DFSGhost 
NBA GPP Picks 1/3
On the final regular season Sunday of NFL we will be breaking down a seven game slate for NBA GPP Picks 1/3. A slate filled with stars but pricing appears to be fairly relaxed on this slate. After mentioning stars we do have a couple stars questionable to start the day with Luka Doncic, and Lebron James showing up on the injury report. These would obviously be substantial injury situations so being locked into this slate will be important. Three games are projected for massive totals above 230, with the highest total being Brooklyn vs Washington at a humongous 242 points. In this article I will give you at least two players from each position that I am confident will assist you in GPPs. I will be referring to DraftKings pricing in my article. We better not waste anymore time and get into the article as the slate does lock an hour earlier than normal.
NBA GPP Picks 1/3
Jamal Murray – ($7,200)
Michael Porter Jr. is expected to miss several games and Murray has seen a 2.7% usage increase with him off the floor. Specifically, in his most recent game without Porter Jr. Murray saw a 30% usage rate, while playing 41 minutes in route to 48 fantasy points. The matchup against the wolves is superb, as they just allowed Bradley Beal to go off for 47 fantasy points in three quarters. Since Towns has been out the wolves have been abysmal on the defensive end allowing 127, 124, and 130 points to opposing teams. Vegas is projecting for this game to be high scoring at a total of 230.5. Murray is in a fantastic spot against this Wolves team and should easily hit 40 fantasy points.
Luka Doncic – ($10,000)
It may be safe to say Luka has currently passed James Harden as the usage king. Without Porzingis to start the year the young star Doncic is carrying a usage rate of 37%, with certain games recording above 40%. What a wonderful matchup he gets facing the Bulls, I would say hands down his best of the year. Chicago being the second fastest team in the NBA and ranking 27th in defensive efficiency. An added bonus is they have allowed the third most fantasy points to point guards. This matchup should allow a player like Doncic who constantly has the ball in his hands a massive game.
SG
Zach Lavine – ($7,300)
A handful of Bulls are listed as out due to health protocols and Lauri Markkanen being the most notable. In his most recent game against Milwuakee without Markkanen, Lavine had a 30% usage rate. Prior to the blowout with the Bucks, the Bulls guard had three straight performances above 40 fantasy points. Lavine only played 27 minutes and still attempted 16 shots in the Milwaukee game. Usage and shots won’t be the question with Markkenen confirmed out. If this game stays close and Lavine see’s his 35 minutes he shouldn’t have an issue scoring over 40 fantasy points again.
Jordan Clarkson – ($4,800)
Clarkson is a usage machine coming off the Utah bench averaging a 27% usage rate this season. He gets a nice matchup with the Spurs who have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to point guards. Facing San Antontio who is the seventh fastest team this season should benefit Clarkson as well. We currently don’t have clear cut value options to get studs into this slate. A guy like Clarkson that is consistent by scoring at least 20 fantasy points in every game while accruing at least 25 fantasy points in four out of five games.
SF
Josh Richardson – ($5,000)
We have the potential for Luka to be out which would make Richardson chalk. I like Richardson regardless as the Bulls rank 27th in defensive rating, not to mention they are also the second fastest in pace this season. Out of five games three of the Mavs games have been massive blowouts leading to starters not seeing normal minutes. In the two games that have stayed close Richardson played over 35 minutes in both. This is the best matchup Dallas has seen up to this point and Richardson will score over 30 fantasy points for the second time this season. I will also play Luka in lineups I don’t have Richardson.
Will Barton – ($5,400)
In Denver’s first game without Michael Porter Jr. Barton saw his most minutes of the season at 36. He didn’t achieve his fantasy value due to his pour shooting performance of 1-7. As I mentioned in the Murray write up these Wolves are bad, especially defending shooting guards. The Timberwolves have given up the most DraftKings points to shooting guards this season and Barton should see run at Shooting guard. With Murray being hot last time out he had the ball frequently leading to a pour usage rate for Barton. If Barton can see a slight uptick in usage, the minutes and this wonderful matchup will allow him to flourish.
PF
Carmelo Anthony – ($4,300)
We currently don’t have much for value unless Lebron or Luka sit out tonight. Melo is a great option as he is facing the fastest team in the league this season and just crushed value in this spot last game. Golden State has been particularly bad against power forwards allowing the second most fantasy points to power forwards this season. They have given up the second most rebounds and second most three pointers to power forwards at nearly 6 per game. To add even more this game has a total of 234.5, which is second largest on this slate. A 23% usage rate this season, a limited Draymond Green, and a juicy matchup will allow Melo to smash value against the Warriors yet again.
Kevin Durant – ($9,300)
Leading the Nets with a usage rate of 31% this young season is Kevin Durant. Particularly in his most recent two games he has averaged a usage rate of 34% with Spencer Dinwiddie absent. Given the usage and the Wizards ranking 26th in defensive efficiency Durant has a prime opportunity to score 30 real points. Now if we add in the Wizards are playing at the third fastest pace this season and will result in a double-double for Durant. This game is projected as the highest scoring game on the slate at 242 points, having parts of this game may be crucial. I believe having Durant and his large usage rate will be important as this spot has potential for 60 fantasy points.
C
Rudy Gobert – ($7,200)
If we look at Gobert and his usage numbers nothing is going to wow you but nearly a 20% usage rate is enough for him. The Spurs have been hurt by centers this season allowing the second most fantasy points to centers. They have given up the most rebounds to centers out of all teams at 24 rebounds per game and Gobert is a rebounding machine. Gobert has been great this year scoring over 40 fantasy points and recording a double-double in four out of five games. With San Antonio being the seventh fastest team to start the season another double-double and 40 point game from Gobert is a solid bet.
Gorgui Dieng – ($3,900)
Dieng has been averaging over a fantasy point per minute during this season. His previous two games he received over 20 minutes of playing time and cashed in two 30 point fantasy performances. An opportunity to see those minutes should happen again with the Lakers playing a bigger lineup than most teams. Surprisingly, Dieng sits third in usage for Memphis at nearly 21%. In some places the spread for this game is over eleven but Dieng would likely see blowout minutes as Memphis doesn’t have another healthy center behind him. I don’t love center today, I will either spend up for the top two guys or roll with Gobert. I do think Dieng is an interesting cheap punt play if no other value opens for this slate.
Portland vs Golden State game
Damian Lillard – 45.5 fantasy points (MORE) Attacking Steph Curry and his defense will always be a thing if he is playing. Dame just did will in this matchup scoring 55 fantasy points. I also want to mention Golden State has given up the second most real points to point guards with Portland slotting right behind them in third.
Steph Curry – 45.5 fantasy points (MORE) These are two of the worst defensive teams to start the season. A massive total means tons of fantasy point opportunity. Both players see the largest amount of usage on their respective teams. 45.5 fantasy points for both given the matchup and lack of defense for these team is low.
NBA GPP Picks 1/3
This slate has potential to be a fun one regardless of how the injury news falls. It is a star stacked slate with giant totals in several games. We do have some injury news to monitor as I mentioned earlier with Lebron and Luka. If Lebron is out I will look to play Anthony Davis, Dennis Schroeder and Kyle Kuzma. If Luka plays I will play him in his glorious matchup against Chicago. To keep up with this injury news and how to adjust accordingly, join the WinDaily staff and myself in the Discord Chat rooms. Thank you for reading my article NBA GPP Picks 1/3 a wonderful seven game slate. Enjoy your Sunday and let’s make some money!
