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

NBA DFS Today w/ Tyler Wiemann

🏀Tyler’s NBA prop bets can be found on the LineStar YouTube Shorts page!🏀

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

Hope everyone enjoyed the All-Star break, because we’re back with a healthy seven-game Thursday slate to kick off the post-ASB grind. This is a pretty appealing board to return to, with six games carrying single-digit spreads and four sporting totals north of 230 points. The extra week off also did its job, as the injury report is relatively clean by seven-game slate standards. All signs point to a competitive and fairly high-scoring night, so let’s get back to it! Best of luck!

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

Today’s Key Injuries 🚑

^{Note: NBA injury reports can be fickle and often update throughout the day. Be sure to stay up-to-date on all injury news leading up to tip-off as the list below may be a bit outdated by the time you’re reading this.}

^{Additional Note: Players who have yet to play this season will be excluded from the injury report, unless they have either a probable, questionable, or doubtful injury designation, with some amount of chance to make their season debut. Injured players who have been out for an extended period of time and/or are not expected to play for a month-plus will also be excluded.}

• Pacers: P. Siakam – OUT, I. Zubac – OUT, A. Nesmith – Questionable, TJ McConnell – Questionable, M. Potter – Questionable

• Wizards: T. Young – OUT, A. Sarr – OUT

• Rockets: None

• Hornets: C. White – OUT, M. Bridges – OUT, M. Diabate – OUT

• Nets: N. Claxton – OUT

• Cavs: N. Tomlin – OUT

• Hawks: J. Kuminga – OUT

• 76ers: J. Embiid – OUT

• Pistons: J. Duren – OUT, I. Stewart – OUT

• Knicks: OG Anunoby – Probable

• Raptors: C. Murray-Boyles – Probable, S. Mamukelashvili – Questionable

• Bulls: J. Giddey – Probable, J. Smith – Probable, T. Jones – Probable

• Suns: G. Allen – Questionable, D. Brooks – OUT, C. Anthony – OUT

• Spurs: None

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 Tyrese Maxey, PHI | DK: $9.6k, FD: $10.1k | vs. ATL

With Joel Embiid sidelined again and Paul George still serving his 25-game suspension, Tyrese Maxey continues to operate as the clear engine of the Sixers’ offense. He closed out the pre-break stretch with back-to-back 30-point outings and has consistently shouldered a heavier scoring and playmaking load without Embiid and George available. This matchup only adds fuel to the fire, as Atlanta plays at one of the fastest tempos in the league, creating extra possessions and fantasy-friendly conditions. The Sixers receive the third-highest pace boost today in a game that leads the slate with a hefty 240.5 over/under. Maxey has shown a strong ceiling in these spots, especially at home, where his aggressive scoring style plays up. On a slate with plenty of options, Maxey stands out as one of the safer high-end guards with legitimate upside if this game stays competitive, as is expected given the 1.5-point spread.

PG Andrew Nembhard, IND | DK: $7.3k, FD: $7.1k | at WAS

Andrew Nembhard lands in about as good of a spot as you can ask for, drawing a Wizards team that has struggled mightily against opposing point guards all season. This game also sets up as the fastest-paced environment on the slate, with both teams ranking top-10 in pace, which naturally boosts possession volume and stat-padding opportunity. Nembhard was already playing well heading into the break, posting 39+ DKFP in five of his last eight games, including a 46 DKFP effort against the Knicks. With Pascal Siakam out again and Ivica Zubac still unavailable, Nembhard should be leaned on heavily as a scorer and facilitator. He may not be priced like the top-tier studs, but in this matchup, his ceiling isn’t far off.

PG/SG Quentin Grimes, PHI | DK: $4.2k, FD: $4.3k | vs. ATL

Value is a bit thin at guard on this slate, but Quentin Grimes stands out at these sub-$4.5k price points. He projects for solid run off the bench, checking in around the high-20s in minutes, which is plenty of opportunity if the shots are falling. The per-minute production hasn’t been great of late, but this matchup has consistently brought out Grimes’ best. In his last four meetings with Atlanta, he’s averaged a massive 46.4 DKFP per game, albeit in a larger role than he’s likely to have tonight. Still, the Hawks’ pace and defensive issues give Grimes a clear path to outperform salary if he gets hot offensively.

Other Guards to Consider

PG Cade Cunningham, DET at NYK

PG Jalen Brunson, NYK vs. DET

PG/SG Devin Booker, PHX at SAS

SG Brandon Ingram, TOR at CHI

SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker, ATL at PHI

SG Kon Knueppel, CHA vs. HOU

SG VJ Edgecombe, PHI vs. ATL

SG Aaron Nesmith, IND at WAS (Currently questionable)

PG/SG Collin Sexton, CHI vs. TOR

PG/SG Dylan Harper, SAS vs. PHX

PG Nolan Traore, BKN at CLE

PG/SG Kam Jones, IND at WAS (Only if Nesmith and McConnell are out)

SG/SF Ben Sheppard, IND at WAS (Boost if Nesmith and/or McConnell are out)

PG Jose Alvarado, NYK vs. DET

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF Jalen Johnson, ATL | DK: $10.4k, FD: $11.5k | at PHI

Jalen Johnson continues to profile as one of the premier spend-up options on any slate where salary allows. Over his last five starts, he’s operating at an elite 1.76 FPPM while averaging a triple-double (26.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 10.6 APG), highlighting just how secure and expansive his role has become. That stretch includes massive workloads north of 37 minutes per game and consistent contributions across every category. Johnson has already shown true slate-breaking upside in this matchup as well, having dropped 73.5 DKFP against the 76ers earlier this season. With Atlanta leaning heavily into him as a focal point, Johnson brings one of the safest ceilings on the board. His FanDuel salary is getting steep, but he still brings legitimate 70+ FP potential to the table and should remain firmly in play despite the luxurious price tag.

SF/PF Jarace Walker, IND | DK: $5.9k, FD: $5.8k | at WAS

Assuming he draws the start, Jarace Walker sets up as one of the stronger mid-range targets on this slate. With Pascal Siakam sidelined, Walker is in line for an expanded role and is currently projected to log around 32 minutes, which is plenty of runway given his recent efficiency. Over his last five games as a starter, he’s averaged a solid 1.12 FPPM while contributing across multiple categories and taking on a strong 28.2% USG%. The matchup only adds to the appeal, as Washington ranks 28th in DvP versus starting power forwards over their last 20 games. If Aaron Nesmith were to miss as well, Walker’s minutes and usage could push even higher, giving him a very realistic path to outperforming salary in one of the slate’s best game environments.

PF Grant Williams, CHA | DK: $4k, FD: $4k | vs. HOU

We’ve only spotlighted players from the PHI/ATL and IND/WAS games up to this point, so we’ll locate a value forward in a different matchup. With Miles Bridges serving a suspension, Grant Williams picked up his first start of the season just before the All-Star Break against the Hawks. He logged 32 minutes in that game while supplying a quality 25.5 DKFP. With Bridges still out, Williams is expected to pick up another spot start and play around 30 minutes. He’s averaged a serviceable 0.86 FPPM at home this season and, while Houston represents a tougher matchup, we don’t need much for Williams to pay off his $4,000 price point on both sites. The Hornets were also the hottest team in the NBA before the break, and they only find themselves as 4.5-point underdogs against a quality Rockets squad.

Other Forwards to Consider

PF Scottie Barnes, TOR at CHI

SF Michael Porter Jr., BKN at CLE

SF Brandon Miller, CHA vs. HOU

PF OG Anunoby, NYK vs. DET

PF Jabari Smith Jr., HOU at CHA

SF RJ Barrett, TOR at CHI

SF/SG Kelly Oubre Jr., PHI vs. ATL

SF/SG Keldon Johnson, SAS vs. PHX

PF Noah Clowney, BKN at CLE

SF/PF Will Riley, WAS vs. IND

PF/C Dominick Barlow, PHI vs. ATL

PF/C Micah Potter, IND at WAS (Currently questionable)

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Victor Wembanyama, SAS | DK: $10.5k, FD: $11.6k | vs. PHX

Victor Wembanyama is once again an appealing pay-up option, especially playing at home, where he’s been at his best all season. In San Antonio, he’s averaged an elite 1.78 FPPM and has produced roughly 13% more fantasy points per game compared to his road splits. He went into the break in strong form, including a 65.5 DKFP eruption in just 26 minutes against the Lakers. Tonight’s matchup also cooperates, as Phoenix has allowed the sixth-most FPPG to starting centers over their last 20 games. With his minutes expected to be back to normal – in the low-30 range – and his ability to pile up points, rebounds, and blocks in a hurry, Wembanyama offers both one of the highest ceilings and safest floors at any position tonight.

C Tristan Vukcevic, WAS | DK: $4.3k, FD: $5.4k | vs. IND

This will be a more appealing play on DraftKings but, with Alex Sarr ruled out and Marvin Bagley III now with the Mavs, Vukcevic becomes the Wizards’ top option at center. He’s averaged an excellent 1.18 FPPM on the season and faces off with a Pacers team that has allowed the third-most FPPG to starting centers over their last 20 games. Vukcevic only projects for around 20 minutes, but he could easily play himself into mid-to-upper 20s minutes. And he’s a guy who doesn’t need 30+ minutes to pay off his $4,300 salary on DraftKings. This slate has a high dose of viable center options but, at least on DraftKings, it’s tough to dislike Vukcevic as a value big man today.

Other Centers to Consider

C/PF Alperen Sengun, HOU at CHA

C Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK vs. DET

C Day’Ron Sharpe, BKN at CLE

C Paul Reed, DET at NYK

C/PF Jay Huff, IND at WAS

C Andre Drummond, PHI vs. ATL

C Mitchell Robinson, NYK vs. DET

C PJ Hall, CHA vs. HOU

🔥 Props AI 🔥

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we have rolled out 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, UnderDog Fantasy, and other prop apps/sites!

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