FanDuel & DraftKings NBA Cheat Sheet 2/6/20

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

• Bucks (117)
• Trail Blazers (117)
• Pelicans (117)

Lowest Implied Team Totals

Potential Blowouts

• None

Injury Report

• Russell Westbrook – Questionable
• Anthony Davis – Probable
• Mitchell Robinson – Probable
• RJ Barrett – Questionable
• Josh Richardson – Questionable
• Kris Dunn – Out

Point Guards

• Damian Lillard
• Russell Westbrook – If Healthy
• Ben Simmons
• Elfrid Payton
• Lonzo Ball
• Eric Bledsoe
• Markelle Fultz
• Dejounte Murray – GPP
• Austin Rivers – If Westbrook Is Out

Analysis: It was the first down game for Damian Lillard in a while, but he is in a bounce back spot at home against the Spurs. He has a 31% usage rate this season, and is averaging 1.36 FPPM on the year. We will need to watch for the Westbrook news, as that will change quite a bit on this slate. I am writing this a bit after midnight on the west coast, and won’t be able to update. Westbrook has been averaging 60 fantasy points per game over the last two weeks, he has missed some time but could return tonight. He is averaging 1.39 FPPM and this game is going to be a fun one for fantasy. Ben Simmons has cooled off a bit, but Milwaukee ranks 20th against opposing point guards, and Simmons price has dropped a bit from where it was headed. I like him a lot tonight. Elfrid Payton is worth a look against his former team, and he has been playing well. He is averaging 39 fantasy points per game over the last two weeks. Lonzo Ball remains a solid mid-range option going up against the ulls. I love Markelle Fultz in this spot against the Knicks defense, and his price tag isn’t too bad either.

Shooting Guards

• James Harden
• Zach LaVine
• DeMar DeRozan – GPP
• Khris Middleton
• Jrue Holiday – GPP
• C.J. McCollum
• Evan Fournier
• Josh Hart
• Terrence Ross

Analysis: If Westbrook sits out, we can lock in James Harden for 40%+ usage rate and over 50 fantasy points. If Westbrook returns, I still will play him, but won’t be forced at these price tags. Instead I can look at the names a bit cheaper. Zach LaVine is one of them, who has a 30% usage rate, gets the Pelicans 30th ranked defense against SG, and he is averaging over 40 fantasy points per game in the last two weeks. San Antonio ranks 30th against shooting guards, and McCollum is worth a look under $7,000. Jrue Holiday has been playing well and the Pelicans 117 implied total is one to target, he should be a bit lower owned. I will save him for tournaments on this slate. Evan Fournier, Josh Hart, and Terrence Ross are the value shooting guard options. Hart is my favorite of the bunch right now.

Small Forwards

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• LeBron James
• Brandon Ingram
• Marcus Morris – GPP
• Danuel House
• Carmelo Anthony – GPP
• Eric Gordon
• Chandler Hutchison

Analysis: It is a top heavy position here, and LeBron James is in a sweet spot against Houston who rank 25th against point guards. He is also averaging over 50 fantasy points per game in the last two weeks. It is hard to knock Greek Freek who has 60+ upside on any given slate. He has been on a tear the last few games. Brandon Ingram is averaging 37 fantasy points per game in the last two weeks, and while Zion has taken some shine away, he finds himself in a good matchup against Chicago. If you are looking in the mid-range, Marcus Morris and Carmelo Anthony offer up some upside in GPPs. I would rather stick with the Rockets options in cash games however. With the Kris Dunn injury and the Bulls relatively short-handed, Chandler Hutchison is a value to take advantage of. He will likely start at the three, and New Orleans ranks 30th against opposing SF.

Power Forwards

• Anthony Davis
• Julius Randle
• Zion Williamson
• LaMarcus Aldridge
• Aaron Gordon
• Robert Covington – GPP
• Derrick Favors
• Luke Kornet – GPP

Analysis: Houston’s small ball is going to be tough going up against names like Anthony Davis, and I expect him to dominate tonight. He also isn’t over 10K. Houston ranks 22nd against opposing power forwards this season. Julius Randle finds himself in an average matchup, but has a 27% usage rate and averages 1.14 FPPM. Zion Williamson’s minutes still remain around 25-28 a night, but is averaging 1.26 FPPM with a 30% usage rate. Chicago also ranks 24th against opposing centers. Robert Covington makes his way to Houston and is available tonight. I would hold off in cash games given the new look. Aaron Gordon is where I would go, as the Knicks rank 30th against power forwards. Derrick Favors is in a sweet value spot at $5,000 on both sites. Chicago ranks 27th against centers. Luke Kornett is a cheap option, and has shown some upside of late.

Centers

• Joel Embiid
• Hassan Whiteside
• Nikola Vucevic
• Brook Lopez
• Mitchell Robinson – GPP
• Dwight Howard – GPP

Analysis:  Joel Embiid and Hassan Whiteside come in as the more expensive options tonight. Embiid is in the better spot with Milwaukee ranking 21st against opposing centers this season. The price tag isn’t too much higher either. Embiid also has averaged 1.50 FPPM with a 30% usage rate. I do like Nikola Vucevic quite a bit in this spot against the Knicks. He is averaging 40 fantasy points per game, and the Knicks struggle against opposing bigs. Brook Lopez is the cheap center option I feel the most comfortable with. He is averaging 25 fantasy points per game in the last two weeks. Dwight Howard and Mitchell Robinson are boom or bust GPP options and nothing more.