Winners From Downtown is bringing the top daily picks for your cash games, alongside some value plays, and Vegas notes. Be sure to check out our minutes tool, and Colossus lineup optimizer.

Projections show DraftKings prices and fantasy points.

Vegas Notes

- Thunder-Wizards is the highest projected total of night, which is no surprise with the pace, as well as the two offenses.

- Only real blowout concern is the Heat-Lakers game, where Miami is -11 favorites. Raptors are also eight point favorites against the Knicks, but it should stay close.

- There are no west coast games tonight, but Celtics-Bucks, and Pelicans-Mavs both have totals over 200 tonight.

- Jazz-Cavs has a 184 total, and with the Jazz' pace of play, they are a tough team to pick on.

Top Picks

Kevin Durant (SF), Thunder

Opponent

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Fantasy Points Per Minute

Defensive Efficiency Rating

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Vegas Team Total

Projection

@Wizards

371.2418.629.436.511145.8

Salary: FD: $10,400 DK: $9,700

Kevin Durant is back, and he is about $1,000 cheaper than Russell Westbrook on DK, at a shallower position. Durant is averaging 30 points this season, alongside seven boards, and three assists. He has dropped three games in a row around 50 fantasy points, depending on the site, and is shooting 50% on the season. While Durant has said this is just another game, he is heading to his hometown tonight. Not only is the narrative there, he has averaged 30 points against Washington in his career. Washington is a good defensive team, but have lacked against small forwards this season, allowing the most fantasy points to small forwards.

Kyle Lowry (PG), Raptors

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Knicks

341.0420.524.942.610135.3

Salary: FD: $8,000 DK: $7,800

Now Russell Westbrook is the top play here, but there are a few other options to look at. Also, if Bradley Beal sits, John Wall throws his hat into the ring for the top play. Dropping down a price tier, Kyle Lowry has been rock solid this season, averaging 18-5-6. He is also averaging 2.3 steals per game. The matchup is excellent for Lowry, with the average defending guards in NY. The Knicks rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards, and both teams play at a decent pace, given they play in the eastern conference. With Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant on the table tonight as the best options, Lowry can likely just squeeze into your lineups, with the right value plays.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (SG/SF), Bucks

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Celtics

370.8720.121.236.610132.2

Salary: FD: (SG) $7,000 DK: (SF) $7,300

The multi-position between the two sites kills me here, because I prefer Giannis Antetokounmpo on FanDuel. He is listed as a shooting guard, and this is a position that is truly ugly tonight. Alphabet is going to see big minutes as usual, and Boston ranks just below Washington in fantasy points allowed to opposing small forwards. It will only be a matter of time before both sites actually get the Bucks roster right, because they are all over the place right now. Giannis has a much more stable floor from a year ago, and is shooting the ball 57% from the field, up from last season. It is unsustainable, but it is obvious his game has improved.

Anthony Davis (PF), Pelicans

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Projection

Mavs

371.3618.92840.210650.3

Salary: FD: $10,800 DK: $10,700

For a seven game slate, it seems there is one elite player at each position, and a whole lot of nothing below. Anthony Davis is that elite play tonight, coming off of a 70 fantasy point game two games ago, and 40 fantasy point game, against these Mavs last game. He has had a couple of days to recover, and I am looking for him to do what he has always done to Dallas, and that is go off for a monster night. Dallas is an average rebounding team, and rank in the bottom ten in fantasy points allowed to opposing PF. Davis averaged 30/12 against Dallas in three games last season, blocking two shots, and snagging two steals as well.

Hassan Whiteside (C), Heat

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Projection

Lakers

301.271721.843.910638.1

Salary: FD: $8,000 DK: $7,600

Depending on the site, Hassan Whiteside could be the only center worth paying up for. Greg Monroe is the other one, but he is only listed at center at FanDuel. The Lakers have a -6.2 rebound differential, and are still the worst defensive team in the league. Whiteside is blocking four shots per game, and has 28 on the season already. He is not a high usage player, but has seen a 2% bump in the last few games. He has been a near lock for a double-double each night, but his shot blocking ability gives him an excellent ceiling.

Value Plays

Ish Smith (PG - NO) FD: $5,100 DK: $4,700

Ish Smith has found himself in the value column yet again, after back-to-back solid performances. Jrue Holiday is likely going to be back tonight, but Smith saw himself playing alongside him, as well as the backup role. New Orleans has zero depth in the backcourt right now, with Smith being one of two options. He will log plenty of minutes again, and the matchup is in his favor.

Langston Galloway (SG - NYK) FD: $4,800 DK: $4,600

I said shooting guard was ugly, and I meant it. If you are punting a shooting guard spot tonight, which you likely are, Langston Galloway is worth a look. He is averaging 27 minutes per game off the bench, shooting 46% from the field, and 61% from three. He has been a consistent player this season, with his floor sitting around 20-24 fantasy points a night.

Marvin Williams (PF - CHA) FD: $5,000 DK: $5,400

Marvin Williams should be a featured piece tonight if you are paying up for multiple superstars. He is playing 32 minutes a game, averaging 11/9 on the season so far. Charlotte has a 100 team total tonight, and that speaks to the defense of the Timberwolves. Look for Williams to stay consistent.

Zaza Pachulia (C - DAL) FD: $5,400 DK: $5,400

If you are looking to pay down at center, Zaza Pachulia has been surprisingly good for Dallas this season. He is averaging 9/10 this season, and is keeping his foul trouble down. New Orleans ranks 25th in fantasy points allowed to opposing centers this season. He went 9 and 14 against New Orleans in his last matchup.



Comments
odieman1231
I will consider all of these plays tonight. Question: Kristaps Porzingis has continuously posted good DFS numbers for as cheap as he is. Is there a reason he seems to never be recommended?
zachsgotmoxy
Love the picks. Hope Fisher gets smart and starts Galloway.
JasonG4s
@Odieman1231 - He just missed my cut for value plays tonight, as I have Marvin Williams in. It is mainly due to minutes, and he is a great points per minute play, but I always feel like there is a risk, especially with his foul trouble. Toronto has been tough against PF's, and are a good rebounding team. Still in play for sure though! @Zach I know, he continues to play very well.