NBA DFS Preview – First Look (3/22)

There are only four NBA games Tuesday, but there are plenty of injuries to impact the DFS slate. Let’s take an early preview at all the action.

Be sure to check out the FTN NBA Optimizer. 

NBA Vegas Data for March 22 | NBA DFS First Look

Golden State Warriors @ Orlando Magic

GSW -7.5, total: 215.5
Pace: GSW (11th), ORL (9th)

Situations to monitor:

• Stephen Curry remains out for the Warriors, while Andrew Wiggins is listed as probable.
• For Orlando, Jalen Suggs (ankle) will miss his fourth consecutive contest.

Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks

ATL -2, total: 226.5
Pace: ATL (19th), NYK (23rd)

Situations to monitor:

• Julius Randle will miss Tuesday’s game with a quad injury. 
• For Atlanta, John Collins will remain sidelined, while Bogdan Bogdanovic is listed as questionable.

Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks

MIL -7, total: 234
Pace: CHI (17th), MIL (6th)

Situations to monitor:

• Khris Middleton has been ruled out with a wrist injury. Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as probable to play. 

Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets

DEN -7, total: 223
Pace: LAC (14th), DEN (20th)

Situations to monitor:

• JaMychal Green is listed as probable.

Matchups to Target | NBA DFS First Look

RJ Barrett vs. Atlanta Hawks

Barrett is in line for plenty of usage, as New York will be without Julius Randle. And with Derrick Rose still sidelined, this offense will run through Barrett. With both Randle and Rose off the court this season, Barret is sporting a massive 34.4% usage rate, while averaging a strong 1.16 fantasy points per minute in the split. And in games Barrett has played with Randle inactive, his usage rate climbs by 7.75%, an absolutely massive number, while averaging over two more real life and fantasy points per game in the split. Per usual, expect massive minutes from Barrett with even more usage than normal.

Jordan Poole vs. Orlando Magic

In the absence of Stephen Curry, Poole will have to step up and play a much larger role for Golden State. We saw that during the Warriors’ last game, as Poole started at point guard and touched the basketball 82 times, way up from his regular season average of 59.5 touches per game. He attempted 21 field goals during the game and with Curry off the floor over the course of the season, Poole’s usage rate jumps up by 5.6%, while he is also averaging 1.10 fantasy points per minute in the split. As for the matchup with Orlando, it is quite favorable, as the Magic are coughing up the most points per possession (1.07) and the worst field goal percentage (41.1%) to spot-up shooters over the course of the season.

Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look

Obi Toppin vs. ATL — With Julius Randle and Nerlens Noel out, Toppin should step in and play relatively heavy minutes. He is sporting a healthy 21.3% usage rate with both players off the floor this season to go along with a 23% rebounding rate and 0.98 fantasy points per minute in the split.