NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (3/27)

The scheduling this week is horrific. We have hardly any games on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, while the other four days have too many. We’re in one of those here, with 12 games making up this Wednesday card. While it does give us a ton of options, it’s also difficult to navigate with our laundry list of injuries. There’s a ton to discuss, so let’s get into it!

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

• GSW at ORL (ORL -6.5) O/U: 217.5
• BKN at WAS (BKN -2.5) O/U: 225
• CLE at CHA (CLE -10.5) O/U: 207
• POR at ATL (ATL -10) O/U: 215
• LAC at PHI (LAC -5.5) O/U: 218.5
• NYK at TOR (NYK -12.5) O/U: 208
• IND at CHI (IND -2.5) O/U: 233
• DET at MIN (MIN -13.5) O/U: 215.5
• HOU at OKC (OKC -5.5) O/U: 230.5
• LAL at MEM (LAL -5.5) O/U: 216
• SAS at UTA (UTA -2.5) O/U: 231
• PHX at DEN (DEN -7) O/U: 226.5

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

Injury Report

• Cam Thomas (illness) Questionable
• Cameron Johnson (toe) OUT
• Kyle Kuzma (shoulder) Questionable
• Deni Avdija (illness) Questionable
• Tyus Jones (back) Questionable
• Donovan Mitchell (eye) OUT
• Max Strus (knee) OUT
• LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
• Mark Williams (shoulder) OUT
• Jerami Grant (tanking) Questionable
• Deandre Ayton (tanking) Questionable
• Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) OUT
• Trae Young (hand) OUT
• Jalen Johnson (ankle) OUT
• Onyeka Okongwu (toe) OUT
• Joel Embiid (knee) OUT
• De’Anthony Melton (back) OUT
• Julius Randle (shoulder) OUT
• OG Anunoby (elbow) OUT
• Scottie Barnes (hand) OUT
• Jakob Poeltl (finger) OUT
• RJ Barrett (personal) OUT
• Immanuel Quickley (personal) OUT
• Zach LaVine (foot) OUT
• Jalen Duren (back) Questionable
• Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) OUT
• Alperen Sengun (leg) OUT
• LeBron James (B2B) Questionable
• Anthony Davis (B2B) Questionable
• Ja Morant (shoulder) OUT
• Marcus Smart (hand) OUT
• Victor Wembanyama (tanking) Questionable
• Lauri Markkanen (tanking) Questionable
• Jordan Clarkson (tanking) Questionable
• Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) Questionable
• Bradley Beal (ankle) Questionable
• Jamal Murray (ankle) Questionable

Core Plays

Dejounte Murray (PG/SG – ATL ): $9,800 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Murray has been in this section almost every game since Young got injured, and he continues to amaze us. The former All-Star has returned to the role that made him a $10K player with the Spurs, averaging over 50 DraftKings points per game over the last three weeks. He’s also scored at least 56 DK points in five of his last seven outings and shouldn’t have any issues duplicating that against Portland. The Trail Blazers rank 23rd in total defense, with Murray dropping 56 DK points against them just two weeks ago.

Darius Garland (PG – CLE ): $7,400 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
Mitchell is going to return soon, but Garland is an excellent option as long as the All-Star remains out. That’s forced DG to run the show in his absence, averaging nearly 40 DraftKings points per game when he’s been sidelined. That increased role makes Garland tough to fade against the Hornets, who sit 28th in defensive efficiency ratings. That was on full display when Darius dropped 38 DK points in their last two matchups over the previous month.

Nic Claxton (C – BKN ): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
Claxton doesn’t get many buckets, but his rebounding and defense make him an excellent fantasy option in this matchup. Let’s start there because Washington is last in points allowed and defensive efficiency while surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers. That was clear when Clax collected at least 38 DK points in all three matchups this year.

Cash Game Considerations

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN ): $11,900 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
The Joker didn’t play the fourth quarter on Monday, but he still had another monster night. That’s what this two-time MVP does, averaging 61 DraftKings points per game. He’s done that while establishing a 50-point floor, making him an easy option against anyone. Joker has had his way with the Suns, scoring 64 DK points against them over the last two years.

Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN ): $9,700 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
This kid was on the brink of becoming a superstar at the beginning of the year, but he’s fully there now. He has Minnesota battling for the top seed in the Western Conference, carrying this contender in the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns. The All-Star being sidelined has led to ANT averaging 38 minutes and nearly 25 shots a game. He’s averaging 53 DK points per game in this showman role, and we don’t want to fade him against a 29th-ranked Detroit defense.

Josh Hart (SF – NYK ): $7,600 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
Workload is the biggest correlation when evaluating cash game options and no one has the workload that Hart does. This guy is averaging over 40 minutes a game over the last month, averaging 42 DK points per game in this ridiculous role. That’s no surprise since he’s stepping up in the absence of Julius Randle, flirting with triple-double averages on a nightly basis. That’s terrible news for Toronto, ranked 28th in total defense since the All-Star break.

GPP Targets

Cam Thomas (PG/SG – BKN ): $7,200 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
Thomas missed Monday’s game but should be ready to go here. We want that from a GPP option like this because Thomas is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA. Cam has scored at least 32 DraftKings points in eight straight games, posting a 36-point average in that span. As long as this guy gets the 35 minutes and 20 shots we’ve become accustomed to, Thomas is a tremendous option against the worst defense in the NBA.

Scoot Henderson (PG/SG – POR ): $6,100 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
Scoot will be a regular in this section as we advance because he’s expected to run things in Portland from here on out. Grant, Ayton, Simons, and Brogdon could all be candidates to be rested in the closing weeks, but Scoot is happy to run the show. He’s averaging 36 DK points per game in the 16 outings he’s played at least 32 minutes, and that should be his floor as the primary playmaker for the final three weeks. Atlanta is an amazing matchup, too, ranked 27th in points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Zach Collins (PF/C – SAS ): $5,100 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
San Antonio is starting to go into tank mode, sitting in Wembanyama on Monday. Anytime the stud rookie sits, Collins should start at center and play 30 minutes. This guy was a $7K player in that role last season, averaging 30 DK points per game in his 27 starts this year. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, especially since he faces a 26th-ranked Utah defense.

Value Plays

Naz Reid (C – MIN ): $6,800 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
Reid is one of the most gifted big men in the NBA, and it’s been incredible watching him start for KAT. This talented center averaged nearly 40 DK points per game as a starter last year, and he’s not far off of that in this newfound role. He’s an outstanding option no matter who he faces, but playing a 29th-ranked Detroit defense makes him one of the best plays out there.

Isaiah Hartenstein (PF/C – NYK ): $5,700 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
Hartenstein was horrid when he was limited due to an Achilles issue, but that doesn’t appear to be an issue anymore. The Knicks center has scored at least 34 DraftKings points in five straight fixtures, posting a 38-point average in that span. That’s what he did in the first month without Randle, and he should roll a Raptors team that’s missing most of their rotation.

Keyonte George (PG/SG – UTA ): $6,200 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Utah has been freefalling down the standings, but it’s not this kid’s fault. George has been one of the most impressive rookies this season, averaging 33 DraftKings points per game since taking over as the starting point guard. That sort of ability makes George a great option against the Spurs, surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing guards.

Advantageous Pricing

• Isaiah Hartenstein (PF/C – NYK ): $5,700 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
• Richaun Holmes (C – WAS ): $4,700 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
• Jared Butler (SF – MIA ): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
• Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL ): $10,400 DraftKings, $11,700 FanDuel
• Kyle Anderson (SF – MIN ): $5,300 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
• Malachi Flynn (PG/SG – TOR ): $3,700 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
• Isaiah Jackson (C – IND ): $3,900 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel

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