NBA Sports Betting Quick Links
With guys like Russell Westbrook and James Harden dropping 60+ fantasy point games, they will be staples in the lineups for many of us. But... To grab those players, value is crucial in NBA, just like any other DFS sport. Value opens up through injuries, site pricing, and rotational changes. We are staying on top of that for you here, talking about the best value at each position.
Afternoon/Evening Updates
Given this article is posted in the morning or early afternoon, I will do my best to keep you posted as the day moves on. News occurs throughout the day, and up until lock altering values plays for the slate. You can find notes in this section here.
- D'Angelo Russell (Questionable) - Lou Williams gets the biggest bump.
- Kenneth Faried & Wilson Chandler (Probable) - Faried is preferred play.
- Emmanuel Mudiay (Questionable) - Jameer Nelson would pick up starter's minutes again.
Point Guard
Brandon Jennings, New York Knicks ($5,600 FD - $5,100 DK)
Derrick Rose is out for tonight's game against Washington, and at least this time we know his whereabouts. Brandon Jennings will fill in as the starting point guard, and has done well in that role when Rose is out. In the six games Rose has missed this season, Jennings has seen a 20.5% usage rate, and has averaged 15-4-6. Washington is a tough matchup, but I don't mind using Jennings with no Rose, and a Kristaps Porzingis that isn't quite right. The Knicks have a 104.75 team total tonight, so Jennings should be a solid source of value.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 28.35 - DraftKings: 32.90
Honorable Mentions: Jameer Nelson
Shooting Guard
Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets ($5,700 FD - $5,200 DK)
Sacramento is playing their fourth game in five nights, which is a bit of an issue for me when looking to deploy Kings players. There is no doubt this game will still be very high scoring, but Houston sit as double digit favorites. James Harden could very well be the top scorer on the slate, but I don't mind using the Rockets secondary options tonight. Gordon is averaging 25+ fantasy points per game over the last five, and has a 22.7% usage rate this season off the bench. With a monster 118 total, Gordon should should be able to chip in, and even has a reasonable ceiling in his last ten games. If you need cheaper, Gary Harris is in a great spot as well.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 24.07 - DraftKings: 27.76
Honorable Mentions: Gary Harris
Small Forward
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Hornets ($5,500 FD - $5,200 DK)
Over the last few days, small forward has been my least favorite position to deploy value at, and the same goes for tonight. I don't mind Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who is averaging 27 fantasy points per game over the last ten. Portland ranks 24th against small forwards, and has a positive DRPM matchup. Portland struggles on the defensive side, and Charlotte has a 105 team total. Outside of Batum and Walker, MKG is next in line as the guy to target.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 27.06 - DraftKings: 29.04
Honorable Mentions: Trevor Ariza
Power Forward
Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets ($6,600 FD - $5,400 DK)
Usually DraftKings is ahead of FanDuel on marking guys up, but this time it's a little difference. Kenneth Faried has a higher price tag on FanDuel, but is certainly still in play with Nikola Jokic out. He dominated the front court of Phoenix, and will have an equal matchup to do the same against the Lakers. Denver has the second highest team total behind Houston tonight, although this game in general carries the highest total. The Lakers rank 19th in rebounding, and rank 29th in front court defensive efficiency.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 33.99 - DraftKings: 36.63
Honorable Mentions: Ryan Anderson, David Lee
Center
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Lakers ($3,900 FD - $3,500 DK)
This is a small sample size, but Ivica Zubac is growing in the Los Angeles rotation, and will certainly see some run with Julius Randle out. He has seen 26 and 28 minutes over the last two games, and Los Angeles will need some size still against Denver. He has posted back to back double-doubles in the last two games, and led a come from behind charge off the bench the last time these two teams played. In the games he has seen 20+ minutes in of late, he has nailed 30+ fantasy points and has taken double digit shot attempts.
DFC Projection: FanDuel: 23.28 - DraftKings: 24.72
Honorable Mentions: Marcin Gortat
Login or Register to join the conversation.