Welcome back to another NBA season! All throughout the 2014-15 campaign, RotoBaller will be giving you the top NBA DFS lineup sleeper picks at guard, forward and center as well as a couple of value picks. Keep in mind, fant
asy 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 DFS picks, check out the DFS chat room at the bottom of this post.
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Top DFS Picks (Worth the Investment)
Brandon Knight (MIL, PG) - $7,400
No one really knew what the Bucks starting lineup would look like heading into the season opener, as coach Jason Kidd kept things under wraps. Now that they have a game under their belts, the picture has become a little clearer. Brandon Knight drew the start at point guard, which was not very surprising considering the makeup of the Milwaukee roster. The results, however, were highly unexpected.
Knight flirted with a triple-double, putting up 22 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists! His shooting percentage was terrible, but that is pretty much the norm for him. He did manage to knock down a couple threes and even had a block to boot. The most important stat though was his 39 minutes of run he received. If those type of minutes are there, Knight has the ability to put up some numbers as the primary ball handler in the Milwaukee offense. When you combine that with a tasty matchup against Philadelphia, Knight should be a terrific play.
Zach Randolph (MEM, PF) - $7,600
Randolph started the season with a bang, posting 25 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block on a highly efficient 12-of-16 from the field against the Timberwolves. He gets another great matchup against the injury-riddled Pacers. More specifically, the Pacers will again be without David West. That means Randolph will be matched up against the defensively challenged Luis Scola. Expect Z-Bo to have another monster game at Indiana.
DeAndre Jordan (LAC, C) - $7,500
There were some concerns about newcomer Spencer Hawes eating into DeAndre’s minutes this season. Many thought that Jordan’s playing time might decrease due to his horrendous free-throw shooting, which is particularly problematic late in games. However, if the first game of the season is any indication, there is nothing to worry about.
Jordan played his usual 35 minutes against the Thunder, narrowly missing a double-double. Next up is a date with the hapless Lakers. The Los Angeles offense is much improved with the return of Kobe and some offseason acquisitions. The Laker defense, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired. Los Angeles simply has no one in their frontcourt that can stop DeAndre Jordan, so a mammoth game is in order.
Bargain Ballers
Khris Middleton (MIL, SF) - $4,400
I know what you’re thinking, another Milwaukee Buck? Let’s be honest, the Bucks are not very good in reality, but there is some fantasy intrigue here. Middleton is another guy who received the starting nod and played 36 minutes. He took advantage of the opportunity, scoring 17 points with six rebounds, two assists and a block on 7-for-15 shooting.
Coach Jason Kidd has said he will experiment with his rotations to begin the season, but one would think Khris has earned another start with his solid play. Whether he starts or not, the minutes should be there, as the Bucks are lacking in offensive weapons. The matchup against the 76ers combined with his bargain price make Middleton a no-brainer pick.
Ed Davis (LAL, PF) - $4,500
The Lakers have lost first-round pick Julius Randle for the season due to a broken leg. While this news is unfortunate for Randle, it is great for the fantasy prospects of Ed Davis. Davis saw his minutes rise from 22 in the first game to 33 in game number two. With the added playing time, he went for 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks on 60% from the field.
Davis is about the only defensive presence on the Lakers roster, so the minutes should continue to be there. He has proven capable of filling the stat sheet when given the opportunity over the course of his career. Despite the fact that he's coming off the bench, he should be a great value play at his current price.
NBA DFS Chat Room
You can use this chat room for NBA DFS banter, sleeper talk, value picks, etc etc. If you want your own chat username, register here!
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