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

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NBA DFS & Props Shows w/ Shannon 

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

An interesting little five-game slate rolls around for this Thursday. A trio of high total games will draw most of the DFS attention today but there will certainly be some pieces in the remaining two games (CHI @ TOR, MEM @ MIN) that we’ll want to keep in consideration. The main team injury report that we’ll need to monitor the most will belong to the Pacers. Star PG Tyrese Haliburton, originally thought to be out for at least two or three more games, earned a surprising “questionable” designation today and could return after just an eight-day absence with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Three other rotational players (Mathurin, Nesmith, Toppin) are currently questionable as well. The Pacers were also part of a notable trade yesterday, acquiring Pascal Siakam from the Raptors in exchange for Bruce Brown and three first-round picks. It’s unclear if Siakam will make his Pacers debut tonight. I would currently lean toward expecting Siakam to debut either tomorrow or in Sunday’s game, but we’ll keep an ear out for any news signaling his potential availability for tonight. Alright, let’s dive in! Best of luck!

Update: Pascal Siakam is not expected to make his Pacers debut tonight & Tyrese Haliburton has been ruled out.

Today’s Key Injuries

Bulls: A. Drummond - Probable, A. Dosunmu - Questionable, P. Williams - Questionable, D. Terry - Probable

Raptors: J. Poeltl - OUT, B. Brown - Questionable to make Raptors debut

Wizards: D. Gafford - OUT

Knicks: J. Hart - Questionable

Thunder: L. Dort - Questionable, T. Mann - Questionable, O. Dieng - Questionable

Jazz: None

Pacers: T. Haliburton - OUT, P. Siakam - Not expected to make Pacers debut, B. Mathurin - Questionable, A. Nesmith - Questionable, O. Toppin - Questionable

Kings: None

Grizzlies: D. Bane - OUT, M. Smart - OUT, D. Rose - OUT, J. LaRavia - OUT

Timberwolves: None

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 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC | DK: $10.2k, FD: $11k | @ UTA

Spending up at guard won’t be a priority today and, following a pair of down games, SGA has seen a slight price decrease but is still the most expensive player on this slate on both sites. There are going to be some folks who will automatically nix SGA out of lineup consideration tonight simply due to his poor performance against the Clippers on Tuesday. He had one of his usual strong games against the Jazz back on Dec. 11th, posting a 30/4/7 stat line with three steals -- a similar, or even better, performance tonight could be in the cards. Just like last season, Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the NBA in drives to the basket per game. This bodes well against a Jazz team that allows the 12th most points in the paint per game and is 19th in overall defensive rating.

PG/SG Collin Sexton, UTA | DK: $6.2k, FD: $6.9k | vs. OKC

Sexton hasn’t been playing big minutes recently (22.3 Min/gm L5Games) but he has been absolutely elite on a per-minute basis. His 1.60 FPPM L5Games leads all guards on today’s slate. Utah has been involved in plenty of blowouts (mostly wins) lately, which could explain some of Sexton’s lack of playing time. But they also have some solid backcourt depth and don’t necessarily need to push Sexton for 30+ minutes regularly. However, if this game stays competitive, as is the current expectation (UTA: +3.5), then Sexton could log around 28 minutes this evening. If that occurs, and if he maintains his excellent per-minute FPPM scoring, he’ll easily return value, particularly at his $6,200 DraftKings salary.

PG/SG Gary Trent Jr., TOR | DK: $4.3k, FD: $4.7k | vs. CHI

It’s unclear whether the recently acquired Bruce Brown will make his Raptors debut tonight, just one day after being traded from the Pacers. I would guess that he doesn’t play just yet but, even if he does, he may not step into a key role right away. Gary Trent Jr. started yesterday’s game and logged 31 minutes. He was lights out from beyond the arc, going 8-of-9 on his three-point attempts, which led to 28 points and 36.5 DKFP/33.4 FDFP. Of course, that sort of three-point performance isn’t repeatable but, at these salaries, we don’t need it to be. Trent is averaging a respectable 0.92 FPPM in his last five starts, he should play similar minutes in the starting lineup tonight, and his scoring will be needed more now that Pascal Siakam is no longer with the team. He’ll stand out as one of the better bargains on today’s slate.

Other Guards to Consider

PG De’Aaron Fox, SAC | DK: $9.1k, FD: $9.2k | vs. IND

PG Jalen Brunson, NYK | DK: $8.5k, FD: $8.9k | vs. WAS

PG/SG Anthony Edwards, MIN | DK: $8.4k, FD: $9.3k | vs. MEM (DK Preferred)

PG/SG Immanuel Quickley, TOR | DK: $7k, FD: $7.6k | vs. CHI

PG/SG Malik Monk, SAC | DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.6k | vs. IND

PG TJ McConnell, IND | DK: $5.9k, FD: $6.6k | @ SAC (Potential boost pending IND injury news)

PG/SG Luke Kennard, MEM | DK: $5.3k, FD: $4.8k | @ MIN

PG/SF Kris Dunn, UTA | DK: $4.1k, FD: $5.1k | vs. OKC (DK Preferred)

SG/SF Gradey Dick, TOR | DK: $3k, FD: $3.6k | vs. CHI (Risky DK Punt Play - Only if B. Brown is out)

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

SF/PF Lauri Markkanen, UTA | DK: $8.3k, FD: $9.1k | vs. OKC

We’ve got to love the potential atmosphere that this game could provide given its lofty 245 over/under and close spread (UTA: +3.5). FanDuel has Markkanen priced appropriately today but, considering he has secured at least 48.5 DKFP in five of his last six games, his $8,300 tag on DraftKings feels too cheap. Markkanen is easily averaging a points/rebounds double-double and over 1.60 FPPM in that stretch. As mentioned in Sexton’s spotlight, the Jazz have been blowing out teams the last couple of weeks, so core starters like Markkenen have not been logging huge minutes. But if he hits around 35 minutes this evening, and maintains his recent form, he could easily hit as an optimal play on this slate.

PF Keegan Murray, SAC | DK: $6k, FD: $6.6k | vs. IND

Murray is a notoriously volatile player but he’s been mostly great since the calendar flipped to 2024. Murray has posted at least 32.5 DKFP/32.3 FDFP in six of his last eight games, including three games of at least 40.5 DKFP/39.7 FDFP. In typical Keegan Murray fashion, his two down games were complete duds. But it’s a strong spot for Murray to put up another excellent fantasy score. The Pacers are allowing 45.4 FPPG to starting PFs and rank dead last versus the position L20Games. So, while we can never feel good about Murray’s floor, his upside is apparent this evening.

PF Gregory “GG” Jackson, MEM | DK: $4k, FD: $6.4k | @ MIN

The Grizzlies just cannot catch a break this season and they’re as shorthanded as ever heading into tonight’s match-up against the NBA’s top-rated defense. Gregory “GG” Jackson has been a reserve player who has stepped up, almost by necessity, in the last couple of games. He scored 20 points and 33.0 DKFP/32.7 FDFP across 27 minutes against the Knicks on Saturday and followed that up with 23 points and 41.5 DKFP/41.7 FDFP over 29 minutes against the Warriors on Monday. FanDuel has since priced Jackson out of the value conversation but he’s still just $4,000 on DraftKings and should be expected to exceed salary-based expectations (on DK) tonight, even against a very tough opponent.

Other Forwards to Consider

PF/C Julius Randle, NYK | DK: $8.8k, FD: $9k | vs. WAS

SF/PG Scottie Barnes, TOR | DK: $8.1k, FD: $8.8k | vs. CHI

SF/PF Jalen Williams, OKC | DK: $7.2k, FD: $7.8k | @ UTA

SF/SG Zach LaVine, CHI | DK: $7.1k, FD: $7.5k | @ TOR

SF/SG RJ Barrett, TOR | DK: $6.6k, FD: $6.8k | vs. CHI

SF Vince Williams Jr., MEM | DK: $6.1k, FD: $6.5k | @ MIN

PF/C Naz Reid, MIN | DK: $5k, FD: $6k | vs. MEM (DK Preferred)

PF/C Santi Aldama, MEM | DK: $4.5k, FD: $5.9k | @ MIN (DK Preferred)

PF/C Kelly Olynyk, UTA | DK: $4.1k, FD: $5.1k | vs. OKC (DK Preferred)

SF/PF Patrick Williams, CHI | DK: $3.7k, FD: $4.7k | @ TOR (Currently questionable - DK Preferred)

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Nikola Vucevic, CHI | DK: $7.5k, FD: $8k | @ TOR

Vucevic has been rock-solid since returning from a groin injury that held him out for five games. He has poured in at least 36.5 DKFP/33.0 FDFP in four of his last five games, including a monster 59.5 DKFP/58.7 FDFP game against the Spurs on Saturday. The Bulls have also not played since Monday and Vuc is averaging +16% more FPPG when well-rested. The Raptors have a vulnerable frontcourt with starting center Jakob Poeltl set to miss his sixth consecutive game and they no longer have the services of Pascal Siakam (traded to IND) either. This leaves the relatively inexperienced Jontay Porter and 35-year-old journeyman Thaddeus Young as Vucevic’s main competition in the paint. Pending blowout, injury, or foul trouble, this should be an easy 40+ FP night for Vucevic and his ceiling is obviously much higher than that threshold.

C Marvin Bagley III, WAS | DK: $4k, FD: $5k | @ NYK

Bagley is set to make his Wizards debut tonight and he should find an immediate spot in the starting rotation with usual starter Daniel Gafford out with a concussion. Bagley has averaged just over an FPPM this season so, even in a less-than-ideal match-up, he should be expected to return value assuming he plays around 28-32 minutes. He will no doubt be a popular option today but the Knicks are on the second leg of a back-to-back and most of their starters, including center Isaiah Hartenstein, logged big minutes last night (Hartenstein played 41 minutes), which could help Bagley’s success this evening.

Other Centers to Consider

C Domantas Sabonis, SAC | DK: $10k, FD: $10.3k | vs. IND

C Rudy Gobert, MIN | DK: $7.4k, FD: $8.2k | vs. MEM

C Isaiah Hartenstein, NYK | DK: $6.7k, FD: $7.7k | vs. WAS

C Jontay Porter, TOR | DK: $4.6k, FD: $4.6k | vs. CHI

C Thaddeus Young, TOR | DK: $3.9k, FD: $4.5k | vs. CHI

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.

Rudy Gobert MORE than 19.5 Fantasy Score (1st Half)

Lauri Markkanen MORE than 11.5 Rebounds + Assists

🔥 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!