DFS NBA – The Top Salary Value Plays – The Young Kings or The Celtic?

DFS NBA – The Breakdown

So as usually, with any DFS NBA slate, we’re going to look at a players stats, usage rate, previous game stats, the opposing teams defensive stats versus the players position, and their salary. A big part of daily fantasy sports is a players salary.

We build our lineups around key players and if they are players like LeBron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, or even Paul George, then they come along with a hefty price tag. We need a player to hit at least five times their value with their salary to make it “worth it” in a sense but what we really want and need is for it to be around six or possibly even seven times their value so we can find the Top Value Plays on both DraftKings and FanDuel!

For example, the other night Paul George was priced at $9,600 versus the New Orleans Pelicans so we needed him to hit 48 fantasy points to return five times his value. Sure enough, Paul George returned value and exceeded it by scoring 54.8.

This is why we’re switching up this fantasy basketball article format and trying to dig even deeper with our NBA Slates. Now we might not always have multiple players (minimum two) discussed at every position on every article because the NBA has the weirdest schedule this season.

In addition to breaking down salary and a players value with their price tag, we are also going to add another section of pairing top-tier and low tier players together for your lineups. We can mix and match all we want with 150+ lineups (we don’t do that though) but in reality, there are usually two or three players we should throw in a lineup together.

Let’s not waste any more time and kick off the research for this 6 game Fantasy Basketball slate on DraftKings and FanDuel!

DFS NBA – Games and Point Totals

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic – Point Total: N/A (Injury News Related)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers – Point Total: 222

Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics – Point Total: N/A 

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors – Point Total: 231

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz – Point Total: N/A

Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets – Point Total: 220

Who To Target & Stack:

Tonight we have a 6 game slate once again but we don’t have the prettiest match-ups to absolutely target. As I’m writing this, not all point totals are out for every single game but it looks like the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Toronto Raptors. We already know that Lebron James is on some type of minute restriction but who actually knows what it’ll be like tonight. But we can sure target the Raptors as they may get the upper hand in this contest.

Another fun thing is that the Los Angeles Lakers are filled with value currently and we can use them to stack other top-tier players. Another game that I am looking forward to is the Sacramento Kings versus the Boston Celtics. The Kings are currently fighting to live to see the playoffs for the first time in a very long time. Kyrie Irving has a great match-up also.

My goal is to look for the Lakers as the value plays, target the Kings young core with the motivation that they have, and then Kawhi Leonard with the Toronto Raptors. Now we may run in to a few chalky plays but we’re also looking for those low owned risk plays to take down these gpp contests. But like I said, we don’t have the most prettiest match-ups tonight but we should find a few gems. There are a few top players that I’ll be targeting and breaking down with the slides below.

DFS NBA – Draftkings: The Top Tier Plays

Kyrie Irving vs. Sacramento Kings

Salary: $8,900 – Needs to score 44.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (57.85 for 6.5x)

Kyrie Irving is in a great spot tonight versus the Sacramento Kings and he should be able to bounce back from his previous outing versus the Los Angeles Clippers where he only scored 39.5 fantasy points. He’s currently averaging 44.5 fantasy points per game and 1.39 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 29%. Before he hit that 39.5 fantasy points, he had four straight games of 40 or more fantasy points.

The Sacramento Kings are fighting for the 8th seed and will be putting up a fight tonight. They are currently giving up the fourth most fantasy points to the point guard position with 49.86 fantasy points per game. Bradley Beal put up 59.65 fantasy points in the Kings last match-up so we can expect something near that mark tonight for Kyrie Irving.

Karl Anthony-Towns vs. Utah Jazz

Salary: $10,200 – Needs to score 51 fantasy points or more to exceed value (66.3 for 6.5x)

Karl Anthony-Towns scared a lot of people when he went down in before the end of the 4th quarter versus the Washington Wizards but he proved he was fine versus the Denver Nuggets. He has now put up 70.8 and 57.5 fantasy points after a mediocre 34.5 fantasy points versus the Detroit Pistons. KAT is averaging 50.5 fantasy points per game and 1.53 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 28%. He’s also playing in his contract year so maybe that’s why he’s playing like a new man.

The Utah Jazz have a big man with Rudy Gobert but he’s one to pick on as KAT is averaging a double double versus him with 22 points and 11 rebounds in 13 games. The Jazz are also giving up 58.12 fantasy points to opposing centers. KAT is in top form and it’s hard to pass him up.

Donovan Mitchell vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Salary: $8,300 – Needs to score 41.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (53.95 for 6.5x)

The Utah Jazz have currently been playing with some injuries which always gives Donovan Mitchell a boost but we will have to wait to see if that is the case tonight. Even if it isn’t, I’m liking Donovan Mitchell’s match-up anyway. He has put in two good performances back to back, scoring 53.5 and 49.5 fantasy points versus the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s averaging 1.15 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 32%.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently going through the same injury bug as Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague, and Andrew Wiggins are questionable. They are giving up the fifth most fantasy points to shooting guards, giving up 43.33 fantasy points to the position. Mitchell is on the same train as Karl Anthony-Towns and is playing at a different level to end this regular season.

DFS NBA – Draftkings: The Mid Tier Plays

Bojan Bogdanovic vs. Okalhoma City Thunder

Salary: $6,200 – Needs to score 31 fantasy points or more to exceed value (40.3 for 6.5x)

Bojan Bogdanovic has stepped up hugely since Victor Oladipo went down with injury and he is currently on another streak. He is also at a very reasonable price of $6,200. He is averaging 27.6 fantasy points per game and .89 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 21%. He has returned value in his past two games, scoring 30.8 and 33 fantasy points while returning at least 5x value.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently giving up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards with 43.10 fantasy points per game. The Thunder are also coming off of back to back games which could benefit the Pacers even more tonight. Bojan is a great mid range price play tonight with a great match-up.

Al Horford vs. Sacramento Kings 

Salary: $6,300 – Needs to score 31.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (40.95 for 6.5x)

Al Horford recently saw the Sacramento Kings (Irving was ruled out) and he put up a nice stat-line and now has the chance to do it once again. He put up 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assist for a total of 49.8 fantasy points in 31 minutes. He’s also averaging 31.9 fantasy points per game and 1.13 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 18%.

Horford has only seen Willie Caulie-Stein in 7 games but is averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assist versus the Kings big man. The Kings are currently giving up 57.41 fantasy points to opposing centers though. They usually have trouble defending bigger centers as WCS isn’t the most aggressive which means Horford could have another wonderful night.

De’Aaron Fox vs. Boston Celtics

Salary: $7,200 – Needs to score 36 fantasy points or more to exceed value (46.8 for 6.5x)

De’Aaron Fox is putting the Sacramento Kings on his back as he has now put up two great performances back to back with 49.8 and 42 fantasy points. He didn’t face tough defenses in those match-ups though like he will tonight with the Boston Celtics as he saw the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards. He’s averaging 36.6 fantasy points per game and 1.18 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 24%.

The Boston Celtics are a really great defensive team as they are only giving up the second fewest fantasy points to the point guard position with 43.36 fantasy points. Fox didn’t have the best outing in the last match, finishing with just 27.5 fantasy points in 35 minutes but with his uptick in playing lately, Fox should have a better stat-line tonight.

DFS NBA – Draftkings: The Low Tier Plays

D.J. Augustin vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Salary: $4,400 – Needs to score 22 fantasy points or more to exceed value (28.6 for 6.5x)

Now my favorite addiction is on tonight’s slate and should have a pretty good match-up versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the Magic are struggling to find the basket, Cleveland has stepped it up a little and should be fully healthy for tonight’s match. Augustin hasn’t returned value in his past two games though sadly. He’s averaging 23 fantasy points while averaging 27 minutes per game with a usage rate of 16%.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently giving up the second most fantasy points to opposing point guards with 50.80. Last Sunday, Augustin did record 19 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assist versus the Cavaliers in 29 minutes. For being $4,400 (still) it’s hard for me to pass up, especially when it comes to saving salary.

Maxi Kleber vs. Denver Nuggets

Salary: $3,700 – Needs to score 18.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (24.05 for 6.5x)

Maxi Kleber is in need of a bounce back game as he just went for 12 fantasy points versus the San Antonio Spurs in 34 minutes. We know Kleber is coming back from injury but the Mavericks are pretty confident that he doesn’t need a minute restriction so at $3,700, lets roll with him again. He is averaging .82 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 13%. He is averaging 20 minutes per game but has pushed the 30 minute mark in back to back games. If he gets to see close to 30 minutes again, he could be projected around 25 fantasy points tonight, pushing the 6x value.

The Denver Nuggets are currently allowing opposing power forwards to average 46.65 fantasy points per game. The downside to this match-up is that Kleber put up a goose egg in their last meeting, recording just 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 18 minutes. But he was a total liability with three turnovers and 2 personal fouls. He should have a bounce back game tonight though and at $3,700, he’s hard to pass up.

JaVale McGee vs. Toronto Raptors

Salary: $4,300 – Needs to score 21.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (27.95 for 6.5x)

We rolled with JaVale McGee in his last match-up versus Chicago and we’re going right back to him. He is averaging 24.7 fantasy points per game and 1.17 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 20%. The Lakers are currently without Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball while Kuzma is still coming back from his ankle injury. Also, LeBron James is on a minute restriction for the rest of the NBA season like his best friend Anthony Davis. It just means there are more opportunities for these value guys to see more usage like McGee.

The Toronto Raptors aren’t a bad team but they are currently giving up 53.94 fantasy points to opposing centers. If the Lakers roll with McGee heavily again tonight, he should be a great play at center to save salary.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest NBA DFS news and analysis each and every day!