Happy regular season play-in tournament group stage Tuesday, everyone! Have to love getting to play these slates that mean that much more to the players playing in them for their teams trying to get wins, and even though it is only five games for Tuesday's main slate, there are some very good games on tap! We have the Atlanta Hawks hosting the Indiana Pacers in a shoot-out tonight with a game total at 251, and we also have the Utah Jazz heading into Los Angeles to take on the Lakers in the late-night hammer! Let's dive into these games!

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 off their current price tag this season and of course our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!

 

Here's the NBA DFS Podcast for today's slate. Like the video and subscribe to our channel!

 

Notable NBA Injury Updates

Questionable

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PACE:

Pace Definition: Pace is the total number of possessions a team accrues per 48 minutes of play.

Green = Fast Paced Team (Ranked 1st-12th)

Blue = Neutral Paced Team (Ranked 13th-19th)

Red = Slow Paced Team (Ranked 20th-30th)

 

NBA Game Totals

 

Core Spend Up Plays:

Tyrese Haliburton (PG), Indiana Pacers ($10,400 DK/$10,300 FD):

Haliburton comes in as my top spend up tonight over Joel Embiid and that likely may not sit well with most, but honestly, how can you not love a guy that is averaging 63.2 DraftKings fantasy points across three road games on the season in a game environment that has two top-five PACE teams and a game total north of 250? You can't. Simple as that. Haliburton has recorded games of 75.25 (Philly), 60.75 (Philly), and 53.5 (CLE) so far on the road this year. I am just not going to over-think this one and plug Haliburton literally wherever I can tonight.

Joel Embiid (C), Philadelphia 76ers ($11,200 DK/$12,000 FD):

Embiid is a close second for me here and obviously it is extremely close, but given the fact that he has a much slower-paced match up, and Cleveland without Donovan Mitchell could turn ugly quick tonight if Caris LeVert doesn't play. I am fully aware that Cleveland beat the Nuggets on Sunday, and no one saw that coming. However, they were at home, and the Nuggets have been reeling lately. I do not expect the Sixers to take this game light with it being regular-season groups play-in stage, and seeing as they are nearly eight-point favorites, I do think they take it to the Cavs. Nonetheless, we know Joel is carrying a hefty 36.2% usage rate over his first 13 games and he is an absolute dominate force on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, and he has literally averaged nearly 60 fantasy points a game this year, so of course, he is a great play tonight but his price tag is hefty, as well. 

LeBron James (SF/PF), Los Angeles Lakers ($9,900 DK/$10,500 FD):

We keep sleeping on LeBron James every night he plays (and he plays every night they have a game lately) because he keeps getting listed as “questionable” to play with a calf injury. We have to just accept that LeBron is going to play every night he can, and especially on a night that it means more than others with regular season groups play-in games. The Lakers host the Jazz here, and we literally just saw the Jazz and Suns play back-to-back games with massive totals, and a double-OT game. This game does have a medium spread in favor of the Lakers around seven-to-eight points, but I fully expect this to be a damn good game. The Jazz are a solid team, and have gotten a couple days rest here as well, so I don't think we see tired legs. I am backing LBJ tonight here, as he is coming off three-straight games of 71.5 DraftKings fantasy points vs the Kings (solid team), 59.5 DraftKings fantasy points vs Trail Blazers (awful team in blowout), and 62.5 DraftKings fantasy points against a very solid Rockets team in his most recent outing. Fully expect James to be a go of course, and I fully expect him to continue his hot streak against a familiar Western Conference for here in the Utah Jazz.

Trae Young (PG), Atlanta Hawks ($9,100 DK/$9,200 FD):

Trae is extremely cheap tonight on both sites in a great environment and we should not take that lightly. This game has just a four-point spread, so books are not expecting a blow out here and we shouldn't either. With that said, game stacks here are likely going to be popular, however, if they both do end up scoring 120+ points a piece in this game, you will need the pieces to have a chance tonight on a slate with just five games on it. Trae has been good lately not to fail to mention, recording 45 or more fantasy points in his last four-straight games, including 44 or more fantasy points in nine of his 11 games played so far this season. This game should go back and forth at the speed of light with lots of shots and fantasy scoring opportunities. 

Anthony Davis (C), Los Angeles Lakers ($9,700 DK/$10,800 FD): 

I am electing to play Lakers over the likes of KD and Booker here tonight as I don't love seeing the Suns as 13-points favorites over the Trail Blazers at home. We did just see OKC wallop the Blazers on their own home court by over 40 points. Maybe I am a bit salty because I played SGA that night and he ended with less than 40 fantasy points as a result. The Suns are just a much better team than the Blazers and I fully expect them to take care of business early here. Now, onto Anthony Davis! AD is extremely priced up on FanDuel, but his price on DraftKings is more than affordable. Davis has been just as good lately, and although I don't believe I would play him on FD at that price, I am more than considering on DraftKings if I play a line up with or without LBJ. Davis is averaging nearly 54 DK fantasy points this year on his home court, and has put up 50 or more fantasy points in four of his last five contests. More of a play on DK.

Devin Booker (PG/SG), Phoenix Suns ($9,600 DK/$10,000 FD):

If I am going to play a Sun stud tonight, I believe I am going with Devin Armoni Booker as we have seen this Portland team just get trashed by combo guards and Devin has been playing both a scoring and facilitating role since returning from injury. Booker has been over 52 fantasy points in three of his five games played this season so far, and over 44 in all five. I feel with KD's price hike after his last couple of games, Booker has more value at his current price.

 

Core Mid-Tier Plays:

Lauri Markkanen (PF/C), Utah Jazz ($8,400 DK/$8,600 FD):

Obviously, am a big proponent tonight of stacking up this Lakers/Jazz game and my first option for the Jazz side of the ball is their number 1 in Lauri. Markkanen is only behind Jordan Clarkson for the lead on the team in terms of usage and it is merely 2-3% has Clarkson currently sits at 26.8% while Lauri is at 24.1%. However, I think from an overall fantasy point perspective, Lauri does a bit more in peripherals including rebounds. Lauri is fresh off a monster game against the Suns where he poured in 38 actual with 17 rebounds, two blocks and two steals in route to 69.25 DraftKings fantasy points. I believe this is the kind of ceiling we can look for out of Lauri, as he is one of the main, if not the main focal point of this Jazz offense. 

Tyrese Maxey (PG), Philadelphia 76ers ($8,800 DK/$9,500 FD):

We have seen Tyrese really excel so far this season and take on a prominent dominator role for this Sixers team behind Embiid and I fully expect that to continue here tonight against the Cavs. Maxey started the season off on an extreme heater and cooled off a slight bit, but let's not let that distract us from the fact that he is the clear two here for Philly. We saw the ceiling for Maxey just four games ago when the Sixers hosted the Pacers where Maxey dropped a 50-piece on their heads in route to nearly 75 fantasy points on the night. The Cavs have surprisingly struggled quite mightily against the PG position this season, allowing the 3rd MOST overall fantasy points on average to the position on the season. Maxey is absolutely in play here tonight.

Dejounte Murray (SG/SF), Atlanta Hawks ($8,000 DK/$8,400 FD):

A slight chance we get a reasonably lower-owned Murray here tonight after his pedestrian last two games putting up just 23.75 and 20.25 fantasy points against the Knicks and Sixers. Obviously, both of those teams are defensively-sound and we can expect that range of outcome for any player against them. Tonight, that is totally different, as the Hawks welcome in the Pacers, who just so happen to be allowing the 7th MOST DraftKings fantasy points overall on average to the SG position currently on the year. Let us not forget that Murray's more recent home games (besides the last two of course) have resulted in fantasy point efforts of 45.75 (vs MIA), 44.5 (vs WAS). 61.25 (vs MIN), and 39.25 (vs NYK).

Evan Mobley (PF/C), Cleveland Cavaliers ($7,700 DK/$8,100 FD):

I think Mobley is more of a price-point play tonight, and slightly cheaper on DraftKings. With Mitchell out the last few games we have really seen Mobley step up to the plate and fill in some of that gap left over. We know this isn't the greatest match up, but they will need him extremely bad tonight if they want to keep this game relatively close. Mobley has player well however, putting up 40 or more fantasy points in his last three contests. 

Jordan Clarkson (PG/SG), Utah Jazz ($7,300 DK/$7,100 FD):

Everyone loves a good revenge narrative and what better than once of the hottest shooters in the game currently with a usage rate over 26% returning to his old team in Los Angeles? Clarkson cooled off a bit last game out and only managed 22 points in a double-OT game in a rubber match vs the Suns, but he had been scorching hot the prior four games recording actual point totals of 33, 26, 30, and 37. Even with the weak shooting night last time out vs Suns, he was still able to manage a 40+ fantasy points effort, and before you say it was due to double-OT, that was his fifth game going over 40 fantasy points since making the move to off the ball two-guard with Keyonte George moving to the floor general. I fully expect to see Clarkson get up his fair amount of shots once again here tonight against his former team in the Lakers. 

Darius Garland (PG), Cleveland Cavaliers ($7,600 DK/$8,300 FD):

Garland is easily not one of my favorite plays tonight on this slate, but on DraftKings is is fairly cheap for this match up as the Sixers have actually been getting hit by PGs lately (mainly Tyrese Haliburton). Regardless, Garland is once again going to have to carry the load for the Cavs here tonight with Mitchell out. Garland is coming off a 42 fantasy point effort on his home floor against the Denver Nuggets and has put up 35 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games without Donovan. Garland sees a massive usage bump so far this season with Mitchell out to the tune of a whopping 7.7% boost and this is something we simply cannot ignore. Garland is a bit more attractive on DK tonight compared to his FD price, but I wouldn't mind playing on either site if he fits the construction.

Myles Turner (C), Indiana Pacers ($7,100 DK/$7,500 FD):

Turner is really never an "attractive" play on most nights, but for some reason he seems to have these pop off nights where he scores 20+ actual points and ends up putting up 35-40+ fantasy points, like he has done so far in seven of his 12 games played this season. Once again, this game is one that you will want to have pieces from with the highest total on the board by a good margin and Turner likely may come in as one of the lower-owned pieces to have who could exceed his price point. Turner is essentially the 2nd option here for this Pacer team and with his three-point shooting capability, makes him a decent value with the game environment.

Tobias Harris (SF/PF), Philadelphia 76ers ($7,000 DK/$6,900 FD):

What is a Sixers game without one of their most consistent producers? Harris is a glue piece to this team and easily the third option behind Embiid and Maxey. Harris continues to be the model of a mid-tier value and lives in the 30-35 fantasy point range with 40 fantasy point upside on any given night. Harris is averaging a smidge above 35 fantasy points on the season on his home floor and I expect that to continue once again here. Tobias is the epitome of a cash play, but also has good enough upside to be tournament viable on any night, as well. 

 

Core Value Plays:

D'Angelo Russell (PG/SG), Los Angeles Lakers ($6,700 DK/$6,600 FD):

DLo comes in with a very nice price here for this game tonight in LA against the Jazz. Before coming into the Laker's last game at home vs the Rockets where Russell had a rough game and only scored just 18.25 DraftKings fantasy points at a price of $6.9K, he was over a $7.0K salary for the four games prior after a nice run of performances, mainly on his home floor. His prior three home games went for 36.75, 38.25, and 44.75 fantasy points. I expect a nice bounce-back here in a much better match up and game environment with the Lakers as nice sized favorites at home.

Skylar Mays (PG/SG), Portland Trail Blazers ($6,500 DK/$6,900 FD):

Pretty much about the only starting Blazer I like for the price tonight is Mays. Simply because he has done enough with the time he gets on the floor to get close to 5x or more on most nights. Now, if Malcolm Brogdon is ruled in and plays, this likely changes this for the whole extent. Mays needs 26-33 minutes in my opinion to make this play worth the price. He has eclipsed 27 or more fantasy points in five of six since getting the starting nod, with four of those games going over 30 fantasy points. If Brogdon remains out, I don't mind Mays at all for his price tonight.

Franz Wagner (SF), Orlando Magic ($6,500 DK/$6,800 FD):

Franz reminds me of a Tobias Harris. Likely isn't going to wow you ever and will have some above average games when given ample opportunity, but is a great role player that is a 2nd or 3rd option for his team. Wagner has eclipsed 33 fantasy points in four of his last five games, while taking at least 14+ FGAs in all five, scoring 19 or more actual in those same four of five, while also seeing at least 31 or more minutes in four of five games. This game I do expect to be a slow grinding defensive game as Orlando comes in with a top defensive unit and we know the Raptors can also shine on defense and have OG Anunoby back as well to aid that fact. Franz should have a nice night and give us 30+ fantasy points here hopefully. 

Max Strus (SG/SF), Cleveland Cavaliers ($6,200 DK/$6,200 FD):

I like Strus here tonight, and will like him a tad more if LeVert doesn't play once again. Either way, I think his price is fine and he is going to play huge minutes with Mitchell still on the shelf with the hammy injury. Strus continues to put up modest performances in the absence and they are relying on him defensively as well. Strus has topped 28 fantasy points in his last seven-straight games, with three of his last five (mainly with Mitchell out) going for 35 or more fantasy points. He was a key factor in the Cav's win over the Nuggets as he is also helping facilitate with Mitchell out. I fully expect him to have lots of impact in tonight's game in Philly as well.

Clint Capela (C), Atlanta Hawks ($5,700 DK/$6,200 FD):

If you want to look at a cheaper option that should give you at least 5x on your return, I would look at Capela tonight. Capela has played at least 24 or more minutes in his last five games, while also accruing 28 or more fantasy points in four of those five, with the outlier being a 22 fantasy point game against the Knicks, which is understandable against Randle and Robinson in the frontcourt. However, last time out, Capela did record nearly 40 fantasy points against Joel Embiid and the Sixers on his home floor with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal across 29 minutes while shooting 7-of-11 from the field. This is a good spot against a Pacers frontcourt that is easily exploitable.

Keyonte George (PG), Utah Jazz ($5,500 DK/$5,200 FD):

I know you are likely seeing a lot of Jazz/Lakers in this playbook and honestly, it is my favorite game to play tonight in all honesty. I think this game not only being the late night hammer, but it has a lot of fantasy goodness in it. Keyonte has played 29 or more minutes in pretty much every game he has started since getting the starting gig. Keyonte has also put up 28+ fantasy points in his last four-straight contests (yes, he needed double-OT against the Suns last time out to put up 29.25). As long as he is getting the starting nod, he has value under $6K price tag.

Saddiq Bey (SF/PF), Atlanta Hawks ($4,600 DK/$5,100 FD):

Bey really does get zero respect in the pricing category, but we will continue to play the value as it lies. Although we have got some clunkers out of Bey in a couple games this year, for the vast majority we are getting over 20+ fantasy points. He continues to be on of the first off the bench and is seeing at least 25 minutes a night. In his last three games he has topped 25.5 fantasy points and we just saw him go for nearly 30 against the Sixers. He will continue to be a solid value as long as he firmly trenched in this Hawk's rotation, in which they are literally only playing 7-8 guys a night.

Collin Sexton (PG/SG), Utah Jazz ($4,500 DK/$5,100 FD):

Sexton did have a nice run in the Jazz's last game in the double-OT thriller vs the Suns in route to 23 minutes of action and 29.75 fantasy points on the night. Sexton ended the game with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Even though Talen Horton-Tucker stole the bench player show with a 40-piece fantasy outing, Sexton played really well also. Sexton has now 20+ minutes in three-straight games, including at least 22 or more fantasy points in his last four contests to boot. I like this game and Sexton is easily a nice salary-saver with value at his price.

Craig Porter, Jr. (PG), Cleveland Cavaliers:

Porter is a late add to the PB, but I was waiting on the LeVert news. Porter played 25 minutes last game in Denver and really put up a good performance with the Cavs needing backcourt help. He recorded 37.5 fantasy points on 21 points, four boards, and four assists, with one steal and two blocks! He is playing on a 2-way contract so he is looking to make the team. I expect him to get run again here tonight vs Phill.y

 

SHEET UPDATE! The grid below is listed as our PLAYER POOLS, not our core plays. We've switched the formatting and the players written up above are the players we're using as CORE options. Everyone in the grid are options we would use too.

Player Pool

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Stacks

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