DFSGhost 
Now that most teams have a few games under their belt, players are starting to find their groove on both sides of the ball. Rookies continue adjusting to the pace of play, while veterans get back into form. Additionally, with the new and improved NBA schedule, teams will face off against one another multiple times over the same week or two to limit travelling. This scenario is highlighted below, amongst other game environments to target. It’s a Wet Wednesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
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Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks (-4)
Brooklyn Nets (+4)
Make no mistake about it: the Nets will only go as far as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant can carry them. Last game, the two stars combined for over half of the team’s field goal attempts. Taking 44 shots out of 87 attempts, Kyrie and KD combined for 74 points of the team’s 124. However, the two each have a tough matchup tonight. KD will likely see a lot of Giannis, while Irving will see Jrue Holiday out on the perimeter. I lean the former in this spot, who will try to stay around the 3-point line and find the midrange, as he attempts to get Giannis to stay closer to the basket. Pacing the team in both usage rate and scoring, KD makes for an attractive tournament play on this NBA slate, if committing to this game.
Milwaukee Bucks (-4)
Playing at an MVP level in the early stages of the NBA season, Giannis Antetokounmpo has the best chance to lead the slate in scoring. Through two games, Giannis has averaged 32.5/12.5/5.5 on 70/3% shooting through a 34.6% usage rate. Not only has he been efficient, but he’s doing so at a historic rate. Last game, Giannis scored 44 points in only 28 minutes, making him the fifth player in league history to do so. In a matchup versus a Nets roster that ranks 25th in points allowed in the paint per game with 55.3 per contest, it’s all systems go on the Greek Freak.
Indiana Pacers @ Chicago Bulls (-7.5)
Indiana Pacers (+7.5)
Another NBA slate with the Pacers means I get to talk about Tyrese Haliburton once again. However, I’ll spare the long writeup as you already know I like the idea of playing him. Rather, my attention for this game will be on Buddy Hield. Being one of the best shooters in the league since arriving in 2016, Hield has largely gone under-appreciated. Despite a modest 22.1% usage rate, Hield sits fourth in the team in scoring. Additionally, the sharpshooter has taken over eight attempts from deep per contest, hitting at a 36.4% clip. Facing a Bulls team that currently ranks 28th in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, Hield makes for an intriguing tournament play, should his shot be falling.
Chicago Bulls (-7.5)
With Zach Lavine making his return to the lineup last game, the Bulls offense is back in play. Still missing from the lineup is Lonzo Ball (knee), but that didn’t stop the team from putting up 120 points against one of the NBA’s best defenses in the Boston Celtics. In a matchup versus the Pacers, a primary target of mine will be Nikola Vucevic. In last game’s matchup versus a Celtics team that struggles on the interior without Robert Williams III, Vucevic led the team in usage rate, en route to an 18/23/5 scoring line on 36.8% shooting. Even with Lavine making his return, Vucevic managed to see 19 attempts from the field across 31 minutes. Versus a Pacers team that may be without Myles Turner (ankle) entirely, or at least on a limited basis, Vucevic will dominate the paint on both ends of the floor.
Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz (-5.5)
Houston Rockets (+5.5)
Right back to the well with a game we discussed on Monday’s slate. While some were underwhelmed by the output, these two teams still combined for 222 points despite a 39-point first quarter. Needless to say, this game environment remains to be one of, if not the best on the NBA slate. I wrote up Jalen Green in this same matchup and he went for 25/3/3 on 56.3% shooting. Moreover, I highlighted the backcourt advantage both he and Kevin Porter Jr. hold over Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson. In addition to Green, Porter Jr. went for 26/10/4 on 42.1% shooting. While he likely won’t grab another ten rebounds, both are firmly in play.
Utah Jazz (-5.5)
Similarly to the Rockets writeup, I’m going back to the same Jazz players I wanted on Monday. Despite the modest output, Lauri Markkanen still finished second on the team in usage rate at 27.6%. Moreover, he shot an abysmal 7-for-19 from the field, leaving most of the field underwhelmed about his last performance. As a result, I’m hoping for a lower number of people rostering him, but that remains to be seen. Markkanen is in the same elite matchup against a defense that ranks 27th in net rating and he took a price drop on the salary grid.
Honorable Mentions:
- Atlanta Hawks @ Detroit Pistons (+7)
- San Antonio Spurs @ Minnesota Timberwolves (-8.5)
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