Welcome to the Team Rise or Fall Free FanDuel and DraftKings NBA DFS picks article. This morning we will highlight some standout Vegas totals, pace ups picks, notable injury news, and my preferred way to attack the slate. At the conclusion of the article, we’ll discuss how I plan on handling the slate with the information we have this early in the day. Be mindful that this preview is subject to change as news breaks throughout the day which can and will affect some of these picks.

Today we have a large 10 game slate with more than half the teams on the second night of back-to-backs so it will be imperative to watch the news leading up to the lock of the slate to see which stars are going to be given rest days.

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Notable Vegas Totals

Miami Heat @ Brooklyn Nets O/U 235

The Heat are looking to end a two-game skid and will be without key players Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. This is a rematch of a few nights ago where the Nets eked out a 4-point victory. In the absence of two high-usage players, Bam Adebayo went bananas 62.5 / 62.8 FanDuel and DraftKings points respectively. Kendrick Nunn was also very serviceable coming off the bench, while he has seen a price increase on both sites, I don’t mind him.

On the other side of the court, the Nets will go into the game with their big three all healthy. However, for fantasy purposes the way they cannibalize each other’s usage makes me initially want to fade them all together as their salaries are far too high for the production you’re getting in return. Gun to my head, forced to choose someone on the Nets to roster I’d probably look for value in Jeff Green.

Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls O/U 228.5

The Celtics are on the second night of a back-to-back so we’ll have to watch the news as it gets closer to lock, but since they blew out the Cavs last night their starters were able to sit quite a bit. The only person we have confirmed out as of writing this is Kemba Walker. The Celtics will be getting Jayson Tatum back from being out with COVID. Tatum and Jaylen Brown are priced up in this matchup (both 9k or above on FanDuel and 8.5k and above on DraftKings). They are more than likely a fade for me at their price. I like Marcus Smart in this fast-paced game, especially with Kemba Walker and Payton Pritchard out.

The young Bulls are led by Zach LaVine who have won 3 of their last 5 games. The Bulls rank 2^nd in the league pace which means they like to go up and down the court to play fast. Wendall Carter Jr is listed as questionable for this game which should open up minutes for value guys like Thad Young and Daniel Gafford. Lauri Markkanen looks to be back to 100% after his injury and should be in play tonight as well.

Pace Up Picks

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors

A matchup of two teams in the top 10 of pace. I want to key in on guys who have the ball in their hands which allows them to make plays. I’m referring to guys like Steph Curry and Draymond Green for the Warriors. On the Wolves, I like the idea of DeAngelo Russell, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns still out with COVID.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers 

The Trail Blazers are on the second half of a back-to-back but are without C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic so the scoring load will fall on Dame Lillard again tonight after he had a big night against the Knicks. On the other side of the ball, I want exposure to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is the main scorer for the Thunder and as this game ping-pongs back and forth he’ll be the one I want exposure to.

Key Injury News

Probable: Aaron Gordon, Joel Embiid

Questionable: Wendall Carter Jr,

Out: Kemba Walker, Payton Pritchard, Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Richardson, Dwight Powell, Derrick Rose, Jimmy Bulter, Tyler Herro, Avery Bradley, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jusuf Nurkic, CJ McCollum

Early Picks

Draymond Green – I love the value Draymond will give on this slate. He is vastly underpriced on both sites. I want exposure to this fast-paced game.

Bam Adebayo – Bam had a huge game a few nights ago against this Nets team who have no way of stopping bigs.

Gordon Hayward – I’m riding the hot hand here with Hayward who has been an absolute scoring machine.

Please be sure to follow news throughout the day as there are many teams on back-to-backs. Check out of coach’s Building Blocks closer to lock.

Question or comments

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