FanDuel NBA Lineup Advice: Tuesday (8/11)

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of FanDuel NBA lineup advice from the bubble. If you played along yesterday, you saw first hand just how wild DFS can get. We saw multiple studs held out for a variety of reasons, Deandre Ayton showed up late to the game after initially missing his scheduled COVID-19 test, and Kyle Kuzma hit a game-winning three-pointer to cap off the night. The 76ers, Pelicans, and Kings have already ruled out some big names today, and others are likely looming, so strap in for another wild ride on Tuesday. 

Note: This article covers the main slate on FanDuel, which features five games. There are two additional games earlier in the day that aren’t included in the main slate, so they won’t be covered in this article.

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Value Plays: Point Guard

With the red-hot Suns making a playoff push, Ricky Rubio is in a good spot to see a full run tonight against the depleted 76ers. He has double-double upside every time he takes the court and should be relatively fresh after only playing 20 minutes last night against the Thunder. On the other side of the court, Shake Milton should see increased usage with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Josh Richardson already ruled out in what figures to be a pace up spot for Philly.

Later in the night, Cory Joseph will see plenty of opportunity against the Pelicans with De’Aaron Fox already ruled out. New Orleans is giving up the fourth-most FD points to point guards on average this season.  

Shooting Guard

Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson have already been ruled out for the Pelicans tonight, and JJ Reddick is coming off a 42.5 FD performance Sunday. Mix in the fact that the Kings give up ninth-most FD points to shooting guards, and Reddick becomes a screaming value. In the same game, Buddy Hield should see increased usage with Fox out and could hit his high ceiling. Still, it never exactly feels safe to roster him, even in a plus matchup with New Orleans, so tread lightly.

If you really want to save some salary space, Grayson Allen is averaging 28 minutes and 21.9 FD points so far in the bubble. His salary doesn’t seem to have caught up yet, as it will only take 19.5 FD points to hit 5X value at his bargain price point.   

Small Forward

Jaylen Brown has been the most consistent Celtic thus far in the bubble, averaging 36 FD points and never seeing less than 29. He shouldn’t disappoint today in a pace up spot against Memphis. 

It feels odd to type, but it doesn’t get much safer than Carmelo Anthony right now. He’s averaging nearly 35 minutes per game and 12.3 FG attempts in the bubble, and the Mavericks give up the third-most FD points to small forwards.  

Matisse Thybulle is another candidate to see more run for the banged-up 76ers. He logged 33 minutes and 27.3 FD points Sunday with Simmons out and Embiid leaving early. He could easily put up similar, or better, numbers against the Suns tonight while Philly’s top usage players remain sidelined. 

Power Forward

The power forward position is sketchy on the main slate today. As long as Porzingis takes the court, he’s a must-play, as Portland gives up most the FD points to the position. After that, it’s best to dig for value.

Dario Saric is another player whose salary doesn’t seem to match his recent level of play. He’s seen over 20 FD points in every bubble game so far and is coming off a 34.8 FD point performance.

Nicolo Melli is simply a beneficiary of the depleted Pelicans roster. He should fall into extended playing time and have no problem paying off his $3,700 price tag against the Kings. 

Center

Thomas Bryant has flashed his huge upside a few times so far in the bubble. The matchup isn’t ideal, but he did put up 43 FD points against Milwaukee back in January, and the Bucks have no real incentive to play full strength for four full quarters in the second half their back-to-back tonight. That said, Brook Lopez could hit value in one half of this plus matchup if he can find his range and block a few shots.

Staying on theme, Derrick Favors will benefit as one of the few usual players in the rotation for New Orleans tonight against the Kings.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

Damian Lillard (POR) $9,900: Lillard has been unstoppable in the bubble. He’s putting the NBA on notice and averaging 53.3 FD points per game. Don’t overthink this one. 

Luka Doncic (DAL) $10,500: The shooting guard position is pretty short on options for this slate, and with all the value available, you should have plenty of salary cap to spend today. Doncic provides triple-double potential every time he steps on a court, just make sure he’s in line to play and not get rested again.

Kristaps Porzingis (DAL) $8,500: As mentioned earlier, Porzingis is easily the best power forward on this slate, and it isn’t close.

Devin Booker (PHO) $8,100: When Booker is on a hot streak, you stay along for the ride. He’s hit at least 49 FD points in three of the last four games, and there’s no reason to think that he won’t produce again today. 

Jusuf Nurkic (POR) $8,500: Nurkic has slowed down a bit lately, but he should bounce back after getting a day off yesterday. He’s arguably been the best center so far in the bubble.

5 Notable Players to Fade

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $11,000: It’s completely possible that the Greek Freak makes a statement and goes off against a bad Wizards team, but the cost-to-risk ratio is too high unless you’re playing high volume in large GPP tournaments.

Jayson Tatum (BOS) $8,200: It’s just tough to get on board with Tatum, given his up-and-down performances so far in the bubble. He’s had two good games (50+ FD points), two fair games (35 FD points), and two bad games (less than 25 FD points). I don’t want to pay over $8,000 for that kind of inconsistency.

Ja Morant (MEM) $7,400: Morant doesn’t offer enough upside for his cost in the matchup with Boston today, especially given all of the cheap value available at the position.

Tobias Harris (PHI) $7,400: Even if Harris plays, he’s hampered with a sore ankle, and the 76ers likely don’t want to lean too hard on him. He’s a key piece to any playoff potential they have left.

Jonas Valanciunas (MEM) $7,300: There are just too many other options that I’d rather play at center on this slate, especially since Vallunciunas is averaging just 26.2 minutes per game in the bubble.

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Aaron Larson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @aalarson.