RADIO
Isn't this a beautiful week? We have daily fantasy contests for the beginning of baseball, basketball in the stretch run for the playoffs, and golf in Augusta. This is the second-to-last NBA Wednesday we have together, so savor this relationship while we still have it. On deck this evening we have an eight game slate, which tips off at 7:05 EDT.
Before getting into the player breakdowns, let's see if there is anything of value in the Vegas lines and team point total projections. As of this writing in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Vegas isn't offering up much (likely because of all the uncertainty surrounding who will sit), but there are of few team point total projections that are worth considering - especially for stacks and tournament play. I'd keep an eye on the Houston - Denver game and the Warriors - Suns projected totals, as I'd imagine those two are the highest of the day (unless everyone on Golden State sits).
In this article, I will be providing you with daily NBA lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/5/17. The picks will range from some of the elite players, to mid-priced options, and value plays. Let's get to it, shall we?
FanDuel DFS Guards
Tyler Ullis - PG, vs GSW ($6,200)
In these days of uncertainty in regards to whether a player will rest or not (or pack it in, or be on a minutes restriction, or have no motivation because their team has been eliminated, etc) I am feeling pretty good about Ullis playing a full game at a high level. Just a little over a week ago, there where whispers that he was dealing with a toe injury, but after playing 37 minutes or more in each of his last four games, I think it's clear that toe is just fine. Also related to minutes, one other concern I had with this game was that starters could sit (there's a good chance a number of Warriors will sit) but the Suns have handed over their team to the core of their future, and Ullis is a big piece of that. If Curry plays, that's not necessarily a bad thing either as we know he's not exactly a defensive stalwart. At this price point, I think Ullis can hit - and even crush - value in what is a pretty opportune matchup for him. He's taken more than 15 shots in three of the last four games, loves operating at the fast pace this game will move in, and he's racking up a high number of assists each night. Ullis' minutes help give him the high floor you seek in cash games and I think he has the ceiling tonight where you have to at least consider him in tournaments.
Also Consider: Kemba Walker - PG, vs MIA ($7,600)
DeMar Derozan - SG, at DET ($9,200)
Mr. Harden is questionable with an injury and Klay Thompson (along with many of his Warriors teammates) may sit tomorrow, which has landed me on Derozan as the guy most worth paying up for. There is scarcity of top tier shooting guards out there tomorrow night, so it's certainly plausible to go with value at this position and end up in the money. But that said, I think Derozan is in a good position here despite this not being a fast pace game. With Kyle Lowry still out, the entire offense runs through Derozan, which gives him the high floor that makes him worth paying for. He's not shy about putting up 20+ shots, something he's done in three of the Raptors' last four games. His Usage rate projection for tomorrow night is a massive 34 - matched on this slate only by the likes of James Harden, who is $2,900 more expensive than DeMar. I think he could fly under the radar tonight, too, giving him the low ownership percentage we seek in tournament formats. Additionally, I like the fact that both these teams still have something to play for, with Toronto tied in third place in the East and Detroit not totally out of it yet.
Also Consider: Eric Gordon, Lou Williams - SG, vs DEN ($4,600) - use in tournament formats (become even more valuable if James Harden is out, would move them into cash game consideration)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Kawhi Leonard - SF, vs LAL ($9,200)
To say Kawhi has been a beast of late is probably an injustice to Kawhi and being too complimentary of beasts. The veteran out of San Diego State has been hitting and surpassing value lately with ease. Tonight, he has the type of matchup where he might just be able to hit value in the first half, thanks to the fast pace the Lakers operate with and the fact they turnover the ball an average of 14 times a game. He has produced 50+ FanDuel points in two of his last three games and his minutes have stayed solidly above 35 minutes in that stretch. He should be rested for a full slate tonight and be able to take advantage of Los Angeles' weak interior. My projections have him at a whopping 33 Usage rate tonight.
Also Consider: Andre Roberson - SF, at MEM ($4,100)
Zach Randolph - PF, vs OKC ($5,600)
With all the toying (see also: resting, late-scratching, etc) Memphis is doing with their lineup, there have only been a handful of beneficiaries for fantasy purposes. One of those beneficiaries is the ageless wonder that is Z-Bo. For the season, the big man owns a 1.08 fantasy point per minute mark, which is pretty strong, especially for someone in this pricing tier. In other words, when he gets minutes, he makes good on those minutes by attacking the rim and collecting handfuls of rebounds. Tonight, he's in a similar position to flourish with Memphis possibly resting some major players and playing a team like the Thunder make this matchup more attractive, as it will equate to more possessions than Memphis is accustomed to operating with. If for some chance Memphis rolls out their full lineup and you're worried about Randolph's minutes and usage, I'd suggest either paying up for Kevin Love. If you'd like to stay in the same pricing tier, Serge Ibaka is a solid option, too.
Also Consider: Kevin Love - PF, at BOS ($7,300)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Clint Capela - C, vs DEN ($5,500)
From a point-per-dollar-paid perspective, Capela might be the best value on the slate. Houston has announced that Trevor Ariza and James Harden could play, but with the three seed in the West all locked up, I don't see them over-exerting themselves in the minutes they're on the floor. Capela is attractive not only because of his low price and the fact that he's outperformed salary based expectation in his last five games, but also because of the opponent and the pace they operate with. This game could honestly be a 135-130 final. Additionally, the Nuggets currently allow a higher +/- minus to opposing centers than any team not named the Los Angeles Lakers.
Also Consider: Andre Drummond - C, vs TOR ($7,300)
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