We wrap up the weekend with a nice six-game slate. This is always a first-look article, so some player statuses are subject to change.
I hope everyone had an excellent weekend and enjoyed their holidays. Yesterday’s article had some outstanding plays in it, so hopefully, you jammed some into your lineups and hit that cash line. If not, well, as we often say in the DFS world … on to the next.
Let’s jump into things, starting with the schedule and favorable odds followed by the ever-so-important injury report. We’ll then get into the meat and potatoes with core plays, cash-game considerations, GPP darlings, and value plays to help with salary relief.
We’ll wrap things up with some price discrepancies between DraftKings and FanDuel. By then, you’ll have enough information to get your lineups rolling. Good luck to all, and be sure to tune in daily for the NBA DFS Pimrer from FantasyPros.
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros 
Schedule and Odds
- ORL @ BOS (-10.5) O/U:213.5
- IND @ CLE (-3.5) O/U: 215.5
- MIA @ SAC (+3.5) O/U: 221.5
- PHX @ CHA (+2.5) O/U: 231.5
- PHX @ CHA (+2.5) O/U: 231.5
- DAL @ OKC (+8.5) O/U: 209.5
- MIN @ LAL (-7.5) O/U: 223.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Caris LeVert (PG/SG – IND): $9,200 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
LeVert had a slow start to the season, but he has turned it up as of late. He’s coming off two performances with at least 55 fantasy points and two 45 plus over the last four games. With Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) out of the lineup, LeVert has attempted over 20 field-goal attempts in each of his last three games. LeVert is primed for another great game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have an OPRK of 26th attached to them. Seeing close to 40 minutes a game and taking over 20 shots against a favorable opponent makes LeVert’s fantasy outlook very appealing.
We wrap up the weekend with a nice six-game slate. This is always a first-look article, so some player statuses are subject to change.
I hope everyone had an excellent weekend and enjoyed their holidays. Yesterday’s article had some outstanding plays in it, so hopefully, you jammed some into your lineups and hit that cash line. If not, well, as we often say in the DFS world … on to the next.
Let’s jump into things, starting with the schedule and favorable odds followed by the ever-so-important injury report. We’ll then get into the meat and potatoes with core plays, cash-game considerations, GPP darlings, and value plays to help with salary relief.
We’ll wrap things up with some price discrepancies between DraftKings and FanDuel. By then, you’ll have enough information to get your lineups rolling. Good luck to all, and be sure to tune in daily for the NBA DFS Pimrer from FantasyPros.
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Schedule and Odds
- ORL @ BOS (-10.5) O/U:213.5
- IND @ CLE (-3.5) O/U: 215.5
- MIA @ SAC (+3.5) O/U: 221.5
- PHX @ CHA (+2.5) O/U: 231.5
- PHX @ CHA (+2.5) O/U: 231.5
- DAL @ OKC (+8.5) O/U: 209.5
- MIN @ LAL (-7.5) O/U: 223.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Caris LeVert (PG/SG – IND): $9,200 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
LeVert had a slow start to the season, but he has turned it up as of late. He’s coming off two performances with at least 55 fantasy points and two 45 plus over the last four games. With Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) out of the lineup, LeVert has attempted over 20 field-goal attempts in each of his last three games. LeVert is primed for another great game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have an OPRK of 26th attached to them. Seeing close to 40 minutes a game and taking over 20 shots against a favorable opponent makes LeVert’s fantasy outlook very appealing.
LeBron James (PG/SF – LAL): $12,000 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
James has been on absolute fire at the ripe age of 37. It truly is incredible to watch. The future Hall of Famer has scored 60 or more fantasy points in six of his last seven games and has scored 70 or more in each of the past three. James is averaging 36.8 points, 10,3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks in that six-game span. He’s on another level and completely zoned in right now. Even with a steep salary, LeBron is worth every penny.
Jimmy Butler (SF – MIA): $10,000 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
The Miami Heat are one of the more shorthanded teams in the NBA right now, and Butler has had a significantly elevated usage bump as a result. He’s coming off a laser-focused performance against the Rockets where he put up a season-high 37 points, made all 11 of his free throws, and had zero turnovers. He gets a middle-of-the-road defense in the Kings tonight and should continue to have a massive usage bump. Butler is an excellent option to build your lineup around.
Cash Game Consideration
Jalen Smith (PF/C – PHX): $5,000 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
The Suns are banged up at center with Deandre Ayton and backup JaVale McGee in the league’s protocols. That has thrust Smith into a more prominent role on this team, and he’s taking advantage of the opportunity. Seeing 25-plus minutes in the last three games, Smith has scored double-digit points with over 25 fantasy points in each game as well. The guaranteed minutes and opportunity give Smith a solid floor for cash games.
Josh Giddey (SG/SF – OKC): $7,600 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
I like Giddey’s price point much better on FanDuel, so that’s where most of my exposure to him will be. The Thunder’s best player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, just went in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols Saturday, leaving a 28.1% usage rate behind. Giddey will be one of the main beneficiaries of the extra opportunity, and it should give him a solid floor with a better chance to have some ceiling performances.
GPP Targets
Kevin Love (PF/C – CLE): $7,800 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
The Cavs are also shorthanded, and a rejuvenated Love has stepped up in a big way by averaging 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. To put things in perspective, Love’s 35-11-4 line on Friday marked his most points scored since December 28, 2017, and his first 35-10 outing since April 4, 2014. He’s put up 40 or more fantasy points in four of his last five games, with Friday’s stellar performance resulting in 59.25 DraftKings points. The only thing holding Love back from hitting his ceiling seems to be the Cavs limiting his minutes. That hasn’t been the case lately, as the veteran big is averaging 30.3 minutes in his last three games. Love’s salary climbed $1,100 since the previous game, so that may keep his roster percentage at bay somewhat this evening. Regardless, I still will take some shots in GPPs given how well Love is playing lately.
Russell Westbrook (PG – LAL): $10,300 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel
With James dominating recently, it seems like no one is talking about Westbrook recording a triple-double in four consecutive games. Now that James has a price tag of $12,000 on DraftKings, I’d go with Westbrook in large-field tournaments at a significantly more palatable $10,300 on DK and a very intriguing $9,700 on FD. The Lakers get a Timberwolves team in the bottom 10 of points allowed and the bottom five in rebounds and assists allowed. Westbrook should be well on his way to another triple-double tonight and is one of my favorite GPP plays.
Value Plays
Aaron Wiggins (SG – OKC): $4,100 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
Wiggins is entirely too cheap on DraftKings, as you can tell by his Fanduel salary. DK just flat-out missed on this one, but that’s OK, I don’t mind them tossing us a bone every once in a while. I have already shed light on the Thunder missing their primary scorer in Gilgeous-Alexander, which gives Wiggins an even better chance to blow this $4,100 tag out of the water. He’s scored 20 or more DraftKings points his last four games, and we have seen 37 fantasy point upside from him already. The bottom line is too cheap on DK and is one of the better value plays you’ll find on tonight’s six-game slate.
Nathan Knight (PF/C – MIN): $3,900 DraftKings, $3,800 FanDuel
Knight has played well without starting center Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19), putting up a 45 fantasy point performance against the Boston Celtics. He may split minutes with Naz Reid, but he still can provide decent fantasy production at a low price point. Knight has played better than Reid, so Minnesota may give him more minutes tonight against the Lakers. Either way, Knight is a viable option for some salary relief.
Advantageous Pricing
- Aaron Wiggins (SG – OKC): $4,100 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
- Russell Westbrook (PG – LAL): $10,300 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel
- Josh Giddey (SF/SG – OKC): $7,600 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
- Jimmy Butler (SF – MIA): $10,000 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
- LeBron James (PG/SF – LAL): $12,000 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
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Evan Ritter is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Evan, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter.
