DFSGhost 
It wouldn’t be a Friday in the NBA without one of, if not the league’s best player being ruled out 24 hours in advance of the slate. Moreover, injuries to other stars have created new dynamics in offenses around the league, shifting the fantasy landscape. Tonight, there are many spots that are intriguing to us. It’s a Fajita Friday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
Multiple stars have already been ruled out for tonight. Moreover, there are some question marks surrounding the availability of others that can alter the slate in a drastic way. Thus, 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.
Toronto Raptors @ OKC Thunder (+5.5)
Toronto Raptors (-5.5)
With Pascal Siakam (adductor) having missed the last three games, Fred VanVleet has found his touch on offense. Leading the team with a 28.1% usage rate during that span, FVV has dropped 30 or more points in two of three appearances, while also posting a 27-point effort. Lining up against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is no easy feat, but VanVleet has carried this offense to two wins in their last three games without Siakam. He’ll be popular for cash games, while also making for a safe floor, high ceiling option in tournaments on this NBA slate.
OKC Thunder (+5.5)
The only real interest I have in this offense is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If you’re into narratives, which are surely part of the fun in NBA DFS, how about the Canadian playing his hometown team while rumors circle about his potential desire to play for them? Nonetheless, SGA has been performing at an all-star caliber this season. Leading the team with a 32.1% usage rate, Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged a whopping 31.6 PPG on 53.7% shooting, good for fifth in the NBA scoring race. The matchup is far from ideal against Toronto’s stingy defense, so don’t force this one if you have more preferable spots.
Milwaukee Bucks @ San Antonio Spurs (+1)
Milwaukee Bucks (-1)
Welcome to the value of the NBA slate. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) and Jrue Holiday (ankle) join Khris Middleton (wrist) on the sidelines tonight. Thus, the field will likely flock to Jevon Carter, who is fresh off a 36/4/12 game against OKC. Carter led the team in usage rate (32.4%) and field goal attempts (15), but he will be one of the most rostered players in the field. If you’re playing Carter or a combination of Grayson Allen, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, or Marjon Beauchamp, be sure to get different elsewhere in your lineups.
San Antonio Spurs (+1)
Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing from the lineup, the presence of Brook Lopez on the interior still concerns me regarding the Spurs frontcourt. Thus, I have interest in going back to the well with Keldon Johnson or Devin Vassell on this NBA slate. The two have phenomenal matchups on the wing with the Bucks’ injuries. Moreover, the way Gregg Popovich has staggered their minutes makes their fantasy appeal all that much greater. Vassell comes off mid way through the first quarter and checks back in with 3-4 bench players, making him the preferred target of the two due to dominant usage at the beginning of the second and fourth quarters. Having scored 20 or more points in 6 of 8 appearances this season, Vassell ranks second on the team behind Johnson in both usage and scoring, shooting 46.2% from the field and 45.2% from deep.
Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Lakers (+3)
Sacramento Kings (-3)
For those that enjoy the late night hammer on NBA slates, tonight is your night. There are plenty of good games after opening tipoff, and this is certainly one of them. Make no mistake about it, I love both De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in this spot, but I want to highlight another player as well. What Malik Monk has been doing off the bench in Sacramento has gone under-appreciated. Having scored in double digits across his last four games, Monk is heating up as one of the first players off the bench in this offense. During that span, Monk has seen an increase in minutes, logging over 27 per contest. Moreover, he has posted an 18/2.3/5.3 scoring line on 50% shooting, including 44% from behind the arc. Facing his former team tonight, Monk will have the green light to shoot a ton.
Los Angeles Lakers (+3)
With LeBron James slated to miss the next two games for the Lakers, things will get even more interesting in Los Angeles. Since moving to the bench, Russell Westbrook has looked rejuvenated. During that stretch, he is second on the team in usage rate behind LeBron, while posting an 18.6/5.1/7.1 scoring line on 49.5% shooting, including a much-improved 42.9% from deep. With both of these teams sitting inside the top 10 in the NBA in pace, including the Lakers leading the league, this one will play fast and in transition. Not only is that the type of game environment where Westbrook has carved out a Hall of Fame career, but he also has a great matchup versus a Kings defense that ranks 22nd versus primary ball handlers.
Honorable Mentions:
- Minnesota Timberwolves @ Memphis Grizzlies (-5)
- Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors (-2)
You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord
