Tuesday’s seven-game slate in the NBA is loaded with star power since the Bucks, Lakers, Nuggets and Celtics will be among the teams in action. Let’s dive into the matchups and highlight a couple of players at each position who could thrive.
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The NBA finally returns from the All-Star break to bring us a six-game slate Thursday.
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Monday brings six games in the NBA, which doesn’t exactly leave us with a bevy of options in DFS.
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We didn’t have much to get excited about Tuesday with only one game in the NBA, but things ramp back up Wednesday with 12 games on the schedule.
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We have plenty of action on the schedule Monday with nine games in the NBA. Injuries will play a huge role in the slate, leaving other players to step into increased roles.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 2 2020
There will be no shortage of action in the NBA on Thursday with nine games on the schedule. Injuries will once again play a key role, creating some interesting opportunities in DFS.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for October 23 2019
The NBA is finally back, and with it, returns our coverage of NBA DFS. We have 11 games at our disposal Wednesday, so let’s dive into the matchups and highlight some players to consider at various price points.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/23/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
After a busy night with nine games Monday, there are only three games on the NBA schedule Tuesday. With their being so few options to choose from, let’s examine players across the entire price scale to consider for your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
De’Aaron Fox, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,100
Fox’s improved numbers this year can be attributed to two factors in the early going. First, he’s averaging 35 minutes per game compared to 28 minutes per contest last season. Second, he’s shooting 52.5 percent from the field compared to 41.2 percent during his rookie campaign. While his shooting percentage is likely to decline, his increased playing time might stick. He’s shown he can contribute across the board by averaging 20.7 points, five rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals, making him a great option Tuesday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,900
Like many rookies, Gilgeous-Alexander has been inconsistent to start his career. While he has chipped in exactly four assists in each of his three games, he sandwiched 11 and 12 point games around a two-point performance against the Thunder. On the bright side, he logged between 23 and 28 minutes in all three games. The Pelicans play at the second-fastest pace (108.8 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Gilgeous-Alexander with added opportunities to provide value.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Markelle Fultz, PHI at DET
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,900
Ben Simmons had to leave Saturday’s game against the Magic early due to a stiff back. He’s listed as questionable for Tuesday, so his status is something to monitor as game time approaches. If he doesn’t play, Fultz could see a significant boost in value. Even if Simmons does take the floor, Fultz has averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals across his first three games. His shot still has a long ways to go, but that’s enough overall production to be worth considering for your entry on such a limited slate.
Torrey Craig, DEN vs. SAC
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,800
The Nuggets suffered a tough blow when they lost Will Barton to a groin injury. Craig started in his place Saturday and should remain in that role moving forward. His five points in 27 minutes were nothing to write home about, but he did chip in with nine rebounds, a steal, and a block. At near the minimum price on both sites, his minutes floor alone making him an intriguing option in tournament play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Danilo Gallinari, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,300
If only Gallinari could put together a healthy season. Since entering the league in 2008-09, Gallinari has played at least 70 games in a season only two times. He missed the entire 2013-14 season with a torn ACL and has played 63 games or fewer in all four seasons since. Last year, he only played in 21 contests. The good news is that he’s healthy now and firing on all cylinders, averaging 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and three three-pointers. He has a 25.8% usage rate and is playing 31 minutes per contest, so take advantage of him being healthy while you still can.
Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at DEN
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,600
Bjelica has started each of the Kings first three games, which is a bit surprising considering they drafted Marvin Bagley III. Not only is Bjelica starting, but he logged at least 27 minutes in two of those three contests. He didn’t always get a lot of playing time for the Timberwolves last year, but Bjelica did average 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals across his 21 starts. Although he’s risky, he could outproduce this price point if given extended minutes again Tuesday.
POWER FORWARDS
Tobias Harris, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,500
The Clippers made a franchise-altering move last year when they traded Blake Griffin to the Pistons. Harris was part of the return for the Clippers and has been one of the focal points of their offense ever since. He’s currently averaging a career-high 22.7 points per game and has chipped in eight rebounds per contest. His 50% field goal percentage is likely unsustainable, but his 24.9% usage rate is going to leave him with a high floor most nights.
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Another significant change the Clippers underwent was the departure of DeAndre Jordan. They brought in Marcin Gortat to take over the starting center job, but he’s played 20 minutes or fewer in each of their three games. Harrell and Boban Marjanovic have been rotating as his primary backup, but this game against the athletic Pelicans seems to be a contest better suited for Harrell’s skillset. He can put up numbers when given the opportunity, scoring 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three blocks across 24 minutes Saturday against the Rockets.
CENTERS
Julius Randle, NO vs. LAC
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,700
The Pelicans may have lost DeMarcus Cousins to the Warriors, but Randle was a great addition to their roster. He’s wasted no time making a significant impact, averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds over their first two games. Even though he’s coming off the bench, he still played at least 24 minutes in both games and has a 26.4% usage rate. Based on the pace at which the Pelicans play, expect him to continue to have plenty of chances to provide value.
Zaza Pachulia, DET vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,800
Andre Drummond missed practice with the flu Monday and is considered questionable for Tuesday. Facing Joel Embiid, this isn’t likely a situation where the Pistons can just go small should Drummond miss the game. One player who would seemingly benefit from his absence is Pachulia, who has already grabbed at least seven rebounds in both of their games. Don’t count on Pachulia to score much, but considering his bargain basement price, he’s someone to consider if Drummond sits.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 10/19/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The NBA enters the weekend with nine games on the schedule Friday. Not only are there plenty of elite players to choose from for your lineup, but there are also a lot of value plays to consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
De’Aaron Fox, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,500
The Kings didn’t have one player average at least 30 minutes per game last year but had five players log at least 30 minutes in their opener against the Jazz. Fox was one of them, finishing with 21 points, found rebounds, seven assists and three steals across 38 minutes. While it’s unlikely he’s going to play that much on a nightly basis, there is a real chance that he could see more playing time this season. This should be a high-scoring game against a Pelicans team that played at the fastest pace (101.6 possessions per game) in the league last year, potentially setting up Fox for a valuable performance.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC vs. OKC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,800
The Clippers badly needed to add depth to their backcourt over the summer and they did just that, with Gilgeous-Alexander being one of their prized acquisitions at 11th overall in the draft. It was encouraging to see him play 28 minutes in their opener against the Nuggets and he took advantage of his opportunity, scoring 11 points to go along with two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Patrick Beverley will continue to start at point guard, but he likely won’t see a normal stater’s allotment of minutes and isn’t a great offensive player. The Clippers get to face a thin Thunder roster that could be without Russell Westbrook (knee) again, making Gilgeous-Alexander someone to consider at this cheap price.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Buddy Hield, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600
Hield logged 32 minutes Wednesday and should continue to see added playing time with Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) injured. He had a balanced performance, scoring 19 points and recording six rebounds, one steal, one block, and one three-pointer. Maybe the stat that is the most exciting about his prospects for Friday is the 18 shot attempts that he had in that game Wednesday. Considering the pace at which this game will likely be played, Hield could be in line for another offensive outburst.
Rodney Hood, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,800
Hood played so poorly after being traded to the Cavaliers that some people forget how well he played for the Jazz at the start of last year. Across 39 games before he was traded, Hood averaged 16.8 points and 2.6 three-pointers. He attempted 14.2 shots per game with Jazz, but only 9.5 per game with the Cavaliers. Now with LeBron James in LA, Hood is in line for more scoring opportunities this season. His 12 points in their opener weren’t great, but he did attempt 13 shots and had to face a good defensive team in the Raptors. Don’t count on him for much outside of scoring, but he could still be a viable option if you want to save money at shooting guard.
SMALL FORWARDS
Cedi Osman, CLE at MIN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,400
Osman was a trendy player to take in the later rounds of season-long drafts due to his likely expanded role this season. He provided glimpses of his upside last season by averaging 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the three games in which he played at least 30 minutes. The Cavaliers gave him 33 minutes Wednesday, resulting in him posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. The fact that it came against the Raptors is even more impressive. This might be an opportunity to take advantage of by plugging him into your lineup before his price starts to climb.
Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at NO
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600
The Kings have a ton up depth up front but still decided to bring in Bjelica over the summer. They were intent on giving him extended run Wednesday and he finished the game with 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. Their top pick in the draft Marvin Bagley only played 12 minutes and veteran Zach Randolph didn’t see the floor at all. Their rotations still appear to be very much up in the air, but it might be worth taking a chance that Bjelica sees added minutes again Friday based on this matchup.
POWER FORWARDS
Jerami Grant, OKC at LAC
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,100
Patrick Patterson started at power forward for the Thunder in their opener, but he only played 19 minutes and was 2-for-9 from the field. Grant wasn’t much better offensively, finishing with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting. However, he did play 29 minutes and chipped in three blocks. He’s a better defender and more athletic than Patterson is at this stage of his career, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Grant continue to get more minutes than Patterson. If he can hit a few more shots, Grant could provide value at this price based on his ability to contribute defensively.
Ersan Ilyasova, MIL vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400
Bringing in Ilyasova and his ability to stretch the floor was a key move for the Bucks. He didn’t start in their opener, but he played 29 minutes and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a three-pointer. With opposing defenses focusing on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe, Ilyasova could get a lot of open looks. While Grant is also a viable cheap option, Ilyasova has the higher upside between the two.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND at MIL
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,800
Turner only played 20 minutes in the Pacers first game of the season, but that was mostly because they destroyed the Grizzlies. Even with his limited playing time, Turner finished with eight points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Coming off signing a hefty contract extension, he’s clearly their main man in the middle. Expect this game to be much more competitive and for Turner to outproduce his prince point.
Alex Len, ATL at MEM
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,100
It’s hard to look as bad as the Hawks did in their first game. Playing without John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon certainly didn’t help a roster that is severely lacking talent, to begin with. They were destroyed 126-107 by the Knicks, of all teams. Len only played 21 minutes, which could partly be attributed to the score. With Collins and Dedmon both out again Friday, Len has the opportunity to get a significant workload. Across three games in which Len played at least 30 minutes last year, he averaged 17.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18
*Mike Barner*
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleepers Lineup Picks for 3/7/18
Wednesday brings seven games in the NBA with several elite players taking the floor. We all know the studs, but it’s key to find the right cheap daily fantasy basketball sleepers 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 De’Aaron Fox and Ben McLemore.
Use Code “LAB60” at checkout for 60% off Seasonal Package<
POINT GUARDS
De’Aaron Fox, SAC vs. NO
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,600
Fox hasn’t provided many assists lately, totaling just six in his last three games. The good news is that he is still heavily involved in the offense, attempting at least 12 shots in seven of his last nine contests. His usage rate has increased each of the last two months and is at a season-high 27.1% through three games in March. Wednesday’s opponent in the Pelicans plays at the second-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) and allows the second-most points per game (111.7) in the league, so Fox could be in line for a valuable performance at this price.
D.J. Augustin, ORL at LAL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,000
His numbers don’t jump off the page, but Augustin is averaging a respectable 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 assists in 18 starts this season. With Elfrid Payton now in Phoenix, that should be a role that Augustin holds on to for the rest of the year. Wednesday could be a high scoring game with both the Magic and the Lakers in the top eight in the league in pace of play. Augustin might not have a huge upside, but he’s priced low enough to still warrant considering for your entry.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Ben McLemore, MEM at CHI
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,500
The Grizzlies will have very little depth at guard Wednesday with Tyreke Evans (ribs), Andrew Harrison (wrist) and Mario Chalmers (hamstring) all ruled out. McLemore missed Monday’s game due to a personal matter, but he is expected to play against the Bulls. He had played at least 30 minutes in both of his previous two games, averaging 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and 2.5 steals. The Bulls allow the seventh-most points per game (109.4) in the league, leaving McLemore as an excellent inexpensive option with upside.
Kobi Simmons, MEM at CHI
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,100
Simmons is another player who should see added playing time in the Grizzlies’ backcourt Wednesday. He played at least 20 minutes in both of their last two games, averaging 13.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal. Expect him to log fewer minutes and have a lower upside than McLemore, but he’s also priced very cheap. Going with the duo of McLemore and Simmons could open up a significant portion of your budget to spend at other positions and might be a strategy to deploy in tournament play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Dillon Brooks, MEM at CHI
FanDuel =$4,500
DraftKings = $4,200
Brooks is another player who has seen more playing time due to all of the Grizzlies injuries, logging at least 30 minutes in seven of his last eight games. He has played at least 30 minutes in a game 27 times this season, averaging 11 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in those contests. Most of his value is tied to his scoring, but that might not necessarily be a bad thing considering how bad the Bulls are on defense.
C.J. Miles, TOR at DET
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,800
Miles has seen a slight increase in his role with OG Anunoby (ankle) sidelined the last three games, averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and four three-pointers in 22 minutes per contest. Like Brooks, Miles value is mostly dependent on his ability to score. However, he’s been excellent from behind the arc, averaging a career-high 2.5 three-pointers per game this season. At near the minimum price on both sites, Miles could be worth the risk Wednesday.
POWER FORWARDS
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. ORL
FanDuel = $6,100
Draft Kings = $6,100
Brandon Ingram’s (groin) injury has opened up added playing time for Kuzma, who has started each of the last two games. He played well in both contests, averaging 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals, one block and two three-pointers. With this likely to be an up-tempo, high scoring game, it fits well with Kuzma’s style of play. Don’t be surprised if he has a big offensive performance Wednesday.
Skal Labissiere/Zach Randolph, SAC vs. NO
FanDuel = $6,100/$5,900
DraftKings = $5,500/$5,800
Willie Cauley-Stein (back) is out again Wednesday, opening up some minutes in the Kings frontcourt. Labissiere has been seeing added playing time and performing well lately, so he would be my choice to add to your lineup Wednesday. However, he’s listed as questionable with a knee injury. If he is also unable to play, that could open up big minutes for Randolph. Randolph has the highest usage rate (27.5%) on the Kings, so he’s likely to produce if given added playing time. Keep your eye out for updates as the day progresses. If Labissiere plays, I’d get him in your lineup. If he doesn’t, I’d roll with Randolph.
CENTERS
Brook Lopez, LAL vs. ORL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,800
The Lakers already freed up their logjam up front by trading Larry Nance Jr. to the Cavaliers, but Lopez could see even more playing time now with Kuzma assuming some of Ingram’s minutes. In the last two games with Ingram injured, Lopez has averaged 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals, one block and 1.5 three-pointers. The Magic are in the bottom ten in terms of points allowed to opposing centers on both FanDuel and DraftKings, leaving Lopez with an opportunity to provide value.
Jakob Poeltl, TOR at DET
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,800
Poeltl doesn’t score much, recording eight points or less in five of his last six games. A lot of his value is tied to his defensive prowess as he is averaging 1.4 steals and 2.4 blocks in his last five contests. The Raptors have been winning games in a deciding fashion lately, which has opened up some added playing time late in games for Poeltl. One of those instances came against these same Pistons a little over a week ago when the Raptors won by 29 points. In that game, Poeltl played 22 minutes and finished with eight points, four rebounds, three steals and one block. If you want to take a risk on a really cheap center in tournament play, Poeltl could be an option.