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 two of my favorite games to stack for Thursday’s five-game slate on DraftKings.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Orlando Magic vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Evident from this game’s small five-point spread on DraftKings Sportsbook, this tilt should be competitive affair from start to finish and there are many intriguing DFS options to consider in this contest.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero ($8,600) and Franz Wagner ($7,800) both bring great ceilings against this Portland defense that ranks 26th in efficiency, but Wagner is the better value of the two and one of the best high-end targets on the slate. After missing over a month with an oblique injury, Wagner has been great in his past two starts, scoring 49 FPTS vs. the Pistons and then 43 FPTS vs. the Heat, both of which are difficult matchups. The forward saw 39 minutes vs. Miami, indicating he is fully healthy. He should receive huge minutes in this potential nail-biter with Portland. Wagner is amassing 43.7 FPTS per game with a 32% usage rate this season and is a steal at his sub $8K salary.
For a cheaper option from Orlando, Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,900) has merit. The big man has benefited with Wagner back in the lineup, with Carter Jr. scoring 31 FPTS in back-to-back starts, and he should see heavy volume vs. this Trail Blazers squad that prefers to have a natural center on the floor at all times.
As for Portland, Deni Avdija ($7,300) is playing his best basketball of the season right now and needs to be rostered in GPPs. Despite facing two brutal matchups vs. the Thunder and the Bucks, Avdija has tallied 54 and 47.25 FPTS in his past two starts. The forward has seen 38 minutes in each of these last two games, and he has handled a large 27.7% usage rate. Deandre Ayton ($6,700) has produced back-to-back double-doubles of over 46 FPTS and Anfernee Simons ($6,400) is on the heels of a 40.25 FPTS outing vs. the Bucks. While the Magic rank second in defensive efficiency this season, they have shown some weaknesses as of late, and all three of these Trail Blazers starters are simply too cheap for their roles and current form.
All in all, none of the players in this contest should be overly chalky and stacking this game is a contrarian move that has slate-winning potential.
Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
This Western Conference matchup boasts a large 237.5-point total on DraftKings Sportsbook and should live up to its point total. This will be the fourth time the Rockets and Grizzlies have gone head-to-head this season, and the first three matchups produced an average of 236 points per game.
Memphis leads the league in pace and many Rockets players should produce great fantasy scores. Jalen Green ($7,400) has taken full advantage of strong matchups this season, with the Grizzlies being one of his favorites. In three meetings with Memphis, Green is amassing 47.25 FPTS per game, making him one of the best targets from Houston.
Amen Thompson ($8,300) and his huge role sans Jabari Smith Jr. (out, fractured hand) is another appealing spend. Dillon Brooks ($5,000) and Jae’Sean Tate ($3,300) are both cheap gambles that certainly could out produce their low salaries. Notably, Alperen Sengun ($9,000, calf) is questionable and if the center is out for the first time this season, every Rockets’ player will see a huge boost and Tari Eason ($5,100) would become an excellent value play, as Houston has shown a tendency to use him at center often this season.
The Grizzlies also have a big name questionable in Ja Morant ($8,500, shoulder). However, the guard appears likely to play, after going through shoot-around this morning. If Morant suits up as expected, he will be a GPP play to consider. His recent play has been underwhelming, but this factor will translate into low ownership and when he last faced the Rockets, Morant finished with 45.25 FPTS.
Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,800) also has a 52-DraftKings point outing on his season resume and is also interesting at less than $8K. Brandon Clarke ($3,300) is a full punt to consider from the Grizzlies, with the veteran contributing 20.5 FPTS per game in his last six, which would be an awesome return at his near minimum salary.
Despite Morant feeling likely to play, if he sits then all the Grizzlies will see notable boosts, most notably Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane ($7,700). Furthermore, Scotty Pippen Jr. ($3,800) will be an elite punt play as Memphis’ primary point guard. In the 19 games Morant has missed this season, Pippen Jr. is scoring 30 FPTS in 29 minutes per game.
