NBA Daily Fantasy Picks
Monday’s NBA slate features six games kicked off by an Eastern Conference showdown between the Celtics and Cavaliers. Cleveland is currently the 4-point home favorite. The highest over/under game of the day belongs to the Pelicans and Kings (239) while a non-conference matchup between the Trail Blazers and Pistons is next at 232 points.
Studs DFS Player
Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers
FantasyData Projection: 52 | DraftKings Cost: $11300
Joel Embiid enters with an excellent matchup against a Pacers defense that is ranked 25th in points allowed. Over their last three games, Indiana is allowing 127.0 points per game, which is 25th during that span. For the season, Embiid is averaging 58.4 fantasy points per game against teams in the bottom third of the league in points allowed.
Domantas Sabonis | Sacramento Kings
FantasyData Projection: 46 | DraftKings Cost: $10000
Coming in with a price tag of $10000.0, Domantas Sabonis is a good option to outperform expectations as he has surpassed his season-long scoring average (18.9) in 3 straight games. In today’s slate, he is 33rd in usage rate and 3rd in fantasy scoring at 47.7 DFS points per game. Most recently, he finished with 51.0 DFS points against the Timberwolves.
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Jimmy Butler | Miami Heat
FantasyData Projection: 40 | DraftKings Cost: $8900
Jimmy Butler has one of the better matchups of the day against a Hawks defensive unit sitting 23rd in points allowed. This year, Butler has averaged 46.0 fantasy points per game when taking on opponents in the bottom third of the league in points allowed. In his last game, he played 33 minutes and scored 15 points (44.25 DFS).
Darius Garland | Cleveland Cavaliers
FantasyData Projection: 40 | DraftKings Cost: $8700
So far this season, Darius Garland is averaging 40.3 fantasy points per game and is one of the more expensive options. However, it is worth targeting him today as he is a sure bet to get his fair share of opportunities. For the season, he has a usage rate of 27.2, which is 9th among today’s options. At $8700.0, it’s worth paying up for Garland, given the primary role he will be playing.
Value DFS Player
Clint Capela | Atlanta Hawks
FantasyData Projection: 29 | DraftKings Cost: $6100
Although Capela comes into the game ranked 73rd 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 2 straight contests. Most recently, he played 24 minutes against the Heat, scoring 16 points on 80.0% shooting from the field. Through 48 games, he is averaging 31.9 fantasy points, placing him 37th among today’s players.
Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors
FantasyData Projection: 35 | DraftKings Cost: $6800
Throughout the season, Scottie Barnes has shown he is worth adding regardless of his price tag or matchup. The Nuggets come into the game ranked 7th in points allowed to small forwards. However, Barnes has still averaged 36.7 fantasy points per game against such opponents. Over his last three games, he is averaging 28.5 DFS points, including 24.25 in his last game against the Wizards.
Buddy Hield | Indiana Pacers
FantasyData Projection: 31 | DraftKings Cost: $5900
Most recently, Buddy Hield scored 27 points on 70.6% shooting against the Spurs. Hield has now increased his scoring total in 2 straight games and has a season-long average of 17.4. Compared to today’s other options, he is 21st in DFS points per game (31.7).
Jaden Ivey | Detroit Pistons
FantasyData Projection: 27 | DraftKings Cost: $5900
Over his last three games, Jaden Ivey has averaged 24.2 fantasy points. When looking back on his previous five games, he has surpassed his fantasy point projection three times. In terms of usage rate, he is ranked 22nd among today’s other options usage rate (24.6). For the season, he has a field goal percentage of 41.9% on an average of 30.1 minutes per game.
