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

The NBA has a seven-game slate for Thursday’s action in Orlando. FanDuel has plenty of contests to enter for the league’s double slate tonight, so let’s take a look at some lineup possibilities with value plays, studs, fades, and more!

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Value Plays

Point Guard

 
Dejounte Murray’s DFS stock went up with the Derrick White injury, and even in the last game, White didn’t look himself. Murray has had three-straight games of 25 or more fantasy points, and he’s made an impact with his assists and rebounds recording at least eight combined in six of the last seven.

Markelle Fultz has been a spark off the Magic bench, and over the past three games, he’s earned relevance in DFS. He’s recorded 30 and 44.2 fantasy points over the last two games and played 22 and 32 minutes. The Pelicans are out of contention, so it’ll be another opportunity for Fultz to together his sixth double-digit scoring game.

Tyler Johnson ended up being a positive addition to the Nets rotation, especially when Joe Harris or Caris LeVert sit. In his last two games, he’s had 25 fantasy points apiece and scored at least 14-real life points in his previous three games. This matchup is most likely going to be the end of his relevance in DFS, but get him while you can.

Shooting Guard

 
DeMar DeRozan has been one of the DFS surprises, posting five games of 40 or more fantasy points out of seven. He’s the driving force for the Spurs, and versus the Jazz, he’s averaged 23 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in three meetings. The latest wasn’t even a week ago, and he had his worst game in DFS standards (23.9), making this an excellent comeback opportunity for him since it’s a must-win.

Dillon Brooks is in a good spot to find his three-point shot as the Grizzlies takes on the Bucks. Milwaukee allows the most makes (16.4) and three-pointers attempted (47.0) in the bubble. Brooks was 0-for-4 from deep in his last game but went a bubble-best 3-for-10 in the game before that.

Gary Trent Jr. has shown up off the bench for Portland. While Damian Lillard has been going off, taking up most of the attention, Trent has been doing his part and getting buckets. Versus the Nets, there’s potential for the game to end before the 60-minute mark is up, and Trent’s afforded some of Lillard or C.J. McCollum’s minutes late in the game.

Small Forward

 
Carmelo Anthony has gone over 30 fantasy points in three-straight games and posted a bubble-best 43.6 versus the Mavericks. In this game against Brooklyn, Melo could have his way not only scoring, but rebounding. He’s grabbed at least seven in his last three outings, and the Nets rank 18th in the bubble with 46.1 rebounds allowed per game.

Mikal Bridges is starting to get the respect he deserves after his last two games in the bubble. The previous was sweet for him, considering they stayed undefeated, and the victory was against his hometown team and the one that drafted him. Bridges scored 24 points and 39.9 fantasy points versus the 76ers, and against Dallas, he has a favorable matchup with their guards/forwards.

Cameron Johnson, like Bridges, has played better than expected and utilized their minutes to the fullest. He’s probable after dealing with a knee injury in the last contest, but if he’s feeling 100%, he could be worth a play on a one or two game-slate. He had six-straight games of 20 or more fantasy points before his last game.

Power Forward

 
Brandon Clarke has been an energizer for the Grizzlies, and it’s a shame he doesn’t see the floor more often. He could easily be a starter; instead, he’s a key bench player that’s scored double-digits in five out of seven games and the same with 20 fantasy points or more. The Bucks could rest their guys towards the end of the game, and the Grizzlies still have to win, look for the young guys like Brooks and Clarke to help Ja Morant.

Dario Saric has turned it on in the bubble, and he was one fantasy point off from his bubble-high with 33.8 fantasy points versus his former 76ers team. Saric has scored double-digits and had six or more rebounds in every game in Orlando. He’s a major sleeper, and he can light it up versus the Mavericks defense.

Gary Clark has been one of the Magic players to get time in the frontcourt with Mo Bamba and Jonathan Isaac missing time. Clark had 15 points and seven rebounds for 28.4 fantasy points versus the Celtics, and against the Pelicans, he could do better. They will be playing freely and shooting at will, giving him opportunities to grab five or more rebounds for the fourth time in five games.

Center

 
Jonas Valanciunas went scoreless versus the Raptors with 10 rebounds but returned more forceful in his last performance with the fifth double-double of the bubble. He recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds against the Celtics, and in a do-or-die situation, he’s worth a buy as a mid-tier center.

Jakob Poeltl has double-doubled in two of his last three games for the Spurs, and he’s had three-straight games of 25 or more fantasy points, including 42 versus the Jazz. They get another shot at Utah, and with Rudy Gobert likely to sit out or rest somewhat in this game, it’s Poeltl versus Tony Bradley.

Bradley has only surpassed 20 fantasy points in one game this bubble, but in that game, he totaled 15 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal. He’s done well in the limited time he’s been given, and if he sees extended minutes, I’d expect a double-double or just short of that from him, at the very least. 

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Damian Lillard (POR) $10,100: Lillard has been on fire in the bubble, and after his 61-point performance, you’d be a fool not to play him.
• Ja Morant (MEM) $7,700: Morant posted 26 points and 13 assists in his last game and has been the only exciting part of the Grizzlies thus far. He’s been a machine, and a third-straight double-double is possible.
• Devin Booker (PHO) $8,800: Booker is another guy that you must be playing. He has been hot from everywhere and has scored 35 points four different times this bubble.
• Kristaps Porzingis (DAL) $9,200: Porzingis has been one of the most dominant big men in the bubble, and if he’s a go on Thursday, he’ll be a good DFS option after his 36 points and six rebounds last game.
• Jusuf Nurkic (POR) $8,500: Nurkic has helped turn this Blazers team around, and he’s come close to recording a triple-double over the weekend. He’s a definite play versus the Nets’ weak defense.

5 Notable Players to Fade

•  Nikola Vucevic (ORL) $7,900: Vucevic is on an island by himself with all the Magic players sitting lately. He struggled to find the bottom of the net in his last game and is a fade for me until the postseason.
• Deandre Ayton (PHO) $7,300: Ayton hasn’t lived up to the hype the past few games, and after his missed COVID 19 test, a lot of people wrote him off in DFS until the playoffs.
• Caris LeVert (BKN) $8,300: LeVert missed the last game for the Nets, and if he’s a go versus Portland, the Blazers will put their focus on him.
• CJ McCollum (POR) $7,400: McCollum has a back injury that he’s been playing through, and with Lillard’s recent explosion of scoring, he’s best left alone.
• Brook Lopez (MIL) $5,800: Lopez had a great game in his last outing, but most of the team sat out the second half of the game. Even in extended minutes, he recorded three rebounds outside of his 23 points.

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Vaughn Dalzell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Vaughn, check out his archive or follow him @VaughnDalzell.