Top NBA DFS Plays & Pick'Em Picks 2/9 | Making Sense of the Post Trade Deadline Madness

Top DFS Plays & Props for Friday's NBA Action!

Author

Ryan Humphries
February 09, 2024

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

Pick’Em Prop Offers 2/9/24 💸

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DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

A six-game slate makes its way onto the Friday docket and the dust is settling following Thursday’s fairly busy trade deadline. There were no star players that were traded away but plenty of starting-caliber players and solid bench depth guys will be donning new uniforms. It’s going to take a week or so before we’ll find out how each acquisition will impact team rotations, minutes, and usage. As far as today’s games are concerned, there currently aren’t many newly acquired players who are expected to make their team debut just yet. But just keep your head on a swivel in the coming days as all of these recently traded players carve out their new roles. I wouldn’t blame anyone for going light on their NBA DFS bankroll for the time being since all of these trades just add an extra layer of volatility to the mix. But let’s see if we can solve today’s puzzle! Best of luck!

 

Today’s Key Injuries/Recently Traded Players

(Apologies if I miss anyone on this list!)

  • Hawks: D. Murray - Questionable, C. Capela - OUT, D. Hunter - Probable, P. Mills - Questionable

  • 76ers: J. Embiid - OUT, T. Maxey - Questionable, D. Melton - OUT, P. Beverley - OUT (Traded to MIL), N. Batum - OUT, B. Hield - Available to make PHI debut (Traded from IND), J. Springer - OUT (Traded to BOS)

  • Wizards: D. Gafford - OUT (Traded to DAL), M. Bagley III - OUT, R. Holmes - OUT (Traded from DAL), P. Baldwin Jr. - OUT

  • Celtics: X. Tillman - OUT (Traded from MEM)

  • Rockets: F. VanVleet - OUT, T. Eason - OUT

  • Raptors: S. Dinwiddie - OUT (Traded from BKN), K. Olynyk - Questionable (Traded from UTA), J. Porter - Questionable, O. Agbaji - Questionable (Traded from UTA), D. Schroder - OUT (Traded to BKN), T. Young - OUT (Traded to BKN)

  • Hornets: L. Ball - OUT, M. Williams - OUT, PJ Washington - OUT (Traded to DAL), C. Martin - Probable, G. Williams - OUT (Traded from DAL), S. Curry - OUT (Traded from DAL), T. Mann - OUT (Traded from OKC), D. Bertans - OUT (Traded from OKC), V. Micic - OUT (Traded from OKC)

  • Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Probable, D. Lillard - Questionable, K. Middleton - OUT, J. Crowder - Probable, C. Payne - OUT (Traded to PHI)

  • Nuggets: K. Caldwell-Pope - Questionable

  • Kings: None

  • Pelicans: Z. Williamson - Questionable, J. Valanciunas - Questionable, N. Marshall - Questionable

  • Lakers: A. Davis - Questionable, L. James - Questionable, D. Russell - Probable, M. Christie - Doubtful, J. Vanderbilt - 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 🏀

SG/SF Jaylen Brown, BOS | DK: $8.3k, FD: $8.5k | vs. WAS

One major player’s status to monitor today, that isn’t trade-related, is Celtics’ star forward Jayson Tatum, who is questionable tonight due to an illness. If Tatum isn’t feeling 100%, this would be a great chance for Boston to give him the night off with the woeful 9-41 Wizards in town. In three games without Tatum this season, Jaylen Brown has posted fantasy scores of 48.25 DKFP/44.0 FDFP (@ IND), 53.0 DKFP/45.0 FDFP (vs. TOR), and 43.25 DKFP/43.0 FDFP (@ SAC) while averaging 33.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, and a 32.1% USG%. Brown exploded for 58.5 DKFP/58.2 FDFP in the one game played against the Wizards this season, and Tatum played that game, so Brown’s DFS viability doesn’t necessarily hinge on Tatum sitting out. But, if Boston is at full strength, this game could very likely trend toward a blowout given the massive -17.5 point spread in favor of the Celtics, so I’d be much more comfortable rolling with Brown if Tatum is sidelined this evening.

Update: Tatum will be available tonight. That will make Brown more of a volatile option, but I still like him for GPPs.

PG/SG Amen Thompson, HOU | DK: $5.3k, FD: $7.2k | @ TOR

This won’t be an under-the-radar play by any means, especially on DraftKings where Thompson remains underpriced with Fred VanVleet (adductor) out for a second game. Thompson posted 44.25 DKFP/43.6 FDFP across 33 minutes in his spot start against the Pacers on Tuesday. He’s averaging a very impressive 1.32 FPPM in two games as a starter this season and will now take on a Raptors team that has ranked 26th versus starting PGs L20Games. These two teams also met last Friday and, despite playing just 24 minutes off of the Rockets’ bench, Thompson procured 38.75 DKFP/40.4 FDFP. Now that Thompson will be guaranteed starter’s minutes, barring injury or ejection, then he should be a go-to option on tonight’s slate. And, even with the steep price bump up to $7,200 on FanDuel, he remains a viable option there as well.

 

SG/SF Buddy Hield, PHI | DK: $5k, FD: $6.3k | vs. ATL

This will be a highly volatile and risky play but Buddy Hield is one of the few recently traded players that is reported to be available for tonight’s games. He could immediately step into a prominent role this evening with the Sixers’ backcourt lacking depth. Tyrese Maxey (illness) is questionable, De’Anthony Melton has been out for nearly a month, and both Patrick Beverley and Jaden Springer were traded away. Cameron Payne (traded from MIL) is also available to make his 76ers debut tonight -- Payne (FD: $4,600) is available in the 76ers’ player pool on FanDuel, but DraftKings still has him on the Bucks’ roster. Ultimately, this whole situation may just be one to avoid, but if you’re willing to take on some risk, Hield could end up playing big minutes tonight, and this match-up with the Hawks boasts a slate-high 247 over/under and a close spread (PHI: +3).

 

Other Guards to Consider

PG Trae Young, ATL | DK: $9.3k, FD: $9.7k | @ PHI (Boost if D. Murray is out)

PG Tyrese Maxey, PHI | DK: $9.2k, FD: $9.6k | vs. ATL (Currently questionable)

SG/SF Brandon Ingram, NOP | DK: $7.7k, FD: $8.1k | @ LAL (Boost if Z. Williamson and/or J. Valanciunas are out)

PG/SG Jalen Green, HOU | DK: $7.3k, FD: $7.5k | @ TOR

PG CJ McCollum, NOP | DK: $6.7k, FD: $7.8k | @ LAL (DK Preferred - Boost if Z. Williamson and/or J. Valanciunas are out)

PG/SG Malik Monk, SAC | DK: $5.6k, FD: $6.8k | vs. DEN

SG Cody Martin, CHA | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.7k | @ MIL

SG/SF Dillon Brooks, HOU | DK: $4.8k, FD: $5.3k | @ TOR

PG Terquavion Smith, PHI | DK: $3.3k, FD: $4k | vs. ATL (Preferred if T. Maxey is out)

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

SF/PF Tobias Harris, PHI | DK: $7.8k, FD: $8.3k | @ ATL

The Sixers were very busy ahead of yesterday’s trade deadline but Tobias Harris’ involvement should remain high while Joel Embiid (knee) remains out for the next 6-8 weeks. Harris had a down game against the Warriors on Wednesday but we’ll look for a bounce-back performance in this enticing match-up with the Hawks. As noted earlier, this game features a monster 247 over/under and narrow spread (PHI: +3). These teams have met three times this season and Harris supplied 49+ FP in two of those games. Joel Embiid was also out in the most recent match-up with the Hawks on Jan. 10th and Harris went off for 54.0 DKFP/52.0 FDFP. Atlanta is 3rd in pace, 28th in DEFRTG, and they’ve ranked 23rd versus starting PFs L20Games, so we’ll love the match-up for Harris this evening.

PF/C Onyeka Okongwu, ATL | DK: $6.2k, FD: $7.1k | @ PHI

We’ll go to the other side of this match-up and spotlight Onyeka Okongwu. With Clint Capela (adductor/out) set to miss a third consecutive game, Okongwu will pick up another start at center, but he’s also power forward eligible on both sites. In his five starts this season, Okongwu is averaging a respectable 0.95 FPPM and 34.3 Min/gm. One of his spot starts came against this same 76ers team back on Jan. 10th where Okongwu posted 38.75 DKFP/37.7 FDFP. He didn’t have to contend with Joel Embiid in the paint in that game and, of course, he won’t have to deal with him tonight. The 76ers have predictably struggled with Embiid missing so much time lately and they’ve ranked 20th versus starting centers L20Games. Okongwu’s DFS salaries continue to creep up but he should stay on the radar since he is a guy who can go for 40+ FP whenever he lands in the starting lineup.

 

PF/C Eugene Omoruyi, WAS | DK: $3.8k, FD: $4.2k | @ BOS

Omoruyi is expected to be one of the most popular plays on the slate but the Wizards traded starting center Daniel Gafford away, Richaun Holmes (acquired from DAL) isn’t expected to make his Wizards debut, and backup center Marvin Bagley III (back) remains out. So, Omoruyi could either land in the starting lineup at center tonight or pick up some significant minutes off of the bench in what could be a blowout (WAS: +17.5). Omoruyi has seen limited action in 21 games this season, but he has averaged an outstanding 1.53 FPPM when he’s made his way onto the floor. He logged a season-high 23 minutes in Sunday’s game against the Suns and went off for 41.0 DKFP/41.5 FDFP while posting a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double with three assists and three steals. He’s just a super productive player when he gets the minutes and now that he has a chance to play 30+ minutes tonight, Omoruyi will be difficult to pass on at these low-end salaries.

 

Other Forwards to Consider

PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | DK: $11.8k, FD: $12k | vs. CHA

SF/PF Miles Bridges, CHA | DK: $8.6k, FD: $8.9k | @ MIL

SF/SG Brandon Miller, CHA | DK: $7.5k, FD: $7.6k | @ MIL

PF Jalen Johnson, ATL | DK: $7.4k, FD: $8.1k | @ PHI

SF/SG RJ Barrett, TOR | DK: $7.1k, FD: $7.5k | vs. HOU

PF Zion Williamson, NOP | DK: $7.1k, FD: $8.3k | @ LAL (Currently questionable - DK Preferred)

SF/PF Saddiq Bey, ATL | DK: $6k, FD: $6.2k | @ PHI

PF Jabari Smith Jr., HOU | DK: $5.4k, FD: $6.2k | @ TOR

SF/SG Cam Whitmore, HOU | DK: $4.7k, FD: $5.4k | @ TOR

PF/C KJ Martin, PHI | DK: $4.1k, FD: $4.8k | vs. ATL

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Nikola Jokic, DEN | DK: $11.6k, FD: $11.9k | @ SAC

With plenty of value available on this post-trade deadline slate, it won’t be difficult to jam in a superstar like the Joker tonight. The Nuggets are on the second leg of a B2B and Jokic played 36 minutes last night (-19% FPPG with no rest) but I’m willing to overlook that one negative to gain exposure to his high floor/ceiling combination. This should be a strong game environment featuring a high 232 over/under and close spread (SAC: -2.5). It’s not often that the defending champion Nuggets have been underdogs this season so they’ll need a big game out of their MVP to come away with a road victory against a talented opponent. These teams have met once this season and Jokic went nuclear with a 36/13/14 triple-double while netting 84.25 DKFP/81.6 FDFP.

C Brook Lopez, MIL | DK: $6k, FD: $7k | vs. CHA

We can look to BroLo as a worthy center option out of the mid-range today. He returned from a three-game absence yesterday and could be in line for a 40+ FP night if he pushes for 30+ minutes this evening. Even in a 31-point blowout win over the Hornets earlier this season, Lopez still logged 33 minutes in that game and came away with 38.75 DKFP/43.4 FDFP. The Hornets are routinely a plus match-up for opposing centers since they allow the 7th most points in the paint per game and rank 27th in rebounding%. Lopez is also averaging 2.7 blocks/gm this season so he is a strong candidate to pick up multiple blocks tonight, which could really put his value over the top.

 

Other Centers to Consider

C Domantas Sabonis, SAC | DK: $10.3k, FD: $10.7k | vs. DEN

C Alperen Sengun, HOU | DK: $9k, FD: $9.2k | @ TOR

C Jakob Poeltl, TOR | DK: $6.2k, FD: $6.7k | vs. HOU

C Larry Nance Jr., NOP | DK: $4.2k, FD: $5.6k | @ LAL (Preferred if J. Valanciunas is out)

PF/C Trey Lyles, SAC | DK: $3.6k, FD: $4.5k | vs. DEN (DK Preferred)

PrizePicks NBA Power Play of the Day ⚡

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.

Jalen Johnson MORE than 15.5 Points

Dillon Brooks MORE than 1.5 Three-Pointers Made

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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!