We’re entering the second day of the NBA In-Season Tournament! I gotta be honest though, I’m still not really sure how all this works or what the motivation behind it. In any event, I’m still treating the NBA games as I would be on an ordinary slate.

We have seven games to tackle tonight. Some injuries have opened up a bit of value/additional usage, so let’s see what we can come up with. Happy Saturday, and be sure to follow me on twitter @jac3600.

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Saturday (11/4)

TOP PLAY

Domantas Sabonis (PE,C – SAC): $10,200 DraftKings, $9900 FanDuel

From a raw score perspective, Nikola Jokic is the clear top play, but you have to pay a tier premium for him. From a point-per-dollar perspective, I’m slamming Sabonis tonight.

Deaaron Fox is out once again for the Kings, and we’ve seen Sabonis thrive in this situation before. Last game, I was wary of Sabonis since he had a tough draw against Kevon Looney who has owned him defensively. Sabonis still put up 49.75 DK points in 37 minutes despite only a 21% usage rate.

Tonight, Sabonis should meet zero resistance against a Houston team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency and dead last in rebounding rate (by a good amount). Sabonis’ price tag is a gift on both sites (especially FD), so take advantage.

CASH GAME PICKS

C.J. McCollum (PG,SG – NOR): $7,900 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel

Is it fair to call Brandon Ingram a bust yet? He’s a great player, but these long stretches of missed games are starting to become the norm rather than the exception. We’re probably going to wait most of the day to hear whether Ingram is playing or not, but McCollum is an amazing option regardless.

McCollum is off to an excellent start, averaging 23.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 5.6 APG (43.5 DK PPG). Tonight, he gets to face off against the Hawks, who are second in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. The Dejounte Murray matchup is not one that’s as imposing anymore either.

Gordon Hayward (SF – CHA): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel

Hayward is always a candidate to leave the game early with his injury history, but, right now, he’s healthy and playing some of the best basketball of his career. Hayward is currently in the top five in the NBA in frontcourt touches and gets to face Indiana today.

This a perfect matchup for Hayward. Not only are the Pacers 29th in overall defensive efficiency, but they also allow the highest at-rim volume in the NBA.

VALUE PLAYS

Davion Mitchell (PG,SG – SAC): $4,800 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel

Mitchell has historically been a bit of a disappointment when starting in place of Fox, but he had a nice game against Golden State with 29.25 DK points in 30 minutes. Mitchell now gets the same positive matchup against Houston.

The Rockets are currently allowing the sixth-most assists per game. Mitchell should carry a solid floor for his price tag, and he helps fit in more expensive players.

Cole Anthony (PG – ORL): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel

The context of how to use Anthony will depend on the status of Markelle Fultz, who was a late scratch last game with knee swelling. If Fultz is out, fire up Anthony in all formats at his price tags. Anthony put up an 18-7-7 line in 31 minutes off the bench and would see similar time today if Fultz were to sit.

Even if Fultz plays, Anthony is still GPP viable, as he was quietly riding a solid 26.8% usage rate through four games this season. The Lakers are a positive matchup, allowing the eighth most FPPG to opposing guards and allowing the ninth highest 3PT%.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts