Richard Masana Isaiah’s Protocol for the NBA DFS slate is built around DraftKings pricing but is good across the industry with some slight adjustments to salaries on the various sites. I’d like to point out that the players I’m recommending are best used together for cash game purposes. These players are also decent considerations for guaranteed prize pool (GPP) games when used individually with other contrarian type players.
We are looking at a loaded 8 game NBA DFS slate tonight. These types of slates are my personal favorites as there aren’t very many high priced options available. This forces players to build in a balanced approach that fits right into my wheelhouse as a cash game guy. I always advise all my readers to join the staff at WinDaily in our Discord chat rooms as we discuss some of the important news of the day as we break down some intriguing plays even further. With 8 games being played, there are plenty of options to consider so let’s take a closer look.
At first glance, I’m immediately drawn to the T-Wolve/Pelican game. These 2 teams have the fastest pace on the NBA DFS slate and also carry 2 defenses that are easy to take advantage of. The Wizards have been a DFS gold mine all season and tonight should be no exception as their game carries the second-highest implied team totals (ITT) of the night. The last thing I want to point out is all but 5 of these teams are on the 2nd half of a back to back (B2B). The Spurs, Thunder, Nets, Celtics, and Suns all enjoyed a day off yesterday. This is important because some of these teams may choose to rest players on this NBA DFS slate.
THE STUDS
Brandon Ingram ($7800) Brandon has a 29.5% usage rate and scores 1.23 fantasy points (FP) per minute. Minnesota ranks 21st in defensive efficiency (DEFF) and 26th in (DVA) which is a rank given to the opponent when facing this player’s archetype. Ingram has already roasted this Timberwolves team, without KAT, to the tune of 56 DraftKings fantasy points (DKFPTS). Granted, He’s also sharing the court with Zion now but I’ll roll the dice anyway at his salary. That brings me to my next guy…
Zion Williamson ($7700) Not much to say here as I’ve already talked about how important exposure to this game will be. Zion is becoming everything he was billed to be right in front of our eyes and he sports a 31.4% usage rate and scores 1.28 FP/Min. Enter the perfect storm of Minnesota’s 19th rank in DEFF and 24th rank in DVA. Add the fact that KAT will sit this one out, make sure Zion is on your roster.
THE CORE
Lonzo Ball ($7300) No, I don’t think to have 3 Pelicans on one roster on this NBA DFS slate is too much. Lonzo has a 20.8% usage rate and scores 1.04 FP/Min. Ball is also averaging 36 DKFPTS per game over his last 10 and that’s good for 5X value on his current price tag alone. Factor in a Minnesota team that ranks 20th in DEFF and 24th in DVA and you’ve got a smash play here as well.
Paul George ($7100) I fully expect Kawhi to sit tonight as he’s done all season on the 2nd half of a B2B. Take Paul’s 30.7% usage rate and 1.31 FP/min and give them huge boosts when Kawhi is not on the floor. At $7100, against his old team, yup.
Montrezl Harrell ($6200) (see above) Add in his 25.5% usage rate and 1.18 FP/min. Factor OKC’s 15th ranked DEFF and 29th ranked DVA. Take into consideration the 42 DKFPTS average he has against OKC in his previous 2 meetings and his multi-positional eligibility. Love me some Trez on this NBA DFS slate.
THE PLAYS
*Favorite play of the day*: Will Barton ($5600) too cheap
*Chalk of the day I will gladly eat*: Trey Lyles ($5200) Easy, nothing needs to be said here.
*My sleeper of the day*: Shake Milton ($6300) I can see LBJ sitting for rest tonight and Shake has the minutes. The masses will avoid a backup PG vs. the stingy Lakers at home. Lakers actually rank 23rd vs. opposing backcourts.
Others in strong consideration: De’Aaron Fox ($8000), Demar Derozan ($7400), Jalen Brown ($7100), Jamal Murray ($6700), Jerami Grant ($5000) (ONLY If Millsap is out).
THE VALUE
Cody Martin ($4100) Getting the minutes and the Spurs are busted.
Cody Zeller ($3900) (see above)
There’s a ton of players to like tonight and I simply don’t have the time to write them all up. I highly encourage all readers to join myself, and the rest of the WinDaily team in the Discord chat rooms as we break down and discuss our favorite plays. Thank you for reading my content and feel free to leave a comment, or hit me up on Twitter @IsaiahsProtocol.
GOODLUCK AND HAVE FUN
