Daily Fantasy Basketball is back, which means each day XN Sports will have a column detailing advised plays and lineups for the remainder of the NBA season. For those familiar with DraftKings, their daily fantasy basketball is formatted differently this season. There is no multi-position eligibility, which makes it a bit harder to set your lineup.
For those unfamiliar with DraftKings, you are given $50,000 in cap space to select a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, a guard, a forward, and a utility player. There are no points deducted for missed shots, which changes the strategy from other sites. To read the full scoring, click here. Keep in mind that a double-double awards a bonus, which can be the difference between cashing in and winning nothing.
Generally, the goal for value is at five times a player’s salary, plus give points. That brings a lineup to 290 fantasy points, which will cash each day.
Give DraftKings a shot, as there will be a few freeroll opportunities each night in Daily Fantasy Basketball. Click here to play.
Rather than value plays and lineups tonight, XN will give you a cheat sheet with the best plays at each position.
For those who frequent this column: if you like this idea let us know. If you prefer the other format, let us know as well.
Each position will have a few guys that we like for each night, ranked from top to bottom. To find these players, tools like usage rate, defense vs. position, injuries, minutes, and more are used.
There is a lot of news that will affect lineups tonight, stay informed before tip.
Tonight’s slate will have a lot of moving parts, and it will be tough to find values anywhere. Be prepared for a lot of last minute news, with injuries, back-to-backs, and suspensions changing the landscape of tonight’s slate.
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder $11,500
Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers $9,100
John Wall, Washington Wizards $10,400
Trey Burke, Utah Jazz $5,500
Cheap Plays:
Aaron Brooks, CHI $3,300
Derrick Rose is out again tonight, making Brooks the premier cheap option at point guard. His usage rate is the highest on the Bulls when Rose is not on the floor, and last night without Rose, Brooks scored 29.5 fantasy points against the Knicks, who defend the point guard well. Tonight the Bulls face the Grizzlies, who are playing their third game in four days against three of the best teams in the NBA.
Shooting Guard
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls $6,800
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat $8,400
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs $5,000
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards $6,200
Cheap Plays:
Andre Roberson, OKC $3,500
Gary Neal, CHA $3,700
Neal will see an increase in minutes tonight with Lance Stephenson out, which will give Neal a chance to reach value against the Sixers. Neal has a 23.9 usage rate when on the floor this season, and with Stephenson not on the floor, Neal has the most minutes among all Hornets. At $3,700, expected value is around 22 fantasy points, which Neal could reach without Stephenson in the lineup.
Small Forward
Shabazz Muhammad, Minnesota Timberwolves $4,500
Jeff Green, Boston Celtics $6,400
Evan Turner, Boston Celtics $4,600 (if Marcus Smart is out)
Cheap Plays:
No cheap value plays at small forward tonight, but if you must punt SF, Gallinari is the option, but his worth to that offense is volatile.
Power Forward
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers $10,500
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs $8,800 (if he plays)
Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers $5,800
Carlos Boozer, Los Angeles Lakers $5,800
Cheap Plays:
Thomas Robinson, POR $3,000
When Robin Lopez went down, we all thought Chris Kaman, Joel Freeland, or Meyers Leonard. It was none of the aforementioned, but Thomas Robinson took over and put forth a dominant night in terms of fantasy value with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 40 fantasy points on DraftKings. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he should play similar minutes tonight, and his price is still the minimum. The Spurs are a tough matchup, but for a starting big man at minimum price with rebound opportunities, it doesn’t get better than Robinson. He is the top punt option at power forward tonight.
Center
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies $8,900
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers $8,200
Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets $8,900
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons $8,900
Cheap Plays:
Chris Andersen, MIA $3,000
If Andersen starts for the Heat again tonight (all indications are that he will) he becomes a good punt value at center tonight. The top centers are all priced over $8,000, which takes up over 16 percent of your cap for this evening. Andersen provides salary relief and a good chance to reach value as one of the only rebounding threats for his team.
*Keep an eye on the inactives, as things in the NBA change at the last second. Good luck tonight.
