The Milwaukee Bucks have become the 1st team to clinch a playoff berth, mostly because they're good and the East is bad. We will monitor how teams start to adjust their usage as they start to lock in postseason slots and also become eliminated from contention. There's an 8-gamer on tap for Monday, so let's get to it:

Tonight's DFS Headlines

Heat @ Cavs

These two teams met up on Saturday in a 124-105 Heat win when 7 Miami players had at least 13 points. Oddsmakers are expecting things to be a bit closer tonight, as Miami is just a -5.5 road favorite in this one. Jimmy Butler (personal) will not be in the lineup for the Heat.

Hawks @ Sixers

Philadelphia is an NBA best 26-2 at home but they'll likely have to add to that record without the services of Tobias Harris (knee) and Ben Simmons (back).

Bucks @ Wizards

Big 💣Blowout Game💣potential, as the Wizards lost to the lowly Bulls last night. Milwaukee is a 13 point favorite on the road tonight.

Magic @ Nets

Brooklyn had been the Caris Levert and Spencer Dinwiddie show but showed some balance last game with 7 players scoring at least a dozen. Orlando has the #1 scoring defense in the league, but has allowed 120+ in 2 of the last 3.

Knicks @ Rockets

The Rockets are a -14 point favorite in this one as the Houston offense has excelled after going small ball - putting up 135 and 120 points the last two.

Timberwolves @ Mavericks

Dallas could be without Luka Doncic (ankle) as well as Jalen Brunson (shoulder) but are still -13 favorites vs. the struggling Timberwolves. A big night for Kristaps Porzingis could be upcoming, especially after he sat Saturday (rest).

Suns @ Jazz

Utah has dropped two in a row since the all-star break, but should get back on track tonight, as they've beaten Phoenix 8 times in a row.

Grizzlies @ Clippers

LAC is still in all-star break mode, dropping 3 in a row including by 9 points at home to Sacramento on Saturday as -8.5 favorites. Reggie Jackson did finish with 8 points in 23 minutes last game in his Clippers debut.

Guards

Goran Dragic DK $6k | FD $5.5k

No Jimmy Butler for Miami tonight, which helps give Goran Dragic a 5.28 fp boost and a 3% usage increase. That's especially valuable tonight vs. Cleveland and their #30 defense vs. the PG position. Dragic had 31fp Saturday vs. the Cavs, but that was also with Butler in the lineup.

Seth Curry DK $5.4k | FD $5k

It's a great night to roster Seth Curry, as the Dallas back court could be a bit thin with Luka Doncic (ankle) and Jalen Brunson (shoulder) likely resting vs. a bad Minnesota team. Curry was able to launch 17 shots on Saturday but that was also without Kristaps Porzingis (rest) in the lineup. Even so, Dallas is playing a Minnesota team on the back-to-back and they have become one of the worst dVp vs. the PG position since acquiring D'Angelo Russell.

Josh Richardson DK $4.8k | FD $5.1k

Josh Richardson at under $5k in a game vs. Atlanta in which Ben Simmons and maybe even Tobias Harris could miss - gotta go with it (Alec Burks another strong play in this spot). The Hawks' are 4th worst in the league in defensive efficiency and the betting total is 227.5. Richardson gets a 5.64% usage increase if Simmons and Harris miss the game and the Hawks have allowed 32+ fp to four straight SG's.

Forwards

Robert Covington DK $6k | FD $6.3k

Does Robert Covington get the minutes tonight in a possible Houston blowout at New York? He scored 20 points in a 30 point win over Golden State 4 days ago, so that's a good omen. Covington also has 37 and 38 minutes in the last two games the Rockets have won by 10 points or less, so the bases are covered there. The Knicks have given up 16 boards to John Collins and 13 to Domantas Sabonis from the PF position and Covington is coming off a 12 rebound game vs. the Jazz on Saturday.

Cedi Osman DK $4.6k | FD $4.3k

Do we go back to the Cedi Osman well tonight? On Saturday vs. the Heat in South Beach, the Cavs SF went for a 19/7/7 line. Granted that was without Kevin Love in the lineup for Cleveland, but it was still Osman's 2nd straight 36+ fp performance. Is Osman playing his way into the good graces of new Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff? The Heat have allowed 30+ fp to 4 of the last 5 SF they've faced and Miami will also be without Jimmy Butler's defense tonight. Worth a look.

Aaron Gordon. DK $7.4k | FD $7.1k

On paper - or overall - Brooklyn looks like a tough matchup for Aaron Gordon tonight, as the Nets are 8th dVp on the year vs. the PF. As of late though, the Nets have allowed two 50+ fp games to the PF in their last 4 and 33+ in five straight. Gordon is on a roll too, becoming almost a near 6X floor lock with 42+ fp in 5 of the last 7. The betting total is only 212 in this matchup, but Gordon also has 9+ rebounds in 6 of the last 7 and has 23+ real points in 3 of his last 6.

Center

Joel Embiid DK $9.5k | FD $10k

Joel Embiid for right around $10k with no Ben Simmons or Tobias Harris (possibly)? Yes, please. Embiid has hit 65+ fp in 2 of his last 4 and gets a 9fp boost without Simmons and Harris. The Sixers' big man is up against the Hawks' #25 defense vs. the C. Atlanta just allowed a 28 point, 19 rebound night to Bam Adebayo on Thursday and even Maxi Kleber went for 32 fp v.s the Hawks on Saturday.

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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.

Freeroll

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🔥 SuperDraft Multiplier Must-Play

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