February 9, 2018

Kevin Luchansky highlights the top FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks for 2/9/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.

Happy Friday to you all, my daily fantasy friends. We've got a nice slate on deck tonight, with nine games scheduled and more than half of those look like attractive games to watch and to roster players from on FanDuel. Hopefully the good hoops trend continues throughout the weekend (I have no reason to believe it shouldn't) because it's our first weekend without football in a long time, and for a long time.

But we're here to talk hoops. That trade deadline madness yesterday was incredible, and should make for interesting stretch-playoff runs for those in contention. While all of that is exciting, there is a slight downside to that in the early hours after the trade - we don't know who is suiting up yet, and how they'll fit in. Related to that, we don't have a lot of Vegas info to break down just yet, but I'll be back to update this section when there is. As of right now, the contests between New Orleans and Philadelphia and the Clippers at Pistons look like great game stack targets. They currently feature the two highest point projections, coming in at 221 and 216, respectively.

Below you will find our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 2/9/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options, to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too.

FanDuel DFS Guards

Jerian Grant - PG, vs MIN ($5,200)

With the news that Kris Dunn will still be sidelined for another game or two and Grant's price so low, it's an opportune time to roster him. He gets a nice matchup today in that he'll face the lackadaisical defense of Jeff Teague and seeing that he'll likely get 30-35 minutes, that 15% Usage rate suddenly looks a little more attractive than it normally does. There is good game context here, too, as this has one of the higher totals of the night and the Bulls are projected for three points higher than their season average. Speaking of that soft defense, the Timberwolves are currently 17th in DVP against point guards and even worse in defensive efficiency against the position, ranking 22nd. For the season, they've allowed more than three points over FanDuel price implied totals each night to opposing point guards as well. Considering all of that, I think he's a nice cash-game building block.

Also Consider: Kyrie Irving - PG, vs IND ($8,000)

Jrue Holiday - SG, at PHI ($7,600)

Jrue is a big piece of the Pelicans offense (21% Usage on the season) and he's playing in the game that's most attractive right now, as that game has a monstrous 221 total. On top of that, the matchup is cushy as well, seeing as the 76ers really struggle to slow down opposing shooting guards, ranking 21st in DVP. Since DeMarcus Cousins hit the disabled list, Holiday has improved his FanDuel point per minute scoring, going from .97 to 1.07. As a key cog of this offense and one that rarely, if ever, plays less than 32 minutes. I am a big fan of Holiday tonight and I think the sturdy floor and high upside combination make him a good play for cash and tournament games.

Also Consider: Lou Williams - SG, at DET ($6,800)

FanDuel DFS Forwards

LeBron James - SF, at ATL ($11,500)

This one is almost a no-brainer, considering all that is going on in The Land and the matchup against one of the worst defensive - and overall - teams in the Association. We don't quite know yet who will be suiting up and taking the floor among the Cleveland newcomers (and there are many), but if there is one thing that is certain, it's that LeBron will be Point-Forward LeBron tonight. Whenever he's got the rock in his hands that much, he's a must play for me. And seeing as this is his first go-around with new teammates, I am expecting him to show them the ropes, so to speak. From an analytics perspective, narrative aside, LeBron is a pretty good value at this price point and he faces a team that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency against small forwards this season. I'm seeing projections of a 38% Usage rate for James tonight, which wouldn't surprise me at all. For reference, he's been at a 30% Usage rate this year, and has averaged 1.42 FanDuel points per minute in that stretch.

Also Consider: Jimmy Butler - SF, at CHI ($9,800)

James Johnson - PF, vs MIL ($4,600)

The matchup might not be golden, but this price point sure is. I don't recall Johnson ever being available for such a low tag. Of course, the drops are almost always warranted, normally on the basis of dwindling performances. Johnson has definitely struggled of late, but he does possess a relatively high ceiling among the power forwards, and the ability to return 8-10x on his salary price isn't out of the question tonight. I would prefer using him in tournaments, but he's not a bad cash game option if rostering Johnson allows you to add in your favorite studs.

Jeff Green - PF, at ATL ($3,900)

There's a lot of value today because of the trade action at the deadline yesterday. Not surprisingly, the team that was most active has the most minutes to go around as the newcomers aren't expected to be available tonight. Not only is Green a huge bargain and not priced as someone who could see 28-30 minutes tonight, but he also has a cushy matchup. Atlanta and defense are polar opposites, and specific to the power forward position, they've allowed more than 2+ points above price implied expectations to opposition this season. With the Cavaliers sure to be popular, I sure don't mind getting in on the Atlanta side for tournament game stacks.

Also Consider: Blake Griffin - PF, vs LAC ($9,200)

FanDuel DFS Centers

Willie Cauley-Stein - C, vs POR ($6,900)

Mr. Cauley-Stein has almost quietly been averaging roughly 30 minutes per game over the last month, much higher than the roughly 20-23 he was seeing in the first half of the year. Certainly, his price has climbed in that stretch too, but he's been producing in a way that justifies that price hike. This season, his 1.07 FanDuel PP/MIN rate is quite strong, and the matchup against Portland is one he can take advantage in. Jusuf Nurkic is a lazy defender at best, and an awful one at his worst. That laziness leads to a lot of easy buckets for opposing big men, marked by giving up nearly three points over FanDuel salary implied totals. His 20% Usage rate is quite attractive as well. He's not quite a building block, but a strong play nonetheless and his mid-tier price could cause him to go overlooked in tournaments as many will pay up or go bargain hunting.

Also Consider: Andre Drummond - C, vs LAC ($11,200)

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