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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 February 24, 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
Russell Westbrook (OKC, PG)
There is really no better production at point guard than Russell Westbrook when Kevin Durant is out. On a day where the forward position is weaker than usual, feel free to go ahead and invest in the explosive guard. Averaging 26.1 points, 8.0 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game on the year, Westbrook has forced himself into MVP discussions despite missing a quarter of the year so far. His numbers without Durant on the court are off the charts, as he has taken it upon himself to carry this team into the eighth seed of the Western Conference. Durant has just gone down due to a second foot procedure. In the two games without Durant, Westbrook has shot 20 for 39 from the field. He only had 21 points in his last game against Denver, but he did that in 27 minutes and nabbed 17 assists. New arrival Enes Kanter is looking like a great boost to Westbrook’s assist numbers. The pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop with a scoring center only further improve Westbrook’s production, as he is becoming a double-double machine.
Honorable Mentions: Klay Thompson (GSW, SG), Reggie Jackson (Det, PG)
Serge Ibaka (OKC, PF)
Time to double dip. Serge Ibaka is the third-best player on the Thunder squad, and his numbers have seen an incredible boost since the All Star break and the absence of Kevin Durant. Since the break, Ibaka has averaged 19.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. What is most encouraging about his game this past week has been the lack of three point shots. This bodes well for Ibaka’s big-man numbers as well as his overall fantasy production. It means Ibaka is inside the arc, blocking shots, grabbing rebounds and aggressively scoring inside. There should be plenty more of that on Tuesday against Indiana, where the big inside presence of the Pacers will force Scott Brooks to make sure Ibaka is down low banging bodies against David West and blocking the shots of Roy Hibbert and Rodney Stockey. Expect Ibaka to keep up his numbers.
Honorable Mention: Draymond Green (GSW, SF)
Andre Drummond (Det, C)
Hopefully you have the room to grab Andre Drummond with the rest of your budget, as Enes Kanter may very well be the second most viable option at center on Tuesday. Drummond should provide plenty of points and rebounds against Cleveland on Tuesday. One month ago, Drummond had himself a field day in the paint, blocking six Cavalier shots. Since the All Star break, Drummond has averaged 18.0 points and 18.0 rebounds. With any luck, this is a sign that his first half inconsistency issues have passed. His numbers should only improve as new addition Reggie Jackson becomes more acclimated to the role of starting point guard. Trust that Stan Van Gundy will provide plenty of persuasion for Jackson to look for Drummond inside for dump-offs and other easy scoring options. Timofey Mozgov has provided a good inside presence for the Cavaliers, but Drummond’s athleticism should overwhelm the Russian big man on Tuesday.
Honorable Mentions: Enes Kanter (OKC, C), Marcin Gortat (WAS, C)
Sleeper Pick
Amar’e Stoudemire (DAL, PF)
Stoudemire did his career a huge favor by getting out of New York. He now has the opportunity to pursue a championship with a team that desperately needed a good power forward coming off the bench. With Rick Carlisle looking for more and more possibilities to rest Dirk Nowitzki going down the stretch, Stoudemire should be utilized more in the Dallas offense as a key inside weapon. Expect to see plenty of pick-and-rolls and dump-offs from the likes of Monta Ellis and Devin Harris, as Stoudemire should have to work a lot less to produce a whole lot more points in the Mavs effective offense. In his debut for the team, Stoudemire scored 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting in just 11 minutes. His numbers should only improve, as he can be expected to be Dallas's most potent threat coming off the bench.
Honorable Mention: Andre Iguodala (GSW, SF)
