NBA DFS Preview – First Look (2/10)

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, which means things can change in an instant in the fantasy basketball world. There are seven games on Thursday’s DFS slate, and you should be sure to remain plugged into all of the news over the course of the day.

Check out the FTN NBA Optimizer. 

NBA Vegas Data for February 10 | NBA DFS First Look

Memphis Grizzlies @ Detroit Pistons

MEM -12, total; 225
Pace: MEM (5th), DET (11th)

Situations to monitor:

• Cade Cunningham (hip) is listed as questionable for Detroit. He’s missed the last four games with the injury. Killian Hayes is listed as probable.

Brooklyn Nets @ Washington Wizards

WAS -2.5, total: 218
Pace: BKN (8th), WAS (22nd)

Situations to monitor:

• James Harden (hamstring, trade speculation) has been ruled out. LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle) has also been ruled out, while Nicolas Claxton is listed as questionable.
• For Washington, Bradley Beal will miss the remainder of the season with his wrist injury.

Miami Heat @ New Orleans Pelicans

MIA -5.5, total: 217
Pace: MIA (28th), NOP (21st)

Situations to monitor:

• CJ McCollum is expected to make his Pelicans debut Thursday.
• For Miami, Tyler Herro is listed as probable, along with Caleb Martin.

Toronto Raptors @ Houston Rockets

TOR -8, total: 225
Pace: TOR (26th), HOU (1st)

Situations to monitor:

• This is the second end of a back-to-back for Toronto.
• Eric Gordon has missed the last few games with a heel injury and is unsure if he’ll return to the lineup Thursday.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Dallas Mavericks

DAL -7, total: 215
Pace: LAC (13th), DAL (30th)

Situations to monitor:

• Kristaps Porzingis will miss his sixth consecutive game Thursday. Meanwhile, Sterling Brown (foot) is listed as questionable.

New York Knicks @ Golden State Warriors

GSW -9.5, total: 217.5
Pace: NYK (28th), GSW (14th)

Situations to monitor:

• RJ Barrett (ankle) is listed as doubtful. Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel are both listed as questionable.
• Klay Thompson rested on the front end of a back-to-back on Wednesday but should be back in the lineup Thursday. 

Milwaukee Bucks @ Phoenix Suns

PHX -4, total: 232.5
Pace: MIL (8th), PHX (10th)

Situations to monitor:

• Grayson Allen (hip) is listed as probable for Milwaukee. 
• Cameron Payne will remain out of the lineup for Phoenix with a wrist injury.

Stats to Know | NBA DFS First Look

Desmond Bane is averaging 2.2 points per game off handoffs this season

That is tied for the second most in the NBA to this point of the year, while Bane has been very efficient off the play type, shooting 46.5% from the field and averaging 1.06 points per possession. He finds himself in a tremendous spot Thursday, facing a Pistons defense that is coughing up the seventh-most points per game (4.9), second-most points per possession (1.15) and second-highest field goal percentage (48%) off handoffs this season. Bane continues to see plenty of volume for Memphis, especially in the absence of Dillon Brooks. With Brooks off the floor this season, Bane is sporting a solid 24% usage rate, while averaging just over a fantasy point per minute in the split. 

Pascal Siakam is averaging 4.4 transition points per game this season

Siakam easily leads the Raptors in transition scoring, while also ranking 11th in all of basketball in such points per game. He has been outstanding for most of the season but especially as of late, averaging 1.23 fantasy points per minute over the last two weeks. And over his last six games, Siakam is averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 51.8 fantasy points per game. He’s now scored at least 50 fantasy points in four straight games and gets a stellar matchup with a Rockets team that is allowing the most transition points per game on the year (24.4). Siakam also leads Toronto in touches per game over the last six contests and the rebounds have been strong, too, especially since he’s playing so much time at center.

Spencer Dinwiddie is sporting a 24% assist rate with Bradley Beal off the floor

Keep an eye on the news, as Dinwiddie is a player who could be traded. However, if he remains on Washington’s roster, he projects as a very strong mid-range play. The minutes have been down over the last few games, both of which have been blowouts. However, a home meeting with the reeling Brooklyn Nets should lead to a close game and Dinwiddie is still sporting a 24% assist rate and 25.1% usage rate with Beal off the court this season, while also averaging 1.11 fantasy points per minute in the split. Brooklyn is also coughing up the sixth-most points per possession (0.89) to opposing ball handlers out of the pick-and-roll. 

Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look

Alperen Sengun vs. TOR — Sengun has started the last few games, but it is worth wondering whether he will remain in the starting five against a smaller Toronto team, especially if Eric Gordon returns to the lineup. However, if he remains in the starting lineup, Sengun stands out, as he is averaging 1.12 fantasy points per minute this season, to go along with a 22.3% usage rate and 25% rebounding rate.

Last Night’s GPP Performances | NBA DFS First Look

DraftKings optimal lineup

LaMelo Ball (60.25)
D’Angelo Russell (55.5)
Harrison Barnes (46.0)
Aleksej Pokusevski (38.0)
Hassan Whiteside (50.25)
Davion Mitchell (42.75)
Pascal Siakam (59.0)
Theo Maledon (30.0)

FanDuel optimal lineup

LaMelo Ball (59.3)
Dennis Smith (40.9)
Jeremy Lamb (33.7)
D’Angelo Russell (50.8)
Justise Winslow (37.1)
LeBron James (51.9)
Aleksej Pokusevski (41.3)
Pascal Siakam (56.7)
Hassan Whiteside (57.4)