DFSGhost 
With approximately ten games left in the regular season, every matchup counts for the NBA playoff picture. Moreover, others are looking to improve their position in the draft lottery. It’s a Taco Tuesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
Be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.
Washington Wizards @ Orlando Magic (-1.5)
Washington Wizards (+1.5)
The Wizards will be without Kyle Kuzma tonight, meaning the duo of Kristaps Porzingis and Bradley Beal will shoulder the offense. This game environment does not stand out above the others, but it has potential to be a shootout. Washington and Orlando are ranked 22nd and 16th in the NBA in pace, respectively, but also represent two bottom-ten defenses in the league. With Orlando 26th in three-pointers allowed per game, Beal will have ample opportunity to do damage from behind the arc, and has 20 or more points in eight of his last nine appearances.
Orlando Magic (-1.5)
There isn’t much to love about this offense on tonight’s NBA slate, but the Magic are in a good spot versus the Wizards. In balanced lineups, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Wendell Carter Jr. all deserve consideration. Meanwhile, Cole Anthony has scored 14 or more points in five straight appearances, logging 27 minutes or more per game in the absence of Jalen Suggs. However, usage is spread out amongst offensive contributors. All five players have a usage rate between 21% and 27% but they do provide a safe floor in a competitive game environment.
Boston Celtics @ Sacramento Kings (+4.5)
Boston Celtics (-4.5)
In what will certainly be the best game of the NBA slate, Jayson Tatum is poised to lead the pack in scoring. While he has only posted one 30-point effort in his last four games, Tatum has a tremendous matchup tonight. The Kings are the surprise of the Western Conference, if not of the entire league this season. However, while they boast an elite offense, they sit 25th in defensive rating and are last versus the combo wing player type.
Sacramento Kings (+4.5)
While the field has been wrongfully chasing Domantas Sabonis performances in the wrong spots, including last night, tonight is a much better matchup for the leading rebounder in the NBA. Not only is Sabonis the only player in the league to averaging over 12 rebounds per game this season, but he has two triple-doubles in his last five games, while missing two others by a single assist and rebound each time. During that span, Sabonis has averaged 20.4/15.2/9.8 on 55.7% shooting. While yesterday was a much better spot for De’Aaron Fox, as evidenced in projections, Sabonis is the key to a Kings victory here tonight.
Honorable Mentions:
- San Antonio Spurs @ New Orleans Pelicans (-11.5)
- Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Clippers (-6.5)
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