Look for Nikola Vucevic when the Bulls host the Lakers at 8 p.m. ET on League Pass.
This time of the season is something else. It took me about 20 minutes to formulate the injury report and it’s throwing NBA DFS into a loop. It’s a tough time to play but also a great time to capitalize and find some immense value.
Injury Report
As of 10:30 a.m. ET:
- Keldon Johnson (foot) OUT
- Devin Vassell (knee) OUT
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) Probable
- Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) OUT
- Myles Turner (back) Questionable
- Buddy Hield (illness) OUT
- Jalen Brunson (hand) Questionable
- James Harden (Achilles) Questionable
- Joel Embiid (calf) Questionable
- Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
- Collin Sexton (hamstring) OUT
- Jordan Clarkson (finger) OUT
- Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
- Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) OUT
- Bojan Bogdanovic (achilles) OUT
- Paul George (knee) OUT
- Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) Probable
- Kevin Durant (ankle) Questionable
- Damian Lillard (calf) OUT
- Jusuf Nurkic (knee) Questionable
- Jerami Grant (quad) Questionable
- Anfernee Simons (foot) Questionable
- Trendon Watford (ankle) doubtful
Core Plays
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC): $10,100 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
We had SGA in here yesterday, and we’re going right back to the well. This young guard has taken over this OKC offense, averaging over 50 DraftKings points per game. He’s also scored at least 44 DK points in 22 of his last 23 games and should reach that at ease against Detroit’s defense. The Pistons rank 28th in defensive efficiency and 29th in points allowed while surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,900 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
This big man does not get enough credit. Vucevic has established one of the highest floors in DFS, scoring at least 35 DraftKings points in 40 of his last 45 games. Two of those were limited because of an injury or ejection, with Nikola averaging 42 DK points per game in that span. That average should be easy to reach against Los Angeles, with the Lakers ranked fourth in pace and 21st in total defense.
Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – UTA): $6,800 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
Olynyk has been one of the veteran leaders for this Jazz team and has been playing his best basketball since Jarred Vanderbilt and Mike Conley were traded. In fact, Olynyk is averaging 35 DK points per game since then, scoring at least 31 fantasy points in five straight fixtures. The matchup is the best part of this, though, with the Spurs surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.
Cash Game Considerations
Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – SAC): $10,500 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Domantas has been Sacramento’s showman. He’s flirting with triple-double averages over the last three months, scoring at least 41 DK points in all but four games in that span. A triple-double should be a breeze against this Portland defense, with the Trail Blazers ranked 27th in defensive efficiency. Sabonis had a triple-double in their most recent matchup, dropping 63 fantasy points in that masterpiece!
Lauri Markkanen (SF/PF – UTA): $9,200 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
Markkanen made his first All-Star appearance this year, and it’s easy to understand why. The versatile big man is averaging 45 DK points per game and has established a 35-point floor. He’s also got a 54-point average across his last three outings and should keep that momentum going against the Spurs. Not only is San Antonio sitting last in every defensive metric, but Lauri is averaging 46 DK points per game against them in their three meetings this year.
Mikal Bridges (SF – BKN): $7,600 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Since his trade from Phoenix, Bridges has maintained a 38-point average with his new team. He is also averaging 49 DK points per game across his last three outings, and it’s clear that he’s locked into 20 shots and 40 minutes a night. The matchup with Houston is the icing on the cake, with the Rockets ranked 28th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.
GPP Targets
Jaden Ivey (PG/SG – DET): $7,200 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
Ivey has had his fair share of rookie struggles this season, but Detroit will let him run the show for the final two weeks. He’s one of the league leaders in usage over the last three weeks, averaging over 33 DraftKings points per game in that span. We don’t anticipate the Thunder to slow him down, with Oklahoma City allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Nicolas Batum (SG/SF – LAC): $5,100 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
It sounds like Batum will be a starter for the remainder of the season, and proves to be a solid fantasy option. That’s what we saw on Monday, with Batum dropping 43 DraftKings points across 31 minutes of play. We don’t anticipate him doing that again, but getting 30 minutes is what’s really important here.
Isaiah Jackson (C – IND): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
Jackson is a stud whenever Myles Turner is sidelined. In fact, Jackson is averaging nearly 35 fantasy points per game when Turner is out this year. He’s got some of the best per-minute rates in the league, and he can be a $7K player in a 30-minute role.
Value Plays
Shaedon Sharpe (PG/SG – POR): $6,700 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
Sharpe has been leading the Trail Blazers with a 29% usage rate with Lillard, Grant, Simons, and Nurkic off the floor. Shaedon has scored at least 35 DK points in three of his last four games, posting a 36-point average in that span. We’re not worried about him facing Sacramento, sitting 28th in points allowed.
Nic Claxton (C – BKN): $7,000 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
Claxton is going to go nuts in this spot. The Rockets rank bottom-three in almost every defensive category and also struggle on the offensive end. That means Claxton should clean up the glass on both ends and likely provide an easy double-double. That’s what we’ve seen all year, with Claxton averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game. In their one matchup a few weeks ago, Claxton compiled 46 DK points!
Drew Eubanks (C – POR): $4,700 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
This is one of the easiest recommendations on the slate, and he’ll likely be in this section for the closing two weeks. Eubanks will assume the starting center role in the absence of Nurkic, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game when given this job. That’s nearly 50 games since the start of last season, and we also don’t mind that Sacramento surrenders the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Advantageous Pricing
- Isaiah Jackson (C – IND): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
- Buddy Hield (SG – IND): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
- Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
- Jalen Duren (PF – DET): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
- Austin Reaves (SG – LAL): $7,100 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
- Paul Reed (C – PHI): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
- Bones Hyland (PG – LAC): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
