Let’s do this.
New Orleans Pelicans at Brooklyn Nets (-6)
Implied Total: 99.5 – 105.5, O/U: 205
No matter Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez’s status at tip-off, both Toney Douglas and Jordan Hamilton warrant cash exposure in this prime matchup. For starters, Hamilton has averaged 26.5 minutes for New Orleans since debuting. Implied to score only 16.61 points, Hamilton is still considered a value as long as he’s in their starting unit. Luke Babbitt should be treated equivalently if given another starting nod, as well — his 10.8 field goal attempts in the Pelicans starting unit are 7.5 more than when coming off their bench.
With an Opponent Plus/Minus of +5.32, Brook Lopez is as strong a tournament option as any if healthy. Shane Larkin is still a cash option no matter due to his implied total of 14.86 at FanDuel.
Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers
Priced only $200 cheaper than Kevin Durant, LeBron James should actually be considered as more of a tournament play rather than cash. His Opponent Plus/Minus, after all, is 3.12 points lower than that of Durant. With an 86% Bargain Rating at FanDuel, Kevin Love remains a strong tournament play due to his salary – he’s additionally averaged 35.3 DraftKings points over his last five games.
Though a Plus/Minus of -4.15 over his last 10 games, Kemba Walker’s peripherals (and value) once again check out. Not only does Walker include a Bargain Rating of 86%, but he’s been dubbed an advantageous Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.8 in this slate. His Dud Percentage of 35% over the last month keeps him as, much like LeBron, more of a tournament option than cash.
Oklahoma City Thunder (-3) at Houston Rockets
Implied Totals: 112 – 109, O/U: 221
Implied to score the second and third-most points in this slate, exposure towards either team in this game is considered mandatory. That, of course, begins and ends with the trio of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and James Harden. In three games versus the Thunder, for instance, James Harden has averaged 61.4 DraftKings points this season. Although a price point $2,300 greater than the next closest at his position, note Harden’s Projected Plus/Minus of +10.0, which qualifies as the highest among off-ball guards. Durant is also considered atop his position as he includes an Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.76. With Westbrook additionally having the highest projected floor among point guards, all three are considered the top cash options at their positions. Patrick Beverly remains the strongest tournament option outside of that selection as his implied total remains at 20.33 points. Beverley’s Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.76 also qualifies as sixth-highest among point guards.
Dallas Mavericks (-2.5) at Minnesota Timberwolves
Implied Totals: 104.5 – 102, O/U: 206.5
Although his salary has risen for the fifth consecutive game, JJ Barea has continued to flourish without Deron Williams:
While he’s considered a cash play no matter the site, Dirk Nowitzki should only have exposure at DraftKings, where he includes a Bargain Rating of 97%. Although an Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.17 at FanDuel, his salary remains $900 cheaper at DraftKings.
With the highest Projected Plus/Minus among point guards, Ricky Rubio certainly warrants tournament consideration if looking to save at the position. Excluding his dud against the Clippers (in which he finished with 17.25 DraftKings points), Rubio has averaged 39.6 DraftKings points in his last five performances. He’s implied to score 29.53.
Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Clippers (-6.5)
Implied Totals: 100.8 – 107.3, O/U: 208
Having seen his salary plummet $1,400 since he last took to the court, Blake Griffin now includes a Bargain Rating of 99% at DraftKings. It’s admittedly not the best spot for him (as shown by an Opponent Plus/Minus of -1.42), but I can’t imagine there being any restrictions now that his torn quad is reportedly healed. With Paul Pierce already ruled out, consider Griffin a value for cash games (strictly at DraftKings) — his salary at FanDuel remains $9K.
Memphis Grizzlies at Orlando Magic (-4.5)
Implied Totals: 100 – 104.5, O/U: 204.5
Although shaky minutes upon Victor Oladipo’s initial return to their lineup, both he (36.6) and Evan Fournier (34.5) have been the only two players to average 30-plus minutes for Orlando over their last two games. With a Bargain Rating of at least 95% for both at DraftKings, it’s a terrific spot for either, if not a unique stack. If only choosing one, however, note Oladipo’s average of 45 DraftKings points in back-to-back performances.
Not listed on their injury report, it’s as good a time as any to go back to Zach Randolph. Not only has Randolph averaged 36.1 DraftKings points in his last four performances, but he remains underpriced at DraftKings, where his salary is $900 cheaper. Having exceeded expectations in every game since returning, he’s more than viable in cash today.
Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns
The absence of Brandon Knight should logically allow for more minutes for Ronnie Price (logging 33.3 in his last spot-start), however, note his minuscule projected floor of 3.2 points. Assuming he starts, I would still cash Price at DraftKings given his implied total of 13.43. Either way, the true gold lies on the opposing side no matter Derrick Favors’ status at tipoff: averaging 38.6 DraftKings points in 33.9 minutes in his last three outings, it bodes well for Rudy Gobert that the Suns have allowed the most DraftKings points to centers over their last five games.
Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks
It is absolutely considered points-chasing if going back to Jimmy Butler, though I wouldn’t rule it out entirely if Rose sits again. Accumulating a team-high usage rate of 31.8% in said instances, Butler is now averaging 57.2 DraftKings points in eight performances without Rose this season. Pau Gasol remains an elite cash option no matter as he still includes a Bargain Rating of 93% (and Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.92) at DraftKings.
Absent of Jerryd Bayless’ services yet again, I would argue Khris Middleton as the play, rather than Tyler Ennis (25.5 minutes in his last outing) or Rashad Vaughn (22.5). Middleton recorded a lower usage rate than Giannis Antetokounmpo (splitting minutes at the point from time to time) in their last outing, but has the advantage of an 86% Bargain Rating at DraftKings. Even at FanDuel where he’s implied to score 3.96 fewer points, Antetokounmpo, for instance, has a Projected Plus/Minus of -1.5. Now, that shouldn’t scare you off of him entirely, especially given his average of 44.2 DraftKings points in three games versus the Bulls this season. But if it comes down to pricing, you know where to turn.
Indiana Pacers (-4) at New York Knicks
Implied Totals: 100 – 96, O/U: 196
Implied to score only 12.68 points at FanDuel, Derrick Williams is once again considered an elite cash play now that Kristaps Porzingis (doubtful) is expected to sit. Given his equivalent implied total, Jerian Grant is also a strong option — he logged the most time at point guard without Jose Calderon (out again) in their last game. Although Paul George has averaged 48.3 DraftKings points over his last four games, it still makes the most sense (in cash, at least) to find your way to Durant ($10,400) in this slate. Of course, in tournaments, George (Bargain Rating of 86% at DraftKings) is a tremendous contrarian option, being the “next best” at his position.
Portland Trailblazers at Golden State Warriors (-12)
Implied Totals: 106.5 – 118.5, O/U: 225
In three performances against the Warriors this season, Damian Lillard has averaged a whopping 60.9 DraftKings points. That isn’t enough to make him cash viable (especially with a Dud Percentage of 35% over the last month), but Lillard remains underpriced at FanDuel, where he includes a Bargain Rating of 97%. He also has a top-four Opponent Plus/Minus among point guards. With an 81% Bargain Rating at FanDuel, Stephen Curry remains the pivot if looking to pay up at the position. Note Curry’s nine Pro Trends, which remain tied with Lillard — the former’s floor, however, remains 12.5 points higher.
Boston Celtics (-9.5) at Los Angeles Lakers
Implied Totals: 109.3 – 99.8, O/U: 209
Exposure towards particular players in this matchup is quite simple if recognizing where each hold value. Julius Randle, for instance, includes a 93% Bargain Rating at DraftKings. Averaging 31.4 DraftKings points alongside Kobe Bryant (expected to play), Randle is considered a strong cash option in this slate. Isaiah Thomas is in the same position at FanDuel due to his 86% Bargain Rating. Thomas, however, includes a much more advantageous Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.93. Avery Bradley remains a strong tournament play in their backcourt as, along with a Bargain Rating of 93% at DraftKings, he’s averaged 31.5 DraftKings points over his last seven games.
Good luck!
