That Monday card was mayhem, but this Tuesday card is tame. We have just five games to discuss, and we’re looking forward to it after yesterday. It’s difficult to dissect such a big card, but getting 5-7 games is the sweet spot for DFS. That gives us plenty of players to talk about but not too many to be overwhelmed with!
Core Plays
Stephen Curry (PG/SG – GSW): $9,500 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
The Warriors have struggled over the last month, but it’s not because of Chef Curry. This elite shooter continues to cook the league, scoring at least 38 DraftKings points in all but two games this year. He’s also got a 45-point average and consistently slaughters the Suns. In their final three matchups last year, Curry averaged 50 fantasy points per game against them!
Kawhi Leonard (SF/PF – SAC): $8,000 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel
Kawhi struggled in his first two weeks with James Harden, but the Claw is crushing it right now. Leonard has scored at least 52 DraftKings points in four of his last seven outings while providing a 49-point average in that span. That’s the Finals MVP we know and love, and we can’t fade him against Sacramento. They’re surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing forwards, with Kawhi collecting 57 and 67 DK points in their two most recent meetings!
DeMar DeRozan (SF/PF – CHI): $8,200 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
It took an injury to Zach LaVine to get DeRozan dominating again because he’s been running Chicago’s offense in his absence. That has led to DD playing 35-40 minutes, taking 20-25 shots, and posting a usage rate above 30 percent. That workload has carried over into his fantasy production, scoring at least 43 DraftKings points in five of his last six outings. DeRozan shouldn’t be avoided as long as he’s got this sort of usage.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,900 DraftKings, $12,300 FanDuel
The Joker has been the best player in fantasy for nearly five years now. The big man is leading the league with 65 DraftKings points per game. He’s also scored at least 68 DK points in 10 games over the last month and is stuffing the stat sheet better than any player in the NBA. We don’t want to avoid him against Chicago, with Joker collecting 28 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals in their one matchup earlier in the year.
Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $11,800 DraftKings, $12,400 FanDuel
Luka would be an MVP favorite if it weren’t for Jokic and Embiid, averaging 61 DraftKings points per game. That should be his floor in this matchup because Luka will be asked to do everything with Kyrie Irving out. Getting 30 shots and a 40 percent usage rate is not out of the question, and Luka can score 70-80 DK points in that robust role. Not to mention, he had 30 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in his last matchup with LA.
Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHX): $10,400 DraftKings, $10,700 FanDuel
Booker has quietly been one of the most reliable players in the NBA this year. DB has scored at least 44 DraftKings points in all but one outing, generating a 50-point average. You know a player like this will be motivated against Golden State, posting a 21st OPRK against opposing guards. In their four matchups since the start of last season, Book has been averaging nearly 50 DK points per game against them, scoring at least 42 fantasy points in all of those.
GPP Targets
Jusuf Nurkic (C – PHX): $7,400 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel
Nurkic is the fourth wheel in this Phoenix offense, but he’s extremely reliable because he’s the starting center for the Suns. That role has led to Nurkic averaging over 33 DraftKings points per game. He’s also scored at least 33 fantasy points in six of his last seven outings and should feast against an undersized Golden State team. In their first matchup, Nurk has 40 fantasy points against them!
Dereck Lively (C – DAL): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
Lively can be a frustrating player in fantasy because of his inconsistencies, but this rookie has some remarkable upside. He’s been starting at center in Dallas, scoring 41 and 56 DK points in two of his last four fixtures. That’s the ceiling you’re looking for in a GPP, and he should be asked to do more with Irving and Hardaway both nicked up. We also don’t mind that LA allows the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Jrue Holiday (PG – BOS): $6,700 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Holiday hasn’t been the All-Star player we loved in the past, but he’s still a good GPP option at $7K. This guy has been above $8,000 for most of his career and is still averaging over 32 DraftKings points per game. He also had 37 fantasy points in his most recent outing and scored 37 and 51 DK points in his two most recent matchups with Cleveland.
Value Plays
Ivica Zubac (C – LAC): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
We weren’t sure what Zubac’s role would look like with this stacked Clippers team, but the addition of James Harden helped him immensely. That’s led to Zubac scoring at least 27 DraftKings points in eight straight games while posting a 36-point average in that span. That’s all you can ask for from a sub-$7K player, and this matchup with Sacramento is sensational. He’s got at least 35 fantasy points in back-to-back games against the Kings.
D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – LAL): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
Russell has had his fair share of struggles in LA, but he’s become underrated. The Lakers point guard still averages 33 fantasy points per game, an absurd total from a $6K player. The matchup is the best part of this, though, with Dallas ranked 22nd in total defense while posting a 23rd OPRK against opposing guards.
Dante Exum (PG/SG – DAL): $5,700 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
It’s hard to believe that Exum has become a fantasy-relevant player, but injuries to Hardaway and Kyrie have opened up that door. That’s earned Exum a starting job, scoring 35 and 42 DraftKings points in his two most recent outings. This Aussie has always been able to stuff the stat sheet, and Dallas needs him to do that with so much production on the bench.
Advantageous Pricing
- Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,200 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
- Derrick White (PG/SG – BOS): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
- Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $9,800 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel
- Michael Porter Jr. (SF/PF – LAL): $7,600 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
- Reggie Jackson (PG/SG – DEN): $6,300 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
- Eric Gordon (SG – PHX): $6,600 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
- Russell Westbrook (PG – LAC): $7,400 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel