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Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Ghost’s Gems for Eastern Conference Round 1

DFSGhost 2 years ago

written by DFSGhost

The NBA Playoffs are officially under way! Yes, the Play-In tournament got us kicked off a few days ago. But the conventional one through eight matchups begin tonight. The Eastern Conference is much more lopsided than the Western Conference, but there will be many good battles every night.

With the NBA Play-In tournament now over, here is the updated bracket for the Eastern Conference:

The fantasy sports landscape shifts drastically throughout the NBA Playoffs. Rotations are much more condensed, while teams are quick to shorten their bench. As previously mentioned, rotation notes, player breakdowns, analytical advantages, and key x-factors are all discussed below. The x-factor will not be the best player on the team, but rather, someone that will provide an edge in both fantasy sports and on the court in real time.

Be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.

Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Miami Heat (8)

Milwaukee Bucks (-1200 to win series)

Introduction

After being dethroned as Conference Champions and NBA Champions last season, the Bucks bounced back with their most successful regular season since 2018-2019. Moreover, Giannis Antetokounmpo is an MVP candidate, following a career-high 31.1 points per game. This roster is stout on both ends of the court, with their only drawback being clutch shooting down the stretch via shot creation.

Matchup

From a defensive standpoint, Miami has the ability to match up with nearly every NBA roster. However, the Bucks are a different beast. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most unguardable players the league has to offer. Moreover, Brook Lopez has been terrific both in the paint and from behind the arc. Factor in Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, two excellent two-way players, and there is simply too much to contain on a nightly basis. Each player has a respectable defender in front of them, but Miami is most vulnerable on the wing.

Rotation

After winning an NBA Championship only two season ago, Milwaukee is poised for another deep playoff run. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, this roster also features quality two-way players in Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez. Despite missing 49 games this season, Khris Middleton is set to contribute early and often, while Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen will flank the wings at times. Moreover, Bobby Portis Jr. will be the first big man off the bench, while Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles give Milwaukee veteran options off the bench, if necessary. Jevon Carter may spell Jrue Holiday at times, but don’t count on big minutes at rotations get tighter.

X-Factor

Despite their shortcomings on offense, the Heat’s defensive unit is no joke. Thus, the biggest x-factor in this series will be Brook Lopez. After finishing second in the NBA in blocks per game, Lopez received a nomination for Defensive Player of the Year. Moreover, he had his best shooting season since 2018-2019. In a matchup versus Bam Adebayo, it will be up to Lopez to control the paint on both ends of the court, with the obvious help of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Miami Heat (+750 to win series)

Introduction

It took a game longer than expected, but Miami made the NBA Playoffs. However, this team looks to be one of, if not the worst team remaining. Shockingly enough, they have some quality players where they should not be in this situation, but here they are. Their offense struggled mightily all season long and continued to do so in the Play-In, making their outlook far from optimistic.

Matchup

This is far from a good matchup for the Heat. Milwaukee’s interior defense is one of, if not the best in the NBA. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez await in the paint, while Jrue Holiday puts the clamps on the perimeter. Moreover, Miami plays awfully slow and were the lowest scoring team of the year, creating a hard enough situation thanks to their own shortcomings on offense.

Rotation

The Heat will only go as far as Butler, Adebayo, and Herro take them. Elsewhere, look for Max Strus, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Love, and Caleb Martin to see decent run. For some reason, the Heat are insistent on Gabe Vincent starting, but he will continue to have little impact. Other candidates would be Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller, but their minutes will vary from game to game.

X-Factor

The off-ball guards will be crucial for Miami. Jimmy Butler will have to force Giannis to guard him on the perimeter to create space for his teammates, but he himself is far from elite out there. Moreover, Bam Adebayo will have his hands full with Brook Lopez on the inside, while Jrue Holiday lines up on Tyler Herro. Thus, the duo of Kyle Lowry and Max Strus will have to make every shot count to keep this series close.

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Atlanta Hawks (7)

Boston Celtics (-1200 to win series)

Introduction

Following a disappointing loss in the NBA Finals to the Warriors, Boston came back stronger this season. As a team, Boston won six more games this season than they did last year. Moreover, both Tatum and Brown saw increases in their scoring outputs. This roster is sound from top to bottom, and it will come down to avoiding poor performances when it matters most.

Matchup

No matter which way you look at it, Boston matches up well versus Atlanta. They have multiple elite perimeter defenders to counter the Hawks’ star backcourt, while having formidable defenders on the inside as well. Moreover, a one-two scoring punch of Tatum and Brown is one of the best these NBA Playoffs have to offer. Add in two-way players such as Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon, whose games are tailored to the playoffs and Boston is in for a serious run.

Rotation

Make no mistake about it, the core of a team that won the Eastern Conference has returned from last season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are coming off terrific seasons and will anchor their team once again. Moreover, Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon are terrific two-way options for another playoff run. Al Horford and Robert Williams III will anchor the paint, while Grant Williams and Derrick White round out the rotation.

X-Factor

The key parts to this Boston rotation will all play important roles in this series. However, assuming both Smart and Brogdon clamp Trae Young, Al Horford and Robert Williams III will be crucial on the inside. Both John Collins and Clint Capela are terrific as the roll man in a pick-and-roll offense. Moreover, Atlanta has shooters on the outside to make Boston pay for defensive mistakes. The interior duo will have to be sharp on the glass and with paint defense, making this a series built for Robert Williams III.

Atlanta Hawks (+750 to win series)

Introduction

After their win in the Play-In, Atlanta dodged a matchup versus Giannis and the Bucks in the opening round. However, things do not get any easier, as Boston are the defending Conference champions and are set on making another deep playoff run. Barring extreme circumstances, Atlanta looks destined for yet another early exit, which could bring massive changes in the offseason.

Matchup

Individual and collective matchups do not favor the Hawks. On the perimeter, Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon will be a problem for Trae Young. Moreover, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be tough to contain, considering De’Andre Hunter can only guard one of them. Truthfully, Dejounte Murray will have to keep Brown at bay if they want the slightest chance of winning this series, and while it will happen for a game or two, Boston has too big of an edge in all facets of the game.

Rotation

Trae Young and Dejounte Murray lead a star-studded backcourt, surrounded by quality role players. De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, and Clint Capela likely round out the starting unit in this one. Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Saddiq Bey, and Onyeka Okongwu round out the rest of the rotation.

X-Factor

With Trae Young having to deal with one of Marcus Smart or Malcolm Brogdon for every minute that he is on the court, Dejounte Murray will have to step up in a big way. If Atlanta wants to succeed in this series, Young needs to be just as good off the ball as he is with it, and Murray needs to be an exemplary playmaker. The pick-and-roll is just as useful with Murray and it is Young, and the former is an excellent counterpart to the rebounding abilities of Boston’s guards.

Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6)

Philadelphia 76ers (-1000 to win series)

Introduction

It truly is Championship or bust for the 76ers at this point. Not only did they acquire James Harden to flank Joel Embiid, but this roster is built to win now. Aside from Tyrese Maxey, there is no young, promising talent on this team. However, with Boston, Milwaukee, and Cleveland standing in their way, the road to the NBA Finals is as hard as it ever will be for Philadelphia.

Matchup

The matchup for Philadelphia is decent here. Mikal Bridges will be a pain to deal with on the outside, but everything will have to funnel through Joel Embiid in the paint. Nic Claxton is no slouch around the rim, but with the way Embiid gets foul calls in his favor every night, there is a mismatch there. However, where the 76ers could find themselves in trouble is if the surrounding group are not hitting their shots. Assuming Bridges keeps Harden in check, it will be up to Melton, Maxey, and Harris to pitch in on the scoring sheet, something that has held Philadelphia back in the past.

Rotation

Joel Embiid will man the paint for the bulk of the minutes. Moreover, James Harden will have his minutes staggered at times so at least one is on the court at all times, but the two will be featured together a lot. Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey will be the secondary scoring options, while De’Anthony Melton provides a combination of perimeter defense and three-point shooting. Philadelphia also has the luxury of using Jalen McDaniels to spell Harris, while PJ Tucker will be a primary defender throughout the series. Georges Niang and Shake Milton will see minutes as they fit, which won’t be very often.

X-Factor

While the duo of James Harden and Joel Embiid will lead the charge on offense, Tyrese Maxey has the potential to have the biggest impact in this series. Harden will draw coverage from Mikal Bridges, who is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. The pick-and-roll will be utilized a ton here to feature Embiid, but Maxey will find himself with open lanes to the rim off the ball when Embiid kicks to the outside.

Brooklyn Nets (+650 to win series)

Introduction

What was supposed to be a Championship season for the Brooklyn Nets took a turn for the worse. Their Big 3 of James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving was initially broken up when Harden was dealt for Ben Simmons. However, following multiple occasions of Irving having off-court issues, he was dealt to Dallas, while Durant found himself in Phoenix. However, there is a silver lining to the situation. Brooklyn received who could be the very best, if not one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA in Mikal Bridges. While they had a losing record after the trade, Bridges posted 26.1 points per game in 27 appearances for the Nets.

Matchup

This is a tough matchup for Brooklyn but it is certainly winnable. The key will be to switch the right offensive option onto James Harden and for said player to knock down shots when they come. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, not quite. The 76ers now quietly have multiple elite perimeter defenders in De’Anthony Melton and Jalen McDaniels. Meanwhile, while his offensive game is as useless as they come, PJ Tucker will likely get the first chance to guard Mikal Bridges. Lastly, Joel Embiid awaits in the paint, which is self-explanatory.

Rotation

The Nets will be in tough to find the right rotation to match Philadelphia. However, Nic Claxton needs to be out there for every minute that Joel Embiid is. Moreover, Mikal Bridges and Spender Dinwiddie seem poised to carry the bulk of minutes. Both Cam Johnson and Royce O’Neale make for good two-ways options, while the former has far more upside offensively. Lastly, Seth Curry and Joe Harris can provide scoring off the bench, while Dorian Finney-Smith will be needed as a perimeter defender. Two young talents in Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe await their chance, but it’s unlikely to be here.

X-Factor

Make no mistake about it, the Nets will only go as far as Mikal Bridges can take them. His game is a perfect fit for the NBA Playoffs, but this is reserved for players who are not the top talent on their respective rosters. Thus, Spencer Dinwiddie makes the cut. Not only did he have interesting takes on FanDuel TV recently, but he has a lot to prove. Dinwiddie has been on four teams in the last four years and needs to take control of this offense. The 76ers are exploitable in switches on James Harden, and Dinwiddie will have to find a way to take advantage when opportunities arise.

Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. New York Knicks (5)

Cleveland Cavaliers (-200 to win series)

Introduction

After the acquisition of Donovan Mitchell, expectations skyrocketed for this young Cavaliers team. Surrounded by quality veterans, this team is poised to make a deep run in the NBA Playoffs. While their core four are young, the Cavaliers excel on both ends of the court. Not only can they beat you multiple ways offensively, but they have the best defensive unit statistically this season. In what could be a surprise to some, Cleveland are darkhorse Championship contenders.

Matchup

While the Knicks’ defense is far from elite, they are no slouch as a unit either. Collectively, New York finished 19th in defensive rating and 13th in points per game allowed. However, their true strength is on the glass, finishing second in the NBA in rebounding percentage. The Cavaliers match up well though, with both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen leading the charge. Donovan Mitchell figures to lead the charge here in all facets of the offense. Most notably, New York finished 27th in three-pointers allowed per game.

Rotation

Despite having a star-studded starting lineup, the Cavaliers’ bench is thin. Thus, do not expect a ton of surprising minutes here. The backcourt will feature two of the NBA’s young talent in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Moreover, Cleveland has another young duo in the frontcourt with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. While one of Lamar Stevens or Isaac Okoro will presumably start games on the wing, Caris LeVert will see more minutes than both of them. Rounding out the rotation will be Dean Wade, Ricky Rubio, and Cedi Osman.

X-Factor

While Donovan Mitchell is the real difference-maker, top players will be avoided in this section. It is no knock on Evan Mobley, but he is featured instead of his teammate. Fresh off a nomination for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley’s versatility will be needed in this series. He will be the primary defender on Julius Randle and provide offensive upside. Moreover, he is a tremendous rebounder for his age. Should the Knicks go small at times with Randle at the ‘5’ in favor of Robinson, Mobley can shift over if Jarrett Allen needs to consequently sub out.

New York Knicks (+170 to win series)

Introduction

In what could have been a disastrous season for New York, the Knicks came out in a good position. While the top teams in the East were clear, finishing ahead of Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, and Miami is quite the achievement. After an offseason of turmoil following the max contract signing of Jalen Brunson, the former Maverick had a career year. Not only did Brunson average 24/3.5/6.2 on 49.1% shooting, but he was the clear leader on the court.

Matchup

This matchup could not be worse for the Knicks. Not only did Cleveland rank first in defensive rating this year, but they also allowed the fewest points per game in the NBA. Moreover, the rank first versus multiple player types. Primary ball handlers, off-ball guards, and scoring centers all struggle mightily versus the Cavaliers.

Rotation

Expect Coach Tom Thibodeau to stick to his roots. Through his career, he has been notorious for having one of the tightest rotations, no matter the time of year. Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle will be key for the Knicks this series. Moreover, a battle in the paint awaits for Mitchell Robinson. Lastly, the trio of Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, and Josh Hart will flank the wings. Look for Isaiah Hartenstein and Obi Toppin to pick up limited minutes in a backup role. Meanwhile Immanuel Quickley will continue to come off the bench, but will play clutch minutes and be in the closing lineup.

X-Factor

Playing against one of the best defenses in the NBA makes this section difficult. The Knicks will need both Quentin Grimes and RJ Barrett to step up. While they are far from the flashiest players on offense, they have the best matchup. Lining up against a combination of Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert is as good as it will get versus Cleveland. However, the true x-factor in this series will be Mitchell Robinson. While the big man has had his limitations, this matchup is right up his alley. Both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are forces on both ends of the court, but Robinson will be needed every step of the way for New York.

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

NBA DFS for Ghost’s Gems (Feb. 23)

Richard Masana 2 years ago

written by Richard Masana

After a long break following All-Star weekend, the NBA is back. Many elite matchups kickoff the last third of the season tonight, with teams making a playoff push and others jockeying for seeding. It’s a Thirsty Thursday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Philadelphia 76ers (-4.5)

Memphis Grizzlies (+4.5)

There are many elite duos in games on this NBA slate. Beginning with one of the most competitive game environments, Ja Morant faces a tough task versus a stout Philadelphia perimeter defense. By shifting Tyrese Maxey to the bench, James Harden is no longer guarding primary ball handlers and Philly has the sixth-best defense in the league because of it. Desmond Bane gets the friendly matchup versus Harden, but his position on the pricing grid has risen quite a bit. Thus, look to the first combo big off the bench for the Grizzlies in Brandon Clarke. With Steven Adams (knee) still out, Xavier Tillman likely draws another start, alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. With the two being foul prone and facing a foul-drawing artist in Joel Embiid, Clarke will be relied upon heavily off the bench. Moreover, Dillon Brooks draws a friendly matchup in the starting unit but the volume is worrisome.

Philadelphia 76ers (-4.5)

Joel Embiid was mentioned above and he is one of many marquee studs on this NBA slate. However, with a matchup versus Xavier Tillman looming, he has tremendous upside. Embiid leads the team with a 36.9% usage rate this season, good for third in the league. Moreover, he has averaged 33.1/10.2/4.1 on 53.7% shooting. James Harden makes for a good target in tournaments, possessing both a safe floor and a high ceiling. Before the break, Harden registered four double-doubles and recorded 20 or more points in four of his last five games. During that span, he averaged 24.4/4.6/10.2 on 48.1% shooting.

Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers (-4.5)

Golden State Warriors (+4.5)

Coming out of the NBA All-Star break, many players have shifted upward on the pricing grid. One of the most affected teams are the Warriors, who are reflective of Steph Curry (leg) being out. However, the duo of Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson have slate-breaking upside, in balanced lineups, in a matchup versus the Lakers. Los Angeles gets LeBron James and Anthony Davis back together in a new-look offense, but this team still ranks second in pace and 18th in defensive rating. In the absence of Andrew Wiggins (personal), Donte DiVincenzo likely draws the start, but it’s Poole and Thompson who will combine for over 40 field goal attempts tonight.

Los Angeles Lakers (-4.5)

Similarly to how the Warriors offense is in a good spot, the Lakers are in just as good of one. While Los Angeles ranks second in the NBA in pace, it is the Warriors who currently lead the league. This one will play in transition, which is perfect for the duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Moreover, newcomers D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt round out a solidified starting unit. The preference is to allocate the core of lineups to this game environment, but there are solid value pieces here as well if you choose to prioritize the game below.

Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings (-5.5)

Portland Trail Blazers (+5.5)

If the core of lineups will not be centered around the Lakers versus Warriors, it should absolutely be around this game environment. The Blazers are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the NBA Play-In tournament, and no one is arguably as important to their team as Damian Lillard is right now. Fresh off winning the three-point contest last weekend, Dame left his mark before the break. Over his 12 games, Lillard has posted 30 or more points in ten appearances. Moreover, he has averaged a whopping 38.2/5.2/7.2 on 52.3% shooting during that span. In the absence of Anfernee Simons, Lillard has the potential to lead this slate in scoring based on his volume alone.

Sacramento Kings (-5.5)

While Jusuf Nurkic is a poor defender, Drew Eubanks is arguably worse when you watch this Trail Blazers defensive unit. Thus, as anticipated, Domantas Sabonis is an excellent pivot off Joel Embiid tonight in what could be the best game environment on the NBA slate. Portland not only ranks 26th in the league versus crafty centers, but they also rank 20th in points allowed in the paint and 17th in rebounding. On the season, Sabonis leads the NBA in both total rebounds and rebounds per game. Moreover, he has averaged 18.8/12.3/6.9 on 61.1% shooting this year.

Honorable Mentions:

Boston Celtics @ Indiana Pacers (+7.5)
Denver Nuggets @ Cleveland Cavaliers (-2.5)
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz (-2.5)

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems 01/17/2023

DFSGhost 2 years ago

written by DFSGhost

There are only four games on the NBA schedule tonight, but there is plenty of intrigue. It’s a Taco Tuesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

Toronto Raptors @ Milwaukee Bucks (-6.5)

Toronto Raptors (+6.5)

Both of these teams are on the second half of a back-to-back and have key players in question. After the Raptors starting unit all played over 40 minutes yesterday in an overtime win versus the Knicks, it’s possible to see someone rest. The most likely candidate is Fred VanVleet, who has been dealing with a back injury. With Pascal Siakam dealing with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in the paint, the perimeter options will have to carry the offense. VanVleet has been having a streaky season, showing upside on the offensive end, while also carrying a low floor. Moreover, Gary Trent Jr. seems to have shaken off his jitters from the beginning of the season. In his last 11 games, GTJ has seen 30 or more minutes in ten appearances, scoring 20 or more points in seven of them. The two are the preferred Raptors on this NBA slate.

Milwaukee Bucks (-6.5)

Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his third consecutive game yesterday. However, he had taken part in warmup and was listed as probable. Barring any setback, he is in a great spot to lead the NBA slate in scoring. While he had two poor performances recently, the upside he carries against the Raptors is tremendous. While Toronto sits 6th in the league in points allowed in the paint, Giannis is matchup proof. The MVP candidate has averaged 30.1/15/6.3 over his last seven games, despite two appearances with seven and nine points. There are plenty of studs to choose from on this slate, so Brook Lopez makes for a fine alternate to get exposure to this competitive game environment.

Brooklyn Nets @ San Antonio Spurs (+5.5)

Brooklyn Nets (-5.5)

Once one of the hottest teams in the NBA, the Nets are 0-2 since losing Kevin Durant to an MCL sprain. However, a matchup versus a Spurs defense that ranks last in the league could be what they need to get things in gear. The Spurs defense struggles most notably in their backcourt. They sit 27th versus primary ball handlers and 29th versus off-ball guards, allowing the 22nd most three-pointers and the highest shooting percentage from behind the arc. Ben Simmons has a modest 9% usage rate in two games without Durant, but he continues to run point alongside Kyrie Irving. Moreover, the quartet of Irving, Curry, Harris, and Warren are set to flourish in a quick game environment.

San Antonio Spurs (+5.5)

Vegas has this game as far from a blowout as anticipated. Despite the lopsided matchup on paper, the Spurs aren’t as big of underdogs as one would expect. Thus, the trio of Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, and Jakob Poeltl are in for big minutes. Jones has been a pleasant surprise for the rebuilding Spurs this season. Over his last seven games, Jones has been phenomenal on offense despite the team’s 1-6 record. During that span, Jones has averaged 19.1/4.3/5.7 on 49.1% shooting. With the Nets shifting Simmons to the paint on defense, Jones gets a friendly matchup versus Kyrie Irving.

Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggets (-6.5)

Portland Trail Blazers (+6.5)

If you’re looking for fireworks on this NBA slate, look no further. This matchup is set to feature two elite offenses, but all eyes will be on Damian Lillard versus Nikola Jokic. The former has been on quite a tear for the Trail Blazers recently. Over his last five games, Lillard has scored 30 or more points in each appearance. Moreover, Lillard has averaged 38/3.6/6.4 on 53.1% shooting during that span while attempting over ten three-pointers per night.

Denver Nuggets (-6.5)

On the flipside of Lillard’s upside is none other than Nikola Jokic. The back-to-back NBA MVP has done it all for the Nuggets this season, and has posted three triple-doubles over his last four games. Moreover, he has averaged 20/13.5/12.3 during that span. If Jokic does not fit builds, both Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. are good ways to get exposure to this elite game environment. The two rely heavily on their scoring to provide a good fantasy output, but if Jokic does not break the slate, it’s largely because someone else on Denver is carrying the load alongside with him.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Los Angeles Clippers (+1.5)

Philadelphia 76ers (-1.5)

While the status of Paul George greatly impacts the Clippers rotation, his probable return makes this an elite game environment that will go overlooked on a small NBA slate. While there are many players with offensive upside on both teams, none have been playing to the level that James Harden has been lately. Over his last five games, The Beard has averaged 23/8.4/13 on 57.4% shooting. Moreover, Harden has two triple-doubles during that span, while collecting 11 or more assists in each appearance. Primary ball handlers versus the Clippers will forever be one of the best matchups in NBA DFS, and Harden is set to take flight tonight.

Los Angeles Clippers (+1.5)

Exposure to the Clippers on this NBA slate is contingent on the status of Paul George. After practicing on Monday, the expectation is that PG will return after missing the team’s last five games. However, this greatly impacts the production of others around him. Given the level of uncertainty and the fact that this game is the last to tipoff, this is a risk that could send lineups to the top or bottom of the leaderboards.

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems 01/10

DFSGhost 2 years ago

written by DFSGhost

Following the theme of the new year, there are numerous studs already ruled out for tonight’s NBA slate. However, there are marquee names nearing their returns, while others look to step up in their teammates’ absences. It’s a Taco Tuesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

Detroit Pistons @ Philadelphia 76ers (-9.5)

Detroit Pistons (+9.5)

In the absence of Bojan Bogdanovic, the Pistons offense will be searching for answers. There will be plenty of shots to go around, with a few benefactors. Killian Hayes continues to lead the charge in a surprisingly deep backcourt. While Philadelphia leads the NBA in defensive rating versus primary ball handlers, Hayes figures to be in for a ton of work tonight. Over his last three games, Hayes has logged 35 minutes per night, averaging 17.7/3/8.7 on 51.2% shooting. Moreover, Hamidou Diallo, Saddiq Bey, and Alec Burks make for intriguing options with Bogdanovic out. If Joel Embiid remains out for Philadelphia, Isaiah Stewart has a tremendous matchup versus Montrezl Harrell.

Philadelphia 76ers (-9.5)

Exposure to the 76ers offense in contingent on the availability of Joel Embiid. Should the face of the franchise return to the lineup after missing the last three games, both he and James Harden will be able to roll this offense efficiently versus the Pistons. However, if Embiid sits out another game, James Harden figures to be one of the more popular options on the NBA slate. Detroit currently ranks 29th in the NBA versus primary ball handlers, struggling mightily since Cade Cunningham went down with a season-ending injury. Over his last eight games, Harden has scored 20 or more points in seven appearances. Moreover, he has averaged 23.1/6.1/11.9 on 41.6% shooting during that span. Harden is only in consideration should Embiid miss this game.

Phoenix Suns @ Golden State Warriors (-4.5)

Phoenix Suns (+4.5)

No team in the NBA has as depleted of a rotation as the Suns. Tonight, they will be without Devin Booker, Chris Pauk, Cam Johnson, and Cam Payne. Moreover, Deandre Ayton, Landry Shamet, and Torrey Craig are all listed as questionable to play. This is not a question about statistics, per minute fantasy output, usage rate, or anything else. Rather, the Suns that do find themselves suiting up will be popular solely because there will be so few of them. Both Damion Lee and Duane Washington Jr. will see a ton of minutes in the backcourt, with the latter being a must play in all formats.

Golden State Warriors (-4.5)

Depending on how the Suns injury report shakes out, the Warriors will approach the game accordingly. Steph Curry is nearing a return from a shoulder injury, while Andrew Wiggins returned to the lineup the other night after missing 15 games. Golden State needs to get their best players back into rhythm, while prioritizing their long term health. One player that has been routinely in NBA lineups for our team has been Anthony Lamb. In the absence of Jonathan Kuminga, Lamb has been tremendous off the Warriors bench. Over his last three games, Lamb has logged over 31 minutes per night. Moreover, he has scored 17 or more points in each appearance, averaging 20/5.7/3.3 on 53.7% shooting, including 40% from behind the arc on 3.3 three-pointers made per game.

Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Clippers (-2.5)

Dallas Mavericks (+2.5)

It’s forever been a matchup to pick on: primary ball handlers versus the Clippers. This season is no different than in years past, with Los Angeles ranked 26th in the NBA against the player type. On the other side of the ball, there’s a pretty good ball handler in Luka Doncic that the Clippers have to deal with. Leading the league with a 38.5% usage rate, Doncic has averaged 34/8.8/8.7 on 49.9% shooting this season. It’s a challenge in its own to get Doncic into NBA lineups on all fantasy sites, but his upside is like no other player in the league.

Los Angeles Clippers (-2.5)

In the absence of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard will be a must play on this NBA slate. On the season, Leonard has averaged 17.3/5.9/3.8 on 46.4% shooting through a 25.9% usage rate. However, he has been limited in both playing time and games played. With his teammate off the floor this season, Kawhi sees bumps in both output and usage rate. The former increases from 1.14 fantasy points per minute to 1.25 fantasy points per minute, while the latter jumps from 25.9% to 29.2%, leading the team. Not only does he have a high ceiling in an elite game environment, but his safe floor makes him one of the best targets of the slate.

Honorable Mentions:

Charlotte Hornets @ Toronto Raptors (-7.5)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Utah Jazz (-3.5)

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems 12/16

DFSGhost 2 years ago

written by DFSGhost

We’re a fourth into the NBA season and things are shaping up to be rather interesting heading into the holidays. Many teams are experiencing injuries, while others are picking up steam on both sides of the ball. Tonight, many elite game environments make this slate an intriguing one. It’s a Fajita Friday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

Sacramento Kings @ Detroit Pistons (+4.5)

Sacramento Kings (-4.5)

This is a prime spot for the Kings’ duo of stars. Both Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox find themselves in elite matchups at their respective positions. For one, the Pistons rank 29th in the NBA in points allowed in the paint and 25th in defensive rebounding. Over his last five games, Sabonis has scored 20 or more points in four appearances. Moreover, he has averaged 20.8/14.4/5.8 on 69.6% shooting and has racked up 4.2 offensive rebounds during the same span. De’Aaron Fox has been volatile as of late, only scoring 20 points once in his last seven appearances. However, his point/dollar upside in an elite game environment makes him an intriguing play for tournaments.

Detroit Pistons (+4.5)

The Pistons offense has many opportunities given the absence of Cade Cunningham. In 18 games since Cunningham last played, Bojan Bogdanovic has been carrying this offense. During that span, he leads the team with a 27.3% usage rate and has averaged 22.4/4.1/2.9 on 51.4% shooting, including 41.1% from deep. Sacramento ranks 23rd in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage allowed on over 11 makes per game. Moreover, there is value to be had with both Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, despite the tough matchup for the latter against Sabonis.

Golden State Warriors @ Philadelphia 76ers (-7.5)

Golden State Warriors (+7.5)

Welcome to the most popular rotation in NBA DFS over the next month. Unfortunately, Steph Curry will be sidelined for the next month or so after leaving last game with a shoulder injury. Thus, Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson will carry this offense. On the season, Poole and Thompson have usage rates of 28.2% and 25.6%, respectively, while posting 1.03 and 0.98 fantasy points per minute. However, with Curry off the floor, Poole takes a significant leap. In over 400 minutes played without Curry on the floor, Poole sees an increase to 1.14 fantasy points per minute through a 35.3% usage rate. However, Thompson sees dips in both. If you think Golden State keeps this one close, Poole is your guy, albeit being one of, if not the most popular player on the NBA slate.

Philadelphia 76ers (-7.5)

This is a tricky spot for the 76ers. On one hand, this game can get out of hand quickly. However, blowouts simply cannot be predicted. Thus, there is a strong chance that Joel Embiid or James Harden lead the NBA slate in scoring. Golden State currently leads the league in pace while ranking 19th in defensive rating. Moreover, they have struggled to guard primary ball handlers, ranking 24th in the NBA. Over his last three games, Harden has averaged a whopping 22.7/6.7/14.3 on 50% shooting, including 43.5% from behind the arc. This only thing stopping Harden from dominating tonight is Joel Embiid and his love for getting to the free throw line.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5)

Minnesota Timberwolves (+1.5)

This game is riddled with questionable tags for both injury reports. However, there is plenty of intrigue. Should he make his return after missing last game, D’Angelo Russell makes for an excellent tournament play. Over his last 10 games, Russell has averaged 21.4/2.8/6.6 on 52.3% shooting, including 40.5% from deep. Moreover, there could be value in the frontcourt, should Rudy Gobert be unavailable. Should this be the case, Naz Reid will instantly become one of the best values on the NBA slate and one of the most popular options in the field.

Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5)

Similarly to above, should Rudy Gobert miss this game, value is here with Darius Bazley. With Jeremiah Robinson-Earl out for a few weeks, Bazley filled in at center, logging 31 minutes against Miami and posting a 12/5/2/1/1 scoring line in a tough matchup. Moreover, if Gobert plays, this game instantly becomes more competitive. Thus, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in a tremendous spot. With 23 or more points in 14 of his last 15 games, SGA has been on an absolute tear. During that span, he has averaged 31.4/4.8/6.1 on 48% shooting. Minnesota ranks 29th in the NBA against primary ball handlers, setting the stage for SGA to potentially lead the slate in scoring.

Honorable Mentions:

Brooklyn Nets @ Toronto Raptors (+1.5)
Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers (+1.5)

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems 11/23

DFSGhost 2 years ago

written by DFSGhost

There are many elite game environments and plenty of stars on this NBA slate. Unfortunately, some have already been ruled out and will be missing in action. Injuries have derailed slates over the last few weeks, and tonight is no different. It’s a Wet Wednesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

A single injury can alter an NBA slate. As has been the theme of the past few weeks, there hasn’t just been one, but many major injuries to monitor. Thus, be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Charlotte Hornets (-4.5)

Philadelphia 76ers (+4.5)

I wrote up Shake Milton for yesterday’s NBA and the same applies on the second half of a back-to-back: “Although he figures to be one of, if not the most rostered player on the slate, it will be hard to avoid Shake Milton tonight. Over his last two games, Milton has a 25.5% usage rate. Moreover, he has posted a 21/4.5/4 scoring line on 59.3% shooting, including 44.4% from deep.” With Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey still out for the 76ers, Milton is as close to a free square as it gets.

Charlotte Hornets (-4.5)

In the absence of LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier will carry this offense. However, with stronger intrigue for other guards on the NBA slate, I cannot find a spot for him in my NBA lineups. Thus, I’ll be looking at Kelly Oubre Jr. and PJ Washington. Now, you don’t have to force exposure to this offense. Rather, the two make for low rostered plays to get different. In their last two games since Ball reaggravated his injury, it is Oubre Jr., not Rozier, who leads the team in usage rate at 27.8%. Moreover, Oubre Jr. has posted a remarkable 28.5 points per game on 53.7% shooting in his last two appearances. Not only has Oubre Jr. been outperforming Rozier, but it is PJ Washington, not Rozier, who is second on the team in scoring in their last two. With the 76ers being forced to roll out a small lineup in the absence of Embiid, Washington will have ample opportunity in the paint.

Sacramento Kings @ Atlanta Hawks (-6.5)

Sacramento Kings (+6.5)

If you are looking for a back and forth between two elite offenses, this is the game for you. Turning heads in November, the Kings have been one of, if not the best team in the NBA lately. Not only do they currently have the #1 ranked offense, but they have a formidable duo in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis complemented with elite shooting. If you have been following over the past few years, you already know how I feel about both Fox and Sabonis. Rather than writing them both up once again, I’ll emphasize what Kevin Huerter brings to this offense. Sporting an 18.6% usage rate on the season, Huerter has posted a 16.6/2.9/3.5 scoring line on 50% shooting. Moreover, he has the seventh best three-point shooting percentage in the NBA at 49.5%. A tough matchup looms on the perimeter, but this offense is scorching.

Atlanta Hawks (-6.5)

Despite the Hawks cooling off after starting their season with a 4-1 record, Trae Young has been heating up. For the eighth consecutive contest, Young posted 20 or more points versus the Cavaliers. During that span, Young has a team-leading 33.3% usage rate and has posted a 25.9/3/9.6 scoring line on 42.1% shooting. While the Kings have greatly improved their team defense, they can still be beaten by primary ball handlers, allowing over 26 points and 8 assists per 36 minutes. Enter Young, who is one of the best to do it in today’s NBA.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State Warriors (-6.5)

Los Angeles Clippers (+6.5)

Lengthly injuries is once again costing the Clippers. It only gets worse, as both Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and Paul George (hamstring) are set to miss tonight’s game. As a result, this is going to be one of the most interesting rotations on the NBA slate. There are different ways to get exposure here, depending on how the rest of your lineup shakes out. Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac figure to carry the bulk of the offensive looks in the starting lineup. The two are both averaging approximately 33 minutes per game over their last three. Moreover, Jackson has posted a 23.3/3/3.7 scoring line on 58.1% shooting during that span, while Zubac has the better matchup of the two with Golden State ranked 26th versus centers. If you want scoring power off the bench, both John Wall and Norman Powell are elite options on the slate as well.

Golden State Warriors (-6.5)

Amidst early season troubles, the Warriors seem to have their groove on offense. With the majority of their starters having rested last game, Golden State figures to be back at full strength tonight. Thus, there is a lot of firepower here between two Western Conference title contenders. In a matchup against the Clippers, the Splash Brothers will once again be at the focal point of the offense. Klay Thompson is coming off a season-high 41 points, making 10 of 13 three-pointers against the Rockets. Moreover, Steph Curry made seven three-pointers of his own, posting a 33/6/15 scoring line on 55% shooting. Sporting a 31.2% usage rate on the season, Curry has been posting better numbers than his unanimous MVP season, making him one of the best plays on the NBA slate.

Honorable Mentions:

Portland Trail Blazers @ Cleveland Cavaliers (-8.5)
Brooklyn Nets @ Toronto Raptors (-1.5)
New Orleans Pelicans @ San Antonio Spurs (+6.5)

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems 11/22

DFSGhost 2 years ago

written by DFSGhost

Only eight teams take the court tonight but there is plenty of intrigue. Not only have multiple stars been ruled out, but NBA teams are dealing with a plethora of injuries. It’s a Taco Tuesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

There has already been plenty to notice on injury reports. Moreover, key players may be unavailable in addition to those already ruled out. Thus, be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.

Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers

Brooklyn Nets

With how shorthanded the 76ers are tonight, I will not be playing Kevin Durant nor Kyrie Irving. Rather, it is the return of Ben Simmons to Philadelphia that peaks my interest. Now, this can go one of two ways. Either he makes a statement or flops. At the time of writing, I’m leaning toward the former. In his last two games, Simmons has a modest usage rate of 18.3% but has been efficient at the center position. Averaging 18.5/10.5/6 on 89.5% shooting, his field goal attempts have been low, but are right near the basket. In the absence of Joel Embiid, it is Ben Simmons that has the most to prove tonight in a phenomenal individual matchup.

Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers rotation will be the most popular on the NBA slate. Not only does James Harden remain out with a foot injury, but Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have also been ruled out. Thus, the offense will belong to Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton, and Shake Milton. Moreover, PJ Tucker and Georges Niang are looking at heavy minutes in the frontcourt. Although he figures to be one of, if not the most rostered player on the slate, it will be hard to avoid Shake Milton tonight. Over his last two games, Milton has a 25.5% usage rate. Moreover, he has posted a 21/4.5/4 scoring line on 59.3% shooting, including 44.4% from deep.

Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies

Sacramento Kings

November has been awfully kind to the Sacramento Kings. Not only are they currently 9-6 and holding down the 5th seed in the Western Conference, but they have been one of the best teams in the NBA lately. This month, the Kings are first in offensive rating and points per game, second in net rating and assists per game, and have the third best record in the league. Recently, De’Aaron Fox has been named Player of the Week and the Kings are now riding a six-game winning streak. Over that span, Fox has a team-leading 26.9% usage rate, resulting in a 24/4/8.7 scoring line on 57.7% shooting. With the Grizzlies ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency and struggling to contain primary ball handlers, Fox has a legitimate shot at leading the slate in scoring.

Memphis Grizzlies

With Ja Morant listed as doubtful tonight, both he and Desmond Bane figure to be on the sidelines. Thus, the offense will fall to Tyus Jones, John Konchar, Dillon Brooks, and Jaren Jackson Jr. However, due to recency bias in their latest game, the latter figures to be overlooked. In a mere two appearances this season after returning from a severe foot injury, Jackson Jr. has been efficient. Both of his games played came with Desmond Bane out of the lineup, but Ja Morant was playing. The reason I mention this is because, with Morant leading the team in usage rate in those games, Jackson Jr. is in line to do so tonight. In only 25 minutes per game, JJJ has posted a 16/9 scoring line on 33.33% shooting. Against a Sacramento defense that ranks 27th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, the Grizzlies are in a great spot tonight.

Detroit Pistons @ Denver Nuggets

Detroit Pistons

Another team dealing with multiple injuries is the rebuilding Pistons. Cade Cunningham remains out with a leg injury, while both Isaiah Stewart (toe) and Saddiq Bey (ankle) have also been ruled out for tonight. The duo of Jaden Ivey and Bojan Bogdanovic will lead the offense in the starting lineup, while Jalen Duren and Alec Burks will lead the bench unit. The former duo figures to be much more popular, but do not overlook the latter. In back-to-back games, both Duren and Burks have eclipsed 20 minutes. As a result, the have combined for 31.5 points per game. Moreover, despite not starting, Burks leads the team in usage rate over the last two games, while Duren leads the team in rebounds. On a small NBA slate, this game screams value.

Denver Nuggets

If you have played any NBA slate as of late, you already know the drill. The Nuggets have listed both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as doubtful tonight, meaning the team is not expecting either star to make a return to the lineup. Additionally, Jeff Green has been ruled out, while Aaron Gordon is at jeopardy of missing a fourth consecutive game. Thus, the Nuggets rotation will be on interest, should any combination of these players miss tonight’s game. No need to overthink this one: Bones Hyland, Bruce Brown, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DeAndre Jordan, and Michael Porter Jr. should be in your player pool.

Honorable Mention:

Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems 11/10

DFSGhost 2 years ago

written by DFSGhost

Despite only eight teams taking the court tonight, there is no shortage of intriguing storylines. There is plenty of star power available to us, but we’ll need value plays to get exposure to them. Luckily, five of eight teams are on back-to-backs, making this NBA slate one that can turn on a dime. It’s a Thirsty Thursday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

As mentioned above, five of eight teams are on the second half of a back-to-back. Injury reports will be interesting to monitor throughout the day. Thus, be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.

Dallas Mavericks @ Washington Wizards (+4)

Dallas Mavericks (-4)

If you are able to fit Luka Doncic into your lineups without feeling uneasy about the remaining players, do it. A leading candidate to be a MVP this year, if not soon enough, Doncic has been simply outstanding this season. Sporting a league-high 39.5% usage rate on the year, no one carries their team’s offense the way Doncic does. Last night was the first time he hadn’t scored 30 or more points through his first ten games and it took a 9-for-29 shooting performance to do so. Averaging 34.8/8.2/8.1 on 49.8% shooting, there is no stronger candidate to lead the NBA slate in scoring.

Washington Wizards (+4)

With Bradley Beal in health and safety protocols, the Wizards offense will run through Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma. Unfortunately, with the Mavericks sitting dead last in the NBA in pace, there isn’t much appeal here. Monte Morris will form a trio with the others to log the bulk of the minutes in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, the bench unit will be led by Rui Hachimura, Will Barton, and Jordan Goodwin. With the Wizards sitting 26th in pace themselves, this is far and away the worst game environment on the slate and I won’t hesitate to fade it, outside of Luka Doncic.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Atlanta Hawks (-1.5)

Philadelphia 76ers (+1.5)

No doubt about it, Joel Embiid is the priority of the NBA slate not named Luka Doncic. Not only does he offer a sizeable advantage at a scarce position, but he is also in a premium spot. In his lone appearance without James Harden in the lineup this season, Embiid carried a lofty 37.4% usage rate while posting a 33/10/5 scoring line agains the Suns. Tonight, with the Hawks battling issues with their frontcourt, Embiid will not only aim to get Clint Capela in foul trouble, but consequently dominate Onyeka Okongwu on the inside.

Atlanta Hawks (-1.5)

With many options at the top of the pricing grid tonight, the duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray will likely find themselves behind the 8-ball. While Young carries a sizeable advantage in usage rate over his backcourt partner, it’s been Murray’s dominance on the glass and in the assist column that has been notable to his fantasy performances. Both have the ceiling to make this an interesting slate, but they’ll need to outscore the likes of Embiid, Lillard, and contend with Doncic. With the 76ers ranking 1st in the NBA versus opposing primary ball handlers, I’m likely out on Young, but I’ll provide an update on this offense in Discord, depending on how the slate shakes out closer to lock.

Portland Trail Blazers @ New Orleans Pelicans (-6.5)

Portland Trail Blazers (+6.5)

Missing Jusuf Nurkic (adductor), Jerami Grant (ankle), and Keon Johnson (hip) last night, the Trail Blazers’ injury report will be one to monitor leading up to lock. Additionally, Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Josh Hart were all listed as probable ahead of last night’s matchup. Should everyone be healthy and available, Damian Lillard is in a prime spot as a pivot to Luka Doncic at the top of the pricing grid. With the Pelicans sitting 24th in the NBA to opposing primary ball handlers, Dame will be able to exploit to Pelicans backcourt on the offensive side of the ball. Sporting a 32% usage rate on the season, Lillard has posted a 29/4.5/4.8 scoring line on 47.7% shooting, including nearly four 3-pointers made per game.

New Orleans Pelicans (-6.5)

With few options at the center position tongiht aside from Joel Embiid, Jonas Valanciunas is an interesting target in tournaments. Surely, should Nurkic miss a second straight game, the field will flock to Drew Eubanks. However, should Nurkic return to the lineup, that won’t be the case. Either way, Valanciunas is in an elite matchup. His minutes have been inconsistent this season, but Valanciunas is averaging a 14.4/10.3 double-double in under 25 minutes per game. With the Blazers ranking 23rd in the NBA to opposing big men, including allowing Mason Plumlee to drop 16/12/4 on them last night, the Pelicans need to utilize Valanciunas on the inside early and often.

Honorable Mention:

Charlotte Hornets @ Miami Heat (-10)

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

2 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems 10/20

DFSGhost 3 years ago

written by DFSGhost

After numerous NBA teams kicked off their season yesterday, we have a mere four squads in action tonight. However, the stars are plentiful and two marquee matchups await us. Two perennial MVP candidates face off in a battle of two Eastern Conference powerhouses, while the battle of LA closes out the slate. It’s a Thirsty Thursday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

As previously mentioned in articles and in Discord, the rate at which 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.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Philadelphia 76ers (-4)

Milwaukee Bucks (+4)

With Khris Middleton (wrist) ruled out for the first few weeks of the NBA season, Giannis Antetokounmpo will have to carry this Bucks offense. In addition, not only is Donte DiVincenzo now in Golden State, but Pat Connaughton (calf) is also missing for the opening month of action. The Bucks are suddenly thin on offense, and it will be up to Giannis and Jrue Holiday to carry the load. The former ended last season with a 29.9/11.6/5.8 scoring line on 55.3% shooting while leading his team with a 34.6% usage rate. Tonight, at the top of the pricing grid, he is far and away the premier option.

Philadelphia 76ers (-4)

Despite James Harden stealing the show in a season opening loss for the 76ers, it was Joel Embiid who saw the most action on offense, as he did for the majority of last year’s NBA season. Pacing his squad with a 33% usage rate, Embiid failed to take advantage of early foul trouble for Al Horford and Noah Vonleh, but still led the team in field goal attempts and rebounds, while also getting to the charity stripe nine times.

Debating between the two Philadelphia stars tonight is an issue given their individual matchups. Embiid has to deal with Giannis and Lopez in the paint, while Harden sees a far more elite defender in Holiday than he did on opening night in Marcus Smart. Thus, I’ll be going back to the well with Tyrese Maxey. Despite a slow start, Maxey scored 21 points on 50% shooting, where 15 of his 21 points came in the second and fourth quarters. Not only did he play every second of those frames, but he was the go-to option on offense. Lining up against the likes of Wes Matthews and Grayson Allen, Maxey is one of the best Point/$ options on tonight’s NBA slate, let alone this Philadelphia offense.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers (+5.5)

LA Clippers (-5.5)

The return of Kawhi Leonard is one of the best storylines this NBA season has to offer. After missing all of last year, Leonard looks to form a formidable duo with Paul George in the quest for a championship. Despite 2016-2017 being the last time he played over 70 games, Kawhi remains a top 10 talent in this league. In over 100 games played, Leonard sports a 30.8% usage rate during his Clippers tenure, averaging a 26/6/5.8 scoring line. Unless he is on a hard minutes limit, both he and George make for excellent tournament plays.

LA Lakers (+5.5)

We can talk about Russell Westbrook and the Lakers’ shooting woes all we want, but truthfully, that isn’t where the issue lies. Yes, the Lakers shot an abysmal 10-for-40 from behind the arc on opening night, but it was Anthony Davis’ lack of aggressiveness in the paint the caught my eye. Despite playing against much weaker and smaller big men in the paint, Davis grabbed a mere six rebounds, while LeBron took down fifteen. Finishing second on the Lakers with 22 field goal attempts, in addition to nine free throws, Davis has the ceiling to be an elite target on any NBA slate, but remains to regain true form.

Firstly, the trio of Laker guards is a question mark tonight, as is what to do with LeBron James. You simply cannot fit James while playing one of George or Leonard alongside Giannis, so a decision has to be made. The public can say what they want about Westbrook, but he was efficient on opening night, dropping 19/11/3 on only twelve shots. He was pushing the pace and attacking the glass for rebounds. Kendrick Nunn remains an x-factor on offense in a supporting role off the bench, but his shot needs to drop for him to produce in NBA DFS. Lastly, Patrick Beverley will always be a wild card given his tenacity, but a game environment like this screams decent production. The usage will be modest throughout the season, but if he can stay out of foul trouble, the assists and rebounds will be there.

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

3 years ago 0 comments

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NBA DFS: Ghost’s Gems – Opening Day 10/18

DFSGhost 3 years ago

written by DFSGhost

It’s finally time – the NBA season has arrived. After an offseason filled with player movement, intriguing storylines, and turmoil amongst some of the league’s best teams, the quest for an NBA championship begins tonight. Opening Day in the NBA is one of the biggest nights of the season, and tonight’s marquee matchups certainly aren’t short of storylines.

If it is your first NBA season with us, you’re in for a lot of content. Including both written and video, articles will be posted daily Monday through Friday, while shows will be aired across all platforms. The daily articles will provide an insight into the slate; identifying the right game environments are imperative to success, along with individual players and matchups. Our analysis is unlike any other, and you are given all the information you need. Amongst that is our list of tools available. Our infamous proprietary NBA projections, a cheat sheet, and content in both written and video formats are key to success. You will not only hear myself talk about the projections a ton, but the members as well. I firmly believe we have the best NBA projections across the industry, and now, so do you.

Tonight, LeBron and AD take on the defending Champions on their ring night, while Joel Embiid and the 76ers take on Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. We have to get creative to get to the top of the leaderboards on any two-game NBA slate, and that is exactly what we will do. For the first time this season: it’s a Taco Tuesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics (-3.5)

Despite having two of the best rosters in the Eastern Conference last season, both the 76ers and Celtics still had overhauls to their respective rotations. These two teams have some of the best stars in the NBA, but their benches needed reinforcements. The Celtics brought in Danilo Gallinari, only to likely lose him for the season to a torn ACL. Later, Boston replaced Gallinari’s spot in the rotation by signing Blake Griffin. However, the most notable addition came in the form of a true ball handler: Malcolm Brogdon. The former Virginia standout will not only alleviate pressure off of Tatum, Brown, and Smart, but also provide the Celtics with a formidable backcourt defense in closeout minutes.

On the flipside, Philadelphia made moves of their own. In are P.J. Tucker, De’Anthony Melton, and Montrezl Harrell, while Danny Green has been traded to the Grizzlies. Harrell will remain a defensive liability, but provides offensive upside to a bench unit operating without Embiid. Moreover, Tucker brings grit and defensive stability, alleviating pressure on Tobias Harris. Lastly, Melton gives the 76ers another ball handler to lead the bench unit, giving more freedom to Harden and Maxey in the starting 5.

Boston Celtics (-3.5)

Pacing the Celtics once again this NBA season is none other than Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The formidable duo led the team in scoring at 26.9 and 23.6 PPG, respectively. They were also the lone players to register usage rates over 23%, leading the team at 32% and 30.4%, respectively. While Tatum has done well in this matchup in the past, the addition of P.J. Tucker complicates things on an NBA slate where DFS studs are plentiful. If you are looking to get three studs in your lineups, Brown would likely be the third, but I personally cannot get there with comfort.

Thus, I’ll be turning to the Celtics bench for exposure to this offense. I already discussed Malcolm Brogdon in the section above, and he’s certainly in play on this opening NBA slate. In the absence of Robert Williams III, expect Boston to go smaller to avoid burning out veterans Blake Griffin and Al Horford. With an anticipated closing lineup of Brogdon, Smart, Brown, Tatum, and Horford, Brogdon has opportunity right away with the potential for a 20/5/5 game. As I alluded to above, Robert Williams III is out for the next 6-8 weeks. As a result, Grant Williams and Al Horford will see an increase in minutes in the frontcourt. However, smaller lineups will benefit Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White.

Philadelphia 76ers (+3.5)

The core of the 76ers is back and they have the reinforcements to make a serious run at an NBA championship this season. MVP candidate Joel Embiid is fresh off a scoring title, where he posted 30.6 PPG on a 50/37/81 split. Not only did he lead the league in scoring, but Embiid also paced his peers in usage rate. Eclipsing 37% last season, right ahead of Luka Doncic, Embiid is primed for another stellar campaign. Tonight, in a matchup where NBA All-Defensive counterpart Robert Williams III is absent, my NBA lineups start with The Process.

A glaring misprice on this NBA slate, Tyrese Maxey will be one of the most rostered players in the field. Entering his third year in the league, Maxey has quickly become a fan favorite in the City of Brotherly Love. In his sophomore season, Maxey saw his minutes increase by 20 per night, logging over 35 minutes per contest. Acting as a secondary ball handler to James Harden, the upside is there for him to capitalize on offense while his backcourt teammate draws coverage from reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart. By locking in Joel Embiid and needing his DFS ceiling, my 76ers exposure ends with these two, but can’t fault you for looking at Harden, Harris, and Melton.

LA Lakers @ Golden State Warriors (-6.5)

LeBron James versus Steph Curry on Opening Day is exactly what NBA fans are excited about. This game certainly won’t be short on star power, and we are in for a treat after the Warriors dynasty celebrates yet another ring ceremony. However, once the game tips off, all eyes will be on the new-look Lakers. Patrick Beverley was acquired from the Utah Jazz after being trading from the Timberwolves, who acquired Rudy Gobert. Kendrick Nunn is healthy, and Anthony Davis looks to regain his former All-NBA form. The news surrounding Russell Westbrook will be ongoing throughout the season, but the real question mark surrounding this team is on the wing. LA brought in Lonnie Walker IV and Juan Toscano-Anderson to support Austin Reaves, but is it enough? They still lack perimeter shooting, but never count LeBron James and Anthony Davis out of a championship run.

The Warriors roster largely remains intact, at least on paper. Drama surrounding Draymond Green and Jordan Poole stole the headlines, but the Warriors look poised to make another deep playoff run. The core of Curry, Thompson, Green, Poole, and Wiggins are all returning, while key rotation player Kevon Looney was resigned. A healthy James Wiseman could be an x-factor for Golden State, and the players they lost this offseason were quickly replaced. Gone are Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr., ceding their roster spots to Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green. While the growth of both Moody and Kuminga are at the forefront of the Warriors future, this roster remains elite.

LA Lakers (+6.5)

The first question surrounding our Lakers exposure on tonight’s NBA slate is what to do with Anthony Davis. Assuming most flock to LeBron James for a mere increase in salary, AD could provide serious leverage over the field. At a mere $8,500 on DraftKings, Davis has the ceiling to be able to be an x-factor. While there is always injury concern, the upside is huge and he must be considered. LeBron James is chasing history this season, being 1,325 points away from the all-time scoring record. If that wasn’t enough motivation on Opening Day, how about having to watch Curry get his fourth ring in his home arena? The narratives are fun to follow, but truthfully, James is fresh off a season where he scored over 30 PPG on a 32.3% usage rate, playing over 37 minutes per night, making him an elite DFS play on a nightly basis.

The Lakers backcourt will presumably be a spot of value on this NBA slate. With Dennis Schroder now being out for the next 3-4 weeks, both Kendrick Nunn and Patrick Beverley will garner interest, especially with the former being minimum price on DraftKings. In his last full season in 2020-2021, Nunn averaged 14.6/3.2/2.6 for the Heat and has been flashing upside throughout preseason hoops. Beverley brings a tenacity to the Lakers perimeter defense and will certainly shadow Curry as much as possible, but the offensive upside remains capped while sharing the floor with James and Davis.

Golden State Warriors (-6.5)

It’s the first NBA slate of the season and we already have injury news. Coach Steve Kerr has reportedly expressed concern over the starting unit’s conditioning. Thus, they are likely to remain capped at 30 minutes, if they hit that mark at all. This rotation will be spread around in the early stages of the season, especially considering how short their offseasons have been.

Klay Thompson remains cautious with his rehab from multiple knee injuries, while Draymond Green and Steph Curry have been notorious for slow starts on Opening Day. Moreover, look for Kerr to get the youngsters involved early on. Kuminga, Moody, and Wiseman figure to be in his plans, while veterans fill out the rotation. Thus, I will likely be turning to the newly signed duo of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins. The former was a 6th Man of the Year candidate last year, enjoying a breakout campaign. Poole sported a whopping 26% usage rate off the bench, putting up 18.5 PPG on 14 shots per night. Meanwhile, Wiggins thrived in the NBA Playoffs, but remains a modest option on offense. If you’re looking for upside, he may not be your best target, but he does provide a safe floor to round our your lineups.

You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord

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