It’s so strange to be this close to the finish line. It always feels like the season is dragging along, and then it’s just over out of nowhere. That’s always strange for fantasy addicts like us, but it has me motivated to finish the season strong. Wednesday was one of my best days of the year, and I’m looking to keep that momentum rolling here.
After a massive slate on Wednesday, we’re looking at just five fixtures here. It’s a weird slate because we have three games that are supposed to be close and two potential blowouts. There are also some big-name players out as well, and that’ll surely play a factor in some of our recommendations.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Schedule and Odds
- CLE at TOR (TOR -3.5) O/U: 215
- CHI at NOP (CHI -1.5) O/U: 228
- WAS at MIL (MIL -12.5) O/U: 233.5
- IND at MEM (MEM -12) O/U: 235
- PHX at DEN (DEN -3.5) O/U: 231
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
- Collin Sexton (knee) OUT
- Jarrett Allen (finger) OUT
- OG Anunoby (hand) OUT
- Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
- Zion Williamson( foot) OUT
- Brandon Ingram (hamstring) OUT
- Bradley Beal (wrist) OUT
- Khris Middleton (wrist) Questionable
- Myles Turner (foot) OUT
- Malcolm Brogdon (tanking) Questionable
- Chris Duarte (toe) Questionable
- Ja Morant (knee) OUT
- Chris Paul (hand) OUT
- Cameron Johnson (quad) OUT
- Jamal Murray (knee) OUT
- Michael Porter Jr (back) OUT
- DeMar DeRozan (adductor) Questionable
- Jalen Smith (illness) Questionable
- Gary Trent Jr (toe) Questionable
Core Plays
Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF – MIL): $11,700 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
Giannis isn’t in the MVP running, but he’s having another MVP season. The Greek Freak has scored at least 48 DK points in 17 of his last 18 games, averaging 61 fantasy points per game in that span. That’s the highest total in the NBA, and he should continue that success against a 23rd-ranked Wizards defense. In their two matchups this season, Giannis has scored at least 68 DK points in both, averaging 31 points, 16.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Desmond Bane (SG/SF – MEM): $7,100 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
The Morant injury is the most significant absence on this slate, and it’s going to have us stacking the Grizzlies. Bane has actually been doing most of the playmaking in his absence, scoring at least 36 DraftKings points in seven of his last nine games. He’s also averaging 1.2 DK points per minute with Ja off the floor, which should continue here. Not to mention, DB dropped 42 DK points across 23 minutes in his one meeting with the Pacers earlier this season.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – WAS): $8,400 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
Washington made one of the biggest splashes by acquiring KP at the trade deadline, and he’s been fantastic since joining his new team. Beal and Kuzma both being out is a major reason why, with Porzingis scoring at least 37 DK points in five of his last six games. More importantly, he’s dominating the touches and running the show for this shorthanded team.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,400 DraftKings, $11,800 FanDuel
Fading Jokic on a five-game slate is the dumbest thing you could possibly do. This guy has scored at least 41 Draftings points in all but one game this season, leading the NBA with 61 DK points per game. Just take that guaranteed production and build from there. Phoenix is a tough matchup, but the Joker collected 27 points and 13 rebounds in their one matchup earlier this season.
Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHX): $9,300 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
DB has taken over this Suns offense with CP3 and Johnson both sidelined. That has led to Booker taking 25 shots a game for a month now, leading the team with a 33 percent usage rate. That’s ushered to him scoring at least 35 DK points in 16 straight games, generating a 50-point average in that span.
Tyus Jones (PG – MEM): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
What are these DFS sites thinking? Jones has started at point guard in every game that Morant has missed this season, averaging 29 DK points per game in those 16 outings. That’s absurd from a $5K player, and it’s hard to fade him in this 30-minute ball-handling role. Facing Indiana is incredible, too, with the Pacers owning a 23rd OPRK against opposing point guards.
GPP Targets
Jaren Jackson Jr (PF/C – MEM): $6,900 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
JJJ is probably the best option in Memphis with Morant out of the lineup. With Ja off the floor, JJJ leads the team with a 31 percent usage rate, averaging 1.3 DK points per minute in those circumstances. That’s absurd from such a talented player, which means Jackson is about $1,500 too cheap on both sites. We also don’t mind that he faces a Pacers team that ranks 24th in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency. He also had 41 DK points across 21 minutes in his one matchup with Indiana.
Precious Achiuwa (PF/C – TOR): $4,700 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
It’s hard to see this guy’s name and not think about the dark film made a decade back, but Precious is trying to brighten our day with his recent play. The injury to Anunoby is the thing that’s gotten Achiuwa going, scoring at least 18 DraftKings points in 15 of his last 16 games. That might not sound like much, but it’s incredible since he’s scored at least 34 DK points in six of those. That makes him a worthwhile risk south of $5K, especially since he’ll need to play big minutes to oppose this stout Cleveland frontcourt.
Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $4,300 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
We know Lopez can be a stud when given the opportunity. He’s been a $7K player in the past, and now that his minutes are creeping up, we want to hop on the train before the price creeps back up. He’s scored 25 DK points in back-to-back games and should have success against a Washington team surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Value Plays
Goga Bitadze (C – IND): $4,900 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
This DraftKings price is silly. Goga has been handed the starting center job in Indiana, with Smith, Turner, and Sabonis all out of the picture. That’s big news for Bitadze, with the big man scoring at least 29 DK points in five of his last six games. That’s tough to find from such a cheap player, and his role should keep rising with Indiana in full-on tank mode.
Alex Caruso (PG/SG – CHI): $4,600 DraftKings, $4,400 FanDuel
Caruso is one of the most well-liked players in the NBA, but DFS sites don’t really care. He’s remained too cheap for too long, taking over the starting point guard job for Ayo Dosunmu. That’s led to Caruso combining for 63 minutes over his last two games, scoring 19 DK points in three straight outings. We do need more from him, but the production should come as long as the minutes say above 30.
Raul Neto (PG – WAS): $3,800 DraftKings, $4,400 FanDuel
Neto’s not going to drop a 50-spot and carry you to a GPP bink, but he’s one of the most underpriced players on the slate. We’re talking about a starting point guard, with Raul scoring at least 23 DK points in three of his last five games. He’s also got at least 29 fantasy points in two of those, an absurd total from a $4,000 player.
Advantageous Pricing
- Tyus Jones (PG – MEM): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
- Goga Bitadze (C – IND): $4,900 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
- Caris LeVert (SG – CLE): $5,800 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
- Brandon Ingram (SF/PF – NOP): $9,300 DraftKinga, $8,000 FanDuel
- DeMar DeRozan (SF – CHI): $8,700 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
- Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,900 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
- Devonte Graham (PG/SG – NOP): $5,900 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
- Khris Middleton (SF – MIL): $8,600 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
- Bobby Portis (PF/C – MIL): $6,500 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
- Deni Avdija (SG – WAS): $4,700 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
- Tyrese Haliburton (PG/SG – IND): $8,900 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
- Buddy Hield (SG – IND): $7,300 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
- Justin Anderson (SF – IND): $3,000 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.