DraftKings NBA picks February 24: The need for Embiid

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 12: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 12, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 98-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks during the first half (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,400): This is one night where I might fade both Harden and Giannis. The first time that the Bucks played Washington, Giannis sat out. Middleton and Bledsoe went berserk in that game. The Bucks likely wont hold Giannis out again here, but a blowout will afford them the opportunity to rest him. Giannis may still hit 60 DraftKings points because that’s what he does. The upside is lower than usual though.

Julius Randle ($8,200): Randle is athletic enough to run with Houston, which makes him a decent option tonight. I find it really hard to trust any Knick since the new coaching staff isn’t a lot better than the old one as far as rotations go so far. Randle is guaranteed minutes, but the production has been too sporadic to trust at this price.

Honorable Mention:

Larry Nance ($6,600): DraftKings jacked up the price on Nance because the Cavs are running him more than Drummond and Love right now. It doesn’t seem to be based on his recent output at all. We saw the upside of Nance earlier this year with Love out. He really doesn’t seem to have it with everyone healthy no matter how many minutes he gets.

Robert Covington ($6,000): Covington is starting to settle into his role on this team. He has topped 30 DraftKings points in three straight games. The Knicks wont be able keep Covington off the glass and they can’t do anything about his defensive stats. RoCo only made three of 14 shots on Saturday and still put up 33 DraftKings points. He has a nice floor.

Dark Horses:

James Johnson ($5,000): Johnson is doing what Minnesota brought him in to do and then some. Reid might have more upside, but Johnson is by far the more consistent one. He has at least 28 DraftKings points in every game as a member of the Timberwolves. He’ll get that against Dallas too. There isn’t a ton of upside here, but Johnson is a strong value pick.

Maxi Kleber ($4,900): Kleber put up strong numbers with Porzingis in on Friday and with him out on Saturday. It’s entirely possible that Kleber is finally taking control of Powell’s role. It took him a while and it terrifies me to think that he might actually be a safe play, but It’s hard not to play him agianst a team like Minnesota.