Tonight’s schedule remains hefty with an 8-game slate scheduled for the day, though only seven of them will compete in the main slate as the contest between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns begins at 5:00 p.m. EST. The Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, and Milwaukee Bucks are all operating on a back-to-back. Main slate tip-off locks at 7:30 pm EST.
Check out today’s NBA Sharpshooter from DraftKings 
Guards
Kyle Lowry (PG – TOR): $7,800 vs. BKN
Since returning from a lengthy absence, Lowry has largely been a disappointment for DFS players. His minutes are a major positive as he’s registered over 35 minutes in all four games since his return, approaching 40 minutes in all close games. The matchup against the Brooklyn Nets is decent as they rank 16th in defensive rating and 9th in pace, which projects the Toronto Raptors with the 2nd highest implied total of the night thus far at 113.25. Expect Lowry to get a lot of playing time in this game, especially if Fred VanVleet misses the contest due to injury. Lowry is likely to get some positive regression as a shooter, which could lead to a big performance from the veteran.
Tonight’s schedule remains hefty with an 8-game slate scheduled for the day, though only seven of them will compete in the main slate as the contest between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns begins at 5:00 p.m. EST. The Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, and Milwaukee Bucks are all operating on a back-to-back. Main slate tip-off locks at 7:30 pm EST.
Check out today’s NBA Sharpshooter from DraftKings
Guards
Kyle Lowry (PG – TOR): $7,800 vs. BKN
Since returning from a lengthy absence, Lowry has largely been a disappointment for DFS players. His minutes are a major positive as he’s registered over 35 minutes in all four games since his return, approaching 40 minutes in all close games. The matchup against the Brooklyn Nets is decent as they rank 16th in defensive rating and 9th in pace, which projects the Toronto Raptors with the 2nd highest implied total of the night thus far at 113.25. Expect Lowry to get a lot of playing time in this game, especially if Fred VanVleet misses the contest due to injury. Lowry is likely to get some positive regression as a shooter, which could lead to a big performance from the veteran.
Derrick Rose (PG – DET): $5,600 @ HOU
Quietly, Rose has manifested into a consistent DraftKings player as he’s scored 28+ DraftKings points in six of his last seven contests. Even though he comes off the bench majority of the time, Rose ranks 16th in usage rate among league leaders, showcasing just how high his potential ceiling is every night. Tonight’s matchup against the Houston Rockets results in a major pace-up contest as the Rockets rank 15th in defensive rating and 4th in pace. Look for Rose to continue providing a scoring and playmaking punch off the bench for the Detroit Pistons.
Ben McLemore (SG – HOU): $4,600 vs. DET
The Rockets – like most nights – lead the night in implied total with a 117.50 figure. If you’re looking for cheap exposure from the most explosive team in the NBA, McLemore is a solid option on most nights. McLemore has cooled off some after a stretch that saw him net 29+ DraftKings points four times in five games, though he still landed right near value in his latest contest. McLemore’s minutes have been steady as he routinely registers between 27-33 minutes.
James Harden (SG – HOU): $12,900 vs. DET
I’d be remised to not mention The Beard as he’s on one of the craziest stretches we’ve ever seen in NBA DFS. Harden scored 80.75 and 84.25 DraftKings points in his past two contests and routinely scores 55+ on any given night. With Harden’s price tag reaching insane levels, a 50-point contest won’t cut it. The matchup against the Pistons is a decent one as they rank 19th in defensive rating but only 25th in pace, though Harden has proven matchups mean nothing to him as he just eviscerated one of the worst matchups league-wide in the Orlando Magic. Even with the addition of PG Russell Westbrook, Harden leads the league in usage rate.
Forwards
OG Anunoby (SF – TOR): $5,200 vs. BKN
The Raptors are in a slump recently as they’ve dropped three of their past four, though it hasn’t had much impact on the young and developing Anunoby. Anunoby has scored 26+ DraftKings points three times in that same stretch, proving he’s one of the most exciting young talents at his position in the league. Anunoby doesn’t offer a steady ceiling as his offensive output can be limited, but his defensive prowess does increase his floor. As mentioned above, the matchup is a great one and the Raptors are expected to be one of the most productive teams tonight and Anunoby provides you with a decent-priced option if you’re looking for exposure to Canada’s team.
Jae Crowder (SF – MEM): $5,200 vs. WAS
Crowder isn’t a name anybody expects to see on these types of lists, but he quietly continues to stack solid performances one after the next. The matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards is arguably the best of the night with the Wizards ranked 30th in defensive rating and 2nd in pace. All Grizzlies are in play with such a great matchup, though Crowder is arguably the best bang for your buck. Crowder has scored 26+ DraftKings points four times in his past five games and now has an incredibly juicy matchup.
Davis Bertans (PF – WAS): $6,800 @ MEM
Bertans has stepped up in a major way since starting C Thomas Bryant suffered an injury that’ll sideline him for an extended period of time. Bertans has hit at least four three-point attempts in six consecutive games and is coming off a crazy 51-point performance in which he drained 8/12 from downtown. Bertans’ price tag is beginning to catch up with his performances, though the matchup is still strong for tonight as the Grizzlies rank 21st in defensive rating and 6th in pace. Bertans has a chance to return value because of his steady playing time (hovering around 30 minutes), offers a scoring punch for his team, and is regularly allowed to jack up shots on offense.
Centers
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $8,600 vs. OKC
Arguably, the most disappointing NBA DFS player this season has been the Serbian big-man for the Denver Nuggets. Jokic’s price tag has taken a major dip as he started the season as one of the most expensive players in DFS, though it now sits under $9k. Joker is beginning to string together stronger performances as he’s scored 43+ DraftKings points in four consecutive contests. The matchup isn’t great as the Oklahoma City Thunder rank 13th in defensive rating and 22nd in pace, but Joker is beginning to catch his stride and the Nuggets will continue to feature their playmaking big-man.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF/C – MEM): $6,500 vs. WAS
Exposure to the Grizzlies tonight is a must because of the matchup against the Wizards. Just like Crowder, Jackson is a great player to target tonight, though one thing to always keep in mind when playing JJJ is his penchant for getting into foul trouble. Jackson has been highly-productive recently and has an even higher ceiling if starting PG Ja Morant misses the contest. Make sure to find a spot or two in your lineup for Grizzlies players tonight.
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Sosa Kremenjas is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Sosa, check out his archive and follow him @QBsMVP.
