NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Sunday 4/10/16
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
Giannis Antetokounmpo (FanDuel Price - $9,700): The Greek Freak has averaged 50.5 FanDuel points over his past four games, and faces Philadelphia tonight. The Sixers have allowed the second most fantasy points to small forwards and the third most to point guards, the two positions Antetokounmpo plays. Philly also ranks 25th in Defensive Efficiency. With several other elite options potentially resting or dealing with injury, Antetokounmpo appears to be the clear top play of the day.
Nikola Vucevic ($8,100): Vucevic has played excellently since returning from injury, averaging 40 FanDuel points in his past five games. He draws a matchup against Miami tonight, who has allowed just the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers. It has been a different story in the low post, though, where Miami has allowed the second-highest points per possession and the third-highest field goal percentage. Vucevic's main calling card is his work in the low post. He ranks fourth among centers in points out of the post up this season and should have no problem converting down low tonight against Miami. He has done well in this matchup in the past, averaging 45.9 FanDuel points this season, after averaging 36.2 last season.
Thomas Robinson ($6,700): T-Rob has been a sensation down the stretch for daily fantasy players, averaging 34.7 FanDuel points over his past six games. With Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young out of the picture, Robinson is a double double machine and is locked into 30 minutes a game. Indiana has a solid defense, but they're not a defense to shy away from by any means. Robinson's ownership may be too high in tournaments, but he is worth a look in cash games.
Top Mid-Range Values
Nerlens Noel ($6,600): After missing considerable time with an injury, Noel put up 38.5 FanDuel points and 33 minutes in his last game, so he should be good to go going forward. He draws a matchup against the Bucks, who rank 21st in Defensive Efficiency and has allowed the seventh most fantasy points to opposing centers. Noel has averaged 29.5 FanDuel points in two games against them this year, and could easily top that number tonight. He's an interesting tournament pivot from Robinson.
Dwight Howard ($6,400): Howard has not played well recently, but his matchup offers him a perfect opportunity for a bounce-back. Howard has a revenge game against the Lakers tonight, who rank dead last in Defensive Efficiency and have allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing centers. Howard has averaged 38.6 FanDuel points in three games against Los Angeles this season and topped 37 each time. He is a very intriguing tournament option tonight.
Bradley Beal ($6,000): Beal has really stepped up his game for Washington in John Wall's absence, averaging 31.6 FanDuel points over his past five games and 34.9 in the two games without Wall. The Hornets have a below average defense, and this game has the third highest over/under on the slate, so Beal is definitely worth a look if Wall doesn't play tonight.
Basement Ballers
Jordan Clarkson (5,400): Clarkson finally stepped up his game in an expanded role for Los Angeles in his last game, putting up 29.6 FanDuel points against New Orleans in 34 minutes. With the current state of the Lakers, he should be locked into nearly 35 minutes again, and has the potential to put up a big game against Houston's weak defense. Give him a look in tournaments tonight.
Raymond Felton ($4,800): Felton stepped up and totaled 40.2 FanDuel points in 36 minutes in Dallas' last game without Jose Juan Barea and Deron Williams, and could be looking at a similar workload tonight. Per NBAwowy.com, Felton has averaged 0.80 FanDuel points per minute without Barea and Williams, as opposed to his 0.71 season average. He should be locked into around 35 minutes, and at 0.80 FanDuel points per minute, it's hard to imagine him not hitting value at this price.
Justin Anderson ($4,200): Anderson has stepped into a larger role for Dallas due to numerous injuries, and has performed well, averaging 23.5 FanDuel points and 28 minutes over his past six games. In his last game, Anderson put up his first career double double in 38 minutes, totaling 37 FanDuel points. He's worth a look at this price tonight, regardless of the injury news, but he could become an elite value play if Barea is ruled out, so be sure to monitor the situation.
