Just like with NFL DFS, stacking games for NBA DFS is a strategy that can really pay off. Embracing correlation with multiple players from the same game can be the key to climbing the leaderboard in GPPs. Below, I have featured three of my favorite games to stack for Thursday’s eight-game slate on DraftKings.
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Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings
This Western Conference matchup carries the highest total of Thursday night at 241.5 points on the DraftKings Sportsbook and is the best contest to attack for DFS. Both the Nuggets and Kings rank inside the top-eight in offensive efficiency and inside the top-eight in pace this season. When these two clubs went head-to-head in December, this game produced a whopping 159 points.
The Nuggets boast the highest implied team total of any team Thursday at 126.5 points and they should flourish against this Kings team that is playing their second game in two nights. Unsurprisingly, Nikola Jokic ($12,200) is the top overall option on the slate in this great spot and the best way to attack Denver. The center is in the running for his fourth MVP award this season, scoring an incredible 1.9 FPTS per minute and he has topped 60 FPTS in nine of his past ten starts, including two eruptions over 80 FPTS. When these clubs met in December, Jokic posted a triple-double worth 65.5 FPTS and this time around, the big man brings better upside considering he is on his home floor, where Jokic has historically been more productive. Jamal Murray’s ($7,200) recent log has been underwhelming, but he finished with 43 FPTS when he last faced Sacramento and warrants GPP consideration, while Christian Braun ($4,300) is a cheap way to attack the Nuggets. In his last four, Braun has scored at least 27 FPTS three times.
As for the Kings, Domantas Sabonis ($10,000) and De’Aaron Fox ($8,400) are obviously viable, but the best value coming from Sacramento is Malik Monk ($7,000). The former sixth man has been thriving as a starter for the Kings, with at least 42 DraftKings points in seven of his past eight starts. Monk is handling a 25% usage rate this month and one of his best outings of the season came against the Nuggets, with 57.7 FPTS in his lone meeting with the club.
Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls
With the Bulls ranking second in pace this season, their games are always strong contests to considering stacking. Chicago also ranks 19th in defensive efficiency and the beat up Warriors have many viable options to consider in this appealing spot. Draymond Green (calf) and Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) remain sidelined, and Stephen Curry ($8,800) scores 1.3 FPTS per minute with those two key players off the floor this ceiling, giving him a great ceiling to pursue. Also, Andrew Wiggns ($6,100) and Buddy Hield ($4,500) are standout values from the Warriors. Wiggins has shown great upside with Green and Kuminga sidelined, scoring at least 40 FPTS in two of these past three games without the two players. As for Hield, he joined the Warriors first unit last night and posted 30.25 FPTS across 25.2 minutes vs. the Kings. Assuming Hield remains a starter, he will be one of the best values on the slate.
The Warriors should be a mess defensively after losing to the Kings last night, and Zach LaVine ($8,200) and Nikola Vucevic ($8,200) are safe bets for over 40 FPTS in this spot. Jalen Smith ($3,500) also is full punt that could easily beat his salary in this great setting. Both Coby White ($6,300, calf) and Ayo Dosunmu ($5,900, ankle) are questionable, and their absences would result in boosts for all the Bulls’ key players, so be sure to watch for their statuses. If both guards sat, Lonzo Ball ($4,400) would likely start and become a great bargain. With both White and Dosunmu off the floor this season, Ball generates 1.1 FPTS per minute.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors
The Hawks and Raptors both rank inside the top-seven in pace this season and when these clubs went head-to-head in December, the game produced 243 points. As Atlanta’s main two options, Trae Young ($9,600) and Jalen Johnson ($8,600) are obvious spends to consider here, but on the cheaper side, Onyeka Okongwu ($5,600) must be on your radar. The center is amassing 41.4 FPTS per game in his last five – including three double-doubles – and has seen 27.4 minutes per game since joining the Hawks’ starting lineup two games ago. As a bench player and with only 18 minutes of work, Onyeka posted 26 FPTYS when he faced the Raptors last month. As a starter and with a much larger role this time around, Onyeka should destroy his $5,600 salary.
With Immanuel Quickley (hip) remaining out, Scottie Barnes ($8,700) and RJ Barrett ($7,700) have great upside as the Raptors’ top two options. With Quickely inactive this season, Barnes and Barrett are leading Toronto with 45.8 and 43.4 FPTS per game, respectively. Davion Mitchell ($3,800) has been starting in place of Quickley and is a punt play that is rating very well in this high 233.5-point total between the Raptors and Hawks. In the last three sans Quickley, Mitchell has supplied 21.2 FPTS per game. Lastly, Kelly Olynyk ($3,700) is a cheap target to consider from the Raptors, that likely won’t come with much ownership. The veteran is collecting 1.1 FPTS per minute this season and as Toronto’s primary backup center, Olynyk has finished with 25.5 and 28.75 FPTS in his last two games.
