Coming off a recent influx of massive slates, tonight’s DFS tournaments will feature only four games on the docket with only three games included in the main slate. The Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, and Atlanta Hawks are all operating on a back-to-back as these teams played on Friday night. Tip-off locks at 7 p.m. EST.
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Guards
James Harden (SG – HOU): $12,000 vs. ATL
The man, the myth, the legend. Harden has once again proven to be one of the best players in the league and in DFS circles. The addition of PG Russell Westbrook hasn’t really affected Harden in a negative way as he’s topped 50 DraftKings points in all of his past 10 games, which includes multiple 70-point performances. Harden leads the league in usage rate with his 37.7%, meaning he’s putting up just as many shots as he did before Westbrook joined him. The Houston Rockets have the highest implied total of the night with their line set at 125 and the Atlanta Hawks rank 26th in defensive rating and 12th in pace. The Hawks are a great opponent to target on this slate.
Coming off a recent influx of massive slates, tonight’s DFS tournaments will feature only four games on the docket with only three games included in the main slate. The Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, and Atlanta Hawks are all operating on a back-to-back as these teams played on Friday night. Tip-off locks at 7 p.m. EST.
Check out today’s NBA Sharpshooter from DraftKings
Guards
James Harden (SG – HOU): $12,000 vs. ATL
The man, the myth, the legend. Harden has once again proven to be one of the best players in the league and in DFS circles. The addition of PG Russell Westbrook hasn’t really affected Harden in a negative way as he’s topped 50 DraftKings points in all of his past 10 games, which includes multiple 70-point performances. Harden leads the league in usage rate with his 37.7%, meaning he’s putting up just as many shots as he did before Westbrook joined him. The Houston Rockets have the highest implied total of the night with their line set at 125 and the Atlanta Hawks rank 26th in defensive rating and 12th in pace. The Hawks are a great opponent to target on this slate.
DeAndre’ Bembry (SG – ATL): $4,000 @ HOU
Bembry received a handful of starts for the Hawks recently, but he hasn’t topped a performance than the one he had last night that totaled 37.5 DraftKings points. Now, that total shouldn’t be expected as the game was an outlier in which Bembry registered 41 minutes of playing time, but he’s outplayed SF Cam Reddish and could buy himself more playing time moving forward. The Rockets are average on the defensive side of the ball as they rank 15th in defensive rating, but they do play with the 2nd fastest pace in the league, giving this game the highest implied total of tonight’s contests.
Trae Young (PG – ATL): $8,900 @ HOU
Just like Bembry, Young benefits from a very solid matchup against the Rockets on a small slate. Young may not be Luka Doncic, but he’s a star in his own right. Young’s lowest point total in his past four games is 46.5 DraftKings points, though he’s coming off a performance in which he scored 62.75 DraftKings points and 49 real-life points. Young ranks 9th in the league in usage rate and has the potential to erupt any given night.
Devonte’ Graham (SG – CHA): $6,500 @ MIL
Graham has been a revelation for the Charlotte Hornets as he’s firmly entrenched himself as not only the starting two-guard but maybe the best player on the team. In his past five contests, Graham has only failed to reach value once. The second-year Graham plays a ton of minutes for the Hornets, averaging 33.5 minutes per game this season. The matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks is a terrible one, but a short slate often leads you to playing guys in similar circumstances.
Forwards
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF – MIL): $11,800 vs. CHA
You’ll need to decide between Harden and Antetokounmpo for tonight’s slate. It is possible to squeeze both in, but the remainder of your lineup will be incredibly weak. Antetokounmpo has been a monster this season – coming to the surprise of no one. He is currently 6th in usage rate and the Bucks have the 2nd highest implied total on the night. Not only that, but the Hornets rank 27th in defensive rating, though they do rank 25th in pace.
P.J. Tucker (PF – HOU): $5,100 vs. ATL
Tucker feels like an easy play tonight, though he could be a chalky option with starting C Clint Capela expected to miss the contest. The matchup is a great one as the Hawks are an opponent you should target on tonight’s slate and Tucker’s price is relatively cheap for a guy who plays as many minutes as he does. Tucker’s ceiling is capped as he doesn’t provide much offense, but he’s a defensive savant who can rebound the ball and collect DraftKings points in a variety of ways.
Wesley Matthews (SF – MIL): $4,300 vs. CHA
Choosing to pay down at the forward spot is a viable strategy, especially if you plan on rostering both Harden and Antetokounmpo. Matthews is your chance at finding some cheap exposure to the Bucks which rank 1st in pace. The Hornets are a bad defensive team, giving Matthews a shot to return value in the process.
Centers
Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $5,500 vs. CHA
Lopez has been incredibly consistent lately, but he hasn’t exploded since his 50-point performance on November 11th. The big man isn’t much of a rebounder, but his range is unlimited for a 7-footer. This game is the second-best on the slate tonight and Lopez is a nice contrarian option to the more expensive centers in the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers game.
Tyson Chandler (C – HOU): $3,500 vs. ATL
If you plan on really paying down at center, Chandler is your guy. Capela is expected to miss the contest with an illness, paving the way for Chandler to draw another start in his absence. Chandler does not play many minutes and doesn’t offer any ceiling whatsoever, but he is a solid rim protector and rebounder who could reach value in a fast-paced game.
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Sosa Kremenjas is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Sosa, check out his archive and follow him @QBsMVP.