There’s a massive 10-game schedule tonight in the NBA, but for this article we’ll be focusing on DraftKings’ featured slate, which highlights the first seven matchups of the evening.
With just over a week left in the regular season, rosters are as wonky as ever, so allow me to direct you towards some viable value picks for your lineups. No need to thank me. I’m a man of the people.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
SF/PF Brice Sensabaugh, Utah Jazz at Indiana Pacers, $4,700
I don’t mean to state the obvious, but with an implied game total hovering around 240 points, getting some exposure to this tilt between the Jazz and the Pacers seems like a must. With both teams ranking squarely inside the top 10 in the NBA in pace, this is going to be an uptempo affair with points to go around. As such, I think Sensabaugh warrants a long, hard look as a value staple. The forward has started Utah’s past two contests and he’s averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 28.5 FPTS. In fact, Sensabaugh has exceeded 20 FPTS in each of his last five games, underscoring his recent consistency. The former first-round pick also logged a team-high 33.1 minutes of action in the Jazz’s loss to Houston on Wednesday, so volume shouldn’t be an issue. I’d keep an eye on Oscar Tshiebwe ($4,300), as well. The big man should see a sizeable role with Walker Kessler (concussion) sidelined.
SG/SF Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons, $4,400
The Raptors are pretty close to being locked into the seventh-worst record in the NBA, or the seventh-best lottery odds, depending on your perspective. Could that change the consistent pattern of rest we’ve seen from the team across the past couple of weeks? Maybe. Though I doubt that starts on the second night of a back-to-back set. If things play out as they have, Immanuel Quickley ($7,500) and Jakob Poeltl ($7,000) will be back in action tonight, with RJ Barrett ($7,900) resting. The wild card here is Scottie Barnes ($8,600), who has been playing through a finger issue — one bad enough he addressed the media about it following Thursday’s loss. Regardless, Walter will remain a solid value option. The rookie has started each of Toronto’s past five games, logging at least 29 minutes four times and exceeding 20 FPTS every single contest. That includes a 42.0 FPTS performance against the 76ers this past weekend. If Walter’s shot is falling, he’s got some serious ceiling.
PG/SG Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics, $4,500
With Bradley Beal ($6,700; hamstring) expected to return to action this evening, it’ll be interesting to see how the presence of the former All-Star impacts the Suns’ rotation. Will Beal start? Will he have a minutes restriction considering his hasn’t played since all the way back on March 16? It’s unclear. It’s also unclear who would exit the team’s starting five between Gillespie and Grayson Allen ($4,400). Gillespie started all eight games that Beal missed, while Allen drew a spot start Tuesday versus the Bucks with Kevin Durant (ankle) injured. Either way, I’d expect both guards to still log heavy minutes on Friday. Gillespie’s shown a lot of DFS upside in recent contests, dropping 18 points and 31.0 FPTS earlier this week against Milwaukee. That follows a 48.25 FPTS outburst from Gillespie on March 28 in Minnesota.
