 Steve Novak (credits below) The new way to play Fantasy Sports is daily games and I'm addicted to sites like Daily Joust amongst others. This column is meant to give quick tips for those looking to make a few bucks...
First, the cheap guys:
Steve Novak: Got playing time after Carmelo Anthony was injured Monday and had 19 points in 17 minutes. He won't keep up that pace, but he should get plenty of playing time with Anthony still out and he's only about 3K.
Marco Belinelli: Has consistently gotten minutes since Eric Gordon was injured, but his play has been inconsistent. He's on a nice roll with double figures in three of his last four games. His 36 minutes played in his last game was his most in about a month and he responded with 18 points.
Now for the studs:
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul: I normally hesitate to play two guys from the same team, but these two should both star against the Cavaliers.
LaMarcus Aldridge: He's on a crusade to make the All-Star Game and Houston does not have much inside to stop him.
Deron Williams: Rookie Brandon Knight of Detroit won't be able to stop him.Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscards
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 Marc Gasol (credtis below) Only two games on Sunday, but I think there is money to be made.
Miami, Memphis, Toronto, and Boston are playing, and here's the key: You must get Marc Gasol, the only legit center playing. Then grab Joel Anthony, Jermaine O'Neal, or Aaron Gray as you other center, my pick is Anthony.
You have plenty of money to grab a couple studs like James, Wade, Bosh or Pierce. I'm taking Wade and James.
Get one upper-tier, but not quite studly guy, like Rudy Gay, Mike Conley or Kevin Garnett and I'd recommend Rudy Gay.
There are some pretty decent mid-price guys to fill out the roster like Bayless, Barbosa, Allen, DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Brandon Bass, or Mayo. I'm taking Bayless, DeRozan, and Johnson.
Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscards
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 Kendrick Perkins (credits below) There's a few freerolls out there for tonight if you can find them and that puts a premium on finding a couple cheap player. If you can find a guy or two at $5,000 who can come up with a big game, that lets you stack the rest of the roster with the studs you need to win a freeroll.
Here are some cheap guys I like tonight:
Kendrick Perkins: Just about $5,000 and he has hit double figures in fantasy points in his last four games while playing mid-20 minutes. Memphis isn't great defensively, so he could be sneaky.
Von Wafer: A shot in the dark here, but he's only about $3,000 and he has played more minutes in his last two games than he has in most games this year and he put up 15 shots total in the last two games. Never afraid to shoot, he could come up big against Cleveland.
Mickael Pietrus: Return of Rajon Rondo could cut his minutes, but I doubt it. He's had double digit fantasy points in four of his last five games at about $5,000.
And for some studs:
Greg Monroe: He's become a very consistent fanstasy performer and should go big against Milwaukee minus Andrew Bogut inside.
Deron Williams: Scoring nearly 30 points per game in his last six games and I don't think Ricky Rubio will slow him down.
Kevin Love: New Jersey is banged up inside and Love will take advantage.
John Wall: Coming off a down game, but I think his offense comes back against Toronto.Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscards
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 Anthony Morrow (credits below) Today's Fantasy Basketball picks for Wednesday Feb 1...
Cheap picks:
Anthony Morrow: Scored 28 points on Tuesday and he is the starting shooting guard on a team that doesn't have a lot of scoring options so stick with him until MarShon Brooks returns.
Trevor Booker: Had 36 fantasy points in Wizards first game without Andray Blatche and Blatche is out again so I am going with Booker again.
Derrick Brown: Double digit fantasy points in seven straight games.
And the studs:
LeBron James: It will cost you a lot, but James against Milwaukee is a good bet for 40 fantasy points.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Playing a bad Charlotte team at home is a good bet for Aldridge.
Deron Williams: Facing a rookie point guard in Brandon Knight against Detroit.Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscardsFollow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfixor for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!(January 12, 2012 - Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)
 Metta World Peace (credits below) The new way to play Fantasy Sports is daily games and I'm addicted to sites like Daily Joust amongst others. This column is meant to give quick tips for those looking to make a few bucks...
Cheap picks:
Avery Bradley: Admittedly, he's been a disappointment as a cheap starting point guard with Rajon Rondo out. But Rondo is out again, and a starting point guard at $4,000 is too good to turn down.
Metta World Peace: Played 30 minutes or more in two of his last three games and scored double-digit fantasy points in both of those. If he keeps getting the minutes, he could break out with a big game at only $6,000.
Bill Walker: It was predictable that after a big game in his first start replacing Carmelo Anthony, he would struggle in his second. But if Anthony is out again, Walker is worth a shot at $5,000 after an off day.
And the studs:
Kobe Bryant: Facing a bad Charlotte team at home, Bryant should go big, especially knowing that Michael Jordan is watching.
Monta Ellis: He's been in a slump, but Sacramento has bad defensive guards and the Warriors will run and gun enough for Ellis to come through for you.Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscardsFollow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfixor for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!(December 10, 2011 - Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America)
 Gordon Hayward (credits below) The new way to play Fantasy Sports is daily games and I'm addicted to sites like Daily Joust & others. This column is meant to give quick tips for those looking to make a few bucks...
Cheap picks:
Chris Duhon: He was solid starting in place of Jameer Nelson with 15 points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals last night and should get the start again. A bargain at about $4,000.
C.J. Miles: Coming off a 20-point performance and could move into the starting line-up if Raja Bell is out.
Gordon Hayward: Becoming a fantasy favorite of mine because he fills up the box score. Had 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals on Saturday and Portland's guards don't play defense.
And the studs:
Dwight Howard: Most expensive player should be worth it against the 76ers without Spencer Hawes.
Brandon Jennings: Facing a rookie in Brandon Knight, Jennings should go big.
Kevin Love: Playing so well I feel like he's worth any price to get in the lineup.Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscards
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 The new way to play Fantasy Sports is daily games and I'm addicted to sites like Daily Joust & others. This column is meant to give quick tips for those looking to make a few bucks...
Cheap guys:
Bill Walker: Didn't start Friday, but got plenty of minutes with Carmelo Anthony out and Anthony is out again. Walker had 21 points in major minutes and remains cheap at about $4,000.
Jimmer Fredette: Jimmer is getting more minutes lately and he returns to Utah tonight. Think he might get a little extra playing time in front of his legion of home-state fans? I do.
And the studs:
Andrew Bynum: I usually like cheaper centers with more upside, but against Milwaukee minus Bogut, I think Bynum tears up Drew Gooden and anyone else in his way.
John Wall: Playing well lately and Kemba Walker won't stop him.
Greg Monroe: Another guy playing well and if Spencer Hawes is out, he's got a mismatch against Philly.Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscards
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 Russell Westbrook The new way to play Fantasy Sports is daily games and I'm addicted to sites like Daily Joust & others. This column is meant to give quick tips for those looking to make a few bucks...On the cheap: Matt Carroll: With Gerald Henderson out Wednesday, Carroll had 17 points. Henderson is out again tonight, so Carroll is a bargain at about 3,000 in salary cap leagues. Tyrus Thomas: Another Bobcat getting more playing time with 20 or more minutes in five straight games. Had 13 points and nine blocks Wednesday and Philly has a lot of bigs injured right now so Thomas could be in for another big night at 8,000. Wayne Ellington: Has played at least 34 minutes in his last two games and has double-digit points in three of his last four games while costing about 6,000. Friday’s Studs: Russell Westbrook: Coming off a sub-par game, but Golden State doesn't play a lot of defense so Westbrook should run-and-gun for close to 40 fantasy points. Paul Millsap: Has at least 40 fantasy points in two straight games and Dallas doesn't have an imposing inside presence. Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscardsFollow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfixor for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
 Carmelo Anthony (credits below) I play in a standard fantasy basketball league once again this year, but my interest is not where it has been in the past.
That's because I was recently introduced to daily fantasy leagues on various websites, and I'm hooked. There are plenty of pay-to-play sites like Daily Joust, Draftstreet and Fanduel and I've joined one of them and enjoyed playing a couple nights a week. These are leagues where you pick a team and have to stay under a salary cap and play in head-to-head leagues of various sizes.
I'm not a big gambler and I am not recommending these sites to those who have a gambling problem, but if you can keep it in control, I think they are great. I've found that I enjoy the thrill of playing one-day games much more than a season-long, head-to-head weekly matchups leagues.
There's an adreneline rush with the daily leagues that the traditional leagues no longer have for me.
Again, this column is not for the problem gambler or the big-time gambler who throws $100 a night at daily leagues. I tend to play three or four nights a week and usually no more than $10 per day.
Here's some tips I have found to enjoy the daily leagues:
- Only play when you are able to watch games or follow closely online. I only play if I am going to be home at night to keep an eye on the scores every few minutes. I've found if I am out and distracted worrying about the games, it is not worth the little payoff I may get for cashing in a winner.
- I play mainly the double-up leagues, which means that half of the entries share the pot. It's not a way to make big money, but it does keep you in the hunt throughout the evening. I'll play a 20-team, $5-dollar league and if I finish in the top 10, I'm thrilled to add $9 to my account.
Now here's a few tips for picking out your daily team:
- You need to get a couple cheap players to fill out your roster, so pay attention to injury reports throughout the day. I've started to follow every NBA beat writer I can on Twitter to get pregame updates on who is hurt, who is filling in, who is starting etc. I've found the best way to find some cheap guys is to figure out who is hurt and target their backup. Avery Bradley was on almost every one of my teams this week when he filled in for Rajon Rondo at $2,000 in a $100,000 cap. league. Get a couple guys like that, and you can spend the extra money on some studs like Kevin Love and Blake Griffin.
- I like centers in this league. Dwight Howard is usually great, but always expensive. I tend to target Spencer Hawes, Andrea Bargnani, JaVale McGee, Roy Hibbert, Marc Gasol and the like for about 2/3 of the cost of Howard and they tend to pile up the stats in all categories.
- Check the match-ups. Your studs are studs, but I don't want a big guy going up against Dwight Howard. Even the best guys have bad days and it is usually due to a tough matchup. Also, if you take a guy on a team favored to win big, you may be disappointed when he is sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter.
- Pay attention to guys who are getting hot and getting more playing time. You can play them a time or two before their price increases.
With all that in mind, here's a look at who I am targeting tonight and I will post daily updates for the next week or so to give you an idea what to look for.
For cheap guys, I like Dahntay Jones of Indiana. He has 29 fantasy points in 30 minutes during his last two games, and should get more playing time while remaining less than $5,000. I also like Joel Anthony, who is $6,000 and has averaged nearly 15 fantasy points in his last four games.
As for the studs, Carmelo Anthony has scored 25 points in three of his last four games and faces a bad Charlotte team tonight. Gerald Wallace plays much better at home and he's at home tonight against Memphis, which struggles on the road.
As for a player to avoid, Roy Hibbert against Dwight Howard and the Magic.
Check back in daily for more advice and I think you will enjoy the daily leagues as much as I have. Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscards
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(December 27, 2011 - Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)
 Brandon Knight (credits below) Not since the 1998-1999 season has there been a heavier reliance on the young legs, high energy, and exuberance rookies bring to NBA teams. In just one week the league has seen rookies like New Jersey’s Marshon Brooks, Detroit’s Brandon Knight, and Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio fill significant voids for their teams in an effort to survive the 66 games sprint to April. This 2012 rookie class doesn’t appear to contain a John Wall or Blake Griffin, a headline force that steps into stardom, but instead we may see a bevy of role players who, in time, will develop into quality pieces for the future.
At 24.3 years of age, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the youngest aggregate age of any team in the NBA and their youth movement is sure to find a handful of pieces that will stick. Among those pieces in Spanish import and Houdini point guard Ricky Rubio. In his first three games Rubio has seen an average of 28 minutes per contest and dished out a remarkable 7.3 assists in limited action. Tempering expectations for the 21 year old has been a high turnover rate. In a December 30th contest against Miami, Rubio flashed a brilliant 12 assist effort but his 5 turnovers hurt his T’Wolves down the stretch in a 101-103 loss.
Alongside Rubio, Minnesota’s #2 overall selection, Derrick Williams, has given Kevin Love and company a spark off the bench while creating matchup issues for opponents. At 6’8’’, 241 pounds, Williams possess the physical skills of a power forward while showcasing the abilities of a much more nimble forward. Few teams can match up with the rookie who hasn’t been shy about showing off his long distance game (2.7 attempted three’s/game) as well as displaying his skills putting the ball on the floor at finishing (at least one trip to the free throw line/game). With limitless potential paired with resolute work ethic, Minnesota has a duo in Williams and Rubio that they can finally put in place around centerpiece Kevin Love.
Detroit too may be a year or two away from competing for a playoff spot but that hasn’t stopped a young Pistons team from looking towards a 2012 playoff birth. With the loss of veteran leader Richard Hamilton, Detroit has inserted rookie Brandon Knight as the offensive sparkplug they’ll need to compete in the ever-powerful Eastern Conference. In just his second game as a pro Knight turned heads with his 23 points and 6 assists in a December 28th contest versus Cleveland. Moving forward Knight should continue to see a steady stream of playing time come his way as the primary backup option to Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon.
The New Jersey Nets didn’t have the luxury of a lottery selection in last summer’s draft but that didn’t stop head coach Avery Johnson from finding a diamond in the rough in rookie Marshon Brooks. The youngster out of Providence has yet to crack the starting rotation but the lanky swingman has found a niche in the scoring column to the tune of 15.3 points per game. In addition to his offensive flare, Brooks has been a defensive asset for the developing Nets who are desperate for a solid defender (21st in team defense, allowing 97.3 PPG).Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
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(December 27, 2011 - Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America)
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