The NBA is back in full swing and that means playing DFS becomes a whole lot sweeter. Playing NBA DFS can be frustrating but also rewarding, as the ever-changing nature of lineup changes and injury statuses allows sharps like you to stay ahead of the field and be profitable across the season.
I will be here on Thursdays and Mondays to bring my favorite plays from my morning diagnosis of the slate. I just want to emphasize how quickly an NBA slate can change, even with a lineup announcement as new starters mean new projections and new values. If you’re going to be a serious NBA DFS player, utilize late swaps often — you will see the profits increase across the entire season.
After a big slate yesterday, we have a meager four-game slate this evening, but there are still plenty of questionable tags right now, which have the potential to add a lot of value and angles. Let’s get to some of the best DraftKings and FanDuel plays for today’s games.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
- DraftKings: $11,200
- FanDuel: $11,500
Every single time Luka Doncic plays there’s a good chance he ends up on the shortlist here as he threatens for a triple-double and a 70+ point fantasy outing every single night. Against Houston, it’s no different. After a relatively disappointing last two outings against Utah and Minnesota on the back-to-back, this is an easy get-right spot for Doncic. The Rockets have allowed the fifth-highest scoring output to opposing point guards this year. Their defense is up but this is still a plus-matchup for Doncic, who will be taking some ownership on both sites. No surprise there.
- DraftKings: $6,500
- FanDuel: $7,400
For someone who projects to be one of the best returns on investment on the slate, we have Clippers center Ivica Zubac. After a 28.5-point fantasy outing, Zubac’s price dropped but he’s still projected to tally over 40 fantasy points tonight, sailing over 5x value on FanDuel and getting to 6x on DraftKings. I understand he will be highly owned but the value offered is too tough to pass up.
He should play closer to 37 minutes tonight instead of his 31 against Portland and get to 20+ points scoring, as he has in three of his first four games tonight. What we can hope for is how people see a tough opponent ranking next to his name going against Phoenix. Zubac is a great play tonight.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $9,100
- FanDuel: $9,400
As Kawhi Leonard continues to miss time, James Harden takes the bulk of the usage, jumping from 20.6% in his 72 games last year to 34% so far. He’s playing more minutes and his price still sits comfortably under $10,000. You can slot Harden in for a double-double tonight. Everyone who doesn’t roster Doncic is immediately going to pivot to Harden. Getting to 50 fantasy points should be the floor for the lefty tonight with a ceiling north of 60.
- DraftKings: $4,800
- FanDuel: $5,800
After seeing an uptick in usage and scoring in his last pair of games, P.J. Washington’s price has gone… down? Washington is one of the few players on the slate who consistently projects close or over 6X value given his price. While that will make his ownership high, it provides a clear pay-down spot in your cash lineups. How could you not love him? With Maxi Kleber expected to be out again, Washington will be on the court for over 32 minutes and can potentially get you 35+ points in your lineups to send you across the pay line.
- DraftKings: $7,000
- FanDuel: $7,200
The Houston guard projects as ‘ol reliable here as a consistently efficient player who will benefit from a slight pace-up spot across the 35+ minutes he should play tonight. Dallas has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
While Fred VanVleet technically slots as a point guard, his near double-digit threes attempted per game make him a great choice tonight for your cash lineups. The alternate option here is Kyrie Irving ($7,500 on DraftKings; $8,100 on FanDuel) but if you’re rostering Doncic, not to mention the price savings, I lean VanVleet.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
Julian Champagnie (SG/SF – SAS)
- DraftKings: $4,700
- FanDuel: $4,700
Given the fact Utah has allowed the most fantasy points against as a team this year, I’m surprised at the early ownership projection for Julian Champagnie and the Spurs across the board. Continue to monitor ownership projections because I see Champagnie sit around 14%, which isn’t nothing, but it’s why I have him here as a GPP target instead of a cash-game lock.
The Jazz have allowed the most points, second-most rebounds and most assists to shooting guards this short season. Champagnie is coming off a down game yesterday in Oklahoma City, which makes this a perfect bounce-back spot for the Spurs guard, expecting him to play around 25 minutes. Chris Paul is questionable. If he’s out, this play only improves, and Champagnie’s dual eligibility on DraftKings allows you to mix and match your lineup builds.
- DraftKings: $8,600
- FanDuel: $9,200
Going against arguably the worst potential fantasy team in the Clippers — who have allowed the fewest DraftKings and FanDuel fantasy points to opposing power forwards — doesn’t seem like the best spot for Kevin Durant. Which is exactly why he is a great GPP option for tonight’s slate.
The Clippers own the third-best defense in the NBA this season, but in the season opener, Durant still managed 25 points and nearly 40 fantasy points. It’s not exactly a show-stopping number but considering that is Durant’s floor performance on the season, I’m happy to slot him into my GPPs. Suns players in general tonight have lower expected ownership and make some solid GPP options if you’re looking for ways to get creative.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $3,800
- FanDuel: $3,900
I will say this play comes with a “monitor lineup news” asterisk but John Konchar has a very clear path of being the best value on tonight’s slate. Memphis is coming off a back-to-back and Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. both own questionable tags with Desmond Bane doubtful against Milwaukee. This recommendation assumes Bane doesn’t go and Konchar gets the start.
With his dual eligibility on DraftKings and sub-$4,000 price tag, it’s easy to see Konchar’s return on investment potential. Without Bane, Konchar should see a floor of 20 minutes. He is also facing a bottom-10 defense with a top-10 pace — this is a great spot for whoever finds themselves in the Grizzlies’ lineup. It helps that this game begins tonight’s slate but make sure you enter in the right option into your lineups.
- DraftKings: $4,000
- FanDuel: $4,900
On the other side of the ball, Milwaukee should see high ownership today in cash and GPP contests. Your options are Gary Trent Jr. ($5,000 on DraftKings; $4,800 on FanDuel) or Taurean Prince. With Trent’s projected ownership and other guards I prefer, Prince is my pick here. The Bucks forward has had two great 25+ fantasy point outings and two not-so-great ones.
With Memphis playing back-to-backs and all their injuries, this projects to be a boom game for Prince. He’ll play over 30 minutes in a pace-up spot in the highest total on the slate. His usage in the last pair of games is a little concerning but Memphis has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards. I’m buying into that.
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