NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (2/14)

This is the final big slate before the break. We have 13 games making up this Wednesday card, with all but four teams in action. That’s always chaotic from a DFS standpoint, and it’s even more wild when you look at the lengthy injury report. It feels like half the league is nicked up right now, and this break is needed to give these guys some rest. With that in mind, let’s look at the schedule and odds!

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

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer:

Schedule and Odds

• NYK at ORL (ORL -2.5) O/U: 215
• MIA at PHI (PHI -2.5) O/U: 224
• ATL at CHA (ATL -7) O/U: 240
• BKN at BOS (BOS -12.5) O/U: 227
• CHI at CLE (CLE -8.5) O/U: 221
• IND at TOR (IND -3.5) O/U: 242
• WAS at NOP (NOP -12.5) O/U: 237
• HOU at MEM (HOU -4) O/U: 216
• SAS at DAL (DAL -12) O/U: 243
• SAC at DEN (DEN -5.5) O/U: 230
• DET at PHX (PHX -12.5) O/U: 238
• LAL at UTA (UTA -) O/U: NA
• LAC at GSW (LAC -1.5) O/U: 235

Check out our consensus game odds and the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros.

Injury Report

• Joel Embiid (knee) OUT
• Anthony Davis (B2B) Questionable
• LeBron James (B2B) Questionable
• LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
• Julius Randle (shoulder) OUT
• Jamal Murray (tibia) Doubtful
• Al Horford (B2B) Questionable
• Kristaps Porzingis (B2B) Questionable
• Tobias Harris (hip) OUT
• Jimmy Butler (personal) OUT
• Terry Rozier (knee) OUT
• Zion Williamson (foot) Questionable
• Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring) Questionable
• Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) Questionable
• RJ Barrett (personal) Questionable
• Fred VanVleet (adductor) OUT
• OG Anunoby (elbow) OUT
• Onyeka Okongwu (foot) OUT
• Clint Capela (adductor) OUT
• De’Anthony Melton (back) OUT
• Cameron Johnson (adductor) OUT
• Isaiah Stewart (ankle) OUT
• Mark Williams (shoulder) OUT
• Dereck Lively (nose) Questionable
• Kawhi Leonard (adductor) OUT
• Bradley Beal (hammy) questionable

Core Plays

Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHX): $9,800 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
There aren’t many players as reliable as DB, especially ones below $10,000. The Suns sharpshooter has at least 31 DraftKings points in all but three games this year, generating a 47-point average. That’s what you’re looking for from a core play, and both of those totals should be easy to reach against the Pistons. Detroit ranks 29th in defensive efficiency and 27th in points allowed.

Tyrese Maxey (PG/SG – PHI): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
This is one of those spots where Maxey might have to do everything. Philly is expected to be without Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and De’Anthony Melton. That means Maxey could be looking at 40 minutes, 25 shots, and a 40 percent usage rate. He’s already averaging over 40 DraftKings points per game without Embiid, but that should also be his floor with Harris sidelined.

James Harden (PG/SG – LAC): $8,800 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
The Clippers will rest Kawhi Leonard in their final game before the break, but that should allow Harden to take over. We’ve seen this guy be the star numerous times throughout his career, playing at a $12K level with Houston a few years ago. That’s the form we could see here, with Harden averaging 44 DraftKings points since the start of December. His best game of the year also came against this woeful Warriors defense, with Harden collecting 28 points, seven rebounds, 15 assists and four blocks in that masterclass.

Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,100 DraftKings, $12,800 FanDuel
Luka is tough to fade right now. The Slovenian point guard leads the NBA with 65 DraftKings points per game. His average is even higher over the last two months, establishing a 50-point floor in that span. We’d be comfortable using him against anyone, but San Antonio is surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing point guards. In their four matchups since the start of last season, Luka is averaging nearly 75 fantasy points per game.

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,300 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
The Joker is on his way to his third MVP in four years, ranked second in the NBA with over 60 DraftKings points per game. He’s also established a 50-point floor like Luka, doing everything for this Nuggets offense. That role could rise even more with Jamal Murray sidelined because Joker averaged over 70 DK points per game when Murray was out last year. Not to mention, Sacramento sits 23rd in total defense.

Trae Young (PG – ATL): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel
Trae seems to get disrespected by the media more than most players of his caliber, and it’s hard to understand why. This guy is always atop the assist leaderboard, averaging 51 DraftKings points per game. Young has also scored at least 40 fantasy points in the last 13 games he’s finished, showcasing a 77-point ceiling earlier in the year. That could be in play against Charlotte, who is posting the worst defensive rating in the NBA.

GPP Targets

Darius Garland (PG – CLE): $6,100 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
It’s shocking to see DG’s price this low, but he’s earned it with his subpar play. It’s taken this stud some time to find his form after returning from injury, but we expect this to be his lowest price for the remainder of the season. Not only did he have his minutes restriction lifted recently, but he’s coming off a 38-point gem in his most recent outing. That was close to his season average before getting injured, and we’re going to keep using Garland until he’s north of $7K on both sites.

Reggie Jackson (PG – DEN): $5,700 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
With Murray expected to miss this game, Jackson should start at point guard in Denver. This guy was a beast in that role earlier in the year, averaging 32 DK points per game across 31 minutes in his last 12 starts. That’s amazing from such an affordable player, and we don’t mind that he had 35 fantasy points in a start against the Kings earlier in the year!

Bruno Fernando (C – ATL): $3,600 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel
This is risky, but the Hawks are running out of centers. Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela are both missing this game, and that could force Bruno into a 30-minute role as the starting center. That’s no guarantee, but that type of role would be unbelievable for a player in this price range. We’re willing to take that risk since there are no other centers on this roster, especially since Charlotte surrenders the third-most fantasy points to opposing big men.

Value Plays

Jalen Johnson (PF – ATL): $7,300 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
There’s a chance JJ will play some center in this spot with those two centers out, but we love him no matter what. This youngster is amid a breakout season, averaging 36 DraftKings points per game. That could be his floor with so many frontcourt players missing in Atlanta, mainly since the Hornets posted a 30th OPRK against opposing forwards. Not to mention, Johnson dropped 39 DK points across 29 minutes against them earlier in the season.

CJ McCollum (PG/SG – NOP): $7,100 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
We never thought the Pels would run their offense through CJ, but that’s what they’ve done all year. That’s led to McCollum maintaining a 36-point average while displaying a 30-point floor. We love that in his matchup with the Wizards, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing guards. They also rank 24th in defensive efficiency and 26th in points allowed, with CJ scoring 37 fantasy points in their most recent matchup.

Tre Jones (PG – SAS): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Why is Jones still just $5,500 on DraftKings? This guy was given the Spurs starting point guard gig a month ago and has been playing at a $7K level since then. He’s averaging 32 DK points per game in the 20 games since the promotion, scoring at least 26 DK points in all but three of those. It’s not like Dallas has a daunting defense either, ranked 21st in points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Advantageous Pricing

• Jalen Johnson (PF – ATL): $7,300 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
• Tre Mann (PG/SG – CHA): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
• Cameron Payne (PG – PHI): $4,000 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
• Jalen Suggs (PG/SG – ORL): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
• Dennis Schroder (PG – BKN): $4,900 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
• Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – TOR): $4,800 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
• Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,600 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
• Ayo Dosunmu (PG/SG – CHI): $5,200 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
• Amen Thompson (PG/SG – HOU): $6,500 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
• Herbert Jones (SF – NOP): $4,700 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
• Victor Wembanyama (PF/C – SAS): $9,200 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
• Daniel Gafford (C – DAL): $6,100 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
• Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,100 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel
• Walker Kessler (C – UTA): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
• Malik Monk (SG – SAC): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel

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