RADIO
We have a ten-game monster on the NBA schedule tonight. Boston, Minnesota, Portland, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Memphis, and a severely undermanned Denver team are all on the tail end of a back-to-back set here. Therefore, I fully expect this article to be irrelevant by noon. Most of the information contained herein will be the same though, so we may just have to look at different ways to attack the same weaknesses. On a slate this large, we shouldn't have to reach. If you don't see a ceiling from said player, move on.
First of all, it’s important to look at the pace and Vegas lines. Second, it’s also useful to understand the number of fantasy points a team gives up to a specific position. The final tip is to identify value plays that are critical on a slate of any size. You don’t have to necessarily go for the cheapest value, but you want to identify players who have a high floor and a high ceiling. On a slate this large there are going to be lots of plays at every level. Identifying the value will determine whether you hit minimum cash or are contending for a takedown.
This article will supply you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for the DraftKings on 2/17/21. You can also check out today’s FanDuel lineup picks. It’s also important to monitor injury news as a result of COVID-19 as the slate can completely change before line-up lock. Without further ado, let’s dive into the picks!
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Bradley Beal - SG, vs. Denver ($9,800)
It doesn't matter if Russell Westbrook is on the floor or not. Beal can score with the best of them. If it's like last night, Denver is going to be thin at guard. Facundo Campazzo is a solid all-around player, but he's not going to stop Beal from scoring at will. I can get on board a Beal fade in GPP formats simply because there are a few other options that can go for 7-8x value in the middle tier. That said, SG isn't all that strong on DraftKings and there are higher ceilings to pay up for. For cash though, I'm taking Beal in what should be a closer game. If Denver gets a few guards back though, Beal isn't a must in any format.
Jamal Murray - PG, at Washington ($7,100)
The Nuggets are likely going to be without at least one or two of P.J. Dozier, Will Barton, Gary Harris, and Monte Morris again like they were last night. The Wizards give out points like our government gives out aid to foreign countries. I think Murray has a legitimate shot at 8x value at this low of a price against this defense. A blowout would be the only thing that hampers Murray's production, but Washington can score with teams too. If this stays close, Murray might have a ceiling game.
David Nwaba - SG/SF, at Philadelphia ($4,300)
Nwaba produced another big game with both Victor Oladipo and Eric Gordon out on Monday. Both are doubtful heading into this game, so we are going to see Nwaba flirt with 10x value once again. He cleared 9x on Monday. Philly doesn't guard the perimeter all that well. I would imagine the Murray/Campazzo combo is going to garner high ownership, but I would say the ceiling on Wall/Nwaba is at least as high. The duo is slightly more expensive, but not to the point where it's going to chase me off. So long as both Gordon and Oladipo are out, Nwaba will be in every single one of my lineups.
Bonus Guards: Zach LaVine ($9,400), John Wall ($7,800), Kemba Walker ($6,600), Facundo Campazzo ($3,500)
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Domantas Sabonis - PF/C at Minnesota ($9,700)
Okay, so Minnesota isn't quite Brooklyn bad guarding the interior, but the Nets aren't on the slate. This will have to do. The Timberwolves are bottom three defending the interior so either Sabonis or Myles Turner, or both, are going to go off in this game. It's much easier for the enigmatic Turner to reach value, but I prefer the rock solid floor of Sabonis with a much higher ceiling and I'm willing to pay for it.
Jimmy Butler - SF, at Golden State ($8,800)
Butler is trying to salvage the stumbling Heat all by himself. He has two triple-doubles in the last three games and has a good shot at another one here. The Warriors have looked much better overall running Draymond at the five with James Wiseman out, but that wont affect Butler any. Who on that perimeter is going to guard him? Butler's price is low enough that 6x value is probably his floor in this game. That's exactly what we want in all formats.
Saddiq Bey - SF/PF, at Chicago ($5,500)
The Villanova product has been the primary benefactor of the Pistons' decision to hold out Blake Griffin while they try to trade him. To the Pistons.....uh....good luck with that. And also, thank you! Bey has been an outstanding value over the last two games, putting up 87 DraftKings points while starting both contests. The Bulls are getting healthier up front again, but I don't see them locking down Bey here. His price makes it harder to get 10x value, but 7x value is still attainable here.
Bonus Forwards: Zion Williamson ($8,200), Jaylen Brown ($7,900), Kyle Anderson ($6,400), Josh Hart ($4,800)
DraftKings DFS Centers
Nikola Jokic - C, at Washington ($11,000)
The Nuggets ran the entire offense through the two playmakers last night in a spirited loss to Boston. I don't think the Nuggets pull away in this one either with all of the missing players. The same caveat applies to Jokic as to Murray. If some of these injured players return, I'm fine with a fade. However, if Denver is operating with just eight or nine players again, Jokic is capable of a ceiling game against a pitiful Washington front.
Mason Plumlee - C, at Chicago ($7,200)
Don't go nuts with this game. It promises to run slow. Plumlee is one of those guys that I usually bypass for something more shiny, but the Pistons have decided that they may as well use him since they signed him. Plumlee has 98.5 DraftKings points over the last two games with Blake out. Before that, he put up 39.5 DraftKings points in an overtime game against the Lakers. Wendell Carter has returned for the Bulls, but I still view Plumlee as one of those underpriced guys. His ceiling is high enough to run him in a GPP or two.
Nerlens Noel - C, at Orlando ($4,700)
Yeah, I know. Noel is playing nice minutes since Mitchell Robinson went down, but he hasn't done a lot with them. That may change. Noel has only missed one shot combined in the two games in which he has started. That kind of efficiency could net him a few more looks. Besides, Noel's strengths are blocks and steals, which give him a nice floor. Never underestimate that in a value play.
Bonus Centers: Nikola Vucevic ($10,100), Myles Turner ($6,300), Mo Wagner ($3,800)
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