Daily Fantasy Basketball is in full swing, 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
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets $8,500
Tony Wroten, Philadelphia 76ers $4,300
C.J. Watson, Indiana Pacers $4,400
Cheap Plays:
Trey Burke, UTA $3,000
Austin Rivers, NO $3,000
Shooting Guard
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls $8,000
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat $8,300
Cheap Plays:
Sergey Karasev, BKN $3,000
Avery Bradley, BOS $4,100
Small Forward
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz $8,100
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors $7,200
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks $10,500
DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta Hawks $5,000
Cheap Plays:
Solomon Hill, Indiana Pacers $3,700
Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies $3,700
Jared Dudley, Milwaukee Bucks $3,700
Power Forward
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans $11,600
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks $8,200
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers $5,000
Cheap Plays:
Johnny O’Bryant, MIL $3,000
Udonis Haslem, MIA $3,000
Reggie Evans, SAC $3,000 (If Cousins is out again, he is a must play)
Center
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies $9,300
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic $8,800
Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards $6,900
Cheap Plays:
Cole Aldrich, NYK $3,700
Lavoy Allen, IND $4,000
Jason Smith, NYK $3,000
Notes
Pricing on DraftKings is a tad soft today, so don’t overspend on players just to get them. There are a lot of values at guard as aforementioned and Trey Burke will likely be over 40 percent owned in most cash games. But with his matchup and price, you cannot fade him in cash.
Amar’e Stoudemire is out tonight, and Quincy Acy is suspended. This leaves room for Cole Aldrich and Jason Smith to take the reins, and reach value against the Kings, who give up the third-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. Look for the Knicks’ lineup, and whoever starts at power forward and/or center will be values.
Tony Wroten’s price is very low at just $4,300, and he showed he can still produce in a lesser role. Tonight he faces the Jazz, who allow over 100 points per game and are near the bottom of the NBA in defending the two and three-point shot.
If DeMarcus Cousins is out again, Reggie Evans becomes a must-play (if he starts) at the price minimum. Evans is a rebounding machine, and the Kings face the Knicks, who are 28th in the NBA in rebounding.
Narrative Alert
Anthony Davis is playing in his hometown for the first time in his NBA career tonight, and the Bulls don’t have anyone to match his size and speed at the power forward position.
Some top usage rates to consider tonight:
Cole Aldrich and Jason Smith are both over 25 percent with Amar’e Stoudemire and Quincy Acy off the floor.
Gordon Hayward is at 29.5 percent with Alec Burks off the floor, Burks is doubtful for tonight.
Roy Hibbert is at 26.8 percent usage with C.J. Miles off the court in the last two weeks for the Pacers. Miles is questionable for tonight.
Dwyane Wade‘s usage rate is an incredible 46.9 percent when Chris Bosh and Shawne Williams are off the floor. Bosh is out tonight and Williams is a game-time decision.
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.
