RADIO
We are just at the start of the All-Star Break so of course we have our "last" massive slate for this section of the season. With so many games available, you need to find the super value play to help create a foundation for your lineup. With all the recent trades, there are still a fwe players who are still meshing with their team, leaving their price at an ideal, low level. You are going to have to take some risks and I wouldn't fade James Harden tonight.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 2/13/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings.
You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups too early. Be sure to check all the NBA starting lineups and player statuses and availability prior to opening tip. Find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter for any questions.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Trey Burke - PG, vs MIA ($3,600)
Trey Burke's minutes floated down to where they should be in the particular rotation. It's not that he isn't talented on the offensive side of the ball, but if the Mavericks need defense, they will defer quickly to someone else. 20 minutes should be a normal number for him when it comes to minutes and for DFS, that should be all he needs to exceed his value tonight. The Heat are one of the best teams at defending opposing point guards, but that doesn't concern me because the Mavericks playmaking doesn't start at the point guard position. The one for Dallas is more like a two, and when it comes to guarding two's, the Heat fall rapidly down to 19th in the league. Look for Burke to create his own offense, convert, and exceed projected despite that red ranking next to his name.
Gordon Hayward - PG/SG, vs. DET ($4,800)
Even with Gordon Hayward underperforming for most of this season, he still is more than capable of big games. He is playing with slightly more confidence than earlier in the season, but it still isn't translating to his normal box score numbers. While I do suggest playing Marcus Morris as well here, both player should have no problem producing against a inconsistent Pistons squad. While the Pistons will be forced to work through Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, Detroit defensively will be forced to cover the spacing of the Celtics, something they will struggle to do. Hayward should benefit from the rest of the Celtics being able to get to the rim, but quickly passing out to avoid meeting Drummond at the rim.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Marcus Morris - SF/PF, vs. DET ($5,000)
I'll keep this analysis short because it is somewhat repetitive. Marcus Morris is in a revenge game versus his former team, so right of the bat he has some type of emotional upside and "investment" in this game in particular. The Pistons are in the top 10 against opposing forwards, but there is only so much you can do to guard someone like Marcus Morris. Yes, it won't be hard to stop his isolation offense, but if he is open on the outside, he is going to make you pay over and over. With his price at a medial level, there almost no reason not to use Morris as a mid-level option to help pair another superstar with James Harden.
Draymond Green - PF/C, at POR ($6,000)
This pick is primarily coming from pricing. Draymond Green has upside every night for multiple reasons. 1. He is an unselfish player playing for one of the most talented teams the NBA has ever season. He could literally pass the ball 10 times and get 10 assists. That's literally possible. Another reason is that he is the focal point of the team, despite not being a strong scorer. With Klay Thompson possibly missing time, there are more shots to go around, meaning that Green could actually be forced to be an offensive threat. While that makes me cringe thinking about it, luckily you won't get punished for miss shots.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jonas Valanciunas - C, at CHI ($4,200)
After a hot start with his new team, it's looking like Jonas Valanciunas will mesh quickly. Granted, he is seven-footer with great touch so scoring and rebounding should come easy, but i'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say producing against the Spurs comes at no small price. Moving forward, a matchup against the Bulls is incredibly enticing, but the second night of a back-to-back makes me think Valanciunas could rest. He is coming off an injury and while I don't think it's major, it could affect his status if the Grizzlies decide to be careful with him. If he does play, then roster him and watch him overpower the Bull frontcourt. It will be a good learning experience for the Bulls frontcourt to learn how athleticism can sometimes be beaten by a technical player like Valanciunas.
