RADIO
On tap for Thursday is a four-game slate that is surprisingly loaded with star power. It features five of the top 10 scoring offenses, and has makings of a high-scoring night. Yes, James Harden is a fortune, but there is still a lot of talent available for more affordable prices.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 2/2/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @hayudi18.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Stephen Curry- PG, @ LAC ($8,700)
Curry is heating up over the last couple of weeks, and is a safe bet to produce at least 5X value on Thursday. The two-time reigning MVP has eclipsed 40 Draftkings points in 10 of his last 11 games, with the one outlier being a 39.75-point showing against the Rockets. Most notably, he has surpassed 60 DK points in two straight contests, including 66.75 on Saturday against the Clippers, who have been vulnerable against the point guard spot since losing Chris Paul. With this game being in Los Angeles, it should be more competitive than the previous meeting, so Curry could end up seeing a full workload— he totaled just 59 minutes in his last two games.
Dennis Schroder- PG, @ HOU ($6,400)
Schroder struggled last Friday against the Wizards and then disappeared Wednesday night against the Heat, but he has surrounded those two performances with five strong showings, totaling at least 35 Draftkings points in each of those five contests. In his first season as Atlanta’s starting point guard, the 23-year-old is averaging 17.6 points and 6.4 assists, shooting the ball well from all areas of the floor. The Rockets, Atlanta’s Thursday night opponents, play at an enormously fast pace, which should allow for a high-scoring affair. The opportunity for a huge statistical night is there for Schroder.
Gerald Henderson- SG, @ SA ($3,600)
Henderson has managed at least 20 Draftkings points in three of the last four games in which he has seen 20 minutes (18.25 on Wednesday night). The 29-year-old typically comes off the bench, but has been more effective of late than both Nik Stauskas and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, and should continue to see quality playing time. The Spurs have struggled to defend in the backcourt this year, and have yielded double-digit points to a guard off the bench in four of their last five games. At just $3,600, Henderson has the upside needed to finish in the money in tournament play.
*If Henderson’s hip injury keeps him out or limited on the second night of a back-to-back, Stauskas would become an appealing option.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Kawhi Leonard- SF, vs. PHI ($9,000)
Leonard is making his fifth appearance in this article in just 15 weeks, but he keeps producing, so why not? The new face of the Spurs has been as safe a fantasy option as anybody in the league. He is averaging a career-high 25.6 points, and continues to fill up the stat sheet on a nightly basis. On Thursday, San Antonio will draw the 76ers, who are still without budding superstar Joel Embiid. In the last week, the Sixers have been the victims of a 51-point triple-double by James Harden, a 28-point performance in a near triple-double from Jimmy Butler, and a 46-point, 15-rebound showing by DeMarcus Cousins. Leonard should continue this string of success Thursday night.
Markieff Morris- SF/PF, vs. LAL ($6,800)
Morris has been incredibly reliable of late, with at least 30 Draftkings points in nine consecutive games. However, he has also broken the 40-point mark in four of those contests, giving him some nice upside at a $6,800 price tag. The Lakers have been one of the worst defensive teams in basketball, allowing the fourth-most points per game (110.2) and yielding the third-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. Morris is the guy to own in all formats for Thursday.
Andre Iguodala- SF, @ LAC ($4,000)
Prior to Wednesday night’s rout of the Hornets (in which he had 16.75 DK points), Iguodala had mustered over 20 fantasy points in seven consecutive games played. Even in a bench role, the 33-year-old is a stat stuffer, with strong defensive play and the ability to knock down three pointers. He often remains on the floor during a blowout, and has played at least 20 minutes in all but four games this season. Iguodala posted nine points, six rebounds and five assists against the Clippers on Saturday, and has a chance for a similar stat line Thursday night.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Dwight Howard- C, @ HOU ($6,900)
Howard had one of his worst offensive performances of the year on Wednesday, shooting 2-for-6 for just six points— although he did have 11 rebounds and two blocks. Still, the 31-year-old big man had posted at least 33 Draftkings points in each of his previous five contests, providing solid value on a $6,900 price tag in cash games. Despite the poor showing in a tough matchup against Hassan Whiteside and the Heat, Howard remains a safe source of production going forward, particularly against his former team, the Rockets. While Houston is a strong rebounding team, it is led on the glass by James Harden, with power forward Ryan Anderson and center Clint Capela combining for just 12.8 boards per game— Howard himself averages exactly 12.8. Playing in front of his old fans for the first time, Howard, who put up 20 and 15 when the two teams met in Atlanta back in November, will be sure to make an impact Thursday night.
JaVale McGee- C, @ LAC ($3,000)
McGee has managed at least 15 Draftkings points in every game in which he has seen at least 14 minutes of action this year. Zaza Pachulia is expected to miss at least the next week with a strained rotator cuff, freeing up extra playing time for the 29-year-old. McGee drew the start and played 17 minutes in Wednesday’s blowout win over the Hornets, totaling nine points, four rebounds and four blocks. Given his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities, he’s hard to pass on at the minimum price as long as he is starting. Those looking for cap relief in order to grab one or two of the higher-priced players can plug in McGee at the center spot.
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