NBA DFS breakdown, lineup notes for August 24

We’re kicking off the week with another four-game main NBA slate, and the Indiana Pacers are facing elimination. That means Malcolm Brogdon will likely play a ton of minutes in hopes of keeping his team’s season alive. I’ll go over my views on the whole slate here.

Bucks vs. Magic, 1:30 p.m. ET

Spread: BOS (-7.5)
Over/Under: 215.5
Here’s our Showdown breakdown of this game.

Expect a heavy helping of Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100) in this one. He carried a heavy workload in Game 3 despite his team’s massive lead and eclipsed 60 DKFP. Aaron Gordon doesn’t appear to be returning any time soon, so he should easily dominate as a scorer and on the boards to return significant value.

The Magic have several starters for cheaper than $5,000, and any of them could be solid value plays if Orlando puts up a fight. None of them stand out as excellent plays, but Nikola Vucevic ($9,100) could be a low owned option worth considering. He’s shot the ball well against Milwaukee and has benefited from the absence of Aaron Gordon. He was one of the higher ceilings at his position in the slate.

Rockets vs. Thunder, 4:00 p.m. ET

Spread: LAC (-7)
Over/Under: 231
Here’s our Showdown breakdown of this game.

I like the potential of James Harden ($11,700) and Jeff Green ($5,400) in this matchup. Harden is still the most expensive option on the slate and has produced at his usual level with Russell Westbrook out of the starting lineup. It’ll be hard to pass up a player with his high usage rate and is worth building lineups around. Green’s price has continued to rise, and I like his odds to produce a solid line with if Steven Adams (knee) is ruled out. His ball handling and shooting create mismatches all over.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($7,400) is my favorite pick for the Thunder, as he’s outperformed Chris Paul in two straight contests thanks to his improved shooting. He doesn’t have as much playmaking upside, but could be worth fading Paul for.

Pacers vs. Heat, 6:30 p.m. ET

Spread: TOR (-13)
Over/Under: 220
Here’s our Showdown breakdown of this game.

Miami could sweep Indiana on Monday, and that means Malcolm Brogdon ($7,500) will likely be chalk. He posted 68.75 DKFP his last time out and will be looking to hold off the Heat so Domantas Sabonis could can return from quarantine to help turn the tides.

Jimmy Butler ($8,100) will likely be the only player who won’t top Brogdon in minutes. Butler stuffs that stat sheet and is likely to return at least big-time value even if he doesn’t shoot the ball well. I wouldn’t bank on rostering T.J. Warren ($7,800) because of his inconsistent shooting.

Lakers vs. Trail Blazers, 9:00 p.m. ET

Spread: UTA (-3)
Over/Under: 216
Here’s our Showdown breakdown of this game.

This feels like a CJ McCollum ($7,700) game to me. He’s struggled to shoot efficiently against the Lakers but took 25 shots his last time out en route to 51 DKFP. Jusuf Nurkic’s ($8,600) productivity has dropped, and Portland’s scoring needs to come from somewhere. Hassan Whiteside ($4,800) is a value play to look out for, as he’s been moved into the starting lineup to help slow down Anthony Davis ($10,500). Davis has the highest upside of the contest and has yet to dip below 50 DKFP.

Lock of the Day: Malcolm Brogdon ($7,500)

Sleeper: D.J. Augustin ($4,600)

Augustin has more scoring upside than Fultz. The point guard has cracked 34 DKFP twice in Orlando’s series against Milwaukee.