DFSGhost 
There will be many popular plays on this NBA slate given the condition of some of these rotations at this point of the season, but there are plenty of spots going overlooked. It’s a Fajita Friday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
One thing I want to clarify based on the questions I have received over the past few years is that I will never list a player under the $5,000 price tag simply because I use the projection model to identify all targets in this range and below. While there are often plenty of options that I like at $5,000 and less, since I often find myself with not only one – but multiple – in my NBA DFS lineups, you all have access to the very model I use to make my own selections, so when asking yourself: “Should I use player X or player Y?”, make sure to check the model because that is how I make all of my own decisions and I truly ride or die by it on a daily basis.
Before running to the DraftKings, FanDuel, or Yahoo lobby to construct your NBA DFS lineup after reading this article, please make sure to utilize the abundance of tools we have at Win Daily:
The Studs
There isn’t much that can be said about Nikola Jokic and why you should be playing him in NBA DFS at this point of the season. The clear-cut favorite for MVP has simply been outstanding, scoring 20 or more points in 15 straight games and posting 13 double-doubles during that span. He’s carried a 33.4% usage rate, posting a 29.9/12.7/7.9 scoring line and gets a friendly matchup versus a Timberwolves frontcourt that ranks bottom 10 in both scoring and rebounding this season to opposing centers.
While most are debating between Jokic, Embiid, and Antetokounmpo for MVP, Luka Doncic quietly deserves recognition as well. The face of the Mavericks franchise has now posted three straight games with 30 or more points, including a triple-double in only 30 minutes versus the Lakers, sporting a ridiculous 40.4% usage rate and averaging 33.7/10.3/10 on 52.9% shooting. With most presumably going to Jokic, Doncic makes for an excellent tournament play on this NBA slate.
He’ll likely go unrostered on this NBA slate given that Doncic, Jokic, and Antetokounmpo is right next to him on the pricing grid, but Dejounte Murray is in a great spot. The most underrated point guard in the NBA has now posted back-to-back 33-point efforts, sporting a 28.3% usage rate, as he aims to get his team into the Play-In tournament. Facing a Portland team that has simply given up on the season, Murray should provide a high ceiling for tournaments versus a team that has given up the 29th ranked assist rate to opposing primary ball handlers.
The Value
Sacramento Kings @ Houston Rockets (+2)
It’s the same matchup that we saw dictate Wednesday’s NBA slate, so it’s lather, rinse, repeat at this point. It will be a track meet that you need exposure to, and nearly everyone is viable here. Davion Mitchell, Damian Jones, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jalen Green are likely going to be popular.
Memphis Grizzlies (+7.5)
Simply put, this is the prime value spot. Not only are the Grizzlies still without Ja Morant, but they’re also likely going to sit out Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Steven Adams, and Tyus Jones. Head to the projection model to see which Grizzlies you need to roster on this NBA slate.
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