Brian Tulloch 
Welcome to the final NBA DFS slate before the All-Star Break, as we have nine games to sort through when building our lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The biggest issue with any sports slate before the All-Star Break is we tend to have a whole lot of injury news to allow players an extra bit of rest – so make sure you are able to monitor and react today!
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NBA DFS Picks and Pivots: Slate Breakdown
As we head into this 9 game NBA DFS slate, the final such slate before a long-weekend All-Star Break – we simply have to be mindful of the injury news and likelihood of multiple players being rested. We already know the Toronto Raptors will be short-handed as they were last night and we have injury tags on stars like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kawhi Leonard, Jerami Grant, Kelly Oubre, Al Horford, Elfrid Payton, and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Basically – prepare for value.
If we play out a scenario – one that I think is likely – where the players noted above are all ultimately ruled out, it is pushing us as it did last night to a Stars and Scrubs based build. I say this all the time, but value dictates slates and with another night of double-digit punt plays in major roles – I am going this route EVERY time.
In Adam’s Core Four today – he did a great job of outlining how the slate hinges on the Heat injury news and the injury to Kawhi Leonard. I am in lockstep with him that a guy like Paul George ($8.6K) would be a core play with Kawhi sidelined considering the match-up against one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA in the Washington Wizards.
The one value play here that I have my eyes on is Reggie Jackson ($3.9K). Jackson got the start in place of Kawhi last game versus Boston, playing 37 minutes and most notably, played all but 2 minutes in the 2nd half of that game. R-Jax dropped 40 DK points in that game due to some insanely hot shooting, and while we cannot predict 70% accuracy again – his sub $4K price in this match-up with those kind of minutes would make him a lock and load value play.
Speaking of value plays – if Miami is ultimately down both Butler And Bam tonight, it is likely Precious Achiuwa ($3K) would garner a start alongside Kelly Olynyk to combat the GIRTH of the New Orleans front line. Achiuwa has put up 39 DK points in the last two games in just 27 minutes (1.4 FP/M) and would be an easy plug and play at minimum price.
One more value play I have my eye on is Kent Bazemore ($3.4K) who drew the start last night in place of Kelly Oubre who was scratched with a wrist injury. I do not see the Warriors on a B2B pushing Oubre to come back, so enter Baze who played 31 minutes in his spot last night and racked up 26 DK points. Bazemore was our Discord low-owned pivot last night over THT – tonight though, with a full day of news – he likely becomes a chalky value option so do not expect to get him at single digit ownership again tonight.
If we are starting this article with multiple punts – then you know that means I am saying my salary for spend ups. We say it time and time again but if I am punting, then why would I not use those savings to the the stars that can win me a slate.
Enter Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11K) and Nikola Jokic ($10.9K).
Giannis has dropped 60+ DK points in 5 of his last 6 games while the Joker is fresh off back to back 70 burgers. These guys are match-up proof and they are luxury spends that can set cash lines on any given slate – you do not need me to sell you on them.
But take a step back – go ahead – plugin Jackson, Achiuwa, and Bazemore as values.
Now – get yourself a superstar trio in PG13, Joker and Giannis.
What’s that? You cannot believe you still have $4.5K per player for the last two spots? Yeah – I think we found our core tonight kids.
NBA DFS Picks and Pivots – The Wrap Up
Last night’s NBA DFS slate was a fantastic preview for tonight’s action as we will have similar value opening up to make a Stars and Scrubs build the optimal path.
With so many players sidelined right before the All-Star break, the value is going to be endless and we need to use that value to anchor to the stars that can win us a slate – and that starts with Giannis and Jokic. Take what the slate gives you – get all the value to get all the stars. Simple game.
Enjoy the break everyone – we will see you back here next week for the start of the second half of the NBA DFS season!
Enjoy this slate – let’s get in our FREE Discord today and chat it up while we dig through our cheat sheets and custom projections here at Win Daily to set up the start of this NBA DFS season with some big wins!
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