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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 1, 2020. Jake Finnen provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
After today, every team will have officially played one game and we will have a better understanding of rotations as each day goes on. So far, the rotations have made sense, outside of a few hiccups with the Pelicans and Mavericks. In both these games, Alvin Gentry and Rick Carlisle, respectively, didn't adapt to play the hot hand, and it arguably cost their teams the game. Zion Williamson is still returning, so the whole "short burst" strategy makes sense, but it did seemingly worsen the Pelicans chances to win as that game went on. For the Mavericks and Carlisle, Trey Burke was having a phenomenal night and through most of the 4th quarter, he was on the bench.
Through the first few games, expect the coaches to "stick to their guns" rather than scrapping a gameplan. No teams can really afford losses at this point, especially teams that aren't in the playoff picture. So looking at the rotations, the coaches are slowly going to realize how important it is to play the hot hand and feed off of that, rather than suffer through a bad shooting night. With the 76ers, Nuggets, Heat, Thunder, Pacers, and Raptors playing their debut game, expect one or two games to figure out rotations and who will be the key contributors.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/1/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineup lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Alec Burks - PG/SG, PHI @ IND ($4,300)
What has been working for DFS in these early games is rostering natural scorers. Players who have built a career off making tough shots and creating space in impossible situations have been thriving early in this "bubble season." Since we don't have a game log to go off, basing it off price and general skill, Alec Burks seems like a steal. The 76ers do not have outside scorers, and they don't have many players that can take the ball and just pull shots without ruining efficiency. Since this is the first game back and there is some emotional investment, running with someone like Burks seems like an ideal strategy since scoring is in his blood.
Reggie Jackson - PG, LAC v. NO ($4,100)
For as long as Lou Williams is out and Reggie Jackson is starting, it's hard not to roster him with confidence. The biggest problem will be his ownership, but looking at his debut game, it was still only near 30-40%. That's rough, but still useable with few point guard options available. Mike Conley is a decent pivot here, and for the extra price you are getting a bit more stability. Jackson played really well in his debut and he should continue to play well if he get's the minutes, we just need a few less DFS players on that bandwagon.
Aaron Holiday - PG/SG, IND v. PHI ($4,000)
Aaron Holiday might be the most underrated point guard in the NBA, but that doesn't mean he is guaranteed production. While he might be skilled and a great role-playing point guard, he still struggles in a few departments. His scoring could use some consistency, but luckily for us, he's had big games in the past and he has shown both the ability to have high-scoring games, play defense at a passable level, and involve his teammates to get that bump in assists. The 76ers defense is a tough one to be tested, but the Pacers do have options that can create space.
If Holiday really wants to burst through his projected, he will need some help. Even if he doesn't get that help, he should still be able to get to his spots like he had been near the end of the "regular season", and hoping Philadelphia plays someone like Shake Milton or Burks at point guard, Holiday will have an added size advantage. His size should benefit him since Milton and Burks defense leaves much to be desired.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
LeBron James - PG/SF, LAL v. TOR ($10,900)
LeBron James versus the Raptors is basically a trend at this point. Tempting the defense of the Raptors and Pascal Siakam seems like poking a bear, but this is LeBron. We aren't going to worry about defense. He's a bit pricey, but that makes sense given this is his game to show up. Anthony Davis tends to have his work cut out for him by just being on the court, but if you watched Lakers-Raptors games in the past, James sets the tone. This game might not have deep-seeding implications, but the Lakers are not going to willingly roll over to anyone and James is built to dismantle the Raptors specifically, assuming Siakam doesn't have the best game of his career on this particular night.
Jerami Grant- PF, DEN v. MIA ($4,000)
Another solid option here is Derrick Jones Jr., but both carry a fair amount of risk heading into this game. Grant will fill his normal role like he has been doing since joining the Nuggets, but the addition of Bol Bol to the starting lineup has made it easier for Grant to find comfort in his spots. Rather than being forced into situations where he has to create offense, Nikola Jokic playing point allows Grant to have a more stationary role on offense, which works perfectly for him.
Grant is still able to play under the rim so he can fight for rebounds and put-backs, but this extra spacing is also allowing him to find more open threes. He might not be taking more attempts, but those attempts have been better shots, rather than Grant taking a contested jumpshot late in the shot clock. Overall, the offense is working to favor more role-players in the Nuggets offense, as long as they have the spacing they are getting from their stretch bigs.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Steven Adams - C, OKC v. UTA ($5,300)
Rudy Gobert versus Steven Adams is the ultimate clash of the titans and statistically speaking, this usually tends to favor Gobert. Adams might have the touch on offense, but Gobert has the length to really cause a problem in most offenses, especially the Thunder. Chris Paul is going to find a way to involve Adams, and while it won't be the reason Adams exceeds his projected, it's going to help and the better Paul plays, the more we can expect from anyone playing center. With Adams' price so low and expectations high, it's hard to pass on this price. We need to free up space to roster someone like LeBron James anyway, so Adams seems like an ideal fit that won't kill your salary.
Nicolo Melli - PF/C, NO v. LAC ($3,800)
If Ivica Zubac is the who Nicolo Melli will be lining up across from, you have to take your chances. Both Jaxson Hayes and Melli are solid picks here, mainly because they already have a game under their belt against one the toughest defenses in the league. Hayes and Melli will face the likes of Marcus Morris, Zubac and Joakim Noah. The Pelicans frontcourt youth will help and while they are at a disadvantage because the Clippers frontcourt is technically skilled, they still don't have the size to dominate someone like Hayes, and they don't have the speed to play out on someone like Melli.
If his last game is any indication, Melli has turned into a hustle player that has the ability to shoot, he just needs to actually showcase that ability before he is really useful. One of these games he will find his shot, so it's only a matter of time, but realize what you are getting for his price. The scoring ability is there, but as of right now Jaxson Hayes skill around the rim is more consistent.
