NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Friday (3/24)
Doncic is averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game, scoring at least 50 fantasy points in all but a handful of games.
These final few weeks of the regular season are always chaotic. We typically have an abundance of injuries to deal with, but it becomes more problematic when you throw tanking teams into the mix. The cherry on top is when we have good teams resting players, and it’s led to one of our lengthiest injury reports all year. We didn’t even include any of the Spurs in it because who knows who will suit up for that team? We also have numerous double-digit spreads, so it will be a chaotic card.
Injury Report
- All Spurs need to be monitored
- Tyrese Haliburton (knee) Questionable
- Kyle Kuzma (ankle) Questionable
- Bradley Beal (knee) OUT
- Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) OUT
- Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
- Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles) OUT
- Jalen Duren (cervical) Questionable
- Scottie Barnes (wrist) Questionable
- Gary Trent Jr.(elbow) Questionable
- Steven Adams (knee) OUT
- Brandon Clarke (Achilles) OUT
- LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
- Mark Williams (thumb) Questionable
- Kyrie Irving (foot) Questionable
- Tim Hardaway Jr.(illness) Questionable
- Collin Sexton (hamstring) OUT
- Jordan Clarkson (hand) Questionable
- James Harden (Achilles) Questionable
- Andrew Wiggins (personal) OUT
- DeMar DeRozan (quad) Questionable
- Jerami Grant (quad) Questionable
- Anfernee Simons (foot) Questionable
- Kevin Durant (ankle) OUT
- Deandre Ayton (hip) Questionable
- Kevin Huerter (popliteus) Questionable
- LeBron James (foot) OUT
- Terry Rozier (foot) Questionable
- Kelly Oubre (shoulder) Questionable
- Dennis Smith (illness) Questionable
Core Plays
Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – WAS): $9,000 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
The Wizards are falling out of playoff contention, but it’s certainly not this guy’s fault. Porzingis is having a career year in the nation’s capital, averaging over 40 DraftKings points per game. He’s also scored at least 51 DK points in 11 of his last 21 games and could be asked to do more with Kuzma and Beal both nicked up. The matchup is the best part, though, with the Spurs sitting last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency. In their last matchup, KP provided 54 DK points.
Fred VanVleet (PG – TOR): $8,700 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
VanVleet got off to a slow start, but the former All-Star is cruising right now. He’s scored at least 44 DraftKings points in seven of his last nine games, generating a 47-point average in that span. That should be easy to reach against this porous Detroit defense, with the Pistons ranked 28th in defensive efficiency and 29th in points allowed. That was on full display when FVV had 55 DK points against them earlier in the year.
Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHX): $9,600 DraftKings, $10,100 FanDuel
Booker is being asked to do everything for the Suns. He’s flirting with a 40% usage rate with Kevin Durant off the floor, averaging 1.6 DK points per minute in those circumstances. That’s led to him scoring at least 42 fantasy points in nine of his last 10 games, generating a 49-point average in that span. As long as this guy is getting 25 shots and playing 40 minutes, Book is one of the best options on the board.
Cash Game Considerations
Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,000 DraftKings, $11,800 FanDuel
Luka has been one of the best cash game plays in DFS since he was drafted. The Slovenian is averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game, scoring at least 50 fantasy points in all but a handful of games. There’s also a chance Kyrie sits here, which means his league-leading usage rate could get above 40%. Facing Charlotte is sensational, too, with the Hornets allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,500 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel
You’re going to have to pay up to use Giannis or Doncic. Antetokounmpo ranks second on this slate with nearly 60 DraftKings points per game. He also comes into this matchup scoring at least 51 DK points in 18 of the last 19 games he’s finished. The MVP candidate is also averaging nearly 65 fantasy points per game in that span and shouldn’t have any issues against a 25th-ranked Jazz defense.
Jakob Poeltl (C – TOR): $7,200 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
Poeltl has been phenomenal since joining the Raptors. He’s played 16 games with his new team and has scored at least 30 DK points in 15. The big man is also averaging over 40 DK points per game and is thriving in a 30-minute role. Getting to face a 29th-ranked Pistons defense is the icing on the cake, though, with Detroit allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
GPP Targets
Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $8,900 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
We saw Morant limited to 25 minutes off the bench in his return to action, but we have to assume he’ll get closer to the 30-minute stud we’ve seen all season. Ja was averaging nearly 50 DK points per game in that role earlier in the year, and his diminished minutes as he returns from suspension lowered his salary just enough to use him in this matchup. The Rockets rank 28th in defensive efficiency while surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Trendon Watford (SF/PF – POR): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
The Trail Blazers are close to tanking, sitting Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons for this game. Those guys being out has led to Watford’s best stretch of his career, scoring at least 31 DK points in three of his last four games. He’s also reached 38 and 45 fantasy points over the last few days, so it’s hard to understand why he remains so affordable.
Deni Avdija (SF/PF – WAS): $5,900 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
With Beal and Kuzma likely missing this game, Avdija should start and play 30 minutes. This former Top-10 pick has at least 28 DK points in three straight outings and is posting a 33-point average when he plays at least 30 minutes a night. That total should be a cinch to reach against the Spurs, sitting dead last in almost every defensive statistic.
Value Plays
Nick Richards (C – CHA): $5,100 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
Richards has stumbled into a prominent role in Charlotte, taking over starting center duties in the absence of Mark Williams. Williams was himself taking over for the departed Mason Plumlee, and it’s guaranteed Richards 25-30 minutes a night. That led to Rich scoring at least 32 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He’s also flashed a 42-point upside in two of those and could be asked to do more with half of this Charlotte roster nicked up.
Marcus Smart (PG/SG – BOS): $5,500 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
It’s strange to see Smart this cheap. The reigning Kia Defensive Player of the Year is averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game and is back to playing 35 minutes a night. He’s also scored at least 34 DraftKings points in back-to-back outings and should reach that in this incredible Indiana matchup. The Pacers rank 26th in defensive efficiency and 27th in points allowed.
Austin Reaves (SG/SF – LAL): $6,800 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
The Lakers have been trying to figure things out without LeBron James, but Reaves has been something of a revelation. The playmaking wing has scored at least 28 DraftKings points in five straight games, scoring at least 41 fantasy points in three of those. That makes him an amazing value in this price range, and we obviously don’t mind that he faces an OKC team allowing the most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
Advantageous Pricing
Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $8,900 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Isaiah Jackson (C – IND): $3,900 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
Jalen Duren (PF/C – DET): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG – UTA): $7,200 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Cameron Payne (PG – PHX): $3,800 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
Wenyen Gabriel (C – LAL): $4,000 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Jaylin Williams (C – OKC): $3,600 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
***
Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
