The NBA will embark on the last full week before the All-Star break with 10 games on the schedule Monday. That leaves us with a ton of options to wade through in DFS, so let’s highlight a couple that stand out at each position.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 27 2020
Monday brings six games in the NBA, which doesn’t exactly leave us with a bevy of options in DFS.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 23 2020
We don’t have a lot of options to choose from Thursday in DFS with only three games in the NBA. A key injury could also have major ramifications on the slate.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 17 2020
As far as Friday’s go, this isn’t exactly a busy one with seven games in the NBA. Still, that leaves us with a lot of viable options to wade through in DFS, so let’s highlight a couple of players at each position to target.
Read MoreNBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 1/9/19
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Wednesday brings 10 games in the NBA, leaving a significant number of options to wade through in DFS. Let’s get right down to business and highlight a couple of cheaper players 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
T.J. McConnell, PHI at WAS
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,900
The Sixers destroyed the Wizards on Tuesday, a contest in which McConnell scored nine points to go along with four rebounds, five assists, and two steals across 23 minutes. Those numbers are pretty typical of his production since taking on a more expanded role with Markelle Fultz (shoulder) out. With both of these teams in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, there’s no reason to believe that McConnell can’t provide similar production in their rematch Wednesday. While that might not be an overly-exciting line, it’s still valuable at his cheap price on both sites.
De’Anthony Melton, PHO at DAL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,300
Melton shined without Devin Booker (back) on Tuesday, scoring 10 points to go along with four rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and two blocks. The key is that he logged 31 minutes. Across four games this season in which Melton has played at least 30 minutes, he’s averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.8 steals. If Booker can’t play again, don’t hesitate to play Melton in tournament contests.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Josh Hart, LAL vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $6,100
There are no reinforcements coming for the Lakers on Wednesday since LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (hand) are still on the shelf. Hart has stepped up in their absences, averaging 12.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals across the last seven games. Since the Lakers play at the third-fastest pace (104.3 possessions per game) in the league, the added playing time should continue to make Hart valuable.
Malcolm Brogdon, MIL at HOU
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,400
Brogdon is one of the most efficient guards in the league, shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 43.2 percent from behind the arc and 98.6 percent from the charity. Add in his career-high 20.1 percent usage rate and he’s averaging 15.5 points per game. He’s more than just about scoring, too, with averages of 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. He has a high minute’s floor for someone in this price range, so look for Brogdon to have another productive stat line.
SMALL FORWARDS
DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,500
Carroll (knee) was unable to play Monday, but he is listed as probable to return for this contest. The Nets could certainly use him with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) and Allen Crabbe (knee) still out. Across his last five games, Carroll has taken advantage of added playing time by averaging 18.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. This is also a great matchup against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (105.5) in the league.
Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO at DAL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,800
Oubre had been scuffling along heading into Tuesday’s game against the Kings, scoring nine points or fewer in five of his previous six contests. However, with Booker on the sidelines, Oubre exploded for 26 points on 15 shot attempts. That marked his most shot attempts in a game since joining the Suns. He wasn’t all about filling in the scoring column, either, chipping in five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. If Booker doesn’t play again Wednesday, Oubre could be a risk worth taking based on his dirt cheap price on both sites.
POWER FORWARDS
Josh Jackson, PHO at DAL
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,200
Another player who benefited from the absence of Booker was Jackson, who replaced him in the starting five. His final line wasn’t as spectacular as Oubre’s, but he still finished with 13 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals. It’s important to note that Jackson played 31 minutes. Across seven games in which Jackson has logged at least 30 minutes this season, he’s averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. Again, keep an eye on Booker’s status leading up to this game.
Ed Davis, BKN vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,800
The Nets are a very appealing team to target against the Hawks. The combination of a limited depth chart and the Hawks playing at a fast pace could prove to be very profitable. Davis is playing well heading into this contest, averaging 6.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and one steal across his last five games. It’s no coincidence that Hollis-Jefferson was sidelined for four of those five contests. With him out, there are a few more minutes available up front. Of note, Davis is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel since he is listed at center on DraftKings.
CENTERS
Tristan Thompson, CLE at NO
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000
Thompson played 35 minutes against the Pacers on Tuesday, marking the most minutes he has played in a game since returning from a lengthy stretch on the sidelines with a foot injury. It’s no surprise that he played well, scoring 15 points to go along with 13 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. The Pelicans play at the sixth-fastest pace (103), leaving Thompson with an excellent opportunity to provide another double-double.
Ian Mahinmi, WAS vs. PHI
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,500
The Wizards were no match for the Sixers on Tuesday during a game that seemed like it was over from the start. Mahinmi ended up playing 17 minutes in the defeat, scoring 10 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks. This came on the heels of a game against the Thunder where he scored nine points to go along with 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks over 25 minutes. If this is another blowout or if Thomas Bryant finds himself in foul trouble against Joel Embiid, Mahinmi could once again find himself with added playing time.
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 11/28/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The NBA brings a loaded slate Wednesday with 10 games. The Pelicans, Rockets, Bucks, and Sixers are among the teams in action, leaving a ton of the top talent as options for your DFS lineup. In order to fit those in, you’ll also need the right mix of cheap value plays. Below are two players at each position that stand out as having matchups to possibility capitalize on. 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 at HOU
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,000
Barea is only averaging 20 minutes a game, but that hasn’t stopped him from being extremely productive. His 27.1 percent usage rate is actually the highest on the team, helping him average 10.9 points per contest. He also does a great job of facilitating the offense for their second unit with 5.8 assists per night. Both Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) and Luka Doncic (illness) are listed as questionable, so Barea could be in line for a significant increase in playing time if either or both of them were unable to play. Even if they do take the floor, Barea is an appealing option at this price.
D.J. Augustin, ORL at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300
Augustin’s 15.4 percent usage rate isn’t great, but he’s still been able to average 10.3 points per game in large part because he is logging 27 minutes a night. The Magic don’t have any other viable options to start at point guard, which has also resulted in Augustin averaging 5.4 assists per contest. His upside isn’t great, but Augustin has a secure enough role to be worth considering in tournament play.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,800
The key to this game is the status of Chris Paul (hamstring). If he is forced to miss his third straight game, Gordon will once again be a part of the starting five. He’s thrived in that role this season, averaging 19.9 points and 3.4 rebounds across seven games. His usage rate is 25.2 percent as a starter, which is up from 22.3 percent as a member of the second unit. Gordon’s price has jumped up after a couple of great performances, but he’s still worth adding to your lineup if Paul sits.
Jordan Clarkson, CLE at OKC
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,100
Clarkson had a strange performance against the Timberwolves on Monday where he scored just four points on five shot attempts. Clarkson has a 28.6 percent usage rate and hadn’t attempted fewer than 10 shots in any previous game this year, so chalk it up as just one off night. The Cavaliers are going to need him to score in bunches to keep this game close against Russell Westbrook and company, so don’t be surprised if Clarkson has a bounce-back scoring effort.
SMALL FORWARDS
E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000
Moore was already an important part of the Pelicans success, but he became even more vital after they lost starting point guard Elfrid Payton (finger). Jrue Holiday has been assuming the point guard duties with Payton out, shifting Moore over to shooting guard. Although he might not get a lot of headlines, Moore is averaging 15.8 points per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field. The last time these two teams met Saturday, Moore scored 19 points. Since both of these teams are in the top-six in the league in pace of play, expect Moore to have plenty of opportunities to score again during their rematch.
Jeff Green, WAS at NO
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000
The Wizards are going to be shorthanded up front again with Dwight Howard (lower body) already ruled out. While Green doesn’t play the same position, he is still in line for added playing time. Green is also one of their better rebounders, averaging 5.2 rebounds in just 25 minutes a game. His scoring upside isn’t great, but this game should be played at a fast enough pace to make him someone to at least consider if you want to go really cheap at small forward.
POWER FORWARDS
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,500
Williams is only averaging 25 minutes a game this season, but he’s logged at least 31 minutes in each of his last three games. That’s especially encouraging since the Michael Kidd-Gilchrist returned from injury Monday. Across five games in which Williams has logged at least 30 minutes, he is averaging 14 points. 8.2 rebounds, and one block. He’s also had plenty of success in two previous matchups against the Hawks, averaging 20 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Richaun Holmes, PHO at LAC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,400
Holmes makes this list for the second straight night after scoring eight points to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks Tuesday against the Pacers. Over the last five games, Holmes is now averaging 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and two blocks. His role is secure as the primary backup to Deandre Ayton and the Clippers have some size up front with Montrezl Harrell, Marcin Gortat, and Boban Marjanovic, so expect Holmes to get enough playing time to provide value at this price.
CENTERS
Tristan Thompson, CLE at OKC
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $6,300
Thompson isn’t overly cheap, but center is usually one of the tougher positions to fill in terms of value plays, especially on FanDuel. Thompson continues to dominate the minutes in the middle for the Cavaliers and should be set there for a while with the news that Kevin Love (toe) isn’t eyeing a return until January. Facing Steven Adams isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but Thompson should at least be a threat to post a double-double Wednesday.
Cody Zeller, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,100
If you want a cheap play with significant upside, Zeller is not your man. However, he does have a relatively high floor with averages of 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest. The Hawks are not a good team by any stretch of the imagination, but they do have size up front with Dewayne Dedmon and Alex Len. When these two teams met Sunday, Zeller finished with seven points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in 28 minutes.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Monday brings seven games on the NBA schedule. The Celtics, Warriors, Rockets, and Pelicans will be among the teams in action, leaving a lot of the top-tier options on the board for your DFS entry. In order to get them into your lineup, let’s examine some cheap value plays to also 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
Collin Sexton, CLE vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,800
Sexton may have run away with the starting point guard job to the point where he might not relinquish it even when George Hill (shoulder) eventually returns. He’s logging 33 minutes per game as a starter with little depth behind him, helping him to average 19.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. The Timberwolves play at the 10th-fastest pace (102.3 possessions per game) in the league, which could lead Sexton with even more scoring chances Monday.
Cory Joseph, IND at UTA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500
Joseph hasn’t started a game for the Pacers this season, but he’s still averaging 26 minutes a game, just one fewer than starting point guard Darren Collison. Victor Oladipo (knee) has missed their last three games, which left Joseph to average nine points, 3.7 rebounds, six assists and two steals in his absence. If Oladipo is unable to play again Monday, Joseph is a viable option in tournament play.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Justin Holiday, CHI vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800
The Bulls have been decimated by injuries in the early going, leaving Holiday to average 35 minutes a game. He doesn’t really excel in any one area, but his high minute’s floor has helped him to average 13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest in November. This might not be a high-scoring affair between two teams in the bottom half of the league in pace of play, but don’t let that shy you away from using Holiday.
Marcus Smart, BOS at NO
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100
If there is any team built to deal with injuries, it’s the Celtics with their insane depth. They are off to a disappointing 10-10 start, but some of that might be due to players getting adjusted to new roles. Smart’s playing time is down significantly, but he could be in line for an expanded role Monday with Jaylen Brown (back) listed as doubtful. The last three games in which Smart has logged at least 25 minutes, he’s averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals.
SMALL FORWARDS
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at UTA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700
Bogdanovic is another player who has seen a boost in production with Oladipo out, averaging 20.7 points, two rebounds, and 2.3 assists across the last three games. He’s shooting a stellar 54.9 percent from the field, overall, this season, which has been boosted by his insane 52.5 percent shooting from behind the arc. That number obviously won’t hold up throughout the entire year, but ride the hot hand while you can, especially if Olidaipo can’t play again.
Jeff Green, WAS vs. HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000
Injuries to key players are a common theme Monday with the status of Dwight Howard (lower body) still in doubt. Even if he does play, this could be a prime opportunity for Green to take advantage of all the small lineups that the Rockets like to deploy. You might be surprised to learn that the Rockets play at the second-slowest pace (96.8) in the league, but with the Wizards playing at the sixth-fastest pace (104), Green could still thrive with the potential for added playing time.
POWER FORWARDS
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,800
Favors came off the bench for the first time this year Sunday against the Kings, but he still logged 24 minutes, which is right in line with his season average. His production wasn’t impacted by the change, either, with him scoring 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench Monday, he is still a viable cost-effective option.
Marcus Morris, BOS at NO
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,200
One player who hasn’t really seen his role change this year is Morris. His usage rate is down slightly, but he’s helped make up for that by shooting 48.2 percent from the field. He’s also been one of the Celtics best rebounders with a career-high 6.4 boards per contest. The Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (105.1), so don’t be surprised if this ends up as one of the Celtics highest-scoring games of the season in the early going.
CENTERS
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,100
Thompson has always been a great rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. He’s not much of a scorer, but his 5.2 offensive rebounds a game has helped him to average 11.1 points per contest. It is a bit disappointing that he’s only averaging 0.3 blocks per contest, but he wouldn’t be priced this low based on his points and rebounds if he wasn’t struggling in that category. Even though his price is climbing, it’s still reasonable enough to warrant considering him for your entry.
Mohamed Bamba, ORL at GS
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,300
There aren’t a lot of great really cheap center options, so if you want to go that route, it will come with some risk. Bamba doesn’t play much behind Nikola Vucevic, but this could be a chance for him to get a few added minutes if the Magic get down big early. The Warriors might be missing some key players, but they are still a much better team than the Magic, especially at home. Across five games in which Bamba has played at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 8.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18
*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
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
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
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
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
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 11/14/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
With 11 games in the NBA on Wednesday, many of the best players in the league will be in action. In order to fit some of them into your DFS entry, you’ll need to find the right mix with cheap value plays. Here are some of the better options to consider when crafting 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
Collin Sexton, CLE at WAS
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,000
Sexton might still have a lot of developing to do, but he’s shown promise while filling in as the starting point guard with George Hill (shoulder) out. Across three games since assuming the role, Sexton is averaging 17 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. The key is that he has logged at least 34 minutes in each of those contests, something that likely won’t change Wednesday based on the limited depth behind him. The Wizards play at the seventh-fastest pace (103.4 possessions per game), so that could afford Sexton with even more opportunities to provide value.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. PHI
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,700
Augustin has started all 14 games for the Magic this year and isn’t going to lose that job anytime soon. Not only do they have no viable options behind him, but he’s averaged a respectable 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per contest. In his first game against the Sixers this year, Augustin finished with nine points, three rebounds and nine assists. Considering the Sixers play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.6), Augustin could be a viable option in tournament play for their rematch.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. PHI
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,000
Ross continues to lead the Magic’s second unit with a 24 percent usage rate. In fact, the only two players on the team with higher usage rates are both starters in Evan Fournier (26.1 percent) and Nikola Vucevic (25.3 percent). Ross is also averaging a whopping six three-point attempts per contest, which has helped him post 13.8 points and 2.3 three-pointers a night. With the potential for this game to be played at a faster pace than the Sixers are accustomed to, Ross could be in line for another valuable offensive outing.
J.R. Smith, CLE at WAS
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,000
The Cavaliers are running out of healthy players, so they’ve had to turn to a familiar face in Smith to cover some of the extra available minutes. Never one to shy away from taking shots, Smith has scored at least 13 points in four of his last five games. It hasn’t been just about scoring for Smith, though, who is also averaging 2.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals during that five-game stretch. The Wizards are allowing the most points per game (118.5), making Smith a potential bargain at this price.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jae Crowder, UTA at DAL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,200
Crowder continues to thrive off the bench for the Jazz, averaging 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. His 69.6 percent shooting from the charity stripe leaves a lot to be desired, but that’s more a season-long fantasy concern than it is in DFS. In his first two games against the Mavericks this season, Crowder averaged 14.5 points and six rebounds, almost exactly in line with his overall marks for the year. His upside might not be off the charts, but he also has a relatively high floor for a player at this price.
Jeff Green, WAS vs. CLE
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200
The Wizards are finally healthy, but that hasn’t stopped Green from being a valuable part of their second unit. Actually, he’s averaging 14.6 points and six rebounds over his last five games. He may not get a ton of shots, but he’s been extremely efficient by shooting 51 percent from the floor and 96.9 percent from the charity stripe. In a matchup against his former team that is currently decimated by injuries, Green is an intriguing option in tournament play.
POWER FORWARDS
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at LAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,900
The Blazers don’t count on Aminu to score much, leaving him with a paltry 11.9 percent usage rate. However, he’s still managed to average 8.5 points per contest. Add that to his 8.7 rebounds a game and he’s a nightly threat to at least approach a double-double. This is a good matchup for him against a Lakers team that deploys a lot of small lineups and plays at the third-fastest pace (105.6). The last time these two teams met, Aminu had four points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Derrick Favors, UTA at DAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Favors was forced to play extra minutes last season with Rudy Gobert out for an extended period of time, but with Gobert healthy, Favors is back to playing just 23 minutes a game this year. That hasn’t stopped him from being productive, though, with averages of 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. The Mavericks have improved their overall roster, but Favors is a tough matchup for them at power forward. When these two teams played each other last week, Favors finished with 13 points, six rebounds, two steals, and three blocks.
CENTERS
Tristan Thompson, CLE at WAS
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,800
With Kevin Love (toe), Sam Dekker (ankle) and Cedi Osman (back) all out, the Cavaliers have been forced to play Larry Nance Jr. more at power forward. That’s left Thompson to handle the bulk of the time at center, resulting in him playing at least 28 minutes in each of his last four games. He hasn’t let those minutes go to waste, averaging 15.5 points and 16 rebounds a contest.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. DET
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,000
Valanciunas has bounced in and out of the starting five based on matchups, but this looks like an instance where he’ll start against Andre Drummond. Even though Valanciunas is still only averaging 22 minutes a game as a starter, he’s posted 13.2 points, eight rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest in that role. Thompson has the higher upside, but Valanciunas is also someone to consider who comes at an even cheaper price.
NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/13/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
There’s not much to see in the NBA with only three games on the schedule Tuesday. Even though there are far fewer value play options than usual, there are still a lot of viable ones that could help you finish the evening a winner. 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
Quinn Cook, GS vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,500
After shinning with Stephen Curry (groin) out Saturday, Cook had just seven points and two assists Monday against the Clippers. Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston both returned Monday, which likely ate into Cook’s production. Curry will be out again Tuesday and it wouldn’t be surprising if Green and/or Livingston played limited minutes in the second night of a back-to-back set, especially considering this matchup. If the Warriors jump out to an early lead, Cook could get plenty of shots in garbage time.
Collin Sexton, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,100
The Cavaliers are this year’s version of the 2017-18 Clippers. They have been decimated by injuries, including to point guard George Hill (shoulder). Sexton has started two games in his absence, averaging 17.5 points, three rebounds, and two assists. With plenty of minutes likely in the cards again for this contest, Sexton is a viable option in tournament play.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,700
Clarkson is still coming off the bench for the Cavaliers, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value. His 27.9 percent usage rate is highest on the team, second only to the injured Kevin Love. That’s helped Clarkson average 15.2 points and 1.3 three-pointers despite playing just 24 minutes a game. With no reinforcements in site Tuesday, Clarkson again has the potential for a big offensive performance.
Malik Monk, CHA at CLE
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,700
The last time these two teams met, the Hornets dismantled the Cavaliers by 32 points. Monk logged 21 minutes in that contest, scoring 16 points to go along with five assists. After averaging just 14 minutes a game during his rookie season, Monk is averaging 23 minutes this year as a key part of their second unit. With how poorly the Cavaliers are playing, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Hornets win yet again in dominating fashion. The Hornets might take that as an opportunity to limit the playing time of some of their starters, potentially leaving Monk with an expanded role.
SMALL FORWARDS
Miles Bridges, CHA at CLE
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,700
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) has been ruled out for this game, which should leave Bridges with added playing time, regardless of the score. Across five games in which Bridges has played at least 20 minutes this year, he’s averaging 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 three-pointers. His price isn’t overly cheap on FanDuel, but he’s a great option on DraftKings.
Alfonzo McKinnie, GS vs. ATL
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,600
This game could really favor the players on the second unit for the Warriors. The Hawks are not only a terrible team, but they play at the fastest pace (107.5 possessions per game) in the league. Even without Curry, the Warriors should win this one going away. McKinnie could get added playing time in a blowout, bringing him onto the DFS radar. Over the five games in which McKinnie has logged at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 three-pointers.
POWER FORWARDS
Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,200
The Cavaliers seemed set on leaving Nance as their backup center, but they don’t have any choice but to start him at power forward with all of their injuries. In his first start against the Bulls on Saturday, Nance scored just two points but had 14 rebounds and four blocks. His scoring upside might not be great, but he’s also not going to shoot 1-for-8 from the field often, either, which he did in that contest. As long as he’s starting, he’s a viable a cheap option in tournament play.
Omari Spellman, ATL at GS
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,500
John Collins (ankle) appears to be nearing a return, which should end Spellman’s run as a starter. However, with Collins expected to be out again Tuesday, Spellman should again retain that role. Spellman went cold from the field Sunday against the Lakers but still hauled in nine rebounds. He had recorded a double-double in both of his previous two games, as well. Don’t’ expect the score to have an impact on his playing time either way.
CENTERS
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. CHA
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,700
Not much has gone right for the Cavaliers, but the play of Thompson has been one of their few bright spots. His playing time has jumped up to 28 minutes a game, helping him average 10.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. He’s actually logged at least 31 minutes in each of the last three contests, averaging 17 points and 14.3 rebounds. Although he’s not overly cheap anymore, he is still someone to target on this limited slate.
Willy Hernangomez, CHA at CLE
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,500
There are few backup centers who can put up stats in a hurry as Hernangomez can. Despite playing 15 minutes a game, he’s still averaging 7.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. When the Hornets blew out the Cavaliers in their last meeting, it enabled Hernangomez to log 20 minutes off the bench. He cashed in the added playing time with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. His minutes will likely be dependant on the score again, but he could be worth the risk at his dirt cheap price on both sites.