I’m of the distinct mindset that Tyrese Haliburton would be the league MVP, if not for Joel Embiid. Seriously how good is that guy (and as a Knicks fan I’m still steamed they chose Obi Toppin over him in the draft)? Haliburton is not only back in action tonight, but his price has gone down below $10,000 on DraftKings which is utterly absurd. Is he still the top play overall? Let’s check it out.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer:
TOP PLAY
Tyrese Haliburton (G – IND) | ($9900 DK/$11,500 FD)
OK, spoiler alert: Yes he is the best per-dollar option (although there’s much more of a debate on FD where he’s priced with the best, and over Jayson Tatum). Boston ranks fifth in defensive efficiency and Jrue Holiday will likely get the assignment here, but it just doesn’t matter. Haliburton only needed 25 minutes Friday night to log near a triple-double and has averaged 16.8 assists per game over the past five. His top play counterpart (Tatum) in this game also only played 25 minutes Friday night, so pairing the two together in contests seems like a winning track.
CASH PICKS
Fred VanVleet (G – HOU) | ($8200 DK/$8500 FD)
VanVleet’s usage rate is below 20% with Houston, but his assist rate is at a career high and he’s a strong bet for upper 30 minutes in this game. The Bucks lead the NBA in pace factor (yes, even over the Pacers) so this is a big boost for the Houston offense. Despite Houston’s second-ranked defensive efficiency, this game sports a healthy total of 238.5 and only a six-point spread. Milwaukee has struggled mightily against guards since the departure of Jrue Holiday.
Jaylen Brown (G – BOS) | ($7800 DK/$8600 FD)
Everyone on Boston gets a colossal boost against the Pacers as they rank second in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. Brown is the 1A to Tatum and is cruising along this year with a 28.6% usage rate. This game has an O/U of 247.5 (highest on the slate) and is one of the two games that don’t have major blowout risk baked in.
VALUE PLAYS
Isaiah Hartenstein (C – NYK) | ($5800 DK/$7700 FD)
This is a DK-specific play as Hartenstein is priced out on FD, but he’s been an utter beast in the absence of Mitchell Robinson. Hartenstein has played more than 30 minutes in 12 of his past 13 games, and is transcending some incredibly tough matchups (39.5 DK points against PHI, 34.25 against MIN). Tonight he gets the easiest one of all for centers against Washington. The Wizards are last in defensive efficiency and last in rebounding rate (and not particularly close).
Kelly Oubre (F – PHI) | ($5800/$6100 FD)
Oubre is a good pick anyway, but his upside will largely depend on the statuses of Tobias Harris and Deanthony Melton. If both are ruled out (I think Harris at least is a safe bet to sit), Oubre should step into major usage and the matchup is pristine. Utah ranks 24th in overall defensive efficiency and his been blasted by opposing perimeter guards all season.
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