We’re back! We took a day off yesterday, but I assure you, we weren’t going to miss a MASSIVE 11-game slate tonight. With so many games going, this is an excellent night to fire up multiple lineups to try and take down some of the massive tournaments on the slates. At the end of the day, we’re writing this article for potential targets to add to your player pool. The best NBA DFS players in the business know that anything can happen. You want to put yourself in the best possible position for success.
Playing NBA DFS can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also make your head spin. It’s our job to make sure you’re winning as much as possible! There are countless variables that can lead to a player’s individual performance, but I’ve found it’s best to focus on just a few that can lead to better predictability.
My favorite factors to track for NBA DFS targets: Matchups (Offensive/Defensive Ratings), Opportunity (expected player minutes, game pace), and Recent Form.
This is the AM VERSION of a living article that will be updated throughout the day, as news comes through the wire.
LET’S GET INTO THE SLATE!!!!
If you also play season-long fantasy as well as doing the daily dance, make sure to check out the Fantrax Fantasy Basketball Commissioner. Its features blow every other option out of the water!
NBA DFS Targets and Preview for Feb. 12
Knicks (-3) vs. Wizards; Total 219
The first rule in NBA DFS is not to get emotional. Don’t go chasing after players because they’re hot, or avoiding them because they’re cold. Momentum isn’t a real thing. Trends only last, until they don’t. I say all that to say…WHY CAN’T MY WIZARDS WIN! This is UNBEARABLE! They have Brad Beal and Russ. I know Russ is having a down year + taking bad shots, but he’s still averaging damn near a triple-double. There are a lot of teams that would kill to have two bonafide stars. At any rate, my Wiz are facing the 5th best defensive team in the league. That’s not a recipe to win with a 21st ranked offense. I don’t expect a blowout, but New York will take this.
DFS Targets: The Wiz, for all their troubles, lead the league in pace. I’ll look to my guards there in Russ, Neto, Ish Smith and Troy Brown Jr. might’ve earned himself some extra run as a value play. As for the Knicks, they’re in for a fun night of scoring. Damn near everyone should be in your player pool. Payton, RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Quickley, Burks, and Derrick Rose.
Timberwolves vs. Hornets (-3.5); Total 228
KAT is back. To say this man has had a rough 12 months is an understatement. From losing multiple family members to COVID, involved in a car accident, and getting hurt, I’m glad to see him back on the court and hopefully finding some normalcy in his life. That being said, the T-wolves are bad without him, and they’re still bad with him. Hornets are 16th in net rating vs. Minnesota being last. Now that DLo has been ruled out, I like the Hornets in this one in blowout fashion.
DFS Targets: I don’t typically target potential blowout games. Especially not on a slate as large as this one.
Spurs vs. Hawks (-2); Total 225.5
Believe it or not, the Hawks have the 10th ranked net rating in the league, vs. the Spurs 20th ranking. That’s usually grounds for a blowout being in order, but the Hawks really struggled with the Mavs the other night, and they’re a worse team than the Spurs statistically. On top of that, the Spurs play at a faster pace than the Hawks, so this one could be interesting. I like the Hawks, but don’t go betting on this one.
DFS Targets: In terms of DFS plays, there are a number of interesting guys in this one. On the Spurs: Keldon Johnson, DeRozan, Dejounte Murray, Patty Mills, and Derrick White. On the Hawks: I like Trae Young, Cam Reddish, John Collins, and Clint Capela.
Pelicans vs. Mavericks (-3); Total 232
The Mavs have been overachieving their statistics as of late, so I won’t dismiss them. Where Pelicans have the better net rating, the Mavericks play with a better pace. I’m going to roll with the hot hand here and go with the Mavericks against my better judgment. I think they are starting to have things fall into place and be the playoff team we were expecting at the start of the season.
DFS Targets: Take Luka, Kristaps, and DFS (Dorian Finney-Smith, not the game we all know and love) on the Mavs. On the Pels, you should put Brandon Ingram, Ball, Bledsoe, and Zion in your player pool. Kristaps is too active for me to want to mess around with Steven Adams.
Clippers (-6.5) vs. Bulls; Total 228.5
Clippers are 4th in net rating and the Bulls are 18th. The Clippers can blow the Bulls out, with or without Paul George. Carry on.
DFS Targets: I’m avoiding everyone in this game.
Pistons vs. Celtics (-8); Total 214
Pistons are 24th in net rating vs. Boston’s 11th net rating rank. This one is headed for another blowout. The Pistons are 20th in defense. They have no answer for Brown, Tatum, or Kemba Walker. These are just the facts.
DFS Targets: I have an urge to target the Celtics stars, but there’s a legitimate chance they only play three quarters. I’ll be fading this game for DFS purposes.
Thunder vs. Nuggets (-12); Total 222
Let’s be honest. None of us had the Thunder taking the Lakers to overtime…definitely not TWICE!!! I’d be crazy to count them out against the Nuggets who aren’t as good of a team as the Lakers. So I won’t! Let’s get to the targets.
DFS Targets: The Thunder have been depleted lately, sometimes running with the minimum 8 players. Even so, they’re hanging around with the best teams in the game. I like Shai, Bazley, Al Horford, and Roby for value if he plays. As for the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic is a must, MPJ, Barton, and Jamal Murray could make for excellent plays.
Bucks vs. Jazz (-2.5); Total 234
This is going to be a great one. The first and second ranked teams in the league in net rating. Giannis coming off of a 47 point monster, where he missed a buzzer beater for the win. Both teams are having excellent seasons, but neither considered a threat to win it all. I think we can expect a real battle in this one. I lean Bucks.
DFS Targets: Let’s target Middleton, Giannis, Lopez, and White Donte for the Bucks. For the Jazz, Rudy Gobert could have one of his 20pts/20rbs games, mix in some Mitchell and Clarkson, as well.
Grizzlies vs. Lakers (-7); Total 219.5
I want to take the Lakers to blow out the Grizzlies in this one. Instead, I’m taking the Grizzlies. It’s not because any stats favor them. It’s because the Lakers have played 3 straight OT games. LeBron is too old for all those extra miles for a meaningless game like this one. A classic letdown game. I like the Grizz for the upset.
DFS Targets: Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, and Jonas are my Memphis picks. I’m going to fade LeBron, and run with Dennis Schroder, A.D., Kuzma, and Harrell for the Lakers.
Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers (-3.5); Total 222
Blazers in a blowout. Cavs have the second worst net rating in the league. Don’t overthink it.
DFS Targets: I expect a blowout, but if the Blazers just win, make sure to target Dame and Robert Covington.
Magic vs. Kings (-8.5); Total 223.5
These are the type of games that end up shipping you a tournament. Two bad teams in the bottom tercile of the league in net rating. Two bad defenses. We could see some easy buckets in this one.
DFS Targets: On the magic I like Cole Anthony, Terrence Ross, and Nikola Vucevic. On the Kings I like the entire starting five, minus Bagley. He’s simply not getting consistent minutes.
Don’t forget to check back later in the day as Bradlee will be updating his NBA DFS preview with all the info you need to turn tonight’s slate into a resounding success!
If you are reading this on Fantrax.com make sure to head on over to FantraxHQ to check out Brad’s afternoon updates.
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020 and we’re not letting our foot off the pedal now! With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.