Hello all! I am happy to return to DailyOverlay and get back to the DFS grind!
It’s been a crazy week and a half, not only for yours truly, but for the world of basketball (trade deadline specifically).
I was out of town for a conference for 5 days and then came home and ka-blam – illness.
So bear with me through the medicine fog as we tackle today’s 6-game slate.
Of course we have the all-star break looming in the association, so the Index will run through Wednesday of this week and get back to it when the NBA returns.
I hope your DFS adventures over the past week and a half have been profitable and with the Index returning, I hope I can add to the plus signs in your bankroll.
Enough of the chit chat, let’s dive in!
| O/U | Spread | Pace | |
| New Orleans | 4 | ||
| Detroit | 220 | -3 | 21 |
Injury News
None
New Orleans: Emeka Okafor??? That was a surprising signing, but OK. The Pelicans are struggling a bit without the presence of DeMarcus Cousins. Sure, Nikola Mirotic provides NO with a big body and scoring potential, but he and Okafor combined don’t sniff Boogie. Brow is the main option on this team post-Boogie. Yea, Rondo put up a 60-burger the other night, but let’s be real, he’s not going to shoot 11-for-16 much, nor are we sure if he will see 25 minutes regularly. Jrue Holiday is another offensive option that gets a boost with the new-look Pelicans. Detroit sent Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley packing, and since, their defense has taken a hit all around. This is a pace-down spot for the Pelicans, but the close spread and high total means all of aforementioned guys are in play and this game is absolutely stackable.
Detroit: Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond have become quite the 1-2 punch since joining forces. Now they both get to face the Pelicans who are top-10 in rebounds allowed to power forwards and centers. The Pelicans also are top-10 in points and assists allowed to centers, too. Reggie Bullock has really shined in an expanded role, but I have not really been on him lately and don’t know if I will hop on at this points. Ish Smith is the starting point guard and his minutes are locked in. However, he can be inconsistent at times and doesn’t put up a ton of fantasy points overall, so his price almost maxes out his upside with Griffin in Detroit. BUT, we know Rondo is a defensive liability (82nd out of 97 qualified point guards in DRPM).
Must Plays: Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond
Bubble Plays: Rajon Rondo, Ish Smith, Nikola Mirotic, Jrue Holiday
Value Plays: None
| O/U | Spread | Pace | |
| New York | 16 | ||
| Philadelphia | 209.5 | -11.5 | 5 |
Injury News
None
New York: If it wasn’t for one of the later games on this slate that I want to cross off completely, I would be crossing off New York from my list tonight. Michael Beasley gets a lead role with Porzingis out, but his price is really starting to climb. This is a tough test for the Knicks, on the road in full give-up mode, to take on Philly. Of course, if Embiid sits in this one, then my opinion of the Knicks will change, but for now, I am siding with the blowout potential here, Emmanuel Mudiay play almost 30 minutes in his debut, but can we trust those minutes and do you want to trust him and his lack of talent? Tim Hardaway hasn’t spiked in awhile. Courtney Lee isn’t viable and Enes Kanter may or may not get 25 minutes? Beasley is the only one that is locked in for minutes should this game stay close.
Philadelphia: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are pretty obvious here, even in a potential blowout. The Knicks are top-10 in points allowed to centers and if Mudiay is going to get minutes at point guard, well, he’s the worst-rated defender at PG in the entire NBA. Yes, even worse than Isaiah Thomas. Anyway, that leaves us with J.J. Redick, Robert Covington and Dario Saric as starting options. All are viable, but not must plays. They are maxed out with their prices and upside, if you ask me. If Embiid is ruled out, then that would give them all a huge bump (mostly Saric) and thrust Richaun Holmes, Trevor Booker and Amir Johnson as possible value plays.
Must Plays: Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid
Bubble Plays: Michael Beasley, Dario Saric, J.J. Redick, Enes Kanter
Value Plays: None
