RADIO
Kevin Luchansky highlights the top FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks for 2/2/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
The Super Bowl can wait, right? We've got an awesome few days of basketball before we shift our attention to the big game. Tonight's nine game slate is a pretty attractive one, with fairly high projected point totals across the board. A big slate with few or no "avoid games" makes things much more interesting, in my humble opinion.
Before I delve into player breakdowns, let's see what we can find in the Vegas lines that are out as of now. From a point total perspective - something to key in on if you're game-stacking in tournaments - the most attractive games appear to be the Warriors at Kings (221), Lakers at Nets (217.5) and the Pelicans at Thunder (218). The only red flag in the previously mentioned games is the one in Sacramento, where the Warriors are 13 point favorites. A blowout there could easily derail your game stack. It's still early in the day, but for what it's worth, there is serious action on the OVER in the Lakers at Nets game. Oh, and the spread of that game is just 1.5 points. There's a lot to like there.
Below you will find our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 2/2/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options, to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel.
FanDuel DFS Guards
Ricky Rubio - PG, at PHX ($5,900)
This is a pretty dreamy situation for Sir Ricardo tonight. Rubio is a quick athlete that can really thrive in pace-up situations, as evidenced by two of his latest outbursts being against the Warriors (2nd in Pace) and the Raptors (9th in Pace). In each of those games, he exceeded his price implied value by double digit points. His price has crept up $800 since then, but it's still a low enough figure that I think he can smash value at. His opponent tonight, Phoenix, ranks 3rd in Pace and happen to be quite horrendous at stopping opposing point guards, ranking 29th in DVP and 30th in defensive efficiency. He is sure to be popular due to the price and said matchup, but the ceiling is also very high. He should be a cash game staple tonight for good reason. As for tournaments, I'd suggest using him if and only if you're willing to take risks at other positions, because you won't have much leverage without doing so.
Also Consider: Jarrett Jack - PG, at MIL ($3,600); Kyle Lowry - PG, vs POR ($7,300)
Jrue Holiday - SG, at OKC ($8,200)
Holiday has been one of those guys that has flown a bit under the radar this season, despite producing very healthy numbers. In the Pelicans last 10 games, he's beaten his price implied total seven times (with three narrow misses) and has done so by a margin of +7.62 FanDuel points a night. With DeMarcus Cousins done for the season due to injury, I like Holiday's ceiling even more, as some shot opportunities should present themselves more often. Normally, the Thunder are pretty strong defensively against shooting guards. Anyone looking at those ranks might be deceived into avoiding him - but those numbers are enormously influenced by Andre Roberson's presence, who also has been lost to the year with a gruesome injury. The Thunder have not only gotten weaker defensively, they're also moving at a quicker pace these days - and happen to be on a back-to-back. This is a spot that Jrue and his projected 37 minutes and 25% Usage rate can take advantage of.
Also Consider: Courtney Lee - SG, at MIL ($4,700); Donovan Mitchell - SG, at PHX ($7,900); Jordan Clarkson - SG, at BKN ($6,500)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Jaylen Brown - SF, vs ATL ($5,900)
With the recent news that Marcus Morris, Kyrie Irving and Shane Larkin have all been ruled out. my interest in Boston's front court - the ball-handling, play making types - have certainly risen. This offense doesn't operate nearly as well with Kyrie sidelined, but with the news of his absence breaking after player prices have been set, we get him at a relative discount. Additionally, the Hawks have been an atrocious team defensively, ranking 24th in overall defensive efficiency and they rank dead last in DVP and efficiency against small forwards.
Also Consider: Lance Stephenson - SF, at CHA ($4,000); T.J. Warren - SF, vs UTA ($6,800)
Carmelo Anthony - PF, vs NOP ($6,400)
Anthony may have burned us a little (okay, a lot) last night but the matchup this evening couldn't be much more juicy from a fantasy perspective. Anthony is facing a team that is averaging 5+ points over price implied value (largest at the position) to opposing power forwards. The matchups projections I've seen have the Pelicans putting Dante Cunningham on Carmelo, and his defensive rating this season has been pretty poor, punching in at 106.6. I think this is the type of game context where Carmelo can see more shot opportunities than he usually does, and he'll have the chance to grab more boards with Cousins on the sidelines.
Also Consider: Kristaps Porzingis - PF, at MIL ($8,300)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Jahlil Okafor - C, vs LAL ($4,000)
Mr. Okafor, so nice of you to join us finally. While Okafor's critics of his defense are pretty on point, he does have a pretty rich offensive game, especially down in the paint where his footwork really gives him an advantage in getting to the rim. He's seeing enough minutes (projected for 22-25 tonight) to pay off this tag, and the offense (19% Usage rate thus far) provides a fairly high ceiling for someone in this price tier. It wouldn't surprise me to see that figure climb up, either, as Okafor rarely sees a shot opportunity he doesn't like. Tonight, the matchup against the Lakers is a good one, as they rank 15th in DVP versus centers and 16th in defensive efficiency.
Also Consider: Dwight Howard - C, vs IND ($10,000)
