NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: March 27
Julius Randle and the Knicks host the Rockets at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday night.
We’re down to the final two weeks of the regular season. It’s hard to believe we’re at this point, but it’s much more believable when you look at the injury report. It feels like half the league is nicked up right now, and it’s causing chaos in DFS circles. We also have a handful of teams tanking, which makes things even more frustrating. With that in mind, let’s get started!
Injury Report
As of 11:30 a.m. ET:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) Probable
- Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles) OUT
- Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) OUT
- Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
- Myles Turner (back) Questionable
- Tyrese Haliburton (tanking) Questionable
- Jalen Brunson (hand) Questionable
- Kevin Durant (ankle) OUT
- Deandre Ayton (hip) Probable
- Collin Sexton (hamstring) OUT
- Jordan Clarkson (hand) OUT
- Lauri Markkanen (hand) Questionable
- James Harden (Achilles) Questionable
- Zion Williamson (hamstring) OUT
- De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) Questionable
- Paul George (knee) OUT
Core Plays
Joel Embiid (PF/C – PHI): $11,500 DraftKings, $11,900 FanDuel
Embiid has become the frontrunner for MVP, and it’s easy to understand why. The big man has scored at least 51 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 12 games while generating a 61-point average in that span. That’s pretty close to what he’s been averaging for two months, and you know he’ll go nuts against the guy he’s battling for MVP. In Embiid’s last matchup with Jokic, Embiid collected 47 points and 18 rebounds en route to 88 DK points!
Kyrie Irving (PG – DAL): $9,800 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
With Doncic likely out for this game, Irving should do everything for Dallas. With Doncic off the floor, Kyrie is flirting with a 40% usage rate, averaging 1.5 DK points per minute. That’s awesome since he’s just shy of a 50-point average since joining the Mavericks, and we obviously don’t mind that he plays a 26th-ranked Pacers defense.
Trendon Watford (PF/C – POR): $6,100 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
Watford is averaging 31 DK points per game across his last seven outings. He played many of those with a full roster, but Portland could be without Lillard, Nurkic, Grant, and Simons for the foreseeable future. Facing the Pelicans is intriguing, too, with New Orleans owning a 25th OPRK against opposing power forwards.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,400 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
The Joker and Embiid are going to go at it here. Jokic is the two-time reigning MVP for a reason, averaging a league-best 60 DraftKings points per game. He’s also established a 50-point floor and is the safest option on every slate. He also played well in the one meeting between the MVP candidates, tallying 24 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in his last matchup with the Sixers.
Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – SAC): $10,300 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
Domantas has been unstoppable for three months now. He’s scored at least 41 DraftKings points in all but three games in that span, flirting with a triple-double average. He’s also scored at least 51 DK points in 11 of his last 14 outings and could be asked to do even more if Fox is expected to sit again. Facing Minnesota is marvelous, too, with the Timberwolves ranked fourth in pace and 20th in total defense.
Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $9,300 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Randle and Sabonis have had very similar trajectories this season. These big men have developed into the primary playmakers for their respective offenses, with Randle averaging nearly 50 DK points per game in the same span. He’s also established a 40-point floor, which is no surprise since he’s locked into 20 shots and 40 minutes a night. If he gets that role against the Rockets, Randle should strive. Houston ranks 28th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.
GPP Targets
Christian Wood (PF/C – DAL): $6,700 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel
This is risky, but Wood needs to be a massive piece for Dallas, with Luka expected to sit here. With Doncic off the floor, Wood has a 34% usage rate, averaging 1.4 DK points per minute. That’s huge with Wood’s recent form, averaging 38 fantasy points per game across his last five outings. Getting to face Indiana is the best part of this, though, with the Pacers allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Immanuel Quickley (PG – NYK): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
It sounds like Brunson might sit here, and if that’s the case, Quickley needs to be considered. This youngster always starts at point guard when Brunson is sidelined, averaging 36 DraftKings points per game in his 16 starts this year. The reserve role is the reason for the diminished price tag, but Quickley should be an $8K player if he’s starting again. Not to mention, Houston surrenders the most fantasy points to opposing point guard.
Isaiah Jackson (PF/C – IND): $3,900 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
This is only a good play if Myles Turner sits. In his eight starts this year, Jackson is averaging 33 DK points per game across 25 minutes a night. We’ve seen that elite rate all year, and he could be one of the best centers in DFS if he plays 30-35 minutes. Dallas is not a daunting matchup, ranked 29th in defensive efficiency since the All-Star break.
Value Plays
Shaedon Sharpe (SG – POR): $6,200 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
Sharpe’s got a team-leading 29% usage rate with this current roster, scoring at least 35 fantasy points in three consecutive outings. He’s also got a 42-point average in that span and should be locked into a 40-minute role as Portland’s primary playmaker.
Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – UTA): $7,100 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
It’s been awesome watching Oly dominate since the All-Star break. Trading away Mike Conley and Jarred Vanderbilt moved Oly into a more prominent role, scoring at least 27 DK points in 14 of his last 16 games. He’s also got a 32-point average in that span and a 40-point average over his last five fixtures. Phoenix can be a scary matchup, but Olynyk had 29 DK points in their most recent meeting.
Drew Eubanks (PF/C – POR): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
It looks like Eubanks will start at center for the remainder of the season. He’s had to do that a lot for the oft-inured Nurkic, averaging nearly 30 DK points per game as a starter since the start of last year. He also showcased an elite ceiling on Sunday, scoring a season-high 38 fantasy points. Facing New Orleans isn’t too bad either, with the Pelicans posting a 25th OPRK against opposing centers.
Advantageous Pricing
Isaiah Jackson (PF/C – IND): $3,900 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
Buddy Hield (SG/SF – IND): $5,800 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Jalen Duren (PF/C – DET): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG – UTA): $7,000 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
Naji Marshall (SF – NOP): $3,700 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
Bones Hyland (PG – LAC): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
***
Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
