Tuesday doesn’t bring a ton of action in the NBA with just four games on the schedule. There are still some positions that have excellent cheaper options, but there are others where it might be wise to allocate a larger portion of your budget.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 3/28/19
The NBA brings eight games and plenty of playoff implications to the table Thursday. With it comes another opportunity to win some money in DFS. Let’s highlight some of the cheaper value plays at each position who could provide value.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 3/20/19
Thursday’s nine-game slate in the NBA will be loaded with star power since the Rockets, Celtics, Sixers and Thunder are all scheduled to take the floor. In order to fit some of those top-tier options into your DFS entry, you’ll need to find the right mix with cheaper value players.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 3/18/19
There are a lot of cheap value play options to consider across the NBA on Monday. There are nine games on the schedule and injuries and suspensions will have significant impacts on the slate.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 2/6/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The hot topic in the NBA is Thursday’s trade deadline. Some keys moves have already been made with potentially more in the works. While we wait to see things unfold, we have seven games to select cheap value plays from Wednesday. 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
Bryn Forbes, SA at GS
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,300
The Spurs are the poster child for cheap value plays Wednesday. Not only will they be missing three players from their depth chart, but they are three of their best ones in DeMar DeRozan (rest), LaMarcus Aldridge (rest) and Derrick White (heel). On the offensive end, those three average a combined 52.1 points per game. Forbes’ average of 12.1 points per game ranks fourth on the team behind DeRozan, Aldridge and Rudy Gay (14.2), so expect him to see more shot attempts in this game.
Patty Mills, SA at GS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200
Mills enters this contest having averaged 13.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and one steal across his last seven games. He can score in bunches, so he too should be tasked with helping to offset the absences of DeRozan and Aldridge. The Warriors play at the 10th-fastest pace (101.8 possessions per game) in the league, which should also help increase Mills’ upside.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Malik Beasley, DEN at BKN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,700
The Nuggets have already ruled out Gary Harris (groin) on Wednesday, which should leave Beasley with another start. They could also be without Jamal Murray (ankle) and Paul Millsap (ankle), who are both listed as questionable. With Beasley averaging 20.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals across his last seven games, look for him to once again cash in on his added playing time.
Marco Belinelli, SA at GS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,000
The veteran Belinelli is only averaging 22 minutes a game, which would be his lowest mark since the 2014-15 season. Ironically, that was the final season of his first stint with the Spurs. His overall numbers don’t stand out, but he has been more productive lately by averaging 14.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists across his last 13 games. Despite his lack of defensive contributions, he’s yet another Spur worth considering in tournament play.
SMALL FORWARDS
Darius Miller, NO at CHI
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,800
The Pelicans have the ability to change the landscape of the league by trading away Anthony Davis (finger). While they continue to field offers, they’ve kept Davis on the sidelines despite a recent report that he’s healthy enough to play. With Davis, Nikola Mirotic (calf), Julius Randle (ankle), Elfrid Payton (ankle) and E’Twaun Moore (quadriceps) all potentially out again, Miller should receive plenty of playing time. That’s key considering the Pelicans play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.1).
Davis Bertans, SA at GS
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100
Yes, I’ve mentioned a lot of Spurs. But their situation Wednesday presents an opportunity to pounce on. Bertans already started their last game Monday against the Kings and scored 11 points to go along with eight rebounds, two assists and a steal. In another start last week against the Suns, he recorded 18 points, five assists, four steals and a block. It’s hard to pass him up at this cheap price on both sites.
POWER FORWARDS
Marvin Williams, CHA at DAL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900
The Hornets looked to be closing in on a trade for Marc Gasol on Tuesday, but that deal has reportedly fallen apart. The two teams might still try to make a deal work, which could have a significant impact on the Hornets’ depth chart Wednesday. As long as Williams isn’t dealt, he’s someone to target against a Mavericks team that has very little size up front after their trade with the Knicks.
Kenrich Williams, NO at CHI
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000
As long as the Pelicans remain shorthanded, Williams is a great option to consider. He’s logged at least 30 minutes in each of their last four games, which helped him to average 12.3 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one block during that stretch. The Bulls are about as big of a dumpster fire as there is in the league right now, so expect Williams to at least approach a double-double again in this contest.
CENTERS
Mason Plumlee, DEN at BKN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,400
Plumlee started in place of Millsap against the Pistons on Monday and came through with 15 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals across 33 minutes. That leaves him with averages of 10.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists over four games in which he has played at least 30 minutes. Even if Millsap does return, Plumlee could provide value in a bench role since the Nets allow the second-most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers.
Jakob Poeltl, SA at GS
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,200
Ok, this is the final player on the Spurs that I’ll talk about. I promise. With Aldridge out, Pau Gasol and Poeltl will be left to carry the load at center. Gasol has logged at least 20 minutes in a game only two times over the last month, so don’t expect him to all of a sudden spend a ton of time on the floor. If this game were to be a blowout, that would also work in Poeltl’s favor since Gasol would likely be on the bench a lot in the second half. At such a cheap price, Poeltl could be a difference maker 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 2/4/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There’s not a lot of action in the NBA on Monday with just six games on the schedule. However, with several teams battling injuries, there are still a lot of great cheap value play options. Let’s highlight a couple at each position that could prove to be profitable. 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
Tim Frazier, NO vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,900
With the trade deadline coming up this week, the Pelicans aren’t going to push any of their best players to rush back from injury. Elfrid Payton (ankle) will sit out once again, leaving a significant void at point guard. Frank Jackson has started three straight games with Payton sidelined, but Frazier has also seen an expanded role off the bench. Frazier averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and one steal across those three contests and is a great option despite this matchup against a tough Pacers’ defense.
Patty Mills, SA at SAC
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,100
Derrick White (heel) is going to sit out Monday, leaving the starting point guard spot up for grabs on the Spurs. Even if Mills doesn’t get the nod, he is going to see added playing time either way. The majority of Mills’ contributions come from the scoring column, which isn’t bad news for his prospects in this game considering the Kings play at the second-fastest pace (104.2 possessions per game) and are tied for the fourth-most points allowed per game (114.9) in the league.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Monte Morris, DEN at DET
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,000
Morris has started each of the last three games for the Nuggets with Jamal Murray (ankle) on the sidelines. To say he’s made the most of those starts would be an understatement considering he averaged 18.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.7 steals. If Murray is out again Monday, Morris makes for a great option despite his increasing price tag.
Malik Beasley, DEN at DET
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,500
Murray hasn’t been the only injured member of the Nuggets’ backcourt with Gary Harris (groin) also sidelined their last two games. However, unlike Murray, Harris has already been ruled out Monday. That should leave plenty of playing time for Beasley, who has averaged 14.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 35 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes this season. His upside isn’t as high as Morris’ if Murray is out, but at his reduced price, Beasley is also an appealing option.
SMALL FORWARDS
Mikal Bridges, PHO vs. HOU
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,400
The Suns have a lot of wing players, but their positional log jam has been freed up a bit with T.J. Warren (ankle) and De’Anthony Melton (ankle) on the shelf. Elie Okobo has been starting in place of Melton at point guard, but Bridges has logged at least 35 minutes in all four games since Melton went down. Bridges has been extremely productive during that stretch, averaging 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.3 steals.
Darius Miller, NO vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,800
Miller is another player who has benefited from the massive amount of injuries on the Pelicans. He’s been forced to start four of their last five games, leaving him to average 15.3 points, four rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals across those four contests. Considering the Pelicans play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.1) in the league, Miller should receive enough opportunities to provide value based on his expanded role.
POWER FORWARDS
Jeff Green, WAS vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,900
This is an extremely appealing game from a DFS perspective. Both the Wizards and Hawks are in the top-nine in pace of play and both allow at least 115.6 points per game. Keeping those stats in mind, you want to try and target a couple of the cheaper options in this game for your lineup. Not only is Green averaging 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists across his last 10 games, but he also averaged 17 points, 6.5 rebounds and four assists in two previous meeting with the Hawks this year.
Kenrich Williams, NO vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Things are so bad on the injury front for the Pelicans that their undrafted rookie Williams has been forced to log extended minutes. It’s hard to argue with the results, though, since he has averaged 13.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one block across their last three games. With so few healthy options to push him for playing time, taking a chance on him continuing his recent run of success is not a crazy idea in tournament play.
CENTERS
Brook Lopez, MIL at BKN
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,400
Targeting centers who face the Nets is usually a wise strategy since they allow the second-most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to the position. Lopez exploded for 24 points the first time these two teams met this season, which was a game played in Milwaukee. Look for him to shine once again in his return to his old stomping grounds in Brooklyn.
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at WAS
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,600
Dedmon is playing well heading into this contest with averages of 13.3 points, seven rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over his last seven games. This is another great matchup for him, especially with the Wizards’ lack of size up front. The only cause for concern with Dedmon is that the Hawks are likely shopping him with the trade deadline approaching Thursday. Just be sure to monitor the news leading up to this game to make sure he hasn’t been dealt yet.
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 1/29/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Tuesday’s seven-game slate in the NBA is once again loaded with cheap value play options due to injuries. Let’s get right down to business and highlight two players at each position that could help lead you to a profitable night. 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
Derrick White, SA vs. PHO
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700
DeMar DeRozan (knee) will be out again Tuesday, forcing other players on the Spurs to help make up for some of his production. Across the last three games that DeRozan has missed, White has averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and one steal. This is an excellent matchup for him against a Suns team that allows the second-most FanDuel points per game and the fourth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing point guards.
Shabazz Napier, BKN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,900
Napier stepped up for the Nets again Monday, scoring 20 points to go along with two rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Celtics. He logged 26 minutes and attempted 16 shots, leaving him with 29 shot attempts across two games since Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb) went down. There’s no reason to believe he won’t play a prominent role again Tuesday, which sets him up as a cheap option to target against a horrible Bulls team.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Marco Belinelli, SA vs. PHO
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200
Another player who will be tasked with filling the void created by DeRozan’s absence is Belinelli. Over the previous three games that DeRozan missed, Belinelli averaged 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. This is a great matchup for him against the Suns, who allow the third-most points per game (115.5) in the league, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry.
Wayne Selden, CHI at BKN
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,200
The Bulls seem hellbent on not playing Jabari Parker. They lost yet another key part of their rotation in Chandler Hutchinson (toe), who will be out for at least the next four weeks. In the first game that Hutchinson missed Sunday against the Cavaliers, Parker logged just 11 minutes off of the bench. Selden is the one who replaced Hutchinson in the starting five and he was productive with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. The key is he played 38 minutes. If you want to go really cheap in tournament play, Selden is a viable option, especially on FanDuel.
SMALL FORWARDS
Cedi Osman, CLE vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,200
Osman has cranked up his game of late, averaging 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals across his last three contests. That’s especially impressive when you consider two of those games came against the Celtics and Heat, both of which are inside the top-four in the league in terms of fewest points allowed per game. He’s someone to target Tuesday in a much easier matchup against a Wizards team that allows the second-most points per game (115.9) and plays at the eighth-fastest pace (102.2 possessions per game) in the league.
Darius Miller, NO at HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,700
The Pelicans will be playing with a short bench for this game with Anthony Davis (finger), Nikola Mirotic (calf) and E’Twaun Moore (rest) all out. To make matters worse, Julius Randle (ankle) is listed as questionable and could miss his third straight games. Over the previous two games with Davis, Mirotic and Randle all out, Miller averaged 16 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. If Randle does indeed sit, Miller has plenty of upside.
POWER FORWARDS
Richaun Holmes, PHO at SA
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,700
The Suns should once again be without Deandre Ayton (ankle), who is listed as doubtful for Tuesday. Holmes had missed some time recently with a foot injury, but he returned Sunday and posted 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks across 27 minutes against the Lakers. Dragan Bender has been playing well for the Suns, but he only logged 13 minutes Sunday. It’s pretty clear that Holmes is their preferred option in the middle.
Ed Davis, BKN vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,100
Davis grabbed 11 rebounds against the Celtics on Monday and has now reached double-digit boards in three of his last four games. Considering he’s averaging three offensive rebounds a game for the season, that helps him contribute enough in the scoring department to not be a liability in that area. Even though he’s not starting, don’t shy away from him in this matchup against a Bulls team that allows the second-most DraftKings points per game and the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. Of note, Davis is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel since he is listed at center on DraftKings.
CENTERS
Ivica Zubac, LAL vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,600
The Lakers would be wise to stick with Zubac as their primary center. He demolished the depleted Suns on Sunday, scoring 24 points to go along with 16 rebounds and four blocks in 35 minutes. This is a much tougher matchup for him against Joel Embiid, but Zubac’s expanded role of late still leaves him with enough upside to warrant consideration at this price. If this game becomes a blowout, that also should help him receive more playing time.
Brook Lopez, MIL at DET
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,600
The Bucks don’t have a ton of quality size up front, so look for them to rely heavily on Lopez in this matchup against Andre Drummond. Lopez has been productive over the first three games these teams have faced off this season, averaging 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and a whopping 3.3 blocks per contest. If you’re choosing between the two, I’d go with Zubac over Lopez since they are so close in price. However, if you want a lower owned player in tournament play, Lopez might be your man.
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 1/14/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The two top options for Monday’s six-game slate in the NBA are James Harden and Anthony Davis. Both are costly, so if you want to add them to your DFS lineup, you’ll need to find the right mix with cheaper value plays. Here are a couple of options at each position 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
Derrick White, SA vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,400
This is a great matchup for the Spurs. They are a much better team at home and the Hornets are an ugly 5-15 on the road. The Hornets’ defense has also been awful since Cody Zeller (hand) went down, allowing an average of 119.5 points across their last six games. That could lead to a productive offensive showing from White, who enters this contest having averaged 17.1 points across his last seven games.
Terry Rozier, BOS at BKN
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,700
The key here is the status of Kyrie Irving. Irving is dealing with a right quadriceps bruise and is considered a game-time decision. If he can’t play, Rozier would likely assume his spot in the starting five. Over four starts this season, Rozier has averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds. 5.3 assists and two steals. He would be a lock for me at this dirt cheap price on both sites.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Austin Rivers, HOU vs. MEM
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,700
Rivers had another strong offensive showing for the Rockets on Sunday by scoring 25 points against the Magic. He logged 37 minutes in that game and hit four three-pointers. With all of the injuries that the Rockets have in their backcourt, Rivers has averaged 37 minutes per game since joining the team. Couple his increased playing time with added three-point attempts and Rivers is still someone to consider in tournament play despite having to face a tough Grizzlies’ defense Monday.
Kyle Korver, UTA vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,800
The Jazz are basically playing without a point guard right now due to injuries. With three point guards currently on the sidelines, it’s opened up added playing time for a couple of players on the roster. Korver is one of them and is coming off of a productive game Saturday against the Bulls when he scored 16 points to go along with five rebounds and a block in 26 minutes. He’s not going to be someone who helps facilitate the offense, but the added playing time makes him someone to target at this cheap price.
SMALL FORWARDS
Royce O’Neale, UTA vs. DET
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,700
The other player who has seen a significant increase in playing time lately is O’Neale, who has logged at least 37 minutes in both of the last two games. To say he’s come through for the Jazz is an understatement. Friday, he scored 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, one assist and two steals in a blowout win over the Lakers. He followed that up Saturday with eight points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and two blocks against the Bulls. Don’t hesitate to add him to your entry.
Evan Turner, POR at SAC
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,400
The Blazers don’t have nearly the injury issues that the Jazz have, but they could be missing a key part of their rotation in Maurice Harkless (knee). He’s missed each of their last three games and might not be able to take the floor again Monday. If he can’t, that could leave Turner with added playing time. That’s key considering he doesn’t excel in any one particular category. It also helps Turner’s cause that the Kings play at the second-fastest pace (104.7 possessions per game) in the league.
POWER FORWARDS
Marcus Morris, BOS at BKN
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,800
Another player who could potentially benefit from the absence of Irving is Morris. Despite the Celtics’ stellar depth across the roster, Morris is averaging a career-high 15.6 points per game. Even though Morris doesn’t provide hardly any defensive stats, he has chipped in another career-high with an average of six rebounds a night. The Nets are dealing with some injuries to their frontcourt, so look for Morris to have an opportunity to thrive. He’s is still worth considering if Irving plays, but his upside is likely higher if Irving can’t take the floor.
JaMychal Green, MEM at HOU
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800
The Grizzlies lost Kyle Anderson (ankle) over the weekend and could be without his services for up to four weeks. The Grizzlies do have Justin Holiday to step into a larger role, but Jaren Jackson Jr. could also see some playing time at small forward. The trio of Jackson, Green and Marc Gasol actually shared some time on the floor Saturday against Heat. Green is averaging 10.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in only 23 minutes a game this year, so any added playing time could provide him with a boost in value.
CENTERS
Al Horford, BOS at BKN
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,200
Horford’s value comes from his ability to contribute in multiple areas. His production has been capped lately, though, due to a minute’s restriction after missing time with a knee injury. That restriction was increased to 30 minutes Saturday against the Magic and he responded with 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block. The Nets allow the most DraftKings points per game and the second-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers, so the added playing time makes Horford a great target for your entry.
Bismack Biyombo, CHA at SA
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,200
The Hornets turned to Willy Hernangomez when Zeller initially went down, but his time as a starter lasted just one game. Biyombo has started each of their last five contests and averaged 7.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. If you want to load up at other positions, rolling with Biyombo at center in tournament play could help significantly with your budget while providing modest upside.
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 1/7/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There are plenty of value plays to wade through Monday with eight games on the NBA schedule. Here are a couple of players at each position who stand out based on their matchups. 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
Derrick White, SA at DET
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,000
The Spurs may have finally settled on White as their starting point guard. Not only has he started nine straight games, but he’s also logged at least 27 minutes in seven straight contests. During that seven-game stretch, he’s averaged 13.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks. Even though those aren’t eye-popping numbers, that still brings him into the DFS discussion for Monday based on his reasonable price on both sites.
D.J. Augustin, ORL at SAC
FanDuel – $5,000
DraftKings = $4,600
The Magic are approaching the halfway point of the season and Augustin is still their starting point guard. While that might say more about the state of their roster than it does anything else, Augustin has remained DFS relevant in the role. He’s averaged 28 minutes per game, which is his highest mark since the 2011-12 season. The Kings play at the second-fastest pace (104.9 possessions per game) in the league, which should afford Augustin with a few more opportunities to provide value, as well. The Kings have also allowed the third-most FanDuel points per game and the fourth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing point guards.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Malcolm Brogdon, MIL vs. UTA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,200
The Bucks continue to be one of the best teams in the league and Brogdon has been a key part of their success. He’s able to provide steady contributions across the board, averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per contest. His defensive contributions are limited, but he is shooting a career-high 42.8 percent from behind the arc. The Bucks also play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.1), leaving Brogdon as a viable option to consider.
Austin Rivers, HOU vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700
The Rockets are on a roll right now despite not having Chris Paul (hamstring) or Eric Gordon (knee) on the floor. It turned out adding Rivers has been crucial for their depth. He’s averaged a whopping 38 minutes per game with the Rockets, recording 13.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a night. With both players out once again Monday, Rivers should receive all the playing time that he can handle.
SMALL FORWARDS
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at BOS
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,300
Speaking of teams dealing with injuries, the Nets will likely be without the services of Allen Crabbe (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) for this contest. Carroll hasn’t played a ton this season, but he’s logged at least 27 minutes in all three games since both players went down. With averages of 19.7 points, five rebounds, and 2.7 assists during that stretch, Carroll still has some upside despite facing a stingy Celtics’ defense. In fact, he scored 20 points and grabbed five rebounds against an equally tough Grizzlies’ defense on Friday.
Danuel House, HOU vs. DEN
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,200
Another beneficiary to all of the injuries on the Rockets is House, who has started each of their last seven games. He’s done nothing to make the Rockets remove him from that role, averaging 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 three-pointers. With no reinforcements coming Monday, House will once again be a cheap option in tournament play who could provide some upside.
POWER FORWARDS
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. BKN
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,900
Morris (neck) did not play Friday against the Mavericks, but with a few days off, he’s listed as probable for this matchup with the Nets. Kyrie Irving (eye) should also return, so this could be a tough task for the red-hot Nets. Morris is in the midst of arguably the best season of his career, averaging 15.4 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 three-pointers. That’s saying something considering the depth that the Celtics have. If Morris plays, he makes a lot of sense in tournament play, especially based on his price on FanDuel.
Ed Davis, BKN at BOS
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,600
Davis is a rebounding machine. He’s only averaging 18 minutes a game this season, but that hasn’t stopped him from averaging 8.5 boards per contest. The Nets have relied on him to log more minutes since Hollis-Jefferson went down, which has propelled Davis to averages of 6.3 points and 11.3 rebounds across his last three contests. Of note, Davis is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel since he is listed at center on DraftKings.
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, LAL at DAL
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,500
The Lakers have turned into the walking-wounded with LeBron James (groin), Rajon Rondo (hand) and Kyle Kuzma (back) all dealing with injuries. Even if Kuzma makes his return Monday, James and Rondo will still be sidelined. McGee normally doesn’t receive a lot of scoring opportunities, but he has attempted at least 14 shots in two of his last three games. It’s hard to rely on him to be an offensive force, but even a couple of extra shot attempts per game makes a big difference when combined with his ability to rebound and block shots.
Al Horford, BOS vs. BKN
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,600
The one thing I don’t like about Horford is his lack of playing time since returning from a knee injury. He hasn’t logged more than 25 minutes in any of his last five games. However, three of those games were decided by at least 13 points, so it might not have made much sense to push Horford in those outings. The Nets are terrible at defending opposing centers, so even if Horford is somewhat limited Monday, he could still be productive.
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 10/22/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
We’ve got nine games on the NBA schedule Monday, including an exciting matchup between the Lakers and Spurs. Let’s try to add even more fun to the evening with some winning entries in DFS. Here are some cheaper players who could provide significant returns 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
J.J. Barea, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,900
The Mavericks certainly have a lot to be excited about with two promising young players in Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr. They also have some valuable veterans on this roster. One of them is Barea, who has been stalwart of their second unit for many years. This season has been no different with him averaging 10.5 points, two rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 three-pointers over his first two games. Although he doesn’t log a ton of minutes, he can still be valuable based on his 20.6 percent usage rate and ability to rack up assists.
Bryn Forbes, SA at LAL
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600
If it wasn’t for bad luck, the Spurs would have no luck at all this season when it comes to their point guards. Dejounte Murray (knee) is out for the year and Derrick White is still working his way back from a heel injury. Forbes has started both games in their absence, averaging 14 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, one steal, and three three-pointers. He’s not your traditional point guard in terms of his assists, but his ability to shoot from behind the arc leaves him with upside, especially against a Lakers team that plays at such a fast pace.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Josh Hart, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,100
The Lakers will be without two key parts of their rotation for this game with Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram both suspended. Several players will likely be in line for increased opportunities, including Hart. He’s already off to a good start, averaging 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.5 blocks and two three-pointers per game. He’s also seen his usage rate skyrocket from 13.5% last year to 21.6% this season.
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,000
Another veteran who plays a significant role for the Mavericks is Matthews. He’s averaged 35 minutes across their first two games and has logged at least 34 minutes per contest in each of his previous three seasons with the team. His numbers aren’t off the charts, but he’s averaged at least 12.5 points per game in each of those seasons in large part because he’s also contributed at least 2.4 three-pointers per contest. The Bulls have allowed an average of 112.5 points across their first two games.
SMALL FORWARDS
Trevor Ariza, PHO at GS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,100
The Suns have a lot of talented young players on their team and added Ariza over the summer to provide some veteran leadership. His first game with the team couldn’t have gone much better, posting 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five three-pointers against the Mavericks. However, he came crashing back down to Earth with five points and three rebounds in their subsequent game against the Nuggets. The good news is he played at least 29 minutes in both contests and should have a significant role moving forward. With all the small lineups the Warriors like to deploy, look for Ariza to be heavily involved Monday.
Jae Crowder, UTA vs. MEM
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,700
Crowder showed a lot of promise during his tenure with the Celtics, but his brief stint with the Cavaliers in the first half of last season was a train wreck. He played much better after being dealt to the Jazz, averaging 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.8 three-pointers per contest. The Jazz have given him a significant role off the bench this year, as well, helping him post 15 points, six rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers per game. They have also played at the fifth-fastest pace (110.7 possessions per game) in the early going, making Crowder a viable option for your entry.
POWER FORWARDS
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,300
With the league trending towards smaller lineups, you could see the writing on the wall when it came to playing time for Jonas Valanciunas. He averaged a career-low 22 minutes per game last year and has only logged 18 minutes per contest through the first three games this season. Ibaka has been the Raptors preferred option up front when they do go small, helping him average 29 minutes a game. While he’s not putting up the gaudy block numbers like he did during his tenure with the Thunder, Ibaka has still been excellent this year with 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, one steal and 1.7 blocks per game. The Hornets like to play small, so look for Ibaka to see plenty of minutes Monday.
Dwight Powell, DAL vs. CHI
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,100
The Mavericks desperately needed to add talent at center and they did just that by bringing in DeAndre Jordan. They still don’t have a ton of talent up front, though, and are missing Dirk Nowitzki as he recovers from an ankle injury. Powell has been extremely involved as a member of their second unit with a 29.1% usage rate. That’s not going to hold up, but he’s going to get added opportunities to produce until Nowitzki returns. Based on how poorly the Bulls have played on the defensive end, Powell could be in line to extend his hot start.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND at MIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,000
Turner was a trendy pick for a breakout campaign last year, but he didn’t show much improvement. In fact, his 47.9% field goal percentage was the lowest mark of his young career. He’s had an inconsistent start this year, but that could be partly because the Pacers haven’t had a game yet that was decided by fewer than 17 points. Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t a great defender and Turner has the ability to contribute plenty of blocks, leaving him with upside Monday.
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900
McGee has done a great job for the Lakers. They like to use a lot of small lineups, but McGee has averaged 21 minutes a game as their starting center. After being relegated to an extremely limited role with the Warriors, McGee has cashed in his added playing time this year for 14.5 points, seven rebounds and four blocks per contest. Even though Rondo won’t play, McGee still has LeBron James and Lonzo Ball to create scoring opportunities for him. If he keeps playing like this, he won’t be this cheap for much longer.