Daily Fantasy NBA Basketball Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - 2/11/17

It's the last Saturday before the break. The Clippers travel in to Charlotte for some early action with the Hornets, but the real fun begins with the 7 game main slate tipping off at 7ET. Let's get to the picks!!

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Point Guard

Russell Westbrook FD - $12500 DK - $12600
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 57.41 DK - 61.4
Man, is it fun when these two teams get together. Golden State leads the season series 2 games to 0, but this time they travel into Chesapeake Energy Arena to face Russ and the Thunder on their home court and you can bet he'll be ready to put on a show for his home crowd against the team that ended their run to the Finals last May. Westbrook will come riding in to this game fresh off his 26th!! triple double of the season Thursday night against the Cavs. He finished that game with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 steals. The Thunder have lost the first 2 games against the Warriors this season by an average of of 23.5 points, but those games were both in Oracle. Vegas has this at a respectable 6.5 spread with one of the highest totals of the evening. These two teams like to play fast and tonight looks to be Westbrook's night. Lock him in your cash games.

Kyrie Irving FD - $8300 DK - $8400
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 41.02 DK - 43.66
Early word was the Cavs were going to rest the big three against the Thunder on Thursday, but they ultimately wound up starting and getting their full compliment of minutes. Kyrie Irving dropped 28 points including 2 for 2 from the line and 4 of 5 from beyond in 34 minutes. Kyrie has seen at least 34 minutes in his last three outings, and scored an average of 27 points in that span. Tonight Cleveland plays host to the Nuggets. Neither of these teams are particularly adept at defending the position, more on that in a moment, and Denver's top 5 pace should have the Cavs hustling down the court, providing Kyrie a few more opportunities. There's blowout risk in this one, but I feel confident in Irving's minutes, he should have little trouble paying value tonight.

Jameer Nelson FD - $4400 DK - $4400
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 22.79 DK - 24.75
Kyrie Irving will be facing off tonight with Jameer Nelson. While Emanuel Mudiay has been dealing with back spasms that have kept him out of 8 of the last 11 games, Nelson has been filling in with rather mixed results. As I mentioned above, Denver and Celeveland are pretty evenly ranked as a prime defensive point guard match up. Over the last 10 games they rank 1 and 2 respectively, so this could be one of Nelson's better nights. One thing that is almost guaranteed, is the minutes will be there. Aside from that ejection 4 minutes in against the Grizzlies, Nelson has played over 30 minutes in 7 of his last 8 games. I'd feel confident in Nelson in cash, with 5X being the floor, and could even see him potentially flashing 6X upside in tournaments.

Shooting Guard

James Harden FD - $12500 DK - $12900
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 59.07 DK - 63.77
James Harden has 15 turnovers in his last 3 games and is only 36% during that period. For most players, that right there would be enough to have us moving along to the next guy. Not with Harden though. Even with the turnovers and poor shooting, he still finds ways to pay value even at these prices. He leads the league with 43 double doubles, the three most recent coming during that same span. The minutes are secure, hes seen less than 35 in 1 of his last five outings. That's particularly good news with tonight's match up with the Suns. The game has a 13.5 point spread which might cause us to tilt on this pick, until we consider Vegas has it as the highest implied point total of the night, and that is due more to Harden than anyone. This game will more than likely get out of hand, but Harden will be the one to put it there. Phoenix is an average match up defensively, and play at the third fastest pace in the league. If I had to choose I would go Russ in cash, beard in tournaments, but can see making an argument to reverse that as well. I also prefer Harden on FanDuel as opposed to DraftKings due to the price. Not saying I would fade him completely there, but I wouldn't blame you if you chose to.

Giannis Antetokounmpo FD - $11200 DK - $10500
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 51.87 DK - 54.35
The Greek Freak hasn't been the guy you look to for ridiculous upside at this price point, but if safety in minutes is your thing, and it should at least be one of your things, then Giannis is your guy. He's seen over 30 minutes of play and up to as many as 45 in 11 straight games. Now, during that stretch the results have varied. He put up a flat out ugly performance against the Jazz back on the first of the month. Since then he has flashed some signs of his old self including a double double against the Suns last Saturday. He finished that night with 30 points, 12 boards, 6 assists and 4 blocks. The loss of Jabari Parker is going to put the Bucks offensive game on Alphabets back. Last night he went off on the Lakers. Tonight he gets a league average match up with the Pacers. If you're not comfortable paying all the way up for Harden, then consider ABC. He should provide enough safety for your cash purposes and may even have the upside you need for your tournaments.

Will Barton FD - $6200 DK - $6300
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 30.37 DK - 32.49
The Nuggets are hurting, Danilo Gallinari has missed several games and now Kenneth Faried is going to miss his second game after rolling his ankle against the Hawks earlier this week. Look for Will Barton to benefit greatly from this. Even coming off the bench he was seeing starters minutes. In the last three games, he's averaged 36 minutes and scored a double double last night against the Knicks. He finished the night with 15 points and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 assists and 2 blocks. For world champions, the Cavs just aren't a strong defensive unit, and though this one will most likely get out of hand, Barton should manage to see his full run of minutes and have ample opportunity to crush value. A great play in all formats.

Small Forward

Trevor Ariza FD - $5500 DK - $6000
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 28.37 DK - 30.53
Something has clicked recently for Trevor Ariza. From January 18th until February second, he ran a stretch of 7 out of 9 games with single digit scoring, but he has scored in double digits in the three games since. He also plays such a well rounded game, that even when the shot isn't dropping he has the opportunity to put up fantasy value. That said, if he can continue to keep his scoring up he has tremendous upside at his current price point. He's paying nearly 6X points per dollar over his last three games and looks to continue that upside tonight against Phoenix. These are two of the fastest paced teams in the league, and Phoenix is a bottom 10 team against opposing threes. Ariza has seen 36-42 minutes in his last four outings and could be in for a monster game. An excellent play in all formats.

Harrison Barnes FD - $6500 DK - $6400
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 33.12 DK - 34.83
Harrison Barnes dropped 31 points in 43 minutes in an overtime win against the Jazz. He finished the night 12-20 with 2 of 3 beyond the arc and 5-7 free throws. All of this against one of the toughest defensive match ups in the league. Over his last 3 games, Barnes has scored 69 points, nabbed 13 rebounds and contributed 3 assists and 3 steals. Tonight he draws the Magic who are a league average match up and are allowing 3% more rebounds and 4% more assists to opposing small forwards. The minutes are locked in the mid to upper thirties and if this type of performance continues then we are getting Barnes at a bargain before the price starts to rise.

C.J. Miles FD - $4200 DK - $4100
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 24.55 DK - 26.94
Although listed as a small forward on FanDuel, C.J.Miles seems to be locked in as the Pacers starting shooting guard for now. Dependent on his shot for fantasy production, he can be a very boom or bust type of play, as evidenced by last nights bust against Washington. in a mere 21 minutes of run Miles only managed 3 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals against a Wizards team that has just been on fire recently. Tonight promises to be more promising, at least on paper as the Bucks are a bottom ten defense. Even at the price, I wouldn't chance it in cash games, but he could be the player to help boost your tournament above the field.

Rodney McGruder FD - $3800 DK - $3900
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 17.5 DK - 19.19
A simple case of price and opportunity, McGruder is seeing much extended run with Dion Waiters and Josh Richardson out and as long as that is the case at this price we have to give him a good hard look. In the past three games he's averaged 36 minutes, 12 points, 6 rebounds 3 assists, and 2 steals. This is good for over 7X points per dollar. Keep an eye on the updates tomorrow, Waiters is a GTD and if he goes this could hurt McGruders value, but if he sits another one, lock and load McGruder in a great match up against Philly.

Power Forward

Kevin Love FD - $8200 DK - $8200
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 39 DK - 41.75
After all the chaos of will they or won't they play the big three on Thursday, the Cavs may have ended the night wishing they had just rested their studs. They lost to OKC 118-109 and Love for one did not look too hot, making less than 50% of his shots and missing his only three attempt. He made up for the shooting however with 12 boards and 3 steals. The Nuggets present a similar challenge as the Thunder, and play at a faster pace as well. Love has double doubled in 4 straight games since coming back from back spasms and with the minutes locked in the mid thirties as long as the shot is falling he should be able to provide enough value for cash games.

Serge Ibaka FD - $6000 DK - $6600
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 30.77 DK - 32.49
Outside of a game against Atlanta last Saturday where none of the Magics starters seemed to show up to play, Serge Ibaka has been the model of consistency in recent weeks. He's paid value in 5 of his last 6, the exception being the Atlanta game, and is locked in with minutes in the mid to upper thirties. In two of those games, he managed to pay over 6X points per dollar. Dallas presents one of the leagues tougher match up for forwards, but I don't see Ibaka being held back by Dirk. The slower pace may limit his up side, but Ibaka makes a fine play in cash.

James Johnson FD - $6000 DK - $6100
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 29.33 DK - 30.96
Like his teammate McGruder, Joe Johnson is another case of price and opportunity mismatching. Dion Waiters will most likely sit another game and if he does, J.J. makes for a fantastic play. Last night against the Nets he paid 7.26X and I have a hard time seeing a Sixers team thats going to without the Process AKA Joel Embiid stopping him from repeating that performance again tonight. Again, keep an eye on Waiters, though even if he plays, I would expect a minutes restriction, but if the ankle does keep him out again tonight, then lock in J.J. in all formats.

Center

Clint Capela FD - $5300 DK - $5900
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 31.63 DK - 32.92
Clint Capela has been playing very well lately. Nene is a game time decision, but even if he plays, I would expect Capela to continue to draw the start at the five. He has paid or exceeded fantasy value in five straight games, and came a rebound shy of a double double in 3 of his last 4 contests. This is one of the highest scoring games on the night between two fast paced teams meaning there should be ample opportunity against a Phoenix defense allowing 8% more points and 6% more assists to opposing bigs. There's blowout concern in this one, but I don't see it impacting Capela before he has a chance to pay value. Love him in cash and if you think it stays close, then he makes for a great tournament play.

Myles Turner FD - $6400 DK - $5800
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 34.43 DK - 35.69
Myles Turner is a very shot dependent center. He really doesn't contribute a lot else to the game. He'll snag a few rebounds and shuffle out an assist from time to time, but there are games where he doesn't contribute anything to the Pacers defensive game. The thing I like most about Turner tonight is the match up. The Bucks are giving up the 8th most points to opposing big men, and the game looks to stay close meaning Turner should see his full run in the upper thirties providing safety for cash games. While there may not be a lot of up side, He should also go under the radar providing seperation if you wanted to lock him in your tournaments.

John Henson FD - $3900 DK - $4100
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 25.15 DK - 26.31
With Jabari Parker out for the season, Alphabet can't do it all himself, someone is going to have to step up and provide a boost to the Bucks in their time of need. John Henson may have to take on that role. In the game where Parker went down, he ran for 26 minutes and did just enough to pay value. In last nights loss to the Lakers he only managed 2 points, 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 15 minutes of play. While there's no guarantee here until we see exactly what Milwaukee's plan is moving forward, if you think the minutes are there tonight, Henson could make for a great under the radar tournament play.

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