NBA DFS Risers Playbook for DraftKings and FanDuel 1-7

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 11 game slate so grab a cup of coffee and let’s get into it!

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Notable Vegas Totals

San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Lakers O/U 224.5- These teams meet yet again as they played two times already last week. Are you ready to have fun? Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are a game-time decision for this one. Unless LeBron is hurt, I think it is more likely that he plays and Davis rests than both of them sitting out. With Davis out, that opens up some minutes for Kyle Kuzma or Markieff Morris. My interest will really depend on who starts. My priority early targets assuming Davis sits are LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Dennis Schroder, and Montrezl Harrell.

The Spurs look to be at full strength in this one with the exception of Devin White being out. LaMarcus Aldridge looks to be underpriced on both sites in the $6,000 range coming back from an injury. He stands out as a guy that could be a good value on today’s slate. Dejounte Murray is a volatile play that I like to go to in tournaments. His production relies on his shooting so pray that he’s hot if you have him at volume. DeMar DeRozan and Keldon Johnson are in play for me but not necessarily priority targets.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Brooklyn Nets O/U 224- This one is going to be a good one. It’s really rinse and repeat with the Nets as far as who is available for this one. Kevin Durant is still on the shelf with COVID-19 which gives a bump to Caris LeVert and Kyrie Irving. My exposure to the rest of the Nets will be reliant on who is in the starting lineup. Your guess is as good as mine for who will start.

This is the second leg of a back to back so we will have to see if there is any load management we have to deal with. Assuming everyone is healthy, Joel Embiid looks great again. He smashed last night and gets a matchup against a Nets team that runs the floor at a high pace. Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris are in play as well. I’ll give a big bump to Simmons if Embiid is out. Seth Curry is a great guy to take a shot at in tournaments.

Pace Up Spots

Philadelphia 76ers- As I mentioned above, the Nets run the floor at a high pace which is good enough for the top five in NBA. More possessions for Philly and a lack of defense from Brooklyn makes me want to prioritize this team in tournaments.

Los Angeles Lakers- Highest total on the slate and a pace up spot. Really hard not to like the Lakers here. This could be a spot where Schroder, Kuzma, Harrell, or Morris have a huge game to smash value. It’s worth noting that Morris is the minimum price on DraftKings.

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Key Injury News

LeBron James and Anthony Davis- As I have touched on in this article, we have to watch for load management here. Pay attention to the starting lineup for this one and be ready to late swap using FantasyCruncher’s Late Swaptimizer as this game does not tip until 10 pm est. There is a really good chance we see Markieff Morris get a start if Davis is out.

Kevin Love and Darius Garland- The Cavs are shorthanded again tonight. Collin Sexton and Andre Drummond get their bumps tonight as they should. This should be a smash spot for Drummond against Memphis but, he is volatile. Cedi Osman is in play but, he is priced up to the point where he isn’t necessarily the best value play anymore.

Early Targets

Joel Embiid- This is a great spot for Embiid. High total, high pace, and a matchup against the tandem of Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan. I expect a huge game out of Embiid in this one. Nobody on Brooklyn will be able to keep him in check.

Nikola Jokic- The Joker is someone that is almost always in play for me. He gets a matchup against a weak Dallas frontcourt and should face little to no resistance on today’s slate. He is priced up but, there should be plenty of value from Brooklyn, Cleveland, and Los Angeles to allow you to get to him.

D’Angelo Russell- Russell is starting to get on one of those runs where he gets hot for ten games in a row. He is priced under $8,000 on both sites and will shoot at a high volume. A matchup against Portland does not scare me at all and I will have Russell in tournaments.

Bruce Brown Jr.- My early look value of the day is Bruce Brown. He started the last game for Brooklyn and performed well in 23 minutes. Assuming he gets the same amount of run, I am expecting Brown to smash value again on this slate.