We had our first taste of the NBA In-Season Tournament last week, and we’re getting another course here. There were mixed results about the arenas, but the games were fantastic. It’s unclear if the games will be treated as something more than what they are, but that’s something we’ll learn as this tournament progresses. With that in mind, let’s look at these games!
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer:
Schedule and Odds
- PHI at DET (PHI -7.5) O/U: 221
- CHA at WAS (WAS -2.5) O/U: 241
- BKN at BOS (BOS -10.5) O/U: 224
- NOP at HOU (HOU -2.5) O/U: 217
- MIN at SAS (MIN -5,5) O/U: 225
- UTA at MEM (MEM -4.5) O/U: 231
- LAC at DAL (DAL -2,5) O/U: 232
- LAL at PHX (PHX -4) O/U: NA
- OKC at SAC (OKC -2.5) O/U: NA
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros.
We had our first taste of the NBA In-Season Tournament last week, and we’re getting another course here. There were mixed results about the arenas, but the games were fantastic. It’s unclear if the games will be treated as something more than what they are, but that’s something we’ll learn as this tournament progresses. With that in mind, let’s look at these games!
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer:
Schedule and Odds
- PHI at DET (PHI -7.5) O/U: 221
- CHA at WAS (WAS -2.5) O/U: 241
- BKN at BOS (BOS -10.5) O/U: 224
- NOP at HOU (HOU -2.5) O/U: 217
- MIN at SAS (MIN -5,5) O/U: 225
- UTA at MEM (MEM -4.5) O/U: 231
- LAC at DAL (DAL -2,5) O/U: 232
- LAL at PHX (PHX -4) O/U: NA
- OKC at SAC (OKC -2.5) O/U: NA
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): $10,500 DraftKings, $11,000 FanDuel
SGA had one nightmarish outing two weeks ago, but he’s been an MVP-type player outside of that. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 52 DraftKings points in all but two outings this season, dropping a season-high 66 DK points in his most recent outing. That makes him a sensational option against Sacramento, ranked 21st in total defense. In their last two matchups, SGA is averaging over 60 fantasy points per game against them!
Brandon Ingram (SF/PF – NOP): $8,700 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
This team deals with injuries every year, and there is another breakout in this training room once again. CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy, and Naji Marshall will miss this game, while Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones are questionable. The McCollum absence is what’s most important because that makes Ingram the primary playmaker. With McCollum out over the last two years, Ing is averaging nearly 50 DraftKings points per game! We love that against Houston because BI had at least 41 DK points in all three matchups last season.
Rudy Gobert (C – UTA): $6,800 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
Gobert has developed into an underrated player at this point. He’s been the best defensive player in the league this season, scoring at least 33 DK points in all but one game. He’s also got his season average just shy of 40 fantasy points per game, and it’s hard to understand why he remains in this $7K price range. It’s more baffling against San Antonio, who own the worst defensive rating in each of the last two years.
Cash Game Considerations
Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $11,700 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
Luka and Nikola Jokic are playing a different game than everyone else. Doncic leads the NBA with 62 DraftKings points per game, averaging 31.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. That elite stat-stuffing has established a 50-point floor for the Slovenian, and he’s worth whatever ridiculous price you have to pay to use him. Not to mention, Luka has at least 55 DK points in eight straight meetings with LA while scoring at least 63 fantasy points in all but one of those!
Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,200 DraftKings, $12,200 FanDuel
Embiid took down MVP honors last season and looks hungry for another one. The big man is averaging 60 DK points per game, scoring at least 76 fantasy points twice over the last 10 days. That’s truly absurd, and there’s no chance Detroit will slow him down. The Pistons allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers last season, with Embiid scoring at least 53 DK points in four of their previous five matchups.
LaMelo Ball (PG – CHA): $10,000 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel
Ball got off to a rough start this season, but things have changed. The Charlotte playmaker has 50 and 72 DraftKings points in his two most recent outings. That recent surge should be a regular thing as we advance, especially against Washington. The Wizards rank 29th in defensive efficiency and dead last in points allowed.
GPP Targets
Jordan Poole (PG/SG – WAS): $7,200 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
It’s been a terrible start for Poole in Washington, but he will be better than this. He’s still guaranteed 35 minutes, 15-20 shots, and a 30 percent usage rate for this terrible roster. He’ll go on some heaters eventually, and a matchup with the Hornets might be the start of it. Charlotte sits 28th in points allowed while surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Daniel Gafford (C – WAS): $5,300 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
DG has been all over the map regarding consistency, but he will become more reliable as the season progresses. The big man has been dealing with foul trouble, but he’s proven to be an elite per-minute producer throughout his career. That’s amazing for this shorthanded frontcourt because he should be locked into 30 minutes a night. We’ve seen this guy average 35 DK points per game in that sort of role in the past, and he’ll eventually get above $6K on both sites. Not to mention, Charlotte surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing centers last year!
De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – PHI): $5,300 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
Melton and Gafford are very different players, but we see similar trajectories in their fantasy value. Melton has struggled with his shot, but he’s locked into a 30-minute role with James Harden getting traded. He’s also proven to be an elite per-minute producer and will improve in this robust role. It could start against Detroit, surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Value Plays
Marcus Smart (PG – MEM): $6,600 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
It’s been a horrific start to the season for Memphis, but Smart has been a bright spot in a dark season. He’s the starting point guard in the absence of Ja Morant, averaging over 30 fantasy points per game. He’s posted that average despite some ugly blowouts, scoring at least 29 DK points in five of his last seven outings. In addition, Utah ranks 27th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Bismack Biyombo (C – MEM): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
This guy was literally sitting on a couch watching basketball with us a week ago, but he’s now the starting center in Memphis. Injuries to Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman have forced him into this role, playing 26 and 30 minutes in his first two outings. He’s also flirting with a 30-point average and should never be this cheap in a 30-minute role. Facing Utah is the icing on the cake, with the Jazz posting a 25th OPRK against opposing centers.
Davion Mitchell (PG/SG – SAC): $4,400 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel
Mitchell has taken over as the starting point guard in the absence of De’Aaron Fox, and it’s strange to see him sitting around $4,500 in this expanded role. He hasn’t done much, but Mitchell is averaging nearly 30 DK points per game when starting for Fox over the last three years. We haven’t seen that yet this season, but he’s still playing nearly 30 minutes a game. That makes him a worthy GPP option against an OKC team that owns a 23rd OPRK against opposing guards.
Advantageous Pricing
- Rudy Gobert (C – UTA): $6,800 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
- Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,200 DraftKings, $12,200 FanDuel
- LaMelo Ball (PG – CHA): $10,000 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel
- Kyle Anderson (SF – MIN): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
- Zion Williamson (PF/C – NOP): $8,800 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
- Jordan Hawkins (SG – NOP): $5,600 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
- Norman Powell (SG/SF – LAC): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
- Josh Giddey (PG/SG – OKC): $7,600 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
- Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $9,800 DraftKings, $11,600 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.