If you've never played daily fantasy basketball before, it's time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you're able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every NBA night.
Today's lineups can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the night completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until tip-off, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.
Oh, and if you're interested, check out our daily fantasy basketball heat chart for today's slate. It's full of information like tonight's Vegas lines, team offensive and defensive efficiency ratings, pace, fantasy points against and so much more.
As for today's picks -- let's get to it.
The Best of the Best
Russell Westbrook (FD: $10,900, DK: $11,000) - Westbrook has been on an absolute tear as of late, averaging 20.8 points, 11.6 assists and 9.2 rebounds over his last 10 game, including nine double-doubles and four triple-doubles over that span. He draws a plus matchup against a Magic backcourt that has allowed the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards in a game that features an over/under of 212. Westbrook is our top overall projected player on the board tonight.
Stephen Curry (FD: $10,700, DK: $10,700) - Now sitting atop our player power rankings with a 26.2 nERD, Curry is in the driver's seat for his second consecutive MVP award. He currently leads the league in scoring at 29.4 points per game while adding 6.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, and should have little trouble topping those totals tonight in what Vegas expects to be tonight's highest scoring affair by a wide margin.
LeBron James (FD: $10,200, DK: $9,700) - The Cavaliers look like a different offensive team under new coach Tyronn Lue, running at a much faster pace and averaging nearly seven points per game more than their season average in the six games since Lue took over. This bodes extremely well for King James who excels in transition, and should only see his stat lines continue to increase as the season progresses. James should be in store for a big outing tonight against a Hornets' defense that has allowed the seventh most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards this season.
Top Mid-Range Values
Monta Ellis (FD: $6,900, DK: $6,900) - The Nets have struggled to slow down opposing backcourts all season long, ranking 28th and 21st in terms of fantasy points per game to opposing point and shooting guards respectively. Ellis, who is averaging 23.7 points, 5.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 39 minutes per game over his last three outings, is primed for another massive workload with Rodney Stuckey still sidelined and should have his way with the defensively-challenged Nets tonight.
Rodney Hood (FD: $5,900, DK: $6,000) - Hood has seen both his minutes and usage increase dramatically as of late, averaging 18.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists with a 25% Usage Rate in 32.5 minutes over his last 15 games. He draws an outstanding matchup against a Nuggets' defense that ranks 23rd in the NBA in Defensive Efficiency according to our metrics, and has given up the third most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards on the year.
Myles Turner (FD: $5,500, DK: $6,300) - In three starts this season, Turner has posted 14 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3 blocks and 1.3 assists in 34.4 minutes of action per game. He's averaging 18.1 points, 8.7 boards and 2.8 blocks on a per-36 minute basis this season and should see minutes in the mid-30s tonight against a Brooklyn squad that ranks 25th in the league in Defensive Efficiency and has allowed the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing centers on the year.
Basement Ballers
Aaron Gordon (FD: $5,200, DK: $5,400) - Gordon has shined since entering the Magic starting lineup, averaging 12 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 30.5 minutes per game through his first six starts of the season. He's recorded double-doubles in each of his last two games -- averaging 14.5 points, 15 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 35 minutes per game over that span -- and should be in line for big minutes once again tonight.
Tristan Thompson (FD: $4,800, DK: $5,400) - Coach Lue has made it clear that he wants to use Thompson more, and it's shown in the stat sheet, as he's averaging 11.8 points and 11 rebounds in 33.8 minutes per game with three double-doubles over his last five outings, all well above his season averages. Thompson should see minutes in the mid-30s once again and has a great chance at another double-double tonight against the short-handed Hornets frontcourt.
Jordan Hill (FD: $4,700, DK: $5,500) - Hill has looked outstanding in two starts while Ian Mahinmi has been out of the Pacers' lineup, pouring in 18.5 points to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 blocks in 37 minutes per game in those two games. Mahinmi will not suit up tonight which means Hill should be in store for another massive workload in a tremendous matchup against the Nets.