Welcome to Bales’ Stacks and Hidden Gems for today’s NBA DFS slate for DraftKings! Below, I will discuss my favorite NBA DFS plays for tonight’s slate!
Easy Breezy: Chalk Stack
Portland Blazers
The Portland Blazers and Atlanta Hawks rank 12th and seventh in the NBA in pace, respectively. Portland also ranks 10th in the league in offensive rating, while Atlanta ranks 28th in defensive rating. The Blazers are +1.5 point underdogs in a game set at 238.5 points, but they still boast an implied team total of 118.5 points.
CJ McCollum
CJ McCollum has been playing at an elite level since the injury to Damian Lillard. In 4 games without Lillard, he’s averaging 31.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 10.0 assists (56.3 DK points) in 39.0 minutes per game. McCollum posted 50+ DK points in 3 of those 4 games, including a 76.25 DK point performance against the Detroit Pistons. He dominated Atlanta in their only matchup this season, and will be locked into minutes in the high-30s or low-40s tonight. McCollum is no longer overly cheap, but he still makes an elite option in all leagues on this slate.
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza hasn’t been the most consistent option, but he’s locked into big minutes on a nightly basis. He saw 35+ minutes in each of his last 5 games, averaging 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals (24.1 DK points) in 36.2 minutes per game. His numbers are a bit skewed by an 8.5 DK point performance against the Detroit Pistons. Ariza is an athletic forward, who found success in his only matchup against the Hawks this season. He’ll see 35+ minutes once again tonight, and makes a great option for his current price tag.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is another player that has found success recently. Since the All Star Break, he’s averaging 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assist (29.5 DK points) in 35.0 minutes per game. He posted 20+ DK points in each of those games, including a 41 DK point performance against the Detroit Pistons. Anthony is a player that relies heavily on scoring, and will benefit greatly from this particular matchup. He’ll also see 30+ minutes tonight, making him a relatively safe option.
Important Odds: Vegas Stack
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks and Portland Blazers will be featured in one of the fastest paced games on the slate tonight. It has already been outlined above. Atlanta only ranks 24th in the NBA in offensive rating, while Portland ranks 27th in the league in defensive rating. The Hawks are -1.5 point favorites in a game set at 238.5 points, and they possess the highest implied team total on the slate at 120 points.
Trae Young
Trae Young continues to be an elite option. He’s averaging 32.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 10.6 assists (56.5 DK points) in 37.1 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He’s a player that boasts 70+ DK point upside on a nightly basis. Young will be locked into minutes in the mid-30s once again tonight, and he makes an elite option in all leagues on this slate.
Cam Reddish
Cam Reddish is a bit of a boom or bust option, who comes with a low price tag. He’s averaging 17.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.6 steals (28.7 DK points) in 32.5 minutes per game since the All Star Break. Reddish scored 25+ DK points in 4 of those 5 games, including a 39.5 DK point performance against the Brooklyn Nets. He’s expected to find minutes in the mid-30s once again tonight, and he’s cheap enough to be used in all leagues tonight.
John Collins
John Collins is another player that caught fire recently. Over the last 10 days, he’s averaging 25.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steal (47.7 DK points) in 34.5 minutes per game. Collins posted 37+ DK points in each of his last 4 games, including a 67.75 DK point performance against the Dallas Mavericks. He isn’t an overly safe option with Young healthy, but his upside is undeniable. Collins is an outstanding tournament option on this slate.
Wildcard GPP: Low Owned Stack
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers rank 25th in the NBA in pace, while the Cleveland Cavaliers rank 22nd in the league in the same category. Indiana also only ranks 17th in the NBA in offensive rating, while Cleveland ranks 29th in defensive rating. The Pacers are -8.5 point favorites in a game set at 215 points, giving them an implied team total of 111.8 points tonight.
Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon has lost some value with Victor Oladipo in the lineup, but he still comes with tremendous upside. He’s averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.0 steal (31.7 DK points) in 31.6 minutes per game. Brogdon is also coming off of a 38.5 DK point performance against the Portland Blazers. He’s expected to find minutes in the mid-30s once again tonight, making him an outstanding tournament option.
Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis is the focal point of the Indiana rotation. Over the last 10 days, he’s averaging 19.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists (45.9 DK points) in 31.5 minutes per game. Sabonis has priced himself out in cash games, but still comes with 60 DK point upside for tournaments. He’s locked into big minutes tonight, and is a must start in a Pacers stack.
Myles Turner
Myles Turner is a cheap option, who is beginning to heat up. He has double-doubled in each of his last 2 games, scoring 33 and 42 DK points in those contests. He struggled in his only matchup against Cleveland this season, which could help keep his ownership low. Turner is expected to see around 30 minutes tonight, and he comes with more than enough upside for tournaments.
Hidden Gem: Value Guard
Gary Trent
Gary Trent Jr has been a boom or bust option for the Portland Blazers. He’s averaging 12.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 2.0 steals (21.9 DK points) in 35.1 minutes per game over the last 10 days. Trent is coming off of a 30.25 DK point performance, and has flashed for upside in the past. He’s one of many beneficiaries from the Damian Lillard injury, allowing him to find success in recent games.
Trent gets a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, which has already been outlined above. He’s expected to find 30+ minutes in this game, allowing him to continue his recent success. He’s a player that relies heavily on scoring, and gets an ideal matchup for scoring guards. Trent isn’t consistent enough to be used in cash games, but he makes an outstanding tournament option.
Hidden Gem: Value Big
James Ennis
James Ennis has seen an increased role in the rotation in recent games. He’s averaging 10.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assist (20.3 DK points) in 25.3 minutes per game over his last 3 games. Ennis posted 19+ DK points in each of those games, as well. He’s a player that is benefitting from being entered into the starting lineup.
Ennis gets a plus matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. They rank 15th in the NBA in pace and 24th in defensive rating through 57 games. Ennis is expected to find minutes in the mid- to high-20s tonight. He’s a salary relief option that can be considered in all leagues on this slate.
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