Victiv Daily Fantasy Basketball: Lineup for February 21

Russell Westbrook

XN Sports is introducing a new daily fantasy site called Victiv, which has one of the best features in all of daily fantasy, in addition to a sleek design, and a few ways to play daily fantasy basketball.

Victiv has what is called a substitution position, which you can learn more about on the site. Essentially, it’s one extra position for under $5,000 (does not affect your salary cap) where you can select a bench player. This player will come in handy, as it replaces anyone in your lineup that scores less than the substitute. Think of it as a free mulligan, and an option to take a risk on a player.

For example, if you like a specific player one night but he is a game-time decision, put him into your lineups. The substitute can be his backup, or another player that you think could have an excellent night, and if your player does not play, no worries. In addition, this adds another level of strategy. On Victiv, the minimum price for a player is a lot lower than on other sites. You can afford to take risks with these cheap players, because if this player does not have an excellent game, your substitute can pick up the slack. Be sure to take advantage of this, and try Victiv today.

After you have signed up, be sure to take on Victron. This is Victiv’s computer, and if you beat it, you can win cash prizes. This is yet another way to play daily fantasy basketball.

On Victiv, you are given $50,000 in cap space to play a lineup composed of two guards, three forwards, a center, and two flex positions. As mentioned, the substitute does not count against your cap. The scoring is as follows (taken directly from Victiv’s website):

– Point +1

– Rebound +1.25

– Assist +1.25

– Steal +2

– Block +2

– Turnover -0.5

How can we beat Victron, other players and win real money? First, sign up for Victiv here.

Second, take a look at XN Sports’ suggested plays and lineup for Victiv for tonight’s slate:

Point Guard

Goran Dragic vs NO ($5,600)- Dragic is expected to make his Miami debut tonight, and it comes at a good time. Over the last three weeks, the Pelicans have surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards (50.31) and Dragic will likely play heavy minutes, as the Heat unleash the dragon. His price is so cheap across the industry that it’s almost impossible to ignore him on a five-game slate.

On the season as a whole, New Orleans has coughed up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position, so this isn’t just a recent stretch of bad outings for the Pelicans defensive unit, who also rank 28th in defensive efficiency against point guards over the last 10 days, too. Both Mario Chalmers and Shabazz Napier played well last night, but Dragic should see at least 30 minutes in a close game (the current spread being just 1.5), and at $5,600, someone with Dragic’s ability is very, very difficult to ignore.

Russell Westbrook @CHA ($10,400)- Yeah, if you plan on fading Russ tonight, I wish you all of the luck in the world. Kevin Durant has already been ruled out for this tilt against the Hornets, which means Westbrook is practically impossible to keep out of your lineup. Even with Durant on the floor, Westbrook still sees the highest usage rate in basketball, but when Durant isn’t on the court, that number climbs to a whopping 44.6. That’s just stupid, folks. Now, the matchup isn’t ideal, as Charlotte will likely get Al Jefferson his touches inside, trying to slow the pace down, but the Hornets will also be deploying Brian Roberts and Mo Williams at point guard, to guys who literally cannot stop Westbrook to save their life.

Also consider: Chris Paul, Derrick Rose

Shooting Guard

Jamal Crawford vs SAC ($6,300)- Target shooting guards against the Kings. That is all. Avery Bradley accumulated 50 fantasy points against them last night, and on the season, Sacramento is coughing up the second-most fantasy points, second-most steals, 1oth-most assists and sixth-most three-pointers per game to the position. While J.J. Redick will get the start, Crawford is typically more efficient off of the bench anyway, and he’s played well as of late, averaging 21.8 points, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.2 triples per game over his last five outings, scoring at least 20 points in every game during that span. This game features the highest over/under of the evening, as well as two teams inside the top-12 in terms of pace. And as for real life points go, no team in basketball is allowing more points per game to opposing two-guards than Sacramento, coming in at 23.94.

Also consider: J.J. Redick, DeMar DeRozan

Small Forward

Rudy Gay @LAC ($7,200)- Gay is coming off a very nice outing under new coach George Karl, scoring 28 points, while adding five rebounds, four assists, one steal and three blocks. Karl is going to be playing Gay a bit more at the power forward position, and he should do so tonight against the Clippers, who, of course, are without the service of Blake Griffin. He blocked three shots at the four last night, and assuming he plays more at the four tonight, that means he’ll see plenty of Spencer Hawes and Glen Davis, two guys who will not be able to keep up with Gay. And as for his time at small forward, I love it even more. So far this year, the Clippers are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position, as well as the most in basketball over the last 10 days. Over 25 percent of Los Angeles’ total points allowed this year have come from beyond the arc, while Gay is sinking a triple per game on the year. Again, fast-paced game, high over/under, Gay will be in plenty of my tourney lineups this evening, especially considering he’s still coming at a bit of a discount.

Also consider: Matt Barnes, P.J. Tucker

Power Forward

Serge Ibaka @CHA ($7,600)- With Durant out, Ibaka will shoulder some more of the load in this contest against the Hornets. He’s coming off a huge game against the Mavericks on Thursday, scoring 21 points and hauling in 22 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. Ibaka is in another good spot tonight against Charlotte, who are allowing more fantasy points to power forwards over the last three weeks than any other team in basketball. This unit is also allowing opposing defenses to block 5.4 shots per game on the season, good for the fourth-most in basketball to this point. Charlotte is also allowing 52 total rebounds per game on the year, the 10th-most in the league. Ibaka should manhandle the likes of Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller, similar to how Greg Monroe torched them to the tune of 23 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals a little over a week ago.

Also consider: Pau Gasol, Anthony Davis

Center

Joakim Noah vs PHO ($5,500)- Noah has been pretty inconsistent this season, but over his last two games, has flirted with a triple double both times, averaging 10 points, 9.5 rebounds, six assists and a block per contest. He looks a lot healthier than he was at the start of the season, and I love the matchup tonight, facing a weak, short-handed Phoenix frontcourt that also just dealt Miles Plumlee. The Suns are allowing the fourth-most total rebounds per game, the 10th-most fantasy points and the fifth-most blocks per game to opposing centers on the season. His price has dropped pretty significantly, so if you don’t want to spend up for guys like DeMarcus Cousins or DeAndre Jordan, Noah is a solid mid-tier option.

Also consider: Those other guys.

Lineup

G-Goran Dragic

G-Russell Westbrook

F-Rudy Gay

F-Serge Ibaka

F-Spencer Hawes

C-Alex Len

FX-J.J. Redick

FX-Joakim Noah

author avatar
Adam Pfeifer
Adam Pfeifer is a fantasy sports writer for ProjectRoto and XN Sports. He covers the NFL, NBA and MLB. You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.