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

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

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

TGIF! Ten games are on the board today and, as you’ll see by the injury report below, it’s a hectic day in terms of player availability. A few teams have a fairly cut-and-dry injury report with players already ruled out for the evening but the primary team news to track leading up to tip-off will involve the Pacers, Spurs, Raptors, Hornets, Mavericks, and 76ers. Let’s batten down the hatches because this one is going to be a hectic one! Best of luck!

Today’s Key Injuries:

Pacers: T. Haliburton - Questionable, C. Duarte - Questionable

Celtics: P. Pritchard - Doubtful

Spurs: K. Johnson - Probable, Z. Collins - Questionable, D. Vassell - Questionable, T. Jones - Probable, J. Sochan - OUT, D. Graham - Probable, R. Langford - OUT, C. Bassey - OUT, D. McDermott - Probable

Wizards: B. Beal - OUT, K. Kuzma - OUT

Pistons: B. Bogdanovic - OUT, R. McGruder - OUT, I. Livers - Probable, I. Stewart - OUT, C. Joseph - OUT, A. Burks - OUT, H. Diallo - OUT

Raptors: S. Barnes - Questionable, G. Trent Jr. - Questionable, P. Achiuwa - Questionable

Rockets: J. Tate - Questionable

Grizzlies: S. Adams - OUT

Hornets: T. Rozier - Doubtful, K. Oubre - Questionable, M. Williams - Probable, D. Smith Jr. - Probable

Mavericks: K. Irving - Questionable, T. Hardaway Jr. - Questionable

Bucks: K. Middleton - OUT, J. Crowder - OUT, M. Leonard - OUT, G. Dragic - OUT

Jazz: L. Markkanen - OUT, J. Clarkson - OUT, C. Sexton - OUT, R. Gay - OUT, J. Juzang - Questionable

76ers: J. Embiid - Questionable, J. Harden - Questionable, J. McDaniels - Questionable

Warriors: A. Wiggins - OUT, T. Jerome - OUT

Suns: K. Durant - OUT, D. Ayton - OUT

Kings: K. Huerter - Probable

Bulls: D. DeRozan - OUT, A. Caruso - Questionable, Jav. Green - Probable

Trailblazers: D. Lillard - Questionable, J. Grant - OUT, J. Nurkic - Doubtful, A. Simons - OUT, N. Little - Probable

Thunder: None

Lakers: A. Davis - Probable, L. James - OUT, D. Russell - Questionable

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.

💫 = Favorite Play

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

💫PG Chris Paul, PHX | DK: $7.5k, FD: $8.1k | @ SAC | Cash & GPP

As you might expect on a 10-game slate, there are many, many ways to go about roster construction today and further clarification on certain injury reports could add even more pathways to DFS success. We’ll get the ball rolling on the player spotlights by featuring Chris Paul out of the upper mid-range. This game between the Suns and Kings will be a popular match-up to target given its slate-high 239.0 over/under along with one of the closer spreads on the evening (PHX +3.5). Paul has excelled in both previous match-ups with the Kings, posting 55.75 DKFP (Feb. 14th) and 50.5 DKFP (Mar. 11th) -- and it’s important to note that Devin Booker, who has missed extended time with injuries this season, played in both of those games. Paul racked up a combined 35 assists in those two games versus Sacramento so, while he’s not a major threat to pour in 20-30 points, his peripheral stat upside will make him a strong play at his current DFS salaries.

PG Marcus Smart, BOS | DK: $5.5k, FD: $5.6k | vs. IND | Cash & GPP

Marcus Smart can seemingly disappear in games at times, particularly when the star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown decide to fully take over. That said, his DFS salaries have dropped down to a much more palatable mid-$5k range on both sites and he has put up 35.0 DKFP and 34.0 DKFP in his last two starts where he accounted for at least 15 points, six assists, and multiple steals in both contests. The Celtics also return home from a six-game road trip today. Smart has been more productive on his home court this season where he has shot 44.2% from the field and averaged 0.95 FPPM -- compare that to 39.2% FG% and 0.84 FPPM in his road splits. Boston leads all teams on this slate with a 123.3 implied point total so, assuming he logs 30+ minutes this evening, Smart sets up as a strong bet to return quality value.

SG/SF Svi Mykhailiuk, CHA | DK: $3k, FD: $3.8k | Cash & GPP (Pending Rozier/D. Smith/Oubre availability)

We’ll need to monitor the Hornets' injury news today since some major value could open up if some of those “questionable” players are sidelined for the evening. Charlotte is, of course, already without LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the season and last night’s game produced some additional injuries. Terry Rozier (foot), Kelly Oubre Jr. (shoulder), and Dennis Smith Jr. (illness) all exited last night’s game against the Pelicans at some point. Considering the back-to-back factor, it’d be quite a surprise if at least one or two of those guys aren’t eventually ruled out. Svi Mykhailiuk came off the bench and ended up playing 30 minutes while supplying 15 points and posting 22.0 DKFP. Mykhailiuk has only averaged 0.72 FPPM this season but if he is thrust into the starting lineup, or even just handles an increased role off of the bench, he’s a clear candidate to return value at the minimum salary on DraftKings and just $300 above the minimum on FanDuel.

Update: D. Smith Jr. has been upgraded to probable, Rozier doubtful, Oubre questionable. Mykhailiuk remains on the value radar.

Other Guards to Consider:

PG Luka Doncic, DAL | DK: $12k, FD: $11.8k | vs. CHA | GPP Preferred (If Irving is out)

PG Damian Lillard, POR | DK: $11k, FD: $10.3k | vs. CHI | Cash & GPP (Note: Lillard has been downgraded to questionable)

SG Devin Booker, PHX | DK: $9.6k, FD: $10.1k | @ SAC | GPP Preferred

💫SG/SF Zach LaVine, CHI | DK: $8.8k, FD: $8.7k | @ POR | Cash & GPP

PG Jrue Holiday, MIL | DK: $7.2k, FD: $7.9k | @ UTA | DK Preferred

PG/SG Talen Horton-Tucker, UTA | DK: $7.2k, FD: $5.5k | vs. MIL | FD Preferred

PG/SG Tyrese Maxey, PHI | DK: $7k, FD: $7k | @ GSW | Cash & GPP (If Harden and/or Embiid are out)

💫PG/SG Austin Reaves, LAL | DK: $6.8k, FD: $7k | vs. OKC | GPP Preferred (Cash play if D. Russell is out)

SG/SF Klay Thompson, GSW | DK: $6.7k, FD: $7.2k | vs. PHI | GPP Preferred

💫PG/SG Shaedon Sharpe, POR | DK: $5.4k, FD: $6k | vs. CHI | Cash & GPP (If Lillard is out)

💫PG Dennis Smith Jr., CHA | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.8k | @ DAL | Cash & GPP (If he starts for Rozier)

💫PG Monte Morris, WAS | DK: $4.9k, FD: $5.3k | vs. SAS | Cash & GPP

PG/SG Landry Shamet, PHX | DK: $4.3k, FD: $5k | @ SAC | GPP Preferred

SG/SF Pat Connaughton, MIL | DK: $4k, FD: $4.2k | @ UTA | Cash & GPP (If he’s starting)

SG Bryce McGowens, CHA | DK: $3.1k, FD: $3.7k | @ DAL | GPP Preferred (Pending Rozier/D. Smith/Oubre availability)

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

💫PF/C Kristaps Porzingis, WAS | DK: $9k, FD: $8.9k | vs. SAS | Cash & GPP

With Kyle Kuzma and Bradley Beal both sidelined for this evening’s contest, Kristaps Porzingis will be the clear-cut top option for the Wizards. Kuzma and Beal also sat out Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets and you may glance at Porzingis’ 31.75 DKFP score from that game and draw some disappointment. However, it’s important to note that, after getting off to a red-hot start draining his first six shots from the field, Porzingis picked up three early fouls and saw his minutes limited in the first half. Ultimately, he played just 22 minutes on Wednesday but, while his peripheral stats did suffer, he still poured in an impressive 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting in those limited minutes. With Kuzma and Beal off the court this season, Porzingis has taken on a significant +7.0% usage boost and has averaged +8.87 FP (per 48 min.). Oh, and the Wizards get the honor of playing the hapless Spurs who remain the worst defensive team in the NBA. Zinger dropped 54.25 DKFP in the lone previous match-up with the Spurs this season and both Kuzma and Beal were healthy during that game.

💫SF/PF Deni Avdija, WAS | DK: $5.9k, FD: $6k | vs. SAS | Cash & GPP

We stay on the Wizards and give Deni Avdija a third player spotlight in four days. As a result of his last two performances (33.5 DKFP vs. DEN, 37.0 DKFP @ ORL), Avdija’s DFS salaries have increased by about $1,000. But he still represents a solid mid-range value thanks to his increased role with Kuzma and Beal off the court combined with the always-juicy Spurs match-up. Avdija posted 41.75 DKFP against San Antonio earlier this season while playing 33 minutes off of the bench. He should be in the starting rotation this go around and handle similar low-to-mid 30s minutes.

SF/PF Simone Fontecchio, UTA | DK: $4.4k, FD: $4.6k | vs. MIL | GPP Preferred

Fontecchio should receive the starting nod in place of the injured Lauri Markkanen this evening. Fontecchio started two games ago when Markkanen was also sidelined against the Kings and, while his 19.25 DKFP result was a disappointment, Fontecchio did play 33 minutes. He simply couldn’t get in a rhythm on the offensive side of the ball, shooting 4-of-13 from the field. The Italian rookie has flashed some nice upside at times when he has handled increased minutes, recently putting up 23 points and 33.75 DKFP in 30 minutes played against Miami last Monday. He’s going to be on the value radar this evening, however, he should probably be reserved for GPPs only given that there is some risk involved if he has another cold shooting night in this difficult match-up versus the Bucks.

Other Forwards to Consider:

PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | DK: $11.5k, FD: $11.7k | @ UTA | Cash & GPP

💫SF/PF Jayson Tatum, BOS | DK: $10.7k, FD: $10.8k | vs. IND | Cash & GPP

SF/SG Jaylen Brown, BOS | DK: $9.2k, FD: $9.5k | vs. IND | GPP Preferred

PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM | DK: $8.2k, FD: $9k | vs. HOU | GPP Preferred

PF/C Marvin Bagley III, DET | DK: $7.1k, FD: $7k | @ TOR | GPP Preferred

SF/PF Tobias Harris, PHI | DK: $6.2k, FD: $6.5k | @ GSW | Cash & GPP (Only if BOTH Harden & Embiid are out)

PF/C Draymond Green, GSW | DK: $6k, FD: $7k | vs. PHI | DK Preferred

SF Gordon Hayward, CHA | DK: $5.7k, FD: $6.3k | @ DAL | GPP Preferred (Pending Rozier/D. Smith/Oubre availability)

PF Chris Boucher, TOR | DK: $4.5k, FD: $4.9k | vs. DET | GPP Preferred (If P. Achiuwa is out)

SF/SG Joe Ingles, MIL | DK: $4.3k, FD: $4.7k | @ UTA | GPP Preferred

PF/C Maxi Kleber, DAL | DK: $3.8k, FD: $4.3k | @ CHA | GPP Preferred

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Domantas Sabonis, SAC | DK: $10.1k, FD: $10.5k | vs. PHX | Cash & GPP

Despite 20 teams being in play tonight, it’s feeling like a dicey slate for the center position. So there’s plenty of sense in spending up on a high-floor option like Domantas Sabonis in what should be a strong game environment for DFS purposes. As touched on earlier in this newsletter, this game between the Kings and Suns features a slate-high 239.0 over/under paired with a narrow spread (SAC -3.5). Pertaining to Sabonis’ floor, he has secured at least 50.0 DKFP in 10 of his last 12 games. One of the two “down games” in that 12-game stretch did come against this Phoenix Suns team. However, that game was played in Phoenix (Sabonis has been a bit more reliable at home) and Deandre Ayton was manning the paint for the Suns at that time. Ayton will be missing his third consecutive game tonight so there’s potential for Sabonis to dominate down low against some combination of Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale.

💫C Kevon Looney, GSW | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5k | vs. PHI | DK Preferred (Possible boost if Embiid sits for PHI)

In relation to a $5,200 price tag on DraftKings, Kevon Looney has worked out as a strong value play (on DK) as of late. He’s rarely going to play massive minutes but he can stuff the stat sheet in a hurry thanks to his 1.24 FPPM average (L5 Starts). Looney has returned at least 25.25 DKFP in seven consecutive starts. Normally, targeting centers against Joel Embiid and the Sixers isn’t a wise move but Looney nearly messed around and got a triple-double against Philly earlier this season, ultimately falling one assist shy but ending with 50.75 DKFP. We can’t expect anything close to a score like that tonight, but it may help Looney’s DFS prospects if Joel Embiid (calf/questionable) takes a seat tonight.

Other Centers to Consider:

C Joel Embiid, PHI | DK: $11.8k, FD: $12k | @ GSW | Cash & GPP (Note: Embiid is currently questionable)

💫C Jakob Poeltl, TOR | DK: $7.2k, FD: $7.7k | vs. DET | Cash & GPP (Bump if some combination of Barnes/Trent/Achiuwa are out)

C Alperen Sengun, HOU | DK: $7k, FD: $7.6k | @ MEM | GPP Preferred

C Christian Wood, DAL | DK: $6.9k, FD: $7.8k | vs. CHA | DK Preferred

💫C Walker Kessler, UTA | DK: $6.7k, FD: $7.5k | vs. MIL | Cash & GPP

C Trendon Watford, POR | DK: $6k, FD: $6.5k | vs. CHI | GPP Preferred (If he’s starting)

C Paul Reed, PHI | DK: $4.1k, FD: $4.8k | @ GSW | Cash & GPP (If Embiid is out)

NBA Player Props 📊

Player Prop or Bet | Odds | Unit Bet Size

Kristaps Porzingis OVER 1.5 Blocks | -115 (DraftKings) | 2.0 Units

Kevon Looney OVER 17.5 Points + Rebounds | -115 (Caesars) | 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.

Deni Avdija MORE than 21 Points + Rebounds

Jaren Jackson Jr. MORE than 11.5 Points (1st Half)

🆕 Props AI 🆕

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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!