NBA DFS Preview: Southeast Division

With the National Basketball League season set to (finally!) start at the end of July, the FTN team is breaking down every division with an eye toward DFS possibilities, ways to approach using each team and best strategies.

Today, the Southeast Division:

Note: No Atlanta Hawks or Charlotte Hornets for the restart.

Miami Heat

Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Record, current position: 41-24, FIRST in Southeast Division
Projected finish: 47-26, FIRST in Southeast Division, Fourth overall
Players not in bubble: N/A
Projected starters: Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Meyers Leonard
Bench: Goran Dragic, Derrick Jones, Tyler Herro, Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala, Kelly Olynyk 
Team pace: 98.1 (27th ranked)
Team defensive rating: 109.4 (12th ranked)
Team pffensive rating: 112.7 (sixth ranked)
Schedule breakdown: Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, PLAYOFFS.

Key DFS notes/things to look out for

They're the only team to beat the Bucks twice this year. They rank near the top in offensive rating and are one of the better defensive teams. They do rank toward the bottom in pace but, being a Heat fan, they turn up the pace against bad teams. I am worried about their schedule for the restart, but they are a very good team and might be one of the few to compete with the Bucks. I wouldn’t target the Heat in DFS except against the Suns and Thunder. Tough schedule but not very enticing from DFS side.

Orlando Magic

Coach: Steve Clifford
Record, current position: 30-35, eighth in Eastern Conference
Projected finish: 34-39, eighth in Eastern Conference
Players not in bubble: N/A
Projected starters: Markelle Fultz, Evan Fournier, James Ennis, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic
Bench: D.J. Augustin, Terrence Ross, Wes Iwundu, Gary Clark, Mo Bamba, Michael Carter-Williams, Khem Birch
Team pace: 98.3 (26th ranked)
Team defensive rating: 109.0 (ninth ranked)
Team offensive rating: 108.0 (24th ranked)
Schedule breakdown: Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers,  Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, PLAYOFFS

Key DFS notes/things to look out for

Another slow-paced team that is very solid defensively. We tend to not target the Magic from a DFS perspective, and we really only use them in DFS when there is an injury. They are mainly a value play that we will use as a sneaky play in the restart. Love the matchup against the Nets, Kings and Pelicans, but fade them in those other matchups.

Washington Wizards

Coach: Scott Brooks
Record, current position: 24-40, ninth in Eastern Conference
Projected finish: 26-46, ninth in Eastern Conference
Players not in bubble: Davis Bertans
Projected starters: Bradley Beal, Isaac Bonga, Rui Hachimura, Thomas Bryant, Ian Mahinmi
Bench: Ish Smith, Shabazz Napier, Gary Payton II, Troy Brown Jr., Admiral Schofield, Jerome Robinson, Moritz Wagner
Team pace: 102.8 (sixth ranked)
Team defensive rating: 115.8 (30th ranked)
Team offensive rating: 111.9 (ninth ranked)
Schedule breakdown: Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers,  New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics

Key DFS notes/things to look out for

I have no idea why these guys didn’t stay at home. They score a ton of points and we love Bradley Beal, but they are one of the worst defensively. I expect shootouts against the Suns, Nets and Pelicans, but that’s about it. They won’t make the playoffs, but they will be a target in their first two games. We will also be using the opponents of the Wizards almost every night.  They are one of the highest paced teams and one of the worst defensively. This means DFS gold.