With the Bucks and Clippers both kicking off their seasons last night, every NBA team now has at least one game under their belt. Tonight, we’re back to a full slate of games and the schedule is now more balanced heading into the second week of the year. There are short rotations to take advantage of and a few game environments that stand out above the rest. It’s a Fajita Friday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
I’ll continue to preach the fact that news breaks in the NBA is unlike any other sport. This not only makes every slate different, but it emphasizes how crucial it is to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups. Be sure to join the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need to win NBA DFS tournaments.
While it was Keldon Johnson who paced the team in minutes and scoring, there are affordable options to get exposure to a rebuilding Spurs squad on this NBA slate. Firstly, Devin Vassell remains underpriced in the backcourt. He not only had a higher usage rate than Johnson, but he also has the opportunity to grow from his decent outing from a few nights ago. Vassell shot 0-for-8 from behind the arc and only 3-for-15 from the field, despite still putting up 20.5 DK points. Alongside Vassell is starting point guard, Tre Jones, who will continue running this offense, in addition to rookie Jeremy Sochan, who gets a friendly matchup versus a frontcourt that will be without their best defender in Myles Turner.
In Wednesday’s article, I told you to get used to seeing Tyrese Haliburton’s name listed here. Tonight, in his second game of the NBA season, I’m talking about him once again. While Haliburton finished fourth on the team in usage rate at 24.8%, he led them in field goal attempts, scoring, and assists. He is the heartbeat to this Pacers offense and remains firmly in play until his price catches up to him. Other, with Myles Turner still out, projection model darling Jalen Smith was a mere 6% rostered, despite being our top value play. Not only did he come through with 30 DK points at $4,400, but he also led the team in usage rate at 29.1%. Smith had a great outing on Wednesday, and that was with early foul trouble, which he won’t have to be concerned with versus an imposing Spurs frontcourt tonight.
With Jaren Jackson Jr. (foot) out for the next two months, there is value to be had in this Memphis frontcourt. Moreover, Dillon Brooks (thigh) is doubtful for tonight, increasing minutes across a thin rotation. Ja Morant finished last game with a 34/4/9 scoring line on 45.8% shooting, leading the Grizzlies in both usage rate at 37.2% and field goal attempts with 24. In the frontcourt, the trio of Steven Adams, Santi Aldama, and Brandon Clarke will all get further looks on offense in the absence of Jackson Jr. Of the three, Aldama was the most impressive, not only leading the trio, but actually pacing his whole team in minutes played. Clarke can come in and be efficient at any point, but all signs point to coach Taylor Jenkins using Clarke off the bench, leaving Aldama time to build on his 18/11 effort in the Grizzlies’ season opener.
The Houston Rockets are going to be a ton of fun this NBA season. The trio of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Kevin Porter Jr. are all impactful players. The three combined for 54 points on 56 shots, shooting a mere 39.29% from the field, but have an easier matchup tonight than Dejounte Murray and DeAndre Hunter. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernando got a surprising start and produced well in 25 minutes, posting a 7/9/7 scoring line on 100% shooting. However, I’ll let the field chase his previous game. The usage was an abysmal 6.2%, while his seven assists were a career high. Rather, Alperen Sengun makes for an intriguing tournament play coming off the bench. He logged nearly as many minutes as Fernando with 22 of his own, while also leading the team with a 30.5% usage rate and has a size advantage over the Grizzlies bench.
Honorable Mentions:
You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord
After two thrilling games on opening night, we have our first large slate of the NBA season. New rotations and multiple players making debuts with their new teams steal the headlines, but there are also players returning from serious injuries and plenty of elite game environments to target. While the games listed in the Honorable Mentions section at the end of the article are high on my list, they will be popular. Thus, discussed are a few spots that may go overlooked in tournaments. It’s a Wet Wednesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
You will see a reoccurring message across all articles, but it’s truly imperative to success. The way NBA news rolls in unlike any other sport makes every slate different. Thus, it’s crucial to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups. Be sure to join the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need to win NBA DFS tournaments.
In a game that will largely go overlooked on a large NBA slate, there is offensive upside to be had. The Wizards offense will continue to run through Bradley Beal, who is expensive tonight, but his teammates are not. Kyle Kuzma is coming of a career year where he averaged 17.1/8.5/3.5 on 45.2% shooting through a 24.3% usage rate. Facing off versus a combination of poor defenders and inexperienced wings, he may not make my final lineup, but Kuzma draws intrigue in my preview.
On the flipside of this game, get used to seeing Tyrese Haliburton listed here early and often. In 13 games for the Pacers last season, Haliburton was electric. The usage was modest at 20.2%, but he averaged an 18/10.9 double-double while also grabbing nearly five rebounds per game. Facing a Wizards perimeter defense that struggles to guard primary ball handlers, Haliburton finds himself as a key component of my NBA lineups tonight.
The pace of this one will be off the charts and both teams carry a ton of upside. Brooklyn had an offseason to remember, involving storylines surrounding their two star players, but their rotation remains intact and now has reinforcements. Should you choose to go with a 1-2 punch at the top of the pricing grid tonight from the same game, this is it. Beginning with Kevin Durant, your NBA lineups can generate upside from a back and forth in this one. Durant can score with ease, dropping nearly 30 PPG last season through a 31.1% usage rate. One of the safest players in the league to log heavy minutes nightly, Durant not only has a safe floor, but one of the highest ceilings on this slate.
Making his return to an NBA floor in this one is none other than Zion Williamson. The former Duke standout missed all of last season, but is back after averaging 27/7.2/3.7 across 33 MPG in his last full campaign. In a glorious matchup versus a Nets defense that struggled mightily on the interior last season, Williamson is intriguing for tournaments, barring any minute limitations. The Nets allowed over 47 points in the paint per contest last season, and didn’t address their interior defense in the offseason. A force in the paint that averaged seven paint touches per game in his last full season, good for 10th in the NBA, Williamson makes for a good target in tournaments.
Let it be known that both of these teams are tanking for Victor Wembanyama. Arguably the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James, if you have not seen footage of his game, I suggest going to watch it as soon as possible. Needless to say that these types of game environments will be elite for NBA DFS this year and we won’t have to wait until the later stages of the season to get exposure to them. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) not playing in the Hornets’ season opener, look for both Kelly Oubre Jr. and Terry Rozier to take all the shots they can handle. With Ball off the court last season, both Rozier and Oubre Jr. saw increases in usage and fantasy production. Rozier saw his usage rate increase from 23.4% to 25.5%, while Oubre Jr. saw an increase in usage from 22.9% to 25.9%.
Gone is Dejounte Murray, the former face of the Spurs franchise, as they now enter their biggest rebuild since drafting Tim Duncan. With Murray now in Atlanta, there are so many touches to go around offensively and the Spurs are in arguably the best matchup NBA DFS has to offer. Charlotte ended last season 5th in pace and 22nd in net defensive rating, struggling across multiple positions and player types. Dominating usage for the Spurs early on is Tre Jones, who will be supported by the likes of Josh Primo and Devin Vassell in the backcourt, with the duo of Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl manning the frontcourt. In eleven starts last season, Jones posted a 13.5/4.6/7.5 scoring line on 48.8% shooting all on a mere 17.5% usage rate.
Honorable Mentions:
You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord
Cash with Flash Best Bets is now on video and Flash has issued a 30 Day Cash with Flash Sports Handicapping Challenge. The Flash picked the Santa Clara to defeat San Diego and that’s exactly what happened on Saturday. The Flash is now 15-9 through the first twenty-25 days of the 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge.
What is the Cash with Flash 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge? Flash shared the details in the first video of this series and everything that you need to know is in the video below.
Before we get to Day twenty-six of the Cash with Flash 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge, Flash would like to share a very special offer with you.
Cash with Flash Best Bets will gift the winner of the Cash with Flash Best Bets 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge with a one month Gold Membership to Win Daily Sports but in order to win the membership, we need you to do the following to help us keep score.
1). Follow @windailydfs and @cashwithflash on Twitter and Instagram.
2). Leave your picks with the hashtag #cashwithflash on Twitter or in our Discord Sports Betting Channel and include @windailysports and @cashwithflash so we can count
3). Missing a day or more won’t disqualify you from winning the FREE one month Win Daily Sports Gold membership. Just be sure to publish your picks with the hashtag #cashwithflash and the one with the highest winning percentage grabs the prize.
That’s all you have to do and the winner will receive a complimentary one month Gold Membership to Win Daily Sports.
Day twenty-six of the Cash with Flash 30 Day Challenge is here and Flash was unable to do a video on Sunday morning. He did, however, leave us with a pick for day 26.
Indiana Pacers +1 over the Portland Trail Blazers
Indiana has been playing exceptional ball on the road this season and has won four of its last five road games. Sunday ends a five-game road trip for Indiana and they up against a Portland Trail Blazers team with a red-hot Damian Lillard who has scored 108 points over the last two games. Portland will likely miss C.J. McCollum with an ankle injury and that is going to hurt them against the tenth best defense of the Pacers. Cash with Flash by taking the point and playing the Pacers to cover tonight.
Good luck and don’t forget to follow us on social media and tweet us your picks to be included in this contest.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views or opinions of Win Daily or any of the employees and/or executives of Win Daily. All data and information provided on this site are for informational purposes only. Win Daily makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Cash with Flash Best Bets is now on video and Flash has issued a 30 Day Cash with Flash Sports Handicapping Challenge. Cash with Flash picked the Memphis Grizzlies to defeat the Golden State Warriors by 5.5 points and that is exactly what Milwaukee did. The Flash is now 8-3 after twelve days of the Cash with Flash 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge.
What is the Cash with Flash 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge? Flash shared the details in the first video of this series and everything that you need to know is in the video below.
Before we get to Day Thirteen of the Cash with Flash 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge, Flash would like to share a very special offer with you.
Cash with Flash Best Bets will gift the winner of the Cash with Flash Best Bets 30 Day Sports Handicapping Challenge with a one month Gold Membership to Win Daily Sports but in order to win the membership, we need you to do the following to help us keep score.
1). Follow @windailydfs and @cashwithflash on Twitter and Instagram.
2). Leave your picks with the hashtag #cashwithflash on Twitter or in our Discord Sports Betting Channel and include @windailysports and @cashwithflash so we can count
3). Missing a day or more won’t disqualify you from winning the FREE one month Win Daily Sports Gold membership. Just be sure to publish your picks with the hashtag #cashwithflash and the one with the highest winning percentage grabs the prize.
That’s all you have to do and the winner will receive a complimentary one month Gold Membership to Win Daily Sports.
Day thirteen of the Cash with Flash 30 Day Challenge is here and rather than doing a video on such a cold day, the Flash will leave his pick for you to consider.
Good luck and don’t forget to follow us on social media and tweet us your picks to be included in this contest.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views or opinions of Win Daily or any of the employees and/or executives of Win Daily. All data and information provided on this site are for informational purposes only. Win Daily makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
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