There's been back channel chatter about the 3-point shot being too big of a part of the NBA game going on basically since Golden State started going on their winning runs (my how things have changed btw). Last night's DFS slate turned those 'conspiracy theories' into reality:

DeVonte Graham of Charlotte didn't even bother taking a 2-point shot on Wednesday, going 10-16 solely from 3-point range taking shots only from beyond the arc. Aaron Gordon was in the DK perfect lineup thanks largely in part to a 5-5 night from 3- point range as did Jimmy Butler with a 6-10 night from deep. Even Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has an MVP trophy already, hit a career high with 4 treys Wednesday. It's time to accept the deep ball, and start implementing the ability to hit from outside as part of our everyday strategy.

Tonight's DFS Headlines

The first red flag that comes up in tonight's slate is the Sixers @ Wizards game. It's kind of scary about the lack of defense in our nation's capital, as Washington ranks dead last in efficiency at that end of the court and has allowed at least 117 points in 5 straight. The Wiz have allowed an average of 138 points the last two with Thomas Bryant out.

Well if we're going the 3-point angle it's best to include the team that is #1 in attempts (46) in the Rockets @ Raptors game. Toronto has some good perimeter defense though, ranking 4th with opponents shooting a mere 33.6% from beyond the arc.

The Nuggets @ Knicks game looks kind of ugly on paper. Denver has consecutive games under 100 points, even in an OT game vs. Sacramento on Saturday. New York hasn't broken 105 points scored in the last 7 tilts.

It seems the Suns @ Pelicans game would be one to target with a betting O/U of 233. Phoenix is on the back-to-back, and just gave up 128 points on Wednesday to a low scoring Magic team that was on 0 days rest as well. New Orleans is top 5 in possessions - and bottom 5 in defense.

Guards

Fred VanVleet DK $6.6k | FD $8k

Kyle Lowry returned for the Raptors last game and Fred VanVleet's production instantly dropped to a 36 fp night. He had posted back-to-back 49+ fp nights prior to that but blame a bad shooting night, as FVV went just 5-16 from the field. The 16 attempts with Lowry back is the positive sign, as is the fact that Toronto gets a nice pace boost tonight vs. the Rockets. The betting total is 230 for this game with Toronto having an implied 116.5.

Lonzo Ball DK $5.3k | FD $5.8k

Lonzo Ball gets the matchup with Ricky Rubio tonight as Phoenix wraps up their back-to-back. Rubio did have just 25 minutes - which is a good thing as you want to see these two go at it. Ball had a horrible shooting night Tuesday going just 2-12 from the field but you like that he hoisted a dozen shots vs. Doncic. This should be an up pace game with two teams in the top 11 of possessions per game. At the very least, ownership will be low, as people are really starting to sour on the Big Baller.

Norman Powell DK $5.1k | FD $5.7k

Norman Powell is in a nice slot at the SG position vs. Houston. He's been hot with 35+ fp in the last three games all while taking at least a dozen shots and playing at least 33 minutes. The Raptors have the favorable matchup with the Rockets tonight

🏀👍 Other Likes  / Dislikes 👍🏀

Not a bad spot for a Ben Simmons ($8k) ceiling game in that matchup vs. the Wizards back court. James Harden ($12k) is a no-brainer in this spot for the foreseeable forever as he has 85 and 79 fp the last two games.

Forwards

Will Barton DK $5.9k | $6.9k

Will Barton had his streak of three straight 40+ fp nights broken on Tuesday, but that was understandable vs. the Lakers #2 team in defensive efficiency. The Nuggets do not face that tonight when they visit the Knicks who are 22nd in that department. Barton shot just 2-11 vs. LA, but did have 6 boards and 4 assists. Expect the shooting to be better vs. New York.

Davis Bertans DK $5.8k | FD $6k

Davis Bertans produced a 35 point fp night in 40 minutes in the Wizards first game without Thomas Bryant. Bertans also shot a dozen threes, hitting four of them. The Wizards PF is matched up with Al Horford tonight so the long ball should be there again. All he's gotta do is hit them.

Paul Millsap DK $4.9k | FD $6k

The threat of a blowout seems to be what's keeping Paul Millsap's price down as the Nuggets are 9.5 favorites tonight. Even so, New York allows 35+ fp to PF starters including 7.6 reb/game. Millsap is coming off an 8-14 night with 8 boards against the Lakers #2 squad in defensive efficiency. The Knicks have allowed at least 32 fp to 5 straight PF and have served up back-to-back 50 burgers vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum. Won't take much to hit value at this price.

🏀👍👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍👍🏀

Lots of action on OG Anunoby ($4.6k) vs. Houston's #30 defense vs. the SF tonight but look out for foul trouble when guarding Harden.

Center

Frank Kaminsky DK $5.3k | FD $4.8k

Frank Kaminsky and the Suns are in the back-to-back tonight, but in this case that may be a good thing. Kaminsky hopes to keep the momentum he had last night vs. the Magic, going 10-12 from the floor and 3 of 4 from three point range. Kaminsky is listed as the Phoenix starter at C, and did his damage in a manageable 26 minutes last night. The Suns are matched up with the Pelicans tonight in a rematch of a game that ended up in a New Orleans 124-121 win on November 21st. The betting total is up there again tonight at 233.

🏀👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍🏀

Joel Embiid ($9.7k) has a ceiling of 59 in the last three weeks, but he's up against the Wizards atrocious defense tonight.

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 Fred VanVleet. He had 16 shots moving back to the SG spot full-time with Kyle Lowry back last game. Toronto has the up tempo matchup with the Rockets as well.

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