NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Thursday (3/28)

That Wednesday card was too much! We had 12 games in total, and the number of injuries was laughable. It was difficult to track, and I’m happy to have just two games here. That’s not quite enough for a vast player pool, but we have plenty of good options between these premier teams. We have a ton to discuss, 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

• BOS at ATL (BOS -12.5) O/U: 226
• MIL at NOP (MIL -1.5) O/U: 223

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

Injury Report

• Trae Young (hand) OUT
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) Probable
• Jalen Johnson (ankle) OUT
• Onyeka Okongwu (toe) Questionable
• Dejounte Murray (B2B) Questionable
• Jrue Holiday (shoulder) Questionable
• Khris Middleton (ankle) Questionable
• Brandon Ingram (knee) OUT
• Al Horford (toe) Questionable
• Jose Alvarado (face) Questionable

Core Plays

Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $9,900 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
There aren’t many players as reliable as Tatum. The All-Star has scored at least 30 DraftKings points in all but one game this year, generating a 49-point average. That’s one of the highest totals on this tiny slate, making him an easy play against Atlanta’s atrocious defense. The Hawks rank 27th in points allowed and defensive efficiency, with JT averaging 52 DK points per game against them in three matchups this year.

Zion Williamson (PF – NOP): $8,900 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
Zion needed to take over with Brandon Ingram sidelined, and he’s done just that. The former top pick has at least 44 DraftKings points in nine of his last 11 outings, dropping 55 and 56 DK points in his two most recent games. That’s what we’ve been waiting to see from this generational talent, and we love the matchup with Milwaukee. The Bucks rank 22nd in points allowed.

Cash Game Considerations

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,100 DraftKings, $11,800 FanDuel
It can be challenging to pick between the superstars on larger slates, but Giannis is an easy pick since he’s the clear-cut best option on the board. The Greek Freak is the leading scorer on this card, averaging 62 DraftKings points per game over the last two months. He’s been even better recently, posting a 65-point average across his last seven outings. Facing New Orleans is no easy task, but Giannis has at least 57 fantasy points in all three games against them since the start of last year.

Dejounte Murray (PG/SG – ATL): $9,600 DraftKings, $10,100 FanDuel
Murray is one of the best options in DFS right now. He’s doing everything for Atlanta with Young and Johnson sidelined, scoring at least 41 DK points in 15 of his last 16 games. He has his average north of 50 fantasy points per game in that sensational stretch, and we don’t care about his matchup with the Celtics since he’s stuffing the stat sheet so easily. When they played over the weekend, Dejounte dropped 56 DK points against them!

GPP Targets

Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,700 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
Big Al has been a consummate professional throughout his career, playing a reserve role for Boston throughout most of the season. The good news is that he can start when someone is hurt, and he’s a stud in that type of role. Over his last 28 starts, Horford averages 30 DK points per game across 31 minutes a night. That’s what we want from a player in this price range, especially since Atlanta allows the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing big men.

Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $5,000 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Bro-Lo has been struggling in the second half of the season, but he’s an enticing GPP option with his upside. This former All-Star has averaged 40 DK points per game for weeks and is still flirting with a 30-point average for the year. He’s shown that ability against New Orleans, averaging 37 DK points per game against them in their three matchups since the start of last year. If you get 35-40 DK points from a player in this price range, you have a piece of the optimal stack!

Value Plays

Clint Capela (C – ATL): $6,100 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
With Okongwu and Johnson both sidelined, Capela has to swallow up every rebound for the Hawks. He’s happy to do that, scoring at least 34 DraftKings points in seven of his last nine outings. That directly correlates with those injuries, and this big man can play at a $7K level if he receives the 30 minutes we anticipate. He also had 39 fantasy points against Boston over the weekend and is one of the safest bets for 30 DK points with his rebounding abilities.

Trey Murphy (SG/SF – NOP): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
Murph has been the direct beneficiary of Ingram’s absence, averaging 35 minutes and 15 shots per game without BI. It’s not empty usage either, scoring at least 27 DK points in 13 of his last 15 outings. He’s also providing a 33-point average in this expanded role and needs to take over with Ingram’s usage on the bench. Not to mention, Milwaukee owns a 23rd OPRK against opposing wings.

Advantageous Pricing

• Clint Capela (C – ATL): $6,100 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
• Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $5,000 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
• Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – BOS): $7,700 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
• De’Andre Hunter (SF/PF – ATL): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
• Vit Krejci (SF – ATL): $4,000 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
• CJ McCollum (PG/SG – NOP): $7,200 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
• Bobby Portis (PF/C – MIL): $5,800 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
• Herbert Jones (SF – NOP): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
• Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
• Naji Marshall (SF – NOP): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel

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