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Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Picks 2/7 | Dissecting Friday's Tricky Post-Trade Deadline Slate
Friday, February 7th - DFS Plays & Pick 'Ems for Today's NBA Action!
Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries
Terms: Must be 18+ (some states may require 21+) and be present in an eligible state; if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER. Using an affiliate offer will help support LineStar who may receive a commission fee from the referral. Other conditions may apply, please see link for full details.
DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰
The dust is still settling on what was a busy week leading up to yesterday’s trade deadline but the chaos is now behind us and we’ll be looking ahead at Friday’s six-game slate. Both DraftKings and FanDuel have elected to drop the lone late game (UTA at PHX, 10 ET) from their respective main slates today so every game on the slate will be tipping off between 7:00 ET and 8:00 ET (or, ya know, 10-15 minutes after the scheduled start times, as is the norm in the NBA these days).
The rosters on DraftKings are still a little out of whack with some guys either still showing up on teams they were traded away from or not showing up on their new teams. From what I can tell, FanDuel’s rosters look to be up-to-date. Most players who were dealt yesterday shouldn’t be expected to debut with their new teams today, but we may see several guys who were traded earlier in the week make their new team debuts. Just know that things will be a bit shaky in the coming days as players adjust to their new teams and roles/usage rates are re-aligned. As usual, keep an eye out on the official starting lineups and injury news as it is released. There will be plenty of information that comes down the pipeline within roughly a one-hour window (~6:30 ET to ~7:30 ET) for this six-gamer! Best of luck!
Just to keep it fresh in the ole memory bank, here is a list of all of the trade transactions that went down this week:
Today’s Key Injuries
Cavs: D. Mitchell - Probable, D. Hunter - OUT, D. Wade - OUT, S. Merrill - OUT, I. Okoro - OUT
Wizards: A. Sarr - OUT, K. Middleton - OUT, M. Brogdon - Questionable, AJ Johnson - OUT
Spurs: C. Bassey - OUT, P. Baldwin Jr. - Questionable
Hornets: L. Ball - Questionable, J. Okogie - OUT, J. Green - Doubtful
Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Questionable, D. Lillard - Probable, K. Kuzma - Questionable, B. Lopez - Probable
Hawks: T. Young - Probable, C. Capela - OUT, C. LeVert - Questionable, G. Niang - Questionable
Heat: N. Jovic - Probable, D. Mitchell - OUT, H. Highsmith - Probable, K. Love - Questionable
Nets: C. Thomas - OUT, N. Clowney - OUT
76ers: G. Yabusele - Questionable, A. Drummond - Questionable, Q. Grimes - Questionable (expected to play)
Pistons: C. Cunningham - Questionable, T. Harris - Probable, M. Beasley - Probable
Raptors: RJ Barrett - OUT, J. Poeltl - OUT
Thunder: C. Wallace - OUT, O. Dieng - 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 🏀
PG Trae Young, ATL | DK: $9.6k, FD: $9.5k | vs. MIL
Young has gotten off to a hot start in the month of February, posting three straight games of at least 32 points and usage rates of 38.8%, 32.8%, and 33.2%. He is averaging a stout 1.47 FPPM in that three-game span (a sizable uptick from his 1.31 FPPM on the season) and should take on a significant workload tonight given the current injury situations the Hawks are dealing with combined with the fact that they traded away De’Andre Hunter to the Cavs yesterday. This game easily sets up as the most appealing DFS environment of the day given its slate-high 242.5 over/under and fairly close spread (ATL +5.5). The Bucks have also ranked 29th versus starting PGs L20Games. Trae Young went for 35/7/10 and 61.25 DKFP/56.4 FDFP the last time these teams met and a similar result could be in order this evening.

PG Ty Jerome, CLE | DK: $4.7k, FD: $5.3k | at WAS
While the 41-10 Cavs didn’t have much to improve upon in terms of their roster, that didn’t stop them from shaking things up a bit at the deadline, sending Caris LeVert and Georges Niang to Atlanta in exchange for De’Andre Hunter. Hunter won’t be available to make his Cavs debut tonight and Cleveland is also down a couple of role players in Sam Merrill and Dean Wade. When you also factor in the likelihood of this game trending toward a blowout with Cleveland being massive 18-point favorites, it’s pretty easy to conclude that Ty Jerome should play some solid minutes off of the bench tonight. Jerome has averaged a rock-solid 1.13 FPPM over his last 20 games and he has routinely flirted with around 30 minutes in blowouts (as well as in some non-blowouts). The match-up is clearly top-tier as the Wizards rank 4th in pace and 29th in DEFRTG.
PG/SG Carlton Carrington, WAS | DK: $3.3k, FD: $4.5k | vs. CLE
The Wizards were very active on the trade scene this week and, given the players they sent away along with their incoming players not yet available to make their Washington debuts (as well as standard injuries on the roster), they could be running with a short rotation today. While this game is almost assured to be a blowout to some degree, Carlton Carrington could still end up playing some big minutes as a starter. He played a team-high 35 minutes in the Wizards’ last game on Wednesday and went on to put up 41.0 DKFP/37.8 FDFP on a 16/4/10 stat line. He has only averaged 0.74 FPPM on the season but, with likely 30+ minutes of action, he is a solid bet to return some value tonight.
Other Guards to Consider
PG Cade Cunningham, DET vs. PHI (Currently questionable)
PG Tyrese Maxey, PHI at DET
PG Damian Lillard, MIL at ATL (Boost if Giannis is out)
PG/SG De’Aaron Fox, SAS at CHA
PG/SG Dyson Daniels, ATL vs. MIL
SG/SF Bilal Coulibaly, WAS vs. CLE
PG/SG Keon Johnson, BKN vs. MIA
SG Gradey Dick, TOR at OKC
PG Jamal Shead, TOR at OKC
Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀
PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | DK: $11.8k, FD: $12k | at ATL
Giannis was a late scratch on Wednesday due to some left calf soreness and he is officially “questionable” to play today. If he’s ultimately ruled out tonight, the top level at the forward positions begins to look very ugly on this slate. For now, we’ll assume the Greek Freak will suit up and, given the value available on the slate, he’ll be easy to fit in and a clear spend-up target even if he comes with high ownership. Giannis is rocking averages of 35.0 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 37.3% USG% over his last five starts. The Bucks’ recent roster shakeups could certainly have a trickle-down effect on Antetokounmpo’s already sky-high usage, particularly if Kyle Kuzma is not available to make his Milwaukee debut. As mentioned in the Trae Young spotlight, we have to love this game environment given its monster 240+ total and close spread -- and the last time Giannis went up against the Hawks, he dropped 32/14/9 with four blocks and a steal (74.0 DKFP/76.3 FDFP).
PF Nikola Jovic, MIA | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.8k | at BKN
There is no shortage of potential landmines among forwards out of the mid-range but if we drop down to the $5k arena, we’ll find Nikola Jovic as an appealing target. None of the recent additions (Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell) from the Jimmy Butler trade are scheduled to make their Heat debuts tonight and we should expect Jovic to continue some of his recent trends. Over his last six games, despite Jovic playing off of the bench, he has averaged starter’s caliber minutes at 33.9 Min/gm and he has put up at least 30.75 DKFP/29.4 FDFP in four of those six games. These teams rank 26th (MIA) and 30th (BKN) in pace, hence the slate-low 210.5 over/under in this game, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing in Jovic’s case. He has averaged +32% more FPPG in down-pace games and, despite their slow pace, the Nets still represent a very positive match-up given their 25th-ranked DEFRTG. Jovic has averaged 34.25 DKFP/33.0 FDFP in two previous meetings with the Nets this season and, on a slate without many appealing forward options, we’ll probably be content if he goes on to replicate that same sort of success tonight.

SF/PF Ochai Agbaji, TOR | DK: $3.3k, FD: $4.4k | at OKC
The Thunder are extremely heavy 19-point favorites over the shorthanded Raptors tonight so we could see a player like Agbaji play around 30 minutes off of the bench in this game. He has averaged a respectable 0.94 FPPM over his last five games and he brings some quality steals/blocks upside to the table at a low price point. The Thunder have also ranked 28th versus reserve forwards over their last 10 games.
Other Forwards to Consider
PF/C Miles Bridges, CHA vs. SAS
PF/C Evan Mobley, CLE at WAS
PF/C Bam Adebayo, MIA at BKN
PF/C Bobby Portis, MIL at ATL (Major boost if Giannis is out + Portis starts)
SF/SG Max Strus, CLE at WAS
SF Ausar Thompson, DET vs. PHI (Boost if Cunningham is out)
SF/PF Zaccharie Risacher, ATL vs. MIL
SF/SG Corey Kispert, WAS vs. CLE
SF/SG Ja’Kobe Walter, TOR at OKC
SF/PG Kyshawn George, WAS vs. CLE
PF/C Jonathan Mogbo, TOR at OKC (Preferred if starting)
Centers to Consider 🏀
C Victor Wembanyama, SAS | DK: $11k, FD: $12.2k | at CHA
I get the feeling that Wemby is a little overdue for one of those crazy games of his. Whether it happens tonight or not, he still sets up as a strong option versus a Hornets team that has ranked 29th versus starting centers L20Games and just traded away Mark Williams to the Lakers. Unsurprisingly, Wembanyama leads the NBA in blocks (3.9/gm) and he should be able to rack up some rejections versus the Hornets, who allow the 8th most opponent blocks per game. The match-up will also look a bit better if Jusuf Nurkic (questionable) isn’t available to make his Charlotte debut.

C Tristan Vukcevic, WAS | DK: $3k, FD: $3.9k | vs. CLE
If you’re looking to go cheap at center, Tristan Vukcevic should see some decent run at backup center today with the potential to pick up a few additional minutes in some garbage time, should the Cavs boat race the Wizards in this one. With Alex Sarr out and Marvin Bagley III traded to the Grizzlies, Washington started Richaun Holmes in their last game on Wednesday. Holmes played 27 minutes while Vukcevic logged 19 minutes off the bench, finishing with 21.5 DKFP/19.7 FDFP. In limited action this season, Vukcevic has averaged just over an FPPM so, if he’s out there for 20-24 minutes, he’s a good bet to return some quality value, especially at the stone minimum $3,000 on DraftKings.
Other Centers to Consider
C Joel Embiid, PHI at DET
C Jarrett Allen, CLE at WAS
C Onyeka Okongwu, ATL vs. MIL
C Jalen Duren, DET vs. PHI
C Kel’el Ware, MIA at BKN
C Moussa Diabate, CHA vs. SAS
C Richaun Holmes, WAS vs. CLE
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.
Joel Embiid LESS than 29.5 Points
Victor Wembanyama MORE than 25 Points

🔥 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!

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries
Terms: Must be 18+ (some states may require 21+) and be present in an eligible state; if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER. Using an affiliate offer will help support LineStar who may receive a commission fee from the referral. Other conditions may apply, please see link for full details.
DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰
It’s another busy day in the NBA. Eleven games reside on the Wednesday schedule -- DraftKings will exclude the two late games (PHX/OKC and ORL/SAC) from their main slate while FanDuel will feature the full menu. Trades continue to go down with the biggest move today involving the Bucks and Wizards trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma. The injury report is also a complete fiasco so keep those eyes and ears peeled for all the news that drops throughout the afternoon and evening! Let’s jump into the chaos! Best of luck!
NBA Trade Tracker
Today’s Key Injuries
Spurs: C. Paul - Questionable, C. Bassey - OUT
Hawks: C. Capela - OUT, B. Bogdanovic - OUT
Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Probable, D. Lillard - Probable, B. Portis - Probable, K. Middleton - OUT (traded), AJ Johnson - OUT (traded)
Hornets: L. Ball - OUT, J. Okogie - OUT, V. Micic - Questionable, T. Mann - OUT, C. Martin - OUT
Cavs: D. Mitchell - Questionable, D. Wade - OUT, I. Okoro - OUT
Pistons: None
Wizards: K. Kuzma - OUT (traded), A. Sarr - OUT, P. Baldwin Jr. - OUT (traded)
Nets: C. Thomas - OUT, N. Clowney - OUT, D. Sharpe - Questionable, T. Watford - OUT
Grizzlies: D. Bane - OUT, B. Clarke - Questionable, M. Smart - Questionable, J. Konchar - Questionable, V. Williams Jr. - Questionable
Raptors: RJ Barrett - OUT, J. Poeltl - OUT, I. Quickley - OUT, C. Boucher - Questionable
Heat: J. Butler - OUT, D. Robinson - Probable, H. Highsmith - Probable
76ers: J. Embiid - OUT, P. George - Doubtful, A. Drummond - Doubtful, Q. Grimes - Questionable (trade pending), E. Gordon - Questionable, K. Lowry - Questionable
Bulls: L. Ball - OUT, T. Jones - OUT, Z. Collins - OUT, T. Horton-Tucker - OUT, K. Huerter - OUT, D. Terry - Questionable
Timberwolves: J. Randle - OUT, D. DiVincenzo - OUT
Warriors: A. Wiggins - Probable, J. Kuminga - OUT, D. Green - Probable, M. Moody - OUT
Jazz: L. Markkanen - Questionable, C. Sexton - OUT, C. Williams - OUT
Pelicans: B. Ingram - OUT, J. Alvarado - Questionable, D. Theis - OUT (traded)
Nuggets: R. Westbrook - OUT, A. Gordon - Questionable, P. Watson - OUT
Late Game Injury Report (FanDuel Main Slate Only)
Suns: K. Durant - OUT
Thunder: C. Holmgren - OUT, C. Wallace - OUT
Magic: J. Suggs - Doubtful
Kings: 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/SG Jamal Murray, DEN | DK: $7.7k, FD: $8.3k | vs. NOP
The Nuggets lead the slate with a lofty 124.8 implied team total so the Denver studs will make plenty of sense today. Jamal Murray has been playing very well of late, averaging 1.21 FPPM L5Games and scoring at least 42.0 DKFP/44.0 FDFP in four of those last five games. He has secured 40+ FP in all three previous meetings with the Pelicans this season and, given their 29th-ranked DEFRTG and 29th-ranked DvP versus starting PGs L20Games, Murray’s expectations should be high once again this evening.
PG/SG Isaiah Collier, UTA | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.2k | vs. GSW
Perhaps not the most exciting DFS play, but Isaiah Collier has provided some quality value in recent weeks, routinely returning 6x value at these low-$5k price points. Collier’s minutes and role should be more secure with Collin Sexton (ankle/out) expected to be sidelined for at least a week -- with Sexton only playing three minutes in Monday’s game, Collier went on to supply a point/assist double-double in 32 minutes versus the Pacers. Collier has also shot it significantly better at home this season with a 48.5% FG% versus a 32.6% FG% on the road. This may not be the best match-up but Collier did post a quality 12/6/9 stat line and 31.0 DKFP/28.7 FDFP against the Warriors just last Tuesday, and that was with Sexton active and putting up 30 points of his own.

SG Gradey Dick, TOR | DK: $4.2k, FD: $4.6k | vs. MEM
The Raptors will be shorthanded today with RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, and Immanuel Quickley ruled out. Gradey Dick has seen a notable +4.5% USG% boost with those three players off the court this season along with a +5.8 FP per 32 minutes increase. Both teams in this game rank top 10 in pace, with Memphis ranking 1st in the NBA, so there will be plenty of possessions to go around. If the Raptors (+10.5) hope to pull off the upset, Gradey Dick will likely need to be heavily involved in the scoring.
Other Guards to Consider
PG Cade Cunningham, DET vs. CLE
PG Tyrese Maxey, PHI vs. MIA
PG/SG Anthony Edwards, MIN vs. CHI
SG/SF Trey Murphy III, NOP at DEN
PG Darius Garland, CLE at DET (Boost if D. Mitchell is out)
PG/SG Dyson Daniels, ATL vs. SAS
PG Josh Giddey, CHI at MIN
PG Jordan Poole, WAS at BKN
PG Keyonte George, UTA vs. GSW
SG/SF Bilal Coulibaly, WAS at BKN
SG/SF Christian Braun, DEN vs. NOP
PG/SG Keon Johnson, BKN vs. WAS
PG Ty Jerome, CLE at DET (Preferred if D. Mitchell is out)
PG Jamal Shead, TOR vs. MEM
FanDuel Main Slate Only
SG/SF Devin Booker, PHX at OKC
PG/SG Malik Monk, SAC vs. ORL
PG/SG Cole Anthony, ORL at SAC
Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀
PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM | DK: $8.3k, FD: $8.7k | at TOR
Over the last two games, JJJ has led the Grizzlies in scoring, with 31 and 37 points, as well as usage rate, with 31.8% USG% and 43.8% USG%. One of those games was without Ja Morant, but the other was without Desmond Bane, who will be out once again tonight. For a big man, Jackson is not a very prolific rebounder, but he can rack up multiple blocks and steals on any given night and he’ll draw a strong individual match-up. The Raptors have ranked 27th versus starting PFs L20Games and when these teams met in late December, Jackson dropped 50.25 DKFP/49.2 FDFP. I believe we can get a similar result out of him this evening.

SF/PF Michael Porter Jr., DEN | DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.6k | vs. NOP
MPJ has mostly been a solid floor play throughout this season but he erupted for 36 points and 52.75 DKFP/49.4 FDFP against this same Pelicans team on Monday. I believe the Peyton Watson (knee/out) injury is a bit underrated in regards to Porter’s role. Watson has been a key piece off of the Nuggets’ bench this season and, with Watson sidelined the last two games, Porter has played 40+ minutes in each contest. We can’t expect a repeat performance from Monday but I’d say 40+ FP is well within Porter’s wheelhouse tonight.
PF Matas Buzelis, CHI | DK: $4k, FD: $4.2k | at MIN
The Bulls took Buzelis with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. With Zach LaVine shipped off to the Kings and none of the recently acquired players (Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones) ready to make their Chicago debut, Buzelis will have a chance to continue playing in an expanded role. He logged a season-high 31 minutes off of the bench in last night’s game versus the Heat and went on to score 24 points and 32.0 DKFP/31.4 FDFP. Buzelis has averaged a respectable 0.92 FPPM L5Games and, should he flirt with 30 minutes again tonight, he’ll be a great bet to return some nice value.
Other Forwards to Consider
PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHA
SF/PG Scottie Barnes, TOR vs. MEM
PF/C Evan Mobley, CLE at DET (Boost if D. Mitchell is out)
PF/C John Collins, UTA vs. GSW
PF/C Naz Reid, MIN vs. CHI
PF/C Guerschon Yabusele, PHI vs. MIA
SF/PF Zaccharie Risacher, ATL vs. SAS
SF/PF Justin Edwards, PHI vs. MIA
SF/SG Corey Kispert, WAS at BKN
SF/PF Gregory Jackson, MEM at TOR
SF/PF Justin Champagnie WAS at BKN (Preferred if starting)
SF/SG Ja’Kobe Walter, TOR vs. MEM (Preferred if starting)
FanDuel Main Slate Only
PF/SF Paolo Banchero, ORL at SAC
SF/SG Grayson Allen, PHX at OKC
Centers to Consider 🏀
C Rudy Gobert, MIN | DK: $6.8k, FD: $6.9k | vs. CHI
Gobert continues to play some of his best basketball of the season following a 19/13/3 (plus two blocks and a steal) stat line against the Kings on Monday. He has now scored at least 37.0 DKFP/36.5 FDFP in five of his last six games, including three games of at least 47.25 DKFP/48.1 FDFP in that span. Gobert has averaged +4.6 FP per 32 minutes with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo (both out) off the floor this season and, as always, the Bulls represent an elite match-up for opposing centers, ranking 29th against the position this season. Gobert’s DFS salaries are on the up and up but there’s still some real upside at his sub-$7k price points.

C Kelly Olynyk, TOR | DK: $3.3k, FD: $4k | vs. MEM
There is some pretty clear value here with Kelly Olynyk expected to start in place of the injured Jakob Poeltl. In his only other start this season, which also came against the Grizzlies in late December, Olynyk averaged 1.20 FPPM and scored 27.75 DKFP/25.50 FDFP. Olynyk only played 23 minutes in that game but I believe he could get closer to 26-28 minutes as the starter tonight. Either way, he won’t have to do much to pay off these bottom-of-the-barrel salaries tonight.
Other Centers to Consider
C Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. NOP
C Victor Wembanyama, SAS at ATL
C Mark Williams, CHA vs. MIL
C Jalen Duren, DET vs. CLE
C Kel’el Ware, MIA at PHI
C Zach Edey, MEM at TOR
C Kevon Looney, GSW at UTA
C Quinten Post, GSW at UTA
FanDuel Main Slate Only
C/PF Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. ORL
C Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC vs. PHX
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.
No picks from me today but, as always, Tyler & Shannon have some great recommendations in the props video posted at the top of this newsletter!
🔥 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!
