Christopher Day 
This article discusses a core for DFS players to build around for today’s FanDuel NBA slate. While there are many different sports and various contests pertaining to DFS along with their respective strategies, we focus on the main approaches to build both reliable cash and GPP lineups for a successful NBA night including pace, the projected over/under, one on one matchups, and a team’s defensive rating. Make sure to stay active when building NBA lineups – if you cannot be in front of a computer, tablet, or on your phone an hour before lock do not throw your money away! NBA DFS lineups can change at the blink of an eye and are the most variable compared to any other sport in DFS; players get injured, some sit for load management, and others find themselves on the DNP list for other reasons; any of which can sway your lineup and where to find value. Stay alert on the WinDaily Discord chat to follow along with our updated plays. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
Point Guard: Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks ($5,700)
His first chalk night at a mere $3,600 on FanDuel flopped but Jalen Brunson came out in a big way last game with THJ struggling and Porzingis out. The Unicorn is back in tonight which will take away from his usage, but Seth Curry is out, leaving the Mavs with limited backcourt options.
GPP: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies ($7,300)
Draws a favorable matchupversus a Detroit Pistons team that struggles to defend primary ball handlers. Whetherit be Derrick Rose (questionable) or Reggie Jackson drawing the start at pointguard, Morant is a low owned play that could pay off in big NBA GPPs tonight.
GPP: Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers ($6,500)
With TJ Warren out, look for Brogdon, Lamb, and Sabonis to carry the load offensively for the Pacers tonight. Brogdon draws a better matchup in Jalen Brunson than he would have if Luka Doncic had been healthy and could provide a safe floor on tonight’s NBA slate.
Punts
Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks($4,800) – IF Trae Young is OUT
Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons($4,500) – IF Derrick Rose is OUT, LOCK!
Shooting Guard: Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets ($7,100)
Lock button with Kyrie Irving out. Dinwiddie will draw into the starting lineup and thrash a Phoenix Suns team that gets torched by primary ball handlers. Game script should be in his favor tonight with this one likely staying close, don’t overthink it.
GPP: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards ($10,500)
He’s in a great spot tonight versus a Warriors team that allows a ton of NBA FanDuel points to opposing guards (43.49 per game to shooting guards) but his price is a little too steep for me tonight. He could come in at lower ownership because of the salary spike, making for an intriguing GPP play.
GPP: D’Angelo Russell, Golden State Warriors ($8,000)
I’m a big Warriors and DLofan and this matchup is just too good to ignore for the sharpshooter. He is nota priority for me tonight, but his upside in this matchup is tremendous; hefaces a Wizards team that allows the most NBA FanDuel points to opposingshooting guards at 44.83 per game.
Punts
Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks($5,000)
Jeremy Lamb, Indiana Pacers($4,300)
Small Forward: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics ($6,800)
Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart are out, meaning Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will see most of the offensive touches alongside Gordon Hayward tonight. Another NBA narrative play, JB is from Atlanta and will be playing in his hometown in front of his family in a great spot versus an Atlanta Hawks team that cannot play defense. Lock.
Pivot: Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics ($6,500)
Some might build with bothJaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward tonight but his salary is a little too steep forhis ceiling. Like the play with Walker and Smart out, just not in love with itsince I am so high on Jaylen Brown.
GPP: Alec Burks, Golden State Warriors ($5,100)
If D’Angelo Russell is ruled out tonight, play Burkswill extreme confidence. He usually handles the ball for the second unit but ifhe starts, he is in a great spot versus the Wizards who allow over 46 NBAFanDuel points per game to primary ball handlers.
Power Forward: Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks ($8,000)
Porzingis draws a tough matchup versus Sabonis tonight but if he slots in at center, my ownership percentages will increase drastically. He had 54.4 FanDuel points in Luka Doncic’s first game out of the lineup last week versus the Rockets and will carry the load on offense yet again.
Pivot Option: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks ($8,100)
I like this NBA play more ifTrae Young is out, but he still warrants consideration as a pivot to my nexttwo plays who will carry more ownership. If Trae Young is out, Collins sees adrastic usage bump and will have to put up plenty of points for the Hawks tostay in this one.
Pivot Option: Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers ($8,100)
He will be tasked withguarding Kristaps Porzingis alongside Myles Turner but the former will carry theload on offense. A versatile threat on the offensive side of the ball, Sabonisshould see more touches with TJ Warren ruled out if he can stay out of foultrouble.
Pivot Option: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics ($7,900)
Getting the Celtics righttonight will be important on tonight’s NBA slate and I think Tatum and JaylenBrown thrive in this game versus the Atlanta Hawks. He can fill the box scoreand pile up defensive stats rather quickly and look for him to do just that tonight.
GPP: LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs ($6,800)
Center: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves ($10,000)
The big man should dominate tonight with Sacramento struggling with injuries to their frontcourt. KAT sees so much usage that he is impossible to ignore on any NBA slate, and I’ll have my fair number of shares.
Top Pivot: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons ($9,700)
Drummond has as high of a ceiling as anyone in NBA DFS thanks to his defensive contributions and ability to rack up a 20/20 game at any time. For those that follow our plays often, we love to attack Memphis’ defense and this is a great spot for Drummond.
GPP play: Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic ($8,600)
Carrying a surprisingly low ownership projection at the time of writing, Vuc will face a Charlotte frontcourt that has been decimated by opposing centers all season long, allowing an NBA-high 58.65 FanDuel points per game.
Punt: Marquese Chriss, Golden State Warriors ($5,000)
