NBA DFS returns from the All-Star break and brings us tonight’s nine-game slate. The Coach is here with his starting five to give authentic insight from ‘inside the ropes.’ The NBA’s daily fantasy landscape has changed quite a bit since the trade deadline. We see almost nightly examples of last-minute injury designation and load management rest. For reference, last Thursday night’s $10k main slate contest pay line on FanDuel was 346.4. We will continue to operate and expect our pay line to be higher output in the low 300s.
The starting lineup is designed to provide core players with which to construct your DFS lineups. We strive for players who have the potential to be less owned and will give us a lineup different from the masses. Your obvious must-start studs or options are not always mentioned; we try to offer balanced DFS salary options. The fantasy point-per-game averages referenced are those across FanDuel scoring. Who gets the green light from the Coach tonight?
DFS Starting Guards
Ja Morant ($8.5k DraftKings and $8.4k Fanduel)
There are two games we have to have a piece of: Grizzlies-Pacers and Bulls-Knicks. Ja Morant gets the nod for us at point guard tonight. Jalen Brunson is also a no-brainer start, but we save on salary with Morant. Ja gets the green light match-up versus the Pacers, who allow the eighth-most fantasy points to point guards. His environment is terrific tonight,t with his game posting a massive slat-high 251-point implied game total. Morant enters tonight averaging 38.08 fantasy points per game but has raised that to 42.73 in his last four starts. There are multiple stud options at point guard tonight, so Morant could be lesser-owned.
Josh Giddey ($7.2k DraftKings and $7.1k Fanduel)
We want to start Bradley Beal at $6.6k at shooting guard but are fearful of a minutes restriction because he has not played since February 5, so it will pivot to Josh Giddey. He gives us another piece of the Bulls-Knicks and a player on a steady run, averaging 32.72 fantasy points a game in his last five outings and topping the 40-point mark in two of his last six. Giddey is another dual-position player who provides us with roster flexibility as he can play point guard or shooting guard.
Substitution Options: Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, James Harden
DFS Starting Forwards
Kyle Kuzma ($6.5k DraftKings and $6.7k Fanduel)
Kyle Kuzma should get some nice run tonight with Bobby Portis declared out and Damian Lillard a GTD due to a hamstring issue. Kuzma is dual-forward eligible, so he will provide us with roster flexibility in our DFS builds. Kuzma is averaging 30.8 fantasy points per game across his last three outings and lines up against the Clippers, who allow the eight most points to small forwards.
Bol Bol ($4.8k DraftKings and $6.1k Fanduel)
DFS Starting Center
Karl-Anthony Towns ($9.7k DraftKings and $9.9k Fanduel)
KAT gives us exposure to the Knicks-Bulls that post the main slate’s second-highest implied game total of 243.5. Towns get a smash matchup tonight against the Bulls, who yield the fifth most fantasy points to the center position. He is the overall PF1 but is eligible to play center and is averaging 48.60 fantasy points per game. He is averaging 64.2 points in his last two starts and topped the 5o-point mark in three of his last four outings.
Substitution Options: Paolo Banchero, Jarrett Allen, Mark Williams
DFS Tournament Stacks
Jalen Brunson-Mikal Bridges-Karl-Anthony Towns/Tyrese Haliburton-Bennedict Mathurin/Ja Morant-Desmond Bane-Jarren Jackson/ Lamelo Ball-Miles Bridges-Mark Williams
Final Thoughts
Our substitution options are additional green light options, providing our readers flexibility within your builds. We need a balance of studs and players projected for low ownership and value. Pay attention to implied game totals and try to get pieces of those games within your lineup construction.
The top DFS builds will consist of the right balance between studs and value players that pay at least 5x their DFS salaries. Good luck with your DFS builds, and please like and follow us on social media. The FanDuel main slate contest lobby does not include tonight’s Suns-Jazz game. Please always double-check our recommendations and your roster builds once line-ups are finalized for late inactives.
