DFSGhost 
Tonight’s NBA slate is one of the most interesting ones of the season. There are plenty of studs going head to head, while many will fly under the radar despite elite performances lately. It’s a Fajita Friday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
Many key players are currently listed as questionable. Should they sit out, the slate can be altered 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.
Washington Wizards @ Indiana Pacers (-5.5)
Washington Wizards (+5.5)
Kristaps Porzingis will be completely overlooked on this NBA slate. However, he shouldn’t be. Over his last five games, KP has been on an absolute tear. The Wizards big man has averaged 28.8/10.4/2.6 on 50% shooting during that span, while scoring 20 or more points in every appearance. Moreover, he leads the team with a 30.3% usage rate. A tough matchup looms against Myles Turner, but he is listed as questionable. Should he miss this game, Porzingis is set to dominate the paint on both ends of the court. However, Porzingis himself is also questionable, making Kyle Kuzma one of the most popular plays on the slate if the former sits out.
Indiana Pacers (-5.5)
Without hesitation, Tyrese Haliburton is an elite play on this NBA slate. Similarly to Kristaps Porzingis, Haliburton will be overlooked considering the number of studs on this slate. Over his last 14 games, Haliburton has posted double digit assists in 12 appearances with ten double-doubles. However, I also want to highlight Buddy Hield in the midrange of the pricing grid. Over his last three appearances, Hield has averaged 21.7/7.7/3 on 45.1% shooting, including 45.5% from deep. The Wizards currently rank 24th in the NBA in three-point percentage allowed on over 12 makes allowed per night.
Atlanta Hawks @ Brooklyn Nets (-6.5)
Atlanta Hawks (+6.5)
Despite the letdown at the Garden, Trae Young will be one of the most popular studs on this NBA slate. Not only is John Collins still out, but Dejounte Murray has been ruled out for the next two weeks and De’Andre Hunter is questionable to return to the lineup after a three game absence. On the season, Young leads the team with a 34.1% usage rate and has posted 1.31 fantasy points per minute. However, with Murray off the floor, Young sees increases to an outrageous 43.7% usage rate and 1.60 fantasy points per minute. A short memory is key in NBA DFS after poor performances and it certainly applies to Trae Young here tonight.
Brooklyn Nets (-6.5)
Exposure to the Nets offense is far from a must on tonight’s NBA slate. However, Kyrie Irving has massive upside in the midrange of the pricing grid. With the field likely flocking to a player in the same range as Irving in the next game, the Nets point guard will essentially go unrostered. In his last appearance, Kyrie turned in his first 30-point performance since October 29th. The sheer presence of Kevin Durant limits his ceiling, and with the return of Ben Simmons to the lineup, this is a pure tournament play only.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Utah Jazz (-2.5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (+2.5)
The player referred to above is Anthony Edwards. Likely to be one of the most popular options on the NBA slate, be wary in this one. While Edwards has posted phenomenal statistics with Karl-Anthony Towns out over his last three games, the majority has come in unsustainable practice. Edwards has three straight games with 26 or more points while Towns has been out, averaging 27/4.7/5.7 on 48.3% shooting. However, he has topped 50 fantasy points in two of three games, large in part to his ridiculous 5.67 steals per game during that span. Moreover, Utah ranks 6th in the NBA in turnover percentage, taking care of the ball nearly every possession they can.
Utah Jazz (-2.5)
Exposure to the Jazz is already interesting with Collin Sexton ruled out. However, should Lauri Markkanen miss a second straight game, Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley will shoulder the load on offense. We need to take a wait-and-see approach here, but Utah is one of the most key injury reports to monitor on this NBA slate. Look for updates in Discord once we get confirmation on Markkanen and Mike Conley.
Honorable Mentions:
- Sacramento Kings @ Cleveland Cavaliers (-5.5)
- Los Angeles Lakers @ Philadelphia 76ers (-3.5)
You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord
