NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: March 3
Josh Giddey and the Thunder host the Utah Jazz at 8 p.m. ET on League Pass.
It’s been a fun and interesting week watching these new-look rotations after the trade deadline, and seeing the Western Conference develop is exciting. There are 13 teams in the west fighting for playoff spots, and about 11 of them are within seven games of one another. That makes these final two months critical, and it’ll be awesome to see how everything plays out.
Injury Report
As of 10:30 a.m. ET:
- LeBron James (foot) OUT
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (foot) OUT
- Jimmy Butler (knee) Questionable
- Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) OUT
- Zion Williamson (hamstring) OUT
- Jordan Clarkson (thumb) OUT
- Collin Sexton (hamstring) OUT
- Anfernee Simons (ankle) Doubtful
- PJ Washington (foot) Doubtful
- Jonas Valanciunas (foot) Doubtful
- Jusuf Nurkic (calf) OUT
- D’Angelo Russell (ankle) OUT
- Ben Simmons (knee) OUT
- Kyle Lowry (knee) OUT
Core Plays
Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN): $9,400 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
Edwards was already doing everything for this offense when Karl-Anthony Towns was injured, but the D’Angelo Russell trade secured even more usage for him. The former top pick has scored at least 32 DraftKings points in 47 of his last 50 games, generating a 46-point average in that span. That’s no surprise when examining his role, taking 20 shots while playing close to 40 minutes a night. That’s bad news for the Lakers, ranked third in pace and 25th in points allowed.
Josh Giddey (PG/SG – OKC): $7,900 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out for the next few games, Giddey should continue to run this offense. The Aussie was already dominating in a complementary role, averaging 38 DraftKings points per game across his last 39 outings. The boost in usage without SGA is what really makes him valuable, though, with Giddey generating 50 fantasy points in the most recent game without the All-Star. Facing Utah is unbelievable, too, allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing guards this year.
Terry Rozier (PG/SG – CHA): $7,700 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
Rozier always plays his best basketball when LaMelo Ball is on the sidelines. He has a team-leading 32% usage rate with Ball off the floor, averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game in those outings. Much like Edwards, Rozier is looking at 35-40 minutes, 20 shots, and all of the ball-handling duties for his respective offense. Orlando is an outstanding matchup, too, with Rozier averaging 34 DK points per game in their two matchups.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,800 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
The Joker is on his way to his third straight MVP. That makes him an obvious cash game candidate on every slate, scoring at least 42 DraftKings points in 51 of 55 games this year. He’s also averaging over 60 DK points per game across the last two months and is a triple-double threat every time he takes the floor.
Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $11,600 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
Lillard is on another level right now. The sharpshooter has scored at least 52 DraftKings points in 15 of his last 21 games. He’s also averaging over 40 raw points per game in that span, and it’s scary how much usage he’s looking at with Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons both nicked up. It doesn’t really matter who Dame faces right now, but he should excel against a 21st-ranked Atlanta defense.
Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,200 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
Davis has one of the highest ceilings in the NBA, and it gets even higher with LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell both missing this game. Davis has a 34% usage rate with those two guys off the floor, averaging 1.6 DK points per minute in those circumstances. That’s one of the best rates you’ll ever see, with AD scoring 61 and 64 fantasy points in the two games since LeBron got injured. Minnesota is a marvelous matchup, too, ranked fourth in pace and 20th in total defense.
GPP Targets
Rudy Gobert (C – MIN): $7,400 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
It was a slow start for Gobert in Minnesota, but the big man is rolling now. It’s no surprise since KAT remains out of the lineup, with Golbert scoring at least 27 DK points in 12 straight games. Rudy also registered a 37-point average in that span and should never be below $8,000. Facing the Lakers is the icing on the cake, though, with Gobert gobbling up 22 points and 21 rebounds in their one matchup earlier in the year.
Gordon Hayward (SF – CHA): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
It’s hard to believe that Hayward remains below $7,000 on both sites. This former All-Star is amid the best stretch of his season right now, scoring at least 27 DraftKings points in seven straight games. He’s also flirting with a 40-point average in that span, and he did most of that damage with Ball healthy. We have to assume Hayward’s usage will skyrocket with Ball out, and it looks even better since Orlando owns a 24th OPRK against opposing wings.
Clint Capela (C – ATL): $5,600 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
Capela is averaging 32 fantasy points per game and played 35 minutes in the first game with the new coach. That’s his second-highest total of the season, dropping 48 DK points in that gem. If this guy plays anywhere near 30 minutes, Capela should be $8,000 on both sites. Portland is a phenomenal matchup, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. That was on full display when he collected 35 DK points against them a month ago.
Value Plays
Jalen Williams (SG/SF – OKC): $6,800 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
We like Williams for all the same reasons as Giddy. The rookie has actually been the better fantasy option over recent weeks, averaging 34 DK points per game across his last 14 outings. We’ve also seen Williams score 44 and 49 DraftKings points in the last two games without SGA, and that sort of upside is silly from a $7K player. Not to mention, Utah ranks 21st in points allowed and 24th in defensive efficiency while surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Kris Dunn (PG/SG – UTA): $4,300 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel
Utah traded away Mike Conley at the trade deadline and are missing Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson to injuries. That leaves Dunn as one of the only ball-handlers left, averaging 26 DraftKings points per game since being signed last week. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, and he could be looking at a season-high in minutes played and usage rate in this spot.
Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
This guy has done nothing but perform all year, averaging 26 DK points per game. He’s been even better since returning from an injury, scoring at least 30 fantasy points in all four games since his return. A 30-point floor is ridiculous from such a cheap player, and New York needs him to play big minutes to oppose Bam Adebayo.
Advantageous Pricing
- Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,200 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
- Clint Capela (C – ATL): $5,600 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
- Markelle Fultz (PG – ORL): $6,100 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
- Cole Anthony (PG – ORL): $4,100 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
- Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG – ATL): $4,500 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
- Saddiq Bey (SF – ATL): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
- Patrick Beverley (PG – ATL): $3,700 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
- Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
- Caleb Martin (SF – MIA): $3,900 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
- Walker Kessler (C – UTA): $6,900 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
- Keegan Murray (PF – SAC): $4,500 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
- Draymond Green (PF – GSW): $6,500 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
- Trey Murphy III (SF – NOP): $4,000 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
- Bruce Brown (SG – DEN): $4,000 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
- Naz Reid (C – MIN): $4,300 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
