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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 an extremely active 9 game NBA DFS slate tonight. With 8 games played last night, we have a couple of teams playing the second leg of a back-to-back and there are a ton of injuries to consider as well. I like to 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.
THE GAMES
THE STUDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11400) Giannis has a ridiculous 38.6% usage rate and scores 1.9 fantasy points (FP) per minute. He has a tough matchup on paper with a Pacer squad that ranks 6th in defensive efficiency (DEFF) and 6th in (DVA) which is a rank given to the opponent when facing this player’s archetype. That being said, he is still averaging 60 DraftKings fantasy points (DKFPTS) in his previous 2 meetings against Indianapolis.
Luka Doncic ($10900) Not much to say here. Luka is in a pace up spot with a monster 37.1% usage rate and scores 1.72 FP/min. He has a 46.1% assist rate and a 14.8% rebound rate. The Pelicans rank 21st in DEFF and 18th in DVA. Doncic is currently projected to score around 62 DKFPTS which equates to roughly 5.7X value.
THE CORE
Damian Lillard ($10000) Dame has the best matchup on tonight’s NBA DFS slate. Washington ranks 29th in DVA, is tied for 4th in pace, and dead last in DEFF. Lillard has a 31.7% usage rate, scores 1.35 FP/min., and has been practicing and scrimmaging all week. He looks to be fully healed from a groin injury that has held him out since the All-Star break. Portland has stated that he could have played last week if this were the playoffs. I like him even if he’s limited by a minute restriction.
Jimmy Butler ($7800) Jimmy has a 25.4% usage rate and scores 1.22 FP/min. Orlando ranks 16th in DEFF. I saw an interesting tidbit about the Magic’s defense. Going back to last season they’ve always been a solid defensive unit, ranking in the top 10. However, over the course of the last couple of months, the Magic’s offense has actually gotten much better while their defense has slid to the bottom 10 in the NBA. Butler averages 40 DKFPTS vs. Orlando in 3 previous games this season.
Christian Wood ($7700) Wood has a 21.2% usage rate and scores 1.17 FP/min on the year. I know the numbers don’t jump off the page here but we all have known for a long time that this kid can produce like a star if only given the chance. Derrick Rose is hurt, Reggie Jackson is in L.A., Drummond is in Cleveland, and Blake has been on the shelf all season basically. The time has come. Chris is in a smash spot on the NBA DFS slate.
Caris LeVert ($7200) LeVert has to lead the Nets in both usage rate (33%) and FP/min production since Kyrie went down with an injury. Carris currently scores just over an FP/min on the season. Memphis ranks 20th in DEFF and 22 in DVA. I see no reason why LeVert won’t go north of 40 DKFPTS on tonight’s NBA DFS slate.
Coby White ($6200) Coby has a 23.8% usage rate on the season. He’s actually seen big boosts in all his stats as he currently is scoring 1.36 FP/min with Lavine off the floor. I think the biggest plus is White’s beautiful outside shot, the fact that he’s been attacking the rim more, and his steady increase is assist rate as the season has progressed. This rookie is a future star and goes up against a Minnesota team that just gave up 134 points in a win last night over New Orleans. The Timberwolves are another one of the NBA’s bottom feeders in DEFF and White looks primed to get us 6X value and 37 DKFPTS tonight.
THE OTHERS
Bradley Beal ($10600), Zion Williamson ($8000), Julius Randle ($7700), Ja Morant ($7200), Malcolm Brogdon ($7000), Larry Nance Jr. ($6500), Bojan Bogdanovic ($6200), Malik Beasley ($6000), Dennis Schroder ($5900), Otto Porter Jr. ($5400), Kevin Porter Jr. ($5300), Shabazz Napier ($5000), Brandon Knight ($4500) (If he plays).
* Marcus Smart ($7000) There is currently a lot of chatter as to whether Smart will play tonight. He may also face a suspension from the league for his ejection last night and subsequent restraint from going after the officials. If he starts and plays, I want him on my roster.
THE PLAYS
*Favorite play of the day*: Damian Lillard. He’s projected to be under-owned and in the best matchup on the slate, with the highest implied team totals (ITT).
*Chalk of the day I will gladly eat*: Christian Wood. Currently projected to be over 20% owned but the only real scoring option the Pistons truly have right now.
*My sleeper of the day*: Damian Lillard again. I’m really hoping news comes out that he’s limited. I like him anyway. In 30 minutes he can crush this spot and I’ll gladly take him at his current under 5% owned.
THE VALUE
Cedi Osman ($4100) Cleveland is currently very short-handed and facing a Celtic team that looks to be riddled with injury as well. Cedi may not be the sexiest play but game script has him playing 35+ minutes and he scores .73 FP/min on the season. That’s over 6X value at his salary, making him excellent value with a stable floor.
Brad Wanamaker ($3500) Brads not my first choice on this NBA DFS slate. He’s currently the only Celtic value I’m really considering and should be very chalky as well.
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
