We truly believe here at FantasyLabs that we have the most unique tools and data available to DFS users. However, we also realize that those tools and data are only as awesome and helpful as our ability to effectively communicate how to use everything. As such, we will continually listen to feedback of what you need and try our best to teach our subscribers how to use all of the cool things we have to offer.

With this in mind, we’ve begun a “Trend of the Day” series. Every weekday we’ll walk our subscribers through an important trend for that day’s slate of games.

The first thing that stuck out to me when reviewing tonight’s slate? That ugly 200 over/under Vegas is projecting for the Clippers/Spurs this evening. Just gross.

It’s nothing new for the Spurs, but still not something I’m excited about seeing on a smaller six-game slate. Because we’re a bit limited on options tonight, let’s see if there’s any value to be uncovered in this matchup.

Trend: Over/Under Less than 201

Step One: Projections > Proj Minutes > Set “25 to 48”

As always, we want to reduce the amount of noise in the data we’re looking at, so we’ll remove players with little to no fantasy value. I prefer to use 25 as a minutes floor, so that’s where we’ll start.

Step Two: Vegas Total > Total > Set “175.5 to 200.5”

We could definitely stop here, but I’m particularly interested in the higher-priced options in this evening’s game and how comparably priced players have performed in general.

Because we need, and expect, greater production from these players to warrant their hefty price tags, I’m curious to see if that’s something they’re capable of on average in lower scoring and, assumingly, slower-paced games.

Step Three: Player Filters > Salary > Set “7000 to 12900”

Now, let’s get a look at those results.

So, yeah. Very uninspiring results here, which confirms my original suspicions that low total games are just difficult to amass a ton of production in. A Consistency rate of 52.7% is not something that I’m actively pursuing.

With that said, let’s check out which players comprise our matches this evening.

While some of these guys have been playing well, I’m not sure I’ll be actively targeting them in cash due to the low total and spread of this game.

Usually I’d stop here, and you can if you like. If you’re strictly a cash-game player, you probably actually want to.

But I want to look at one more thing.

And really, it’s not just one more thing, it’s one of my favorite ways to utilize our Trends tool. I want to take these seemingly negative results and see if we can unearth any tournament options. Reverse-engineer it a bit, if you will.

Let’s look at how our current matches have fared in similar situations this season by using Time Filters > NBA Season > “2015-2016” and Player Filters > Player Names > “Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge”.

(I’m using this season only, as Aldridge’s situation has obviously changed drastically from last year.)

And then there’s that. CP3 certainly isn’t scared off by any low-Vegas total.

In fact, looking at his game log, he’s actually managed three 50+ DraftKings point games this season in comparable situations, including once against the Spurs.

While I generally want want to target players that I believe will conform to our Trends for my cash games, finding Trend-breakers can really help give you an edge in tournaments. Whether that’s a fade of a popular play or rostering someone the public is off of that night.

And with that, we’ll wrap up this Trend. Good luck tonight!