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 Wednesday’s 11-game Main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
POINT GUARD
De’Aaron Fox – Sacramento (vs. Chicago) - DK: $8,200 / FD: $7,800 / Yahoo: $39
Fox is a bargain relative to some of the available PG today, but depending on your spending priorities, you may not be able to afford him. He’s been a virtual lock for 40-plus fantasy points (exception being Phoenix, who is much improved on defense with Chris Paul in the backcourt), making him a strong cash game play on this loaded slate. The Kings are also big favorites against the Bulls, who played Tuesday night, in what is one of the highest point total games of the night (229.5 over/under). Chicago has played fast so far this season and is the No. 1 PG matchup in fantasy, which also bodes well for Fox’s upside tonight.
Also Consider: Russell Westbrook, Trae Young, Ben Simmons, Malcolm Brogdon, Peyton Pritchard, Chris Paul
SHOOTING GUARD
Bradley Beal – Washington (at Philadelphia) - DK: $9,000 / FD: $10,000 / Yahoo: $41
This is a game I’m eager to watch and draw from for DFS. It carries a 232-point total, which suits Beal as the leading scorer for the Wizards – he’s averaging over 30 real points per game. He’s been as consistent as they come, averaging almost 50 fantasy points per game, and exceeding that in his last effort vs. Brooklyn. He’s cheaper than James Harden by a lot, but has an overlapping range of outcomes. With so many stars to spend on, every dollar saved counts.
Also Consider: James Harden, Victor Oladipo, Paul George (great GPP play if he’s back; more so if Kawhi Leonard is out on the back-to-back), Seth Curry, Donte DiVincenzo
SMALL FORWARD
R.J. Barrett – New York (vs. Utah) - DK: $7,000/ FD: $6,500 / Yahoo: $25
I don’t love Barrett’s salary on DK, but he is playing really well right now. His range is probably 20-40 fantasy points, but Utah has struggled against opposing wings this season and Barrett has scored double-digit points in every game so far, including 25 and 26 in his last two. Against Atlanta, another favorable matchup, Barrett posted his first double-double of the season en route to 53 fantasy points. He may not match those numbers, but figures to be a solid SF option in the mid-range.
Also Consider: Gordon Hayward, Jerami Grant, Harrison Barnes, Mikal Bridges, Kelly Oubre, Dandre’ Hunter
POWER FORWARD
P.J. Washington – Charlotte (at Atlanta) - DK: $5,000 / FD: $5,200 / Yahoo: $18
Yes, there are a lot of temptations at the top of the salary range at PF tonight. I’m using some restraint on Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Bucks are huge 12-point favorites over Detroit tonight. He has been on fire lately, but man he will cost you and if he only plays three quarters, it’s tough to reach value. Domantas Sabonis is a great option too, and perhaps more of a cash game priority, but his salary is tough to fit if you want Beal and a top center. So, Washington it is…I love this game for fantasy as neither team is particularly defensive-minded and it should be close and high-scoring (233.5 over/under). Further, these teams rank No. 1 and 2 vs. PFs for fantasy this season. Washington was dealing with a variety of minor ailments, most recently a thumb injury, but his trajectory should be pointing upward. As he gets closer to 30 MPG, he has a great chance to notch his second double-double of the young season and pay off his meager salary nicely.
Also Consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, John Collins, Nic Batum, Draymond Green
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CENTER
Joel Embiid - Philadelphia (vs. Washington) - DK: $9,900 / FD: $9,900 / Yahoo: $46
I am really stuck between Embiid and Nikola Vucevic tonight. Vuc is cheaper and has been playing at the same consistently high level all season long. His matchup with Andre Drummond and Cleveland is definitely a good one, and the Magic are decent favorites tonight, but the game could end up being one of, if not the, lowest scoring of the slate. I think Embiid has more upside, even though the range of possibilities definitely overlaps between he and Vuc, in a more competitive and faster-paced game. Embiid has double-doubled in all but one of his games (9 rebounds), is passing well, with at least two assists in each game, and playing strong defense, with at least one block in each game (averaging almost two per game) and an average of one steal per game too. Where I can afford it, I’m going Embiid on this slate.
Also Consider: Nikola Vucevic, Myles Turner, Deandre Ayton, Clint Capela
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Clint Capela (C - ATL) If you choose to save at center, Capela offers a high floor with upside in this matchup I keep coming back to. Capela has played around 30 MPG in the last three, posting double-doubles in each of those games, with three blocks and three steals in the last two. He’s a bit underpriced for tonight’s game, and could easily exceed the 40-fantasy point mark.
Draymond Green (PF – GSW) has nowhere to go but up, right? He’s a tournament only play, but the game should be competitive and high scoring in San Francisco. The Clippers are only two-point favorites and if Leonard sits on the back-to-back, defense is less a concern for Green. He’s cheap enough that he won’t crush you if he doesn’t have a breakout game, but will be rostered at a low enough rate that if he does, it can have an impact on your tournament standings.
Peyton Pritchard (PG – BOS) Assuming that Jeff Teague and Marcus Smart remain out again tonight, Pritchard looks like the Boston guard to roster. He’s averaged 30 MPG in the last two, and really broke out Monday with 23 points, 8 assists and 2 rebounds. His salary isn’t minimum anymore, but it’s low enough to complement a lot of the stars I want to fit tonight.
