NBA Monday Tipps: 20 Daily Fantasy Bargains for Week Four
I decided to strictly play with a ‘stars and scrubs’ strategy last week and the results were much better than the results I was getting with the more balanced lineup. One thing I didn’t consider early in the season was how many injuries would accumulate with the new compressed schedule of 8-10 games every night. I’m not sure if the players aren’t in shape due to missing camp or if the lack of proper rest between games is causing the injuries. Whatever the case, those injuries are producing 4 or 5 great low priced scrub plays just about every night. I’ve picked out some low priced guys to target this week who should be great value.
Before I go to this weeks picks, I’d like to give a big fantasy screw you to Dorell Wright and Danny Granger. Those two guys killed my fantasy week and owe me a fantasy refund. Who killed you guys this past week?
Kemba Walker (CHA) – The Bobcats have moved to a three guard set with DJ Augustin at the point, Walker at SG and Gerald Henderson at SF. This move benefits Walker the most since it opens up a starting spot and about 35 minutes a game for him. Walker picked up 39 minutes in Saturday’s game. As long as Paul Silas sticks with this plan, Walker is a daily must play.
Brandon Bass (BOS) – Jermaine O’Neal just isn’t getting the job done at center and it looks like Doc Rivers has decided to rotate Bass and O’Neal for the foreseeable future. I’m not sure exactly how many minutes Bass is going to get, but keep an eye on him and if it looks like he’s starting to get 25+ minutes, then he makes a nice daily play.
Zaza Pachulia (ATL) – The Hawks recently lost Al Horford for the season and Pachulia has moved into the starting center spot for Atlanta. He should get about 30 minutes a game and has the ability to put up double-doubles consistently with good matchups.
Mehmet Okur (NJN) – Okur seems to be recovered from his recent back problems and he’s played 40 and 30 minutes in his last two games with a couple of solid lines. The Nets really need Okur to step up and play 30-35 minutes a night, which would be great value given his low salary.
Byron Mullens (CHA) – Mullens has earned the starting center spot in Charlotte and he’s producing some great fantasy numbers at a very low salary. He’s averaged 20pt/6reb over his last three while taking 17 shot attempts per game. Those are top tier numbers at a bargain price. Keep riding him as long as he’s getting 30 minutes a game.
JJ Redick (ORL) – Jason Richardson is dealing with a bone bruise and could miss a few games. JJ Redick will slide into the starting SG spot and should be able to put up stats that make his low salary a really good value.
Linas Kleiza (TOR) – Kleiza recently returned from an injury and could move back into the starting lineup for Toronto. He held the starting SF spot for the Raptors last season and was a fairly dependable fantasy play. Keep an eye on him and plug him in if it looks like he’s going to be able to maintain 25+ minutes per game.
Nick Young (WAS) – Young started the season in a fantasy killing timeshare with Jordan Crawford, but that has ended and Young is getting 30+ minutes a game now. He’s a great shooter who probably needed a little more preseason action to get his shot working. He seems to be on now and could put up some big numbers with the right matchups.
Trevor Booker (WAS) – Andray Blatche is out with a shoulder sprain and Booker will continue to start until Blatche returns. He’s a great injury fill in play.
Ekpe Udoh (GSW) – The Warriors lost Kwame Brown for the season with a chest injury and all they have at center is Andris Biedrins, who is really horrible most of the time. Udoh should get a chance for increased minutes and if he can show some development, he could get into the 25-30 minute range. If he does, he’s a great daily fantasy play.
Chandler Parsons (HOU) – Parsons is starting, but his minutes have been fluctuating making his daily fantasy value very risky. Keep an eye on him and if it looks like he’s going to start getting a dependable 25+ minutes, you could use him.
Luke Ridnour / Ricky Rubio (MIN) – The Wolves decided to start Ridnour and Rubio together in the backcourt, which really helps the fantasy value of each player. If Minnesota sticks with the lineup, both players become great daily fantasy options.
Randy Foye (LAC) – I haven’t seen a recent update on “Chris Paul(player-profile)”:/players/Chris_Paul-1087’s hamstring injury, but if he’s going to miss time, Randy Foye is going to benefit. Paul’s backup, Mo Williams, is injured so Billups might slide to PG with Foye taking over at the SG spot.
Derek Fisher (LAL) – Yeah, I know Fisher sucks, but Steve Blake is out for the next month with a rib injury, so Fisher is going to get 35+ minutes per game. His salary is close to minimum, so if you’re desperate.
Marco Belinelli (NOR) – Eric Gordon is out for a couple more weeks and Belinelli should continue to play as many minutes as he can handle at SG for the Hornets. He has the ability to put up some big lines, the problem is just getting lucky enough to avoid the duds he can also put up.
Nicolas Batum (POR) – Marcus Camby is out with an ankle injury which may force the Blazers to move Aldridge to center, Wallace to PF and insert Batum at SF. If they go with this lineup, Batum could see 35+ minutes a game and have some big nights.
Michael Redd (PHO) – Redd has returned from his multiple knee injuries and could work himself into a big role for the Suns. He’s not immediately a daily fantasy play, but keep an eye on his minutes.
Kawhi Leonard (SAS) – The Spurs gave up a lot to get Leonard and it’s starting to look like a really smart move. He has taken over the starting SG spot and should produce decent stats for fantasy owners. He’s a solid daily play, especially if Gary Neal is going to miss time with last night‘s injury.
J.J. Hickson (SAC) – Hickson has taken over the PF spot for the injured Chuck Hayes. He hasn’t quite had a breakout game, but he has the ability to help your fantasy team at a decent salary, with big upside potential given the right matchup.
Jeff Teague (ATL) – Teague is really starting to figure things out and he’s playing big minutes with Kirk Hinrich still out. Now that the Hawks have lost Horford, the only real scoring options on the team are Teague, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. If Teague isn’t shooting it, he’ll be setting up Johnson and Smith. Several sites still haven’t adjusted his salary to reflect his upside.