FanDuel Economics: NBA Friday, April 8th Picks
Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the NBA Friday, April 8th Picks edition. FanDuel Economics is a daily fantasy column focused on FanDuel player salaries and FanDuel points-per-game (PPG) trends. The purpose of this column is to evaluate player salary and PPG averages over a seven day period to provide daily fantasy sports players with a vital tool in their lineup tool belt. Finding the best value options often leads to a big pay day!
The NBA provides another robust slate of games Friday night. With 10 games tonight, there are many lineup options. The Grizzlies at Mavericks game is especially enticing. Both teams are playing to lock in playoff spots so it’s very likely they play their best players with as many minutes as possible. However, keep your eyes on the lineups for some of the team’s already locked into playoff spots. The Clippers, for example, are likely sitting their entire starting lineup. So with those challenges, let’s take a look at some great value possibilities for tonight:
Next: Point Guard
Point Guard (PG)
JJ Barea and Tim Frazier finally got a little expensive. It’s a shame that gravy train has ended, but there are other options to consider tonight with great value. Shane Larkin quietly continues to see 30+ minutes per game and is producing well as a result. Larkin is averaging 26.8 PPG over the last week and his salary is only $4,700, a 5.7X value. Larkin has been a solid 20-30 point option for over a week, but lately he’s climbing up the board. I really like Larkin’s value tonight. He gives you many options while dropping 25-30 points.
Before we dive further, Austin Rivers is listed as questionable tonight. So keep an eye on the Clippers’ lineup. That being said, you have to imagine they’d prefer to play Rivers if they’re most likely sitting almost everyone. Without Rivers, they’ll be ‘bare bones’ in the backcourt. Austin averaged 23.8 PPG over the last week, a big chunk of that coming from a 40 point game against the Thunder. However, he now has a very similar opportunity if he plays tonight. Rivers salary is only $3,800 so he’s a 6x+ option if he plays, and likely starts. Keep an eye on Rivers’ availability tonight!
Next: Shooting Guard
Shooting Guard (SG)
Two key things to consider when looking at Rodney Hood as an option tonight, before we get into his trends. The Jazz are playing for a playoff spot tonight. Also, they are playing a Clippers team who is reportedly sitting their starting lineup. So trends aside, Hood is a very good option at SG. Now, let’s dive into his trend. Over the last week, Hood has averaged 31.3 PPG, pulling him into 9th among all SG’s. Hood’s salary is still only $5,600 which makes Rodney a fantastic 5.6X value option. It’s always a bargain when you get 30+ points on a $5,600 salary. Put Hood in your lineup tonight!
Bradley Beal is quietly averaging 31.8 PPG over the last week. With a $6,000 salary tonight, Beal is a 5.3X value. That’s a pretty decent bargain. But considering the possibility John Wall may sit tonight, Beal’s value should sky-rocket. Bradley is well known mostly as a shooter, which most FanDuelers know can be a dangerous play. But his current trend, and with Wall likely sitting, Beal is a strong option tonight.
Next: Small Forward
Small Forward (SF)
I’ve recently talked about Luke Babbitt and I’m coming back to Babbitt again tonight. Who doesn’t get enough of Luke! When I talked about Babbitt on Wednesday, he rewarded me with a 31.6 point game on a fairly cheap salary. Luke is averaging 29 PPG over the last week and tonight’s salary is $5,400. That’s a $400 salary increase, but Babbitt is still a 5.4X value tonight. It also doesn’t hurt he’s playing the Lakers at home tonight. Luke is a great option for your lineup tonight!
Sticking with the Pelicans, another great value option I like at SF is Jordan Hamilton. Even with Babbitt in the lineup, because of all of the injuries New Orleans has had to deal with late in the season, Hamilton is also getting a lot of play time. Over the last week, Jordan is averaging 25.3 PPG and has a cheap salary tonight at $4,600. Hamilton has been consistent over the past two weeks and is a solid 5.5X value, getting you 20-30 points on a very cheap $4,600.
Next: Power Forward
Power Forward (PF)
I’ve been excited to talk about Jabari Parker, and finally get the opportunity. Parker has been awesome to watch lately. Jabari is playing around 41 minutes per game and is absolutely loading up on FanDuel points. Over the last week, Parker averaged 36.1 points and his salary dropped $100 to $6,600 tonight. That means you’re getting a 5.5X with the 3rd best PPG power forward over the last week, a very good bargain. Strongly consider plugging Parker into your lineups tonight.
I’m unfortunately a 76ers fan, and the last couple of years have been rough. However, I do love to see surges like Carl Landry toward the end of the season. Over the last week Carl has accumulated an average of 32 PPG and is still only costing you $5,400 tonight. That makes Landry a 5.9X value tonight, making him the best bargain of the top 10 PF’s. So I’m excited to have a reason to watch the Sixers tonight, I’m plugging him into a few lineups!
Next: Center
Center (C)
With the Raptors locked into a playoff spot, keep your eye on the Toronto lineup for this option, but he’s someone to seriously consider. Jonas Valaciunas averaged 33.3 PPG over the last week, including several double-doubles. One of the upsides of Valaciunas is his ability to pile on points with blocks. If Jonas gets 25+ minutes tonight he’s going to be a bargain. At a $6,200 salary, Valaciunas is a very good 5.2X value at the center position which is your best value option of the top 10 Center’s tonight. If you’re going expensive in some other lineup picks Jonas is a wonderful option at Center tonight, assuming he’s playing.
Next: NBA FanDuel Picks April 8
I wish you all well tonight FanDuelers! Spend smartly and enjoy the return on your savings!