The Super Bowl is set! I hope you stuck with us in the RotoBaller Discord, as we had a few solid GPP hits from our community. Football was center stage yesterday, so there was only one NBA game as a result. The Association is back tonight with a 10-game DK slate, and there are some incredibly fun matchups to target.
As is usually the case with larger slates, injury news is going to be even more critical. We already have a ton of value on Atlanta with the injuries to Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, and more could open up as a result of all the Questionable tags currently on the slate.
We will be hopping in the RotoBaller Discord all afternoon and evening, so be sure to come join us. Our team of analysts will be breaking down every aspect of tonight's slate to help you cash in on your double-ups or even take down a full tournament.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,000)
Nikola Jokic is in a tier of his own, and that's not an understatement. He's currently on cruise control toward his third MVP, averaging 29.9 PPG, 13.1 RPG, and 10.1 APG (good for 68.7 DK PPG). His current salary indicates that his FLOOR is about 5.5x which, amazingly, indicates that he's underpriced.
Before his recent dud against Minnesota, Jokic had logged four straight triple-doubles, and he has eight of them in his last 11 games. We're not talking 10-10-10 production, either, as we just saw him throw up a gaudy 35-22-17 line against the Kings.
Today, his matchup is arguably the wild matchup for centers. The Bulls have allowed BY FAR the highest at-rim frequency of any team in the NBA, and they're also third in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. This game is sporting a 246.5 O/U, the highest on the slate. With injuries already opening up value, Jokic is easy to get to, and you should do it.
Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK - C ($9,800)
If you're looking to save at the center position, Karl-Anthony Towns should not be under $10K. There have been some noticeable shooting issues over the last three games, which is most likely attributed to the bone chip in his thumb. Still, Towns is averaging 1.45 FPPM in the three games since returning.
Tonight, the Knicks take on the Grizzlies, who are the top-ranked team in pace (and starting to put some distance in between themselves and the second-place Hawks). Memphis does rank sixth in defensive efficiency, but the number of touches in its games (thanks to the pace) overwhelmingly mitigates its defensive rank.
Towns has double-doubled in 12 of his last 13 contests and should be a focal point for the Knicks (who rank third in offensive efficiency). Josh Hart is questionable, so Towns would be in line to see his rebounding and usage increase should Hart sit (I highly doubt Hart sits).
Others Under Consideration: LaMelo Ball, CHA - PG ($10,200), Scottie Barnes, TOR - PG/SF ($9,300), Anthony Edwards, MIN - PG/SG ($9,200), Kyrie Irving, DAL - PG/SG ($8,900)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Domantas Sabonis, SAC - C ($10,000)
Domantas Sabonis is caught in a bit of pricing limbo between the other top centers tonight, which ought to lead to limited ownership. Sabonis has 22 straight double-doubles, and (like Jokic) uniquely offers passing upside.
Sacramento continues its East Coast tour with the Nets tonight, and the matchup suits Sabonis to a tee. Brooklyn has allowed the eighth-most FPPG to opposing centers and also ranks 24th in rebounding rate. A 23rd straight double-double seems inevitable, and there's a big-time triple-double upside here as well.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Dyson Daniels, ATL - PG/SG ($7,400)
Dyson Daniels is not priced as a "typical" value with his mid-tier price tag, but it bears mentioning that he's one of the best per-dollar plays on the slate this evening (even with the difficult matchup on hand against Minnesota). Daniels has not played under 30 minutes in any game since December 21 and is primed to be Atlanta's alpha tonight.
Trae Young and Jalen Johnson are both out tonight, which doesn't bode well for the Hawks but should enhance Daniels' floor and ceiling significantly. With those two off the court, Daniels' usage balloons to 27.6 percent, which is 9.8 percent higher than his season average. He also averages 9.14 more DK PPG in their absence. Even with the tough matchup, Daniels is a must-play tonight.
Daniel Gafford, DAL - C ($6,700)
Daniel Gafford's price is on the rise, but not rapidly enough. Since taking over for Dereck Lively II as the starting center, Gafford has played 33+ minutes in three of four games and has had ceiling games in all three contests (including an incredible 71.75 DK outing against Charlotte). Tonight, he gets about as good a matchup as a center can against Washington.
The Wizards have allowed the second-most FPPG to opposing centers while also ranking 29th in rebounding rate and allowing the second-highest FG% within six feet of the rim. Gafford has mountains of upside for his mid-tier price tag and is a perfect complement to one of the expensive centers above.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL - SG/SF ($4,400)
Bogdan Bogdanovic has done cardio the last few times I've played him, but I'm going back to the well at $4,400 with Trae Young and Jalen Johnson out tonight. He should start and be in line for mid-30s minutes, and even if he doesn't start, 30+ of high usage off the bench is inevitable.
Minnesota's defense against the three-ball has been a bit suspect lately as it has increased the pace, and the sky is the limit if Bogdanovic can catch fire from downtown. There's an inherent risk with his recent shooting woes (he's 5-of-31 from three over the last six games), but his price tag does not reflect the role that is coming.
Others Under Consideration: Onyeka Okongwu, ATL - C ($6,400), Mikal Bridges, NYK - SG/SF ($6,300), OG Anunoby, NYK - SF/PF ($6,200), Rudy Gobert, MIN - C ($5,800), Naz Reid, MIN - PF/C ($5,700), Vit Krejci, ATL - PG/SF ($5,000)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Grizzlies at Knicks (O/U 242.5)
Denver-Chicago has the highest O/U at 246.5, but any Denver stack has limitations thanks to Jokic's price tag. The Knicks and Grizzlies are fully stackable with friendlier price tags, and an O/U almost as high.
The Grizzlies play at the league's highest pace, which is a boost for the 26th-ranked Knicks. New York already plays a super tight rotation, so any of the five starters are in play based on whoever fits best. If Josh Hart were to sit, usage would condense even more, and Precious Achiuwa and Miles McBride would come into play as well.
For Memphis, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are strong plays, and Desmond Bane has been an incredibly steady scorer over the last five. Jackson, in particular, would benefit from Santi Aldama sitting out another game (he's questionable). Memphis value doesn't quite work yet, as the team is projecting to be pretty healthy going into tonight.
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: Nikola Jokic
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Dyson Daniels
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Domantas Sabonis
- My favorite VALUE play: Bogdan Bogdanovic
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