NBA DFS Preview - First Look (3/6)

We end the week with a modest five-game main slate in the NBA, though there are a few games in the afternoon. There doesn’t appear to be a ton of value at the moment, but things can change in a second in NBA DFS.

Be sure to check out the FTN NBA Optimizer.

NBA Vegas Data for March 6 | NBA DFS First Look

Memphis Grizzlies @ Houston Rockets

MEM -10.5, total: 235.5
Pace: MEM (4th), HOU (1st)

Situations to monitor:

Dennis Schroder (ankle) is listed as questionable for the Rockets.

Utah Jazz @ Oklahoma City Thunder

UTA -13.5, total: 222.5
Pace: UTA (19th), OKC (14th)

Situations to monitor:

Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Ty Jerome, Kenrich Williams and Derrick Favors all remain out for Oklahoma City.
For Utah, Mike Conley has been ruled out due to rest.

Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers

CLE -4.5, total: 209.5
Pace: TOR (25th), CLE (27th)

Situations to monitor:

Fred VanVleet has no timetable for his return but is listed as questionable for Sunday. OG Anunoby will remain sidelined, while Malachi Flynn is questionable with a hamstring injury for Toronto.
For Cleveland, Caris LeVert and Rajon Rondo are listed as doubtful.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Denver Nuggets

DEN -3.5, total: 228
Pace: NOP (22nd), DEN (21st)

Situations to monitor:

Nikola Jokic (illness) is listed as probable for Denver.

New York Knicks @ Los Angeles Clippers

LAC -4.5, total: 219.5
Pace: NYK (26th), LAC (14th)

Situations to monitor:

Obi Toppin missed Friday’s game with a hamstring injury for New York. We’ll see if he can return to the lineup.

Matchups to Target | NBA DFS First Look

Jaren Jackson vs. Houston Rockets

Jackson has a ton of upside on any given slate, especially in the right matchup. This could easily be the right matchup, as the Rockets are allowing the second-most real points (23.45), fifth-most rebounds (11.07), third-most assists (4.22) and second-most steals (1.76) per game to opposing power forwards this season. Houston is also allowing the third-highest field goal percentage on short mid-range shots (45%), which is around the free throw line distance. Meanwhile, 33% of Jackson’s field goal attempts come from that part of the floor. With both teams playing at top-five paces, Jackson will have plenty of opportunities to produce in this game.

Jordan Clarkson vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

With Mike Conley out for this game, Clarkson will see increased playing time. And considering Joe Ingles is no longer with the team, it is entirely possible that Clarkson enters the starting lineup. Clarkson has only started one game all year, but in that contest, he scored 22 points, while adding four rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. And with Conley off the floor this season, Clarkson is sporting a healthy 25.4% usage rate, while averaging 0.93 fantasy points per minute in the split. Clarkson still doesn’t project to play 32-35 minutes, but at just $5,000 on DraftKings, 27-30 minutes should be more than enough for Clarkson, especially against an Oklahoma City team that is coughing up the seventh-most triples per game to opposing shooting guards (3.49).

Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look

Trent Forrest vs. OKC- Forrest could also start in the absence of Mike Conley, but regardless, he should be in line for more minutes. At just $3,100 on DraftKings, Forrest has the opportunity to eclipse 20 minutes. With Conley and Joe Ingles off the floor this season, his assist rate climbs to a respectable 14% mark.