Tastefully curated M-F by LineStar fantasy experts.

5:30 pm EST update: It’s been relatively quiet on the news front which makes me nervous we’ll be scrambling at the last second before lock. We now have a line on the Phoenix at Cleveland game which is the highest total tonight at 229 but also the largest spread at -13. Yet, we still have no clarity on who is actually playing. Keep an eye on this one as it could make or break the slate. I still like Josh Jackson for the Suns assuming Warren and Booker sit and I’m still concerned about the Cavs resting guys in the 2nd half of a blowout. Domantas Sabonis has been officially ruled out for Indiana which should allow extra run for both Thaddeus Young and Miles Turner. It’s a great matchup for Turner as the Clippers are dead last against centers over the previous ten games. He could go overlooked on a large slate in a game with one of the lower totals. Hassan Whiteside is officially out for Miami but there are better plays than Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk on this slate. Steven Adams is a tough defender and the Thunder are 1st against centers in fantasy points allowed this season. It looks like Jordan Bell will get the start for Golden State in place of Draymond Green. He has taken over as the best point per dollar projection on FanDuel. Omri Casspi has also been ruled out for Golden State which means our earlier recommendation of Kevin Looney is still in consideration but it would be a tournament play only since his minutes are hard to predict. He should get some playing time without Green and Casspi but how much is anyone’s guess. Our best friend Dennis Schroder is no longer on the injury report it looks like Atlanta just decided to give him the front end of a back to back off. People will use the “he burned me” narrative as a reason not to play him so he’ll be very low owned if you want to take a shot.  Our ownership projections currently list him at 9% on FanDuel and 6% on DraftKings. It’s an intriguing play since he put up 47 fantasy points the last time these teams met. John Collins is looking like a game-time decision for the Hawks. If he plays I’m not completely off Dwayne Dedmon but it’s a slight downgrade. Paul Millsap was added to the injury report today and is currently questionable with an illness. Regardless of his status, I’m not looking to use Denver tonight as Washington is strong defensively.  Keep an eye on the news feed on our website or follow us @LineStarNBA on Twitter for the most up to date news. 

The DFS community was singing the blues after most of us were burned by the Dennis Schroder news.  I know we all want the sites to introduce a late swap option for situations like this but until they do the only way to protect yourself is good bankroll management.  

At this point in the NBA season, with so many variables out of your control, the risk is greater than ever.  What happened yesterday is a perfect example so never risk more than you're comfortable losing on a given night.  So, with that out of the way, let's shake off last night and get back to work.  We've got a full ten-game slate tonight!  

Remember to check back as we'll post an update closer to lock with any news.  

Guards

Russell Westbrook, OKC [vs. MIA] (DK: $11.1K, FD: $11.4K)

I'm paying up for Westbrook over LeBron tonight and saving some salary in the process. I fully expect the Cavs to blow out the Suns and this would be the perfect night to give LeBron the 4th quarter off and get some extra rest. Westbrook, meanwhile, has a more difficult matchup with a good defensive team in Miami and a spread that says this game will be competitive. His price has dipped on both sites. He's the cheapest he's been on DraftKings since Christmas Day when he was $10.9K. It's a big slate with plenty of studs so ownership should stay pretty spread out. The combination of upside we get from Westbrook on any given night and his lower than usual salary make him my favorite high priced player on the board. 

Jeff Teague, MIN [@NYK] (DK: $7.3K, FD: $7.4K)

Teague enters tonight's matchup at Madison Square Garden coming off two consecutive double-doubles scoring 50 fantasy points against Houston and 40 fantasy points against the Clippers. Emmanuel Mudiay is a major liability on defense and Teague should be able to do whatever he wants against him. The last time these teams met Teague scored 38 DraftKings points (36 FanDuel points). The T'Wolves have an implied total tonight of 114.5 which is currently third highest on the slate. I like several Minnesota players in this matchup but Teague specifically stands out.  

Goran Dragic, MIA [@OKC] (DK: $6.6K, FD: $6.5K)

I'll start this off by saying Dragic is typically more of a cash game than a tournament play so depending on what type of player you are may determine how you feel about this recommendation. With that said, Dragic has the highest salary decrease today on DraftKings and dropped $500 on FanDuel as well. Yet, he's facing a Thunder team ranked 25th in average fantasy points to opposing point guards over the last 10 games. The Thunder have given up over 30 fantasy points to starting point guards in five straight games. Dragic also sees a 3% usage increase without Hassan Whiteside and Dwayne Wade who are both expected to miss tonight.  

Forwards

Josh Jackson, PHO [@CLE] (DK: $6.9K, $7.1K)

Jackson's price is the highest it's been all season which gives me some pause but the Suns are expected to be without TJ Warren and Devin Booker among others for tonight's game.  Jackson has played 36 and 37 minutes the past two games including a 50 fantasy point performance against the Warriors.  There is no line yet for this game with all the injury news we are waiting on but I'm expecting a fairly high total (it's a pace up game) with a large spread in favor of the Cavs.  There's no reason to believe the Suns won't continue to give Jackson run even in a blowout so I like his chances to play well into the 30-minute range once again.  Combine all this information with the fact it's a good matchup against a Cavs team ranked 28th against opposing small forwards and I think Jackson has upside potential even with his increased salary.

Jabari Parker, MIL [@CHI] (DK: $5.4K, FD: $5.7K)

The "Greek Freak" is officially out tonight which means we should get a full dose of Jabari Parker.  He started the second half against the Clippers and played 30 minutes scoring 20 real-life points and 37 fantasy points in the process.  We currently have Parker as the best point per dollar play of the night on both sites.  The Bulls are 26th against opposing power forwards over their last ten games and gave up 51 fantasy points to Paul Millsap in their last game.  This has all the makings of a blowup spot.  He'll be popular tonight so keep that in mind for tournament strategy.  Antetokounmpo's absence should also create an opportunity for Kris Middleton so you could pivot if you're afraid of Parker's ownership.  

Kevon Looney, GSW [vs. ATL] (DK: $4.1K, FD: $4.8K)

The Golden State rotation is still a bit of a mess so proceed with caution here in case the news changes during the day. As of now, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson are all expected to miss while Steph Curry is expected to play. Green's absence should allow Looney to move into the starting role. He's played well in increased minutes recently scoring at least 27 fantasy points in three of his last four games. The Hawks are ranked 28th in average fantasy points allowed to opposing power forwards. Looney has a high projection tonight but his salary is still low enough to make him one of my favorite value plays of the night other than Parker.  

Centers

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR [vs. BKN] (DK: $6.8K, FD: $7.4K)

As of now, the Raptors have the highest implied total on the slate. Valanciunas loves to play the Nets. He had 42 and 46 fantasy points against them in their last two meetings (see below for the 46 point game). Brooklyn is ranked dead last in both defensive efficiency and fantasy points allowed per game to opposing centers. The one concern here is the spread which is predicting a potential blowout in this matchup. If the Nets can keep it somewhat close look for Valanciunas to have another big night against them. 

Dwayne Dedmon, ATL [@SAC] (DK: 5.6K, FD: 5.8K)

I'm jumping right back on the Dwayne Dedmon train again tonight. He was one of my favorite plays yesterday and he did well scoring 30 FanDuel and 31 DraftKings points. Atlanta looks like it will once again be dealing with a bunch of injuries (hopefully none we find out about two hours after lock) which should give Dedmon plenty of opportunities to put up fantasy points. Golden State has given up over 40 fantasy points to opposing centers in three of its last five games.  

Cristiano Felicio, CHI [vs. MIL] (DK: $4.2K, FD: $4.2K)

Milwaukee is terrible at defending the frontcourt.  They've given up two 50+ fantasy point performances to opposing centers in their last three games.  Felicio has three straight games with at least 25 fantasy points and averaged 29.3 minutes per game last week.  Keep an eye on the news here as Lauri Markkanen is currently a game-time decision.  If he plays, and there is no minute restriction, it's a downgrade to Felicio.  Otherwise, look for him to turn in another solid performance in a game that has a chance to stay close with Antetokounmpo missing on the Bucks side.   

Injuries 🤕

Denver at Washington

Denver:

• OUT: Garry Harris - SG

• UPGRADE: Will Barton - SG/SF

Washington:

• DTD: Mike Scott - PF

• OUT: John Wall - PG

• UPGRADE: Bradley Beal - PG/SG, Tomas Satoransky - PG/SG

LA Clippers @ Indiana Pacers

LA Clippers:

• OUT: Danilo Gallinari - SF/PF

• OUT: Avery Bradley - SG

• OUT: Patrick Beverley - PG

• UPGRADE: Lou Williams - PG/SG, Austin Rivers - PG/SG

Indiana:

• DOUBT: Domantas Sabonis - PF/C

• UPGRADE: Thaddeus Young - SF/PF

Minnesota @ NY Knicks

Minnesota: 

• DTD: Derrick Rose - PG/SG

• OUT: Jimmy Butler - SF

• UPGRADE: Andrew Wiggins - SG/SF, Jamal Crawford - SG

NY Knicks:

• OUT: Lance Thomas - SF/PF

• OUT: Kristaps Porzigis - PF

• OUT: Ron Baker - PG/SG

• OUT: Joakim Noah - PF/C

• UPGRADE: Michael Beasley - SF/PF

Brooklyn @ Toronto

Brooklyn:

• OUT: Jeremy Lin - PG

• UPGRADE: N/A

Toronto:

• QUEST: CJ Miles - SG/SF

• UPGRADE: Norman Powell - SG/SF

Phoenix @ Cleveland

Phoenix:

• DTD: Devin Booker - SG/SF

• DTD: Tyson Chandler - C

• OUT: TJ Warren - SF/PF

• OUT: Alan Williams - C

• UPGRADE: Josh Jackson - SG/SF, Alex Len - C

Cleveland:

• OUT: Kyle Korver - SG

• DTD: Kevin Love - PF/C

• DTD: Larry Nance - PF

• DTD: Rodney Hood - SG/SF

• DTD: Tristan Thompson - PF/C

• UPGRADE: Jeff Green - SF/PF, JR Smith - SG/SF

Miami @ Oklahoma City

Miami:

• OUT: Dwayne Wade - PG/SG

• OUT: Hassan Whiteside - C

• OUT: Dion Waiters - SG/SF

• UPGRADE: Kelly Olynyk - PF/C, Tyler Johnson - PG/SG

Oklahoma City:

• OUT: Andre Roberson - SF

• UPGRADE: N/A

Milwaukee @ Chicago

Milwaukee:

• OUT: Giannis Antetokounmpo - SF/PF

• DTD: Matthew Dellavedova - PG/SG

• OUT: Malcolm Brogdon - PG/SG

• UPGRADE: Jabari Parker - SG/SF, Kris Middleton SG/SF, Jason Terry - PG/SG, Eric Bledsoe - PG/SG

Chicago:

• QUEST: Lauri Markkanen - PF

• OUT: Antonio Blakeney - PG

• OUT: Paul Zipser - SF/PF

• OUT: Zach LaVine - PG/SG

• OUT: Kris Dunn - PG/SG

• UPGRADE: Cristiano Felicio - PF/C, Denzel Valentine - SG/SF

Much better slate than last night!  Quite a bit of value and several high priced players to consider as well.  Several ways you could go with roster construction and differentiate yourself from the field.  Hit us up in chat if you have questions!  

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