NBA Daily Fantasy Stacks: 1/11/19 from Fantasy CPR

OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 06: A detailed view ot the official Spalding NBA basketball held in the air by referee Lauren Holtkamp #7 during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) NBA Daily Fantasy /

Find out how stacking isn’t just a preferred strategy in MLB DFS and how it can work for you in the NBA Daily Fantasy Stacks articles!

Welcome to the very first 2019 edition of the NBA Daily Fantasy stacks series! After two weeks abroad for vacation and a few days of moving, I have finally settled in and gotten back into a routine to write and it comes ahead of a 9-game Friday slate that honestly, seems to be a bit lacking.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous stacking articles, I am unable to play NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball due to job restrictions in the NBA, but I love diving deep into the data behind the matchups, making these articles extremely fun to work on and I will recommend what I view to be the best way to stack the teams on the slate.

With that being said, as a reminder, my articles this season will NOT be your typical position-by-position top play installments. Instead, I am going to highlight the best team and game stacks on the given slate. While stacking in NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball is not as popular as NFL (QB-WR) or MLB (staple cash game strategy), it can prove to be a very useful strategy if approached correctly.

Yes, obviously the players like James Harden, LeBron James, etc. are typically the top plays on the slate. That does not mean, however, they will be included in this article. It is important to stress that this article is more of an overarching way to target a team in a good spot

As I teased in my last article before my vacation, I have switched up the format a bit to hopefully make it an easier read. I will include quick hitters for the players to consider stacking after some over-arching information on the team itself. The breakdown itself will start with my top game stack, followed by my favorite GPP stack (for ownership leverage) and my favorite value stack. I have also included the infamous sample lineups that are ever-so popular here at CPR.

With that being said, let’s dive in!

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 25: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to teammate Kyle Kuzma #0 against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Primary NBA Daily Fantasy Game Stack: Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz

Lakers Team Ranks:

Pace: 3rd

Offensive Efficiency: 20th

Defensive Efficiency: 9th

The Lakers haven’t been the same team as of late and for obvious reason; the absence of LeBron James. While the King is slated to sit out at least a few more games, we have seen the roles expand for the young core and they haven’t disappointed.

They come in as the 9-point underdog in Utah, so a blowout is not out of the picture, but with the lack of back-court depth for the Jazz, I think this game will stay relatively close. With that being said, it’ll be hard for the Lakers to penetrate the interior with Rudy Gobert, so the perimeter game will be vital, making the following players core pieces in a Lakers stack:

Kyle Kuzma ($7.3k FD / $7.2k DK): While his 41-point outburst in 29 minutes was super impressive against the Pistons, the fact that he finished with 41.4 FanDuel points was rather disappointing. He shot 5-10 from 3PT land in that game, which should come in crucial in a matchup where points in the paint will be hard to come by and his 31% usage rate with James off of the floor is elite.

Brandon Ingram ($7.0k FD / $6.6k DK): Ingram has been hard to trust, but he holds a 27.2% usage rate with James off of the court and produces at a 1.07 FPPM clip. He’s seen at least 36 minutes in 4 of his last 6 outings, topping 34 FanDuel points in all 4 of those games. As long as this one stays close, I expect him to matchup or surpass that threshold, giving him a realistic output of 5-6x value (based on his FPPM).

Lonzo Ball ($7.1k FD / $6.5k DK): Like Ingram, Ball has struggled with consistency, but his minutes have been healthy and so have his peripheral stats. The Jazz will also be without Ricky Rubio, Dante Exum and Raul Neto, leaving Donovan Mitchell as their starting PG. Given Ball’s elite on-ball defense, this could create extra chances for peripheral stats and increase the odds of a boost in minutes into the high-30s.

Josh Hart ($5.5k FD / $5.8k DK): My favorite play on the Lakers tonight, Hart has been producing at a very solid clip over his last 8 games (aside from his dud last game). In that span, he’s topped 20 FDP 7 times, 30 FDP 4 times, and 50 FDP once. With Mitchell sliding over to the PG position for the Jazz, I would expect Kyle Korver to match up with Josh Hart, making this a much more favorable matchup.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 16: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Primary NBA Daily Fantasy Game Stack: Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz

Jazz Team Ranks:

Pace: T18th

Offensive Efficiency: 18th

Defensive Efficiency: T5th

The Jazz are rarely a team that I will ever recommend stacking, but the combination of their lack of depth due to injuries and their mouth-watering matchup are too much to pass up. While they are listed as the 9-point favorite in this game, the lack of depth concerns me and leads me to believe this one will go the distance, heightening the value on both sides of the ball. Below are the top players to target in a Jazz stack:

Donovan Mitchell ($8.1k FD / $7.9k DK): With the lack of depth tonight for the Jazz, Mitchell may be the top point-per-dollar play on the entire slate. With Rubio, Neto and Exum out, he posts a Harden-esque 39.2% usage rate and a 1.08 FPPM clip. He’s also topped 49 FDP in 2 of his last 3 outings while notching at least 5 assists in 3 of his last 4 games. He’s a staple in all formats.

Rudy Gobert ($8.4k FD / $8.0k DK): Even after the addition of Tyson Chandler, centers against the Lakers is a thing. They surrender the 5th most FanDuel points per game in the NBA to centers (59.79) and Gobert has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in 13 of his last 15 games. He’s not cheap, but I see no way he doesn’t reach value tonight, especially with his heightened 1.11 FPPM with the plethora of guards out for the Jazz.

Joe Ingles ($6.0k FD / $5.7k DK): Ingles will be a rather low-key beneficiary of the lack of point guard depth for Utah given his versatility on the court. He owns a 20.2% usage rate with Rubio, Exum and Neto out and sees his assists number rise to 6.84 per-36 minutes. He comes in at an extremely reasonable rate and should see an uptick in volume (15 FGA last game) given the need for offense here.

Kyle Korver ($3.8k FD / $3.5k DK): With Mitchell sliding over to the PG position, I would expect Korver to draw the start at shooting guard. While he won’t give you much in the peripheral categories, he’s a microwave-type player that could drain 5 threes in the first quarter. The floor is low but the potential is high for such a dirt-cheap punt. He’s an ideal play on FanDuel with the dropped-score rule.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 16: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates a call during the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Munoz/Getty Images) /

Top NBA Daily Fantasy GPP Stack: Indiana Pacers (@ NYK)

Pacers Team Ranks:

Pace: 24th

Offensive Efficiency: 17th

Defensive Efficiency: 3rd

Always a quietly good team in the East, the Pacers come into tonight as an 8.5-point favorite against the Knicks in the Garden. Myles Turner has missed the last 3 games with a shoulder injury and is currently listed as questionable, which would affect the pieces here, but below are the core players in a Knicks stack that should come at lower-ownership across the board:

Victor Oladipo ($8.5k FD / $8.2k DK): Oladipo’s recent form has been concerning but in this matchup, he’s way too cheap. With Turner off of the court, Oladipo holds a 32.8% usage rate and produces at a 1.13 FPPM clip. The Knicks, on the other hand, allow the 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing SGs, at 42.61.

Domantas Sabonis ($7.7k FD / $7.5k DK): While Sabonis’ usage rate only rises 0.8% to 24.8% with Turner off of the court, his 1.35 FPPM mark is eye-popping. He’s topped 30 FD points in 8 consecutive outings and posted a 13/12 double-double in only 21 minutes last game against the Knicks for 34.4 FanDuel points. I would consider that his floor tonight, making him a super safe bet in all formats.

Thad Young ($6.0k FD / $5.6k DK): I’d likely remove Thad Young if Turner suits up, but his recent form has been enough to warrant a play at this price. Aside from his 19 FDP dud last game, he had topped 32 FanDuel points in 3 consecutive outings and has seen at least 32 minutes in 4 of his last 5. He produces a shade under a fantasy point per minute (0.96), so if he sees anywhere from 32+ minutes, he should be a shoe-in for 5x value at what I expect to be low ownership.

BONUS: Kyle O’Quinn ($4.4k FD / $3.7k DK): This is STRICTLY a GPP play IF Myles Turner sits and is a full-on revenge narrative. O’Quinn has done next to nothing this season, but when given the chance, has posted 1.27 fantasy points per minute. On FanDuel, that means he would need roughly 17 minutes to reach value and only 14.5 minutes on DraftKings to reach 5x at that rate. There’s less downside than you may think here and makes for a fun, tilting play.

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles upcourt during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Top NBA Daily Fantasy Value Stack: Portland Trail Blazers (vs CHA)

Blazers Team Ranks:

Pace: 17th

Offensive Efficiency: 13th

Defensive Efficiency: T16th

The theme of this article has been injury fallout, so why not continue the trend with the Blazers? Superstar PG Damian Lillard suffered a bruised elbow last game and given the fact that the Blazers are only 6.5-point favorites at home gives me reason to think he may sit. Obviously the value here takes a massive hit if he plays, but let’s pretend he doesn’t:

CJ McCollum ($6.8k FD / $6.3k DK): Regardless of whether Lillard plays or not, this prices just feels too low for McCollum. Consistency has been an issue playing alongside a superstar, but he still owns a 27.6% usage rate WITH Lillard on the court. Without Lillard, McCollum’s usage jumps to 36.7%, making him one of the top point-per-dollar plays on the slate if he sits.

Al-Farouq Aminu ($5.8k FD / $5.2k DK): Aminu has been a steady source of production for the better part of the season and has remained quiet about it. He’s posted 30+ FanDuel points in 3 of his last 5 games while topping 20 FDP in 10 straight contests. He contributes across the stat sheet and comes in at a reasonable price across the industry.

Evan Turner ($4.5k FD / $4.0k DK): In addition to Lillard being questionable, Mo Harkless has been ruled out which frees up minutes on the wing for Turner. He’s posted at least 30 FDP in 3 of his last 4 games and recorded 30 minutes in a start for Harkless against the Rockets, putting up 29.6 fantasy points (good for 6.6x value at his current price).

Seth Curry ($4.0k FD / $3.6k DK): Curry will only be in play should Lillard sit, but he has seen 20+ minutes in 4 of his last 5 games with Lillard IN the lineup. He’s scored in double-figures in 3 of those 4 contests and would likely see a massive bump in volume should he draw a start. That is a big “if”, however.

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 21: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors grabs a rebound against John Collins #20 and Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on November 21, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1/11/19 NBA DFS Sample Lineups (FanDuel & DraftKings)

With the studs on tonight’s slate in expected blowouts (Giannis vs WAS, Harden vs CLE), I have chosen to use one stud in each lineup and build around them using this article.

More from FanSided

Again, these are a framework of how to build a lineup from this article. This is not a plug-and-play, but you can feel free to throw it in a lobby or tweak it how you’d like.