NBA Daily Fantasy Picks & Playbook: February 4
Published: Feb 04, 2024
Happy Sunday NBA fans. With the NFL in a bit of a hiatus, this weekend with only the Pro Bowl happening the NBA will be in full focus today. The NBA DFS main slate is a nice seven-gamer featuring some of the best players in the league today. We have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder traveling to Toronto to take on Scottie Barnes and the Raptors. We also have the young Houston Rockets going head-to-head against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
There is also a massive game total on this slate in a game featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Lauri Markkanen. Let's dive into today's NBA DFS top plays for the seven-game main slate.
NBA DFS Tools to Dominate Tonight's NBA DFS Slate!
Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. We also have the NBA Consistency Report to help identify players that have exceeded value based on their current price tag this season and of course our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!
Notable NBA Injury Updates
QUESTIONABLE
- Damian Lillard
- Jaylen Brown
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Myles Turner
- Jalen Smith
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Ivica Zubac
- Jamal Cain
- Jock Landale
- Rudy Gobert
- RJ Barrett
- Tre Mann
- Andre Jackson
- Jerami Grant
OUT
- Khris Middleton
- Brook Lopez
- Jaren Jackson
- Ziaire Williams
- Desmond Bane
- Ja Morant
- Marcus Smart
- LaMelo Ball
- Kyle Lowry
- Gordan Hayward
- Mark Williams
- Duncan Robinson
- Tari Eason
- Jalen Williams
- Isaiah Joe
- Shaedon Sharpe
- Moses Brown
- Frank Ntilikina
- Cody Martin
- Vince Williams
- John Konchar
- Xavier Tillman
- Derrick Rose
Back-to-Backs
Pace
Pace definition: Pace is the total number of possessions a team uses in a game.
*key* Green is elite pace of play, Blue is decent pace of play, & Red is slow pace of play.
Green = Fast Paced team
Blue = Neutral Paced team
Red = Slow Paced team
- Indiana Pacers 2nd
- Milwaukee Bucks 3rd
- Oklahoma City Thunder 8th
- Utah Jazz 10th
- Toronto Raptors 13th
- Memphis Grizzlies 16th
- Houston Rockets 17th
- Boston Celtics 18th
- Charlotte Hornets 20th
- Portland Trail Blazers 22nd
- Los Angeles Clippers 25th
- Minnesota Timberwolves 26th
- Miami Heat 28th
- Denver Nuggets 29th
Defensive Ratings
- Minnesota Timberwolves 1st
- Oklahoma City Thunder 3rd
- Boston Celtics 4th
- Houston Rockets 7th
- Memphis Grizzlies 9th
- Denver Nuggets 11th
- Los Angeles Clippers 12th
- Miami Heat 13th
- Milwaukee Bucks 19th
- Toronto Raptors 20th
- Portland Trail Balzers 21st
- Utah Jazz 25th
- Indiana Pacers 26th
- Charlotte Hornets 30th
NBA Game Totals
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Utah Jazz (-2.5) Game Total: 246.5
- Toronto Raptors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (-8.5) Game Total: 238.5
- Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets (+10.5) Game Total 235.5
- Los Angeles Clippers vs. Miami Heat (+4) Game Total: 225.5
- Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (-7) Game Total: 221.5
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets (-14) Game Total: 220
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics (-18) Game Total: 218.5
Top Tier Core Plays
Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets
You normally do not want to pay up for someone in a game in which their team is favored by 14 points. Nikola Jokic is an exemption to that role, considering we just saw this matchup, in the Nuggets last game. Jokic finished with 81 fantasy points with a 27-22-12 night, which was his second game over 75 fantasy points in as many games. The big difference here is the Nuggets are at him in this one, and it is extremely tough for other teams to hang in there. If you do not want to pay up for Jokic tonight, I get it but he could go off and sink your lineup.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are the only team on the slate that are on a back-to-back. Normally I wouldn't be targeting a star in that instance, but the matchup is too good to pass up for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Jazz are 25th in defensive efficiency, yet they are a good team, so this game will be competitive and played at a solid pace. Giannis is coming off a huge performance last night posting 84 fantasy points. You can go back to the well once again with Giannis tonight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
SGA is cheaper than the guy listed above him, making him appealing tonight in a good matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are struggling defensively and have gotten worse since the trade ranking in the bottom 3rd. SGA is coming off three straight games in which he has hit 5x his value going over 55 fantasy points in each. He has also scored over 30 game points in nine straight games.
Mid-Tier Core Plays
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is about as solid as it comes for fantasy purposes. He is priced at just $8,700 even though he has gone over 46 fantasy points in five out of seven games. The game total is not as low as you would think it would be with the amount of defensive-minded players on the floor sitting at 225. The last time these two teams met up, Leonard finished with 49 fantasy points posting a 24-6-5 line. If you do not want to pay up for the top-tier guys, Leonard is a solid starting point for the mid-priced guys. He just doesnt have quite the ceiling as the top guys tonight.
Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF, Utah Jazz
This Utah Jazz team is quietly very solid and they are led by Lauri Markkanen. This matchup is a very good one, having a massive game total of 246.5 going against the Bucks. Markakanen has scored over 50 fantasy points in three of his past five games and is priced at just $8,600 on DraftKings. With keeping the matchup in mind here, Lauri should be in store for a big-time game.
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
I like KAT's price tonight sitting at just 8K. It is a tougher matchup against the Houston Rockets who are a very solid defensive team. KAT has just been very good as of late. He has finished with over 40 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. Towns could also go under-owned tonight because of the tough matchup, and he is coming off a quiet game against the Magic on Friday. In the last matchup against Houston, he finished with 41 fantasy in a 27-point blowout.
Jimmy Butler, SF, Miami Heat
Anytime you can get Jimmy Butler at under 8k on DraftKings you have to do it. With the Heat struggling as of late Butler is finally starting to play with a little bit more aggression. He is also starting to look healthy after dealing with injuries all season long. Butler has scored at least 45 fantasy points in four straight games. Keep taking advantage of his low price by playing him tonight in a game that should stay close against the Clippers.
Brandon Miller, SG/SF, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are extremely banged up missing LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward leaving Brandon Miller as the primary ball-handler. Over his last three games with Ball being sideline, Miller has had at least a 27% usage rate in each game. He had only eclipsed that number once in the previous nine games. It is a great matchup against the Pacers who are very bad defensively and rank near the top of the league in pace. I will be playing Brandon Miller tonight.
Jordan Clarkson, SG, Utah Jazz
This is a bit of a risky play with Clarkson being inconsistent as of late scoring under 20 fantasy points in three of his previous five games. The matchup is just too good for me to pass up. The Bucks are on the second night of a back-to-back and their backcourt is not known for defense starting Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley. We know Clarkson is a bucket getter but we need him to add a bit of counting stats as well. He can get you 8-10 assists in any game, but also can give you just one.
P.J. Washington, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets
Similar to Jordan Clarkson, PJ Washington is a bit risky, but his upside is very tantalizing. We already talked about this game having a good game environment with the Pacers playing at a fast pace and being very bad defensively. Washington has a 50 fantasy point upside in this one as he did against Utah just four games ago in a similar game environment at home. Washington is a fine play with great upside at just $5,900.
Value Tier Core Plays
Buddy Hield, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers
Buddy Hield isn't in the starting lineup but has seen 28 minutes in three straight games. Yet, his price has not gone back up where it needs to yet sitting at just $5,100. Hield has finished with at least 32 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He is still struggling from behind the three-point line going just six for his last 20. This is a great game for him to get back on track from deep in this one, and I expect him to at least hit value at his price.
Cam Whitmore, SG/SF, Houston Rockets
Cam Whitmore has emerged as a big-time threat off of the bench for the Rockets. He has just gone crazy over his past six games. He has only played an average of 20 minutes during those games but is averaging 19.5 points per game while averaging 30 fantasy points. Over his last six games, he ranks 6th in fantasy points per game. I am going to keep riding Whitmore until he fails me,even in a tough matchup against the Timberwolves.
Jacob Gilyard, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
If Gilyard is in the starting lineup I am ok playing him even in a tough matchup against a good Celtics team. He is priced at just $4,500 on DraftKings and is coming off a 34 fantasy point performance. He did that on the back of five three-pointers falling in that contest. I do not expect that to happen again, however, he does some other nice things for this Grizzlies team. He has dished out at least five assists in his last three games.
Peyton Watson, PF/C, Denver Nuggets
This game has blowout potential written all over it, but even if it doesnt blow out, Watson should still be fine. He is averaging 20 fantasy points over his last five games and is coming off a 14-5 performance against this same Trail Blazers team on the road. His length on the defensive side causes problems as well, causing some steals and blocks. I do not expect Watson to have a huge game, but he could be very solid for the lineup tonight, especially if you are paying up with the top-tier guys.
Late Breaking News
- Memphis will be short-handed with Vince Williams, Santi Aldama, Derrick Rose, Xavier Tillman, and John Konchar all being ruled out. Big uptick for David Roddy, GG Jackson, and Scottie Pippen Jr.
Player Pool
| $ Tier | PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High |  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander  $11,300 |  Scottie Barnes $9,200 |  Giannis Antetokounmpo $11,900 |  Nikola Jokić $12,100 | |
 Kawhi Leonard $9,300 | |||||
| Medium |  Scoot Henderson $5,900 |  Jordan Clarkson $6,700 |  Jimmy Butler $8,400 | Lauri Markkanen $8,900 |  Karl-Anthony Towns $8,300 |
 Bruce Brown $6,300 | Anfernee Simons $8,200 |  Brandon Miller $7,200 | John Collins $6,600 |  P.J. Washington $6,400 | |
 Luke Kennard $5,500 | Chet Holmgren $8,100 | ||||
 Kristaps Porziņģis $8,100 | |||||
| Low |  Jacob Gilyard $4,600 | Buddy Hield $6,000 |  Cam Whitmore $5,900 | Peyton Watson $4,800 | |
| Gary Trent $5,100 |  Jaime Jaquez $5,300 | ||||
| Luguentz Dort $4,800 | Caleb Martin $4,600 |
Player News
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.