NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Friday (3/22)

Filling out these injury reports is genuinely absurd. What made it even more challenging is the fact that we have the Celtics playing the second half of a back-to-back set. They always play funny games with the injury designation in these circumstances, and it’s why we’re not recommending anyone from that team. They should destroy Detroit’s disastrous defense, but it’s physically impossible to guess who will suit up. If either Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford is out, use the other. The same things go with the guards because we anticipate a few of those studs sitting!

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 DET (BOS -12.5) O/U: 224
• OKC at TOR (OKC -15) O/U: 228
• NOP at MIA (MIA -3.5) O/U: 207
• CLE at MIN (MIN -5.5) O/U: 211
• MEM at SAS (SAS -6) O/U: 218
• IND at GSW (GSW -4.5) O/U: 237
• LAC at POR (LAC -13) O/U: 217
• PHI at LAL (LAL -8) O/U: 224

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

Injury Report

• All Celtics in a B2B!!!!!
• Simone Fontecchio (toe) Questionable
• Isaiah Stewart (hamstring) OUT
• Ausar Thompson (blood clot) OUT
• Scottie Barnes (hand) OUT
• Jakob Poeltl (finger) OUT
• RJ Barrett (personal) OUT
• Immanuel Quickley (personal) OUT
• Bam Adebayo (back) Questionable
• Tyler Herro (knee) OUT
• Evan Mobley (knee) OUT
• Max Strus (knee) OUT
• Donovan Mitchell (face) OUT
• Rudy Gobert (ribs) Questionable
• Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) OUT
• Naz Reid (head) Questionable
• Ja Morant (shoulder) OUT
• Marcus Smart (hand) OUT
• Vince Williams (knee) OUT
• Russell Westbrook (hand) OUT
• Norman Powell (leg) Questionable
• Jerami Grant (hamstring) Questionable
• Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) OUT
• Shaedon Sharpe (core) OUT
• Joel Embiid (knee) OUT
• Tobias Harris (ankle) Questionable
• Brandon Ingram (leg) Questionable

Core Plays

Victor Wembanyama (PF/C – SAS): $10,600 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel
It’s hard to believe how good this rookie looks. Wemby has been one of the best players in the NBA since his minutes restriction was limited, averaging nearly 60 DraftKings points per game since then. He’s also scored at least 71 fantasy points five times over the last month and has one of the highest ceilings with his ability to block shots. We love that against Memphis, posting a 22nd OPRK against opposing centers.

Stephen Curry (PG – GSW): $8,600 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Chef Curry has seen his price drop but is too good to sit below $9K on both sites. The sharpshooter is still averaging 43 DraftKings points per game. He’s also scored at least 42 DK points in five of his last eight outings but should go off against Indiana. The Pacers play at the fastest pace in the NBA while ranked 25th in defensive efficiency and 28th in points allowed. In their last matchup, Curry dropped 42 points on 11-of-16 from three-point range.

Caris LeVert (SG/SF – CLE): $7,400 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
Most people will pivot to Darius Garland in Mitchell’s absence, but LeVert has actually been the better option. The versatile winger is averaging over 30 DraftKings points per game when Mitchell has been out, scoring at least 43 DK points in four of his last five fixtures. That’s no surprise since he’s one of the primary playmakers right now, and we don’t mind that he had 41 fantasy points the last time he faced Minnesota.

Cash Game Considerations

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,500 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel
SGA is one of the best players in DFS, averaging 53 DraftKings points per game. He’s provided that elite average while showcasing a 40-point floor. Not many players can do that, especially since Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic aren’t even on this slate. A matchup with Toronto is terrific, too, with the Raptors ranked 28th in total defense since the All-Star break. He’s played them once this year, scoring nearly 70 DK points in that masterclass performance.

Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN): $9,700 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
ANT has taken his game to another level since Karl-Anthony Towns got injured. That’s forcing the All-Star to play 40 minutes and take 25 shots a game, scoring at least 52 DraftKings points in six of his last seven outings. A matchup with Cleveland is concerning, but it doesn’t matter because of the robust role Edwards is receiving now.

Tyrese Haliburton (PG – IND): $9,000 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Haliburton was terrible in his first few weeks out of the All-Star break, but the Pacers point guard is starting to get hot. Hali has scored at least 44 DraftKings points in six of his last eight outings, which is no surprise since he has a 47-point average for the year. We expect those to play out in this matchup because Golden State ranks 18th in defensive efficiency ratings.

GPP Targets

Draymond Green (PF/C – GSW): $6,500 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Draymond has quietly had a bounceback season with the Warriors, stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis. The undersized big man is averaging 30 DK points per game this season but is just shy of a 35-point average since his suspension. He’s also scored at least 41 DK points in two of his last three outings and should have another one of those ceiling games against this putrid Pacers defense.

Gary Trent Jr. (SG/SF – TOR): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
It’s hard to overlook Trent when evaluating this Raptors roster. Trading away Anunoby and Siakam forced him into a significant role, but he’s the focal point of the offense with Barnes, Quickley, Poeltl, and Barrett all sidelined right now. That should guarantee Trent 35-40 minutes and 15-20 shots a game, which has led to GTJ scoring at least 33 fantasy points in five of his last six outings.

GG Jackson (SF – MEM): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
Memphis is another one of those teams that can’t stay healthy, missing four of their five starters from the start of the year. Those absences have allowed GG to take over, scoring at least 33 DK points in four consecutive fixtures. He’s also coming off a 49-point gem in his most recent outing and should continue to be fed for this shorthanded team. We love all of that against San Antonio, sitting 23rd in defensive efficiency and 25th in points allowed.

Value Plays

Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – TOR): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
We just talked about how Toronto is missing six key players, and Olynyk is one of the only big men left. We saw this guy average 35 DraftKings points per game in a similar role last season, and he comes into this matchup with a 33-point average across his last 10 outings. We expect that to be his floor as long as those guys all remain out, making him a heck of a value since OKC owns a 20th OPRK against opposing big men.

Tre Jones (PG – SAS): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
This guard has been hovering around $6K all season, and it’s hard to understand why. He’s averaging over 30 DK points per game since taking over as a starter for the Spurs, averaging 36 DK points per game across his last four fixtures. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, especially since he averaged nearly 40 fantasy points per game against the Grizzlies last year.

Ivica Zubac (C – LAC): $5,400 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Zoo is overlooked in this LA offense, but he’s one of their most valuable assets. The big man is averaging 28 DraftKings points per game, dropping 40 fantasy points in his most recent outing. That happened against this terrible Trail Blazers team, which is no surprise since they surrender the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. In three matchups this year, Zoo is posting a 39-point average against this pitiful Portland defense.

Advantageous Pricing

• Jalen Williams (SG/SF – OKC) $7,100 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
• Josh Giddey (PG/SG – OKC): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
• James Wiseman (C – DET): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
• Zach Collins (PF/C – SAS): $4,400 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel

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