Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

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NBA DFS & Props Shows w/ Shannon 

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

Wednesday brings plenty of NBA action with an eight-game main slate on tap! The Warriors/Jazz game was initially included on the DraftKings main slate, but it has since been postponed due to a medical emergency with Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic. It seems like a serious issue considering the postponement so we’ll certainly hope for the best for him. For DFS purposes, make sure you don’t accidentally roster any players from that game since those players will collect a guaranteed zero. There will be several teams to monitor for injury news due to “questionable” designations -- primarily the Celtics (Porzingis, White, Holiday), Mavericks (Doncic), T-Wolves (Edwards), Knicks (Brunson), and I suppose we can add the Lakers (LeBron) to the list… but LeBron is always listed as “questionable” and usually ends up playing anyway. So, keep your eyes and ears peeled for the latest injury updates! Let’s dive into these games, shall we? Best of luck!

Today’s Key Injuries

• Timberwolves: A. Edwards - Questionable

• Pistons: C. Cunningham - OUT, D. Gallinari - Available for Pistons debut, M. Muscala - Available for Pistons debut

• Spurs: Z. Collins - OUT

• Celtics: K. Porzingis - Questionable, D. White - Questionable, J. Holiday - Questionable

• Heat: J. Jaquez Jr. - OUT, K. Love - OUT

• Raptors: J. Poeltl - OUT, G. Trent Jr. - Questionable, G. Dick - Questionable

• Magic: F. Wagner - OUT, G. Harris - OUT

• Hawks: D. Hunter - OUT, W. Matthews - OUT

• Bucks: None

• Cavaliers: D. Garland - OUT, E. Mobley - OUT, C. LeVert - Questionable

• Rockets: T. Eason - OUT, R. Bullock Jr. - Questionable

• Knicks: J. Brunson - Questionable, J. Hart - Questionable

• Hornets: G. Hayward - OUT, M. Williams - OUT, B. Miller - Questionable, B. McGowens - Questionable, F. Ntilikina - Questionable (would be season debut)

• Pelicans: None

• Mavericks: L. Doncic - Questionable, D. Exum - OUT, D. Jones Jr. - Probable, J. Green - OUT, G. Williams - Probable

• Lakers: A. Davis - Probable, L. James - Questionable, C. Reddish - OUT

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG LaMelo Ball, CHA | DK: $9.1k, FD: $9.3k | @ NOP

There are safer players to go to if you’re spending up at guard, but these current DFS salaries for LaMelo are mighty enticing. Ball has logged 27 and 30 minutes in the two games since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for 20 games. In those games, he posted 47.75 DKFP/48.1 FDFP (@ SAS) and 49.0 DKFP/47.5 FDFP (@ MIA). While it is no guarantee, it is reasonable to assume that he could begin to handle his usual mid-30s minutes in tonight’s game. If that were to occur, Ball would have an excellent chance to push for 6x (or better) value even in a tough match-up that has the Hornets as 12-point road underdogs. It’s another lost season for the 8-29 Hornets so they really have no reason to push Ball’s minutes, especially if the game trends toward a blowout. But Ball is one of the elite FPPM stars in the NBA and we may not even need him to play 35+ minutes for him to return excellent value.

SG/SF RJ Barrett, TOR | DK: $6.6k, FD: $6.7k | vs. MIA

While it hasn’t necessarily resulted in wins, RJ Barrett has settled into a key role in this Raptors offense since being traded over from the Knicks. He has secured at least 36.25 DKFP/32 FDFP and played 35+ minutes in four of his last five games while displaying a huge ceiling of 58.0 DKFP/56.2 FDFP. The one game in which Barrett did not hit that fantasy point or minutes threshold was in a 32-point blowout loss to the Jazz. I don’t believe folks will be frothing at the mouth to load up on this Raptors/Heat match-up, but it does possess the closest spread on the slate (TOR: +2.5) and the Heat have ranked dead last versus starting SGs L20Games. Barrett is averaging 1.18 FPPM L5Games so if he maintains that average and plays another 35+ minutes, he’s a great bet to return quality value at these sub-$7k salaries.

PG/SG Payton Pritchard, BOS | DK: $4k, FD: $4.8k | vs. SAS

The Celtics currently have three of their starters (Porzingis, White, Holiday) listed as questionable for tonight’s game. With the hapless Spurs in town tonight and the defending champion Nuggets heading to Boston on Friday, it does seem like a good spot for the Celtics to rest some guys who may be slightly banged up. If any of those three “questionable” guys are ruled out, namely White and/or Holiday, then Pritchard would stand out as an excellent value. However, if the Celtics end up playing their usual starters, this game could quickly play into a blowout (Celtics are currently slate-leading 16-point favorites), which could lead to additional minutes for Pritchard later in the game. Pritchard has scored at least 28.75 DKFP/25.9 FDFP in three of his last five games, so he’s not necessarily reliant on multiple injury absences to the Celtics starting lineup -- he could end up playing mid-20s minutes even if Porzingis, White, and Holiday all suit up.

Other Guards to Consider

PG Luka Doncic, DAL | DK: $10.9k, FD: $12k | @ LAL (Currently questionable - DK Preferred)

PG/SG Donovan Mitchell, CLE | DK: $9.6k, FD: $10.5k | vs. MIL (DK Preferred)

PG/SG Kyrie Irving, DAL | DK: $9.3k, FD: $10.3k |@ LAL (Major boost if Doncic sits)

PG/SG Anthony Edwards, MIN | DK: $8.3k, FD: $9.3k | @ DET (Currently questionable - DK Preferred)

PG Fred VanVleet, HOU | DK: $7.5k, FD: $8.1k | @ NYK

PG/SG Immanuel Quickley, TOR | DK: $7k, FD: $7.5k | vs. MIA

SG/SF Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL | DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.5k | @ LAL (Only if Doncic is out)

SG/SF Caris LeVert, CLE | DK: $6.4k, FD: $7.3k | vs. MIL (Currently questionable - DK Preferred)

PG D’Angelo Russell, LAL | DK: $6k, FD: $6.5k | vs. DAL (Assuming he continues to start)

PG/SG Miles McBride, NYK | DK: $5.3k, FD: $5.1k | vs. HOU (Only if Brunson is out + McBride starts)

SG Sam Merrill, CLE | DK: $4.6k, FD: $4.7k | vs. MIL (Preferred if LeVert is out)

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF/C Anthony Davis, LAL | DK: $10k, FD: $11.4k | vs. DAL

Assuming Luka Doncic (ankle/questionable) can suit up tonight, this game will feature some heavy star power. Both teams in this match-up rank top 10 in pace which helps lead to a slate-high 243.5 over/under in place. Anthony Davis’ elite consistency has faded a bit in recent weeks but he still brings ample 60+ FP upside to DFS lineups on a nightly basis and has scored at least 59.75 DKFP/58.5 FDFP in three of his last four games. It’s never a bad idea to target skilled bigs against the Mavs as they allow the 7th most points in the paint per game and rank 28th in rebounding%. Davis is firmly in play as a spend-up option on FanDuel but his $10k DraftKings price tag feels head-scratchingly low.

SF Jimmy Butler, MIA | DK: $7.8k, FD: $8.3k | @ TOR

Butler has only partially played in one game across Miami’s 12 games but he returned to action on Monday against the Nets where he logged 40 minutes (game went to OT) and posted a 31/5/4 stat line with two steals (46.75 DKFP/48 FDFP). Of course, overtime did help boost those numbers but it was encouraging to see that Butler faced essentially zero restrictions in his first game back from a toe injury. The extended absence led to lowering Butler’s DraftKings salary to a season-low $7,800 and his $8,300 FanDuel salary is tied for his second-lowest salary. Butler has not found his way into many of my lineups even when he’s been healthy this season but this feels like a good time to give him some exposure due to those low-end salaries. It also doesn’t hurt that Toronto has ranked dead last versus starting SFs L20Games.

PF/C Jonathan Isaac, ORL | DK: $3.4k, FD: $3.9k | @ ATL

Some additional forward value may open up later in the day, pending further injury news. For now, Jonathan Isaac sets up as a fairly solid value play if you’re hunting for some savings. Isaac’s seven years in the league have been heavily plagued by injuries but, when he gets on the court, he’s a productive player. He has averaged a strong 1.20 FPPM this season. Generally, he only handles around mid-teens minutes off the Magic bench and there’s no reason to believe he’ll see any more run than that this evening. But the match-up with the fast-paced Hawks (4th in pace), who also rank 27th in DEFRTG, could help Isaac’s fantasy production in his limited minutes. Either way, I don’t imagine he’ll kill any lineups at these sub-$4k DFS salaries.

Other Forwards to Consider

PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | DK: $11k, FD: $12.2k | @ CLE

SF/PF Jayson Tatum, BOS | DK: $9.5k, FD: $10.2k | vs. SAS (Potential boost pending BOS injury news)

PF/C Julius Randle, NYK | DK: $8.9k, FD: $8.9k | vs. HOU

PF Paolo Banchero, ORL | DK: $8.8k, FD: $9.2k | @ ATL

PF/C Victor Wembanyama, SAS | DK: $8.7k, FD: $10.1k | @ BOS (DK Preferred)

SF/SG Jaylen Brown, BOS | DK: $8k, FD: $8.5k | vs. SAS (Potential boost pending BOS injury news)

PF Zion Williamson, NOP | DK: $7.6k, FD: $7.9k | vs. CHA

PF Jalen Johnson, ATL | DK: $7.3k, FD: $7.7k | vs. ORL

PF Jabari Smith Jr., HOU | DK: $6k, FD: $6.5k | @ NYK

PF/C Al Horford, BOS | DK: $5.5k, FD: $6.1k | vs. SAS (Potential boost pending BOS injury news)

SF/PF Kyle Anderson, MIN | DK: $4.3k, FD: $5.3k | @ DET (Preferred if Edwards is out)

SF Chuma Okeke, ORL | DK: $4.2k, FD: $4.6k | @ ATL

SF Sam Hauser, BOS | DK: $3.9k, FD: $4.4k | vs. SAS (Potential boost pending BOS injury news)

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Jarrett Allen, CLE | DK: $8.1k, FD: $8.7k | vs. MIL

Despite putting up consistent production for the last nine games, scoring at least 37.0 DKFP/35.9 FDFP each game in that span, Allen was given a slight price decrease on both DraftKings and FanDuel. The Cavs remain shorthanded with Darius Garland and Evan Mobley sidelined and they may not have a key bench piece with Caris LeVert (wrist/questionable) iffy to play tonight. If LeVert is unavailable, Allen’s ceiling only rises. In 260 minutes with Mobley, Garland, and LeVert all off the floor this season, Allen has averaged +18.2 fantasy points per 48 minutes. And, while it will be a tough performance to match, Allen exploded for 59.5 DKFP/59.4 FDFP when these teams played about three weeks ago. This match-up does feature the third-highest total (237 O/U) and one of the closest spreads (CLE: +4) of the day, so it’s a promising spot for some optimal fantasy production.

C Rudy Gobert, MIN | DK: $7.1k, FD: $8k | @ DET

We’ll stick in the mid-range with our second spotlighted center and look to target Rudy Gobert. While he is not immune to the occasional dud, Gobert’s elite rebounding and shot-blocking abilities will often lead to excellent DFS results and help him not necessarily be overly reliant on pure scoring. However, when the scoring is there, we’ll see him string together the sort of performances that he has put together lately. In his last three starts, Gobert is averaging 20.0 PPG, 15.7 RPG, 3.0 BLK/gm, and 47.6 DKFP/48.0 FDFP. He would also receive a slight usage bump if Anthony Edwards (knee/questionable) is unable to suit up. And, of course, we can’t ignore the stellar match-up that Gobert has in front of him tonight. The paltry Pistons have ranked dead last against starting centers L20Games, they’ve surrendered the 5th most points in the paint per game, and they have allowed the 6th most opponent blocks per game. Based on his recent output, Gobert is clearly in play on FanDuel but his $7,100 DraftKings salary is particularly enticing.

Other Centers to Consider

C Bam Adebayo, MIA | DK: $9k, FD: $9.2k | @ TOR

C Alperen Sengun, HOU | DK: $7.9k, FD: $9k | @ NYK (DK Preferred)

C Isaiah Hartenstein, NYK | DK: $7k, FD: $7.6k | vs. HOU

C Goga Bitadze, ORL | DK: $5k, FD: $5.9k | @ ATL

C Christian Wood, LAL | DK: $4.2k, FD: $5.5k | vs. DAL (DK Preferred)

PrizePicks NBA Power Play ⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's NBA action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these bets so I don't just lightly throw these out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

Saddiq Bey MORE than 23.5 Fantasy Score

Jaylen Brown MORE than 20.0 Fantasy Scre (1st Half)

🔥 Props AI 🔥

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we are introducing Props AI for NBA – available for LineStar Premium users! This tool can help you find value and mispriced odds on player props from sportsbooks and, more specifically, for PrizePicks and UnderDog Fantasy!

Speaking of props, put the Props AI tool to use by signing up for PrizePicks (Promo code: LINESTAR) or Underdog (Promo code: LINESTAR). You'll receive a 100% match on first deposits up to $100 PLUS a free month subscription to LineStar Premium. Many people may not realize that you can legally place prop bets in most states using UnderDog (or PrizePicks) – it’s called Pick'Em, and it’s incredibly easy.

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!