DFSGhost 
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!
PointGuard: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers ($8,900)
Last time out versus the Phoenix Suns earlier this month, Damian Lillard got into foul trouble with 3 quick fouls in the first quarter, leading to a disappointing NBA fantasy night and an overachieving stat line by CJ McCollum. This time around, I project the Trail Blazers to have CJ McCollum guard Rubio and switch Lillard onto Devin Booker and let the star point guard do his thing on offense. In a game with the highest over/under on the NBA slate and two top 10 teams in NBA pace ranking, Lillard also has one of the best matchups: the Suns allow 48.94 FanDuel points per game to point guards.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Ricky Rubio, Phoenix Suns ($7,400)
ShootingGuard: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat ($8,700)
Some love when the Washington Wizards are on the slate, others may dislike it. Either way, it does not change the fact that NBA DFS players across the industry love to attack coach Scott Brooks’ squad. Jimmy Butler will be highly owned tonight but rightfully so; the Wizards allow the second-most FanDuel points to shooting guards in the league. Playing at the second-highest pace in the league, the Wizards will turn over the ball a lot tonight which plays perfectly into Butler’s style of play: Butler is second in the NBA in steals at 2.1 per game and will certainly pick up a few tonight in addition to filling up the box score.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz ($7,800)
SmallForward: Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic ($6,600)
In the first game on tonight’s NBA slate versus the high-flying Atlanta Hawks, Jonathan Isaac will be relied upon heavily for an Orlando Magic team that will be without Aaron Gordon tonight. In the last two weeks alone, the Magic have been in a pace up spot 3 times versus the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and New Orleans Pelicans. The key? Issac has posted an average of 50.94 FanDuel points in those games because he attacks the glass and piles up defensive numbers. Consider Isaac one of my locks with Gordon ruled out.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz ($5,600)
PowerForward: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks ($8,300)
Without Trae Young again tonight and Jabari Parker listed as doubtful, the Atlanta Hawks will surely give the ball to John Collins as much as they can. Sporting a 23.29% usage rate on the season, Collins sees an increase to 28.66% without the second-year NBA pro and Parker in the lineup. With a potential blowout, this play may be riskier than anticipated should Collins not see the floor in the 4th quarter, but he is in a great matchup versus an Orlando Magic frontcourt that allows 47.10 FanDuel points per game to power forwards and Collins will have to explode for the Hawks to stay in this one. Should Jonathan Isaac shift to the ‘4’, hedge your Collins lineups with Bam Adebayo ($9,100).
HonorableMention / Pivot: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat ($9,100)
Center:Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves ($5,700)
The plays at center for tonight’s NBA slate depend entirely on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns play. With KAT the less likely of the two to play, we’ll go with the assumption that he is ruled out. Gorgui Dieng is in a juicy matchup versus a Brooklyn Nets team that simply cannot guard the center position; they allow 57.78 FanDuel points per game to opposing centers and do not seem keen on deploying DeAndre Jordan to improve that number since they play at a top 10 pace in the NBA. In 3 games versus Jarrett Allen in his career, Gorgui Dieng has produced 1.2 FanDuel points per minute, which is better than the likes of stars Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Jimmy Butler on the season. Should both KAT and Antetokounmpo play tonight, my attention shifts to Nikola Vucevic ($7,900) at the center position so stay tuned in the Discord chat for updates.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks ($5,000)
Gamesto Target
- Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers(231 over/under)
- Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards (227.5over/under)
- Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls (219.5over/under)
