DFS NBA – The Top Salary Value Plays – We’re Going PG13!

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 9 game Fantasy Basketball slate on DraftKings and FanDuel!

DFS NBA – Draftkings: The Top Tier Plays

Paul George vs. Miami Heat

Salary: $9,700 – Needs to score 48.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (63.05 for 6.5x)

Russell Westbrook picked up his 16th tech versus the Denver Nuggets the other night so now Paul George gets the spot light on himself to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has basically hit 50 fantasy points or more in his past three games (49.3 versus the Brooklyn Nets). He’s averaging 51.2 fantasy points per game and 1.42 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 29%. There was a slight second where Paul George came back slow from his injury but he has hopped back on to his MVP worthy season.

The Miami Heat are currently giving up 41.71 fantasy points to opposing small forwards. Miami isn’t the easiest team to compete with but with no Russell Westbrook, Paul George should easily be able to do what he is needed to do tonight.

Steph Curry vs. San Antonio Spurs

Salary: $9,300 – Needs to score 46.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (60.45 for 6.5x)

We have news that DeMarcus Cousins will be missing tonight’s game but we know Kevin Durant has the questionable tag, possibly missing. Steve Kerr said it was unlikely but they are being cautious with their big man. Curry is coming off of a 50.8 fantasy point game versus the Oklahoma City Thunder and also scored 40+ fantasy points in the previous two games. He’s averaging 1.37 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 30%.

The San Antonio Spurs haven’t been the most exciting team since acquiring DeMar DeRozan and losing Kawhi Leonard shows. They are currently giving up 47.54 fantasy points to opposing point guards. If we get news that Kevin Durant is out also, Curry could be a great player to exceed value.

Andre Drummond vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

$8,600 – Needs to score 43 fantasy points or more to exceed value (55.9 for 6.5x)

As much as I love playing Kevin Love, Andre Drummond has a great match-up versus Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s currently averaging 45.1 fantasy points per game and 1.36 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 23%. Drummond has scored 53.3 and 42.8 fantasy points in his last two games.

The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t close to being a great team by any means. They are giving up 53.56 fantasy points to opposing centers. The Cavs will most likely be without Larry Nance Jr. and Tristan Thomson, leaving just Kevin Love to defend Drummond.

DFS NBA – Draftkings: The Mid Tier Plays

Blake Griffin vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

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

Now Blake Griffin hasn’t been that stellar lately and it shows in his salary price of $7,200. He is coming off of a good performance versus the Toronto Raptors with 39 fantasy points. He has only broken 30+ fantasy points in three of his last five games. He’s averaging 44.5 fantasy points per game and 1.27 fantasy points with a usage rate of 30%.

Now we just mentioned that the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t a great team on the previous slide and we may just attack them tonight. They are giving up 47.02 fantasy points to opposing power forwards. Even with a Griffin and Drummond stack, it can work with their combined salaries tonight.

Elfrid Payton vs. Dallas Mavericks

Salary: $7,500 – Needs to score 37.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (48.75 for 6.5x)

Elfrid Payton has stepped up big time for the New Orleans Pelicans as they restrict Anthony Davis minutes and Jrue Holiday is sitting out with an injury. He has scored 50+ fantasy points in four straight games now and can easily continue it tonight versus the Mavericks. He’s averaging 1.07 fantasy points per minute with a usage rating of 18%. His salary is still very cheap.

The Mavericks are either tanking very obviously or they are just getting beaten very badly. They are giving up 47.76 fantasy points to point guards. Payton makes for a great PG1 tonight on Draftkings at his salary range.

Deandre Ayton vs. Chicago Bulls

Salary: $6,600 – Needs to score 33 fantasy points or more to exceed value (42.9 for 6.5x)

Now Deandre Ayton burned a few lines Saturday with his ejection in the mid 3rd quarter but he has a chance to redeem himself versus the Chicago Bulls. He’s averaging 35.3 fantasy points per game and 1.17 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 21%.

In his first game versus the Chicago Bulls, Ayton recorded a double double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assist. He can do it once again and at a very good price. The Chicago Bulls are giving up 58.43 fantasy points to opposing centers.

DFS NBA – Draftkings: The Low Tier Plays

Josh Richardson vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Salary: $5,900 – Needs to score 29.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (38.35 for 6.5x)

We know the Oklahoma City Thunder can’t guard shooting guards even if it meant that it would save their lives. Now Richardson could be next in line to dominate them. He’s averaging 30.9 fantasy points per game and .90 fantasy points per minute with a usage rate of 21%.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Russell Westbrook which could benefit this Heat team pretty well. The Thunder are currently giving up 43.08 fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. Richardson and Wade could be in store for a great night and at a discounted price.

Dennis Schroder vs. Miami Heat

Salary: $5,100 – Needs to score 25.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (33.15 for 6.5x)

With Russell Westbrook suspended for tonight’s game, Schroder will automatically get a huge boost at the point guard position and at a cheap price. He is averaging 27.6 fantasy points per game and .98 fantasy points with a usage rate of 24%. Schroder also gets a huge boost to 28% with Westbrook out.

The Miami Heat do put up a fight with no matter who they face which may be a difficult task for Schroder. The Heat are currently giving up 44.74 fantasy points to opposing point guards. Even with a tough defense, Schroder only needs 25.5 fantasy points to break even at 5x value.

Andrew Bogut vs. San Antonio Spurs

Salary: $3,000 – Needs to score 15 fantasy points or more to exceed value (19.5 for 6.5x)

This is a complete risk play so be cautious!* Andrew Bogut is now traveling to San Antonio due to DeMarcus Cousins being scheduled for a MRI on his foot which means he could out for tonight’s match-up. This means that Bogut will be minimum price while in line for some nice minutes but we won’t know until near lock sadly. It will be Bogut’s first NBA game in a very long time. So he could basically only play 5-10 minutes but for $3,000, why not?

The Spurs are currently giving up 52.61 fantasy points to opposing centers. But Bogut won’t be seeing LaMarcus Aldridge, just the back up. Like I said, this is a huge risk play and we should be very cautious with Bogut as we wait until lock.

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