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This article aims to highlight some of the best NBA DFS Plays at every position for your cash game lineups. Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We’ll take a look at Thursday’s 4-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Malcolm Brogdon – Indiana (vs. Detroit) - DK: $8,400 / FD: $7,800 / Yahoo: $32
The main competition for expensive PG tonight is Chris Paul, but given the salary difference and largely overlapping range of outcomes, I’m slotting Brogdon into lineups. Detroit is a great matchup, ranking 22nd in defensive rating, 30th in rebounding, fifth in turnover rate, and giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to PGs. The Pacers are big home favorites, but on such a small slate, I can’t worry too much about the blowout risk.
Also Consider: Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Cade Cunningham, Patty Mills, Tyrese Maxey
SHOOTING GUARD
David Duke – Brooklyn (vs. Philadelphia) - DK: $4,200 / FD: $6,100 / Yahoo: $13
We don’t have a lot to go on with Duke, as he has played in just three NBA games so far, but in his last one he was memorable. He played 38 minutes against Toronto, scoring 10 points with 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. The 76ers play slow, but this is expected to be a close game with so many Nets on the COVID list. Duke is great value, even on FanDuel, if he gets the same opportunity tonight.
Also Consider: Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon
SMALL FORWARD
Eric Gordon – Houston (at New York) - DK: $5,600 / FD: $5,700 / Yahoo: $14
Gordon rested Wednesday night so is expected to be available tonight. He’s definitely not a flashy play, but should be solid in a favorable matchup with the Knicks, who are also down a few players tonight. Gordon put up about 30 fantasy points the first time these teams met and is coming off a terrific game vs. Atlanta in which he had over 40. Playing over 30 MPG for a fast-paced Rockets team that is set to be without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green again, along with Christian Wood, Gordon should have the usage he needs to be in that 30-40 fantasy point range again tonight.
Also Consider: Alec Burks, Caris LeVert, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
POWER FORWARD
Julius Randle – New York (at Houston) - DK: $10,000 / FD: $8,700 / Yahoo: $35
My plan was to fit Durant in here, and that is possible on Yahoo ($56), but it’s a real struggle on DK ($12,300) and FD ($12,000). As the only healthy star Nets player, Durant should have a monster line tonight. However, Randle is quite a bit cheaper and in a great spot tonight. The spread is only 5.5 points, with the Knicks favored on the road. Houston has been putting up the points – at least 100 in every game since before Thanksgiving and keeping games competitive. As noted above, Houston has the highest pace, turns the ball over more than anyone, and gives up the second-most overall fantasy points (third-most to PF and C). Randle is coming off a great game, and should be able to hit that higher end of his range in this one.
Also Consider: Kevin Durant, Domantas Sabonis, Blake Griffin
CENTER
Deandre Ayton – Phoenix (vs. Washington) - DK: $8,800 / FD: $8,000 / Yahoo: $27
The argument for Ayton over Embiid is similar to Brogdon over Paul…same range of outcomes, much cheaper salary. Yes, Embiid has the higher ceiling, so in a tournament lineup, I’d reallocate salary to him, but Ayton should be very safe tonight and allow you to fit in other mid-high range guys. Washington is an average defense, but has a notable DvP weakness to opposing centers. Ayton is coming off a huge double-double, a feat he’s accomplished in three of his last five games.
Also Consider: Nicolas Claxton, Alperen Sengun, Joel Embiid
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Tyrese Maxey (PG – PHI) is in a salary range that is easy to overlook tonight, but his last two lines have been noteworthy. Between 33-39 fantasy points per game against Memphis and Miami, Maxey will be facing an inexperienced Nets backcourt tonight. As I said, this should be a close game, and Maxey is fitting nicely as a second PG or G on all three sites.
Alperen Sengun (C – HOU) Only if Christian Wood rests tonight, Sengun should be on your radar. After last night, he no doubt already is. Putting up well over a fantasy point per minute over the past week, Sengun is reaching value even at his creeping salary ($5500 DK, $5800, but only $12 on Yahoo).
Bradley Beal (SG – WAS) is an ideal cash game option if you can fit him. The absence of Devin Booker should make things a little easier on Beal tonight and regardless of matchup, he can be relied upon for something in the 35-45 fantasy point range. Hopefully he gets hot and plays a key role in keeping this a close and exciting game.
