NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Tuesday (4/2)

Most Tuesdays are tricky to navigate since we usually only get a few games, but that’s not the case here. We have nine games in total, one of the largest Tuesday slates of the season. That gives us plenty to discuss because we only have one Tuesday left after today! Every day is getting more critical, and we can’t wait to see more action here!

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

• MIL at WAS (MIL -12.5) O/U: 228
• LAL at TOR (LAL -12.5) O/U: 229
• NYK at MIA (MIA -2.5) O/U: 207.5
• OKC at PHI (OKC -4.5) O/U: 225
• HOU at MIN (MIN -8) O/U: 217
• SAS at DEN (DEN -16.4) O/U: 222.5
• CLE at UTA (CLE -10.5) O/U: 210.5
• DAL at GSW (GSW -1) O/U: 235
• LAC at SAC (LAC -1.5) O/U: 222.5

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

Injury Report

• LeBron James (old) Questionable
• Anthony Davis (old) Questionable
• RJ Barrett (personal) Questionable
• Immanuel Quickley (personal) Questionable
• Jakob Poeltl (hand) OUT
• Scottie Barnes (hand) OUT
• Kyle Kuzma (shoulder) OUT
• Richaun Holmes (toe) Questionable
• Tyus Jones (back) OUT
• Julius Randle (shoulder) OUT
• OG Anunoby (elbow) OUT
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Joel Embiid (knee) OUT
• De’Anthony Melton (back) OUT
• Alperen Sengun (leg) OUT
• Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) OUT
• Keldon Johnson (foot) OUT
• Jamal Murray (ankle) Questionable
• Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) OUT
• Jordan Clarkson (back) Questionable
• Jonathan Kuminga (knee) Questionable
• Malik Monk (knee) OUT
• Kevin Huerter (shoulder) OUT
• John Collins (back) OUT
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) OUT
• Damian Lillard (personal) OUT
• Jalen Williams (ankle) Questionable
• Devin Vassell (foot) OUT
• Gary Trent Jr.(personal) OUT

Core Plays

Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,400 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
AD is one of the league leaders in games played and he’s genuinely having a miraculous season for LA. The big man has scored at least 41 DraftKings points in 18 of his last 20 games, posting a 55-point average in that span. That’s right on par with his 54-point average for the year, and there’s no chance Toronto will slow him down. The Raptors rank 28th in total defense since the All-Star break, losing nearly every big man on their roster.

Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel
Mitchell has been terrible in his first few games back from injury, but this is a spot for him to get right. Not only is it a revenge game against Utah, but the Jazz also rank 27th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency. They’re also surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing guards, which was on full display when Mitchell amassed 71 DK points the last time they played.

Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – TOR): $6,700 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
We just talked about how Toronto is missing most of its frontcourt, leaving Olynyk as the only body left in this graveyard. He’s been one of their primary playmakers in this newfound role, averaging 34 DraftKings points per game across his last 13 outings. He’s also had at least eight assists in four straight games and shouldn’t be avoided in this type of playmaking role, especially since LA ranks 20th in total defense.

Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,600 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Doncic was playing games with the Rockets on Sunday, but he’s been doing that with all of his opponents all year. The Slovenian leads the NBA with 66 DraftKings points per game while establishing a 50-point floor. He’s also averaging over 70 DK points per game since the All-Star break and should wallop a 20th-ranked Warriors defense. He averaged 77 fantasy points per game against them last year and had a 70-point masterclass against them earlier this year.

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $12,000 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
The Joker is on his way to a third MVP, averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game. He also has a 50-point floor, just like Luka, scoring at least 56 DK points in six straight games. The best part of this is a matchup with San Antonio, sitting 25th in total defense. They also own a 28th OPRK against opposing centers, with Joker averaging 59 DK points per game against them this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,500 DraftKings, $12,100 FanDuel
It’s hard to believe that we have all three of these studs on this slate because any one of them is a good choice. Giannis is one of the leading scorers in the second half, averaging 63 DraftKings points per game. That average could be even higher with Damian Lillard sidelined, scoring 76 and 83 DK points just last week. Facing Washington is wonderful too, ranked last in points allowed and defensive efficiency.

GPP Targets

Klay Thompson (SG/SF – GSW): $5,800 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
It’s been a trying season for Thompson, but he’s starting to get things going in the second half. The sharpshooter has recently returned to the starting role, averaging 30 DK points per game across his last 12 outings. More importantly, he’s taking over 16 shots a game, which is the role that made him a $7K player in the past. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with Dallas allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing guards.

Michael Porter Jr. (SF – DEN): $6,700 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
With Murray sidelined, MPJ needs to do more for this offense. That’s what we’ve seen recently, with Porter scoring at least 26 DraftKings points in 13 of his last 16 games. He’s also averaging 34 fantasy points per game in that span, but that could be his floor if Murray has to sit once again. San Antonio couldn’t be a better matchup, surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing forwards.

Daniel Gafford (C – DAL): $5,500 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
It’s hard to believe that Gafford is just $5,500. This center played at a $7K level with the Wizards before getting traded and has played similarly since joining Dallas. The big man is averaging 36 DK points per game across his last 13 outings despite playing just 24 minutes a night. We’re not sure he’ll get past that against Golden State, but he should still dominate against one of the smallest teams in the NBA.

Value Plays

Naz Reid (PF/C – MIN): $6,800 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Naz has been one of the best per-minute producers in a bench role, but he’s one of the best values now that he’s starting for Karl-Anthony Towns. We saw Reid average nearly 40 DK points per game as a starter last year, and he has a 35-point average this year. That’s no surprise in this expanded role, making him $1,000 too cheap on both sites. Houston is not a concerning matchup either, with the Rockets posting a 20th OPRK against opposing big men.

Marvin Bagley (C – WAS): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
The Wizards will be without Kyle Kuzma and Richaun Holmes here, which should guarantee Bagley 30 minutes and 15 shots. This guy has been a stud in that type of role all season, averaging 34 DK points per game in the 15 games he’s played over 25 minutes. Milwaukee is not as scary of a matchup as it sounds, with the Bucks ranked 22nd in points allowed.

Julian Champagnie (SG/SF- SAS): $3,800 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
This Spurs team is starting to go into tank mode, sitting Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson for this game. That’s particularly beneficial for Champagnie because he’s one of the only wings left on the roster. That led to JC playing 38 minutes in his most recent outing. If this guy plays 35-40 minutes, he should be at least $5K on both sites.

Advantageous Pricing

• Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,400 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
• Justin Champagnie (SG/SF- SAS): $3,800 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
• Josh Giddey (PG/SG – OKC): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
• Kelly Oubre Jr.(SF – PHI): $6,500 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
• Amen Thompson (PG/SG – HOU): $6,900 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
• Zach Collins (PF/C – SAS): $4,900 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel

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