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 six-game main slate starting at 7:00 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Jamal Murray - Denver (vs. Washington) - DK: $8,400 / FD: $8,300 / Yahoo: $34
Murray has finally kicked it into overdrive after a slow start to the season. That includes an outstanding 55 FPPG average over his last four games, and you could argue that Murray is underpriced relative to his current form. Tonight’s matchup vs. Washington should bring out the best in him, as the Wizards rank first in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency to point guards. Go ahead and roster the Denver floor general with confidence!
Also Consider: Kyrie Irving, Derrick Rose
SHOOTING GUARD
James Harden - Brooklyn (vs. Orlando) - DK: $10,800 / FD: $11,200 / Yahoo: $53
Kevin Durant is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, meaning James Harden will absorb a ton of usage for the Nets. The former MVP has predictably thrived in that role lately, hitting 62+ fantasy points in four of his last five outings. Facing an Orlando team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to opposing shooting guards makes matters even better. Harden is expensive, but I believe he’s a priority in tonight’s six-game slate. Be sure to read the “Additional Notes” section later in this article to find supplemental bargains to make Harden’s salary work.
Also Consider: Paul George, Immanuel Quickley, Donte DiVincenzo
SMALL FORWARD
Brandon Ingram - New Orleans (at Milwaukee) - DK: $7,900 / FD: $8,000 / Yahoo: $32
Ingram isn’t as high of a priority as guys like Murray, Harden, and Williamson - but he’s certainly a formidable DFS asset if you can squeeze him into a lineup. The former Duke Blue Devil has been cruising with 42 FPPG over his last seven games, and he’ll participate in the highest over/under (243) of the night. The last time Ingram faced Milwaukee, he came up with 39 fantasy points despite the fluke of grabbing no rebounds (averages 5.1 in his career). In other words, Ingram has some lofty upside tonight, and he could be a better “per dollar” acquisition than Kawhi Leonard or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Also Consider: Michael Porter Jr., Evan Fournier
POWER FORWARD
Zion Williamson - New Orleans (at Milwaukee) - DK: $8,600 / FD: $8,500 / Yahoo: $37
I’m taking Zion over Giannis or Kawhi, as the Pelicans’ forward is much cheaper than those two. “Mount Zion” has achieved 45+ fantasy points in seven of his last eight games, and there’s a great chance he’ll top that threshold in this high-scoring matchup at Milwaukee. The last time these two teams met, Williamson went for 46 FP (21-9-7), and I’m expecting at least that total tonight.
Also Consider: Marvin Bagley, Nerlens Noel
CENTER
Nikola Vucevic - Orlando (at Brooklyn) - DK: $10,000 / FD: $9,900 / Yahoo: $49
Sure, it’s going to be difficult to squeeze Murray, Harden, Ingram, Williamson, and Vucevic in the same lineup. In order to make “Vuce” work, you’ll need to take Paul George instead of Harden and a mid-range small forward over Ingram. We would also need a few values to step forward, so pay attention to Kritaps Porzingis (questionable) to see if James Johnson makes for a legitimate bargain. As for Vucevic, he’ll carry the Magic against a Brooklyn team that plays fast while ranking 29th in defensive efficiency to centers.
Also Consider: DeAndre Jordan
ALSO CONSIDER
If Maxi Kleber and Kristaps Porzingis are both out, then James Johnson (PF - DAL) becomes one of the better bargains of this slate, as he’ll likely retain a starting role. Johnson went for 22 FP in 28 minutes in that spot on Tuesday.
Immanuel Quickley (SG - NYK) got hot towards the end of January, but he has sputtered ever since Derrick Rose came to town. Quickley’s salary has relaxed, and he could see an extended opportunity with Elfrid Payton doubtful.
D.J. Augustin (PG - MIL) has been seeing 25-30 minutes for the Bucks lately, and he will probably keep that role with Jrue Holiday doubtful. Augustin has cashed in 22+ fantasy points in two of his last three, which makes for a serviceable return on his near-minimum price point.
Nerlens Noel (PF - NYK) will keep seeing 25-30 minutes with Mitchell Robinson sidelined. Noel doesn’t have much fantasy upside in his profile, but he’s a fine value filler if the James Johnson situation doesn’t work out tonight.
Pivoting off Vucevic to DeAndre Jordan (C - BKN) is a sensible way to save some cap space. The Nets will call upon Jordan to check Vucevic, so DJ should see plenty of minutes. “DeAndre 3000” has produced 47 and 32 fantasy points respectively in his last two, and he should return positive value tonight.
Swapping Harden out for Paul George (SG - LAC) is another move you can make to keep your squad under the salary restrictions. George is pretty cheap compared to his fantasy expectations, coming through with 55 and 43 fantasy points over his last two.
