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Happy Monday! If you're a football fan, I hope you enjoyed last night's Super Bowl. As a Giants fan, it was a capping end to a nightmarish season, and I'm looking forward to focusing solely on NBA for a bit. Stay tuned also, because I'll be providing MLB DFS content shortly!
Tonight it's back to business in the Association, as we have nine games on the dance card for DraftKings. The big news is Anthony Davis' injury for Dallas, which makes that trade look even worse. The remaining Mavericks will be in play against a suspect Kings defense, so watch for P.J. Washington's status as well.
I'll be back in the RotoBaller Discord this evening, and my esteemed colleagues and I will be analyzing all news as it comes while helping you build the best paths to cash and GPP victory! Good luck!
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Victor Wembanyama, SA - C ($11,000)
There are a ton of ways you can go at the high-end tonight (and spending up to Nikola Jokic is certainly one of them). Jokic is almost 2k more than Victor Wembanyama though, and passing on a cheaper Wemby in the nuts matchup seems like a tough proposition.
The addition of De'Aaron Fox has certainly shifted some usage away from Wembanyama, but it's also tangibly helped his efficiency. Tonight he should feast on Washington, who ranks fourth in pace, dead last in defensive efficiency, and 29th in rebounding rate.
The Wizards have also allowed the third most blocks per game, and Wemby is a blocking machine. He has nine of his past two games and 18 in his past five. He has the upside to rival Jokic if Washington is somehow able to keep this one close.
Damian Lillard, MIL - PG ($9,200)
I'm very close to just pressing the lock button on Damian Lillard for cash (along with at least one of his Bucks teammates). Even after yesterday's game, none of them have been priced for life without Giannis Antetokounmpo who is out again tonight.
With Giannis and Khris Middleton (traded) out of the lineup, Lillard averages over seven more DK PPG and sees a 5.9% usage spike. His usage rate balloons to 34.2% while his assist rate grows to over 40%. Golden State is a team that allows opponents to push the pace on them as well.
Lillard should be over 10k without Giannis, so take the gift price tag in cash for sure. I'd see where his ownership settles later before deciding on how to approach him in GPPs, but he's one of the best per-dollar floor/ceiling combos on the slate tonight.
Others Under Consideration: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC - PG ($10,900), Anthony Edwards, MIN - PG/SG ($9,700), Domantas Sabonis, SAC - C ($9,600), Kyrie Irving, DAL - PG ($9,000)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,700)
Ownership is everything for Nikola Jokic. If enough punt plays open up during the day, players will flock to him as he's clearly proven that he's in a tier of his own. As of right now, I expect people will live in the range of the plays listed above, and a single-digit Jokic is the key to GPP success.
The Nuggets are favored by double-digits, but Jokic has shown that he can access his ceiling even in 28-30 minutes. New Orleans has allowed the most rebounds per game and ranks 28th in defensive efficiency. Pairing him with someone like Zion Williamson is a great way to attack tournaments, as it implies New Orleans will keep it close and both will hit ceilings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Bobby Portis, MIL - PF/C ($6,300)
The addition of Kyle Kuzma muddies the Bucks' usage just a little bit, but Bobby Portis still went for 44.25 DK points in 30 minutes yesterday against Philly and his price only moved $200. Golden State is a little tougher on the interior than they are on the perimeter, but Portis is still too cheap.
With Giannis off the court, Portis has a 28.3% usage rate and an insane 20.8% rebounding rate. Even if he's coming off the bench, his per-minute production is at such a high level that he should soar past this price tag.
Kyle Kuzma, MIL - SF/PF ($5,300)
Kyle Kuzma is not the free square he was yesterday at $3,800, but he's still massively cheap at $5,300 and will likely be the highest-owned player on the slate (as of now). There are different paths you can take in GPP if he's mega-chalk, but this is a premier cash value.
Kuzma played 36 minutes yesterday and scored 33.5 DK points despite being in foul trouble for portions of the game. The most encouraging part was his eight rebounds and five assists, showing that he's immediately involved from a total usage standpoint.
Andrew Wiggins, OKC - SF/PF ($5,000)
Andrew Wiggins has quietly been incredible for the Thunder, adding another weapon to already one of the best teams in the NBA. Wiggins has averaged 38.95 DK PPG over the last five and has posted a usage rate of over 20% in that span (even with Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Jalen Williams mostly active).
Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe have already been ruled out for this one, so Wiggins should have all the wing minutes he can handle. Even with Chet Holmgren likely to play, there should be enough of the usage pie to go around for Wiggins. New Orleans allows the second-most FPPG to opposing SFs.
Others Under Consideration: Naz Reid, PF/C - $6,900 (bad matchup, still too cheap), Christian Braun, DEN, SG/SF ($6,100), Stephon Castle, SAS - PG/SG ($5,400), Carlton Carrington, WAS - PG/SG ($5,000), Richaun Holmes, WAS - C ($4,900)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Warriors at Bucks (O/U 232.5)
There are higher game totals on this slate, but this one looks like it has the most potential to be FULLY stacked to the extreme. The aforementioned Lillard, Portis, and Kuzma are all fine additions, and Brook Lopez is also a player who benefits directly from Giannis' absence.
For Golden State, Stephen Curry has turned back the clock recently, averaging 52 DK PP. He is still not priced for his recent usage spike. Draymond Green no longer has the nightly triple-double upside that he used to, but he's still not priced correctly.
Jimmy Butler was great in 29 minutes, averaging 1.28 FPPM. His price went down $200, and we could see his minutes creep up into the 30s tonight. Buddy Hield and Brandon Podziemski are fine as ancillary pieces.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Victor Wembanyama
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Damian Lillard
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
- My favorite VALUE play: Kyle Kuzma
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