Daily Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: March 21

FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS on Tuesday's slate.

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

March 21, 2023 3:25 PM

Brandon Ingram and the Pelicans host the Spurs at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday on NBA League Pass.

There were so many players ruled out Monday right before lock that it was hard to keep track of. That will be a regular thing from here on out, though, and it’ll be imperative to follow the news every minute until you lock in your lineup. With that in mind, let’s dive into the injuries that we know about.

Injury Report

As of 10:30 a.m. ET:

Jalen Suggs (concussion) OUT
Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles) OUT
Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) OUT
Jalen Duren (head) OUT
Jarrett Allen (eye) Questionable
Ben Simmons (knee) OUT
Zion Williamson (hamstring) OUT
Norman Powell (shoulder) OUT
Kyle Kuzma (ankle) OUT
Dejounte Murray (ankle) Questionable
Devin Vassell (knee) OUT
Tre Jones (hamstring) Doubtful
Zach Collins (rest) OUT
Jeremy Sochan (knee) OUT

Core Plays

Trae Young (PG – ATL): $9,600 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Trae struggled on Sunday, but we’re willing to overlook that. He had at least 45 DraftKings points in 14 of his previous 15 games before then, scoring at least 52 fantasy points in 12 of those. That’s fantastic from a player below $10,000, and he should revive that form against Detroit. The Pistons rank 28th in defensive efficiency and 29th in points allowed, with Young scoring at least 50 DK points in all three meetings this year.

Brandon Ingram (SF – NOP): $8,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
It’s been tough for New Orleans since Zion Williamson went down, but Ingram has been incredible in his absence. Ingram has a 32% usage rate with Zion off the floor, averaging 40 fantasy points per game since then. That should be his floor in this sensational matchup, with the Spurs sitting last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency, while surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing forwards.

Markelle Fultz (PG/SG – ORL): $7,000 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
It’s amazing the strides this kid has made this season. The former top pick has scored at least 27 fantasy points in 18 of his last 20 games, generating a 35-point average in that span. He’s been even better this week, scoring 50 or more DK points in two of his last three outings. We don’t anticipate Washington to slow him down, with Fultz averaging over 40 DK points per game in their two matchups this year.

Cash Game Considerations

Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $10,500 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
There aren’t many better cash game options than Tatum right now. The former Duke forward has at least 35 DraftKings points in 65 of 67 games this year, averaging 53 fantasy points per game. That makes him a worthy option at any salary, especially against the Kings. Sacramento ranks 28th in points allowed while owning a 27th OPRK against opposing power forwards. That’s on full display when you see that Tatum has at least 47 DK points in three straight meetings with Sacramento.

Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – SAC): $10,400 DraftKings, $11,000 FanDuel
The Celtics are among the most challenging matchups out there, but it doesn’t matter with the way Sabonis is playing right now. The big man has scored at least 42 DraftKings points in 46 of his last 49 games, scoring at least 57 fantasy points in six of his last eight outings. Many people will fade Sabonis in this tough matchup but look for the Kings to feed Sabonis in what will feel like a playoff atmosphere.

GPP Targets

James Wiseman (PF/C – DET): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Injuries have really opened things up for Wiseman because he’s being forced into a 30-minute role with Stewart and Duren both out. That’s allowed Wiseman to score at least 25 fantasy points in eight straight outings, averaging 34 fantasy points per game in that span. That should be his floor with how shorthanded this frontcourt is, and we certainly don’t mind that Atlanta ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency and 24th in points allowed.

Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
What determines Valanciunas’ fantasy value are his minutes. In the 38 games Valanciunas has played at least 25 minutes, he’s averaging nearly 40 DraftKings points per game. That’s huge when considering his recent form, scoring 46 and 53 DK points in his two most recent outings. He also played over 32 minutes in both of those and should feast in the best matchup in DFS.

Value Plays

Malaki Branham (PG/SG – SAS): $5,100 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
It looks like half of San Antonio’s roster could be rested here, leaving Branham with all he can handle. Most of the backcourt will be out, which means Malaki should play at least 30 minutes and take over ball-handling duties. The 19-year-old has scored at least 29 DK points in 11 of the 12 games he’s played at least 29 minutes, posting a 34-point average in those games. That’s absurd from such an affordable player, and it will be tough for the Spurs to pull him off the floor here.

Marcus Smart (PG/SG – BOS): $5,300 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
It’s strange seeing Smart in this price range. He’s had some poor play recently, but this guy has been $1,000 more for most of his career. The 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year is still averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game this season and dropped a 34-point gem in his most recent outing. He’s also played 35 or more minutes in three of his last four games and should never be this cheap in that sort of role.

Ivica Zubac (C – LAC): $5,900 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
Zubac is locked into a 30-minute role right now. The big man has played at least 27 minutes in 14 of his last 15 games, averaging 32 DK points per game in that stretch. He’s also scored at least 32 fantasy points in nine of those and is due for a price bump on both sites. Oklahoma City is an outstanding matchup, too, with the Thunder allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.