Vincent Pensabene 
This article discusses a core for DFS players to build around for today’s DraftKings 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 is 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!
ZachLavine, Chicago Bulls, PG/SG ($8,100)
In a pace up spot versus the Washington Wizards, I expect Zach Lavine to thrive in tonight’s NBA matchup. With Bradley Beal putting his utmost effort into his offensive game and attempting to keep his Wizards in games, he virtually plays no defense. Washington allows an average of 28.04/5.93/6.07/1.56/0.48 to 2-guards resulting in 49.28 DraftKings points per game. With the potential to pick up a few steals with Beal’s usage through the roof combined with Washington allowing four three-pointers per game to shooting guards, Lavine will be one of my main NBA targets tonight.
SethCurry, Dallas Mavericks, PG/SG ($4,700)
Without All-NBA talent Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks turned to their depth at the guard position to carry the load versus the Milwaukee Bucks the other night. Replacement starter Jalen Brunson ($6,000) is priced way up on tonight’s NBA slate and Tim Hardaway Jr. ($5,100) draws another tough matchup versus Jaylen Brown. Look for Seth Curry to channel his inner Steph Curry tonight by doing what the family does best: knocking down all kinds of three-pointers. Curry had 38.3 DK points in Dallas’ first game without Doncic.
Davis Bertans, Washington Wizards, SF/PF ($6,500)
With Rui Hachimura, Thomas Bryant, and Moritz Wagner all OUT for the Washington Wizards, Davis Bertans will be asked to carry a heavy workload tonight versus the Chicago Bulls. Allowing a league-worst 54.75 DK points per game to NBA power forwards, Bertans will be launching shots from deep and attacking the glass all night versus a Bulls frontcourt we like to attack every game.
TristanThompson, Cleveland Cavaliers, C ($5,900)
With many viable pay up spots available to us on tonight’s NBA slate such as Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,700), Joel Embiid ($9,800), and Kristaps Porzingis ($8,300), Tristan Thompson will be the one I want to target in many of my NBA lineups. He frees up salary in order to spend up elsewhere and is in a great matchup versus a Charlotte Hornets squad on the second night of a back-to-back. The Hornets are searching for answers to their frontcourt woes by starting both Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller by that won’t stop Thompson from feasting on the NBA’s worst team versus the center position; the Hornets allow a league-high 61.06 DK points to centers. With the Cavaliers monitoring Kevin Love’s minutes as they continue to search for a trade partner, look for Thompson to lock down a double-double in a smash spot.
NBA Games to Target
- Chicago Bulls vs Washington Wizards (230.5over/under)
- Toronto Raptors vs Detroit Pistons (217over/under)
- New Orleans Pelicans vs MinnesotaTimberwolves (231.5 over/under)
- Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers (209over/under)
