Hello Razzball, back again for some post IST NBA DFS action. Wow that was a lot of acronyms. Oh well! We have a nice 9 game slate with plenty of options to choose from. Right now I’m not seeing a ton of quality value, so it may be hard to get up to the highest priced guys on this slate. If there’s no significant injury news I’ll be going with lower priced spend ups and mid range guys most likely.
My number one piece of advice for NBA DFS in general is to be on top of injury updates. Contests are won and lost on backups becoming starters and starters getting increased usage from injuries. There will be injury plays that open up with news tomorrow that we just don’t know yet.
That being said, with our current knowledge of injury news (Tuesday night) let’s get down to it. Pricing is always (Fanduel/DraftKings). I play tournaments and my picks will always bias towards volatility and upside.
Guards
Spend ups (9k and over)
Trae Young ($9,600/$9,900)
Trae Young got ejected on one of the softer double techs I’ve seen his last time out. He’s priced well in what Vegas thinks is going to be a high scoring close game. Right now the spread is 1.5 and the O/U is 239.5.
Damian Lillard ($9,100/$9,600)
I like his price more on FD but he’s playable on either site. Bucks are playing the Pacers in a matchup that currently has a 259.5 O/U, and targeting the Pacers has been a pretty safe strategy in DFS so far this year. That 259.5 is one of the highest pregame totals you’re ever going to see. Pieces from this game are going to be popular plays with that gaudy number and I’m going to want some piece of this game in every lineup I build. You can also play Tyrese Haliburton, but I just hate how high his price has gotten and will personally be fading him.
Tyrese Maxey ($9,000/$9,100)
The 76ers get a horrendous Pistons team in the midst of a 20 game losing streak. That should keep going to 21. If this game stays close both the 76ers studs are firmly in play, but there is real risk this game is over by halftime.
Middle-to-High (7k-8.9k)
Jalen Brunson ($7,800/$8,200)
The Knicks get a good matchup against the Jazz and Brunson is a bit underpriced.
Middle (5k-6.9k)
Dennis Schroder ($6,300/$6,000)
Dennis is too cheap for what he’s been doing this year and the matchup against the Hawks is one I want pieces of.
Value Town (Under 5k)
Nobody I actually want to play here. Malaki Branham would be the best guy in this range, but not someone I’m trying to play.
Forwards
Spend ups (9k and over)
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,000/$11,400)
Giannis is very expensive as usual, but he could easily be the highest scoring player on the slate. If you can find a way to fit him in he’s a great play.
Middle-to-High (7k-8.9k)
Scottie Barnes ($8,900/$8,600)
Scottie is fairly priced in a great matchup.
Julius Randle ($8,500/$8,600)
I like this matchup against the Jazz and he’s decently priced. Do not play him and Brunson in the same lineup, take your shot on one or the other.
Middle (5k-6.9k)
Khris Middleton ($6,600/$6,500)
Middleton’s minutes restriction seems to be gone now as he played 33 minutes his last time out. He’s underpriced for playing 30+ minutes, as long as that happens again.
Ausar Thompson ($6,100/$5,900)
If Thompson starts again he’s way underpriced. Watch the news as Monty Williams has been playing with lineups recently. I think he starts again, but it’s not 100% guaranteed. If he starts he’s an absolute must play at this price. If he’s coming off the bench the minutes are just not reliable and I’ll be forced to fade him.
Value Town (Under 5k)
Yikes no one I really like here either. Viable options include Dillon Brooks, Taurean Prince and Aaron Nesmith, but no one I’m specifically targeting yet.
Centers
Spend ups (9k and over)
Joel Embiid ($12,600/$11,800)
Embiid is the most expensive guy on the slate and it’s going to be tough to get up to this price. That being said if the game against the Pistons stays close he has absurd upside. He’s in play if you can make it work price wise.
Anthony Davis ($11,400/$10,000)
The Spurs cannot deal with Davis’ strength inside and he’s in play as a tournament option. Not a top priority coming off a back to back but he’s definitely playable.
Middle-to-High (7k-8.9k)
Myles Turner ($7,700/$7,300)
Just keep giving me pieces of this matchup. Turner is fairly priced here.
Middle (5k-6.9k)
Orlando Robinson ($5,200/$5,600)
Robinson is going to keep starting with Adebayo out and he should be closer to 6k. Solid salary relief play.
Nick Richards ($5,000/$5,100)
Mark Williams is doubtful and Richards should continue to start here. He had a stinker his last time out, which may deter ownership.
Value Town (Under 5k)
Again no one I like. Common theme here. Jericho Sims is really cheap and will get about 20 minutes, but he’s a desperation punt play.
