A busy mid-week NBA slate makes its way onto the docket with nine games on tap for this evening. Let’s get to work on some top DFS plays and props to consider for this hefty slate!

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

Straight Locks🔒 | NBA Props w/ Shannon & Tyler!

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

Nine games… 18 teams… plenty of NBA action tonight! There is no shortage of plays and slate approaches to delve into with this one so let’s jump right into it!

Today’s Key Injuries:

Wizards: None

Knicks: None

Hawks: None

Mavericks: L. Doncic - Probable, T. Hardaway Jr. - OUT, D. Finney-Smith - Probable, M. Kleber - OUT, Josh Green - Probable

Pacers: T. Haliburton - OUT

Thunder: A. Pokusevski - OUT, J. Robinson-Earl - Questionable, E. Omoruyi - Questionable, O. Dieng - OUT

Cavaliers: D. Mitchell - OUT, D. Wade - OUT

Grizzlies: None

Heat: D. Robinson - OUT, N. Jovic - OUT

Pelicans: Z. Williamson - OUT, B. Ingram - OUT, H. Jones - Doubtful

Hornets: K. Oubre Jr. - OUT, G. Hayward - Doubtful, C. Martin - Doubtful

Rockets: K. Porter Jr. - Questionable

Clippers: K. Leonard - OUT, P. George - OUT, I. Zubac - Questionable, J. Wall - OUT, L. Kennard - OUT

Jazz: K. Olynyk - OUT

Timberwolves: A. Edwards - Questionable, K. Towns - OUT, R. Gobert - OUT, T. Prince - Questionable, A. Rivers - Questionable, J. McLaughlin - OUT

Nuggets: Jeff Green - OUT

Kings: None

Lakers: L. James - Questionable, A. Davis - OUT, L. Walker IV - OUT, A. Reaves - OUT

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

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.

💫 = Favorite Play

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG LaMelo Ball, CHA | DK: $9.6k, FD: $9.6k | @ HOU | Cash & GPP

As long as LaMelo continues to stay under that $10k threshold, he remains a rock-solid DFS play in all formats. Whether it be as a primary scorer, a facilitator, or a combination of both, LaMelo has managed to rack up 50+ DKFP in 12 of his last 15 games. He draws a safe match-up against a Rockets team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency and this game boasts one of the largest totals on the slate (236.5 O/U) along with a close spread (CHA -3). Hard to go wrong with Ball this evening.

PG/SG Josh Giddey, OKC | DK: $7.5k, FD: $7.9k | vs. IND | Cash & GPP

Jumping down a salary tier, we have to love Giddey’s upside as long as he remains under that $8k threshold. He has proven himself to be a legitimate triple-double threat -- over his last five games, he is averaging 20.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 7.6 APG, and 1.36 FPPM. He has a trio of 50+ DKFP scores in his last four and will draw a stellar match-up against the Thunder, who check in at 3rd in overall pace and are one of the least effective teams when it comes to defending opposing backcourts.

SG/SF Caris LeVert, CLE | DK: $5.1k, FD: $5.2k | @ MEM | Cash & GPP

Pending further injury news, there are not many standout ultra-cheap value guard options on this slate but, with Donovan Mitchell ruled out this evening, LeVert is often a guy we can count on to step up as he slides into the starting lineup. LeVert has been more effective in previous seasons but, at $5.1k/$5.2k, he provides realistic 8x upside to go along with a solid floor. He has averaged big minutes as a starter recently (37.0 Min/Gm L5Starts) and typically averages around 0.90 FPPM. He’ll be up against a Memphis squad that is very effective at defending opposing backcourts but LeVert will likely fill in as the second scoring option behind Darius Garland.

Other Guards to Consider:

PG Luka Doncic, DAL | DK: $12.4k, FD: $12.4k | vs. ATL | GPP Preferred

PG Russell Westbrook, LAL | DK: $9k, FD: $8.4k | vs. SAC | GPP Preferred (Cash play if LeBron is out)

PG De’Aaron Fox, SAC | DK: $8.3k, FD: $8.3k | @ LAL | GPP Preferred

PG Darius Garland, CLE | DK: $8.1k, FD: $8k | @ MEM | GPP Preferred

PG TJ McConnell, IND | DK: $5.5k, FD: $7.6k | @ OKC | DK Preferred

PG/SG Andrew Nembhard, IND | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.6k | @ OKC | GPP Preferred

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF/C LeBron James, LAL | DK: $11.5k, FD: $11.4k | vs. SAC | Cash & GPP (Note: LeBron is currently questionable)

If I had to make an educated guess, LeBron eventually sheds the “questionable” tag and suits up tonight. Assuming that is the case, then he’ll be a definite target in a game that features quite easily the highest total on the slate (246.5 O/U) along with the fastest combined pace -- both LAL and SAC rank top five in pace this season. LeBron is also simply putting up some vintage performances and has secured at least 61.5 DKFP in five of his last seven games. He’s nearly averaging a triple-double over his last five (33.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 9.0 APG) to go along with a huge 36.5% USG% and 1.63 FPPM average. Along with the injured Anthony Davis, the Lakers continue to be without secondary scorers Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves. It comes as no surprise, but LeBron is going to have to do it all again for the Lakers this evening.

PF Julius Randle, NYK | DK: $10.1k, FD: $9.9k | vs. WAS | Cash & GPP

Randle has not been a stranger to these NBA newsletters in recent weeks. He came back down to earth a bit in a couple of games last week but Randle remains one of the most consistent stud performers on this slate. He has posted at least 52.75 DKFP in 12 of his last 14 games while playing absurd minutes -- nearly 40 Min/Gm in that 14-game stretch. He did have one of his “down” games against this Wizards squad last week… but that was still a 23-point, 16-rebound double-double that resulted in 47.5 DKFP. If we can consider that to be his floor, then Randle remains a strong spend-up option at $10.1k/$9.9k.

SF/SG Norman Powell, LAC | DK: $6k, FD: $6k | @ UTA | Cash & GPP

Powell was highlighted in yesterday’s newsletter as a potential low-owned sleeper. He didn’t come through with a great game but the Clippers will be very thin on impact scorers tonight with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, John Wall, and Luke Kennard all sitting out this game. When those four players have been off the court this season, Powell has seen a +6.24% usage boost and a +13.01 per 48-minute fantasy point increase. At a flat $6,000 on both sites, I believe we’ll see Powell come through with a 5x floor with plenty of 6x-7x upside and he may continue to fly under the radar as far as his ownership goes.

Other Forwards to Consider:

PF/C Christian Wood, DAL | DK: $8.6k, FD: $8.3k | vs. ATL | GPP Preferred

SF/SG Buddy Hield, IND | DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.7k | @ OKC | GPP Preferred

SF/PF Harrison Barnes, SAC | DK: $5.9k, FD: $6.4k | @ LAL | GPP Preferred

SF/PF Jalen McDaniels, CHA | DK: $4.9k, FD: $5.7k | @ HOU | DK Preferred

SF/PF Reggie Bullock, DAL | DK: $3.7k, FD: $4.3k | vs. ATL | GPP Preferred

PF/C Robert Covington, LAC | DK: $3.6k, FD: $4.5k | @ UTA | DK Preferred

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Myles Turner, IND | DK: $7.1k, FD: $8.1k | @ OKC | Cash & GPP

Turner is always a great option when it comes to potential upside but he has also been quite consistent as of late. He has been a bit banged up and sat out some games, but across his last five starts, he is putting up 21.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 3.8 STL+BLK/Gm. When Tyrese Haliburton (elbow/knee/OUT) has been off the court this season, Turner has benefited more than any other Pacer from both a usage (+4.61%) and per 48-minute fantasy point average (+9.79) perspective. He’s also averaging +27% more FPPG in up-pace match-ups this season so, if you’re not targeting a stud center like Jokic or Sabonis, Turner makes a great deal of sense on this slate.

C Walker Kessler, UTA | DK: $5.4k, FD: $7.9k | vs. LAC | DK Preferred

I’d likely look elsewhere on FanDuel, but it’s hard to overlook Kessler on DraftKings where he stands out as a big-time bargain at only $5,400. Kessler has been starting in place of the injured Kelly Olynyk (ankle/out) and he’s also managed to cut down on his foul issues lately which has led to bigger minutes. He has played at least 30 minutes in three of his last four starts while posting at least 37.0 DKFP in three of his last four games as well. The Clippers have been a strong match-up for opposing centers as they have ranked 28th versus the position over their last 20 games. Kessler can stuff the stat sheet in a hurry so DraftKings players will certainly want to keep him on the radar this evening, given his affordable price tag.

Other Centers to Consider:

C Nikola Jokic, DEN | DK: $11.4k, FD: $11.5k | vs. MIN | Cash & GPP

C Domantas Sabonis, SAC | DK: $10.5k, $10.2k | @ LAL | Cash & GPP

C Alperen Sengun, HOU | DK: $7.7k, FD: $7.5k | vs. CHA | GPP Preferred

C Mason Plumlee, CHA | DK: $6.3k, FD: $7.2k | @ HOU | DK Preferred

PF/C Naz Reid, MIN | DK: $4.8k, FD: $5.2k | @ DEN | Cash & GPP

NBA Player Props 📊

Player Prop or Bet | Odds | Unit Bet Size

Josh Giddey OVER 24.5 Points + Assists | -120 (PointsBet) | 2.5 Units

Julius Randle OVER 12.5 Rebounds | -105 (FanDuel) | 2.0 Units

PrizePicks 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.

Josh Giddey MORE than 25.5 PTS + ASTS

Jaren Jackson Jr. MORE than 15.5 PTS + ASTS

🆕 Props Edge+ 🆕

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we are introducing Props Edge+ 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 Edge+ tool to use by signing up for PrizePicks (Promo code: BETFULLY) or Underdog (Promo code: LINESTAR). You'll receive a 100% match on first deposits up to $100 PLUS a free two-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!