There's not going to be a whole lot of variance in lineups tonight considering there are just two games on the card. Hey, it's the price we have to pay for so many larger slates over the past two weeks.

If tonight's card were a band it would be called "Giannis & the Others" as Antetokounmpo is far and away the high production player on the slate. That brings up the question of what to do with the rest of your lineup? With only two games and maybe 35 players tops in action, everybody is going to have the same angles. What many DFS'ers like to employ in a situation like this is "The Costanza Method" where whatever you think you like - just do the opposite. We'll use a bit of that as well as "Newman Numerology" to break down tonight's whopper to give us some Serenity...and now.

Tonight's DFS Headlines

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10.6k) is a must-play tonight despite the fact that he's on part two of a back-to-back. It's the Trail Blazers vs. Bucks tonight and a reason that G-Freak becomes such a mandatory roster is that one of the other big stars of the slate, Damian Lillard, sat last game with back spasms and is out again tonight.

In the Pelicans @ Suns game, New Orleans is starting to get healthy with the return of Brandon Ingram ($7k) who went for 42 FP Tuesday after missing the 4 previous games. Jrue Holiday ($8.2k) didn't take a hit with Ingram's return, going for 40+ FP for the 5th time in the last 6 games. The Suns have lost two in a row and look like they'll be without Ricky Rubio (back) and Aron Baynes (hip) tonight, meaning a healthy dose of Devin Booker ($8.5k).

Guards

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (DK: $4000 FD: $4200 Y! $11)

A Pelicans website dubbed Nickeil Alexander-Walker's last game an example of "what not to do at a stoplight" and it's true, he had a very down 3 point, 4 rebound night with 2 turnovers. There's reason to go back to the rookie from Virginia Tech tonight though, as he had posted 19 and 27 real points in the two games prior which were good for 35+ fp in each. Alexander-Walker likes to shoot, with 18 field goal attempts in each of those two higher scoring outings and you can expect he'll be launching in the national TNT game tonight.

Dante DiVincenzo (DK: $4,400 FD: $5,000 Y! $11)

A true Costanza Play as Dante DiVencenzo rewarded people who were loyal to him last night with 4-9 from the field and 5 rebounds. The good news is that DiVencenzo played just 25 minutes and should be good to go for the back-to-back against Portland. The 'Blazers will likely be without Lillard, but does that slow the pace a bit? Either way, Milwaukee will push it with the #2 team in possessions per game. And on a tiny slate, you have to get lucky in spots.

CJ McCollum (DK: $7,500 FD: $7,500 Y! $30)

Not exactly an under-the-radar name, but on a small slate and with the potential of Lillard being out, you'd have to be Kenny Bania not to roster CJ McCollum tonight at under $8k. He had 22 shots with Lillard out of the lineup on Tuesday and scored 25 and 32 real points prior to that. McCollum and the Blazers get a +5 pace boost against the Bucks in a nationally televised game . Yes, please (as long as Carmelo knows his role).

🏀👍 Other Likes  / Dislikes 👍🏀

Milwaukee's Eric Bledsoe ($6.8k) scored 17 real points in the 4th quarter last night vs. Atlanta and finished with 28/7/5 but more importantly played just 25 minutes. Devin Booker ($8.5k) is shooting 53.4% from the floor this year and 50% from beyond the arc. With the Suns banged up, he'll be expected to launch tonight.

Forwards

Cam Johnson (DK: $4000 FD: $4,400 Y!: $10)

A tweaked ankle is bad timing for Phoenix rookie Cam Johnson, who is coming off an 18 / 4 /2 line for his best game thus far in the NBA. Johnson (Game-Time Decision) seems to be finding his stride overall, scoring 15+ real points in 3 of the last 5. Ricky Rubio (back), Aron Baynes (hip), Frank Kaminsky (hip), and Dario Saric (knee) are all on the Suns injury report (as is Johnson). If they all sit, the rookie from UNC gets a 25 point fantasy boost according to the LineStar Usage Matrix.

Nassir Little (DK: $4,100 FD: $4,100 Y!: $11)

Portland's Nassir Little had a double-double on Tuesday, with 12 points and 11 rebounds in just over 22 minutes of play. It was a good showing with 35 fp (10X) for another rookie out of North Carolina considering his minutes actually dipped a bit from 32 and 29 in the two games prior. Expect those to be back up with Lillard out and Hassan Whiteside (hip) and Anfernee Simons (ankle) added to the Portland injury report.

Nicolo Melli (DK: $4500 FD: $4700 Y! $11)

Has New Orleans' Nicolo Melli earned playing time even if Jahlil Okafor returns from an ankle injury that has cost him the last 4 games? It's not like Okafor was the second coming of Hakeem Olajuwon prior to his injury anyway, with a 6/4 and a 4/4 game in 2 of 3 before getting hurt. Melli has provided some nice hustle as of late with three straight double figure scoring games. He also has 5+ rebounds in each, two games of 3 steals in that span, and 3+ assists. The Phoenix defense just gave up 120 points to Sacramento and New Orleans runs the league's 4th fastest pace.

🏀👍👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍👍🏀

Antetokounmpo has had some down nights (by his standards) so you have to ask if you want to pay for one game above 65 fp in the last 5. In a small slate like this, the answer is probably 'yes.' Carmelo Anthony ($3900) had 14 shots in his Portland debut, but had just 16 fp to show for it. He'll continue to shoot...and foul (5), and turn the ball over (5/0) tonight.

Center

Brook Lopez (DK: $5,400, FD; $6,800 Y!:$21 )

Brook Lopez posted a 50 point fantasy night two games ago with 19 points, 10 boards, and 5 blocks vs. the Bulls. The only other big name C on this card is Hassan Whiteside and these two square off tonight. Lopez is also up against Whiteside's Portland squad that has 50+ fp to Lamarcus Aldridge and Clint Capela in 2 of the last 3. Whiteside is also battling a hip injury, so his usage is in question as it is. Lopez and Milwaukee are on the back-to-back, but saw a relaxing 24 minutes of court time last night.

🏀👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍🏀

His price has jumped almost $1.8k in two games and Jaxson Hayes has responded with a 31 and a 28 point fantasy night. The value in the Pelicans front court shifts to Jahlil Okafor ($3800) - IF he returns from injury tonight.

We've survived the 2-gamer and are rewarded handsomely with 10 games on tap for Friday night's NBA card. Until then, you can also follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

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🔥 SuperDraft Multiplier Must-Play

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