FREE NBA DFS Risers Playbook for DraftKings and FanDuel 1-15

Welcome to the NBA DFS Risers Playbook for DraftKings and Fanduel! Every morning we will highlight standout Vegas totals, pace up spots, notable injury news, and how I would attack the slate given the information we have in the morning. We have an 8 game slate so grab a cup of coffee and let’s get into it!

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Notable Vegas Totals

Los Angeles Clippers @ Sacramento Kings O/U 229- The Clippers should head into this game at full strength. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both priced up in the $9,000 range on DraftKings. On FanDuel, you can get Paul George for $8,800. At this point, I’m not going to try to force either of these guys into my lineups but, they could be good tournament options if they come in low owned.

None of the other Clippers’ players stand out to me at this point. Nicolas Batum and Patrick Beverly on FanDuel look like the only other options I would consider at this point.

The Kings have a ton of players in the mid-range on DraftKings and FanDuel on this slate. De’Aaron Fox is their highest priced player but, he is not priced like a stud on either site. Fox has a high ceiling and will be the highest usage player for the Kings. Richaun Holmes, Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, and Harrison Barnes look like good tournament options in my early look. They will all be volatile but, they should come in relatively low-owned. With a lack of value right now, the mid-range could be key for tonight’s slate.

Dallas Mavericks @ Milwaukee Bucks O/U 227- The Mavericks come into this one without Jalen Brunson, Josh Richardson, and Dorian Finney-Smith due to COVID-19. Luka Donic is by far the best play on this team and could end up as the best play on the slate. You will have to pay a premium on DraftKings and FanDuel to roster him though.

Kristaps Porzingis should be active for this one but, I would expect his minutes to be limited as he is coming back from an injury. Willie Cauley-Stein and James Johnson stand out as value plays in my early look.

I would expect the Bucks to be at full strength for this contest. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a great play on DraftKings and FanDuel if you have the salary to pay his price tag. I don’t anticipate anybody on Dallas slowing him down. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are in play on FanDuel for me. Middleton is too expensive on DraftKings for my taste. Both will be volatile plays with high ceilings. 

Pace Up Spots

Dallas Mavericks- The Mavs take on a Bucks team that is top 10 in pace for the season. This makes Luka Donic even more of a priority for me. Big pace up spot and the Mavs are shorthanded.

Oklahoma City Thunder- Oklahoma City gets a matchup with a Bulls team that is top 3 in pace for the season. The Thunder are middle of the pack in terms of pace so there should be some considerable bumps to their players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is priced around $8,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel and he should dominate the usage for this team.

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Key Injury News

Boston Celtics- The Celtics are dealing with some COVID-19 cases. It looks like Jayson Tatum will be out for this one. Jaylen Brown and Daniel Theis could be back for this one. We will have to monitor news closer to lock here but, this is a spot where we could see some value open up.

Andre Drummond- Drummond is currently listed as probable on the injury report but, it is important to prepare if he is out. If he is out, Jarrett Allen becomes a great play at the mid-range on DraftKings and FanDuel. This would give a bump to Larry Nance as well.

Ja Morant- Morant is questionable and looks like he is coming back sooner than expected from an ankle sprain. I prefer his price on DraftKings over FanDuel. There are better and safer options on FanDuel.

Early Targets for DraftKings and FanDuel

Luka Doncic- Luka gets a pace up spot in which the Mavs are shorthanded. His minutes and usage should get a bump from the guys that are out due to COVID-19. If the Mavs are in this game, it is likely that Luka is flirting with a triple-double. I’m expecting his shot volume to be around 25.

Nikola Vucevic- Vucevic feels like ole reliable at this point. You can slot him into your lineup knowing he will get you between 35 and 55 fantasy points on any given night. He is a great cash game play and is my top center on FanDuel in my early look.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander- We get SGA in a pace up spot and he is at a great price point on DraftKings and FanDuel. He is capable of getting a triple-double every game and the Bulls are not a team I am scared to attack. Don’t pay attention to the game logs against Chicago for SGA. He is a great play.

Willie Cauley-Stein- Cauley-Stein is my early value of the day. He should get. in the neighborhood of 30 minutes and is in a pace up spot against Milwaukee. I prefer this play on DraftKings due to the opportunity cost on FanDuel. We could see a double-double out of Cauley-Stein today.

These are my EARLY targets. If you want targets from our NBA coaches closer to lock, check out NBA Building Blocks!