These last two days have been two of the best days of my season. There’s so much value out there with teams in full-on tank mode, and it’s the perfect time to feast in DFS. We have plenty of injuries to discuss here, so let’s get started with the schedule and then break down the injury report!

After just five games on Thursday, we have another short slate here. It’s rare to say that about a Friday card, but seven games is not a significant number. We actually love slates this size, and it has me excited to keep rolling!

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

Schedule and Odds

• WAS at DET (DET -2.5) O/U: 218
• UTA at CHA (UTA -3) O/U: 232.5
• GSW at ATL (ATL -2) O/U: 221
• NYK at MIA (MIA -5.5) O/U: 215.5
• DAL at MIN (MIN -1) O/U: 227
• HOU at POR (HOU -3.5) O/U: 235.5
• PHI at LAC (PHI -5.5) O/U: 222.5

Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros

Injury Report

• Bradley Beal (wrist) OUT
• Kristaps Porzingis (B2B) Questionable
• Kyle Kuzma (knee) Questionable
• Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) OUT
• Gordon Hayward (ankle) OUT
• Stephen Curry (ankle) OUT
• John Collins (foot) OUT
• Derrick Rose (ankle) OUT
• Kemba Walker (excised) OUT
• Julius Randle (quad) Questionable
• Mitchell Robinson (back) Questionable
• Tyler Herro (knee) Questionable
• Luka Doncic (ankle) Questionable
• Damian Lillard (abs) OUT
• Josh Hart (knee) Questionable
• Justise Winslow (calf) Questionable
• Anfernee Simons (quad) OUT
• Jusuf Nurkic (foot) OUT
• Paul George (elbow) OUT
• Kawhi Leonard (knee) OUT
• Norman Powell (foot) OUT

Core Plays

Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,200 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel
Joel is quite simply one of the safest options in fantasy. The big man is the clear frontrunner for MVP, scoring at least 40 DraftKings points in all but three games this season. That has led to his absurd 57-point average for the season, which should be easy to duplicate here. We say that because LA has been struggling with opposing centers all season, allowing Embiid to collect 40 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in their one matchup earlier this year.

Donovan Mitchell (PG – UTA): $9,000 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
With Bojan out of the lineup, DM has been in takeover mode recently. He’s taken at least 21 shots in seven straight games, scoring at least 37 fantasy points in nine of his last 10 outings. That workload has led to Mitchell scoring at least 51 DK points in four of his previous five games. That’s fantastic from a $9K player, especially since he faces a Charlotte team that ranks third in pace and 28th in total defense.

Jimmy Butler (SF – MIA): $8,100 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
I hate to play narratives, but this is a spot where Jimmy is going off. He got some poor publicity with the Miami meltdown on Wednesday, but that will have him more motivated than ever here. We’re still talking about a guy with at least 36 DK points in five of his last six games. A motivated player with that sort of form is tough to fade in this matchup, with Jimmy averaging 36 DK points per game in his three meetings with the Knicks this season.

Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,100 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
Luka might be the best option in fantasy right now. He was leading the NBA in usage when Porzingis was on this roster, but it’s even higher since that KP trade. That has led to Doncic averaging 62 DK points per game across his last 22 outings. Minnesota is no easy matchup, but with the T’Wolves playing at the fastest pace in the NBA, Doncic should flirt with another 30-point triple-double.

Rudy Gobert (C – UTA): $7,600 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
Rudy is one of the best cash game options on every slate. His league-leading rebounding is the main reason why, scoring at least 27 fantasy points in 53 of 58 games this season. That’s why he has his season average north of 41 DK points per game, which should be easy to reach against the third-fastest-paced team in basketball. In their one matchup earlier this year, Rudy registered 23 points and 21 rebounds in one of the best games of his career.

Alec Burks (PG – NYK): $6,100 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
It’s hard to understand why Alec has remained so affordable all season. He’s been starting at point guard for months now, stepping up in the absence of Walker and Rose. In this starting point guard role, Burks is averaging nearly 30 DK points per game in over 35 minutes a night. That makes it hard to believe that he’s still just $6K and his role has risen even more since Randle is out as well.

GPP Targets

Kevin Porter Jr (PG – HOU): $6,000 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
KPJ is one of the most talented youngsters in the NBA, and he’s really shown his ability recently. He’s scored at least 26 DraftKings points in 21 of the last 25 games he’s finished, averaging nearly 32 fantasy points per game in that span. That’s brilliant from a $6K player, and he’s been doing that damage despite numerous blowouts. That shouldn’t be an issue here, with Houston entering this matchup as a rare favorite against a 27th-ranked Portland defense.

Marcus Morris (PF – LAC): $5,800 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Morris has been all over the map in terms of consistency, but his upside is hard to overlook. Marcus has scored at least 41 DK points in three of his last six games. It’s easy to understand why, with Morris being asked to do more in the absence of Kawhi, PG13 and Powell. That means he should be a lock for 30 minutes and 15 shots, which is all you can hope for from a sub-$6K player.

Obi Toppin (PF – NYK): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
The Knicks season is almost officially done, but it’s opened up the door for Obi to be a stud. He’s started the last two games for Julius Randle, and Thibs doesn’t take Obi off the floor when that’s the case. In fact, Toppin averages 32 DK points per game across 34 minutes a night in his four starts for Randle this season. We hate the matchup with Miami, but as long as he’s playing 30-40 minutes, Toppin is impossible to fade in this price range.

Value Plays

Patrick Beverley (PG – MIN): $4,700 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
This pricing on Bev is silly. He’s been in this range all season, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be $6K on both sites. He’s scored at least 23 DK points in 26 of the last 28 games he’s finished, flirting with a 30-point average in that span. Good luck finding that from another player this cheap, especially since Beverley will be particularly feisty against Doncic and the Mavs. In their two meetings this season, Pat-Bev is averaging over 30 fantasy points per game, guarding Doncic on the regular.

Kris Dunn (PG/SG – POR): $4,500 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Dunn has always been a talented player, and now that he’s finally getting an opportunity in Portland, we want to use him until this price inevitably rises. He got the start at point guard in the Trail Blazers most recent game and looks poised to keep this role for the remainder of the season. Over the last five games played, KD is averaging 25 DK points per game across 26 minutes a night. That’s all you can ask for from a player this cheap, and we haven’t even discussed the best part. That’s the matchup, with Houston ranked second in pace and dead-last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Killian Hayes (PG – DET): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Hayes was a top pick for a reason. He’s struggled throughout most of his career, but he’s finally getting an opportunity now. He’s scored at least 27 DraftKings points in four of his last five games, stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis. That makes the $4,100 price tag on DK laughable, particularly against a Washington team that ranks 23rd in total defense.

Advantageous Pricing

• Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,100 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
• Killian Hayes (PG – DET): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
• Terry Rozier (PG/SG – CHA): $7,900 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
• Klay Thompson (SG – GSW): $8,100 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
• Draymond Green (PF – GSW): $6,500 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
• Tyler Herro (PG/SG – MIA): $6,300 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
• D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – MIN): $6,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
• Terance Mann (SG – LAC): $5,500 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel

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