We wrap up another weekend of NBA DFS with a six-game slate that will tip off at 6:00 pm EST. Keep in mind that as the season progresses, teams are starting to pay closer attention to their players’ workloads. Therefore, keeping up with the daily news is becoming increasingly essential. With that said, let’s go ahead and get right to it by looking at the key matchups we have on hand and the ever-so-important injury report. Good luck!
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet 
Schedule and Odds
- BKN (-3.5) @ MIA (+3.5) O/U: 221.5
- UTA (+7) @ MEM (-7) O/U: 236.5
- DAL (+1.5) @ OKC (-1.5) O/U: 226.5
- MIN (-2) @ HOU (+2) O/U: 227.5
- CLE (-4.5) @ PHO (+4.5) O/U: 217.5
- ATL (+3.5) @ LAC (-3.5) O/U: 231.5
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
We wrap up another weekend of NBA DFS with a six-game slate that will tip off at 6:00 pm EST. Keep in mind that as the season progresses, teams are starting to pay closer attention to their players’ workloads. Therefore, keeping up with the daily news is becoming increasingly essential. With that said, let’s go ahead and get right to it by looking at the key matchups we have on hand and the ever-so-important injury report. Good luck!
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Schedule and Odds
- BKN (-3.5) @ MIA (+3.5) O/U: 221.5
- UTA (+7) @ MEM (-7) O/U: 236.5
- DAL (+1.5) @ OKC (-1.5) O/U: 226.5
- MIN (-2) @ HOU (+2) O/U: 227.5
- CLE (-4.5) @ PHO (+4.5) O/U: 217.5
- ATL (+3.5) @ LAC (-3.5) O/U: 231.5
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
Core Plays
Lauri Markkanen (SF/PF-UTA): $9,300 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
For obvious reasons, Kevin Durant will be a preferred option at forward tonight. However, I’ll also be looking to get my fair share of Markkanen. He is significantly cheaper and offers similar production. The former Arizona product is having a career season averaging 24.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He has established himself as the clear No.1 option for the Jazz’s offense, and going up against a superior opponent in the Grizzlies, they will need another big night out of their veteran leader to keep this one close.
Christian Wood (PF/C-DAL): $8,000 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Targeting big men against the Thunder has been a profitable strategy this season. I see no reason to shy away from it tonight, either. Christian Wood is in a fantastic spot to have a big game. For starters, Luka Doncic isn’t guaranteed to suit up. The superstar is dealing with a sore ankle, so the team may give him the night off. Either way, I’m in on Wood tonight. Since being moved into the starting lineup, he’s been playing great basketball. Over the past seven games, he hasn’t scored less than 30 fantasy points, and he’s returned 5X in six of them. The Thunder are in the bottom five of the league against big men and don’t defend the paint well. Wood could easily end up optimal.
GPP Targets
Rudy Gobert (C-MEM): $6,900 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
Gobert is too cheap for the upside he offers. He’s blown his price point out of the water over the last two games, and he’s in another great position to stay hot. This is an excellent pace-up spot, with the Timberwolves ranking seventh in pace and the Rockets landing at 12th. Not to mention, Houston has the third-worst defense in the league to go along with the worst offense. That’s the perfect storm for Gobert to score at will while having the opportunity to pull down double-digit rebounds. Rudy is by far one of my favorite plays across the board on tonight’s slate.
Kawhi Leonard (SF/PF-LAC): $8,200 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
The Clippers were run out of the gym when they faced off against the Nuggets on Friday. As a result, Leonard suffered the worst game of the season so far. With that said, he should be rested and ready to take on a full workload against the Hawks. Prior to Friday’s down game, Khawhi had posted three straight performances of 40 or more FanDuel points while playing at least 35 minutes. Leonard is easily a 9K plus player when he is at full strength. With all signs pointing up, I’ll gladly take the discount on the perennial all-star, who should have little trouble scoring against the 22nd-ranked defense of the Hawks.
Value Plays
Steven Adams (C-MEM): $6,100 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
After his recent standout performances, FanDuel has adjusted Adams’ salary accordingly. However, DraftKings is a little late to the party. Unfortunately, Adams has popped on the injury report with a non-COVID illness, but until he’s officially ruled out, I’ll be looking to take full advantage of the discount. The big man has one of the juiciest matchups on the slate. The Jazz are 27th in the NBA regarding defensive rating (115.1) and allow the most points in the paint (55.5). As a result, they’re surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. Before his last game against the Magic, Adams had averaged 33.3 DKFP and a whopping 19 rebounds per game. If Adams is a go, he’s one of the safest plays on the slate, especially on DK.
Jaden Hardy (PG/SG-DAL): $3,100 DraftKings, $3,700 FanDuel
This play is solely dependent on whether or not Luka Doncic suits up. However, with the Mavs on the second night of a back-to-back, I’m willing to bank on him getting the night off. If that’s the case, Hardy projects to be an excellent source of value. After missing some time due to injury, Hardy returned to the rotation on Thursday. In 15 minutes off the bench, the rookie scored 22 DKFP and had an impressive 25.4% usage rate. The young guard could be a smash value play if he sees extended run tonight.
That will do it for another edition of the NBA DFS Primer. Please give me a follow over at Twitter @ev_ritt3. I’m always open to talking shop and answering any fantasy or betting questions. The support is greatly appreciated!
Good luck in all your contests tonight.
