DFSGhost 
While everyone is navigating their way through late scratches and overpriced value plays, our team looks to continue our heater with another NBA slate on tap. It’s Taco Tuesday’s edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
One thing I want to clarify based on the questions I have received is that I will never list a player under the $5,000 FD price tag simply because I use the projection model to identify all targets in these price ranges and below. While there are often plenty of options that I like in this range, you all have access to the very model I use to make my own selections, so when asking “Should I use player X or player Y?”, make sure to check the model because that is how I make all of my own decisions and I truly ride or die by it on a daily basis.
Before running to the DraftKings, FanDuel, or Yahoo lobby to construct your NBA DFS lineup after reading this article, please make sure to utilize the abundance of tools we have at Win Daily:
Point Guards
Steph Curry ($10,300 FD / $10,000 DK)
Another MVP performance last night from the best shooter of all time – and the MVP this season (don’t @ me with Jokic). With 30 or more points in seven straight for the Warriors, who are now the 8 seed in the West and quickly approaching the Lakers for the 7 seed, Curry has posted a 37.7/5.3/5.4 scoring line while shooting 46.4% from the field and 41.2% from deep. Sporting a ridiculous 41.8% usage rate in that span, he has the highest ceiling on this NBA slate in a marquee matchup versus the Suns.
Malachi Flynn ($5,000 FD / $5,300 DK)
I can use all the fancy statistics in the world to justify why you need to play at least one of, if not both Malachi Flynn and Gary Trent Jr. Look, the Toronto Raptors are without Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Kyle Lowry, and Fred VanVleet tonight, and have just been eliminated from playoff contention. Again, I can talk about usage rate increases, scoring and assist rates, but four of five starting members are out. Do the math and you’ll see why they’re borderline locks on this NBA slate.
Also Consider:
- Kyrie Irving ($10,200 FD / $9,600 DK)
- Chris Paul ($8,100 FD / $7,800 DK)
- LaMelo Ball ($7,700 FD / $8,700 DK)
Shooting Guards
Zach Lavine ($8,600 FD / $9,500 DK)
After a notable absence from the lineup and Nikola Vucevic taking over the offense, Zach Lavine has strung together two straight games of impressive offensive performances and takes on a Brooklyn Nets team that is far from stout on defense. Sporting a 29.5% usage rate while logging 34 MPG in the last two for Chicago, Lavine has posted 27.5/4/4 while shooting 50% from the field and 100% from the charity stripe, making this matchup one of the best on the NBA slate.
D’Angelo Russell ($7,600 FD / $7,900 DK)
With the Minnesota Timberwolves essentially playing for a higher draft pick, some will be wary about core pieces in DLo, Towns, and rookie Anthony Edwards. However, after logging 25 or more minutes in eight of his last nine, including re-entering the starting lineup, Russell is in a great spot to take advantage of a depleted Pistons roster on tonight’s NBA slate. Sporting a 27.4% usage rate in his last nine, DLo has posted a 18.9/3.1/8.1 scoring line, including 41.44 DK PPG in his last four, where he’s averaged 20.8/3.8/9 across 31.5 MPG.
Also Consider:
- Devin Booker ($7,700 FD / $8,200 DK)
- Terry Rozier ($7,300 FD / $8,100 DK)
- Donte DiVincenzo ($5,300 FD / $5,300 DK)
Small Forwards
Kevin Durant ($10,600 FD / $9,900 DK)
With the highest game total on the board, we know we’ll be attacking this Brooklyn/Chicago game, and it starts with KD on the Nets side. The Nets need to hold onto the 2 seed to avoid the Heat in the first round, so this game is crucial to them – KD is sporting a 33.2% usage rate in his last five, posting a 33.8/8.4/5.6 scoring line while shooting 51.8% from the field, solidifying him as a premier stud on tonight’s NBA slate.
Michael Porter Jr. ($7,100 FD / $8,500 DK)
While the price is a tad steep for my liking on DK, MPJ slots in well at an option at SF on FD, where his price has dropped over the past week despite averaging 26.7 PPG over his last ten games, in addition to contributing 6.2 RPG on the glass. Although Jokic will take center stage on a nightly basis, MPJ has quickly become the secondary scoring option for the Nuggets, making him an intriguing option in a matchup versus a Hornets team that ranks 26th in the NBA against small forward, allowing nearly 44 FPPG.
Also Consider:
- Jimmy Butler ($9,500 FD / $9,200 DK)
- Kawhi Leonard ($8,400 FD / $8,300 DK)
- RJ Barrett ($6,400 FD / $6,800 DK)
Power Forwards
Domantas Sabonis ($10,200 FD / $10,400 DK)
Malcolm Brogdon is out again and the best player in the NBA has averaged 26/15.3/10.3 in his last six games, including 66.75 DK PPG in that span. Giddy up!
Jayson Tatum ($9,700 FD / $9,700 DK)
We know about the usage and scoring bumps that Tatum receives with JB out, but to put it into perspective, he’s averaged 28.4/7.7/4.2 with his teammate sidelined; now done for the season, the Celtics’ hope rides on the former Duke Blue Devil, who will certainly have his hands full with Jimmy Butler on the other side, but will also have the volume like no other on this NBA slate.
Also Consider:
- Anthony Davis ($10,800 FD / $10,700 DK)
- Julius Randle ($9,000 FD / $9,400 DK)
- Isaiah Stewart ($6,200 FD / $6,400 DK)
Centers
- Nikola Jokic ($11,000 FD / $11,000 DK)
- Nikola Vucevic ($9,800 FD / $10,300 DK)
- Chris Boucher ($6,600 FD / $6,800 DK)
Value Gems: Check the projection model.
I will continue to stress the importance of having both the projection model and cheat sheet open when building lineups for a further player pool and to ease a decision between two players, in addition to finding additional value plays.
You can find me on Twitter @DFS_Ghost
