FanDuel DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Monday (8/3)

Today’s slate is scheduled for a strong six-game slate, tipping off at 1:30 p.m. EST. As with most days since the NBA bubble kicked off, ensure your later-game lineups include players that are likely to line up, as the lock for today’s slate is an early one with the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat beginning the festivities. Keep updated with player statuses as the day inches closer to tip-off.

Check out today’s NBA Sharpshooter from DraftKings

Point Guard

 
Even though he’s coming off the bench, Ish Smith has been highly productive in the bubble, with his first two games totaling 29.3 and 35.3 FanDuel points. The Pacers don’t present a great matchup, but it could become a lot juicier if Malcolm Brogdon and/or Victor Oladipo are sidelined due to injuries. Holiday enters the day with a capped ceiling, particularly if the aforementioned Brogdon and Oladipo play. If they’re ruled out, Holiday nearly becomes a must-play at his price tag. His matchup against the Wizards is a beautiful one — they rank 30th in defensive rating and fifth in pace. Monte Morris — like Holiday — may register a start in place of Jamaal Murray, but we don’t know that with certainty yet.

Shooting Guard

 
There aren’t many great value options at the two-guard spot, though Torrey Craig could be one as he’s slated to draw another start with Gary Harris and Will Barton once again sidelined. Craig’s intrigue could increase even further if Murray is unable to play. Dillon Brooks probably has the best matchup of the bunch, with the New Orleans Pelicans ranking 21st in defensive rating and third in pace. Lonnie Walker IV has been playing a solid number of minutes as of late, and that should continue with LaMarcus Aldridge sidelined.

Small Forward

 
Double-dipping on the Holiday brothers is a completely viable strategy, as Justin Holiday also carries a lot of intrigue at his price tag and with his matchup. OG Anunoby is playing some fantastic ball for the Toronto Raptors lately, but his matchup is not an easy one as the Miami Heat field a great defense and do not operate at a quick pace. Rudy Gay is a high-floor, safe option — one which likely makes more sense for cash games as opposed to GPP’s, particularly with Aldridge out. Troy Brown Jr. is coming off an enormous 49-point FanDuel performance. While his matchup looks tough on paper, it could ease up considerably if Brogdon and Oladipo miss the contest.

Power Forward

 
As per usual, the Denver Nuggets look to be a solid source of value on today’s slate. Neither of Paul Millsap or Michael Porter Jr. has the best matchup, but both guys come with relatively cheap price tags and are slated to start — either is a viable option. Brandon Clarke operates in a second-unit role, but he’s a productive player and has a tremendous matchup, which heightens his ceiling today. In addition, the Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies game currently lead the implied totals of the day by a wide margin.

Center

 
Marc Gasol hasn’t been crazy productive since joining the bubble (one game), but his price tag is insanely cheap for a player of his caliber. Gasol struggled to get his shot to drop in his first game back — expect positive regression at some point, and that carries the potential for a strong value performance from Big Spain. Thomas Bryant is coming off an insane 58.1-point FanDuel performance — while you shouldn’t expect a repeat, he could continue to provide value on a Washington Wizards team that simply isn’t very good and lacks any offensive firepower. Myles Turner has yet to get it going in the bubble, but it isn’t for a lack of opportunities, especially if two of the Pacers’ starting five are sidelined.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Ja Morant (MEM) $7,500: Morant has already put together two tremendous performances in the NBA bubble and now has a shot to complete the trifecta against the Pelicans — which is the most intriguing matchup on the slate.
• Joel Embiid (PHI) $9,700: Embiid truly looked unstoppable in his first game in the bubble — he totaled 80.2 FanDuel points in a 41-point performance. The San Antonio Spurs will need to rely on Jakob Poeltl to stop Embiid — good luck!
• Pascal Siakam (TOR) $8,000: Even though he only scored 15 points in his last game, Siakam put together a strong 42.3-point performance. The MIPOTY candidate harnesses the potential for filling up a stat sheet across the board.
• Jrue Holiday (NO) $7,600: This contest is easily the best of the day. With their highest implied total of the night, you’d be wise to target some of the players in the contest — Holiday is a good option because of his ability to both score effectiveness and scoop defensive stats galore.
• Jimmy Butler (MIA) $8,200: The Raptors are going to make it extremely difficult for him, but Butler should have a good shot to reach value at his price tag. The Miami Heat rely on his offensive firepower too much for him to not at least get the opportunities needed.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Anthony Davis (LAL) $9,600: Not only do the Lakers have nothing to play for, but Davis is currently nursing an eye injury, and while he’s still probable for the contest, he should have his workload scaled back. AD is a stud, but there are better options on this slate, especially when you consider his matchup against the Utah Jazz.
• Zion Williamson (NO) $6,300: Zion is going to continue living on this list, even if his price continues to nosedive as it has. He simply isn’t playing enough minutes to get a real shot to produce — 14 and 15 minutes aren’t going to cut it.
• DeMar DeRozan (SAS) $8,000: There may not be a player with a greater usage rate than DeRozan today, but I would still approach with extreme caution. His matchup is an extremely tough one — the Philadelphia 76ers should throw everything but the kitchen sink at DeRozan.
• Donovan Mitchell (UTA) $6,800: Mitchell’s price tag is wildly low for a player of his caliber, but with good reason — his matchup is extremely tough. The Lakers rank third in defensive rating.
• Victor Oladipo (IND) $5,500: Oladipo’s price tag is amazing but for good reason — he’s currently injured and may not suit up. Avoid this situation altogether and ensure the players in your lineups are certain to suit up.

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