Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Sunday slates are always strange, and we have another bizarre one here. While we have eight games in total, only four make up the main card beginning at 7ET. The good news is that some of the worst defenses in the NBA are on display while some of the best players oppose them. That has us riding a stars-and-scrubs strategy because there are some fantastic values as well.
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Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 48.24 DK - 49.36
Ja is playing at a different level than everyone else right now. Morant has scored at least 36 DraftKings points in 33 straight games, scoring at least 52 fantasy points in six of his last nine games. He's actually averaging 53 DK points per game in that most recent stretch, attempting a franchise-record 33 shots in the most recent outing. That's a good indicator of how much usage this guy is seeing, handling the ball on every possession for Memphis. We love all of that against this dreadful Oklahoma City roster, with Ja dropping 40 DK points in their last meeting, despite taking just 12 shots.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 32.45 DK - 34.09
Graham was in everyone's lineup on Friday, and he will be featured heavily again today. The simple fact is, he's the primary ball-handler in New Orleans right now. The Pelicans are currently missing C.J. McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson, leaving Graham with a 35-minute starting point guard gig. He's been a stud in this role throughout the season, averaging 32 DK points per game in the 18 outings he's played at least 32 minutes. He actually had 41 fantasy points in this expanded role on Friday, and that's obviously a ridiculous total from a $6K player. The best part of this is the matchup, though, and we'll dig into that more later on.
If you're looking for a punt play, Jose Alvarado should see some extra minutes for the shorthanded Pels.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 52.22 DK - 52.71
The Thunder are a horrible team, but it's certainly no fault of SGA's. This guy has been one of the best guards in basketball, averaging 33.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2.1 steals over his previous seven games before a dud on Wednesday. That absurd form equates to a 57-point average, doing everything for this Thunder offense. The only real concern is the blowout potential, but it really doesn't matter because all but one of those games were decided by double-digit margins. He played well in this matchup back in December, too, collecting 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals despite struggling with his shot.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 48.09 DK - 49.61
D-Book was a massive disappointment for my lineups on Friday, but we need some context. Toronto was actually double-teaming Book on nearly every play, but the All-Star still had 40 DK points. That shows just how high his floor is right now, leading the Suns in shot attempts and usage with Chris Paul sidelined. He's actually averaging about 25 shots and a 35 percent usage rate in this expanded role, generating a 48-point average over his last 11 games in total. All of that is terrible news for the Lakers, with Los Angeles ranked fifth in pace and 26th in total defense.
Austin Reaves regularly plays 30 minutes a night and still sits below $4K on DraftKings.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 54.57 DK - 55.58
Don't worry, this is the final high-priced player that we're recommending! We already said that this is a stars-and-scrubs slate, and it's going to be imperative to fit at least two or three of those guys in there. LeBron is probably the safest option of the bunch, taking over this LA offense in the absence of Anthony Davis. That has led to LeBron scoring at least 71 DraftKings points in three straight games. He's been doing that sort of damage for two months now, and there's simply no better bet for 40-50 DK points on this slate. Facing Phoenix sounds brutal, but James had 50 DK points in their matchup just last month.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 23.32 DK - 23.43
We already discussed how New Orleans is missing their three best players, and it's finally giving Marshall some playing time. This dude has proven to be a beast in the Summer League, and it's nice to finally see him get some playing time at this level. He got his first career start on Friday, finishing with a career-high 36 DK points across 29 minutes of action. That sort of production is impossible to find from a $4K player, and it looks like he's going to fill the Ingram role. That's a massive role to fill, but it should be much easier here, with Houston ranked second in pace and dead-last in defensive efficiency.
Chris Duarte is an intriguing option, with Malcolm Brogdon, TJ McConnell, and Myles Turner sidelined.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 28.6 DK - 28.44
To say Oklahoma City's frontcourt is dismantled would be an understatement. It was already the worst frontcourt in the NBA before the injury bug bit them, but they're now without Ty Jerome, Derrick Favors, Kenrich Williams, Mike Muscala, Lugueznta Dort, Josh Giddey, and James Robinson-Earl. All of those guys have seen significant minutes at times this season, and it's left Roby with all he can handle. In fact, Isaiah has been averaging 33 fantasy points per game across 29 minutes a night over the last eight games. That's brilliant from a $6K player, and we believe those 29 minutes are his floor with so many big men out of the lineup.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 26.12 DK - 25.62
Let's keep the Fro Train rolling with Mr. Hayes. This is another New Orleans player that has shown flashes in the Summer League, and injuries are finally giving him a prominent role. Over the last 11 games played, Hayes is averaging 21 DK points per game across 25 minutes a night. Those numbers would be much larger if it weren't for three duds in that stretch, but we can omit those since McCollum and Ingram were both playing. They're going to need this guy for 30 minutes, and if he gets that playing time against the worst defense in the NBA, Hayes should have a monster game for a sub-$5K player. He has at least 30 DraftKings points in his two meetings with the Rockets this season, posting a 34-point average in those games.
If Steven Adams sits, Brandon Clarke is one of the best values around $4K.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 45.71 DK - 48.16
Valanciunas burned my DFS lineups on Friday quicker than some March Madness brackets, but we're going right back to the well. He's actually probably the most critical piece of this Pelicans stack, leading the team with a 28 percent usage rate with this current roster. He's also averaging 1.2 DK points per minute, being asked to carry this offense. He was fantastic before that dud on Friday, too, scoring at least 34 DraftKings points in eight of his previous 12 games. We believe that's his floor in this matchup, with the Rockets surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. This might be bold, but JV could be in line for a 30-15 game in this tasty spot.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 37.42 DK - 38.67
DA has been a consummate professional for Phoenix this season, having the best season of his career despite not landing the contract he was looking for. He's playing his best ball right now though, doing more in the absence of CP3 and Cameron Johnson. In fact, Ayton has at least 31 DK points in 11 of his last 14 games, providing a 34-point average in that span. That alone makes him a heck of a value at $7K, especially in a matchup like this. Not only does Los Angeles rank 26th in total defense, but they're also surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing centers. In their two matchups this season, Ayton averages 38 DK points per game in fewer than 30 minutes a night!
Christian Wood should return here and could thrive against a dismantled New Orleans roster.
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