NBA Daily Punts: November 11, 2013
When I construct my NBA lineups, I usually start by taking a look at players with cheap salaries that will allow me to pay for a guy like LeBron James or Kevin Love. Most DFS players will use 2-3 value plays each night, depending on the site, and this article will act as a guide on which players to keep an eye on as the day moves along. As we all know with NBA, injury news will continue to pour in as we inch closer to tip-off, so check out the RotoGrinders Twitter Feed as roster lock approaches.
In order to be considered a “punt,” a player must meet Bargain Bin Baller status on either Fanduel (5500), Draftstreet (7000) or Draftkings (4500). I will typically make a note of which site a particular player is best suited for.
Guards
Jordan Crawford – He’s been starting for Celtics and if he’s seeing around 30 minutes a game, his 4200 salary on DK is a bargain. Crawford has been a boom-or-bust guy for much of his young career, so he’s a guy I usually feel more comfortable playing in GPP’s, but if he starts again tonight he’s playable in any format. His numbers haven’t been overwhelming (averaging about 12 points and 4 assists in his three starts), but we’ve seen what Crawford is capable of when he gets hot.
Patrick Beverley – Beverley might be a better real life player than he is for our purposes (he’s a lock-down defender, the opposite of Jeremy Lin), but his price on a few sites is making him very intriguing tonight. He’s just 4100 on DK and 4700 on FD, both of which make him playable, especially with the flu-bug hitting the Rockets locker room today. Harden and Dwight have apparently both been affected, and Parsons is dealing with a back injury, so there is a chance Beverley could be a key piece offensively for Houston tonight. Keep an eye on the RG Twitter feed later in the day for updates on the Rockets.
Also receiving consideration: Danny Green, Dion Waiters, Avery Bradley
Forwards
Brandon Bass – Bass had been pretty consistent this season until his last game, but I think he gets back to his typical numbers tonight against Orlando. The Magic front-court is always worth picking on, and Bass put up 16 and 7 against this team on Friday. His 3700 salary on DK is the best value, but I think he should pay off his salary on FD as well. Bass will need to fight off Jared Sullinger for minutes, but if he can cross the 30 minute mark he should have no trouble putting up a nice game tonight.
Corey Brewer – Now with Minnesota, he’s playing a bigger role and hasn’t seen less than 33 minutes in his last four games. We know Brewer can score, but he’s been contributing nicely in the hustle categories (2.0 steals per game) with his extended minutes. Minnesota now provides five solid fantasy options and have been a very fantasy friendly team so far this season. We should see a shootout tonight against the Clippers, so playing a few guys from this game is probably a wise move.
DeMarre Carroll – His offensive numbers aren’t too exciting, but playing 30.5 minutes per game is worth something. He’ll contribute a little bit across the board (9.2 points, 4.5 boards, 1.5 steals, 1.0 3PM) and for just 3800 on DK, those numbers don’t seem so bad. He’s playable on FD and DS as well with a plus matchup against the Charlotte Bobcats. Carroll is a safe bet in H2H’s and 50/50’s.
Also receiving consideration: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, J.J. Hickson
Centers
Kelly Olynyk – Olynyk got the start over Faverani in the C’s last game against Miami, and don’t expect that to change after a dramatic win. The former Zag didn’t have a great game himself but was fairly productive for the 23 minutes he played, posting 7 points, 8 boards, 4 assists and a block. His price on FD is the most appealing (3800), and he should pay off that number pretty easily against an awful Orlando front-court.
Robin Lopez – I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him in any H2H or 50/50 lineup, but throwing him in a GPP lineup or two might not be a terrible idea. The Detroit big-men are some of the best in the league, so the opponent clearly isn’t ideal, but the Blazers should need Lopez’s size to match-up with a team that usually plays big. If he plays 30-35 minutes, don’t be surprised to see Lopez post a double-double.