NBA DFS Preview for Saturday 3/2/24

Early Slate (3:00pm est)

Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets

• Vegas Odds: BKN -2 | Total: 221.5
• Key Points:
  • Dejounte Murray is the man for the Hawks, boasting a solid +8.2 FP/G increase over his last 4 games. At $8,600 on DK, he’s a prime candidate for your lineup.
  • The Nets’ Dennis Schroder, priced at a more modest $5,900 on DK, offers value against a Hawks team that’s been generous to opposing PGs.
  • Both teams are positioned lower in defensive ratings, indicating potential for high-scoring individual performances.

Utah Jazz at Miami Heat

• Vegas Odds: MIA -7.5 | Total: 226.0
• Key Points:
  • Keyonte George of the Jazz shows promise with an uptick in fantasy points and minutes. His $6,200 price tag could make him a valuable asset.
  • Terry Rozier for Miami is a higher-risk, higher-reward pick at $6,900. Given Utah’s struggles on defense, he could exceed expectations.
  • Miami’s defensive prowess could limit the upside of Jazz’s players, making Heat players more appealing.

Main Slate (8:00pm est)

Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies

• Matchup Insight: After a commanding win by the Blazers in their last meeting, expect motivated performances from both sides.
• DFS Focus:
  • Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant remain key offensive pieces for Portland, especially with several players potentially out.
  • Jaren Jackson could dominate if he plays, given his high usage rate in a depleted Grizzlies lineup.

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers

• Vegas Odds: LAL -1 | Total: 229.5
• Key Points:
  • Nikola Jokic remains a DFS powerhouse. Despite the high $12,300 price, his performance justifies the cost.
  • Lakers’ duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both elite options, but fitting both might require some budget balancing elsewhere.
  • Injuries to Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could shift value to secondary Nuggets players, keep an eye on the injury report.

Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns

• Vegas Odds: PHO -9.5 | Total: 229.5
• Key Points:
  • Devin Booker‘s return could impact usage rates across the Suns’ lineup, but he and Kevin Durant remain top-tier choices.
  • Houston’s consistency issues make their players riskier picks, though Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun have shown flashes of high upside.
  • Monitor injury reports, especially for the Suns, as they could significantly alter DFS dynamics.

General Strategy Tips:

• Injuries Matter: Keep a close eye on injury reports, as last-minute changes can unlock significant value.
• Matchup Pace: Consider the pace of play for each matchup. Higher-paced games tend to result in more DFS points.
• Defensive Matchups: Exploit weak defenses. Players facing teams that struggle defensively often have higher ceilings.

Today’s slate is ripe with opportunities, from high-usage stars to value picks that could surprise. Mixing proven performers with a few calculated risks could be the key to success.

Good luck!