Happy Sunday, fantasy hoopers! We have a medium five-game (six counting FanDuel) slate in the Association tonight and we are looking for daily fantasy basketball wins! Before we get into the slate, we have quite a bit of injury news for a small slate, so would most definitely keep an eye out, hang out in the FA discord and be active to make adjustments! Our slate is highlighted by a couple big names in some nice game environments tonight by the likes of Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks, as well as the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz rubber match! Let's talk about the slate!!

NBA DFS Tools to dominate tonight's NBA DFS slate!

Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. We also have the NBA Consistency Report to help identify players that have exceeded value based off their current price tag this season and of course our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!

 

Here's the NBA DFS Podcast for today's slate. Like the video and subscribe to our channel!

 

Notable NBA Injury Updates

Questionable

Out

PACE:

Pace Definition: Pace is the total number of possessions a team accrues per 48 minutes of play.

Green = Fast Paced Team (Ranked 1st-12th)

Blue = Neutral Paced Team (Ranked 13th-19th)

Red = Slow Paced Team (Ranked 20th-30th)

NBA Game Totals

**Teams on Back-to-Back: Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks.

 

Core Spend Up Plays:

Nikola Jokic (C), Denver Nuggets ($13,000 FD):

Since FanDuel included this game on their main slate, we have to put Jokic up top here. His price is ridiculous, but he is ridiculously good and I believe we have made it a point currently to take Jokic without Jamal Murray as much as we possibly can. Even though this game is going to have a pretty slow PACE, we know Jokic sees over a 2.0 FP/M in games without Murray. He will continue to be a top spend up until something changes, or Murray returns. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG), Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,300 DK/$11,000 FD):

With Luka being questionable to play, I moved SGA up my board into the second top spend up spot for this slate. SGA has a massively great match up here against Portland and we know they don't play much defense. Shai continues to effortlessly put up tons of fantasy points and I expect tonight to be no different in a great game environment. Shai has topped 55 or more DraftKings fantasy points in four of his last five contests, and the Trail Blazers are not great at defending the backcourt. Looking for another big night out of SGA.

Domantas Sabonis (C), Sacramento Kings ($10,000 DK/$10,300 FD):

The King's studded duo is back once again tonight and in another great game environment seeing this game has a total at a whopping 243 points! Sabonis has been absolutely crushing even with the return of Fox, and the Mavericks are literally one of the league's worst at defending the Center position. The Mavericks are currently allowing the 8th MOST DraftKings fantasy points on average overall to the spot at nearly 57 fantasy points. Sabonis has eclipsed 54 fantasy points in his last five-straight games, with two of those going for 60+. This is an elite match up and Sabonis should be in for a huge night.

Luka Doncic (PG/SG), Dallas Mavericks ($11,900 DK/$11,800 FD):

I am so on the fence about Luka tonight, and honestly he has to be considered if he is a full-go here with this game having such a huge total and it being so fantasy-friendly. We know that with Kyrie in, Luka hasn't exactly been smashing as he does without him, and his price really hasn't came down any. Obviously, if he plays, he is worth a look, but I don't believe he is a top priority on the slate if Kyrie is also playing at his high price. 

Kevin Durant (SF/PF), Phoenix Suns ($9,900 DK/$10,100 FD): 

I was very high on Kevin Durant two nights ago in this same match up in Utah when I wrote Friday's playbook. He gets the literal same set up and in that game he went for 38 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, which was good for 65.25 DraftKings fantasy points. If he just added a steal or block, he clears 70 likely with ease. This match up is great, and the 239 total helps with two of the faster teams in the league here with Jazz being in top-5 in PACE. Look for another big game out of the Sun's duo of KD and Booker, but I like Durant just a smidge more here over Book.

De'Aaron Fox (PG), Sacramento Kings ($9,300 DK/$9,800):

Fox is likely my favorite play on the slate and that is why he is on the cover today. his price on DK is way too good and I think he is cheap for FanDuel as well here. Fox has cleared 42 fantasy points in 5-straight, with four of those games topping 50 fantasy points. For a player of his caliber in this game environment, the price is way too good to pass. Not to mention, the Mavericks are currently allowing the 6th MOST DraftKings fantasy points on average overall to the PG spot at a whopping 51.04. This should be another smash spot at a great price for Fox.

 

Core Mid-Tier Plays:

Kyrie Irving (PG/SG), Dallas Mavericks ($8,800 DK/$8,500 FD:

This is a back-to-back for the Mavericks, so be weary of that, however if Kyrie is good to go, and somehow Luka doesn't play (he is questionable), Kyrie would become a pretty elite play at his price given how much usage he would gain off that. The Mavs may look to take it easy with Luka on the second leg of this back-to-back, so it could be a real possibility to see him sit. Either or, Kyrie has been playing extremely well lately and at his price, he is a nice play again tonight in this spot. Kyrie has now put up 44 or more DraftKings fantasy points in three of his last four, and 55+ in two of his last three. 

Alperen Sengun (C), Houston Rockets ($7,900 DK/$8,200 FD):

Sengun doesn't have the best match up by any means, but we did see what Sabonis did to this Davis frontcourt of the Lakers a couple games ago in route to over 60 fantasy points. Sengun is the straw that stirs the drink in Houston and he has consistently put up great fantasy games. These two met a few games ago in Houston and Sengun played one of his lowest minutes totals of the season so far as they routed the Lakers 128-94, resulting in just 25 minutes of action. He was still able to record nearly 34 fantasy points in that span of time. This Rockets team has been quite the surprise this season, and with the Lakers being at home tonight with a little revenge on the mind I would assume, I think we see a much better game. Not to mention, Lakers running with T-16 PACE should speed this game up a little. Sengun has recorded 39+ fantasy points in four of his last five, with the off game of course being against these Lakers in the blowout. 

Fred VanVleet (PG), Houston Rockets ($7,600 DK/$8,000 DK):

FVV has now played 40 minutes or more in three straight games and I think we should likely see this trend continue here tonight in LA. As a result of the heightened minutes, VanVleet recorded 51, 35.0, and 41.25 DraftKings fantasy points in those three games. He only put up 31 in the blowout over the Lakers four games ago, but he only saw 29 minutes also. FVV can be an up-and-down type player, but we have seen the ceiling of 50+ fantasy points a few times already this season. I like him to have a nice game tonight on the road in LA.

Jerami Grant (SF/PF), Portland Trail Blazers ($7,200 DK/$6,900 FD):

Someone has to show up for the Blazers tonight and mostly it has been Grant as of late. Grant is fresh off a 37 DraftKings fantasy performance against the Lakers last time out on his home floor, and has topped 33 fantasy points in all but two of his home contests so far this year. I think this is more of a run-back if playing OKC stacks, but I do think he is the Blazer with the most upside in tonight's match up. This game doesn't have a major spread in favor of OKC, and it is likely because they are on a back-to-back, so I think Portland can maybe keep this thing close enough for Grant to get us 35+ fantasy points.

Jrue Holiday (PG/SG), Boston Celtics ($7,100 DK/$6,700 FD):

Really nice price on Jrue over on FanDuel tonight in the literal best PG match up in the league against the Grizzlies. Memphis comes in as the WORST defending PG team in the league currently, and are allowing the MOST DraftKings fantasy points to the spot on average overall at a whopping 55.3 fantasy points. Not only the juicy match up here for Jrue, but also there is a chance Jaylen Brown sits out tonight with a groin injury. This would obviously give Jrue a little more usage, but the ball is in his hands a ton already as is. Like the price and the spot here for Holiday tonight against a bad backcourt defending team.

Jordan Clarkson (PG/SG), Utah Jazz ($7,000- DK/$7,000 FD):

Don't believe I really need to go into this one very much, as we know how good Clarkson has been since moving to off the ball. His usage rate is over 30%, he is taking 19+ shots a game in three of the four since the move, and he has recorded over 41 fantasy points in four-straight games to boot. He just dropped 52.75 DraftKings fantasy points on this same Suns team two nights ago on the same floor they will play on again tonight. Don't over-think this one.

D'Angelo Russell (PG/SG), Los Angeles Lakers ($6,900 DK/$6,800 FD):

Like the spot here for DLo back on his home floor and obviously we never know if one of LeBron or AD are going to sit these days. Russell has played much better on his home floor this season, accruing at least 36 or more fantasy points in five of the six games played in LA. Before the blowout against Portland in his last game, he had recorded 37+ DraftKings fantasy points in four-straight, including a 38.0 fantasy effort against this same Houston team on the road. I think the price is fair here and especially if someone does happen to sit (they may both play and I am still fine with this play).

 

Core Value Plays:

Deandre Ayton (C), Portland Trail Blazers ($6,600 DK/$7,300 FD:

I think Ayton is a viable play here tonight much like Grant in this game against OKC, who are on a back-to-back. Ayton is very streaky, and we have seen a low floor, but we have also seen him put up multiple games of 35+ fantasy points, including last time out two nights ago against the Lakers where he went for 38.5 fantasy points on 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. The Thunder have not exactly defended the center spot all the way, as they are currently allowing the 11th MOST DraftKings fantasy points to the spot on average overall this season. Think Ayton is obviously more of a tournament play here, but he should come in well under-owned.

Malik Monk (PG/SG), Sacramento Kings ($5,700 DK/$5,800 FD):

With Kevin Huerter dealing with a finger issue, Monk could potentially step in and get some extra minutes here if he happens to sit. Monk is fresh off a 41.5 fantasy point outing against the Spurs two nights ago, recording 20 points, four rebounds, eight assists, and a steal across 26 minutes. We have seen this kind of upside from Monk a ton, and he doesn't exactly need a lot of time to get there. Great game environment, and as mentioned above with Fox, the Mavericks are not great at defending any position really and that is why this game is fantasy gold with PACE and bad defense.

Keyonte George (PG), Utah Jazz ($5,400 DK/$5,300 FD):

Since entering the starting unit, George continues to put up solid performances. He has seen at least 26 minutes in all four games since grabbing the starting PG role, and three of those he saw over 29 minutes. He has put up fantasy games of 23.0, 28.75, 32.5, and his most recent against these same Suns at 29.75. If he is going to continue to get 30 minutes a night, he will continue to be a great value as his price is still very affordable, and the match up is good once again tonight.

Santi Aldama (SF/PF), Memphis Grizzlies ($5,200 DK/$4,800 FD):

With the Grizzlies literally being without a plethora of their roster tonight once again, the value should be there even against a team like Boston. Aldama has been one of the better fantasy performers for the Grizzlies lately putting up back-to-back 38.25 and 40.5 fantasy efforts against the Lakers and Spurs. Should we expect that tonight against Boston? Likely not, however, someone has to play for Memphis and as long as Santi is taking 15 shot attempts a night and playing 25+ minutes, I like him at the price on a smaller slate for value.

Collin Sexton (PG/SG), Utah Jazz ($4,400 DK/$4,900 FD):

Obviously quite the discount on Sexton at DraftKings tonight, and he is a great value in this game environment at that price. Sexton isn't seeing a ton of minutes, but he has seen at least 18 or more in three-straight games and has put up 22, 34, and 23 (vs Suns) as a result of that. He has a floor as well obviously, but at 4.4K, we are just looking for 20+ fantasy points really to make the play worth it. If we get an upside game somehow of 30+ fantasy points, we will be sitting pretty with Sexton.

Ochai Agbaji (SF/PF), Utah Jazz ($4,100 DK/$4,800 FD):

All of the good Jazz value is priced down on DraftKings tonight and I like them quite a bit here for value including Agbaji for Utah in the frontcourt. Ochai has seen 26 or more minutes in his last four games since getting inserted into the starting five and has produced modestly as a result. He seems to be getting a little more comfortable recording 31, 23.5, and 21.25 in his last three games. As long as he remains in the starting role, the minutes and production opportunities should continue to be there. 

Jabari Walker (PF), Portland Trail Blazers ($3,800 DK/$4,000 FD):

Another cheap bench player that has shown some decent fantasy performances for the role and minutes is Walker. He let us down two nights ago against the Lakers, but he only saw 18 minutes where he had seen 20+ in the two prior games. Still yet, he put up roughly 15 fantasy points in those 18 minutes, but had put up 18.5 or more in the three prior. He is a “last guy in” type of play tonight and only if you absolutely just need to save the salary. 

 

 

SHEET UPDATE! The grid below is listed as our PLAYER POOLS, not our core plays. We've switched the formatting and the players written up above are the players we're using as CORE options. Everyone in the grid are options we would use too.

Player Pool

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Stacks

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