FanDuel & DraftKings NBA Cheat Sheet 2/20/20
Welcome to the wild world of NBA DFS. The final hour to lock can be a tiring with the injury news, but we hope to have you prepared with fill-in options and what to do when scenarios occur. The cheat sheet will fill you in on the top games to target, values, tournament picks, cash game options, and much more. Prices are set for DraftKings and FanDuel, and the focus will be on whatever the main slate is listed as for each site. Pricing is listed (FD/DK). Players with no designated listing are playable in cash and tournaments. Players with designated game styles are for those only. Keep up to date with the latest projected & Confirmed NBA starting lineups in real-time at @nbastartlineups. Also, check out our latest fantasy projections, salaries, and projected minutes on our DFS page.
Vegas Numbers
Highest Implied Team Totals
- Rockets (120)
- Heat (118)
- Bucks (118)
- Grizzlies (114)
- Kings (113)
Lowest Implied Team Totals
- Hornets (103)
- Nets (104)
Potential Blowouts
- Bucks (-13)
- Rockets (-10)
Injury Report
- Kyrie Irving – Out
- Clint Capela – Out
- Richaun Holmes – Out
- Marvin Bagley – Out
- Eric Gordon – Questionable
- Chandler Hutchison – Out
- De’Andre Hunter – Questionable
- Kris Dunn – Out
- Tyler Herro – Out
Point Guards
- Russell Westrbook
- Trae Young
- Ben Simmons
- De’Aaron Fox
- Spencer Dinwiddie – GPP
- Ja Morant
- Terry Rozier – GPP
- Tomas Satoransky
- Coby White – GPP
Analysis: There is some blowout concern in the Rockets game, but those doing the damage as always would be the backcourt. Westbrook was averaging over 50 fantasy points per game in the prior ten games before the break, with a 37% usage rate. He was also shooting 48% from the field. I don’t mind going here as a pay up option tonight. Trae Young is in the same boat, but a tougher matchup against Miami. Ben Simmons is the points per dollar play I like the most here, going up against Brooklyn who rank 28th against opposing point guards this season. De’Aaron Fox is in a fast paced game against with two weaker defenses, as Ja Morant is squaring up against him. Fox and Morant both are averaging over 30 fantasy points per game in the last ten games, and are strong options tonight. I prefer Fox over Morant even with the price tag difference. If you are looking for value, the Bulls backcourt is there. Satoransky is the safer play over White, but White will be lower owned in tournaments.
Shooting Guards
- James Harden
- Zach LaVine
- Jimmy Butler
- Devonte Graham
- Caris LeVert – GPP
- Buddy Hield
- Dillon Brooks
- Malik Monk – GPP
- Damion Lee
- Duncan Robinson
Analysis: James Harden struggled with his shot before the break, and had a 35 fantasy point floor over the last ten games. Not great, but still averaged 51 fantasy points per game. You have options like Zach LaVine and Jimmy Butler who are slightly cheaper and playing well over the last ten games. Butler is in a great spot, with Atlanta’s defense on the table. Devonte Graham was starting to find his form a bit more of late, and is still priced fairly. I like him for the upside in this spot. Buddy Hield and Dillon Brooks offer up some value in a high shootout game. If you are looking cheaper, Malik Monk has flashed some upside, and has a 27% usage rate over the last ten games.
Small Forwards
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Andrew Wiggins
- Tobias Harris
- Miles Bridges
- Danuel House
- Jae Crowder
Analysis: Giannis Antetokounmpo should blowout Detroit on his own tonight, but he has a 54 fantasy point floor over his last ten healthy games. This position is very limited tonight, and nobody has the floor/ceiling Giannis has. If you are banking on this game staying close, Andrew Wiggins is in play for the Warriors. He has played well in his first few games, and is worth a look at his price tag. Tobias Harris is a safe cash game play against Brooklyn, but upside is a bit capped with a fully healthy 76ers side. Miles Bridges and Danuel House both are averaging over 30 fantasy points per game in the last ten games. I like them as mid range options. If you are looking cheaper, Jae Crowder is worth a look.
Power Forwards
- Bam Adebayo
- John Collins
- Christian Wood – GPP
- Jaren Jackson
- Draymond Green
- Thaddeus Young
- Nemanja Bjelica – GPP
- Brandon Clarke
- Luke Kornet – GPP
Analysis: Bam Adebayo and John Collins have both averaged over 40 fantasy points per game over the last ten games, and Adebayo finds himself in the better matchup. However both are very much in play here, as this is a game that I want exposure to. There are some mid range plays with Jaren Jackson going up against Sacramento, but Draymond Green has been better of late too. He is averaging 32 fantasy points per game over the last ten games, and has a 42 fantasy point ceiling. There are some high upside plays for the price down cheaper with Bjelica and Kornet getting more run due to injuries. Bjelica is in the better spot with the Grizzlies ranking 27th against opposing PF.
Centers
- Joel Embiid
- Jonas Valanciunas
- Marquese Chriss
- Dewayne Dedmon
- Thon Maker
Analysis: Joel Embiid is the only real pay up option at center tonight, and has the highest usage rate by far. He gets Brooklyn who ranks 29th against opposing centers this season, and are bottom five in fantasy points allowed. Embiid hasn’t been worth the price most night’s of late, so I don’t mind dropping down a bit here. But his ceiling is higher than most at the position. Jonas Valanciunas continues to play well, and while he had been tough to trust in cash games for his career, I like him in all formats tonight. Marquese Chriss is averaging over 30 fantasy points per game in the last ten, and Houston ranks 18th against opposing centers. His price still isn’t high enough on either site. Dewayne Dedmon and Thon Maker are both strong values tonight.
