Clippers vs. Pelicans top game to stack on Thursday’s NBA slate

Editor’s Note: Paul George will make his Clippers debut tonight vs. the Pelicans. Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley will both rest.

It’s not too often you take a look at an implied total for a game and see something as high as Clippers vs. Pelicans tonight. Right now on DraftKings Sportsbook, the OVER/UNDER is set at 235.5 (I think it’s actually gone up over the past hour or so). There are a few things to consider when stacking any game, and obviously you’ll have to keep a close eye on the injury front throughout the day. But let’s break it all down.

Clippers vs. Pelicans: O/U 235.5

The big names we’re watching are Kawhi Leonard, Paul George ($7,900) and Brandon Ingram ($7,500). There’s talk that Kawhi could take a load management day and PG-13 is reportedly going to return tonight. Ingram is most likely a game-time decision. This will make lineup construction a bit tough, but if we get all the news beforehand, it’ll be a smash spot for value.

Let’s say Kawhi sits and PG-13 returns, on the Clippers side, we can expect George to be eased into action, but that doesn’t mean he won’t see around 20-30 minutes. With no Kawhi and a potentially limited PG-13, we turn to two players Lou Williams ($7,700) and Montrezl Harrell ($7,600). Each would be in line for big minutes and usage at sub-$8K prices, which is perfect for game stacking. It wouldn’t hamstring us much in the salary cap department.

As far as value go on LA, I think JaMychal Green ($4,000) makes the most sense. He’d be a candidate to start for Leonard and has posted back-to-back double-doubles. We’ve seen this type of production before from Green is spot starts. Moe Harkless ($3,800) would be another player who would see more minutes as well.

Let’s shift over to New Orleans. So if Ingram is to sit again and Jahlil Okafor (ankle) is ruled out, we already have three regulars in the rotation who are out with Josh Hart sidelined. Jrue Holiday ($8,200) would be an immediate lock. With no Ingram on Monday, Holiday posted nearly a triple-double in 38 minutes (48.25 DraftKings fantasy points). With no Hart and Ingram, we’d likely get close to those numbers but with more scoring.

Since there wouldn’t be anyone else to spend up on if Ingram is out, the value prevails. J.J. Redick ($4,500) is a guy I wrote up in my value plays already. He’d get plenty of shots with 30+ minutes, though expect high ownership. Derrick Favors ($5,500) is a must-play if Okafor sits and Jaxson Hayes ($3,100) would be the GPP pivot. Since game stacking is generally a tournament strategy, Hayes makes a bit more sense if we’re trying to fit in Lou Will, Harrell, Holiday and Favors.

I can’t tell you exactly how, but I’m able to make a DK lineup that stacks NOP-LAC and has money left over for Trae Young ($9,600) eyeballs emoji — so yeah, this strategy is viable as hell tonight. Speaking of Young and the Hawks ....

Hawks at Suns: 228 O/U

I’ll be more brief with this stack. There isn’t nearly as much value in this game, but we’ve got a couple of studs who have arguably the highest ceilings on the slate in Young and Devin Booker ($8,100). Booker has been quiet with the Suns playing more a team-oriented game (go figure, playing team basketball would lead to more wins). Booker’s price is way down and eventually it’ll hit a breaking point. This could be it if Hawks-Suns turns into a shootout, which Young will most likely force.

Those two would be where you start the game stack. Outside of them, Ricky Rubio ($7,400) is an obvious choice. He has returned value on his salary in EVERY game this season. His price is actually down compared to the other night vs. the Lakers and this matchup at home is better. Rubio’s price has gone from $5,800 to start the season, peaking at $7,700 vs. LA. Honestly, I should have mentioned him in cash-game options. Suns C Aron Baynes ($5,900) also continues to smash value and is cheap.

Stacking those four players will leave you with $4.7K on average to fill out the other four spots. A few values from the game above (LAC-NOP) and we’re golden, boys! I don’t mind plugging in DeAndre Bembry ($3,900) and Alex Len ($3,600) if he plays in a revenge spot. I wouldn’t go as heavy on players from this game compared to Pels-Clips, but 4-6 seems reasonable.

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