TimmySigs 
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 questionable 4 game NBA DFS slate tonight. Injury news is abundant, so make sure you stay tuned throughout the day for any updates. 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 and break down some intriguing plays even further.
The Seeds
The NBA playoffs are right around the corner and there are only a couple days left to lock up seed spots. As I’m writing this Indiana looks to have quite a few players either questionable, or out tonight. Houston will be sitting Westbrook, but should see the return of Eric Gordon. There are a lot of question marks surrounding both Toronto (locked into the #2 seed), and Miami (locked into the 4/5 game regardless) as to whether the stars will play, and if so, will they get a full run of minutes. Philly can still move up a couple seeds if they want, but have been dealing with some injuries. They lost Simmons last week, and Embiid is nursing his ankle. The Sixers DID rest the other starters yesterday, I expect we will see some of them back today. OKC can move up or down from the #5 seed, but I don’t think they care. It’s more to their advantage to lose and lock in their top-20 protected pick while getting some rest. Then there’s the Clipper/Nugget game. Both teams could get the #2 seed in the West, The question is, Do they want to? The #2 seed will likely draw Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in the first round.
I can’t remember a NBA DFS slate in recent history, where it was more important to stay on top of the news before lock, than tonight.
Strategy
The best strategy I can give you would be to NOT spend a lot of your bankroll tonight. As we’ve seen in the past 2 nights, anything can happen in regards to who plays, or how many minutes they play. As you will see in a minute, just put James Harden in your lineup, watch the news closely, find some value from stars that are sitting, and pay up for the others that are playing. Even better, stay close to us in the WinDaily Discord chat room where we may be able to locate some hidden gems for you.
The Stud
James Harden ($11100) This should come as no surprise. Don’t be the guy that talks yourself out of using Harden on tonight’s NBA DFS slate, for some reason. James has scored almost 1.8 DraftKings (DK) points per minute this season without Westbrook on the floor. He’s averaging just over 66 DK fantasy points (DKFPTS) in those games. Yes, The Pacers could rest all their starters and this game could get ugly fast. Coach D’Antonio has never been big on managing minutes and Harden has shrugged him off before when trying to take him out of a blowout game. Besides, with his ridiculous usage without Westy, we know he’ll be responsible for all the points in that blowout. Make sure Harden is the first guy in your lineup tonight. There will be plenty of value available to make it work.
The Core
I REALLY like stacking the Heat with Harden. While the minutes or benching will be a question across the board tonight, Miami looks as good as anywhere to get started.
Jimmy Butler ($7800) This is WAY TOO CHEAP for “Buckets”. He just finished laying an exclamation point on T.J. Warren and the Pacers with 19 points, 11 boards, and 5 assists, for almost 51 DKFPTS in under 30 minutes. He’s already torched the Thunder once this season for 44 DKFPTS in just over 30 minutes.
Bam Adebayo ($7700) We need a center, so we may as well keep the stack going with Miami. Bam’s starting to round into form and has also already torched OKC for a 40 DKFPTS game. He has similar upside to Jokic and he’s $1500 cheaper. There’s also a chance the Thunder continue to rest their bigs for the playoffs, leaving Adebayo to thrive in the paint on this NBA DFS slate.
Jae Crowder ($5100) We have to start shaving some salary somewhere. I like Goran Dragic ($5300) as well, but the Thunder have one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chris Paul. There may be a different value pivot here as Crowder will need close to 35 to hit 7X value. He’s been averaging close to 30 DKFPTS a game and just pinned 36 on Indiana in his last game. It’s not a bad idea to finish the stack with him, especially if Indiana is resting their starters.
The Others
Fred VanVleet ($7700) VanVleet is off the injury report and could very well carry this Raptor squad in scoring as he has been ever since the re-start. A 7X value, and 50 DKFPTS is not out of the question against a Sixer squad that’s missing their premiere guard.
Al Horford ($6400) If Ibaka and Embiid both sit tonight, a rested Horford may be the place to go. Gasol has also been only playing around 20 minutes per game (more on that in a minute).
The Value
Chris Boucher ($4600) Keep a close eye on how the frontcourts unfold in the Tor/Phil game. Boucher could find himself with a boat load of minutes, with underwhelming competition around him.
Indian Pacers. I expect a LOT of rested starters in Indiana and that’s where I’ll be going to find most of my value on this NBA DFS slate. We ALL know Houstons defense is almost non-existent, and gets even worse without Westbrook. The Pacers second unit are no strangers to getting minutes, and should provide ample scoring opportunities tonight at dirt cheap prices.
There’s a ton of players I like. 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.
