DraftKings DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Thursday (8/13)

Today’s schedule of games features a seven-game slate that tips-off at 12:00 p.m. EST. None of the teams playing today are operating on a back-to-back, but the NBA’s playoff seeding has been sorted out, meaning there is a legitimate chance many players are benched or play fewer minutes. Today’s slate is likely to be funky across the board, so keep your eyes open for all injury statuses and coaching plans throughout the day.

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Point Guard

 
The Boston Celtics are practically resting every important player on their roster, which means a start is in line for Brad Wanamaker. Over his past four games, Wanamaker has performed admirably, reaching value in three of the four contests. It goes without question that his matchup is brilliant as the Washington Wizards rank 30th in defensive rating and fifth in pace. Lonzo Ball is the riskiest option of the names above, but he carries a potentially massive usage rate with the majority of his starting unit sidelined. Be careful, though, as Ball has performed very badly in the bubble. Emmanuel Mudiay offers another shot at a cheap player slated for big minutes as he enters the starting lineup for the Utah Jazz. Mudiay has performed admirably in his last two contests, totaling 24.45 and 26 DraftKings points.

Shooting Guard

 
The majority of the Sacramento Kings’ lineup will be sidelined today due to rest, which is likely to lead for a huge usage rate for Bogdan Bogdanovic. In addition to a massive workload, Bogdanovic has performed tremendously in the bubble, particularly in his past four contests in which he topped 34-plus DraftKings points in each contest. Donte DiVincenczo has struggled in the bubble, but he’ll enter the starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks tonights and can do a lot of damage at his price tag — in addition, the Memphis Grizzlies rank seventh in pace and the Bucks rank first, expect it to be a quick-paced matchup. Jerome Robinson is coming off two strong performances in his past two games, and three games with 31-plus DraftKings points over his past four.

Small Forward

 
Kyle Kuzma has performed admirably in his past three contests, managing to eclipse value in all three games. Kuz could start tonight for the Lakers and can do a lot of damage at his current price tag with the potential workload he carries. Like many of the other players on this list, Pat Connaughton is likely to find himself in the Bucks’ starting lineup today. The three-point ace has scored over 23 DraftKings points in three straight and gets a tremendous matchup against the Grizzlies on this slate. E’Twaun Moore is the final cheap bench option slated for a start on this slate, and he is the cheapest of the bunch — Moore could hit value quite easily with how many minutes he’ll likely play tonight.

Power Forward

 
Expect to see a lot of Nemanja Bjelica today, much like the 33 minutes he logged in his last contest in which he scored 27.75 DraftKings points. Bjelica doesn’t have the best matchup opposing the Lakers, but they could very well rest all of their starters or allow them to play a very reduced role as they have nothing to play for. James Ennis doesn’t possess much of a ceiling, but he’s routinely hovered around or slightly above value in his past four games. Expect another relatively solid performance for the man who scoops points by way of defensive rebounding.

Center

 
All three of these players have the potential to provide a ton of value on today’s slate. Jaxson Hayes is an incredibly athletic rookie that has yet to get any extended run in the bubble but is coming off a 22-minute performance in his last game in which he totaled 18.25 DraftKings points. Robert Williams is likely to start for the Celtics today. He’s coming off a strong 25.75-point performance, is opposing one of the worst defenses in the NBA, and has a few solid performances in the bubble under his belt. Alex Len is the last value option — he’s also likely to start, which would benefit him greatly in terms of his potential output and ability to reach/provide value.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Troy Brown Jr. (WAS) $6,800: Brown has been one of the better performing players in the bubble and has the potential to shoot the ball at free-will today. The Wizards have nothing to play for, but Brown has stacked a lot of strong performances together lately.
• Kyle Kuzma (LAL) $6,700: The number of minutes Kuzma plays is completely up in the air, but the Lakers would be wise to let him continue to cook — entering the playoffs on a hot streak while also getting the chance to provide rest to players like Anthony Davis would be a wise move.
• Devin Booker (PHO) $9,800: Booker has been one of the bubble’s MVP’s and has topped 50 DraftKings points in both of his past two games. The talented scorer has chipped in 35 real-life points in three straight and is currently the headliner of the best team in the bubble.
• Khris Middleton (MIL) $8,300: Approach Middleton with caution, as his workload could very well continue to be scaled back, but he has a shot to increase his usage rate with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined by way of suspension.
• Caris LeVert (BKN) $8,000: The first hurdle for LeVert to clear is actually being active for the game. If he is, he could very well jack up a boatload of shots on a team that lacks any offensive firepower. In addition, the matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers is a good one. Monitor LeVert’s status, though, as the Nets could elect to limit him.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• LeBron James (LAL) $11,000: The King is listed as probable for today’s contest, but it wouldn’t make a ton of sense for Frank Vogel to trot his most important player out there in a meaningless seeding game, especially not the number of minutes LeBron would need to pay off his price tag.
• Anthony Davis (LAL) $10,600: The same goes for AD — he’s actually listed as questionable, though. Fade the Lakers, as they should do the right thing and allow both of their stars to rest prior to the playoffs beginning.
• Kristaps Porzingis (DAL) $8,800: KP has been an absolute revelation since the bubble kicked off, but he’s currently nursing multiple injuries, is listed as questionable, and missed Dallas’ game on Monday.
• Donovan Mitchell (UTA) $8,200: Mitchell has missed two of the last three games for the Jazz, though he isn’t listed on the injury report today. Still, the Jazz could limit his minutes, and they should — approach with caution.
• Deandre Ayton (PHO) $8,100: Ayton has struggled in his last two contests. He hasn’t come close to his value and has taken a backseat to the Devin Booker show. Ayton wouldn’t be a terrible play today, but the Mavs rank average in both defense and pace.

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