The last few weeks have been nearly impossible to navigate because of COVID protocols, but we’re finally through the thick of it. We have most guys returning this week, and it feels like the positive tests have been going down in the NBA.
That 11-game card on Wednesday was wild, but we’re down to just four fixtures here. I love these sorts of slates because it’s much easier to break down eight teams as opposed to 22. It becomes even more beneficial in this COVID era, and I can’t wait to get into it. With that in mind, let’s kick things off with that short schedule and the odds.
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Schedule and Odds
- BOS at NYK (NYK -1) O/U: 211
- GSW at NOP (GSW -6) O/U: 224
- DET at MEM (MEM -13) O/U: 220
- LAC at PHX (PHX -12) O/U: 219
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
The last few weeks have been nearly impossible to navigate because of COVID protocols, but we’re finally through the thick of it. We have most guys returning this week, and it feels like the positive tests have been going down in the NBA.
That 11-game card on Wednesday was wild, but we’re down to just four fixtures here. I love these sorts of slates because it’s much easier to break down eight teams as opposed to 22. It becomes even more beneficial in this COVID era, and I can’t wait to get into it. With that in mind, let’s kick things off with that short schedule and the odds.
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Schedule and Odds
- BOS at NYK (NYK -1) O/U: 211
- GSW at NOP (GSW -6) O/U: 224
- DET at MEM (MEM -13) O/U: 220
- LAC at PHX (PHX -12) O/U: 219
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
Core Plays
Stephen Curry (PG – GSW): $11,000 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
It’s unclear if Chef Curry will suit up here, but he’s the best play on the board if he does. We’re talking about the MVP frontrunner facing one of the worst defenses in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 24th in defensive efficiency ratings, surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing point guards. With all that said, we love Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins if Curry ends up sitting.
Jayson Tatum (PF – BOS): $10,200 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
Tatum has been one of the hottest players in the NBA over recent weeks, scoring at least 38 DraftKings points in 12 straight games. He’s cracked 49 fantasy points in eight of those, taking over this Boston offense. We love all of that against the Knicks, with New York sitting 19th in total defense this year. In their two meetings this season, Jayson averages 42 DK points per game across 40 minutes a night.
Jalen Smith (C – PHX): $5,300 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
With Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee expected to miss this game, Sticks should get another start at center. He’s been a beast in this expanded role, scoring at least 22 DraftKings points in three straight outings. He’s also got a 29-point average in that span, a spectacular total from a sub-$6K player. Facing the Clippers isn’t too shabby either, with LA owning a 21st OPRK against opposing centers this season.
Cash Game Considerations
Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $9,200 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Ja has been dropping jaws because this might be the most exciting player in the NBA. It’s not just flashy plays either, with Morant maintaining a 45-point average for the season. He’s done a lot of that damage recently, scoring at least 48 DK points in each of his last five fixtures. That makes him worth it no matter the salary, especially with Detroit ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency ratings.
Chris Paul (PG – PHX): $7,300 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
CP3 is one of the most reliable players out there, and, strangely, he remains this affordable. The Point God has at least 36 DK points in six of his last seven games and has his season average up to 39 fantasy points per game. That’s hard to find from a player in this price range, especially since he’s done that damage with fewer than 15 raw points a night. Reaching 40-plus should be even easier in a matchup like this, with LA owning a 22nd OPRK against opposing point guards this season.
Marcus Morris (PF – LAC): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
This DK price is stupid. Morris has been the Clippers’ best player over the last three weeks and should be $7K on both sites. In fact, Morris has at least 35 fantasy points in five of his previous six games, taking over this offense in the absences of Kawhi and PG13. That alone makes him a good option, but we certainly don’t mind that Phoenix owns a 26th OPRK against opposing forwards, either.
GPP Targets
Robert Williams (C – BOS): $7,000 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
This guy has earned the nickname “The Time Lord” because of his absurd per-minute averages, which always makes him a dangerous GPP play. This dude has shown 60-point upside numerous times throughout his career, providing a 46-point average over his last five outings. That makes him tough to fade in a matchup like this, with Rob-Wil averaging over 40 DK points per game in his two meetings with the Knicks this season.
Jaren Jackson Jr (PF/C – MEM): $6,100 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
JJJ is a similar player to Williams, with both of these guys using their elite athleticism to provide ridiculous per-minute averages. Jackson is more of a shooter than Williams, but he’s also shown 50-point upside as well. That makes him a great option since Memphis has so many players in COVID protocols, likely forcing JJJ into a guaranteed 30 minutes. If he gets that playing time, Jackson should provide 30-40 fantasy points at ease against one of the worst defenses in the NBA.
Immanuel Quickley (PG/SG – NYK): $4,000 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
With Rose and Walker both injured, someone needs to play point guard in New York. Quickley has been one of the favorites for that role recently, playing 28 minutes a night over the last four fixtures. A workload like that is all you can ask for with a talented player like this, with Quickley presenting monster upside in the past. He hasn’t shown that recently but it’s lowered his price to a tasty total that we can’t fade.
Value Plays
Trey Lyles (PF – DET): $5,000 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
It’s hard to understand why these sites keep Lyles around $5K. Detroit has been playing without Grant, Olynyk, and Stewart, leaving Lyles as one of the only frontcourt players remaining. That has allowed him to start the last three games, averaging 35 DK points across 32 minutes a night. He’s also scored at least 27 DK points in all of those, a fantastic floor from a player this cheap. Not to mention, Memphis ranks 18th in defensive efficiency while owning a 19th OPRK against opposing big men.
Herbert Jones (SF/PF – NOP): $4,500 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
I’ve put Jones in dark green in the next section because this DraftKings price is dumb. Herbert has been one of the few pleasant surprises for the Pelicans, scoring at least 28 DraftKings points in five straight outings. He’s also got a 36-point average in that span, a truly absurd number from a $4,500 player.
Brandon Clarke (PF/C – MEM): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
We already talked about how Memphis is missing many players due to COVID protocols, and losing Bane makes Clarke one of the best values on the board. We’re talking about a guy who’s played at least 23 minutes in three straight fixtures, scoring at least 28 DK points in all of those. That 32-point average is just silly from such an affordable player, and it should continue against a pitiful Pistons frontcourt.
Advantageous Pricing
- Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $9,200 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
- Marcus Morris (PF – LAC): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
- Herbert Jones (SF/PF – NOP): $4,500 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
- Brandon Clarke (PF/C – MEM): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
- Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $10,000 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
- Cade Cunningham (PG – DET): $7,900 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
- Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $8,800 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
- Josh Hart (SG/SF – NOP): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
- Garrett Temple (SG/SF – NOP): $3,600 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
- Jaxson Hayes (C – NOP): $3,300 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
- Justise Winslow (SF – LAC): $4,100 DrfatKings, $5,400 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
