COVID is running rampant in the NBA right now and for those who set their DFS NBA lineups early, we urge you to frequently check back in because rotations are being flipped upside down to try to prevent postponements of games. With Bulls/Raptors being postponed, we’re down to a four-game DFS NBA slate to dominate and the highest sports-book total on the board is 76ers/Nets at 216.5.
Here’s tonight’s DFS NBA Starting-5. Let’s play some basketball!
PG: Malcolm Brogdon: There was a lot of debate between Brogdon and Derrick Rose from the Knicks for this spot, but ended up going with Brogdon because the Pistons are second worst in the league at defending point guards and he scores nearly 20-points per game. As the Pacers prioritized shooter and scorer, tonight’s matchup sets up nicely for Brogdon in this pace-up spot. He dished eight dimes and grabbed a steal in three of his last five games with two of those games being multi-steal contests. Brogdon has also pulled down 5.5 boards per game as well and we should see him grab long boards. He’s one of the guards that when the shot goes up, he’ll take a step inside the arc to take advantage of strong ricochets securing long rebounds and then he’ll reset the offense. He’s taken 14 or more shots in two of his last three outings.
SG: Cade Cunningham: Going to the other side of the matchup, Cunningham continues to be the Pistons top option on offense with Jerami Grant sidelined. He’s hit the 20-point mark in scoring in three of his last four outings and he’s shot over 45 percent from the field in three of his last five outings. He should once again take 17-21 shots in tonight’s contest. His shot selection has improved and his shooting percentage from the outside has been a lot higher. He’s shot over 54 percent from beyond the arc in three of his last five battles. Cunningham has also ripped down 6.2 rebounds per game and he’s recorded three straight multi-steal games. Cunningham has been contributing more assists lately dishing five or more in three of his last five battles. He’ll continue having the most time with the ball and he’ll take the most shots night in and night out.
SF: Kevin Durant: The 76ers are a bottom-seven team in the league at containing mid-courts and with multiple Nets in the league’s COVID protocol, including James Harden, Durant is absolutely worth the price of admission. He’s coming off of a triple-double and he’s scored 31 or more points in three straight games. He’s blocked shots in five straight games and grabbed steals in three of those contests. He’s even exceeded his dimes average of 5.8 by dishing at least six assists in each of his last three battles. He’s taken at least 29 shots from the field in both of his last two games and he’s shooting over 52 percent from the floor this year. Even with the pace working very much against the Nets tonight, they are without most of their back and midcourt and Durant has a lot of work cut out for him tonight. Patty Mills is also very much in play as well.
PF: Julius Randle: Randle has had an up and down season, but the Rockets are banged up and even if Christian Wood plays, he’s not 100 percent and Randle should have his way in the lane against the Rockets. The Rockets rank 27th at containing power forwards and there’s no reason why the Knicks leading scorer, rebounder and ball-distributor shouldn’t smash tonight. Randle takes 16-17 shots per game and he’s grabbed 10 or more boards in two of his last three outings. He’s also grabbed steals in four of his last five games and blocked shots in three of those contests. The Knicks should have Randle in full attack mode since the Rockets are very exposed under the basket. The Knicks haven’t been able to rely on many players for production, but being that the matchup is as strong as it is for Randle and that this is a major pace boost for the Knicks, let’s spend the pretty penny on him.
C: Myles Turner: Detroit borders the bottom-10 at defending centers and the Pacers big men should absolutely destroy them tonight. Isaiah Stewart will have a tough time containing both Turner and Domantas Sabonis. Turner has posted two double-digit rebounding games in his last three. He’s blocked nine shots total in his last two contests and swats away nearly three shots per game. Turner has taken at least 10 shots in four straight games and he scored 13 or more points in three of them. Stewart’s rawness on the other side of the ball makes Turner more appealing and while his inconsistent use on offense is a bit scary, he leads the league in blocks and he grabs enough rebounds to make up for it. His minutes give him a safe floor as well as he’s hit the 30-minute mark in each of his last seven games.