RADIO
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 7th, 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.
Editors Note: If you have not tried out FanDuel 1-day fantasy basketball leagues, RotoBaller offers the best bonuses around. Signup and make a deposit for a new FanDuel account, and receive a 100% bonus on your deposit up to $200.
Quick Friday Recap
Friday night action on FanDuel was the epitome of pandemonium. For most leagues, one had to score roughly 310-314 points just to win any money. In most leagues, the first-place winner scored roughly in the 380-390 range. It was fun to see so many different combination of lineups crush it, but let's hope the scoring goes back down to the normal average so we can see better returns.
Worth the Investment
DeMarcus Cousins (SAC, C) - $11,000
Expensive? Yes. Best player on the court? Yes. Best option at the position for Saturday night's games? Yes. Boogie has dropped at least 20 points, 11 boards and three assists in four straight games. While he is definitely not a cheap option, most of the other starting centers come with some sort of baggage. Charlotte's Al Jefferson ($8,000) does not provide enough value for his price, Brooklyn's Brook Lopez ($6,700) sees decreased minutes and production on the tail end of back-to-backs, Portland's Robin Lopez ($5,400) is still working his way back from injury and Utah's two-headed big man of Rudy Gobert ($6,100) and Enes Kanter ($6,000) square off against Boogie. Cousins will have the best night of any center by far. Pay up.
Carmelo Anthony (NY, SF) - $9,400
It is possible to have both Boogie and Melo in the same lineup without losing value at the other positions. Considering how thin the swingman position, starting Melo makes the most sense. That being said, if you have him in your lineup it is absolutely imperative to be vigilante in checking his status before the game.
Alternative: Gordon Hayward (UTA, SF) $8,100
It might even be smarter and safer to place Hayward in your lineup over Melo. Hayward is playing in his second straight game in as many nights and the trend for him on the year is that his production decreases in these games. Look for him to buck the trend Saturday night. Hayward has hit the 33.5 FanDuel point plateau in six of his last eight games while the Kings have given up over 40 FanDuel points per game over that span, second worst in the league. Trust in Hayward.
Jarrett Jack (BKN, PG) - $7,600
Friday night proved that although it seemed that Williams may have been slated for the starting role, Jack is not yet ready to relinquish the duties. The Nets face a reeling Wizards team that has dropped five straight and have been forgiving to opposing point guards over the last twelve games. Furthermore, Washington is a team that Jack has done considerably well against during the season. He is averaging 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists in two games against them.
Cheaper Alternative: Derrick Rose (CHI, PG) - $7,100
We have seen flashes of the old Rose, which coincidentally is the young Rose, over the last five games and the Pelicans have given up considerable FanDuel points to opposing point guards during the same time span. To save on cap room, go with Rose.
(MIL, SG) - $6,400
Conventional thinking is to avoid Antetokounmpo on the second of back-to-backs especially after logging 35 minutes in the first game. But he is simply too hot right now to pass up and the matchup with Boston is too juicy to ignore. Even if the Greek does not score a ton of points, he has added exceptional all around value by logging rebounds, assists and blocks for an up-and-coming Milwaukee Bucks team.
John Henson (MIL, PF) - $5,100
Equally as hot is Henson who will enter Saturday's game pretty fresh after logging just 21 minutes Friday night. Boston is giving up the second most FanDuel points per game on the season to opposing power forwards. Injuries to Zaza Pachulia and Kenyon Martin make Henson the go to post guy Saturday night.
Top Sleeper
Jose Juan Barea (DAL, PG) - $4,700
There is a reason Barea's stock has gone way up over the last week. Despite Devin Harris starting at the guard position, Barea is the one that has provided the solid fantasy production coming off the bench. Dallas's matchup with Portland should yield a high number of points so Barea should cash in. Meanwhile Portland has given up their highest FanDuel point totals to opposing point guards over the last fifteen games.
