NBA DFS Preview - First Look (3/26)

Every morning on FTNDaily, we will have a comprehensive first look article for that day’s NBA DFS slate. This will be your go-to destination for NBA game environments, fantasy-relevant situations to monitor, a quick look at the top-priced players across the industry and some stats to get you started with the slate.

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Sunday presents us with seven games on a main slate with a 6 p.m. ET tipoff.

Consensus Vegas odds are derived from FTNBets Vegas Odds Board.

NBA Vegas Data for March 26 | NBA DFS First Look

Sacramento Kings @ Orlando Magic

ORL -2, total: 223.5
Pace: SAC (8th), ORL (10th)

Situations to monitor:

Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Terence Davis and Richaun Holmes remain out for the Kings
Jalen Suggs remains out for the Magic

Indiana Pacers @ Toronto Raptors

TOR -10.5, total: 225.0
Pace: IND (19th), TOR (26th)

Situations to monitor:

Myles Turner, Chris Duarte, T.J. McConnell and Isaiah Jackson all remain out for the Pacers, while Jalen Smith and Goga Bitadze are listed as questionable.
Malachi Flynn remains out for the Raptors while Gary Trent is listed as questionable.

Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

CLE -0.5, total: 222.5
Pace: CHI (13th), CLE (25th)

Situations to monitor:

Jarrett Allen, Dean Wade and Rajon Rondo remain out for the Cavs.
Lonzo Ball remains out for the Bulls while DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso are listed as questionable.

Brooklyn Nets @ Miami Heat

BKN -3.5, total: 230.0
Pace: BKN (12th), MIA (29th)

Situations to monitor:

Ben Simmons, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joe Harris remain out for the Nets.
Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro should be considered questionable after missing Friday’s game.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Memphis Grizzlies

MEM -1.5, total: 233.5
Pace: MIL (4th), MEM (7th)

Situations to monitor:

Jrue Holiday is listed as out for the Bucks while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are listed as questionable.
Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke and Killian Tillie are listed as out for the Grizzlies.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets

DEN -15, total: 230.5
Pace: OKC (11th), DEN (21st)

Situations to monitor:

Luguentz Dort remains out for the Thunder while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey are listed as questionable. Kenrich Williams, Ty Jerome, Mike Muscala, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Derrick Favors also remain out.
Jamal Murray remains out for the Nuggets and Michael Porter should be considered questionable, as the Nuggets have said he could possibly return before the end of March as he rehabs with the G-League’s Grand Rapids Gold.

Houston Rockets @ Portland Trail Blazers

HOU -4, total: 231.5
Pace: HOU (2nd), POR (14th)

Situations to monitor:

Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little remain out for the Blazers. Josh Hart, Justise Winslow and Eric Bledsoe all remain questionable after missing Friday’s contest.
John Wall remains out for the Rockets

Matchup to Target | NBA DFS First Look

Below are two matchups I intend to target as core plays Saturday.

Pascal Siakam vs. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have gotten absolutely shredded on the interior all season and it shows in their aDvP numbers, illustrated above. They rank 23rd against skilled centers, 26th against crafty finishers and additionally, 24th against rebounders. With Jalen Smith and Goga Bitadze in danger of missing the game on Saturday, they might be even more short-handed and undersized than they already are. This bodes well for Siakam, as we could see more minutes at the five against an undersized frontcourt, further stabilizing his elite minutes floor.

Darius Garland vs. Chicago Bulls

When looking at early-season success versus late-season success, it’s hard to find a bigger dropoff defensively than the Chicago Bulls. The absence of Lonzo Ball has been nearly impossible for them to overcome, as they now rank 27th against primary ball-handlers, 28th against scorers, and 28th against crafty finishers. This bodes extremely well for Garland, who comes in with the Cavs in must-win mode and with recent reports that the starters will be playing heavier minutes down the home stretch of the season.

NBA Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look

For the top value plays on the slate, check out the Cheat Sheets for our analysts’ exposures and the NBA Optimizer for the best point-per-dollar plays.