Isaiah This article discusses a core for DFS players to build around for today’s FanDuel & DraftKings NBA slate. While there are many different sports and various contests pertaining to DFS along with their respective strategies, we focus on the main approaches to build both reliable cash and GPP lineups for a successful NBA night including pace, the projected over/under, one on one matchups, and a team’s defensive rating. Make sure to stay active when building NBA lineups – if you cannot be in front of a computer, tablet, or on your phone an hour before lock do not throw your money away! NBA DFS lineups can change at the blink of an eye and are the most variable compared to any other sport in DFS; players get injured, some sit for load management, and others find themselves on the DNP list for other reasons; any of which can sway your lineup and where to find value. Stay alert on the WinDaily Discord chat to follow along with our updated plays. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
PointGuard
Luka Doncic,Dallas Mavericks ($10,400 FD)
Playing a New Orleans team that allows 48.29 FD points per game to opposing point guards. Coming off a B2B, the Pelicans won’t be able to slow him down. Triple-double threat every time he takes the court, hopefully, the ownership stays low after last game’s dud.
Damian Lillard,Portland Trail Blazers ($9,000 FD)
Portland has the highest implied team total on the NBA slate at 125 points and Dame Dolla is back in the best matchup imaginable. If he’s not on a minutes limit, which I don’t think he will be, lock it in. Washington is a dumpster fire on defense and allows 48.29 fantasy points per game to opposing primary ball handlers.
Coby White,Chicago Bulls ($6,300 FD)
He’s been on a tear in the past 5 games for the Bulls and should see plenty of run with Zach Lavine ruled out. Minnesota allows 48.33 fantasy points to opposing point guards in what should be a high scoring affair (230 over/under) and a close game at that (Minnesota -2.5 favorites). Pairing White with Luka or Lillard is my go-to spot tonight.
Collin Sexton,Cleveland Cavaliers ($5,700 FD)
No Darius Garland or Andre Drummond for the Cavs again tonight and Sexton should see all the usage imaginable, along with Kevin Love and Larry Nance. Boston will be shorthanded with Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker already ruled out, with Jaylen Brown ruled out as well. You saw what Caris LeVert did to them last night, Sexton could do the same.
Other Considerations
Spencer Dinwiddie ($7,200FD) – Hedge your LeVert lineups
Elfrid Payton ($5,800 FD)
Punt: Brad Wanamaker ($3,600FD)
ShootingGuard
Bradley Beal,Washington Wizards ($10,300 FD)
Bounceback spot for one of the league’s hottest players. Even with last game’s “dud” which saw him put up 51.4 fantasy points, Beal’s price tag hasn’t moved past the 10.5k mark. In a shootout with Portland, Beal will need to go off to keep them in it.
Marcus Smart,Boston Celtics ($6,500 FD)
Teammates Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, and Gordon Hayward are all ruled out; Cleveland struggles versus the point guard (NBA-worst 51.53 fantasy points allowed per game), what’s not to like?
Caris LeVert,Brooklyn Nets ($6,000 FD)
Coming off a career-high 51 points and 63.3 FD points, LeVert’s price actually went DOWN! This will be heavy chalk on FD, but you need to eat it. Hedge him with Dinwiddie in another line; Memphis’ defense sucks and allows an average of 45 fantasy points per game to opposing guards.
ShaiGilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder ($6,800)
Low implied game total butDetroit is seriously undermanned with all kinds of injuries. Attack the Pistonsat the guard position is what we always preach and SGA is cheap for someonewith a 50+ ceiling and will allow you to get different at the SG position tonighton FD.
Other Considerations
Dennis Schroder ($5,100 FD) – Could see a lot of runs if the Pistons go small-ball
Terrence Ross ($5,000 FD) – Wrote him last week, coming off the bench early and often, and scoring in bunches
SmallForward
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks ($11,600 FD)
Indiana defense is tough,but is it too bold to run a certain amount of lines without the Greek Freak? He’llbe the lowest owned stud on the slate and can allow you to get different in yourFD MME builds.
Carmelo Anthony,Portland Trail Blazers ($5,200 FD)
Washington defense is bad,real bad (see above with Lillard). Melo is a pure scorer and could thrive in arun-and-gun type of matchup. Like his price on FD at a thin SF position.
Kevin PorterJr., Cleveland Cavaliers ($5,000 FD)
The Cavs are undermanned yet again tonight and KPJ is still cheap. Most likely to carry a decent ownership percentage but may one of the best value plays on the FD NBA slate and will be in a lot of my lineups.
PowerForward
Jayson Tatum,Boston Celtics ($9,300 FD)
You know the injuries by now. Usage will be through the roof and Tatum was red hot before missing the last game. If you can fit him in on FD, lock it.
Kevin Love,Cleveland Cavaliers ($6,600 FD)
Underpriced and in a good spot with no Andre Drummond for the Cavs tonight. Boston is seriously undermanned, and I don’t think the defense will be the theme of this game. He’s underpriced and will be in some of my FD builds for sure.
Larry Nance, ClevelandCavaliers ($5,400 FD)
See above
Other Considerations
Washington PFs – Lean Bertans,bombs away for the 3-point specialist off the bench
Minnesota PFs – People will chase Naz after yesterday, not on it myself but Chicago sucks versus big men and I’ll probably still have a few shares in MME
Gamesto Target
- Chicago Bulls @ Minnesota Timberwolves (231.5 over/under)
- New Orleans Pelicans @ Dallas Mavericks (240 over/under)
- Washington Wizards @ Portland Trail Blazers (242 over/under)
