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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on February 5, 2020. Dale Johnson provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
After a somewhat small Tuesday slate featuring some big names, the NBA has rewarded us with a nine-game slate here on Wednesday. With just one day separating teams from the trade deadline, there will likely be a ton of players showcased in the hopes of increasing their value during trade talks.
Vegas has been slow to reveal the betting lines and trends for this slate, but at a quick glance, there are a few games which stand out. Minnesota (-6) at Atlanta features two bottom of the league teams who have high-powered offenses and subpar defenses which has lead to a projected 236.5 point total. Another game to look out for is Golden State at Brooklyn. Vegas has not released the spread for this game, but we can make a good guess this will be high-scoring as both teams are fast-paced which leads to more possessions.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 2/5/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
D'Angelo Russell - PG/SG, GS @ BKN ($8,400)
Russell (quadriceps) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday's contest after missing Monday with the ailment. Russell has been on a tear recently, averaging 26.4 points, 5.6 assists, 5.2 three-pointers, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals in just 31.0 minutes per game. What better way to continue this hot streak than against his former team, the Brooklyn Nets? Russell will be returning to Brooklyn for the first time since being sent to Golden State. The Nets give up the third-most DraftKings fantasy points and most overall points and field goals made to opposing point guards on the season. Both teams rank in the top-15 in pace as well, alluding to a fast-paced, high scoring game here.
Evan Fournier - SG/SF, ORL @ BOS ($5,700)
Normally, this would not be an advisable play as the Celtics are a top-three defensive team this season. However, they have recently struggled against opposing shooting guards and could possibly be without defensive anchor Marcus Smart (thigh). Smart missed Boston's game on Monday and they were torched by Trae Young (34 points), Kevin Huerter (23 points) and even Jeff Teague (18 points). The Celtics have overall been somewhat generous to opposing shooting guards this season. Opposing shooting guards average the 11th-most points and field goals made against the Celtics this year. If Smart, listed as questionable Wednesday, is forced to sit again, Fournier would have a much easier matchup against Javonte Green.
Jeff Teague - PG/SG, ATL v. MIN ($5,200)
Speaking of Teague, he thrived in a spot start on Monday with 18 points on 50.0 percent shooting, six assists and four steals in 36 minutes. The Hawks are undermanned right now with Deandre Bembry (hand) and Cam Reddish (concussion) already ruled out while De'Andre Hunter (ankle) is listed as questionable. If Hunter is ruled out, Teague will likely start again as the combo with Young led to a big win over the Boston Celtics. Things get much, much easier on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves who have lost an astounding 12 straight games. Over this span, Minnesota is the 24th-ranked defense in the league. They also have given up the fifth-most points and third-best field goal percentage during this skid. If Hunter is unable to go again, Teague is in prime position to produce. Kevin Huerter ($5,900) would also benefit heavily.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Larry Nance Jr. - PF/C, CLE v. OKC ($6,500)
Nance has been balling out with trade rumors surrounding teammates Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. Head coach John Beilein has made it clear he wants Nance to play more aggressively on offense and it has shown. Over his past eight games, Nance averaged 14.9 points on 57.3 percent shooting, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in just 27.5 minutes per game. Thompson (quad) missed Monday's game with a quad injury and is questionable for Wednesday. If Nance is able to enter the starting lineup again, it would greatly increase his value in this slate. In six starts this year, Nance averaged 13.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 35.7 minutes per game.
Robert Covington - SF/PF, MIN @ ATL ($5,800)
Covington has been a common name circulating in trade rumors with the Timberwolves on a terrible losing streak. Covington has been quietly showcasing his skills over his past few games with at least 10 points and five rebounds over his past five games. He also racked up eight steals over that span and remains one of the top wing defenders in the league. Covington and the Timberwolves visit Atlanta in what is projected to be one of the highest scoring games on the night. Vegas has this contest at a projected point total of over/under 236.5 points. The Hawks have also given up the second-most points and most steals and blocks to opposing forwards on the season. Covington should wreak havoc on the defensive end as the Hawks also commit the most turnovers in the NBA.
Bruce Brown Jr. - PG/SF, DET v. PHO ($4,900)
Brown has now strung together a couple solid games and played 38 minutes in each of his past two contests. Brown has really benefited from a slew of injuries affecting the Pistons right now. Derrick Rose (hip) and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (hip) are both already ruled out for Wednesday which should leave a clear path for Brown to see big minutes again. The Phoenix Suns have lost three straight and are the 23rd ranked defense over their current losing streak. Brown may not always pop off the page, but he contributes across the board on the stat sheet and his lower price tag allows you to pursue a star in this loaded slate. Reggie Jackson ($4,900) is also a viable option with Rose out, but Jackson is highly inconsistent as evident by his 1-for-16 shooting performance on Monday.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Serge Ibaka - C, TOR v. IND ($6,100)
Surprisingly enough, Ibaka's price tag has actually been decreasing lately, despite his consistent play. To make Ibaka's value even better, Marc Gasol (hamstring) is already ruled out Wednesday which will allow Ibaka to enter the starting lineup. As a starter this year, Ibaka has averaged 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers and 0.9 blocks over 17 games. Ibaka is not the shot-blocker as he was in his earlier career, but the counting stats speak for themselves. Indiana has given up the fifth-most points in the paint and second chance points to opposing centers this season. Of Ibaka's total rebounds, 26.3 percent are on the offensive end which is his highest offensive rebounding rate since the 2015-16 season. Look for Ibaka to shine as a starter in this slate.
