DFSGhost 
Following the conclusion of the NFL season last night, all eyes turn to the NBA. After one of the most entertaining trade deadlines in recent memory, the league has a few games left before its All-Star break. It’s a Mojito Monday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
Be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.
Atlanta Hawks @ Charlotte Hornets (+5.5)
Atlanta Hawks (-5.5)
Make no mistake about it, this NBA slate is riddled with elite options at the guard position. However, two of them are in this game. Trae Young and the Hawks are in an explosive position on offense tonight. The face of the Atlanta franchise has been on fire lately, averaging 26.7/3.9/12 on 47.7% shooting over his last seven games. Moreover, the Hornets provide a great game environment for the primary ball handler. Charlotte ranks 25th in defensive rating and 7th in pace, giving Young a ton of upside. If going elsewhere at the guard position, Clint Capela makes for a tremendous target in the mid range of the pricing grid.
Charlotte Hornets (+5.5)
Similarly to Young, LaMelo Ball is in a fantastic position on this NBA slate. Despite the Hornets losing seven straight games, Ball continues to impress. He has averaged 22.9/8.3/8.1 on 40.7% shooting during that span, leading the team with a 29% usage rate. Moreover, the Hawks have a formidable on-ball defense in Dejounte Murray to counteract Ball, but the latter is excellent in finding open teammates. One benefactor will be Mark Williams, who has taken over the starting center role following the departure of Mason Plumlee. In two starts since then, Williams has averaged 8.5/8.5/1 on 58.3% shooting, amassing two steals and blocks per night.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trail Blazers (-2.5)
Los Angeles Lakers (+2.5)
The Lakers are in one of, if not the best game environment on the NBA slate. However, with the status of LeBron James unknown, there is a ton of uncertainty here. Should James play, he immediately becomes a contender to lead the slate in scoring. Yet, should he miss a third straight game with an ankle injury, both Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder are in good spots. Davis has struggled over his last three games, but will be relied upon to shoulder the load versus an injured Trail Blazers frontcourt. Moreover, Portland ranks 27th in defensive rating and 26th versus centers. Schroder has looked good alongside newly acquired D’Angelo Russell, as the latter has shown the ability to play off the ball more so than the former. Over his last two appearances with LeBron out, Schroder has averaged 25.5/2.5/7.5 on 58.6% shooting.
Portland Trail Blazers (-2.5)
Two elite guards were mentioned in the previous game, but Damian Lillard is in one of, if not the best spot of the three. Over his last ten games, Dame Time has scored 30 or more points in eight appearances. Moreover, he has averaged 37.9/4.6/7.5 on 52.6% shooting during that span, including 41.3% from behind the arc on nearly 11 attempts per night. The Lakers rank 29th in the NBA versus primary ball handlers, while also ranking 20th in three-pointers allowed per night. The last time these two teams met, Portland took a 25-point lead into halftime, only to lose the game by nine. Counting Lillard out of the list of players to potentially lead this slate in scoring is a mistake.
Washington Wizards @ Golden State Warriors (-3.5)
Washington Wizards (+3.5)
Exposure to the Wizards offense hinges on the availability of Kyle Kuzma. Should he be ruled out, Bradley Beal is a great target in the mid range of the pricing grid. Over his last four games, Beal has averaged 26/4.5/6 on 58.3% shooting. Moreover, he leads the team in both usage rate and assists per game during that span. Since taking over as primary ball handler in the absence of Kuzma, Beal has much more room on offense to find his own shot, and create for others. With Beal also taking over six three-pointers per night over his last four appearances, he is in a position to take advantage of a Warriors defensive unit that ranks 22nd in the NBA in three-pointers allowed per night.
Golden State Warriors (-3.5)
Their positions on the pricing grid have not moved despite Steph Curry missing the team’s last three games, so there is no reason to avoid the backcourt duo of Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson. In three games since Curry went down with an injury, Poole and Thompson have combined for over 58 points per game, while taking 25 field goal attempts per night. Moreover, the two lead the team in usage rate during that span. This is far from the best game environment on the NBA slate, but it certainly is appealing enough for the sharpshooting Poole and Thompson.
Honorable Mentions:
- Utah Jazz @ Indiana Pacers (-1.5)
- New Orleans Pelicans @ Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5)
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