NBA DFS Preview – First Look (1/24)

Even though there are only four NBA games Monday, there is a ton of injury news that will impact many things around DFS. Be sure to keep tabs on it throughout the day, while also checking out the FTN NBA Optimizer. 

NBA Vegas Data for January 24 | NBA DFS First Look

New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers

CLE -7, total: 203
Pace: NYK (30th), CLE (21st)

Situations to monitor:

• Kemba Walker did not play Sunday and is listed as questionable to play Monday. Mitchell Robinson suffered an ankle injury Sunday and did not return. 
• Lauri Markkanen left with an ankle injury during Saturday’s game and has been ruled out for Monday. Rajon Rondo (hamstring) is questionable).

Chicago Bulls @ Oklahoma City Thunder

CHI -2, total: 215
Pace: CHI (16th), OKC (12th)

Situations to monitor:

• Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso will remain out for the Bulls while Zach LaVine will travel to Oklahoma City, giving him a chance to return to the lineup.
• Derrick Favors (back) has been ruled out for the Thunder.

Indiana Pacers @ New Orleans Pelicans

NOP -2.5, total: 214.5
Pace: IND (19th), NOP (17th)

Situations to monitor:

• Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner are all out, while Caris LeVert is listed as a game-time decision with a calf injury.
• For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram (ankle) has been ruled out. Devonte’ Graham is listed as questionable. 

Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns

PHX -9, total: 222.5
Pace: UTA (15th), PHX (4th)

Situations to monitor:

• Donovan Mitchell (concussion) has once again been ruled out. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert (calf) and Bojan Bogdanovic (knee) could be out, as they are on the Jazz injury report. 
• Deandre Ayton is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury. It would be his fourth consecutive missed game. Cameron Payne and Jae Crowder have also been ruled out for the Suns.

Stats to Know | NBA DFS First Look

Goga Bitadze is averaging 21 rebounding chances per game over his last two contests

With both Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner sidelined for the Pacers, Bitadze has stepped in and played very well over the last two games. During that span, he has posted stat lines of 13-9-5 and 16-11-2, while averaging a healthy 21 rebounding opportunities per game. And for the season, Bitadze is sporting a 30% rebounding and 22.4% usage rate with both Turner and Sabonis off the floor, while also averaging a solid 1.06 fantasy points per minute in the split. 

Ayo Dosunmu is averaging 37.6 minutes per game over his last six contests

With the injuries to Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, Dosunmu has played huge minutes as of late, averaging nearly 38 per game over his last six games. He’s reached the 40-minute mark in two of his last five games and if LaVine remains sidelined again Monday, Dosunmu has a great chance of logging 40 minutes once again. Outside of last game, his assists have been up, sporting a team-high 13% assist rate over the last week to go along with a solid 15% rebounding rate.

Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look

Cedi Osman vs. NYK — With Collin Sexton, Ricky Rubio and now Lauri Markkanen sidelined for Cleveland, Osman is going to have to play a larger role. Lauri was starting at small forward, which means Osman has the chance to enter the starting lineup for this game. With all three members of the Cavaliers off the floor this season, Osman is sporting a very solid 23.2% usage rate.

Keifer Sykes vs. NOP — Sykes has been starting in the absence of Malcolm Brogdon and could remain in the starting lineup again on Monday, And if Caris LeVert remains sidelined, more usage should go around. Sykes is sporting a solid 19% usage rate and 12% assist rate with both LeVert and Brogdon off the floor this season.

Last Night’s GPP Performances | NBA DFS First Look

DraftKings optimal lineup

De’Anthony Melton (35.0)
Duncan Robinson (41.25)
Jimmy Butler (59.5)
P.J. Tucker (26.75)
Jakob Poeltl (49.5)
Luka Doncic (72.25)
Nassir Little (35.25)
Tobias Harris (42.25)

FanDuel optimal lineup

Fred VanVleet (53.0)
De’Anthony Melton (37.7)
Luka Doncic (70.7)
Duncan Robinson (38.5)
Jimmy Butler (58.0)
Dorian Finney-Smith (34.4)
OG Anunoby (42.1)
Jarred Vanderbilt (37.8)
Jakob Poeltl (51.0)

That is now back-to-back strong games from De’Anthony Melton, who is taking advantage of his increased playing time as of late. With Memphis so depleted, Melton has now logged 27 and 31 minutes over the last two games, posting stat lines of 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists and 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.