NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (1/3)

We were just discussing the scheduling two days ago, which was great yesterday, but that will not be the case over the next two days. We have 12 games making up this Wednesday card, with only two games on Thursday. That isn’t very pleasant for us because two games aren’t enough, while 12 is way too many. That means we have tons of players to talk about, so let’s go ahead and get into it!

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

• WAS at CLE (CLE -9.5) O/U: 239.5
• MIL at IND (MIL -2.5) O/U: 258
• OKC at ATL (OKC -1.5) O/U: 247
• BKN at HOU (HOU -6.5) O/U: 223
• NOP at MIN (MIN -6.5) O/U: 223.5
• TOR at MEM (MEM -1) O/U: 232
• POR at DAL (DAL -11) O/U: 234.5
• CHI at NYK (NYK -8.5) O/U: 220.5
• LAC at PHX (LAC -3) O/U: 233
• DET at UTA (UTA -8.5) O/U: 239
• MIA at LAL (LAL -4) O/U: 232
• ORL at SAC (SAC -6.5) O/U: 226.5

Check out our consensus game odds and the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros.

Injury Report

• Darius Garland (face) OUT
• Evan Mobley (knee) OUT
• De’Andre Hunter (knee) OUT
• Ben Simmons (back) OUT
• Anfernee Simons (illness) Questionable
• Deandre Ayton (knee) OUT
• Zach LaVine (foot) OUT
• Nikola Vucevic (groin) OUT
• Mitchell Robinson (ankle) OUT
• Kevin Durant (hamstring) OUT
• Jimmy Butler (foot) Questionable
• Markelle Fultz (knee) Questionable
• Coby White (ankle) Questionable
• Khris Middleton (knee) Questionable

Core Plays

Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,500 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
Mitchell has quietly had a fantastic season in Cleveland, and he’s been even better since Darius Garland and Evan Mobley went down. That’s guaranteed this All-Star 40 minutes, 20 shots and a 35 percent usage rate. With that role, DM has scored at least 52 DraftKings points in seven of his last nine games. That should be easy to reach in this matchup, with Washington ranked last in points allowed while surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing guards.

Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $9,800 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
We had Ja in here yesterday, and we’re going back to him for all the same reasons. Despite playing just two weeks, Morant is averaging over 45 DraftKings points per game. That’s what we saw last season, and he’s only going to get better once he gets his legs underneath him. Facing Toronto can be terrifying for some opponents, but Morant had at least 48 DK points in their last two matchups.

Cade Cunningham (PG/SG – DET): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
Detroit has been a disaster, but it’s not Cade’s fault. The former top pick has been incredible for the Pistons, scoring at least 56 DraftKings points in five of his last seven games. He’s desperate to get this Detroit team going, and this is one of the few games where they have a chance to win. Utah ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency and 24th in points allowed.

Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $11,500 DraftKings, $12,600 FanDuel
Luka Magic has been playing at a different level than everyone else. This guy has scored at least 45 DraftKings points in all but one game, showcasing a 98-point upside on Christmas Night. That makes him the safest cash game option on any slate, especially against Portland. When he played them three weeks ago, Doncic dropped a 40-point triple-double en route to 77 DK points!

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,900 DraftKings, $12,500 FanDuel
Giannis has pummelled the Pacers all season, and it’s easy to understand why. Indiana plays at the fastest pace in the NBA while ranked 28th in total defense. That’s led to Antetokounmpo averaging 46.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks in their five meetings this year. Those are hard numbers to achieve in video games, but it’s less surprising since Giannis has at least 61 DK points in 13 of his last 17 outings.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,500 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
We also had SGA in here yesterday, and we’re going right back to the well. The OKC point guard has scored at least 46 fantasy points in all but four games this year. He’s also flirting with a 55-point average, scoring at least 56 DraftKings points in nine of his last 12 outings. We don’t want to overlook that against Atlanta, allowing the fourth-most points in the NBA.

GPP Targets

Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $6,000 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
Bro-Lo has struggled the last two weeks, but he’s one of the best GPP options out there with his fantastic upside. The big man showcased a 60-point ceiling earlier in the year and has 37 DK points in back-to-back outings. We saw him do that throughout November, averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game between November 14 and December 12. We love that against Indiana, with Lopez scoring at least 37 DK points in two of their last three matchups.

Jaden Ivey (PG/SG – DET): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
Ivey has been one of Detroit’s best players since re-entering the starting lineup. The sophomore is averaging 31 DraftKings points per game as a starter this year, posting a 37-point average across his last six outings. That breakout makes him even more enticing against Utah, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.

Immanuel Quickley (PG/SG – TOR): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
We weren’t sure what to expect from IQ in his debut with Toronto, but starting at point guard was highly encouraging. We’ve seen this guy play at a $7K level when given a 30-minute role in the past, and that looks like his floor for the Raptors. He had 31 DK points across 28 minutes in his debut, and both of those totals will rise as he becomes accustomed to this offense. Memphis isn’t a bad matchup, either, surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing guards.

Value Plays

Jordan Clarkson (PG/SG – UTA): $6,000 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
We had Clarkson as a GPP option on Monday, and he provided one of the best games of his career despite coming off the bench. Clarkson collected 54 DraftKings points. He has at least 43 fantasy points in three of his last five fixtures and is seeing a higher usage in this bench role. That makes him an excellent option against Detroit’s disastrous defense, ranked 25th in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency.

Isaiah Hartenstein (PF/C – NYK): $5,900 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
The Knicks lost their starting center, forcing Hartenstein into the most prominent role of his career. The big man is playing 33 minutes a night since earning this job, averaging 32 DK points per game across his last nine outings. If this per-minute stud is going to play 30-35 minutes a night, he needs to be above $7K on both sites, especially with Chicago’s starting center injured.

Jabari Walker (PF/C – POR): $5,400 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Deandre Ayton is dealing with a knee issue, allowing Walker to post some career bests. In this expanded role, Walker is averaging 29 DraftKings points per game across 27 minutes over his last four fixtures. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, and this kid is getting better each time he steps on the floor. Facing Dallas is the icing on the cake, ranked 22nd in points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Advantageous Pricing

• Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $11,500 DraftKings, $12,600 FanDuel
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,500 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
• Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $6,000 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
• Jordan Clarkson (PG/SG – UTA): $6,000 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
• Tyrese Haliburton (PG – IND): $10,200 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel
• TJ McConnell (PG – IND): $4,000 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
• Clint Capela (C – ATL): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
• Walker Kessler (C – UTA): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel

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