Tis the season for the NBA to get a little crazy when it comes to building DFS lineups on a nightly basis, as we have entered the time of year where there is an increase in late scratches due to injury or rest. Unfortunately, the news doesn’t always come out before lineups lock, which can be frustrating, but you can also try to avoid potential late scratch pitfalls by focusing on building your lineup of players from teams that have something to fight for (playoffs) or are giving a young player an extended look. Be sure to check for late scratches right up to lineup lock.
You will notice that I reference some of my own custom stats in my NBA DFS articles that I use to help determine my favorite plays. I don’t use the common Defense versus Position (DvP) numbers that most use. Instead, I calculate blended percentages for each stat category (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks) that take into account team stats for the season and last five games, as well as a weighted average between similar positions. For example, my shooting guard DvP numbers are a blended between point guard (10%), shooting guard (70%) and small forward (20%) stats for each category.
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Point Guard
Mike Conley (MEM): $8,200 @ NO
Conley has continued to play big minutes with the Grizzlies fighting for playoff positioning in the West. He has also been very productive recently scoring at least 39 FanDuel points in each of his last four games. In a game that should be close against the Pelicans who are also trying to make a late push for the playoffs, Conley gets a plus matchup with the Pelicans giving up increased production in points (+7.3%), assists (+5.6%) and steals (+1.5%) to opposing PG.
Tyler Ulis (PHO): $6,400 @ MIA
Ulis is an example of a young player that is getting all the minutes he can handle right now as the Suns try to see what they have in their rookie PG. He has received at least 39 minutes of action in each of his last three games and should continue to see big minutes with a depleted Suns backcourt. Ulis doesn’t have the best matchup on Tuesday against a good Heat defense, but the volume of minutes he will receive and his still reasonable salary make him a strong option at PG.
Others Options:
- Chris Paul (LAC): $9,000 @ LAL
- Malcolm Brogdon (MIL): $5,000 @ POR
Shooting Guard
C.J. McCollum (POR): $7,100 vs MIL
Every NBA slate usually has at least one position that forces you to scratch your head because there seems like there are no good options to choose from. Shooting guard is that position on Tuesday, with injury questions knocking some players out of contention and tough matchups for those that are left. McCollum seems to rise to the top of my list despite a so-so matchup against the Bucks. If Giannis Antetokounmpo misses the game it should help the Blazers offense, especially McCollum who has scored at least 30 FanDuel points in six of his last seven games.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (DET): $4,700 @ BKN
I told you it was a difficult night to find SG options. Caldwell-Pope is not my idea of a “safe” option for cash games as his fantasy production graph looks like a roller coaster blueprint. Still, he does have a cheap price tag of just $4,700, he is coming off a game where he put up 37.6 FanDuel points, and he does face the weak Nets defense who has given up increased production in points, rebounds and steals to opposing SG. So, we are going to buckle up for the roller coaster ride and hope it doesn’t make us puke.
Other Options:
- Klay Thompson (GS): $7,000 @ DAL
- Josh Richardson (MIA): $4,600 vs PHO
Small Forward
Khris Middleton (MIL): $6,400 @ POR
My Middleton recommendation is somewhat dependent on whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo plays. If he sits, then Middleton becomes a great play who will see a big increase in his usage rate and potentially his minutes as the Bucks fight for a playoff spot. If Antetokounmpo plays, Middleton is still a solid option, but pivoting up to Kawhi Leonard or T.J. Warren should be considered.
Harrison Barnes (DAL): $5,800 vs GS
Barnes will face his former team the Warriors for the third time this season on Tuesday night. He has performed very well in his first two meetings scoring 25 points in each game on his way to 36.1 and 35.1 FanDuel points, respectively. Barnes has been about as consistent as they come this season and should be a lock for at least 25 FanDuel points.
Other Options:
- Kawhi Leonard (SA): $9,400 @ MIN
- TJ Warren (PHO): $6,500 @ MIA
Power Forward
Blake Griffin (LAC): $9,300 @ LAL
Griffin may be the riskiest play in my lineup with the Clippers playing in the second game of a back-to-back. However, Monday’s game was at home in Los Angeles and Tuesday’s “road” game is against the Lakers in Los Angeles, so at least there was no travel involved. There is also the threat of a blowout against a Lakers team that has lost five straight. However, during that stretch they are allowing a whopping 123.6 points per game, so I expect Griffin and the Clippers starters to put up big production before the potential rest in the fourth quarter.
Tobias Harris (DET): $5,400 @ BKN
Power forward is also a little weak when it comes to good options to roster, so once again I will go with the “pick on the Nets” strategy when filling my second PF spot. Harris has moved back into the starting lineup recently but his fantasy production has suffered in his last four games as he has failed to reach 25 FanDuel points. Look for him to get back on track in a pace-up game against the lowly Nets defense who has allowed increased production in points (+8.5%) and rebounds (+3.2%) to opposing PF.
Other Options:
- James Johnson (MIA): $6,400 vs PHO
- Dirk Nowitzki (DAL): $6,000 vs GS
Center
Jusuf Nurkic (POR): $6,700 vs MIL
I strongly considered Hassan Whiteside at center but at a $2,000 discount, Nurkic offers a similar floor and ceiling combo. Nurkic has far exceeded his current salary in each of his last three games, averaging almost 40 FanDuel points per game. His matchup is also favorable against a Bucks interior defense that has allowed an increase in points, rebounds, and assists to opposing big men.
Other Options:
- Hassan Whiteside (MIA): $8,700 vs PHO
- DeAndre Jordan (LAC): $7,900 @ LAL
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Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.