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
Carmelo Anthony (FD: 9,100, DK: $8,400) - The Knicks have really been leaning heavily on Anthony since the All-Star break, playing him 38.2 minutes per game with a 30.4% Usage Rate in nine games since the break. He's averaging 23.3 points, 9 rebounds and 4.7 assists over that span and has a matchup tonight against a Denver defense that ranks 21st in the league in Defensive Efficiency according to our metrics.
Kyle Lowry (FD: 9,000, DK: $8,800) - Not only has Lowry put together a career-year this season, but he has stepped his game up to an even higher level since the All-Star break, averaging 26 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists in 38.7 minutes of action over that span. He now sits seventh in our player power rankings with an impressive 14.1 nERD and should be in store for another huge outing tonight in a matchup against a Nets' defense that has given up the third most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards on the year.
Karl-Anthony Towns (FD: 8,900, DK: $7,900) - Minnesota has been giving their young talent a ton of run over the past few weeks, with Towns leading the way posting 21.2 points, 11 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 blocks in 35 minutes per game over his last ten outings. He has played 38 minutes in each of his last two games and should be in store for another massive workload tonight. He is our top overall projected player on the board despite a difficult matchup against the Spurs.
Top Mid-Range Values
LaMarcus Aldridge (FD: $7,400, DK: $6,800) - It took Aldridge a few months to mesh with his new team, but he's really found his rhythm as of late, averaging 18.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game since the All-Star break. He's scored at least 23 points with 8 rebounds in each of his last four games while amassing three double-doubles over that span and has played 33-plus minutes in each of those games. He should have his way with a Timberwolves defense that ranks 29th in the league in Defensive Efficiency.
Victor Oladipo (FD: $6,600, DK: $7,100) - The Lakers have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA all season long, giving up the fourth most points per game in the league (107) and ranking dead last in all of basketball in Defensive Rating (111.8). They have also given up the third most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards, which bodes incredibly well for Oladipo, who should see all the minutes he can handle tonight, especially if Nikola Vucevic is unable to suit up.
Aaron Gordon (FD: $6,000, DK: $6,700) - In the seven games since the All-Star break in which Gordon has topped the 30-minute mark, he has averaged 16 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He's coming off of a monstrous 20-point, 16-rebound performance against the Warriors and draws a terrific matchup against the defensive-challenge Lakers. If Vucevic sits, Gordon immediately becomes one of the best values on the board, however, he makes a strong play regardless given the matchup with Los Angeles.
Basement Ballers
Zach LaVine (FD: $5,500, DK: $5,800) - I know it's unusual for me to be recommending one player matching up with the Spurs, let alone two, but I'm willing to make an exception tonight based on the sheer volume both LaVine and the aforementioned Towns have seen as of late. Laine has soaked up a ton of playing time recently, averaging 18.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2 steals in a whopping 40.2 minutes per game over his last five. He can still be had for less-than $6,000 on both FanDuel and DraftKings and should be on your radar every night until his price corrects.
Shelvin Mack (FD: $3,900, DK: $4,300) - In seven starts as a member of the Jazz, Mack has averaged 10.6 points, 3.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game. He price tag is still inexplicably low for a starting point guard and he should continue to push for close to 30 minutes a game for the foreseeable future. Mack should provide excellent value on a night where value is not easy to find.
Shane Larkin (FD: $3,900, DK: $3,700) - Larkin seems to have established himself as the point guard to own in Brooklyn, averaging 15 points, 6.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 34.5 minutes per game over his last two outings. He has severely outplayed Donald Sloan over that span and will likely see 30-plus minutes for a third consecutive game.