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Jake Finnen provides his NBA DFS prop picks for Friday, February 5th, 2021 on Monkey Knife Fight. Make your DFS picks with his fantasy basketball advice.
There is a nine game slate Friday to start off the weekend, and with so many injuries throughout, we have been gifted with some intriguing props. Sorry for the late-ness, slight technical difficulties dealing with a 10-year old laptop combined with an impatient user doesn't equal efficient or timely work. Regardless, the time spent off the computer allowed for some graph-hounding, in-depth, mobile research.
The Celtics and the Clippers face off tonight, and between the two top scoring options, it's tough to see either defenses putting up enough of a fight to limit either from having a high-scoring game. With all this in mind in terms of facing L.A.'s defense, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are still set to score. Just expect the active Clippers to put on a championship-like performance in terms of limiting other Celtics players from being able to contribute. The scorers will score, the passers will pass, and the rebounders will rebound. Just don't expect triple-double-like production.
MonkeyKnifeFight.com continues to be ahead of the curve with their canceling of contests amid postponements, so don't worry about wasting money on a player or game that might not play. As always, you can find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter with any questions, especially since lines and players are subject to change throughout the day.
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NOP @ IND
Zion Williamson (NOP) LESS 23.5 Points - Domantas Sabonis (IND) MORE 22.5 Points
The New Orleans Pelicans played their best game of the season last outing and not that they are guaranteed to repeat, but Zion Williamson was specifically good and tends to perform against quality defenses. He will need to control the paint and doing that against Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner isn't easy, and seeing how much work he has to do inside just to produce, it's not looking promising based on matchups. Regardless, Williamson has been able to post a 24-point, 10-rebound game versus this team once already, so expect a similar outcome.
Domantas Sabonis has been playing on an entirely different level from not just the Pacers frontcourt, but a majority of the league. Sabonis was known for his strong starts to the season and this is the first time he is showing true sustainability. He post an incredible performance in two back-to-back games, and now that his only defense is Steven Adams, that's another big game matchup.
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MIL @ CLE
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) MORE 28.5 Points - Collin Sexton (CLE) LESS 23.5
The Bucks barely needed Giannis Antetokounmpo's scoring last game, but the boost in every other category was the much needed support Milwaukee needs to beat teams like they beat the Pacers. Since the Cavaliers defense isn't the best but plays physically, a lot of the scoring is going to come down to the players that can generate on their own, for both teams.
Collin Sexton has been the offensive star for Cleveland and and with a 24-point threshold on the over, he'll need to have a great game against this team to have the chance to hit it. The Bucks frontcourt isn't intimidating on paper, but their players don't shy away from contesting shots at the rim. Sexton won't have easy looks all night, so even though he should be good for close to 20-points, that's all it's likely to be.
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MIN @ OKC
D'Angelo Russell (MIN) MORE 21.5 Points - Hamidou Diallo (OKC) MORE 18.5
With how D'Angelo Russell is playing through a quad injury, his shot hasn't looked great. He has been able to score, somewhat, more in recent games, but even taking 20-shots a game isn't a sure thing on him scoring over 20-points. With the Thunder missing their a few of their best players and best defender, Russell has a better chance to rebound against this active Thunder squad than arguably any other team in the league. The defense won't be there in terms of the Thunder and Russell is itching to get back into scoring form.
Hamidou Diallo normally wouldn't be here, but after looking at Oklahoma City's injuries, they don't have any choice but to give the ball to Diallo and let him work. He's been their best bench player and since he's been producing with such few minutes, a bump into to the starting lineup gives him all the more chances to score, which has been all he has needed to hit over 20 points. These teams will play again Saturday.
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WAS @ MIA
Bradley Beal (WAS) LESS 32.5 Points - Jimmy Butler (MIA) MORE 21.5
The Heat defense wasn't able to hold Bradley Beal under 30-points Wednesday, and they likely won't be able to limit the amount of shots he takes Friday. He was kept in check as best as you can keep someone like him in check, and as hard it is to see him posting another 30-point game, Miami didn't show enough skill on defense to make anyone think they are more suited today. The Heat may win, but it's hard to see Beal not having a major impact once again.
Jimmy Butler doesn't need to score, and based on how he plays, it's like he's never needed to score. With that, it's hard to see him letting another game slip away. He can dominate the box score, but like other high-IQ players around the league, they prefer to rely on teammates and save energy. Since that strategy didn't work last time out and the Heat were unable to hit late game shots, Butler is going to take it into his own hands on multiple possessions, which should be more than enough for him to hit a point total of 22, something he will naturally surpass when he has a good shooting night.
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