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.
– First place wins $5,000
– $2 entry fee (FREE with first deposit)
– Top 8,375 finishing positions are paid.
– Starts tonight at 7:00 PM EST
– Salary Cap Style Drafting. $50,000 to select 8 players
– Roster Format: 1 PG, 1 SG, 1 SF, 1 PF, 1 C, 1 G, 1 F, and 1 Utility
– First time depositors at DraftKings receive a 100% bonus up to $600
Remember, when you sign-up on DraftKings, use the promo code: XN.
Each position will have a few guys that we like for each night, ranked from top to bottom in terms of value. To find these players, tools like usage rate, defense vs. position, injuries, minutes, and more are used.
(GPP-only play) – Means that these players are risk/reward. Play them only in tournaments, not cash games.
Be sure to read the notes at the bottom of this column, as it details things you do not want to miss.There is a lot of news that will affect lineups tonight, stay informed before tip.
Point Guard
Tyreke Evans, NOP $7,900
John Wall, WAS $8,900
Brandon Knight, MIL $7,400
Ricky Rubio, MIN $5,700 (if he starts)
Cheap Plays:
Leandro Barbosa, PHX $3,000 (GPP-only)
Tim Frazier, PHI $4,000 (GPP-only)
Shooting Guard
Monta Ellis, DAL $7,700
Eric Gordon, NOP $5,700
Kevin Martin, MIN $5,800
Jamal Crawford, LAC $5,200
Cheap Plays:
Elijah Millsap, UTA $3,200
Small Forward
Kevin Durant, OKC $10,000
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL $6,600
Chandler Parsons, DAL $6,000
Gordon Hayward, UTA $7,900
Tobias Harris, ORL $6,300
Cheap Plays:
Hollis Thompson, PHI $4,400
Matt Barnes, LAC $3,900 (GPP-only)
Dante Cunningham, NOP $3,000 (GPP-only)
Power Forward
Paul Millsap, ATL $7,800
Chris Bosh, MIA $7,300 (if Wade and Whiteside are out)
Draymond Green, GSW $7,500
Robert Covington, PHI $6,100
Cheap Plays:
Mitch McGary, OKC $3,000 (GPP-only)
Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA $7,900 (questionable)
Tyson Chandler, DAL $6,900
DeAndre Jordan, LAC $7,500
Omer Asik, NOP $4,200 (GPP-only)
Cheap Plays:
Spencer Hawes, LAC $3,000
Alexis Ajinca, NOP $3,300
Zaza Pachulia, MIL $3,000 (if he starts)
Kendrick Perkins, OKC $3,000 (GPP-only)
Notes (important)
– Hassan Whiteside is questionable. If he is out, Chris Bosh becomes an excellent play.
– Michael Carter-Williams is out. Tim Frazier will likely start, and Robert Covington gets a boost in value.
– J.J. Redick is likely out again, making Jamal Crawford a great play in his absence.
– Ryan Anderson is doubtful and Anthony Davis is out, making Alexis Ajinca an excellent value play.
– Blake Griffin is out, making Spencer Hawes an excellent value play again.
Usage Rates
– With Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson out, Tyreke Evans has a usage rate of 55.1 and Eric Gordon has a usage rate of 46.5 percent.
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.
