This is another strange week of scheduling. We had just three games on Tuesday and have one on Thursday. That means we have a massive slate here, with all but four teams in action. Having 26 teams on a slate is always a challenge because the player pool is absolutely absurd. The injury report is equally as ridiculous, so let’s start with the schedule and then get into that laundry list of players.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Schedule and Odds
- PHI at CLE (CLE -4) O/U: 212
- ATL at ORL (ATL -6) O/U: 225
- MIA at BOS (BOS -9) O/U: 224.5
- WAS at BKN (BKN -5.5) O/U: 223.5
- MIL at NYK (MIL -5.5) O/U: 226.5
- TOR at NOP (NOP -1) O/U: 224
- MEM at MIN (MEM -3.5) O/U: 232
- SAS at OKC (OKC -5) O/U: 230
- HOU at DEN (DEN -11.5) O/U: 231
- CHI at PHX (PHX -5) O/U: 224
- LAC at UTA (UTA -6.5) O/U: 226.5
- IND at SAC (SAC -4.5) O/U: 239
- POR at LAL (LAL -5.5) O/U: 226
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
Core Plays
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,300 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
SGA is the best play on the board. This superstar is averaging over 52 DraftKings points per game, scoring at least 42 fantasy points in 17 of 20 games this year. That floor should be easy to reach against San Antonio, who sit dead last in points allowed and defensive efficiency while playing at the third-fastest pace in the league. That makes them the most fantasy-friendly matchup in the NBA, with SGA slicing them up to the tune of 61 DK points in their most recent meeting.
Tyrese Haliburton (PG/SG – IND): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,600 FanDuel
Haliburton has been unbelievable this season, and you know he’ll be motivated against the team who traded him. The revenge narrative against the Kings is one thing, but Sacramento also sits 27th in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency. That’s bad news against Tyrese, scoring at least 37 fantasy points in all but one game this year. He’s also got 61 DraftKings points in two of his last three outings, and we expect that again in this sensational spot.
Anfernee Simons (PG/SG – POR): $8,200 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
Simons has been crushing this year, and he’s taking over this offense with Lillard sidelined. He’s got a 33 percent usage rate with Dame off the floor, scoring at least 37 DraftKings points in nine of his last 13 games. He’s also got a 40-point average in that span, seeing the most expanded role of his career. He’s playing 35-40 minutes, taking 15-20 shots, and handling the ball on every possession right now. That’s even more enticing against the Lakers, who rank 21st in total defense while surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,700 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel
Jokic is always the best cash game play on every slate, and he’s impossible to fade in this spot. Denver gets to face Houston, who ranks 24th in points allowed and 27th in defensive efficiency. Jokic doesn’t need a good matchup to go off, though, averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game since 2020. He’s also reached at least 40 fantasy points in all but a handful of games since then, collecting 32 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists across 28 minutes in this matchup on Monday.
Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $10,900 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
Ja has been going nuts since Desmond Bane went down. That rose his already sky-high usage, scoring at least 46 DK points in eight straight games. Morant is also maintaining a 53-point average in that span, taking over 22 shots a night. Facing Minnesota is marvelous, too, with Morant dropping 57 fantasy points in this matchup just three weeks ago.
Zion Williamson (PF – NOP): $8,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
If McCollum and Ingram are out again, Zion is the best per-dollar play on the board. The Pelicans ran their offense through Zion in that circumstance on Monday, tallying 23 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks. That’s one of the best all-around performances of his career, but it’s no surprise with so much usage sidelined.
GPP Targets
D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – MIN): $7,400 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
With KAT expected to miss this game, Russell’s usage should skyrocket. This former All-Star was already starting to play better recently. scoring at least 28 DraftKings points in seven of his last eight games. He’s also flirting with a 40-point average in those seven outings, and that’s incredible from a player in this price range. Memphis is not a bad matchup either, ranked 19th in points allowed and 22nd in defensive efficiency.
Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $6,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
It’s been a rough season for JV, but the Pels need him to step up with McCollum, Ingram, and Nance all possibly missing this game. That should force Valanciunas into a playmaking role, playing at an $8K level for most of his career. If you look at the seven games JV has played at least 25 minutes, he’s averaging 42 fantasy points per game. They need him to play 25-30 minutes with so many players out, and he’d be the best value of the day if he reaches that 42-point total.
Aleksej Pokusevski (SF/PF – OKC): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
Man, this guy will drive you nuts, but he has a ton of upside in this $5K price range. Poku has scored at least 22 DraftKings points in nine of his last 12 games, scoring 39 or more fantasy points in three of those. That 40-point upside is what has us intrigued because this former top pick can go nuts whenever given the opportunity. It seems more likely in this matchup, with the Spurs surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.
Value Plays
Jusuf Nurkic (C – POR): $6,900 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
With Dame out of the picture, Nurk has developed into one of the focal points of the Blazers offense. He’s got a 26 percent usage rate with Lillard off the floor, averaging over 1.2 DK points per minute. That’s led to Nurkic scoring at least 35 DK points in four straight games. We also don’t mind that LA is surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers, with Nurk scoring at least 39 fantasy points in all three of their meetings last year.
Monte Morris (PG/SG – WAS): $4,700 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
Morris never gets the credit he deserves because this starting point guard has always been solid. He’s scored at least 20 fantasy points in six straight games, posting a 28-point average in those outings. That’s incredible from a $5K player, but it’s far from shocking since he’s a starting point guard who plays 30 minutes a night. Facing Brooklyn is brilliant, too, with the Nets owning a 30th OPRK against opposing point guards.
Dennis-schroder.php” class=”fp-player-link fp-id-2780″ target=”_blank”>Dennis-schroder.php” class=”fp-player-link fp-id-2780″ target=”_blank”>Dennis Schroder (PG – POR): $4,700 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
Schroder has been a $6K player throughout his career, and it’s hard to understand why he remains so cheap. The Lakers starting point guard has played 29 minutes in three straight games, averaging 26 DraftKings points per game in that span. Good luck finding that from another sub-$5K player, especially since Schroder scored 38 DK points per game in his four matchups with the Blazers last season.
Advantageous Pricing
- Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $10,900 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
- D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – MIN): $7,400 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
- Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $6,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
- Tobias Harris (SF/PF – PHI): $7,700 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
- De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – PHI): $7,600 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
- Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
- Fred VanVleet (PG/SG – TOR): $7,500 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
- Tyus Jones (PG – SAS): $5,100 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
- Jalen Green (PG/SG HOU): $7,600 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
- Jordan Clarkson (PG/SG – UTA): $7,200 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
- Jerami Grant (PF – POR): $7,100 DraftKings, $8,200 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.