DraftKings NBA picks February 24: The need for Embiid
By Mike Marteny
DraftKings NBA Point Guards:
Best Bets:
Trae Young ($10,600): Young has racked up 118 DraftKings points in two games against the Sixers so far. Young doesn’t even have to deal with Simmons tonight! This could be a huge game for Trae and a good chance for the Hawks to prove themselves. Young’s floor is still pretty low, but he could also be the highest scorer on the slate.
Luka Doncic ($10,500): Luka struggled in the first game against Minnesota, but that was a while ago. Luka has been better lately and Russell is now running point for Minnesota. This is likely a better matchup for Luka. He and Porzingis are both expected to play tonight, so Dallas is back at full strength. That’s when Luka usually shines.
Honorable Mention:
D’Angelo Russell ($8,700): Russell has had a big game every time KAT has been out and he’s been in. This is not a great matchup, but Russell has been very good for Minnesota in the couple games he has played. I would expect that to continue. He is the focal point of this offense right now.
Elfrid Payton ($7,600): If Payton plays with no limitations, he could be a nice bargain. Yeah, the scoring and assists are nice, but Payton has 16 steals in the last four games. His defensive prowess is shining through in New York. If Payton is out, there’s a good chance that Ntilikina is as well. That would leave Dennis Smith as the only healthy point guard, and unfortunately, I’ll have to play him again.
Ricky Rubio ($6,400): Rubio put up 35 DraftKings points in his only meeting against his former team so far. The shooting is solid, the assist and rebound numbers are good, and the steals are around his career average. Rubio is performing at a high level for him here, especially in the two games after the break. I expect another strong one from Rubio here.
Dark Horses:
Kendrick Nunn ($5,600): I wrote up Nunn but didn’t use him on Saturday. That was a mistake. Nunn shed his recent slump and torched this very same Cavs team for 46 DraftKIngs points. I’m not making the same mistake again. I’ll have a lot of shares of Nunn tonight.
Mike Conley ($5,300): Clarkson has been able to coexist with Conley, but he’s still not a lock to hit value and is more expensive. All Conley has done is put up at least 32 DraftKings points in every game this month. Conley is a superb value here and has been averaging well over 6x value at this price. He’s one of the best values out there tonight.