First TD Bets — Wild Card Monday Slate
Alex Christenson
We end the week with an 11-game DFS slate around the NBA. There is a ton to break down on Friday’s massive slate, so let’s not waste any time.
As always, be sure to check out the FTN NBA Optimizer over the course of the day.
NBA Vegas Data for January 21 | NBA DFS First Look
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Charlotte Hornets
CHA -9.5, total: 223
Pace: OKC (17th), CHA (2nd)
Situations to monitor:
- P.J. Washington (hip) is listed as questionable for the Hornets.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Orlando Magic
LAL -5, total: 220
Pace: LAL (10th), ORL (14th)
Situations to monitor:
- Wendell Carter has missed the last seven games with a hamstring injury but is listed as probable for Friday. Meanwhile, RJ Hampton will miss the next 2-4 weeks.
Los Angeles Clippers @ Philadelphia 76ers
PHI -8, total: 213
Pace: LAC (15th), PHI (26th)
Situations to monitor:
- Marcus Morris (personal) and Nicolas Batum (health and safety protocols) are listed as questionable for the Clippers.
- For the 76ers, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle and Danny Green remain out, while Seth Curry (ankle) is listed as questionable.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Boston Celtics
BOS -7.5, total: 212.5
Pace: POR (18th), BOS (23rd)
Situations to monitor:
- Norman Powell and Larry Nance will remain sidelined for Portland, while Nassir Little (knee) is listed as questionable.
- For Boston, Marcus Smart (conditioning) is listed as questionable.
Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks
ATL -1.5, total: 217.5
Pace: MIA (28th), ATL (19th)
Situations to monitor:
- Tyler Herro (health and safety protocols) and Kyle Lowry (personal) have been ruled out for the Heat.
- Atlanta, meanwhile, will remain without Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee), while Clint Capela is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Danilo Gallinari is also questionable with Achilles soreness.
Toronto Raptors @ Washington Wizards
WAS -1, total: 218
Pace: TOR (24th), WAS (20th)
Situations to monitor:
- Gary Trent has missed the last six games with an ankle injury and is once again listed as questionable for the Raptors.
Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks
MIL -10.5, total: 226
Pace: CHI (15th), MIL (8th)
Situations to monitor:
- Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball will remain sidelined for the Bulls.
Brooklyn Nets @ San Antonio Spurs
BKN -2.5, total: 232.5
Pace: BKN (7th), SAS (4th)
Situations to monitor:
- Kevin Durant will miss the next 4-6 weeks, while Nicolas Claxton is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Denver Nuggets
DEN -4, total: 222.5
Pace: MEM (5th), DEN (24th)
Situations to monitor:
- Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones will all be out for the Grizzlies.
Detroit Pistons @ Utah Jazz
UTA -14, total: 219
Pace: DET (11th), UTA (13th)
Situations to monitor:
- Donovan Mitchell (concussion) will remain sidelined for the Jazz.
- For the Pistons, Killian Hayes (hip) is questionable, while Frank Jackson remains out.
Houston Rockets @ Golden State Warriors
GSW -11, total: 229
Pace: HOU (1st), GSW (12th)
Situations to monitor:
- Draymond Green (calf) will remain out for Golden State. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson will rest on the second end of a back-to-back.
Stats to Know | NBA DFS First Look
Ja Morant recorded 103 touches during Memphis’ last game
The Grizzlies are (once again) shorthanded, missing Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones. With all four players inactive last game, Morant was even more of the focal point of the Grizzlies offense, as he touched the ball 103 times. For reference, Nikola Jokic leads the NBA in touches per game over the course of the season with 99.5. Morant also possessed the ball for 9.6 minutes in the game, while averaging 5.60 seconds per touch and sporting a 29.4% usage rate. This is a great matchup for Morant, facing a Denver team that is allowing a 66.8% defended field goal percentage from within six feet of the basket, tied for the worst rate in basketball. Morant, meanwhile, ranks third in the NBA in drives per game (20.0) over the course of the season.
Mike Conley recorded 91 touches during Utah’s last game
Utah was without Donovan Mitchell during their last game, which led to more opportunities for Conley. He touched the ball 91 times, way up from his season average of 62.9 per game. With Mitchell off the floor over the course of the season, Conley is sporting a strong 18% assist rate and 20% usage rate, while averaging a fantasy point per minute in the split. With Mitchell once again ruled out, Conley remains one of the best mid-range plays of the slate.