NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 2/24/16
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
Russell Westbrook (FD: 10,900, DK: $11,000) - Westbrook has been virtually unstoppable in February, averaging 23.3 points, 12 assists and 9.1 rebounds in seven games this month. He has been one of the most efficient players in the league this season -- he currently sits fourth in our player power rankings with a 16.6 nERD -- and should have little trouble taking advantage of a plus matchup against the aging Deron Williams and his 108 Defensive Rating tonight. Westbrook is our top overall projected player on the board.
Chris Paul (FD: 9,800, DK: $9,700) - In the 26 games Blake Griffin has missed this season, CP3 is averaging 21.3 points, 10 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game with a 28.9% Usage Rate. He has played at least 35 minutes in four of his last five outings, and should be in store for another massive workload tonight in a tremendous matchup against a Nuggets' backcourt that has given up the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season.
Andre Drummond (FD: 8,600, DK: $8,000) - The 76ers have struggled to slow down opposing big men all season long, allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers on the year and ranking 28th in the NBA in rebounding differential (-4.2). This bodes extremely well for the Drummond who has scored 16.9 points per game this season while leading the league in rebounding with 14.9 per game. He should absolutely dominate the porous Philadelphia interior defense en route to a huge double-double tonight.
Top Mid-Range Values
Kevin Love (FD: $7,500, DK: $7,400) - Love comes into tonight red hot, averaging 22.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3 assists in 34.6 minutes per game over his last three outings. He has seen increases to both his usage and playing time since Tyronn Lue took over as Cavaliers' head coach, and has a great opportunity to stay hot tonight in a matchup against a Hornets team that has allowed the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards this season.
Zach Randolph (FD: $6,400, DK: $6,900) - The Lakers have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA this season, giving up the third most points per game in the league and ranking dead last in Defensive Efficiency according to our metrics. Randolph, who has averaged 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3 assists in 32.1 minutes per game in the three games since the Grizzlies lost Marc Gasol, should continue to see a heavy workload and should have his way with the inexperienced Julius Randle and his 108 Defensive Rating.
Goran Dragic (FD: $6,400, DK: $6,400) - Coach Erik Spoelstra has encouraged Dragic to be more aggressive and it has really shown on the stat sheet as of late with The Dragon averaging 17.3 points, 7.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game over his last six games. He is coming off of a 24-point, 8-rebound, 5-assist performance in 41 minutes against the Pacers, and will see all the minutes he can handle once again tonight in what Vegas expects to be one of the highest scoring games on the slate.
Basement Ballers
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (FD: $5,400, DK: $5,100) - Caldwell-Pope has played at least 32 minutes in each of the three games since his return to action, with his minutes increasing in every game. He dropped 19 points with 4 boards and 2 steals in 37 minutes against the Cavaliers on Monday and gets the pleasure of facing off against the defensively-challenged 76ers tonight. KCP should provide excellent value at his price point.
Zach LaVine (FD: $4,900, DK: $5,300) - In nine games as a starter, LaVine has averaged 19.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists with a 27.2% Usage Rate in 30.8 minutes per game. He has played very well while playing off the ball with Ricky Rubio as the point guard, and will more than likely draw another start at shooting guard tonight. LaVine makes a spectacular play as long as he sticks in the starting lineup, especially at less than $5,000 on FanDuel.
Matt Barnes (FD: $4,700, DK: $5,000) - With Jeff Green now in Los Angeles and Tony Allen doubtful to suit up tonight, the Grizzlies could lean very heavily on Barnes tonight. He has seen at least 31 minutes in each of the two games since Green was traded and could be a critical part of the Memphis offense tonight in a matchup with one of the worst defensive teams int he league.
