*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/21/18
There are eight games in the NBA on Wednesday but injuries to star players continue to add up throughout the league. It’s key to find the right cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers, as a result, to hopefully help create a winning entry. 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 Cameron Payne and Devin Harris.
Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package<
POINT GUARDS
Cameron Payne, CHI vs. DEN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300
The Bulls will be thin at point guard again Wednesday with Kris Dunn (toe) out. Zach LaVine (knee) and Lauri Markkanen (back) are also listed as doubtful, which could leave the Bulls without arguably their three best players. Payne has started and played at least 29 minutes in both of the last two games with Dunn sidelined, averaging 8.5 points, four rebounds, eight assists and 1.5 three-pointers. The Nuggets allow the fifth-most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards, making Payne someone to strongly consider for your lineup.
Antonio Blakeney, CHI vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,900
Blakeney is instant offense, posting a 24.3% usage rate in 18 games with the Bulls this season. He’s played at least 25 minutes in each of the Bulls last three games due to their injuries, scoring at least 10 points in all three contests. He was especially involved in their last two games, attempting 26 total shots. With the Bulls likely desperate for offense Wednesday, Blakeney is a viable option at this cheap price.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Devin Harris, DEN at CHI
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,800
The Nuggets will be without Gary Harris (knee) on Wednesday, opening up some minutes in their backcourt. Although Will Barton started in place of Gary on Monday, Devin Harris played 27 minutes, finishing with 13 points, two rebounds, nine assists and one three-pointer. Devin has actually scored at least 10 points in five of his last six games, which might not be that hard to do against the struggling Bulls with added minutes. His upside isn’t high, but he can still provide value.
Malik Monk, CHA at BKN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,500
The Hornets have their own injury issues with Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder) out for the season and Nicolas Batum (Achilles) doubtful Wednesday. Monk is starting to see increased playing time, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and three three-pointers in his last two games. Both the Hornets and Nets are in the top nine in the league in pace of play, so Monk could have value with added opportunities to produce possibly on tap.
SMALL FORWARDS
DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,900
Carroll is having his best month of the season in March, averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, one steal and 2.8 three-pointers in nine games. He continues to see plenty of playing time, averaging 31 minutes per contest this month. He played well in his last meeting against the Hornets earlier this month, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block, and two-three-pointers. Although this isn’t an exciting matchup between two bad teams, Carroll is someone to strongly consider for your entry.
E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300
Moore might not be a flashy option, but he is averaging 11.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 three-pointers in his last six games. He played at least 28 minutes in each contest, which goes a long way to giving him value since the Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (102.4 possessions per game) in the league. Jrue Holiday (illness) didn’t play Tuesday and his status is uncertain for Wednesday as well, which could open up an even greater role in the offense for Moore. Even if Holiday does take the floor, Moore’s normal allotment of playing time still makes him a viable option at this price.
POWER FORWARDS
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. NY
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $6,300
The Heat will be without their main man in the middle again Wednesday with Hassan Whiteside (hip) set to his miss his sixth straight game. Olynyk didn’t start any of the first five games that Whiteside was sidelined, but he did average 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, four assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks and two three-pointers per contest. He gets to face a struggling Knicks team that has allowed an average of 113.9 points in their last ten games, so don’t be surprised if he has another big performance.
Noah Vonleh, CHI vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100
The Bulls already wanted to give Vonleh an extended look before they started to suffer all of their injuries, so he’s primed for extended playing time again Wednesday. He has logged at least 26 minutes in three straight games, averaging eight points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He shot a combined 10-for-31 (32.2%) from the field, so his scoring average could have been higher if a few extra shots fell his way. The price is right to take a chance on him in tournament play.
CENTERS
Kyle O’Quinn, NY at MIA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700
With nothing left to play for but a high draft pick, Knicks starting center Enes Kanter has logged 24 minutes or fewer in each of his last five games. O’Quinn continues to see consistent playing time off the bench, logging at least 21 minutes in four of his last five contests. He’s not always a reliable source of offense, but O’Quinn averaged 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 blocks in that five-game stretch. With the Heat missing their best rebounder in Whiteside, O’Quinn is someone to consider for your lineup.
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. NY
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,900
Adebayo has started the last five games with Whiteside out, averaging 6.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. He only shot 11-for-38 (28.9%) from the field in the last four games, but it shows he’s been involved offensively despite his low scoring average. Olynyk certainly has the higher upside out of the two players helping fill in for Whiteside, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore Adebayo if you want to save money at center Wednesday.