NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (3/22)

This week has been chaotic already. It felt like half the NBA was missing on Monday, and Tuesday was equally as crazy. These final few weeks of the NBA season can be frustrating at times, but it’s critical to keep your eyes and ears open because every injury report is critical. We have tanking teams resting half of their players and playoff clubs sitting superstars to get them ready for the postseason. It can drive us crazy, but it’s a great time to profit in DFS as well!

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Wednesday:

• NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NBA Player Prop Bet Rankings Picks & Predictions
• NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NHL Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions
• March Madness Sweet 16 Betting Guide
• 2023 WGC-Dell Matchplay Best Bets

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

Today’s NBA DFS Lineup Advice

Schedule and Odds

• DEN at WAS (DEN -6.5) O/U: 228.5
• GSW at DAL (GSW -1) O/U: 233.5
• NYK at MIA (MIA -2) O/U: 220
• IND at TOR (TOR -8) O/U: 234
• PHI at CHI (PHI -2.5) O/U: 222.5
• SAS at MIL (MIL -17.5) O/U: 232.5
• ATL at MIN (ATL -) O/U: NA
• HOU at MEM (MEM -13.5) O/U: 226.5
• POR at UTA (UTA -3.5) O/U: 232.5
• PHX at LAL (LAL -2) O/U: 227.5

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

Injury Report

• Kyle Kuzma (ankle) Questionable
• Andrew Wiggins (personal) Questionable
• Luka Doncic (quad) Questionable
• Tyrese Haliburton (knee) OUT
• Chris Duarte (ankle) OUT
• Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
• Devin Vassell (rest) Questionable
• Tre Jones (rest) Questionable
• Zach Collins (rest) Questionable
• Jeremy Sochan (rest) Questionable
• Keldon Johnson (B2B) Questionable
• Dejounte Murray (illness) Questionable
• Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) Questionable
• Anthony Edwards (ankle) Questionable
• Alperen Sengun (illness) Questionable
• Steven Adams (knee) OUT
• Brandon Clarke (Achilles) OUT
• Ja Morant (conditioning) Questionable
• Jerami Grant (quad) Questionable
• Collin Sexton (hamstring) OUT
• Jordan Clarkson (finger) Questionable
• Lauri Markkanen (back) Questionable
• Kevin Durant (ankle) OUT
• Deandre Ayton (hip) Questionable
• LeBron James (foot) OUT

Core Plays

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,800 DraftKings, $11,700 FanDuel
If this game just stays close for even three quarters, Giannis should go nuts. The MVP candidate has scored at least 58 DraftKings points in eight of the last nine games he’s finished, which is right on par with his season average. That should be easy to reach against San Antonio, ranked dead-last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency. They’re also surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing forwards, and there’s no chance they hold Giannis below 50 fantasy points whether this game stays close or not.

Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $10,500 DraftKings, $10,300 FanDuel
It looks like Dame is going to get shut down here shortly, but Lillard is impossible to fade right until then. He’s been the leading scorer in the NBA since January 12, averaging 36.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game in that span. He’s simply being asked to do everything for this putrid Portland team, and he shouldn’t have any issues against a Utah club allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.

Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHX): $9,900 DraftKings, $10,100 FanDuel
Booker has been fantastic all year, but he’s one of the best options in DFS right now. He was expected to see a downtick in usage when Kevin Durant was acquired for Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, but with all three of those out of the picture, Book is being asked to do everything. He’s flirting with a 40 percent usage rate with all those guys off the floor, averaging nearly 50 DraftKings points per game in those outings. A matchup with LA’s lackluster defense should keep that train chugging, with the Lakers ranked fourth in pace and 21st in total defense.

Cash Game Considerations

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,500 DraftKings, $11,900 FanDuel
The Joker is battling Joel Embiid for MVP once again, and both of these guys are putting up gaudy numbers right now. Jokic has scored at least 42 fantasy points in 60 of 64 games this year, averaging nearly 60 DK points per game. That makes him the safest option on every slate, and he’s tough to avoid since he dropped 82 DK points in his last matchup with Washington.

Kyrie Irving (PG – DAL): $10,000 DraftKings, $9,600 FanDuel
It’s unclear if Doncic will be ready to return here, but Irving is a great player whether he suits up or not. Kyrie has scored at least 39 DraftKings points in 19 of his last 21 games, averaging over 50 fantasy points per game in that span. He’s always done well when facing Golden State, which is great news since they rank 26th in total defense. In their matchup in January, Kyrie collected 63 DK points in one of his best games of the season.

Fred VanVleet (PG/SG – TOR): $8,600 DraftKings, $8.900 FanDuel
FVV has been inconsistent at times this year, but he’s performing admirably right now. The former All-Star has scored at least 46 DraftKings points in six of his last eight games, generating a 47-point average in that span. We expect that to be his floor in this fantastic matchup, with Indiana ranked 25th in defensive efficiency and 28th in points allowed.

GPP Targets

Jaren Jackson Jr.(PF/C – MEM): $7,900 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
JJJ is slightly risky since Ja is expected to return, but the big man has been unstoppable recently. Jackson has scored at least 37 DraftKings points in seven of his last nine games and has one of the best per-minute rates in the NBA. That’s huge since Memphis is expected to be without Brooks, Clarke, and Adams, leaving JJJ with more minutes, shot attempts, and rebounds. That increase makes him tough to avoid against the Rockets, ranked 28th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.

Jusuf Nurkic (C – POR): $6,200 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Injuries have been a nightmare for Nurk throughout his career, but he’s always a stud when he’s on the court. That was crystal clear when Jusuf dropped 50 DK points in his most recent outing. He also had a 34-point average through his first 38 games, and it’s clear he’s due for a price bump since he’s back to a full allotment of minutes. We also don’t mind that Utah allows the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing centers.

John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Collins has been frustrating at times this year, but he shouldn’t be this cheap. The forward is usually above $6,000 on both sites, and it looks like he’s back to playing 30 minutes a night. The big man has played at least 27 minutes in six straight outings, scoring at least 25 fantasy points in four of those. That’s all you need from such an affordable player, and he should maul this Minnesota defense. The T’Wolves rank fourth in pace and 22nd in total defense.

Value Plays

Mike Conley (PG – MIN): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
This is a great time for Conley to run the show in Minnesota. The T’Wolves are without Towns and Edwards right now, allowing Conley to score 53 and 52 DK points in two of his last three outings. That’s a ridiculous total from a player in this price range, but it’s no surprise since this roster is so shorthanded. A matchup with Atlanta should allow the veteran to continue his hot stretch, with the Hawks ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency and 24th in points allowed. They’ve played twice over the last month, with Conley collecting 34 DraftKings points in both of those.

Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – UTA): $6,700 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
It’s wild that Oly hasn’t seen a massive price bump. The big man has been balling since Jaden McDaniels and Conley were traded, averaging 32 DK points per game across his last 15 outings. He fell two assists shy of a triple-double in his most recent outing, and he’d be one of the best values out there if Markkanen, Sexton, and Clarkson are out here.

Trendon Watford (PF – POR): $5,300 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Portland is in freefall mode, but Watford has been a bright spot in an otherwise dark stretch. Watford has scored at least 26 DK points in four of his last five games since earning this expanded role. That’s absurd from such an affordable player, and he should keep rolling against a 25th-ranked Utah defense.

Advantageous Pricing

• Bruce Brown (SG – DEN): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
• Christian Wood )C – DAL): $6,700 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
• Jaden Hardy (SG – DAL): $4,800 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
• Jimmy Butler (SF – MIA): $8,400 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
• Jalen Brunson (PG – NYK): $7,300 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
• Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
• Aaron Nesmith (SG – IND): $4,800 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
• Isaiah Jackson (C – IND): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
• Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7.900 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel
• Onyeka Okongwu (C – ATL): $4,700 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
• Naz Reid (C – MIN): $4,400 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
• Wenyen Gabriel (C – LAL): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel

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