Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks for Draftstreet and FanDuel 2/4/14

Though you'll be sorely tempted, DraftStreet and FanDuel both have strict rules about starting five players from the same team in a given lineup. So get the idea of you putting in every single T-Wolve out of your head. It can't happen. You'll just have to choose four. Add in that since the Lakers don't have Gasol, this game could easily be a huge blowout and there are a number of considerations for a short slate of games. And finally, though it isn't always the case, some of the highest priced guys are also the best points/dollar expectations, meaning you'll have some interesting lineup construction issues. So yeah, here we go.

Quick reminder about these picks. At DFSR we employ a system that seeks to gain the most points-per-dollar. When we give a recommendation, it’s because we believe that player has the best chance to meet or exceed his price. On any given the night the highest dollar player can be expected to score the most points, but that doesn’t always make him the best play for the money. Want an in-depth look at how we set our lineups each night? Sign up for our email list and get a free eBook on the 6 steps every pro takes before setting his lineup, either by clicking that link or signing up through the sidebar. On to the picks.

Point Guard

With Hinrich back, I'm a little nervous about the Bulls PG situation. Augustin's been great (except last night), but Kurt cuts into the minutes there. Plus Kemba Walker might be back tonight meaning the Bobcat backcourt is in flux.

Ricky Rubio FD $6,500 DS $11,261-
The best for-the-money point guard, and though his value is wrapped up in everything but his scoring (he shot 3 times last game! 3!), he seems particularly safe in going against the Lakers. L.A. is bad in every aspect of defense, but it should be noted that over the last 15 days the area they have been the least bad is against point guards.

Stephen Curry FD $9,800 DS $19,822-
Kind of feel like, with so many question marks at this position tonight, you need to play Curry. He's far from a sure thing at this price with Charlotte about league average against point guards. (The numbers haven't changed too much between Walker and Sessions). But the nature of PG tonight has you making tough choices. Curry is a decent value, though I should mention he isn't a lock.

If you want to go a slightly different direction from one of the first two consider:
George Hill FD $5,100 DS $10,834-
Almost no upside at these prices, but is relatively safe. I have him and Curry at about the same points-per-dollar multiplier so switching one for the other isn't the end of the world.

 

Shooting Guard

Kevin Martin FD $5,800 DS $10,815-
Our system loves him but I sure hate picking him. He shoots weird. He doesn't do anything but score, and when he doesn't do that he blows. The Lakers are across the board bad against SGs and that gives Martin such a big bump. I think if I were to pick someone from Minnesota to not play, it would be him. I have him up top here because according to our system he's nearly 20% better than the next closest SG. Who are:

Jodie Meeks FD $6,000 DS $10,850 and Nick Young FD $5,700 DS $9,455-
With Gasol out, expect to see all the shots these guys can handle. Word is Steve Blake will be back tonight. That could effect some minutes going around. But Young should especially be firing from the cheap seats, knowing there won't be really anyone who can consistently get the ball through the nylon. Meeks has been sneaky consistent at these prices. Both make solid options and I'm actually less worried about any blowout as Lakers tend to just kind of play no matter what's happening on the scoreboard. Update: It looks like both Blake and Nash are back tonight which makes the Laker rotation much more up in the air.

DraftStreet Value

Lance Stephenson $7,800
You'll need to spend for him, but he's just doing everything for the Pacers right now.

DraftStreet Value

Gerald Henderson $9,530
On a short night, this is a pretty solid price for Henderson.

 

Small Forwards

Paul George FD $8,400 DS $15,295-
More of double up play than a GPP, but you are sorely short of options at this position tonight. Atlanta's been porous all season against opposing small forwards and especially bad of late. Part of that's because they ran up against a red hot Durant, but it doesn't explain the it all. They've been 44% worse than league average against scoring and assisting SFs. I didn't misprint that number.

A couple of cheaper options:

Corey Brewer FD $4,400 DS $8,068-
Either fills it up or completely disappears. I think you can roll with him tonight because the game should be wide open and Brewer can get out in the open floor pretty well. Plus the Lakers are sloppy with the ball and Brewer averages about 1.5 steals a game. A great cheap option who gets around 30 minutes a night.

Ryan Kelly FD $4,400 DS $8,315-
Painful to watch play in real life. This is the kind of thing you set and then try to avert your eyes when he's bumbling towards the basket and moving at a glacial pace around the perimeter.

 

Power Forward

Kevin Love FD $11,100 DS $22,180-
The top big money option and it really isn't close. On a short slate of games I don't suggest fading him. Where else are you really going to go? His last three games have been awesome, awesome and really fucking awesome. In that order. The Lakers have absolutely no one who can handle any aspect of his game. Love will have free reign. This is pretty much a must for me tonight even with the chance of the game getting out of hand.

Josh McRoberts FD $5,100 DS $9,033-
You'll still need some lower/ mid tier options to round out your roster with the rest of the big money and McBob is the perfect guy. He was born to slot into double up lineups as he'll rarely kill you, but goes out and gets his 20 fantasy points almost every night. David Lee looks great on offense, but the D leaves a great deal to be desired. With Bogut fronting Jefferson, I think Mcroberts could see some extra production.

Jordan Hill - FD $4,200 DS $9,254-
I'm speculating a bit that Hill sees more time with Gasol on the shelf. He's a completely reasonable option at these prices, especially if he's in line for around 30 minutes.

 

Center

Ronnie Turiaf FD $4,100 DS $7,233-
How do you talk yourself out of playing him? He's at near minimum prices. He's getting heavy run at center with Pekovic out. He's been productive in those minutes. The Lakers are a trainwreck against centers on their best days. This is pretty much a must start.

FanDuel Value

Andre Bogut FD $7,000-
If you talk yourself out of of Turiaf, Bogut isn't a bad option here. Al Jefferson's been crushing obviously, but he can let up some games to opposing centers. This would be strictly contrarian as I think Turiaf is a heavy start today.