FanDuel and Factoids
There is a ton of depth in the point guard position today, you should spend extra time in your lineups there to ensure that you don’t start out with a disadvantage.
Lineup 1:
Chris Paul: The Suns have a true point guard to help facilitate the offense. Paul has been fairly consistent on an up and down Phoenix team. Much like Lamelo, Paul’s high point average comes from his ability to create and make assists. The Bulls are a hard-working, dedicated team that tries on both sides of the ball. They just don’t have the requisite talent to make an impact on the defensive end.
Lamelo Ball: I’ve talked about Melo a lot and the same arguments that I made for Chris Paul apply to Ball, except he’s playing against an even worse defense. As long as Melo can find the open man against a depleted Warriors roster, then he will have a 40+ fantasy night. Melo may be a young player, but there’s no one else in the organization that has shown that they can steal his minutes or production.
Victor Oladipo: Oladipo has looked great in every game he’s played this year in a Rocket’s uniform. The problem is, whether it because of injury or because he doesn’t want to be Houston Rocket, he's played few games this year. My only fear with Oladipo is that he doesn’t give 100%/
Devin Booker: By building a lineup, you are constructing a narrative. You are creating a story of how you expect the game to go. The hope here is that Paul gets his points through assists and Booker can score off Paul’s passes. If you play two players on the same team, it probably shouldn’t be a team that can fall apart like the Suns. You don’t have to force yourself to go down with the ship, like me.
Derrick Jones Jr: With C.J. still out of the lineup a different Jr, Gary Trent Jr., has shown up as the new #2 for the Trailblazers. While Gary Trent is occasionally shooting more than Dame, Derrick Jones hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup. Jones' appeal comes from his price point. As long as the Lakers don’t blow out the Trailblazers, which hasn’t been the case since they lost AD, Derrick Jones should see 25+ minutes for $5,000.
Kelly Oubre Jr.: Talking about anyone on the Warriors that isn’t Steph is almost impossible. Oubre flies too close to the sun. Seemingly at random, Oubre could step up as the primary option on the slate, or miss every shot and spend extended time on the bench. Oubre has two things going in his favor. 1) He can score sometimes [sorry Draymond] 2) He’s good sometimes [Sorry Wiggins]
Isiah Roby: Roby is an extremely cheap pay-down option. Pay down options allow you to invest more resources into other positions, but they come at the risk of completely busting themselves. Roby wouldn’t be priced at less than 5K if he was a consistent option. I do have some worries about whether or not Roby will be able to produce in the starting lineup. I ended up being convinced by The Hawks 22nd ranked defense and tendency to implode.
Marvin Bagley: This matchup between the Pistons and Kings is a goldmine. The Pistons have the 2nd worst offense, and the Kings have the worst Defense. I believe that someone from this game will end up in the optimal lineup since they are all cheap on account of them being bad. I decided that mid-priced players from the Kings would be the most profitable way to go, as they have the highest chance to outperform their price.
Wendell Carter Jr.: I didn’t realize how many juniors I had until I started typing out this article. Carter is in the lineup for a relatively simple reason. He’s cheaper than Ener Kanter with similar production on the season. He was also in one of the most recent lineups to money, so I get a little happier seeing his face there next to the others.
Lineup 2:
Coby White: DFS is a lot like stocks. You’re constantly losing money and nothing makes sense. Paul or Booker don’t spend a lot of energy on defense, that leaves an opening for White to attack the rim. If the first lineup busts, then White should have a fantastic day.
Harrison Barnes: Another mid-priced option from the Kings. You could put DeAaron Fox or Jeremi Grant instead if you’re not feeling Barnes. I just want the bar to be as low as possible if I’m going to be actually betting money on the Kings and Pistons.
Jayshaun Tate: Tate is a relatively new face, that’s because he was only able to see opportunity after Harden had been traded, Now that the Big bad beard is out of the locker room, this Rockers squad has been playing intense minutes every night. Tate isn’t the most talented player, but he cares and plays his heart out.
Jeremi Grant: The only player on the Pistons that can actually shoot the ball.
Bismack Biyomobo: Most likely playing for Cody Zeller tonight.
