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 1st, 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.
Worth the Investment
Wayne Ellington (LAL, SG) - $5,200
It is slim pickings at the guard position on Sunday with only two games on. With Dwayne Wade’s hamstring injury taking him out of the lineup, the shooting guard slot becomes a complete lottery. The safer picks are probably in Avery Bradley and Tim Hardaway, but Wayne Ellington has a great chance to continue his hot streak and possibly score more than 20 points again. With both Kobe Bryant out for the season and Nick Young still too hurt to play, Ellington has a chance to see a lot of playing time and has proven he isn’t shy shooting the ball. Coach Byron Scott has made a point to run out his younger players more rather than play his older guys, and Ellington has been the biggest beneficiary of these current circumstances in the Laker organization. He has averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in his last five games. Take a gamble on Ellington, who can prove to provide the best value of any shooting guard available.
Honorable Mentions: Mario Chalmers (MIA, PG), Langston Galloway (NYK, PG)
Jared Sullinger (BOS, PF) - $6,700
Jared Sullinger has been a terrific and steady force for the Celtics after Brad Stevens put the entire frontcourt lineup in limbo by minutes and shot attempt distribution earlier in the year. Sully has really settled down in January, becoming a consistent source of points, rebounds, and steals. Having emerged as the best big man in Boston and arguably the best scoring option on the team after the departure of Jeff Green, Sully will not disappoint your investment on Sunday. In January, Sully has averaged 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks. As long as Avery Bradley and Tyler Zeller continue to struggle scoring the ball, Sully will have to carry the load, even if he does face a challenge playing against Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat.
Honorable Mentions: Lance Thomas (NYK, SF), Carlos Boozer (LAL, PF)
Hassan Whiteside (MIA, C) - $6,200
There is a certain guilt that comes along with writing about and using the same guy over and over again, but that just has to be the case with Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside has tossed aside any doubters of his ability and become a legitimate threat to win the Most Improved Player award. Whiteside may joke that he is simply trying to get his NBA2K rating up, but he has also said that he intends on averaging a double double throughout his career. He has definitely taken that goal to heart, averaging a double double in the month of January. In his last three games, Whiteside has averaged 15.3 points, 17.7 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks. His rebounding ability has been simply astounding and his scoring should also see an uptick on Sunday with both Luol Deng as a game time decision and Dwayne Wade ruled out due to injury. That leaves just him and Chris Bosh to carry the scoring load for the Miami Heat.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Hill (LAL, C)
DFS Sleeper Pick
Lou Amundson (NYK, PF) - $4,100
Amundson has been a welcomed surprise for the New York Knicks; an effort to still look like a NBA team in an otherwise clear tanking mission. Amundson has stepped in and seen a lot of playing time from coach Derek Fisher. In his last two games, Amundson has averaged 11 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. He has the potential to put up a great all-around game on Sunday against the Lakers, who might struggle in boxing out Amundson at the power forward position. It is hard to imagine, but Amundson could very well be relied upon as a scoring option in New York from this point forward, and could certainly bring in a good stat line on Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Lin (LAL, PG), Danny Granger (MIA, SG)
NBA Chat Room
Get involved with some NBA talk, ask your DFS and fantasy basketball questions, read other discussions, or chime in with your own two cents.
[iflychat_embed id="c-11" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="700px"]