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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on February 8th, 2019. Daniel Benjamin provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
For the second straight week, less than two-thirds of the league is playing on a Friday as there are only eight games on Friday's NBA Week 17 slate. There is only one marquee matchup -- Nuggets versus 76ers --however; there are many exciting things to watch as a result of the plethora of trades that have occurred.
12 of the 16 teams that are in action tonight were involved in trades since the last time that they suited up with the Knicks, Nuggets, Warriors, and Timberwolves being the franchises that didn't do anything. Milwaukee and Philadelphia are two of the teams that made the most significant trade deadline deals. The Bucks may have Nikola Mirotic (calf) tonight versus the Mavericks, who dealt Harrison Barnes to Sacramento for Zach Randolph and Justin Jackson. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris along with Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott are expected to make their debuts for the Sixers against Denver. Jonothan Simmons has sat out the last four games.
There are several key players with injury destinations for tonight including Devin Booker, Zach LaVine, Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague, Jerryd Bayless, Khris Middleton, Gary Harris, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Robert Covington, Cede Osman, and Kevin Love. So, as always, don't set your lineups too early and check player statuses before the opening tip. I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 02/08/19. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Tyler Johnson: PG/SG Vs. GS ($4,300)
This is an extreme value play here. Johnson is expected to start in his debut for the Suns. While the 26-year-old has struggled shooting the ball since the beginning of 2019, he has averaged 14.8 points, four rebounds and 3.2 assists on 44.9 percent shooting this year when on the floor for at least 30 minutes. Johnson should see plenty of playing time against Golden State as De'Anthony Melton (ankle) has already been declared out for the game, meaning that Elie Okobo will be the main backup at point guard.
Opposing point guards have produced 24.2 points along with 5.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists against the Warriors over the last 10 games. Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, De'Aaron Fox, JrueHoliday, and D'Angelo Russell are high priced options. Dennis Smith Jr., Malcolm Brogdon, Eric Bledsoe, and Dwyane Wade are mid-priced options.
Reggie Jackson: PG/SG Vs. NY ($5,600)
Jackson has been playing well recently. The 28-year-old is coming off his seventh straight double-figure scoring night as he put up 17 points, seven assists, and two rebounds while just committing one turnover in Wednesday's win over the Knicks. He was 5-for-14 from the field and 2-for-7 from beyond the arc. The eighth-year pro also has scored 20 or more points twice and doled out a least five assists four times in the last five games.
Jackson is averaging 19.2 points, 6.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds along with 2.6 triples on 47.5 percent shooting during the past seven games. He has topped 30 DK fantasy points on five occasions over this stretch. Jackson, who has played better at home this year, has compiled 20 points along with 5.5 dimes, 2.5 rebounds and two three-pointers in two games against the Knicks.
Bradley Beal, Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn, Andrew Wiggins, Josh Richardson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Shabazz Napier are other options.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Kenrich Williams: SG/SF Vs. MIN ($5,000)
There is a caveat to this selection as we don't know what Stanley Johnson's role with the Pelicans will be. But Williams has played well over the last five games, which includes two starts.
Williams scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, doled out two assists and blocked two shots while making four of nine shots from the field as well as two of five attempts from long distance in his last outing against the Bulls (Wednesday). He is averaging 12.4 points, 9.4 rebounds 2.8 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, and 1.2 blocks over his previous five games. During this stretch, Williams has scored in double-figures (three times), grabbed at least seven boards (five), dished out two or more assists (four), recorded a block (three) and drained at least two three-pointers (four times).
Opposing small forwards have feasted on the Timberwolves this year. Minnesota is allowing the most points in the league, the fifth most rebounds, the third most assists, and the eighth highest shooting percentage to opposing three-men.
Tobias Harris, Josh Jackson, Trevor Ariza, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Ben Simmons are options here as well.
Jeff Green: SF/PF Vs. CLE ($5,300)
The 32-year-old has been playing well since the middle of December, for the most part. However, he has been balling lately, topping the 20-point plateau in four straight games and five of the past seven contests. Green has made a three-pointer in seven consecutive contests and recorded a block in four straight games.
Green is coming off a fantastic outing on Wednesday, where he poured in 22 points, hauled in four rebounds and doled out three assists against the Bucks. He was six of 10 from the floor and five of nine from long distance. The 11th-year veteran is producing 15.9 points, 3.9 caroms, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 triples since the beginning of 2019.
While there is value with recommending Green, there is a little trepidation on my part only because it is unknown how Scott Brooks will use Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis. Whatever their role, Green is versatile enough to be still productive.
Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Larry Nance Jr., Mason Plumlee, and Nemanja Bjelica are also playable options. Plumlee is playable only if he is in the starting lineup and Paul Millsap has been ruled out for the game once again because of his ankle injury.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Marvin Bagley: PF/C Vs. MIA ($6,200)
I don't like the price for Bagley, but the rookie appears to be coming into his own. The 19-year-old has produced four straight double-doubles and five in the last seven. He has also scored in double-figures in seven consecutive games and 12 of 13. Additionally, the former Duke star has registered a steal or block in seven games in a row.
Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andre Drummond, Julius Randle, Hassan Whiteside, and Jarrett Allen are playable options. Mitchell Robinson is a cheap option.
