NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 1/29/16
If you've never played daily fantasy basketball before, it's time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you're able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every NBA night.
Today's lineups can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the night completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until tip-off, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.
Oh, and if you're interested, check out our daily fantasy basketball heat chart for today's slate. It's full of information like tonight's Vegas lines, team offensive and defensive efficiency ratings, pace, fantasy points against and so much more.
As for today's picks -- let's get to it.
The Best of the Best
Kevin Durant (FD: $10,600, DK: $10,100) - The Rockets have been horrific on defense this season, ranking 26th in the NBA in Defensive Efficiency according to our metrics while giving up the fourth most points per game in the league (106.1). Durant, who currently sits third in our player power rankings with a 19.9 nERD, should absolutely dominate the Houston front court that has allowed the fourth most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards in what Vegas expects to be tonight's highest scoring game by a wide margin.
James Harden (FD: $10,200, DK: $10,000) - Harden comes into tonight red hot, averaging 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.9 assists assists over his last seven games. He draws an outstanding matchup against Dion Waiters and his 108 Defensive Rating and should be in store for a huge outing in what should be a very fast-paced, high-scoring affair.
Chris Paul (FD: $9,900, DK: $9,800) - The Lakers have been the worst defense in basketball, ranking dead last in Defensive Efficiency on the season. They have also allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards which bodes extremely well for CP3 who has averaged 20 points, 10.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals in the 16 games Blake Griffin has missed this season.
Top Mid-Range Values
DeAndre Jordan (FD: $7,900, DK: $7,500) - In addition to giving up the most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards, the Lakers have allowed the third most to opposing centers on the season. Jordan has also seen a significant boost with Griffin sidelined, averaging 13.9 points and 14.5 rebounds over that span, and should have his way with the defensively-challenged Lakers tonight.
Chris Bosh (FD: $7,600, DK: $7,700) - Bosh has been playing some of his best ball of the season as of late, scoring 20.7 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 34.1 minutes per game during the month of January. Tonight, he gets a great matchup against against a Milwaukee defense that ranks 29th in the league in Defensive Efficiency and has allowed the seventh most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards on the year.
Archie Goodwin (FD: $5,000, DK: $5,600) - In the five games he has played without Brandon Knight this season, Goodwin has posted 18.8 points, 4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals with a 25.4% Usage Rate in 34.1 minutes per game. He should see another massive workload tonight in a plus matchup against the Knicks.
Basement Ballers
Zach LaVine (FD: $4,600, DK: $4,900) - Lavine has looked incredible over his last two outings, averaging 28 points, 3.5 dimes and 3 boards in 29.5 minutes in those two games. He should push for close to 30 minutes again tonight as Kevin Martin remains sidelined and, considering his price tag is below $5,000 on both FanDuel and DraftKings, he has an excellent chance to reach value despite a tough matchup with the Jazz.
Aaron Gordon (FD: $4,400, DK: $4,900) - In three starts this season, Gordon is averaging 9.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.6 minutes per game. He gets the pleasure of facing off against a Celtics' interior defense that has struggled to slow down opposing big men all season long and should have little trouble reaching value at his very reasonable price across the industry.
Spencer Hawes (FD: $4,000, DK: $4,800) - Portland has not faired well against opposing centers this season, giving up the ninth most fantasy points per game to the position on the year. Hawes, who has averaged 29.8 minutes per game over his last five contests, should be able to take advantage of this outstanding matchup in another start for the short-handed Hornets.
