NBA Daily Fantasy Picks
Thursday features three games, led off by the 76ers traveling to take on the Nets. Brooklyn will be hoping that the series shifting to their home floor will give them their first win of the series. The over/under sits at 209.5. In the Western Conference, the Kings will go up 3-0 over the Warriors. However, Golden State is favored by 5.5. At 10:30 PM ET, the Suns face off vs. the Clippers, with the series all tied at 1-1. The over/under for this matchup is currently 227.
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Studs DFS Player
Kawhi Leonard | Los Angeles Clippers
FantasyData Projection: 43 | DraftKings Cost: $9500
So far this year, Kawhi Leonard has played in 52 games and is averaging 42.0 fantasy points per game, which is 16th compared to today’s options. One thing to note is that he has outpaced his season usage rate (27.2) in four straight games. This includes his most recent game, putting up 31 points and 8 rebounds against the Suns. He is averaging 55.2 DFS points in his late three games.
Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns
FantasyData Projection: 44 | DraftKings Cost: $8800
Even though the Clippers have been performing well on defense of late, they are 14th in points allowed over the entire season. In his games against teams in the middle third of the league (defensively), he is averaging 46.9 DFS points per game and has a season average of 44.1. Through 53 games, he has a field goal percentage of 49.4% on 27.8 points and 4.5 rebounds.
James Harden | Philadelphia 76ers
FantasyData Projection: 47 | DraftKings Cost: $8900
James Harden is coming off an 8-point 5 rebound performance against the Nets. In the game, he played a total of 38 minutes. Today, he could find himself picking up some extra opportunities at the free-throw line, with the Nets ranked 22nd in free-throws allowed per game. Overall, he is averaging 49.0 fantasy points and has surpassed that 31 times.
Chris Paul | Phoenix Suns
FantasyData Projection: 36 | DraftKings Cost: $7400
Today will be the 5th time this season that Chris Paul has faced off against the Clippers. He is averaging 39.6 fantasy points per game in these games, which is better than his season average of 36.6. In his last game, he finished with 36.5 fantasy points in 37 minutes of action against the Clippers. Compared to today’s other options, he is 29th in usage rate and has taken 12.6% of the Suns’ field goal attempts.
Value DFS Player
Deandre Ayton | Phoenix Suns
FantasyData Projection: 35 | DraftKings Cost: $6400
Deandre Ayton provides some solid value at $6400, given that he has played a bigger role in the Suns’ offense relative some of the other players in his price range. Heading into the game, he has the 17th-best usage rate on an average of 13.2 field goal attempts. Through 67 games, he is averaging 35.6 fantasy points per game on 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest.
Andrew Wiggins | Golden State Warriors
FantasyData Projection: 29 | DraftKings Cost: $6300
From a usage rate perspective, Andrew Wiggins is someone trending in the right direction. Wiggins has now surpassed his season-long field-goal attempt figure (14.3) in three straight games. In his last outing, Wiggins shot 47.4% from the floor on his way to 22 points, including 30.25 fantasy points. Through 37 games, Wiggins is averaging 31.5 fantasy points per contest.
Ivica Zubac | Los Angeles Clippers
FantasyData Projection: 26 | DraftKings Cost: $5300
Although Zubac comes into the game ranked 53rd in season usage rate, he has shown signs of taking on a bigger role in the team’s offense. He has now increased his game-by-game usage rate in two straight contests. Most recently, he played 29 minutes against the Suns, scoring 8 points on 28.6% shooting from the field. Through 76 games, he is averaging 27.8 fantasy points, placing him 19th among today’s players.
Harrison Barnes | Sacramento Kings
FantasyData Projection: 25 | DraftKings Cost: $5100
Not only does Harrison Barnes have a good matchup against a Warriors defense ranked just 24th at defending his position. This year, he has outperformed his season-long fantasy average against teams in the bottom third of the league at defending SFs. For the season, he is averaging 15.0 points per contest on an average of 32.3 minutes. Currently, his usage rate sits at 17.2.
