Full disclosure: We’re all just trying our best today.
If it wasn’t enough that 3:00 p.m. ET is the NBA’s trade deadline, there’s also five teams on the second night of a back-to-back set on tonight’s six-game featured slate on DraftKings. It’s madness. Complete lunacy.
Let’s attempt to sort through all the news and put together a few lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
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Key Injury News
IN: Jonas Valanciunas
QUESTIONABLE: Anthony Davis, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Jrue Holiday, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
DOUBTFUL: Jalen Suggs, Steven Adams
OUT: Luka Doncic, Fred VanVleet, P.J. Washington, Caleb Martin
Click here for the slate’s full injury report
Matchup Analysis
Best Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. GSW (107.0)
- Boston Celtics vs. DAL (108.8)
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. HOU (111.5)
Worst Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- Sacramento Kings at POR (120.7)
- Dallas Mavericks at BOS (119.4)
- Denver Nuggets vs. ORL (117.4)
Fastest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Sacramento Kings at POR (101.2)
- Indiana Pacers at LAC (101.1)
- Denver Nuggets vs. ORL (100.7)
Slowest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Orlando Magic at DEN (95.3)
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. SAC (96.5)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. GSW (96.9)
Highest Game Total
- Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers (230)
- Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Clippers (229.5)
- Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics (229.5)
Top DFS Pick
C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic, $12,800
Maybe I’ll end up being wrong, but with the amount of movement that’s taken place across the past 48 hours — not to mention what’s still left to come — I don’t think this will be one of those slate’s where it’s that difficult to find value. As such, you’ll be able to get Jokic into your lineups without worrying too much about the restraints of a salary that’s nearly $13,000. The former MVP has been on fire in February, averaging 31.0 points, 12.3 assists and 11.0 rebounds with a 36.0% usage rate. It’s a three-game span where Jokic has cleared 70 FPTS all three times. The Magic are slow-paced and have surrendered the fewest FPTS per game to opposing centers so far this season. I don’t care. Jokic is matchup proof and I’ll jump on the opportunity and financial flexibility that the trade deadline affords.
Top Value Pick
PG/SG Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers, $4,400
The list of players that end up available for the Warriors on Thursday could be a meme. Let’s review what we know so far. Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder and Kyle Anderson have all been traded for Jimmy Butler, yet the former All-Star will not be available for his Golden State debut against the Lakers. This is also the second leg of a back-to-back for the Warriors, which puts the status of Steph Curry ($8,200) and Draymond Green ($6,000) very much in doubt. Curry has rested for at least one contest in four of the team’s last five back-to-back sets, while Green has only played twice since returning from a seven-game absence at the beginning of the month. There’s a chance that Steve Kerr just waives the white flag and sits both of his aging stars. That would essentially leave Podziemski and Golden State’s G League squad. On Wednesday, under similar roster constraints, Podziemski led the team in minutes (39.7), scoring 29 points with six rebounds and a 24.7% usage. Also keep an eye on Buddy Hield ($4,200), Quinten Post ($3,800) and Pat Spencer ($3,000).
