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 9,400 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.
There is a lot of news that will affect lineups tonight, stay informed before tip.
Point Guard
Kyrie Irving, CLE $8,800
Russell Westbrook, OKC $10,400
John Wall, WAS $9,200
D.J. Augustin, DET $5,800
Cheap Plays:
Langston Galloway, NYK $4,300
Zach LaVine, MIN $3,000
Brian Roberts, CHA $4,200
Shooting Guard
James Harden, HOU $11,000
Tyreke Evans, NOP $8,200
Monta Ellis, DAL $7,100
Cheap Plays:
No cheap plays at shooting guard tonight.
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard, SA $8,000
Paul Pierce, WAS $4,700
Cheap Plays:
Jerami Grant, PHI $3,400
Joe Ingles, UTA $3,700
Perry Jones, OKC $3,100
Power Forward
Anthony Davis, NOP $11,000
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL $6,400
Greg Monroe, DET $8,500
Thaddeus Young, MIN $6,400
Serge Ibaka, OKC $6,900
Cheap Plays:
Brandon Bass, BOS $4,900
Lance Thomas, NYK $4,000 (if he starts)
Anthony Tolliver, DET $3,600
Center
Al Jefferson, CHA $6,700
Nikola Pekovic, MIN $4,900
Chris Kaman, POR $4,500
Cheap Plays:
Henry Sims, PHI $4,200 (if he starts)
Notes
– The Pistons are playing their third game in four nights.
– Dirk Nowitzki is a cash game machine at his price, get him in your cash lineups.
– Al Jefferson is starting and has a great price on DraftKings.
– Mo Williams is out tonight, but Kevin Martin returns to the lineup.
– Anthony Tolliver has reached value eight nights in a row, and plays against the Sixers. The Pistons have played three games in four nights, so he could see extended run.
– If you can fit him in, Anthony Davis is the play of the night.
Usage Rates
– Thaddeus Young is over 30 percent without Mo Williams.
– Tyreke Evans is at 25 percent when Jrue Holiday is out.
– D.J. Augustin is at 22 percent without Brandon Jennings.
– Dion Waiters‘ usage rate is close to 30 percent without Kevin Durant.
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.
