NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Tuesday (2/13)

I unfortunately dislocated my shoulder at pickup yesterday, so I should be zoned in for these final days before the All-Star break. I won’t be doing much but watching basketball and doing research over the next few days, and it’s a great way to finish things off before the break. I’d love to have a big payday before we get a week off, and I want to help you guys get one as well!

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

• BOS at BKN (BOS -8.5) O/U: 229.5
• OKC at ORL (OKC -2.5) O/U: 226.5
• MIA at MIL (MIL -6.5) O/U: 228
• SAC at PHX (PHX -4.5) O/U: 243
• MIN at POR (MIN -8.5) O/U: 216.5
• DET at LAL (LAL -12) O/U: 237

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

Injury Report

• Anthony Davis (Achilles) Questionable
• LeBron James (old) Questionable
• Kristaps Porzingis (back) Questionable
• Jimmy Butler (personal) OUT
• Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) OUT
• Khris Middleton (ankle) OUT
• Terry Rozier (ankle) OUT
• Scoot Henderson (foot) Questionable
• Isaiah Stewart (ankle) OUT
• Gordon Hayward (calf) OUT
• Cameron Johnson (adductor) OUT
• Spencer Dinwiddie (just signed) OUT
• Xavier Tillman (knee) OUT

Core Plays

Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,100 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel
Nobody is discussing Davis regarding MVP, but this guy has been as good as anyone over the last two months. The Brow has established a 51-point floor over his last 33 games while posting a 57-point average in that span. We’ve also seen AD showcase an 80-point upside in that stretch, which is scary for this disastrous Detroit defense. The Pistons post a 25th OPRK against opposing centers while ranked 29th in defensive efficiency. He was held to just 29 minutes in a blowout against them earlier in the year but still had over 60 DK points!

Bam Adebayo (C – MIA): $8,300 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
Miami is extremely shorthanded right now, playing without Terry Rozier and Jimmy Butler. That should allow Bam to do everything, posting a 31 percent usage rate with those two off the floor. That was on full display when he dropped 53 fantasy points in the most recent game without those two, averaging over 40 DK points per game when JB has been sidelined this year. Milwaukee is a scary matchup for most, but Adebayo amassed 56 fantasy points in their one matchup earlier in the year.

Cash Game Considerations

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,700 DraftKings, $11,800 FanDuel
This former MVP has been mauling his opponents over the last month, posting a 62-point average across his last 22 games. That’s the stud we’ve become accustomed to, with Giannis displaying a 95-point upside in that superb stretch. Playing without Khris Middleton has put more on his plate, and we love that since Giannis scored 61 fantasy points in his last matchup with Miami. It’s rare to find a guaranteed 50-60 DK points on a six-game slate, but Antetokounmpo provides that sort of floor.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,300 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
SGA has skyrocketed up the MVP odds, sitting second in that standing. That shows how ridiculous his season has been, scoring at least 38 DraftKings points in all but two games. Gilgeous also has a 54-point average and is simply the best guard in the NBA right now. Orlando is an outstanding matchup, too, with SGA tallying 37 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in their one matchup.

Tyler Herro (PG/SG – MIA): $6,900 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
Herro might be rostered by everybody on this slate, and rightfully so. We just talked about how Butler and Rozier are both missing, which should allow Herro to handle the ball on every possession. That means we’re looking at 40 minutes, 20 shots, and a 30 percent usage rate, which is incredible since he has 38 and 43 fantasy points in his two most recent outings. That’s not far off his 37-point average, but we expect that to be his floor with so many Miami players missing. Not to mention, Milwaukee has a 26th OPRK against opposing guards.

GPP Targets

Keegan Murray (SF/PF – SAC): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
It’s shocking to see Murray’s price drop so far because he’s played at an $8K level earlier in the year. The sharpshooter showcased a 70-point upside earlier in the season and is coming off a 38-point gem in his most recent outing. That’s the slumpbuster we’ve been waiting for because this is the lowest price we’ll see for Murray for the remainder of the season. Phoenix is a fantastic matchup, totaling a 22nd OPRK against opposing forwards.

Ausar Thompson (SF – DET): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
This kid was terrific as a starter earlier in the year and is back in that role now after the deadline. In his 27 starts this season, Thompson is averaging 31 DK points per game across 28 minutes a night. That’s all you can ask for from a $5K player, but that role should continue with how many players the Pistons moved at the trade deadline. A matchup with the Lakers only adds to his intrigue, with LA allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing forwards.

Jaime Jaquez (SF/PF – MIA): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
This Miami roster has been obliterated by injuries, which should allow Jaquez to resume his role as a starter. This guy was moved to the bench when they added Rozier, but they need him in there for 30-35 minutes with Rozier and JB both missing. In the 25 games Jaime has played over 30 minutes, he’s averaging 30 DraftKings points per game. If you get that from a $4,500 player, you have a piece of the optimal lineup. We also don’t mind that Milwaukee ranks 23rd in total defense.

Value Plays

Rudy Gobert (C – MIN): $7,200 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Gobert is the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, returning to the stud we saw in Utah. The big man is averaging 37 DraftKings points per game while establishing a 25-point floor. Both of those numbers could be on the rise against Portland, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. Despite being held to 28 minutes in a blowout against the Blazers earlier in the year, Gobert still gobbled up 51 DraftKings points!

Dennis Schroder (PG – BKN): $4,800 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
We’re not quite sure how the Schroder acquisition will play out in Brooklyn, but the first game is inspiring. The German had 39 DK points in his debut, doing most of the ball-handling for the Nets. He’s scored at least 39 fantasy points twice over the last week and remains a significant value below $5K in this newfound role. In addition, Schroder has played Boston four times this season, averaging 31 fantasy points per game against them.

Advantageous Pricing

• Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,100 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,300 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
• Keegan Murray (SF/PF – SAC): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
• Ausar Thompson (SF – DET): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
• Jaime Jaquez (SF/PF – MIA): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
• Dennis Schroder (PG – BKN): $4,800 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
• Franz Wagner (SG/SF – ORL): $7,100 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
• Derrick White (PG/SG – BOS): $6,300 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
• Jrue Holiday (PG – BOS): $6,200 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
• Dennis Smith (PG/SG – BKN): $4,700 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
• Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $6,000 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
• Naz Reid (PF/C – MIN): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
• Malik Monk (SG – SAC): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel

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