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 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!
Point Guard: Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder ($7,300)
With Russell Westbrook ($9,600) most likely sitting out tonight’s game versus the New Orleans Pelicans and Luka Doncic ($10,600) playing on the second night of a back to back coming off a serious ankle injury, my main point guard for tonight’s NBA slate is Chris Paul. One of the most consistent mid-range point guards in NBA DFS over the past two months, Chris Paul’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors is bad on paper and in terms of DVP, but CP3 owns Kyle Lowry over his career: the former averages roughly 48.86 FanDuel points per game across a 20/4.3/9.6/2.8/0.3 line against the latter in 20 games played.
ShootingGuard: James Harden, Houston Rockets ($11,500)
Sporting a 37.81% usage rate on the season, James Harden is already one of the most relied upon players in the entire NBA, let alone the fact that he is one of the most offensively dominant players the league has ever seen. Tonight, the Rockets will be without fellow All-NBA talent Russell Westbrook; James Harden’s usage rate increases to a whopping 46.81% without his backcourt partner. Playing a Pelicans team that ranks 26th in defensive rating in the NBA, Harden is a must-play tonight.
SmallForward: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans ($9,000)
With a projected 230 over/under and two of the league’s top 10 teams in pace playing one another, we need our share of Pelican’s exposure on tonight’s NBA slate. Allowing over 40 FanDuel points per game to small forwards, Brandon Ingram is in a great matchup versus the Rockets that simply do not have the length on the wing to defend the Most Improved Player candidate. In a 122-116 loss to the Rockets earlier this season, the Pelicans relied heavily upon their priced possession of the Anthony Davis trade: Ingram registered 57.5 FanDuel points on a 35/15/5 scoring line.
PowerForward: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies ($6,800)
I love attacking PJ Washington’s opponent on a nightly basis as he is one of the best DVP matchups for power forwards in the NBA. A terrible defender, Washington’s adversary Jaren Jackson Jr. is coming into his own this season for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 1.07 FanDuel points per minute. With Jonas Valanciunas rarely exceeding 30 minutes in a game, look for JJJ to take advantage of a lowly Charlotte Hornets frontcourt that allows 55.2 FanDuel points per game to big men.
Center:Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder ($6,400)
With few options available at the center position on tonight’s NBA slate, Steven Adams is someone that is affordable and offers a safe floor to DFS players across the industry. Having collected 7 double-doubles in his last 9 games, Adams will look to take advantage of a depleted Raptors frontcourt that will be without Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam again tonight. Averaging 37.16 FanDuel points per game across 29.2 minutes in his last 5, Adams is the safest option on tonight’s NBA slate if you’re not paying up for Nikola Jokic ($9,500).
Gamesto Target
- HoustonRockets vs New Orleans Pelicans (230 over/under)
- DallasMavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers (221.5 over/under)
- CharlotteHornets vs Memphis Grizzlies (217.5 over/under)