NBA DFS Preview - First Look (2/27)

The week comes to an end with all-day basketball on a Sunday, though our attention will be on the five-game main slate. Let’s take an early look at the action.

Don’t forget to check out the FTN NBA Optimizer.

Detroit Pistons @ Charlotte Hornets

CHA -10, total: 229
Pace: DET (12th), CHA (2nd)

Situations to monitor:

Gordon Hayward will remain sidelined for Charlotte.
For the Pistons, Marvin Bagley left Saturday’s game with an ankle injury and did not return. His status is in question for Sunday.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Houston Rockets

LAC -7, total: 229
Pace: LAC (14th), HOU (1st)

Situations to monitor:

Kevin Porter (ankle) is listed as questionable for the Rockets.

Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors

GSW -4, total: 220.5
Pace: DAL (30th), GSW (13th)

Situations to monitor:

Klay Thompson is listed as questionable with an illness. Meanwhile, Draymond Green will remain sidelined.
For Dallas, Tim Hardaway remains out, while Marquese Chriss (ankle) is listed as doubtful.

Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers

DEN -8, total: 227
Pace: DEN (21st), POR (17th)

Situations to monitor:

Justise Winslow (Achilles) is listed as questionable for the Blazers, who are already without Nassir Little and Jusuf Nurkic.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers

LAL -1, total: 222
Pace: NOP (22nd), LAL (6th)

Situations to monitor:

Avery Bradley will likely be listed as questionable for Los Angeles.

Matchups to Target | NBA DFS First Look

Terry Rozier vs. Detroit Pistons

With Charlotte lacking a true backup point guard, we have seen Terry Rozier handle the ball much more ever since the Ish Smith trade. Over his last seven games, Rozier is averaging right around 84 touches per game, way up from his season average of 67.9 per game. There aren’t many instances when both Rozier and LaMelo Ball are off the floor, and because Rozier is playing more point guard, the assists have been up lately, while the shot attempts and minutes haven’t gone anywhere. He is in a great spot against the Pistons on Sunday, a team that is allowing the sixth-most points (4.9) and second-most points per possession (1.13) off screens this season, as well as the second-highest field goal percentage off the play type (46.5%). Rozier, meanwhile, is averaging nearly two points per game off the play type, while shooting 49% from the field. In two meetings with Detroit this season, Rozier is averaging just over 48 DraftKings points per game.

Saddiq Bey vs. Charlotte Hornets

On the other side of this game, Saddiq Bey is very interesting. His minutes are very secure, logging at least 34 in five of his last six games, while averaging just over 33 minutes per game over the course of the season. Bey leads the Pistons in spot-up points per game on the year (5.3), a number that is tied for 15th in the NBA. Don’t be surprised if he finds success against arguably the worst defensive unit in basketball, especially since Charlotte is also allowing the third-most points per game off spot-ups (31.0) to go along with the fifth-highest frequency rate off the play type (27.1%).

Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look

Dwight Howard vs. NOP- With Anthony Davis sidelined, Howard drew the start at center on Friday. He finished with an impressive 14 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and a steal in 26 minutes, his second-most in any game this season. Assuming he starts again, Howard is easily the top value play of the slate, especially on DraftKings where he is just $3,000. Howard saw a whopping 25 rebounding opportunities last game, and with Davis off the floor this season, the veteran is sporting a 38% rebounding rate, while averaging 1.08 fantasy points per minute.