NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Tuesday (4/9)

We’re down to the final week of the regular season! However, this is one of the worst weeks to play DFS because the injury reports are more rampant than ever before. It’s hard to keep track of who’s playing at this point because a handful of teams have given up on the season altogether. We’ll try to track the big-name injuries, but let’s get started with the schedule!

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 PHI (PHI -15.5) O/U: 221.5
• IND at TOR (IND -11) O/U: 239
• DAL at CHA (DAL -12) O/U: 220.5
• MIA at ATL (ATL -3.5) O/U: 222
• BOS at MIL (BOS -1.5) O/U: 227.5
• NYK at CHI (NYK -4) O/U: 213.5
• ORL at HOU (ORL -2) O/U: 213
• WAS at MIN (MIN -16.5) O/U: 224
• SAC at OKC (OKC -5.5) O/U: 228
• SAS at MEM (SAS -3.5) O/U: 215.5
• DEN at UTA (DEN -14.5) O/U: 225
• GSW at LAL (LAL -1.5) O/U: 234
• LAC at PHX (PHX -7) O/U: 226
• NOP at POR (NOP -12) O/U: 211.5

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

Injury Report

• Anthony Davis (eye) Questionable
• LeBron James (old) Questionable
• Kawhi Leonard (knee) OUT
• Anfernee Simons (knee) OUT
• Brandon Ingram (knee) OUT
• Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) OUT
• Jerami Grant (hamstring) Questionable
• Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) Questionable
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) Questionable
• Joel Embiid (knee) Questionable
• Trae Young (hand) OUT
• Scottie Barnes (hand) OUT
• Jakob Poeltl (hand) OUT
• Tyrese Maxey (hip) Questionable
• Cade Cunningham (knee) Questionable
• Immanuel Quickley (rest) OUT
• Jaren Jackson Jr.(rest) OUT
• Jamal Murray (ankle) Questionable
• Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) OUT
• Kyle Kuzma (ankle) Questionable
• Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) Questionable
• Desmond Bane (tanking) OUT
• Lauri Markkanen (tanking) OUT
• Jalen Williams (ankle) Questionable
• John Collins (tanking) OUT
• Tobias Harris (knee) Questionable
• Terry Rozier (neck) Questionable
• Jordan Clarkson (tanking) OUT
• Franz Wagner (ankle) Questionable

Core Plays

Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
ANT has taken over this offense since KAT went down, posting a usage rate above 30 percent in this newfound role. That bump in usage has led to one of the best stretches of his career, scoring at least 40 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 14 games. Edwards also has a 46-point average in that span and should have his way with a Washington team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency and last in points allowed.

Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $8,100 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
Butler hasn’t been the stud we’ve seen in the past, but look for him to post monster numbers for the remainder of the season. That’s what we saw in Miami’s most recent game, dropping 50 DK points against Indiana. We’ve seen this guy average 50 DK points per game for weeks at a time, and we love this amazing matchup with Atlanta. The Hawks rank 27th in points allowed and defensive efficiency, with JB scoring 42 fantasy points in their most recent matchup.

Rudy Gobert (C – MIN): $7,800 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
This game with Washington might be a blowout, but Gobert could gobble up 20 points and 20 rebounds in 30 minutes. We saw that because Washington allows the most fantasy points to opposing centers. That was clear when Gobert had 50 fantasy points in their most recent matchup. We love his recent form, too, scoring at least 35 DraftKings points in seven of his last eight outings.

Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,700 DraftKings, $12,500 FanDuel
Luka is the best player in fantasy. The Slovenian point guard leads the league with 66 DraftKings points per game. He also has a 70-point average over the last two months and has the highest floor in DFS. Luka never scores below 50 fantasy points and should have another big night versus a Charlotte team that sits 29th in defensive efficiency ratings.

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $12,200 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
The Joker is no longer the best player in DFS, but he’s still one of the most reliable options on every slate. The two-time MVP averages 61 DraftKings points per game while showcasing a 50-point floor. His elite stat-stuffing allows him to do that, and a matchup with Utah should keep him rolling. The Jazz rank 29th in points allowed and last in defensive efficiency ratings.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,100 DraftKings, $10,600 FanDuel
SGA is supposed to return to action here, but it comes at a diminished price tag. This guy has been above $11K for most of the year, but a recent slump has him sitting closer to $10K. We’ll take the discount because Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 52 DraftKings points per game. He also has a 38-point floor and should slice through a 22nd-ranked Sacramento defense. In their three matchups this year, SGA is averaging 61 DK points per game.

GPP Targets

Myles Turner (C – IND): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
Turner suffered a nasty finger injury last week, but he’ll be ready to return to action here. The big man has one of the highest ceilings of any sub-$7K player, scoring 50-60 fantasy points numerous times throughout his career. That pairs beautifully with his 32-point average, especially since he had 48 fantasy points in his most recent outing. The matchup with Toronto is terrific, too, posting a 26th OPRK against opposing centers while ranked 29th in total defense since the All-Star break.

GG Jackson (SF – MEM): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
Memphis is missing almost every key player in this game. That alone should force GG into a prominent role, likely looking at 35-40 minutes and 20 shots. If you look at the nine games that Jackson has played at least 32 minutes, he’s averaging 36 DraftKings points per game. That would be monstrous from a $6K player, and we love that he squares off with a 26th-ranked Spurs defense because that also means we might get a competitive matchup.

Daniel Gafford (C – DAL): $5,900 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
It’s hard to believe that Gafford is at just $6K with Dereck Lively sidelined. That should guarantee DG 25-30 minutes of action, and this guy can flirt with a 40-point average in that type of role. He has a 32-point average since joining the starting lineup and was even better as a starter with Washington. Facing the Hornets couldn’t be better either, with Charlotte surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.

Value Plays

Naz Reid (PF/C – MIN): $7,300 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
We knew Reid would be remarkable in a full-time role, and we’re finally getting it with Towns injured. That’s led to Naz scoring at least 29 DraftKings points in 12 of his last 15 fixtures, posting a 38-point average in this expanded role. He’s also flirted with 60 fantasy points a few times and needs to be closer to $8K in this type of role. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with Washington allowing the most fantasy points to opposing centers.

Kelly Olynyk (C – TOR): $6,700 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
Olynyk was a great acquisition from Toronto, taking over this offense with all the injuries. Toronto will be without Barnes, Poeltl, and Quickley, leaving KO as one of the only playmakers left. He’s scored at least 30 fantasy points in seven of eight games, averaging 36 DK points per game in that stretch. The best part of this is a matchup with Indiana, ranked 24th in defensive efficiency while playing at the fastest pace in the NBA.

OG Anunoby (SG/SF – NYK): $5,400 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
OG just returned from an injury a few days ago, and this price shows it. Anunoby has been a $7K player throughout his career and played 38 minutes in his most recent outing. This guy will be locked into 35-40 minutes and needs a price bump in this type of role. Facing Chicago only adds to his intrigue, with the Bulls posting a 22nd OPRK against opposing wings. That’s clear, with OG averaging nearly 30 DK points per game in their four matchups this year.

Advantageous Pricing

• Jamal Murray (PG – DEN): $7,500 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
• Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $10,000 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
• Kevin Durant (SF/PF – PHX): $8,400 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
• Chris Paul (PG – GSW): $5,600 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
• Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $8.900 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel

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