We have an average-sized six-game slate to talk about today, and there is a lot we need to talk about. Injuries are running rampant here, with a few of the league’s most ransacked clubs taking the floor. The Portland Trailblazers are one of our favorite sources of value tonight, as Damian Lillard is sidelined, while CJ McCollum and Norman Powell were recently traded away. We also really like going back to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains sidelined.
Here’s Two Core Plays For DFS Basketball 2/8/22 (using DraftKings Values)
| Point Guard | J. Poole | $5,800 | |
| Shooting Guard | B. Mclemore | $4,300 | |
| Small Forward | |||
| Power Forward | |||
| Center | |||
| Guard | |||
| Forward | |||
| Utility |
Jordan Poole showed up for the Warrior’s last time out against the Thunder, going for 36.5 FPTS in 30 minutes. He is averaging over 30 FPTS over the past ten days and should be in for a boost tonight. We know that Klay Thompson is going to rest here, which always means more minutes and opportunity for Poole. Poole is coming in at a great price of $5,800, so he is a priority for our lineups here.
The Portland Trailblazers are absolutely gutted right now, as they traded away a bunch of guys and no one they got back is ready to play yet. Guys who barely play are going over 30 minutes, so there is a ton of value to be had here. Ben Mclemore was disappointing last night with only 19.5 FPTS, but at only $4,300 he is a priority again for us tonight. We expect him to see over 30 minutes of floor time, and he has the potential to totally outperform his salary.
Here’s a Fade DFS Basketball 2/9/22 (using DraftKings Values)
There are not many easy fades at the top end tonight, as a lot of guys have been crushing lately. Russell Westbrook remains far too expensive, as he has not been very productive with a healthy Lakers squad. We are also passing on Dejounte Murray tonight. Murray has been great, but he is very expensive tonight for a tough matchup against the Cavs.
Here Is What Your Get If You Subscribe For $15 Per Month or $99 For The Year…
• One guard who will have a bigger role with yesterday’s trades.
• Another cheap priority from Portland.
• A few guys who have been great from the Thunder.
• Some key questionable tags to watch tonight.
Point Guard
Davion Mitchell – ($5,600 DK) De’Aaron Fox made his return for the Kings last night, but Tyrese Haliburton was traded away yesterday. It looks like Mitchell is now the permanent two guard on this team, which means the minutes he is playing are not going anywhere. We are happy getting to him if Fox plays again, as we know he has solid upside at this price. However, Fox may take the night off as he just missed eight games with soreness and tonight is back-to-back. If that happens, Mitchell becomes much of a priority for us as he should take over the point guard duties.
Shooting Guard
CJ Elleby – ($4,400 DK) It was not surprising to see Elleby join the starting lineup last time for the Blazers, as they don’t have many other options. He ended up playing 34 minutes, and he was solid with 31.75 FPTS. He should see another huge opportunity tonight, and there is nothing but upside at this price.
Luguentz Dort – ($6,200 DK) The Oklahoma City Thunder have been without SGA since late January, and Dort has been great in every game without him. It is a bit of a shock that Dort has not been priced up at all, as most guys on the Thunder have. Dort has gone over 35 FPTS in every game without Gilgeous-Alexander, and his usage is high enough for him to always have great upside.
Darius Bazley – ($5,600 DK) Bazley has been priced up significantly, as he is now $1,500 more expensive than in the last game SGA played. However, he is still too cheap for the role he has been playing with Gilgeous-Alexander off the floor. He is averaging 31.3 FPTS over the past ten days, as he has gone for over 30 FPTS in three of five games without SGA. His usage has been massive lately, and we are yet to see a real ceiling game from him.
Damian Jones – ($3,700 DK) Richaun Holmes was a late scratch for the Kings last night, which meant a lot of floor time for Jones. Jones ended up starting and playing 29 minutes, as he crushed with 36 FPTS. Jones is still very cheap here, so he is going to be a priority if Holmes remains out.
General strategy
We have some key questionable tags again tonight. One guy we want to mention is Darius Garland, who has not played since January. If Garland remains out we love getting back to Kevin Love, who has been the highest usage Cavalier in his absence. There are also a few key guys on the Kings we are waiting on, in Fox and Holmes. If Fox ends up sitting here we are happy getting exposure to Harrison Barnes and Moe Harkless.
