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
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks rank seventh and sixth in the NBA in pace, respectively. Memphis ranks 20th in offensive rating, while Atlanta ranks 28th in defensive rating. The Grizzlies are +2 point underdogs in a game set at 240.5 points, but still boast one of the highest implied team totals on the slate at 119.3 points.
Ja Morant
Ja Morant hasn’t been the most consistent option, but his recent success has been undeniable. He’s averaging 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 12.5 assists (50.4 DK points) in 34.5 minutes per game over his last 2 games. He posted 59.5 and 41.25 DK points in those contests, as well. The only major concern with Morant is that he has struggled on the road this season, but still gets a plus matchup. He’ll be locked into 30+ minutes for Memphis, as well. He adds a bit of upside to this stack.
Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks is another player that has been heating up in recent games. He posted 29+ DK points in each of his last 3 games, including a 38.5 DK point performance against the Sacramento Kings. The difference in Brooks’ recent success is his new role in the offense, although his price tag represents his recent struggles. In his last 3 games, Brooks is averaging 24.0 shot attempts per game. He turned those into 26.0 points to go along with 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists (32.8 DK points) per game. Similarly to Morant, Brooks is better at home, but he’s expected to see 30+ minutes tonight. He’s far too cheap for his recent production.
Jonas Valanciunas
With Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke injured, Jonas Valanciunas saw 31 and 32 minutes in his last 2 games. In that time, he’s averaging 17.5 points, 22.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.0 block (50.6 DK points) per game. Valanciunas gets an outstanding matchup against Atlanta, who is dealing with front court injuries. He’s expected to see around 30 minutes once again tonight. Memphis isn’t the safest “cash stack” in the NBA, but they are far too cheap, and come with tremendous upside, as well.
Important Odds: Vegas Stack
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies 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 Memphis ranks 18th in defensive rating. The Hawks are currently -2 point favorites in a game set at 240.5 points, and they possess the highest implied team total on the slate at 121.3 points.
Trae Young
Trae Young is always a must start for Atlanta. He’s averaging 31.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 11.3 assists (56.0 DK points) in 36.4 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He posted 48+ DK points in 9 of his last 10 games, while flashing 70+ DK point upside. Young is the type of player that will benefit from the pace and defensive lapses in this game, and he has been at his best in Atlanta this season.
De’Andre Hunter
Cam Reddish (if he plays) will get the ownership, but De’Andre Hunter has caught fire recently. He’s averaging 16.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists (29.4 DK points) in 34.6 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He also posted 30+ DK points in 6 of his last 8 games, including a 43.25 DK point performance against the New York Knicks. His price tag is on the rise, but still far too cheap for his recent success.
John Collins
John Collins is the final piece of the puzzle. He’s averaging 25.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.0 steal (48.0 DK points) in 34.6 minutes per game over the last 10 days. Collins posted 50+ DK points in each of his last 2 games, while possessing 70 DK point upside. He’s another player that has been slightly better in Atlanta this season, as well. Collins isn’t the most consistent option in the NBA, but he makes an outstanding tournament play on this slate.
Wildcard GPP: Low Owned Stack
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz only rank 20th in the NBA in pace, while the Cleveland Cavaliers rank 22nd in the league in the same category. Utah does rank ninth in the NBA in offensive rating, though, while Cleveland ranks 29th in defensive rating. The Jazz are -8.5 point favorites in a game set at 220 points, giving an implied team total of 114.3 points.
Mike Conley
Mike Conley is averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists (25.5 DK points) in 30.3 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He has played 30+ minutes in 7 of his last 8 games, averaging 34.0 DK points per game in those contests. Conley will also benefit from Cleveland’s known struggles against point guards. He’s expected to see 30+ minutes once again tonight, making him a must start in a Utah stack.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell has been heating up. He’s averaging 34.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists (47.8 DK points) in 35.0 minutes per game over his last 4 games. Mitchell posted 40+ DK points in each of those games, while flashing 50+ DK point upside. He’s an elite scoring option against one of the worst defenses in the NBA. He’s expected to find minutes in the mid-30s once again, making him an elite option in this stack.
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert has been ice cold recently. He’s averaging 12.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steal (30.8 DK points) in 35.3 minutes per game over the last 10 days. With that being said, Gobert comes with tremendous upside because of his 20/20 potential, along with his elite blocking upside. His ownership could stay low because of his recent struggles, but he makes an elite tournament option tonight.
Hidden Gem: Value Guard
Kevin Porter Jr.
Kevin Porter Jr. has quietly caught fire. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals (33.5 DK points) in 33.3 minutes per game over his last 4 games. Porter flashed elite upside over that span, posting 51.5 DK points against the Miami Heat. He’s a versatile option, who comes with tremendous scoring upside.
Porter gets a tough matchup against the Utah Jazz. They rank 20th in the NBA in pace and 11th in defensive rating. Porter is expected to see 30+ minutes once again tonight. He isn’t the safest option on the slate, but he makes an elite tournament play, as he’s likely to go overlooked in this matchup.
Note: Porter can be considered in all leagues as Cleveland deals with multiple injuries tonight.
Hidden Gem: Value Big
James Ennis
I’m going back to the well with James Ennis. He has caught fire recently. Over his last 4 games, he’s averaging 9.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 block (22.3 DK points) in 25.8 minutes per game. Ennis posted 19+ DK points in each of those games, while coming off of a 28.5 DK point performance against the San Antonio Spurs. He has performed well since seeing an increase in minutes.
Ennis gets a great matchup against the Portland Blazers. They rank 11th in the NBA in pace, while also ranking 27th in defensive rating. Ennis posted 23.75 DK points in only 24.5 minutes in his only matchup against Portland this season. He’s expected to see minutes in the mid- to high-20s once again tonight, and he’s cheap enough to be considered in all leagues tonight.
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