RADIO
All throughout the 2014-15 campaign, RotoBaller will be giving you the top NBA DFS lineup picks at the guard, forward and center positions as well as top sleepers for the day. Below are our favorite picks for January 3rd, 2015.
Keep in mind, fantasy basketball is a fickle game when it comes to injured players, so be sure to check all lineups prior to tip-off. If you want to chat about your roster picks, check out the DFS chat room at the bottom of this post.
Editors Note: If you have not tried out FanDuel 1-day fantasy basketball leagues, RotoBaller offers the best bonuses around. Signup and make a deposit for a new FanDuel account, and receive a 100% bonus on your deposit up to $200.
Worth the Investment
Jimmy Butler (CHI, SG) - $9,600
The Butler did it; isn’t it always the Butler? Clue aficionados aside, this is one Butler that most viewers are okay with seeing him commit a[n on court] killing. Despite his price Butler has been an offensive force for the Bulls. There’s no evidence to think that Boston will slow him down. The Celtics play with pace and on the court for a second straight day.
For those that are targeting this game, Derrick Rose makes a similarly great pick considering his price. This game should be among the higher scoring games of Saturday night.
Gordon Hayward (UTA, SF) - $7,700
There are three guarantees in life right now: death, taxes and the ineptitude of the Minnesota Timberwolves on defense. Minnesota ranks fourth in The Association in pace averaging 98.77 possessions per 48 minutes, yet they are allowing 109.9 points per 100 possessions which places them second-to-last on that same list. In short this all translates into massive DFS points for opposing players.
There are plenty of players to target in this matchup. Hayward gets the nod as he remains the primary scoring option. In addition to averaging 35.3 minutes per game, the former Butler standout is leading the team in seeing the most plays through him while on the court. Trust the numbers in this one.
Kenneth Faried (DEN, PF) - $6,900
The Nuggets square off against a Grizzlies team that is on the tail end of back-to-backs. Although Memphis has gone 4-2 so far this season on second nighters, the team is averaging a full 3.1 PPG less in this games than their regular season average. Fatigue has to be considered. FanDuel players also have to consider the strong possibility that Zach Randolph may still be banged up.
Faried has scored at least 40.8 FDP in four out of his last five games, including at least two 50.0+ games. This trend should continue for the Manimal. After all, he’s a man, he’s an animal, he’s a beast.
Honorable Mention
John Wall (WAS, PG) - $9,500
No one should target the Spurs. That being said, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard are both dealing with injuries so opposing guards are the definite plays. Over the last 5 games San Antonio has yielded more than 6.5 FDPPG as compared to the rest of the season. There is no explanation other than no Parker to defend the point. Enter Wall.
Wall is coming off a few poor games against some tough advanced metric competition. San Antonio fits the defensive bill to give him trouble, but he is due for another big FDP game. Consider Wall the “high risk/high reward” pick of the day.
Top Sleepers
After yesterday’s sleeper debacle, it is apparent that a complete restoration of the system has to be done. Sleeper picks from here on out will be strictly mathematically safe selections. May God have mercy.
Tony Allen (MEM, SG) - $4,300
The Grindfather played only 15 minutes Friday night. Courtney Lee and Tayshaun Prince played 30 and 29 minutes, respectively. Memphis head coach David Joerger should continue his predictable minutes rotation and give Allen his 30+ minutes. As an added bonus, perhaps an overtime session will be involved to give Allen’s owners that added opportunity perk.
Spencer Hawes (LAC, C) - $3,900
This is for the star heavy lineup. With a giant blowout potential as well as the probability of Clippers coach Doc Rivers to sit his starters in a game like this, consider Hawes a great return on investment. Philly continues to give up a ton of FDP to centers while Hawes looked very good Wednesday in his second game since coming back from a banged up knee.
The Clippers are favored heavily in this game and should be projected as such. Vegas and the mathematical projections have LA up big and that factors in heavily to a Hawes’ start. It must be repeated that a Hawes play means that the remaining lineup is budget heavy.
