RADIO
Just three games on the slate which means that the All-Star Break is finally here. The biggest storyline continues to follow the Pelicans like a dark cloud, with Anthony Davis semi-willingly causing tension. Since he has asked for a trade, he has posted some of his worst box score numbers in his career. That will continue. The Pelicans are in bad shape and there best player doesn't want to be there, everyone knows that. How that will affect his relationship with his teammates is pretty clear, there is almost no reason to give him minutes, the ball, or even a spot in the parking lot.
My assumption is that the Pelicans play him 20 minutes a game, just to keep him somewhat fresh and too avoid fines. That or he starts just to please the fans that came to see him play. Either way, Anthony Davis doesn't deserve to be played, and it's hard for me to trust him in any format. Tonight, he could play well, he could not play at all. I literally have no idea, but this is the bed that Davis made. All we can do is play Paul George and watch the Pelicans lose in dramatic fashion behind Jrue Holiday, the true Pelican superstar.....who will most likely ALSO asked to be traded.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 2/14/19. 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
Damyean Dotson - SG, NYK @ ATL (FD - $3,700)
This is the game where you are going to find the most value. You can go with either Allonzo Trier or Dotson here, both have shown inconsistencies throughout the season, but both have also dominated against weaker teams like this. Since the Knicks source of production has seemingly changed every game, look for Mitchell Robinson to have a solid game and that should affect the rest of the team. He won't be spacing out the offense that much, but he will be security blanket for when Dotson and Trier aren't able to get a shot off. Both thrive in isolation and tend to fall back on their perimeter shooting only when they need to. It's not promising, but both should be able to get to the rim, dump off some easy passes for Robinson, then be able to create some space for a few threes tossed in. I would prefer to play Dotson because he has upside in defensive categories, but Trier is the better offensive talent. I chose Dotson because I don't think it will take much to get to the rim, so Dotson should be just as successful. In the three previous games, Dotson has yet to really produce, which is also why I think it is inevitable for him to have a good game tonight. Kadeem Allen is another solid play, but as a general rule, just be careful taking young guys on bad teams cause every night is just another chance for them to go 1-13 from the field and totally waste a roster spot.
Terrance Ferguson - SG, OKC @ NO (FD - $4,000)
It's hard to roster anyone but Russell Westbrook and Paul George tonight, but I think with smaller slates you need to create different lineups if you really want to cash out. Taking all the vanilla picks will land you in a grouping of players with all the same players. Sometimes taking the risk on that one player can give you that 2-3 point boost that means everything in the final standings. i can;t imagine many people will be playing Ferguson, so roster him with confidence that you will be playing one of the top sleeper picks of the night. There is only upside on the Thunder roster, so while you can go in any direction, Ferguson allows you to stack the late game and save some money in the process.
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Nicolas Batum - SF, CHA @ ORL (FD - $5,400)
On a scale of A to F, i'd give this pick a solid C-. It's not a great pick because Nicolas Batum has seriously dropped off in terms of usage lately, but we know that he is capable of producing, especially against a weak team. Lately, the Hornets have resorted to using their younger players, but Batum is still getting the minutes and it doesn't look like that will really change. He will get his chances to produce, but seeing how this team is in a rebuild, he is acting more like an on-court mentor than anything else. You know that scene in Semi-Pro when Jackie Moon kept asking for the ball back? Well expect Batum to play a little like the guy who kept passing back into the paint. Batum wants the younger players to produce and be the ones carrying the team, but tonight I expect it to work in his favor. I am looking for a strong shooting performance from Batum and I think if he has anything close to a solid game, he is going to provide ideal value. A lower price would make this a much better pick, but even then I do like his upside despite not showing much of anything lately.
Noah Vonleh - NYK @ ATL (FD - $4,500)
In the three games he has played against the Hawks this season, he had double-doubled every time. Not monstrous double-doubles, but still productive nights nonetheless. That should be the case tonight and while he will be running into John Collins, I actually think that helps his upside on offense. Since Collins isn't a strong shot blocker and Mitchell Robinson is more an interior threat, Vonleh should have plenty of space to work from the outside in. He will get his fair share of rebounds despite minutes looking a little slim, and he should be able to get his shots off. The production from the Knicks works on a game-by-game basis, so while there might be some trends happening on the Knicks, don't expect consistency on any front.
FanDuel DFS Centers
Alex Len - C, ATL vs NYK (FD - $3,600)
This might be a running theme, but this pick is arguably just as risky as any player I have advised today. He is playing limited minutes, but I can't ignore his production in that time. He played well in his last outing versus the Knicks and that gives me hope he should see at least 20 minutes and absolutely produce. There won't be many centers with a price this low so while you'd be saving money, try NOT to pair up too many cheap options in case two of them end up floundering. I am more confident in Len and Vonleh than I am anyone else, but that's not saying much seeing how Len is only getting 20-25 minutes these days. While I still stand by rostering Len, I know it carries risk. Someone will have to produce between these two frontcourts and while Mitchell Robinson is looking like the lead contender, Len's price opens the door up for better opportunities.
