the right mix of cheap value plays. Let’s highlight a couple of players at each position who could help lead you to a winning 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 12/12/18

Derrick Rose, MIN at SAC
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,800

The chance that the Timberwolves took by reuniting Rose with his former coach Tom Thibodeau has provided significant returns this season. Despite spending the majority of his time as a member of the second unit, Rose is averaging 18.4 points, three rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. The trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Sixers has helped open up even more scoring opportunities for Rose, which has helped boost his usage rate to 25.2 percent. Considering the Kings play at the second-fastest pace (105 possessions per game) in the league, Rose could have plenty of chances to fill up the scoring column again Wednesday.

Jalen Brunson, DAL vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,800

Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) is set to miss his fourth straight game for the Mavericks. Brunson has done a nice job filling in during his absence, averaging 14 points, 4.7 assists, and two steals across three games. The key is that he logged at least 25 minutes in each contest. With the Hawks playing at the fastest pace (107), this could be a great opportunity to deploy Brunson in your lineup at a very cheap price.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/12/18

Jaylen Brown, BOS at WAS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,400

The Celtics are expected to get Kyrie Irving (shoulder) back Wednesday, but Gordon Hayward (illness) is listed as doubtful. That should open up some added playing time for Brown, who is averaging 21 points, five rebounds, and 2.7 assists across his last three games. Add in the fact that the Wizards play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.2) and Brown has an excellent opportunity to extend his recent run of success.

Luke Kennard, DET at CHA
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,500

Injuries continue to be a common theme Wednesday with the Pistons being no exception. Ish Smith (groin), Glenn Robinson III (ankle) and Reggie Bullock (ankle) will all likely be out while Stanley Johnson (knee) might also not be able to play. That doesn’t leave them with a ton of healthy options. Kennard logged a season-high 37 minutes with the Pistons battling injuries Monday, scoring 28 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. At this dirt cheap price, he could be worth the risk in tournament play.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/12/18

Cedi Osman, CLE vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Already down Kevin Love (toe), the Cavaliers lost another key member of their frontcourt with Tristan Thompson (foot) out for at least the next two weeks. Larry Nance Jr. will likely have to spend more time at center, which could open up increased playing time for Osman. He has shown an ability to produce when given extended run, averaging 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, three assists, and 0.8 steals across 18 games in which he has logged at least 30 minutes.

Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,900

Finney-Smith might not play the same position that Smith does, but he’s also benefited from his time on the sidelines by averaging 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds across his last three games. With all of the injuries that the Hawks are also dealing with, there is a chance that the Mavericks race out to a big lead at home. If that’s the case, Finney-Smith could see some added minutes during garbage time. At this cheap price, he’s someone to at least consider in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/12/18

Kelly Olynyk, MIA at UTA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,000

The Heat will be missing one of their key players up front again Wednesday with Hassan Whiteside (personal) already ruled out. Bam Adebayo has stepped into the starting lineup with Whiteside out the last three games and has played extremely well. However, he’s not the only Heat player who has received a boost in production. During that same stretch, Olynyk has averaged 14.3 points, six rebounds, 3.3 assists, and one steal.

Dwight Powell, DAL vs. ATL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,600

Planning for a blowout can be tricky, but if you agree with me that the Mavericks could win this one going away, Powell is another cheap option with upside in tournament play. Despite averaging just 17 minutes a game this season, he’s recorded 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per night. The Hawks do at least have a lot of size up front, which could also help lead to added playing time for Powell.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/12/18

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at DAL
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,400

Alex Len appears to have fallen out of favor right now, resulting in him logging a total of 31 minutes across the last three games. That’s provided a significant boost in playing time for Dedmon, who averaged 7.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and one block during that stretch. With the fast pace at which the Hawks play, Dedmon should have another favorable opportunity to be productive in this contest.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,400

Zeller might not be a flashy option, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value. The Hornets are going to need him to battle with Andre Drummond, which could lead to some added minutes. The last time these two teams met, Zeller logged 32 minutes and scored 14 points to go along with six rebounds and three blocks. He did eventually foul out, but it’s reasonable to expect similar playing time for him during their rematch.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/5/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

Wednesday is shaping up to be an awesome night in the NBA with 10 games on the schedule. Not only is their a ton of top-tier talent to choose from, but there are also a lot of excellent cheap value plays. Here are a couple to consider at each position to help round out 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 12/5/18

Jeremy Lin, ATL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900

The Hawks will be without Taurean Prince (ankle) for the at least the next three weeks, which is a huge loss since he has the fourth-highest usage rate (22.6 percent) on the team. There are several players who could see an increase in scoring with Prince out, including Lin. Lin actually already has a higher usage rate (23.2 percent) than Prince does, which has enabled him to maintain value despite coming off of the bench. His price is climbing, but Lin is still a viable option based on his role with the team.

Tim Frazier, NO vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Frazier didn’t exactly shine with seven points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal Monday against the Clippers, but he did log 29 minutes. That marked the third time in the last four games that he has spent at least 29 minutes on the floor. The Pelicans won’t count on him to score much, but he should continue to have the ability to rack up assists with so many talented players around him. It also helps that the Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (104.5 possessions per game) in the league.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/5/18

Kevin Huerter, ATL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,700

Huerter had a hard time finding consistent playing time earlier in this season, but he’s started five straight games and logged at least 25 minutes in each of his last three contests. His role should be even more secure now with Prince out. His scoring numbers haven’t been stellar, but he has averaged nine points, 5.3 rebounds, four assists, and one steal across those three games. Both the Hawks and the Wizards are in the top-six in the league in pace of play, further strengthening a case to take a chance on Huerter in tournament play.

Alec Burks, CLE vs. GS
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,000

The Cavaliers don’t have a ton of talent, which has enabled Burks to immediately take on a significant role off the bench after being acquired from the Jazz. He’s made the most of his opportunity, averaging 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and one steal across three games. His usage rate is also 24.4 percent, so he could jack up plenty of shots Wednesday as the Cavaliers attempt to keep pace with the high-scoring Warriors.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/5/18

Juancho Hernangomez, DEN at ORL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Not only is Will Barton (groin) still on the sidelines, but the Nuggets will also be without Gary Harris (hip) for this contest. Hernangomez likely won’t see significantly more scoring opportunities even with Harris out, but he’s still a great option in DFS. Across 11 games as a starter, he’s averaging 12.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.2 three-pointers per contest.

Kelly Oubre Jr., WAS at ATL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,600

The Wizards are thin up front with Dwight Howard (lower body) out, but it might be better if they just leave Oubre as a member of their second unit. He’s averaging 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds a game coming off the bench compared to 9.9 points and 4.4 rebounds when he starts. Consistency is a concern with him, but considering how poorly the Hawks play, this might be the time to take a chance on Oubre in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/5/18

Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,800

This matchup between the Raptors and Sixers should be one of the best games of the night. They enter as the top two teams in the Eastern Conference and are separated by just three games. The acquisition of Jimmy Butler was huge for the Sixers, but it also left them with Wilson Chandler as their starting power forward. They don’t have great options behind him, either, potentially setting up Ibaka for a big performance.

Frank Kaminsky, CHA at MIN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700

Marvin Williams (shoulder) hasn’t been overly productive for the Hornets, but he has been starting and averaging 25 minutes a game. With him out for at least a week, a few players could be in line for added playing time. Miles Bridges might see the most significant jump, but don’t forget about Kaminsky, either. He’s only played at least 20 minutes in a game twice all season, but he averaged 15 points, four rebounds, and 1.5 assists in those contests. At near the minimum price, Kaminsky could be a gamble worth taking Wednesday.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 12/5/18

Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,900

The Hawks don’t have a ton of talent, but they do have both Dedmon and Alex Len at center. They’ve eaten into each other’s fantasy value, but Len is starting to see his playing time dwindle lately. Dedmon tied his season high by playing 31 minutes Monday against the Warriors and finished with six points to go along with 10 rebounds, four steals, and one block. With Howard out of the picture for the Wizards, Dedmon could provide plenty of value if he’s given extended playing time again.

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

The Raptors have been playing small lately, leaving Valanciunas to come off of the bench in each of their last four games. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return to the starting five for this matchup against Embiid. Valanciunas has been much more productive as a starter, averaging 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds across nine games. When these two teams met earlier this season, he scored 23 points and grabbed four rebounds over just 17 minutes.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

Now that we’ve had the time to sleep off all that turkey and stuffing, it’s time to get back at it with 14 games in the NBA on Friday, 12 of which will make up the main slate in DFS. There will be a ton of stars taking the floor, so here are some cheap value plays that could be worth pairing with them. 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 11/23/18

Collin Sexton, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,200

Sexton has been battling a hip injury, but it hasn’t forced him to miss any time. In fact, he played 36 minutes against the Lakers on Wednesday as the Cavaliers continue to wait for George Hill (shoulder) to return. Across the first six games that Hill has missed, Sexton is averaging 17.5 points, three rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest. His lack of defensive contributions limit his upside, but his minute’s floor still makes him a viable option.

Trey Burke, NY vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

It’s hard to figure out what the Knicks are doing on a nightly basis. They continue to change up their rotations, moving players in and out of the starting five to try and find what combinations work best. Burke is back to seeing increased minutes, which has resulted in him averaging 25.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals across his last four games. The Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (105.1 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Burke with even more scoring opportunities in this contest.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,300

Clarkson only played 27 minutes in a matchup against the Lakers on Wednesday, but he scored 20 points to go along with two rebounds and five assists. He attempted 18 shots in that game, which is no surprise considering his 28.9 percent usage rate. The Sixers play at the seventh-fastest pace (103.6), potentially setting up Clarkson for another valuable performance. If the Cavaliers are going to have any chance of keeping this close, they’ll need Clarkson to take all the shots he can handle.

Rodney McGruder, MIA at CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

The Heat will continue to play shorthanded Friday with Goran Dragic (knee) and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) out. That leaves them without two of their top ball handlers. McGruder played 36 minutes in their absences Wednesday, scoring 15 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Even though he’s cooled off some after a torrid start, McGruder still has upside in this game against the struggling Bulls.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. SA
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Another important injury to monitor Friday is the status of Victor Oladipo (knee). He’s missed the Pacers last two games and is questionable against the Spurs. During the previous two games that he missed, Bogdanovic averaged 20.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and one steal. He’s actually scored at least 16 points in each of his last six contests, so he could provide value even if Oladipo does take the floor.

Cedi Osman, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Osman has shown promise in an expanded role, but he’s been mostly inconsistent. He recently missed a couple of game due to injury but has logged at least 30 minutes in both of his last two contests, so he should be fine moving forward. After scoring 21 points and grabbing seven rebounds against the Lakers on Wednesday, this is another matchup against a team that plays at a fast pace that could result in a positive state line for Osman.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

John Collins, ATL vs. BOS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,900

After missing most of the season due to injury, Collins has played in each of the Hawks last three games. They’ve taken a cautious approach with his return, but he started and logged 27 minutes against the Raptors on Wednesday. He won’t be this cheap for much longer and could be in line for even more playing time Friday, making him a great option to consider. Of note, Collins is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel as he is listed at center on DraftKings.

Noah Vonleh, NY vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,300

After a two-game stint on the bench, Vonleh has returned to the starting five for the Knicks. He certainly made a case to hold onto a starting job, averaging 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks across his last two contests. The key is that he logged at least 30 minutes in both of those games. If he can receive similar playing time Friday, he is definitely a candidate to outproduce his price point.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

Tristan Thompson, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,700

With the Cavaliers lack of depth up front, Thompson has been thrust into a significant role. It might not always be pretty, but Thompson is still averaging 10.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest. The Cavaliers don’t really have anyone else capable of defending Joel Embiid, so Thompson could get all the minutes he can handle Friday.

Cody Zeller, CHA at OKC
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,100

After being limited to 33 games last year due to injury, Zeller has already played in 17 games this season. His upside isn’t great, but he’s put up respectable numbers with 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per contest. The Hornets do like to use a lot of small lineups, but they might not be able to as much with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) out again for this matchup. They will also need Zeller to battle with Steven Adams, who logs a lot of playing time for the Thunder.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/19/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

The NBA tips off the week with nine games Monday. With so many options to sift through, let’s get right down to business and highlight some cheaper value plays to consider when creating your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/19/18

Collin Sexton, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,100

With George Hill (shoulder) out, Sexton is starting and averaging a whopping 36 minutes a game in that role. He won’t provide traditional point guard stat lines but that doesn’t mean Sexton doesn’t have value. Across four games as a starter, he is averaging 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. His price is climbing, but Sexton is still worth starting with Hill remaining on the sidelines.

Jeremy Lin, ATL vs. LAC
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,200

People might not be noticing it because the Hawks are terrible, but Lin’s 24 percent usage rate is the third-highest on the team. The player with the second-highest is Tauren Prince (Achilles) at 24.3 percent, but he’s doubtful to play Monday. This could be a high-scoring contest with both the Hawks and Clippers in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, making Lin an intriguing option to consider in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/19/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at DET
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,200

The Cavaliers didn’t enter the season with a lot of scoring punch, but the loss of Kevin Love (toe) has been a killer for their offense. Clarkson has stepped up to try and fill the void, averaging 15.4 points and 1.2 three-pointers per contest. Although he’s only averaging 24 minutes per contest, his 28.6 percent usage rate if by far the highest on the team with Love currently unable to play.  Clarkson scored 18 points when these teams met earlier this season and should get plenty of opportunities to be productive again in their rematch.

Garrett Temple, MEM vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,300

Temple’s 15.6 percent usage rate is certainly nothing to write home about, but by playing 32 minutes a night, he has been able to average a career-high 12 points per game. Don’t count on him for many assists, but he’s also chipped in 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest. There’s no reason to believe his playing time will decrease anytime soon, especially with the Grizzlies off to a 10-5 start. It’s not easy to find a player with such a high minutes floor at this cheap price.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/19/18

E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,000

Moore continues to struggle from the free-throw line, but his 55.7 percent shooting from the field has helped him average a career-high 15.6 points per game. With so many great scoring options around him, it’s hard for opposing defenses to key in on stopping Moore, as well. The Pelicans recently lost starting point guard Elfrid Payton (finger), which will push Jrue Holiday into his position. Moore will likely shift over to shooting guard and is locked in for plenty of minutes based on the Pelicans lack of overall depth.

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. UTA
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Bogdanovic is on a roll right now, averaging 15.3 points, four rebounds, and 1.5 steals across his last eight games. He’s been lethal from behind the arc this entire season, shooting 52.3 percent on three-pointers. That percentage likely won’t hold up over the course of the year, but he’s playing 31 minutes a game and is an important part of the Pacers success. His scoring upside is similar to that of Moore’s, making him a potentially intriguing option at an even cheaper price.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/19/18

Derrick Favors, UTA at IND
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Favors is averaging just 23 minutes per game, which is his lowest mark since the 2012-13 season. He’s made the most of his time on the floor, though, by averaging 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. The Pacers do have some size up front with Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, but the pairing of Favors and Rudy Gobert is a handful. Favors’ ceiling isn’t great due to his limited role, but he also has a fairly high floor for someone at this price.

Jerami Grant, OKC at SAC
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,900

The Thunder don’t have a very deep roster, which has opened up a starting role for Grant. He didn’t have a lot of value coming off of the bench at the beginning of the season, but Grant has averaged 13 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 12 starts. Both the Kings and the Thunder are in the top-10 in the league in pace of play, so this could be a high-scoring affair that leads to a few extra counting stats for Grant.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/19/18

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. BOS
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,000

Injuries have plagued Zeller throughout his career, but he’s managed to play all 15 games so far this year. He doesn’t receive traditional starters minutes, but he could be in line for added playing time again Monday with Michael Kidd-Gilchrest (ankle) out. Across 12 games in which Zeller has logged at least 20 minutes this season, he is averaging 10.2 points, six rebounds, and 1.5 assists.

Mike Muscala, PHI vs. PHO
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,900

The Sixers bringing in Jimmy Butler is a net positive for the team, but it’s left them thin at power forward. Wilson Chandler has taken over the starting job, but he’s still on a minutes limit as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Over the four games since the trade, Muscala is averaging 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and two three-pointers per contest. At near the minimum price on both sites, Muscala might be worth the risk in tournament play so you can load up elsewhere.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

There are six teams on a bye for Week 11, but there are still a lot of quality options available at tight end in DFS. Let’s dig into the position to see which players to target across the price scale. 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.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,600

The Eagles suffered a disappointing loss to the Cowboys last week, but that didn’t stop Ertz from having a monster performance. He hauled in 14 of 16 targets for 145 yards and two touchdowns. That marked his fourth game this season with at least 100 yards and the fourth time in the last five contests that he has found his way into the end zone at least one time.

With at least 10 targets in all but two of his games this season, Ertz will continue to have a tremendously high floor. The Eagles did add wide receiver Golden Tate at the trade deadline, but Ertz is clearly Carson Wentz’s preferred option in the passing game, so don’t expect his workload to drop off anytime soon. The Saints have been terrible against the pass this year, but they’ve actually done a good job slowing down opposing tight ends. Don’t let that scare you away from Ertz, though. If the Eagles are going to have any chance of keeping up with the Saints offense, it will likely be on the shoulders of Ertz.

Greg Olsen vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,000

Olsen didn’t have his best game in Week 10, catching four passes for just 40 yards. He was only on the field for 79 percent of the Panthers offensive snaps, which was his lowest mark since returning from a foot injury. On a positive note, he did get six more targets and has received at least five targets in four of the five games since his extended stint on the sidelines ended.

His foot injury is something that Olsen is going to continue to have deal with for the remainder of the season. The Panthers have taken a cautious approach with him in practice leading up to games, which has helped him stay on the field, so far. He’s been logging a ton of snaps, overall, and had scored a touchdown in three straight games entering last week, which gives him a nice floor to work off of in cash contests. The Lions haven’t played poorly in pass coverage, overall, but they have allowed 477 yards and four touchdowns to tight ends.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,400

The Chargers had a creampuff matchup against the Raiders last week and certainly didn’t disappoint by holding them to six points. They only forced one turnover, but they did record four sacks. That marked the fourth time in the last five games that the Chargers recorded at least three sacks, bringing their total to 26 for the season. That mark places them inside the top-10 in the league in that category.

You can only play who is on your schedule, which has certainly been kind to the Chargers. They recently faced the Raiders (twice), Seahawks, Titans, and Browns, keeping their opponents under 20 points in each of those contests. This is another great matchup against a Broncos team that has only scored more than 27 points in a game one time all season. They’ve also allowed quarterback Case Keenum to be sacked 24 times already.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - TE/DEF/ST

Austin Hooper vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,500

It was an ugly loss for the Falcons last week against the Browns, but Hooper finished with one of his best games of the season. He was targeted 11 times in the game, catching 10 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. The yardage total certainly left a lot to be desired, but the volume was the key. Hooper has received at least 10 targets in three of his last five games and is already up to 55 for the season. He finished with 65 targets total in 2017.

Hooper has been a bit hit or miss, which is why he should be on your radar in tournament contests as opposed to cash games. The good news is that he’s been on the field for 82 percent of the Falcons offensive snaps, which is tops among all of their skill position players. The Cowboys have allowed 53 receptions, 511 yards, and four touchdowns to tight ends, potentially setting up Hooper for another one of his more valuable performances.

Evan Engram vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,100

The Giants may stink offensively, but it’s certainly not due to a lack of weapons. That excess of talent, combined with the poor play of their offensive line and Eli Manning, has left Engram with a lot of games in which he hasn’t done all that much. Even in one of their better offensive games of the year in Week 10 against the 49ers, Engram received just five targets. He caught four of them for 46 yards, which was sadly his second-highest yardage total in a game so far.

If there was ever a game for Engram to have a breakout performance, this is it. The Bucs have been destroyed by opposing tight ends, allowing 51 receptions, 669 yards, and five touchdowns to the position. The Giants made even more changes to their offensive line in Week 10, which proved to at least give Manning a little more time in the pocket. If they can hold up again this week, Engram could be able to expose this soft spot in the Bucs’ coverage.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,100

All things considered, the Cardinals held up pretty well against the Chiefs last week. They still lost, but they limited the explosive Chiefs offense to 26 points, which was the first time the Chiefs scored fewer than 30 points since Week 4. They weren’t able to create any turnovers, but the Cardinals did record five sacks. Although they haven’t forced a turnover in either of their last two contests, the Cardinals do have at least four sacks in four of their last five games.

As tough as their matchup was last week, things swing back in their favor dramatically against the inept Raiders who have scored 10 points or fewer in four of their last five contests. The Cardinals have one of the better pass defenses in the league and the Raiders don’t have many weapons left on offense after Marshawn Lynch was placed on IR and Amari Cooper was traded to the Cowboys. At an even cheaper price than the Chargers, the Cardinals also provide significant upside.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - TE/DEF/ST

Eric Ebron vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,300

What a strange performance from Ebron last week against the Jaguars. He was only on the field for 38 percent of the Colts offensive snaps, leaving him with just three targets. However, he cashed two of them in for touchdown receptions and even had another touchdown on a rare rushing attempt. Even though Ebron has been a touchdown machine this year, Jack Doyle is back now and eating into his opportunities. In both games since returning from injury, Doyle has been on the field for at least 73 percent of their snaps. The Titans haven’t allowed a single touchdown to tight ends this year, so if Ebron can’t find his way into the end zone again, he is left with very little production potential.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $2,500

I’m not sure I understand why the Colts are priced this high on FanDuel. They’ve allowed at least 26 points in five of their last six games and haven’t recorded a sack in three of their last five contests. They did hold the Bills to three points in Week 7 but come on, it was the Bills. The Titans have looked much better offensively of late with at least 28 points in back-to-back games, so this isn’t exactly a favorable matchup. Even at their more reasonable price on DraftKings, it still might be best to avoid the Colts.