FanDuel Economics: NBA Sunday, April 10th Picks
Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the NBA Sunday, April 10th Picks edition. FanDuel Economics is a daily fantasy sport 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!
Programming Update: FanDuel Economics will continue with NBA columns through the end of the regular season. We will begin writing MLB columns beginning with tomorrow’s slate of games.
Sunday’s NBA schedule of games is robust. The NBA will have 9 games in action today through the night. Some of the games have big playoff impacts with Houston, Utah, Dallas, and Indiana each playing to extend their season today. I would expect each of those teams to give their starters, and any key 6th men, a large amount of minutes today. Many other teams could have last minute lineup changes or split time across the team to give other members more play since the result of the game has little impact to their season. So I expect value nuggets to be available again today across the NBA because of these late season change in dynamics. For today’s column we’re going to focus on the later slate of games, 3pm and beyond. Let’s take a look at our best value options for tonight:
Next: Point Guard
Point Guard (PG)
There is not lot of big value options at PG today but there are a few attractive options. Elfrid Payton is one of those attractive options. Payton isn’t exactly cheap at $6,000 and his salary just increased by $100. However, over the last week Elfrid has averaged 29.5 PPG and, with this salary, he’s just below a 5X value, at 4.9X. Payton seems to be finding his shooting accuracy again and along with his typical assists, rebounds, and steals each game his points are starting to pile up. Elfrid dropped 33.6 points last game and the Magic seem to be committed to playing him through the end of the season. Payton should be a good option against the Heat today.
Shane Larkin had a muted game on Friday against the Hornets only getting 18.4 points. However, he’s still getting good minutes and on average has been well over 20 points per game. In fact over the last week, Shane averaged 25.0 PPG and his salary dropped $100, to $4,600. This makes Larkin a 5.4X value and still a wonderful bargain tonight against the Pacers.
Next: Shooting Guard
Shooting Guard (SG)
I talked about Rodney Hood on Friday and I’m excited to come back to Hood again today. Hood only had 22 points on Friday, which isn’t great at $5,600. His shot seemed to be off, which is rare lately. However, Hood’s still maintains a very valuable trend. Over the last week, Rodney averaged 30.8 PPG which is 7th among all SG’s. Hood’s salary has actually dropped by $100, to $5,500. So you’re getting a 5.6X value for a top 10 PPG shooting guard over the last week. I’m betting Rodney finds his shot today in an important game against the Nuggets.
Nik Stauskas is getting a lot of playing time as the 76ers season comes to a woeful close and with Isaiah Canaan out with a shoulder injury. I’m going to take advantage of that today. Over the last seven days, Nik averaged 24.1 PPG and his salary has only climbed to $4,200, giving you a 5.7X value option for today. Assuming Stauskas continues to string these games together, he’s a fantastic bargain at SG the rest of the season.
Next: Small Forward
Small Forward (SF)
With Victor Oladipo out for the rest of the year, Evan Fournier is becoming an attractive option. Fournier was able to play some Power Forward against the Heat, as the Magic ‘played small’, which did increase his points last game, and I expect Evan to get plenty of playing time again today. Over the last week Fournier averaged 31.8 PPG. While Evan’s salary did climb $400, to $5,700, that’s still a 5.6X value option which is quite a bargain for someone getting so much playing time. Fournier should be a key Magic points-getter tonight again in Miami.
Justin Anderson has been on fire lately and this isn’t the first time we’ve talked about Justin. When J.J. Barea went down last game Anderson’s time seemed to sky-rocket and he was able to pile on 37 points. Over the last week Justin averaged 25.0 PPG. Anderson’s salary increased $300 to $4,200 but this still gives you an outstanding 6X value. Anderson is one of those value options giving you 20-30 points while being able to plug in an expensive player somewhere else, because Anderson is so cheap.
Next: Power Forward
Power Forward (PF)
Thomas Robinson has been hot lately and everyone is playing him. As a result, his salary has increased to $6,700 which may cause FanDueler’s to pause when considering Robinson again today. I still see value. Over the last week Thomas had 34.8 PPG and on a $6,700 salary this still gives you a 5.2X value, which is a decent bargain. Also, Robinson’s average isn’t the result of one big game, Thomas dropped 37 points again last game just above his average. I like Robinson again today in Indiana.
With Kristaps Porzingis likely out for the rest of the season, Derrick Williams is getting significant playing time for the Knicks. As a result, Williams 24.7 PPG over the last week. Derrick’s salary increased $100 to $4,600 but that still gives you a 5.4X value. This play, again, gives you the opportunity to drop in a more expensive and high-point player today. I’m definitely using Williams tonight!
Next: Center
Center (C)
Sticking with the Knicks players taking advantage of Porzingis’ absence theme, let’s turn our attention to Robin Lopez at Center. I’ve used Lopez with Porzingis resting before and was greatly rewarded. I’m hoping for the same result tonight! Over the last week Robin averaged 38.3 PPG. As a result, Lopez’s salary increased $400, to $6,200. However, that still gives you a 6.2X value which is outstanding for a top 10 Center in PPP over the last week (6th). Using Lopez at Center and a few other value options, already discussed, will allow you to spend big in other lineup positions and still get 20-40 points in each of your value plays.
Next: 2016 Kansas City Royals Fantasy Preview
I wish you all well tonight FanDuelers! Spend smartly and enjoy the return on your savings!