There's good and bad to be taken from tonight's NBA docket. First, it's on the small side, with just 4 games and opinions differ on how to use 'strategery' for slates this size.

The good news is that Knicks players are (maybe) a viable DFS option again. You never like to see somebody get fired, but David Fizdale hadn't had the best run in New York (4-18 this season) and it takes a NASA scientist to crack his usage rates, which all DFS players can attest to. Fizdale has fizzled, but let's make tonight's card sizzle:

Tonight's DFS Headlines

Wizards @ Hornets

The Wizards @ Hornets game has to be targeted even though Charlotte's offense hasn't scored 110+ in the last 8 games. These are the two worst defensive efficiency teams in the league that played to a 125-118 Washington win on November 22nd.

Nuggets @ 76ers

Philly is looking to go 13-0 at home in the Nuggets @ 76ers game. Denver has dropped 4 of 5 and the total in this one is just 205.5. Is this one to stay away from with the Nuggets' 8th slowest pace and the Sixers' #4 defensive efficiency?

Hawks @ Heat

Atlanta is hot after hitting 18 three-pointers on Sunday vs. the Hornets and having five players besides Trae Young drop double figures. Unfortunately the Hawks are probably going to have the fire put out by the Heat, who have taken three straight in this series including two this year in October.

Knicks @ Trail Blazers

The Knicks were close in the debut of the Mike Miller (not that one) era, losing by just a point to the Pacers on Saturday. Miller gave Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett 35+ minutes in that game, which will be something to log moving forward in the non-Fizdale era. Portland hasn't been shooting well lately (96 points on Sunday) but have taken 5 straight from the Knicks.

Guards

Devonte Graham DK $8.4k | FD $7.9k

This is very close to a must-play, as Devonte Graham is up against the Wizards dead last ranked defense. He has taken at least 17 shots in five straight games and has 10+ three point attempts in 3 of the last 4. Graham has also posted 8+ assists in 4 straight with 4+ rebounds in 4 of the last 5. That's a lot of nice peripherals to go along with a great matchup on a small slate.

RJ Barrett DK $5.5k | FD $5.9k

Like Julius Randle, RJ Barrett saw plenty of playing time with 36 minutes in coach Mike Miller's debut. Barrett ran the point often in a slower paced game with the Pacers and ended up with 11 field goal attempts while grabbing 9 boards. This is a guy who played 22 and 20 minutes in the last two games of Fizdale's New York tenure, so he's largely still an unknown at this point.

Elfrid Payton DK $4.2k | FD $4.4k

With their new coach, this is largely ground floor to see how Knicks players are now going to be utilized. One of those intriguing plays is Elfrid Payton, who went for 31 points in coach Mike Miller's debut on Saturday. He likes the matchup with Portland and has a great price point here.

🏀👍 Other Likes  / Dislikes 👍🏀

Jimmy Butler went to the line 17X last game vs. the Bulls but the price is up there at $9.1k, even in an up tempo game vs. Atlanta.

Forwards

Carmelo Anthony DK $5.6k | $6k

There have been a lot of changes to the organization since Carmelo Anthony was a Knick but ownership is not one of them. Thus that puts Anthony in a 🚨Revenge Game 🚨 spot tonight as Portland hosts New York. We've seen Carmelo's production drop a bit since a couple 40+ fp nights vs. the Bulls at the end of November. He's still getting shots though (13+ in three straight) and has 35+ minutes in each of the last three as well. Throw in the chance to beat down the Knicks (at this price) and this is a real nice spot.

Davis Bertans DK $6.3k | FD $6.2k

Lost in the narrative about Washington's defense being so bad is the fact that Charlotte is 29th in the league in defensive efficiency. The Hornets allowed 125 points in their last meeting with the Wizards on November 22nd. Davis Bertans had 20 points in 28 minutes in that game - and that was with the now injured Thomas Bryant and Isaiah Thomas playing. Bertans has attempted at least a dozen three pointers in each of the last 4 games, which is about all you need to know for this play.

Julius Randle DK $6.4k | FD $7.3k

Good price spot for Julius Randle in the "reverse revenge game" vs. Carmelo Anthony and Portland tonight. The Knicks big man has largely been a lineup killer this season, but remember it's just New York's second game post-Fizdale. Randle had 18 shots, grabbed 12 boards and, perhaps most importantly, played 35 minutes in game 1 under the Mike Miller era. "Pay to See" if that continues here.

🏀👍👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍👍🏀

Exploit that Washington / Charlotte game in a number of ways. This means Rui Hachimura should have a big night, as he's played a ton of minutes lately (37+ in 5 straight).

Center

Bam Adebayo DK $8.2k | FD $8.6k

Bam Adebayo is a GTD with a groin injury but if he plays it's a great matchup vs. Atlanta. The Heat C has scored 52 fp in each of the last two games. He gets a 32% increase in up-pace games and has logged 37+ minutes in each of the last 4 games.

🏀👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍🏀

Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic have both fallen by the wayside as of late and should probably be avoided in a very low scoring game.

You can 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

Today's SuperDraft multiplier must-play is Devonte Graham. Has 17+ field goal attempts in each of the last 4 and has a very favorable matchup vs. Washington's #30 defense in efficiency.

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