XN Sports is introducing a new daily fantasy site called Victiv, which has one of the best features in all of daily fantasy, in addition to a sleek design, and a few ways to play daily fantasy basketball.
Victiv has what is called a substitution position, which you can learn more about on the site. Essentially, it’s one extra position for under $5,000 (does not affect your salary cap) where you can select a bench player. This player will come in handy, as it replaces anyone in your lineup that scores less than the substitute. Think of it as a free mulligan, and an option to take a risk on a player.
For example, if you like a specific player one night but he is a game-time decision, put him into your lineups. The substitute can be his backup, or another player that you think could have an excellent night, and if your player does not play, no worries. In addition, this adds another level of strategy. On Victiv, the minimum price for a player is a lot lower than on other sites. You can afford to take risks with these cheap players, because if this player does not have an excellent game, your substitute can pick up the slack. Be sure to take advantage of this, and try Victiv today.
After you have signed up, be sure to take on Victron. This is Victiv’s computer, and if you beat it, you can win cash prizes. This is yet another way to play daily fantasy basketball.
On Victiv, you are given $50,000 in cap space to play a lineup composed of two guards, three forwards, a center, and two flex positions. As mentioned, the substitute does not count against your cap. The scoring is as follows (taken directly from Victiv’s website):
– Point +1
– Rebound +1.25
– Assist +1.25
– Steal +2
– Block +2
– Turnover -0.5
How can we beat Victron, other players and win real money? First, sign up for Victiv here.
Second, take a look at XN Sports’ suggested plays and lineup for Victiv for tonight’s slate:
Point Guard
Tim Frazier ($4,100) vs GSW- Now obviously, Frazier’s value is 100 percent contingent on the status of Michael Carter-Williams, who has missed the last two games with a sore right foot. If he sits again, Frazier becomes an intriguing value option at the point guard spot, who offers some upside, too. He’s the only current healthy point guard on the Sixers roster right now, and as a result, he’s played 37 and 35 minutes over his last two games. During that span, he’s touched the basketball an awesome 91 times per game, which, over the course of the season, would rank fifth in the entire league. A small sample size, but he’s also averaging an impressive .027 points per touch, accumulating 19 assists during his first two career starts, which are the second-most over a player’s first two starts since 1985. This game against the Warriors will likely be over by halftime, but Frazier is a young player and the 76ers need to see what they’ve got in him, so I’d expect him to still log at least 30 minutes in this contest. Meanwhile, although Golden State is one of the top defensive teams in basketball, this game should see one of the higher paces of the night, and Stephen Curry isn’t exactly a lockdown defender.
John Wall ($9,300) vs ORL- I love this spot for Wall for many reasons. First of all, Orlando has played at the second-highest pace in basketball over the last three weeks, and are one of the worst defensive units in the league. They surrender 102.1 points per game, good for the seventh-most in the game. Meanwhile, Wall is averaging an awesome 10.2 assists per game this year, which leads the league. Pair that with an Orlando defense allowing 23.6 assists per game, the sixth-most in the game, and I love Wall to have one of the better nights among all players, especially since he’s at home, where he’s averaging 18 points, 10.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game on the season. The Magic are also coughing up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this year, and with Bradley Beal questionable for this contest, Wall could see an even bigger uptick in usage.
Note: JJ Barea is another great value play at point guard tonight, as he prepares to draw another start. Going up against Chris Paul isn’t the greatest of matchups, but the combination of minutes and a high-scoring game allow me to slot him in with no worries.
Shooting Guard
Jamal Crawford ($5,900) @ DAL- Crawford is one of my favorite plays tonight for a few reasons. For starters, J.J. Redick is listed as doubtful, which means Crawford should draw another start at shooting guard. Secondly, Blake Griffin is going to be sidelined until after the All-Star break, which means more shots for Crawford, a guy who can explode for 40 real life points on any given night. His usage rate also climbs up to about 33 when Griffin is off the court, so expect a lot more touches for Crawford, too. Finally, it’s going to be a high-scoring game, with the over/under currently sitting at 208. Meanwhile, the Mavericks aren’t exactly a good defense, and a whopping 25.8 percent of their total points allowed have come from beyond the arc this season, the third-highest rate in basketball. Enter Crawford, a guy sinking 1.9 triples per game on the year and can get hot anytime. He’s played at least 30 minutes in four straight games, and I like him a lot tonight.
Small Forward
Kevin Durant ($10,300) @ DEN- Durant is arguably the top play of the evening, facing an absolutely horrible Nuggets unit that is allowing 103.9 points per game, the fifth-most in basketball to this point. However, there’s a chance that this game could stay relatively close, as OKC hasn’t been playing too hot either, and that would only increase Durant’s massive upside. The Nuggets are also allowing 34.1 defensive rebounds per game (fourth-most), to go along with 54.6 total rebounds per game, second to the 76ers. Meanwhile, Durant is actually a bit under-priced when you consider what he’s capable of. He should go bonkers in this contest, and it’s going to be tough to fade him in cash games.
DeMarre Carroll ($5,000) @ MIN- Carroll comes at a nice value lately, sitting at just 5K. At this point, you only really need an average outing for him to reach value, and since returning to the Hawks starting lineup, he’s played a healthy 33, 33, and 30 minutes over his last three games. During that span, he’s averaging 12 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. A solid outing (at the least) should be in the cards for tonight’s game against the lowly Timberwolves, who are surrendering 37.05 fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards on the year, the third-most in the NBA. Carroll tends to do a little bit of everything, and those are the types of players I normally target. It’s also difficult to find guys who are as versatile as him at this price range, so I’ll have him in plenty of lineups tonight against a bad defense.
Power Forward
Serge Ibaka ($7,500) @ DEN- Look at me, picking on the Nuggets again. Ibaka isn’t ever a very popular pick, mainly because he doesn’t have that 50-point upside on most nights. However, with Anthony Davis questionable and Blake Griffin out, the power forward position is lacking this evening, and Ibaka’s matchup is too difficult to ignore. Denver’s interior defense has been bad for two straight seasons now, as only the 76ers allow more total rebounds per game. Power forwards are accumulating 44.72 fantasy points per game (second-most), 12.14 rebounds (12th), 1.53 blocked shots (sixth) and 1.51 steals (eighth) against Denver this season, and with Steven Adams banged up, Ibaka might see a little bit extra run. In two games against the Nuggets this season, Ibaka is averaging 22.5 points per game, along with 7.5 rebounds.
Thaddeus Young ($7,600) vs ATL- Atlanta certainly isn’t the best matchup in the world, but when I target players, I want guys playing tons of minutes. Young has done just that, logging 39.6 minutes per game over his last five outings, including three consecutive 40-minute games. Minnesota won’t play Nikola Pekovic on back-to-backs, which means Thad will once again play around 40 minutes, which automatically makes him an option.
Center
Note: Spencer Hawes is practically minimum salary and will start again with Blake Griffin hurt. He scored 17 points in 35 minutes on Sunday, and should be a popular option this evening.
Also, both Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson appear to be out for tonight’s game against the Jazz, meaning Alexis Ajinca will see a huge uptick in minutes, and he’s been a nice point per minute guy at times. In three games where he’s played at least 25 minutes, Ajinca is averaging 15.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for the Pelicans. The Jazz defense certainly doesn’t scare anyone.
Lineup
G- Tim Frazier
G-Jamal Crawford
F-Kevin Durant
F-DeMarre Carroll
C-Spencer Hawes
FX-John Wall
FX-Mitch McGary
