The Atlanta Hawks (37-41) fly to Orlando to take on the Magic (38-40). Each team has four games remaining, and nothing is on the line regarding an invitation to the playoffs, except who plays who in the play-in games. For the Hawks, Trae Young is questionable, while Larry Nance, Clint Capela, and Jacob Tobin are out. The Magic’s injury report is clear, minus players done for the season. Here’s Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic DFS Start ‘Ems
Paolo Banchero (DK: $9,800, FD: $9,800)
The Magic lacks players who can score outside of their two top-priced players, Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Hawks struggle mightily against forwards, giving up 45.58 points to SF and 51.91 points to PF per game. This stat is by far the worst in the league, creating a smash spot for DFS. The field is on this play, though, as his ownership should be somewhere between 30 – 35% in the large field GPPs.
Franz Wagner (DK: $8,800, FD: $8,500)
Wagner shares the same smash spot opportunity. The Magic need people to put the ball in the hoop. Wagner can do that. The Hawks are third in pace, allowing the Magic to get more scoring opportunities. He is coming off a 27-real-point night, so expect him and Banchero to go peanut butter and jelly for a delicious mixture of DFS points.
Hawks vs. Magic DFS Sit ‘Ems
Trae Young (DK: $10,100, FD: $9,700)
The Magic are the slowest team in the league with a 96.44 pace. The Hawks are one of the fastest teams, but the Magic’s 7th-ranked defense against PGs will be too steep a climb for Young to hit a ceiling performance. The Magic’s guards play solid defense, which provides even less excitement for the Hawk’s star.
Onyeka Okongwu (DK: $8,400, FD: $8,000)
Okongwu has performed incredibly well since receiving the torch from Clint Capela. His salary has followed the same trajectory, moving to an uncomfortable height. He needs 45 fantasy points to pay this off, but his projection falls in the 32 – 38-point range. This forecast is too great a risk in our lineups on a full slate where tons of value will open up, and we can afford more pay-up options.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Caris LeVert (DK: $4,600, FD: $5,300)
This selection is more of a lean, but it morphs into a lock if Young sits. LeVert is elevating his play, especially over the last three games, scoring 38.8, 36, and 26 points. Strangely, his price went down from $4,800 to $4,600 for this slate. We can use the $200 elsewhere. His ownership is sub-10 %, creating differentiation that could make our lineups stand out.
Total Apex Fade of the Game
Jonathan Isaac (DK: $3,000, FD: $ 3,800)
Isaac is our fade for this game for two reasons. First, he does not have the minute upside for consistent ceiling games. Second, he surpassed 5x value only four times over the last 15 games. With so many injuries over the rest of the slate, you can find more optimal plays in the stone minimum range as injuries and starting lineups emerge.
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Conclusion
The Magic are a team you do not want to play in DFS due to the slow pace and defensive prowess. The exception is today’s lock. Use the low-owned LeVert with Banchero and Wagner for a solid combination of chalk and contrarianism.
