NBA DFS Lineup Picks & Sleepers - FanDuel Advice for 1/31

Sam Nedimyer analyzes his top NBA DFS lineup picks for 1/31 on FanDuel, including some fantasy basketball DFS sleepers to consider when building your FanDuel lineups.

All throughout the 2014-15 NBA campaign, RotoBaller will be analyzing the top NBA DFS lineup picks and providing our expert advice for the best sleepers at the guard, forward and center positions. Below are our favorite FanDuel DFS picks for January 31st, 2015.

Keep in mind, fantasy basketball is a fickle game when it comes to injured players, so be sure to check all lineups prior to tip-off. If you want to chat about your roster picks, check out the DFS chat room at the bottom of this post.

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Worth the Investment

Kevin Love (CLE, PF) - $8,400

You know when K-Love was traded he circled this game on the calendar.  You can also bank on the Minnesota faithful to either rain boos down or give him the stone cold silent treatment.  However the dozens of fans that attend will react to Love’s number being called, rest assured that he will be amped for his return.  One can even already picture LeBron James and Kyrie Irving toying with their fantasy owners and feeding Love nonstop in the high and low posts.  It could get ugly in Minnesota.

Monta Ellis (DAL, SG) - $7,800

Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle has done a fine job frustrating fantasy owners who have no idea which Maverick will come out firing on any given game day.  It has been rather interesting for DFS players this year in attempting to select one Dallas player that should stand out for the offensive juggernaut.  Ellis has been the most consistent starter for Dallas and is not overly expensive.

The Mavs’ leading scorer played just shy of his average minutes on Friday night so he should be the freshest starter.  Ellis does not lose production on zero days rest, he plays his best offense on Saturdays and most importantly, the Magic have recently been in the habit of giving up point guard type FanDuel production to shooting guards.  Barring any bad luck, bet on Ellis finishing in the top three at his position Saturday.

Brandon Knight (MIL, PG) - $7,600

Knight has quietly improved as an all-around guard across the board this season.  Credit head coach Jason Kidd or Knight’s offseason work program or both, but it seems as the season grows so does the young guard.  His efficiency has improved every month and he is the unquestioned floor general for the Bucks.

Typically known for playing adequate defense, Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers have seemingly lost their perimeter defense.  Over the last two and a half weeks, Portland has consistently given up the second most FDPPG to opposing point guards.  Clearly Lillard is upset from his All Star snub and he will probably have a monster game as well, however Knight’s price and upside make him hard to pass up.

Nikola Pekovic (MIN, C) - $5,900

Like any player in this price range playing in the second game of a back-to-back, Pekovic comes with some baggage Saturday night as fatigue will be a factor.  Despite his lack of production on tail end games, the near seven footer has a favorable matchup against the Cavs who have given up an average of 51.1 FDPPG over their last ten outings.  Pekovic has consistently improved since his return from an ankle injury ten days ago.  Minnesota is so thin at every position that he should remain as a top scoring option for the second day in a row.

Top DFS Sleepers

Brian Roberts (CHA, PG) - $4,300

Any starting point guard at that price has our attention.  Season-ending surgery for Kemba Walker has vaulted Roberts into the starting gig and in two games he has actually manufactured some extremely positive ROI (return on investment) numbers.  During that span he has played 60 total minutes and the Hornets are spread thin in the backcourt.  Roberts is no Russell Westbrook nor John Wall, but his Saturday numbers against Denver will propel his FanDuel algorithm and price.  Believe that.

Al-Farouq Aminu (DAL, SF) - $3,900

Words cannot stress enough how important it is to check the injury/illness status of Chandler Parsons before Saturday’s games begin.  If it looks like Parsons may get another day rest, Aminu offers phenomenal value.  The former Demon Deacon has scored 62.8 FanDuel points in his last 58 minutes.  Should Parsons miss another start, it is very possible Aminu gets his name announced pregame or at the very least is the first one off the bench.  If he does see extra minutes in a start, Aminu will be looked upon to pick up the scoring slack considering Dirk Nowitzki is in some kind of shooting funk now.  Be aggressive in checking the pregame lineups.

NBA Chat Room

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