RADIO
All-Star break and our break from NBA DFS is finally over. With the return of basketball, we have a six-game slate with one major play sticking out due to some recent injury news. Since Kyrie Irving re-aggravated a shoulder injury, Spencer Dinwiddie for just $6,900 against any defense is a steal. Specifically against the 76ers this season, Dinwiddie is averaging just below 24 points, which alone is enough to make this pick worth the price. There is added upside since Dinwiddie has primary point guard duties and has posted at least six assists in each of the three games as well.
James Harden is also going to see high ownership Thursday night. So with his price in the right spot, he can be rostered without it really wasting our available salary, but be prepared for his tag to see another rapid increase after tonight. A bad game from Harden is just a bad game, but his price is too low and his upside too high to fade him tonight.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 2/20/20. 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. Find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
Buddy Hield - SG, SAC v. MEM ($5,700)
FanDuel must be banking on shooters not hitting shots based on how low some of these prices are. First Harden, now Buddy Hield with a wildly low price, at least based on the upside he has against the Grizzlies defense. Looking at the history between Hield and this Memphis team, it's been one bad game and one stellar game, with the better game coming more recently. Hield's success could be attributed to playing with De'Aaron Fox, and the tandem being too much for Memphis too handle, but Hield hit five three's and it didn't look like he was getting contested on most of the 17 attempts throughout the game. Since Jae Crowder was traded, the Grizzlies have managed the top defense since the then and should force both De'Aaron Fox and Hield into a high-usage games.
Goran Dragic - PG, MIA @ ATL ($5,100)
Goran Dragic isn't posting great numbers for anyone in standard leagues, but the bump in minutes over the previous few games has improved his upside drastically. FanDuel has accounted for this with his price increase, but the way he is filling the stat sheet against some of the stingier defenses, even in a blowout, makes a matchup with the Hawks more enticing. Atlanta already struggles with defense and Dragic is not lacking experience against competitive defenders. Overall, the Hawks have been the second worst defense with a defensive rating of 119.0 since February 7th.
De'Anthony Melton - PG, MEM @ SAC ($4,600)
I get to namedrop Jae Crowder twice this article so my Thursday is off to a great start. Now that there is a slight excess of minutes within the Grizzlies rotation, not only has Brandon Clarke made the most of his opportunities, but De'Anthony Melton has created his own role within their offense. Even though his price is a little high compared to what he normally produces, Melton has had no problem dismantling the Kings defense. Despite not posting ideal stats the first game, Melton increased on his scoring and posted 16 points in 21 minutes in the second matchup. The Grizzlies lost in the very end, but Melton was incredibly useful and the Kings are going to need to help stopping him if he picks up the same momentum he had the last time these two teams met.
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Josh Jackson - SF, MEM @ SAC ($3,600)
There is a pretty strong drop-off at small forward, so if you aren't spending up, you'll need to find that value play. Per usual with the former G-Leaguer, Josh Jackson is going to be one of the cheapest and one of, if not, the riskiest pick of the night. There is no real consistency about him, but the Grizzlies are giving him minutes and we can't argue if there is going to be a night where he actually has upside. The Grizzlies-Kings matchups have been close all season and Jackson has found close to 20 minutes in three of the last four Grizzlies games. I'd wait to hear more about this game to see if there is going to be a more direct opening for Jackson, but we can't overlook him just in case a window of opportunity opens up.
Luke Kornet - PF, CHI v. CHA ($4,300)
For how many three's Luke Kornet is taking, his price seems way too low. Then again, that would make sense since FanDuel isn't buying into scoring on the first day back from the All-Star break. The Hornets have boasted a top defense during this abbreviated month, which should change, but for the time being can be used to our advantage. Since players will look to avoid playing a low-end center versus a quality defense, it's important to remember Kornet is seeing uncontested minutes at center and is coming off his second-best rebounding performance as a Bull. The Hornets bigs will be able to roam the paint, but Kornet is going to stretch the floor and get open shots.
Jalen McDaniels - PF, CHA @ CHI ($3,700)
Similar to Kornet, Jalen McDaniels is a big that can stretch the floor and fill the rest of the stat sheet like a rebounding forward. McDaniels is better around the rim and has shown less hesitation on shots than Kornet, but he also hasn't actually had a quality game in the league yet, whereas Kornet has already posted a big game during his short career. However, McDaniels posted a double-digit scoring effort alongside six rebounds in just his fifth game with the team. He has played just over 60 minutes with the Hornets, a third of those minutes coming in his last game against Minnesota. The Hornets are finding ways to get McDaniels involved, most of his attempts stemming from some type of Devonte' Graham motion. McDaniels might be fighting for minutes, but the Hornets seem more than willing to take the chance based on their latest games.
FanDuel DFS Centers
P.J. Tucker - C, HOU @ GSW ($4,300)
It's been a bit of a uphill climb for P.J. Tucker when it comes to actually producing in the stat column, but luckily we know that doesn't concern him. Even with his new role at center, Tucker is still getting chances to shoot corner three's at a high rate and his rebounding upside seems more dependent on his matchups height rather than skill. Since he will be facing Marquese Chriss at center, and Tucker has already posted one of his better games of the season against the Warriors, this is one of the safer picks with so few centers providing stability. Jonas Valanciunas, Kelly Olynyk, and Thon Maker other quality options.
