Sunday night’s main NBA DFS slate on DraftKings starts at 6:00 PM EST and includes the six games from 6:00-8:00 PM EST. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players and below, I dive into my three of my favorite bargain plays for this slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
PG/SG, Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets vs. Utah Jazz, $4,200
On top of Brandon Miller (shoulder) being sidelined, LaMelo Ball (ankle, doubtful) is expected to be inactive for the Hornets. These two players lead Charlotte in usage rate this season, so their absences create a massive void for the Hornets. Mann has been solid off the bench for the team this season, topping 20 FPTS in three of his six games and starter or not, the veteran should thrive with Ball and Miller missing Sunday.
In the 157 minutes Mann has played with Ball and Miller off the floor the last two seasons, Mann is amassing 1.1 FPTS per minute, thanks to his usage rising 4.9 percentage points to 31.7% and his assist rate increasing 9.4 percentage points to 32.9%.
Mann should see around 30 minutes of work tonight and this is a plus matchup vs. the Jazz, who rank 21st in defensive rating this season. Mann has the potential to 10x his salary in this spot and he is a must-play at only $4,200.
C, Jusuf Nurkic, Utah Jazz at Charlotte Hornets, $4,100
Logging a career-high 30.8 minutes per game this season, Walker Kessler is averaging a double-double of 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game as the Jazz’s starting center. Unfortunately, the big man will miss his first game of the season Sunday with a shoulder injury and Nurkic should start in Kessler’s place, making him a core play at only $4,100,
Nurkic has been Kessler’s backup this season and with this reserve role, Nurkic is supplying 23 FPTS in 17 minutes per game. The veteran is generating an excellent 1.4 FPTS per minute this season and with Kessler absent, Nurkic should garner 20-25 minutes against a terrible Hornets defense that ranks 28th in rating this season.
In this appealing spot, 35-40 FPTS is possible for Nurkic and he is good chalk to embrace for this six-game slate.
PG/SG, Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies at Toronto Raptors, $3,500
Spencer has topped 20 FPTS in four consecutive games and while he is likely to remain a bench player tonight, Spencer should benefit greatly with Ja Morant suspended and easily out produce his cheap $3,500 salary. The second-year guard is shooting 48% from beyond the arc this season and with Morant off the floor this season, Spencer is producing a strong 1.3 FPTS per minute.
In this situation, the 25-year-old’s usage increases 1.5 percentage points to 20% and he is assist rate leaps 7.8 percentage points to 36.4%. Spencer should receive 20-25 minutes with Morant sidelined and this is a terrific matchup, as the Raptors rank fifth in pace and 25th in defensive rating this season.
This game’s total is the highest on the slate at 238.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook and Spencer should score at least 20 FPTS in this setting.
