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 five 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.
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder $11,900
Brandon Knight, Milwaukee Bucks, $6,800
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors $10,900
Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat $6,100 (if Wade is out)
Jarrett Jack, Brooklyn Nets $5,000 (if Deron Williams is out)
Cheap Plays:
Mo Williams, MIN $4,700
Marcus Smart, BOS $4,600
Norris Cole, MIA $4,000 (if Wade is out)
Shooting Guard
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls $7,700
Nick Young, Los Angeles Lakers $4,800 (if Kobe is out)
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat $8,400 (if he is active)
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors $7,800
Cheap Plays:
Dion Waiters, CLE $4,100
Small Forward
Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic $7,500
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors $7,400
Luol Deng, Miami Heat $6,500
Cheap Plays:
C.J. Miles, IND $4,400
Jared Dudley, MIL $3,700
Power Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers $10,600 (if he plays)
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks $6,300
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers $5,200
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers $9,600
Cheap Plays:
Marreese Speights, GSW $4,500
Kevin Garnett, BKN $4,000
Center
Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks $6,700
Omer Asik, New Orleans Pelicans $5,600
Cheap Plays:
Lavoy Allen, IND $3,700
Kyle O’Quinn, ORL $4,300
Alex Len, PHX $3,600
Notes
With Kevin Durant out, Russell Westbrook becomes the top play of the evening with a usage rate of close to 50 (!) percent without KD on the floor. The problem is that Westbrook is very expensive. Luckily, there is some value likely to be released with Durant, Nicolas Batum, and likely Kobe Bryant out.
If Kobe is indeed out, Nick Young should be in cash games and GPP lineups as a big-time play.
Tonight’s debate of Gary Neal or Gerald Henderson will not be easy, as both are the same price. Henderson should see more minutes, but if you can fade that situation, it is a good idea.
Some cheap plays can free up room for Westbrook, as Lavoy Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Dion Waiters are underpriced on DraftKings, giving you leeway to create a top lineup for cash and in GPP.
If you have any questions or concerns leading to tip, let me know on Twitter @JoshCollacchi.
*Keep an eye on the inactives, as things in the NBA change at the last second. Good luck tonight.
