NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (1/31)

We’re getting dangerously close to the All-Star break, which means the trade deadline is also right around the corner. We should see some big moves this season because it doesn’t feel like there’s a clear frontrunner out there. Dozens of teams feel like they have a chance, and it’ll be fun to watch the trade chaos ensue next week. With that said, let’s dive into this Wednesday slate before any of that mayhem!

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

• DET at CLE (CLE -12) O/U: 238
• LAC at WAS (LAC -12) O/U: 236
• CHI at CHA (CHI -2.5) O/U: 217.5
• SAC at MIA (MIA -1) O/U: 229
• NOP at HOU (NOP -2.5) O/U: 230.5
• DAL at MIN (MIN -13.5) O/U: 224.5
• ORL at SAS (ORL -4.5) O/U: 227.5
• DEN at OKC (OKC -1) O/U: 229
• PHX at BKN (PHX -3.5) O/U: 232
• MIL at POR (MIL -9.5) O/U: 236.5

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

Injury Report

• Darius Garland (face) Questionable
• Ivica Zubac (calf) OUT
• Zach LaVine (foot) OUT
• LaMelo Ball (ankle) Doubtful
• Gordon Hayward (calf) OUT
• Mark Williams (shoulder) OUT
• Kyrie Irving (hand) OUT
• Luka Doncic (ankle) OUT
• Nikola Jokic (back) Questionable
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (illness) Questionable
• Chet Holmgren (ankle) Questionable
• Jalen Williams (ankle) OUT
• Keldon Johnson (elbow) Questionable
• Isaiah Stewart (ankle) OUTTari Eason (leg) OUT
• Mike Conley (hammy) Questionable
• Dereck Lively (face) OUT
• Zach Collins (ankle) Questionable

Core Plays

Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,600 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Darius Garland will return any day, but we want to use Mitchell until he returns. Mitchell has scored at least 53 DraftKings points in five of his last eight outings in this expanded role. That’s not far off his 47-point average for the year, making him an easy option against Detroit’s disastrous defense. The Pistons rank 27th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.

Paolo Banchero (SF/PF – ORL): $8,400 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel
Paolo got off to a slow start this season, but he’s been showing us why he was the top pick in the draft two years ago. Banchero has scored at least 40 DraftKings points in 15 of his last 20 fixtures, posting a 46-point average in that span. It’s no surprise since he’s playing 37 minutes while taking 21 shots a game. That sort of role makes it impossible to fade him against San Antonio, sitting 25th in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency.

Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,500 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
Vooch has always been a borderline All-Star player and is amid one of those All-Star stretches. The Chicago center is averaging 42 DraftKings points per game across his last 10 outings. His biggest asset is this matchup with Charlotte, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. That was on full display when Vucevic had 43 DK points in two of their three matchups earlier in the season.

Cash Game Considerations

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,500 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Not many people have established a higher floor than Giannis. The former MVP has scored at least 49 DraftKings points in 33 of his last 34 games, averaging nearly 65 fantasy points per game in that span. That’s scary for a putrid Portland defense, sitting 22nd in defensive efficiency. When Antetokounmpo played them earlier, Giannis finished with 70 DraftKings points!

James Harden (PG/SG – LAC): $8,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
The Beard struggled out of the gates, but he’s been a stud since LA decided to shift Russell Westbrook to the bench. That’s led to Harden scoring at least 35 DraftKings points in 30 of his last 35 games, generating a 41-point average in that span. That’s the All-Star we know and love, but we can’t fade him against the Wizards. Washington ranks 28th in defensive efficiency while allowing the most points in the NBA.

Jaden Hardy (PG/SG – DAL): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
We’re looking at one of those games where everyone will sit for Dallas, which means Hardy should start and do everything. With Luka, Kyrie, and Lively all expected to miss this game, Hardy could be looking at 35-40 minutes and 20 shots as the primary playmaker for the Mavs. That’ll have everyone using him at this diminished price, and he should be in there whether this game is a blowout or not.

GPP Targets

Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $5,900 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Bro-Lo has developed into an inconsistent player, but he’s an intriguing option in GPP formats. The big man has averaged 40 DK points for weeks at a time, averaging 30 DK points per game for the season. He’s also scored at least 30 DK points in nine of his last 11 outings and should pummel Portland. The Trail Blazers are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers, with Bro-Lo dropping at least 35 fantasy points in all three of their matchups since the start of last season.

PJ Washington (PF/C – CHA): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Players on the trade block always seem to get a bump right before the deadline, and that’s what we’re seeing now with Washington. With Williams and Hayward both sidelined, PJ has played 35 minutes in back-to-back games. We also saw him showcase a 57-point upside in one of those, and that’s what you’re looking for from an affordable GPP option.

Markelle Fultz (PG – ORL): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
When given the opportunity, Fultz has always been a great stat-stuffer, and he’s finally getting close to a full-time role. The former top pick is finally back in the starting lineup, playing at least 27 minutes in three of his last five fixtures. We also saw him score 33 DK points in his most recent outing, and that’s an amazing total from such a cheap player who’s seeing an expanded role. The Spurs are a sensational matchup, too, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing guards.

Value Plays

Alex Caruso (PG/SG – CHI): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
Caruso has been in this section a ton recently, and it’s easy to understand why. He’s stepped into the starting lineup in the absence of Zach LaVine, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game as a starter. That’s superb against a team like Charlotte, sitting 25th in points allowed and last in defensive efficiency. All you need is 25-30 minutes for AC to be a decent value, and he’s playing 31 minutes over his last eight outings!

Tre Jones (PG – SAS): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
Jones is another player who’s been glued into this section. He’s taken over as the Spurs starting point guard, averaging 31 DraftKings points per game in this expanded role. He’s done that damage with limited usage, and he’s only going to improve with Victor Wembanyama on the floor. He’s also scored at least 26 DK points in nine consecutive outings, posting a 35-point average in that span. Not to mention, he had 36 DK points in his last matchup with the Magic.

Dwight Powell (C – DAL): $3,900 DraftKings, $4,400 FanDuel
With Lively being ruled out for this game, Powell should resume his role as the starter. He’s regularly played 25-30 minutes a night when Lively has been out, averaging nearly 30 DraftKings points per game in that expanded role. That’s brilliant for such a cheap player, and Dallas needs him out there with so many key players sitting.

Advantageous Pricing

• Kawhi Leonard (SF – LAC): $8,200 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
• Daniel Gafford (C – WAS): $5,900 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
• Ayo Dosunmu (PG/SG – CHI): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
• Ausar Thompson (SG/SF – DET): $3,900 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
• Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $7,200 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
• Kevin Huerter (SG – SAC): $5,200 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
• Victor Wembanyama (PF/C – SAS): $9,200 DraftKings, $10,300 FanDuel
• Malaki Branham (SG – SAS): $3,000 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
• Cedi Osman (SF – SAS): $3,200 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
• Reggie Jackson (PG – DEN): $3,600 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
• Fred VanVleet (PG – TOR): $7,200 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
• Jabari Smith (PF/C – HOU): $5,700 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
• Rudy Gobert (C – MIN): $6,900 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel

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