FanDuel NBA DFS 2/24

Nikola Jokic - DEN - C ($12,800)

Look, I know $12,800 feels like you’re selling your soul to fit him in but hear me out. Tonight Jokic is facing an Indiana squad that’s been leaky on defense, sitting at 20th in defensive rating and giving up a pile of points in the paint. He’s a triple-double machine who feasts when the pace picks up, and this game’s 246.5 total, which is 14 points higher than the next highest on the slate, and Denver’s 125.5 implied team total screams opportunity.

Over his last three games, he’s averaging 29.7 points, 10.2 assists, and 12.7 rebounds, good for about 1.81 FanDuel points per minute. The Pacers play fast (sixth in pace), and their frontcourt isn’t stopping him from racking up stats across the board. In cash games, he’s my anchor, his floor is locked at nearly 50 points, and in GPPs, I’m dreaming of 70+ if this turns into a shootout. I have no problem paying for the best player in the best game environment tonight. Don’t overthink it.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OKC - PG ($11,400)

SGA is the kind of guy who makes you wonder why you ever doubted spending up at point guard. This matchup against Minnesota could get ugly quickly as OKC is favored by 12.5, and the Wolves are missing Rudy Gobert. SGA is a rim-attacking monster with a 34% usage rate, averaging 32.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds lately, translating to a ridiculous 1.59 FD points per minute.

Even with Chet Holmgren questionable, SGA’s the engine of this offense, and a 119.5 implied total puts him in a spot to eat. The Wolves are tough, but Gobert’s absence opens up driving lanes, and Shai’s ability to pile up steals adds to his ceiling. For cash games, his 45-50 point floor is gold, and in GPPs, I’m banking on 60+ if OKC keeps the pedal down. He’s premium, but he’s well worth it.

James Harden - LAC - PG ($9,400)

Harden’s back in vintage form, and I love him at $9,400 against Detroit. The Pistons rank 11th in defensive rating, but they’re generous to guards, ranking 15th in points allowed to the position, and this game’s 223.5 total sets up a nice scoring vibe. Harden’s been balling lately averaging 21.5 points and 8.6 assists per game, with a usage rate hovering around 29%. Over the last three, he’s at 1.26 FD points per minute, without even factoring in the injury boost he could get.

Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell are both questionable and if either sits, Harden’s usage could jump into the mid-30s. He’s already seen 41 minutes in recent games, and against a Pistons team that struggles to contain playmakers, he’s got a rock-solid 40-point floor with a ceiling pushing 55+ if the stars align. Cash game players, he’s a safe bet; GPP folks, he’s a leverage play if the injury news breaks right. Keep an eye on that Clippers report!

Naz Reid - MIN - C/PF ($8,100)

Okay, Naz Reid is my slate-breaking darling with Rudy Gobert out. He’s stepping into the starting center role against OKC, and at $8,100, he’s a steal for what he brings. Reid’s been a per-minute beast off the bench averaging 1.05 FD points per minute this season and his recent run shows 14.5 points and 5.6 rebounds, numbers that spike when he gets starter minutes. Last three games? He’s up to 35.3 minutes per outing, and with Gobert sidelined, he’s locked into 30+ against a Thunder team that could be without Chet Holmgren, weakening their interior defense.

OKC’s still tough ranking sixth in D-rating, but Reid’s versatility, he can score inside, pop out for threes, and crash the glass, gives him a legit 40 to 45-point ceiling. The 226.5 game total isn’t sky-high, but Minnesota’s offense flows through him more without Gobert clogging the paint. If he catches fire from deep, he’s a cash game staple for his price-to-production ratio and a GPP stud. Don’t sleep on this guy—he’s ready to pop.

Jamal Murray - DEN - PG/SG ($8,300)

Murray’s my go-to GPP pivot, and man does this matchup against Indiana have me excited. The Pacers play at a blistering pace, sixth in the league, rank 17th in defensive rating, and bleed points to guards, perfect for a guy like Murray who’s been heating up. His last three games show a wild uptick: +14.0 points per game over that stretch, a big jump from his 21.3 season average, with 1.09 FD points per minute. Sure, the stat line looks funky, but that’s because he’s been on fire lately, and this 246.5 game total sets the stage for a monster night.

With Jokic soaking up defensive attention, Murray gets cleaner looks. Indy ranks 22nd in points allowed per game which only boosts his case. At $8,300, he’s cheaper than Harden or SGA, yet his ceiling could hit 45-50 FanDuel points if he catches fire from deep or racks up assists. He’ll dodge some ownership in a slate loaded with big-name guards, making him a prime tournament play. Love this spot, let’s ride the hot hand!

Miles Bridges - CHA - PF/SF ($8,600)

Bridges is my GPP darling against Sacramento, and I’m not sweating that 11-point spread too much. Charlotte’s got a 110.3 implied total, so this game stays competitive enough for Bridges to shine. He’s been on an absolute tear averaging 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, with a 27% usage rate that’s spiked lately thanks to Mark Williams being out. Over his last three, he’s averaging 7.8 points more than his season mark, and his 1.18 FD points per minute scream upside.

The Kings’ defense isn’t elite ranking 13th in D-rating, and they’ve been vulnerable to forwards who can score and crash the glass. He’s got the versatility to pile up stats across the board and at $8,600, he’s a steal compared to Jokic or SGA for a guy who could flirt with 50 FanDuel points. Ownership should stay reasonable with so many mid-tier options in play, giving you a legit edge in tournaments.

Pascal Siakam - IND - PF ($8,000)

Siakam is my sneaky leverage play in that Denver-Indy shootout, and at $8,000, he’s flying under the radar compared to Jokic or Murray. The Nuggets rank 20th in defensive rating and struggle to contain versatile forwards. He’s been steady as hell lately, averaging 20.6 points and 7.2 rebounds with a 23% usage rate, good for 1.14 FD points per minute. Indy’s sixth-ranked pace and 121.0 implied total keep him in the mix, and Denver’s frontcourt isn’t exactly a brick wall.

Siakam’s got a knack for quiet 20-10 nights, and in this 246.5-total environment, he could push 45+ FanDuel points if he gets hot. The beauty here? He’ll draw way less ownership than the Nuggets’ stars or even Tyrese Haliburton, making him a perfect GPP differentiator. If you’re stacking this game, Siakam’s your contrarian key trust me, he’s got the juice to pay off big.

Donovan Clingan - POR - C ($6,000)

Clingan’s my low-owned, high-upside gem, and this Utah matchup is juicy. With Deandre Ayton sidelined, Clingan’s been thrust into the spotlight, and the Jazz’s frontcourt is a mess with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler questionable and John Collins already ruled out. Clingan’s last three games have been solid averaging 9.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in just 23 minutes, spiking to 1.22 FD points per minute. If he gets 28-30 minutes here and with Utah’s injuries, that’s very possible, he’s got a legit shot at 30-35 FanDuel points at $6,000.

Portland’s 116.8 implied total and the game’s 230.5 total keep the pace lively, and Utah’s 28th-ranked D-rating against centers is the cherry on top. He’s not a household name yet, so ownership will be dirt-low, but his ceiling rivals mid-tier studs like Naz Reid. For GPPs, Clingan’s the kind of punt play that can catapult you up the standings so don’t sleep on this rookie’s breakout potential!

Killian Hayes - BKN - PG ($4,000)

Hayes is the kind of dirt-cheap play that makes you feel like you’re getting away with something. With D’Angelo Russell out, he’s stepping into the starting point guard gig against Washington, and at $4,000, that’s a screaming value. His stat line won’t blow you away, just 5.0 points and 3.0 assists per game, but the matchup and minutes make him very interesting tonight. The Wizards rank 22nd in defensive rating and play at the 4th fastest pace, setting up a perfect storm for Hayes to rack up stats in transition or with extra possessions.

He’s averaged 21.2 minutes this season, but with Russell sidelined, I’m betting on 25-28 minutes, maybe more if Brooklyn leans on him to run the show. At 0.65 FD points per minute, that projects to 20-25 FanDuel points, which is pure gold at this price. In cash games, he’s a no-brainer to lock in a safe floor; in GPPs, he’s a punt play with sneaky upside if he stumbles into a few extra assists or buckets. Don’t let the modest stats scare you, this is all about opportunity meeting a fast, leaky defense.

Kris Dunn - LAC - PG/SG ($4,800)

Dunn is a sneaky value gem tonight, and he’s got a chance to shine if the Clippers’ injury report breaks our way. Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell are both questionable and if either or both sit, Dunn could see a hefty minutes bump against Detroit. He’s been quietly efficient lately, posting 0.85 FD points per minute over his last three games, with 5.9 points and 2.9 assists in 23 minutes per outing. His minutes have jumped to nearly 30 recently, and with the Pistons ranking 15th in points allowed to guards, this matchup is ripe for the picking.

Detroit’s defense isn’t lockdown, and their middling pace still supports a solid scoring environment with a 223.5-game total. If Dunn gets 28-32 minutes, he’s got a real shot at 20-25 FanDuel points, maybe even 30 if he swipes a couple of steals. At $4,800, he’s a steal for cash games if the stars sit, and in GPPs, he’s a low-owned dart with upside tied to late-breaking news. Keep your eyes peeled on that Clippers update—he could be a lineup-saver.

Aaron Wiggins - OKC - SF ($4,800)

Wiggins is a value wildcard, especially if Chet Holmgren sits against Minnesota. At $4,800, he’s a bargain for a guy who could slide into the starting lineup, and his recent play has me buzzing. Over the last three games, he’s averaging 10.9 points and 3.7 rebounds, with a slick 0.91 FD points per minute which is super efficient for this price tier. His minutes have ticked up to 23.7 lately, and if Holmgren’s out, I’d peg him for 28-32 minutes, especially with OKC favored by 12.5 and sporting a 119.5 implied total.

The Wolves are banged up with Rudy Gobert’s out, leaving their frontcourt thin, and while their No. 6 D-rating is scary, Wiggins thrives on hustle plays and open looks off the attention given to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s not a usage hog, only 19%, but he doesn’t need to be as a few rebounds and easy buckets could push him to 25-30 FanDuel points here. In cash games, he’s a plug-and-play if Holmgren rests; in GPPs, his low ownership and rebounding upside make him a sneaky differentiator. This is a bet on opportunity, and I’m all in if the news aligns.