RADIO
WE ARE BACK. WE ARREEEE BACCKKKK. And with a delicious six-game slate, nearly every game guaranteeing solid competition. With the week break, it brings us what seems like an late-Valentines day gift in James Harden's price. Since it's at a reasonable price for being the highest-priced star tonight, you won't be pressed for a remaining salary. Another point of emphasis tonight is Ben Simmons. Since both Simmons and Tobias Harris have lower prices tonight, I think there is almost no reason for you to fade both. I need Simmons in my lineup as a solid foundation piece and he is able to free up space so I am not forced to play an extremely risky play, the first day back from the All-Star Break.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 2/21/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also check out today's DraftKings lineup picks.
Make sure you 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.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
Rajon Rondo - PG, LAL vs. HOU (FD - $6,200)
I really like the idea of Rajon Rondo playing full minutes against the Houston Rockets. This does not translate to upside moving forward, but for right now, he is lined up for a very productive night. Compare that to Chris Paul, whose price is significantly higher because of that slightly extra upside, Paul just doesn't seem worth it and actually makes the Rondo play seem a little bit, "sneakier." Even though the Rockets rank among the top five in the league, I think that doesn't really do much but fend off any DFS players looking for the best-looking matchups. First game since the brawl anyway so why not. The way I see it, Rondo will be playing with something to prove and try to be a little less heated.
Alec Burks - SG, SAC @ GS (FD - $3,600)
I was talking to a few people about playing Willie Cauley-Stein tonight, you know. Because playing lengthy bigs against the Warriors has actually been a proven strategy. But for some reason I really don't have much faith he is going to have a good game tonight. If he runs up against Draymond Green or DeMarcus Cousins, the chances of him getting completely locked down increase tremendously. I would say it's nothing against Cauley-Stein but that's false, it's actually everything against him. Despite him being able to rebound and finish around the rim, he has regressed when it comes to post-moves and I don't think he will play like his normal self against Golden State. Call it anxiousness, or whatever you want, but I am fading Willie Cauley-Stein and banking on the Sacramento guards to do all the dirty work. Alec Burks, D'Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic, all have incredible upside tonight and this game should be more of a shootout than a defensive struggle. I know I haven't said much about Burks in this, but I want to stress one thing tonight. The players who are ready to live up to the moment, the players I mentioned will play well. That means Burks will be getting a decent amount of shots, he just needs to convert. Since this is somewhat of a significant game in terms of timing and recognition, I do like the scoring upside of this game despite thinking that most Kings players will struggle.
FanDuel DFS Forwards
J.J. Redick - SF, PHI vs. MIA (FD - $5,500)
I have stressed the importance of timing in these contests tonight. While some may not feel entirely snubbed or forgotten, every player has taken a break from competitive basketball and that will affect them in some way. Either they will come in hot, ready to hit the ground running, or they will over-think every move and end up not playing to their strengths. Luckily, J.J. Redick is one of those players with unwavering confidence. He might not hit every night, but he plays like he does, which is what makes him such a viable DFS play on almost every occasion. The 76ers should be happy they can ease back into the regular season groove by playing the Heat, and that means production all around. It should start with Ben Simmons and slowly work it's way out to the perimeter, so look for Redick to start and finish the game hot, with the rest of the squad filling in perfectly whenever he isn't on the court.
Al-Farouq Aminu - POR @ BKN (FD - $4,900)
This will be the riskiest pick of the night, simply because Al-Farouq Aminu isn't a consistent option on offense. He will get you defensive stats especially tonight, and it should only help his upside playing against a weaker frontcourt. The Nets don't really have that versatile forward that can get out and guard stretch bigs as easily as they want, which is exactly why I think outside of Damian Lillard, that both Moe Harkless and Aminu will be the thorn in Brooklyn's side. Not because they single-handedely created offense, but because they kept hitting the shots the Nets gave them. Aminu get his chances every game and the fact that his price is so low makes this a promising pick.
FanDuel DFS Centers
Brook Lopez - C, MIL vs BOS (FD - $5,300)
If you want to base this pick on the Celtics most recent outings, it does not favor Brook Lopez that Al Horford was able to make Joel Embiid look incredibly uncomfortable the last time they played. I don't see that being the case, because Lopez is a much better shooter than Embiid, and generates most of his points from beyond the arc whereas Embiid prefers the post and his fadeaway. The Celtics will already be tasked with guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, so instead of seeing this as a Lopez versus Horford matchup, this will be, who are we going to let shoot? Lopez and Antetokounmpo play well together and that is going to cause problems for the Celtics defense, specifically their frontcourt. Horford absolutely has to guard the paint, and Lopez will absolutely stay the -eff out of it. This game has Lopez' name written all over it for him to come in as the unsung hero and dominate.
