Here are some plays that jump out on DraftKings at each position for Tuesday’s NBA main slate, along with some strategy unique to this slate. With postponements, we’re now left essentially with a two-game late slate as our main slate.
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Point Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets ($8,700)
SGA’s been hit or miss this season, but he’s fresh off a 58.75 DKFP hit against the Bulls — his fourth time exceeding 50.0 DKFP in his last six outings. Denver ranks just 25th in DKFP allowed to the PG position.
Best Bang For Your Buck: George Hill, Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets ($4,300)
Without many other places to turn, we’ll stay in the OKC backcourt. Hill’s ceiling is right around 30.0 DKFP, but he’s been a pretty safe play of late. Shooting a combined 0-for-7 from downtown in his last three games, he’s due for a breakout shooting performance. Al Horford (personal) remains sidelined, potentially leaving some shots.
Shooting Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($8,200)
There’s pretty much one SG to pay up for on this slate, which leaves us with Mitchell. New Orleans has been a top 10 team defending guards, so it’s not the best spot, but Mitchell’s price tag is fair. We can at least look here to be a little contrarian in a GPP. The value at SG is also thin, making paying up by default a bit more intriguing. We can fill the other positions with better value.
Best Bang For Your Buck: PJ Dozier, Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($3,900)
Dozier has been playing a growing role for Denver, especially with Michael Porter Jr. (health protocols) out. Dozier’s played over 25 minutes per game his last three contests, scoring 20-plus DKFP on three of his last four slates. Dozier is well-rounded, and can easily find his way to 25-30 DKFP if his minutes remain.
Small Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz ($9,100)
Similar spot to Mitchell here, where we have no other pay up spot, but I would consider D-Mitch the better play. Ingram should be considered strictly a GPP play to get exposure to a low-owned star. He’s overpriced on this slate, and has played significantly worse on the road. There’s also better SF value to use.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Darius Bazley, Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets ($5,600)
Bazley is SF/PF eligible, making him easy to roster in a very solid spot. He’s shown us 35-45-DKFP upside this season, but is on a poor shooting streak. Bazley is just 12-for-46 from the field over his last five games, yet as an underdog in the game with the slate’s highest total, this is an opportunity to get right. The absence of Horford also creates more potential.
Power Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz ($7,900)
Saving $1,200 off Ingram to roster Williamson makes more sense to me. Zion’s been a super consistent 40.0 DKFP play, which doesn’t appeal to you as much on a 10-game slate as it does with just two games. Utah also has been a poor defense in the paint, leaving an opening for Zion to do his thing.
Best Bang For Your Buck: JaMychal Green, Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($4,600)
Green’s been one of the players to benefit most when MPJ is out, and we can continue to take advantage of that on this short slate. The price is up on Green, but this makes for safe 5-6x value, which is much more welcomed with just two games.
Center
Worth Paying Up For: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($11,000)
The Joker is the clear-cut stud play on this slate. Sink your salary in here, and then we build from there. Jokic just dropped 72.0 DKFP on Utah, his third game in a row with over 64.0 DKFP. OKC ranks dead-last in the NBA in DKFP allowed to centers, and without Horford in the middle, things should be even worse. This spot has the most upside on the slate by a mile.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Isaiah Roby, Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets ($4,100)
Roby gives you PF eligibility as well, giving us some flexibility. In the last two games with Horford out, Roby’s averaging over 25.0 DKFP in 25 minutes, and the salary still isn’t adjusted. Simple value here, with Mike Muscala ($3,400) an even cheaper option, but with less upside.
Overall Lineup Strategy
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On such a short slate, with really only one obvious stud play, you can build your lineup a lot of creative ways. Take shots on different studs that don’t project to be in the best spots, especially since we need more spots to spend up. It helps that we have a few clear cut value plays to anchor lineups, particularly with just two games. The value on Monday’s four-game slate was significantly worse.
Key Injuries to Monitor
Thunder: Al Horford (personal) will remain out.
Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr. (COVID-19) is out until at least Friday.
Pelicans: Lonzo Ball (knees) practiced Monday and has been upgraded to probable after missing the last three games.
Jazz: Joe Ingles (Achilles) is questionable, while Derrick Favors (knee) is probable.
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