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.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings
These two teams went head-to-head last night, and Thursday’s rematch presents the highest total on the slate at 235.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Both the Pelicans and Kings rank bottom-five in defensive rating over their last 10 games, making this a very fantasy friendly environment.
Starting with the Pelicans, Zion Williamson was questionable last night with a hamstring injury, but ended up playing 33 minutes. The forward has only played in both legs of a back-to-back set once this season, and he feels likely to sit tonight. In that likely situation, Trey Murphy ($8,200) and CJ McCollum ($7,900) will be great targets. With Williamson, Dejounte Murray (out, Achilles), and Brandon Ingram (traded to the Raptors) off the floor this season, both Murphy and McCollum are scoring 1.3 FPTS per minute with usage rates over 30%.
Also, Jose Alvarado ($5,000) will be an elite value play if Williamson sits. Even with the big man active last night, Alvarado finished with 42.75 FPTS across 32 minutes vs. the Kings. The guard would see an even larger workload if Williamson is out and with Williamson, Ingram and Murray off the floor this season, Alvarado has been great with 1.2 FPTS per minute.
For the Kings, Domantas Sabonis ($9,500) is one of the most attractive studs on the slate. The Pelicans are giving up the second-most points in the paint and the third-most rebounds in the NBA, and Sabonis is averaging 55.1 FPTS per game in three matchups with New Orleans this season. DeMar DeRozan ($7,000) also has merit with De’Aaron Fox now with the Spurs, as DeRozan has scored at least 46 FPTS in three of these past six games since Fox got traded. On the cheaper side, Jonas Valanciunas ($4,500) and Keon Ellis ($4,400) both are GPP targets to consider. Valanciunas’s salary is at a season-low for this elite matchup for a center, and Ellis went off for 43.75 FPTS in 29 minutes off the bench last night against this same Pelicans team.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz
This game carries the second-highest total of the night at 225 points and the Clippers are a prime source of value plays with Kawhi Leonard likely being rested. The veteran logged a season-high 33.5 minutes last night and has yet to play in both legs of a back-to-back set this season.
With Leonard likely inactive, James Harden ($9,200), Ivica Zubac ($7,600), and Norman Powell ($7,400) all are standout options against this Jazz defense that ranks dead last in efficiency. With Leonard out this season, Harden, Zubac and, Powell are leading the Clippers with 43, 36 and 34 FPTS per game, respectively. Kris Dunn ($3,700) also is one of the best punts on the slate. The veteran started over Derrick Jones Jr. last night and didn’t disappoint, finishing with 36.75 FPTS across 20.6 minutes vs. the Grizzlies. Now, with Leonard likely being rested, Dunn should find himself in the 25-30 minute range and destroy his cheap salary. With Leonard off the court this season, Dunn is amassing 0.8 FPTS per minute.
For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen ($7,000) has appeal after torching the Lakers for 47 FPTS last night. Walker Kessler ($7,000) also posted 43 FPTS vs. the Lakers and has flashed great upside as of late, with last night being his third effort of at least 40 FPTS in his past four games. However, the top value from Utah is Keyonte George ($6,300), who is locked into a huge role with Collin Sexton (ankle) out. George is handling a 26% usage rate with Sexton off the floor this season, and George is scoring 36.9 FPTS per game in his last six contests. Lastly, Svi Mykhailiuk ($4,500) is a punt play that could pay off from the Jazz. The veteran has been very efficient this season, and he has surpassed 20 FPTS in three of these past five with Sexton on the shelf.
