It’s the last day of the month, so you know what that means…we’re going to finish STRONG! We’ve got a nice eight-game NBA DFS slate ahead of us, which means we’ll have a robust player pool to choose from. Let’s get into it!
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!!!!
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NBA DFS Targets and Preview for Feb. 28
Bulls vs. Raptors
As I write this article, the Bulls are 10th in the East, while the Raptors are fourth. Both teams are 3-2 in their last five games. In terms of the talent on these teams, I lean heavily toward the Raptors for this one. From a net rating perspective, the Bulls are 16th and the Raptors are 9th. They are 18th and 13th defensively, and they are 16th and 10th, offensively. The Bulls are going to be bested on both ends. I’ll ride with Toronto.
DFS Targets: CHI targets: In a potential blowout, I’ll stick with just Coby White and Zach LaVine. TOR targets: I like Lowry, FVV, and Siakam.
Wizards vs. Celtics
What more can you say about my Wizards?! Everybody counted them out, and now they’re just a few games away from home-court advantage in the jumbled Eastern Conference standings. The Wizards have won 7 of 8, whereas the Celtics have lost six of 10. These teams are going in different directions. It’s for that reason, I’m focusing more on these two teams recent form, as opposed to their season-long sample size. Let’s be honest. I was going to pick the Wizards regardless.
DFS Targets: WAS targets: Brad Beal, Russ Westbrook (if he plays on the second half of a B2B), and Bertans if he plays, but Rui if he doesn’t. BOS targets: I’ll go with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker.
Knicks vs. Pistons
I’m not anticipating a blowout, but let’s be honest. The Knicks are legit. Shoutout to Thibs, because he’s got the NYK defense at third in the league. The Knicks! When’s the last time that the Knicks were close to the top of the league in anything good? Further, how are we to expect Detroit’s 25th ranked offense to fare against an elite defense? The answer is poorly. There’s a reason that the Knicks are comfortably in the playoff race, while Detroit….is not. Knicks win.
DFS Targets: NYK targets: Rose, Randle, Quickley, and Burks. DET targets: Jerami Grant and Saban Lee for value.
Grizzlies vs. Rockets
The Rockets have lost ten straight. It’s time I make “recent form” a bigger part of my formula. I’m going to go with the Grizzlies here, and blame the fact that they need Chris Wood back, as the reason they can’t get a W. They also sent DeMarcus Cousins packing for reasons that I don’t quite understand. I’ll roll with Ja Morant and ‘dem boys in Memphis.
DFS Targets: MEM targets: Morant, Allen, Brooks, Anderson, and Jonas. The whole starting five should be in your player pool. Why not kick the Rockets while they’re down? HOU targets: Wall, Oladipo, and Jae’Sean Tate for value.
Warriors vs. Lakers
The Lakers finally got back in the win column the other night. I’d be more excited for this matchup if Anthony Davis wasn’t out, but you get what you get, and you don’t get upset. This is the second time these teams have matched up this season, and GSW won the last time 115-113. In a close game, I trust the Warriors to pull this one out, as the Lakers are still learning to win without A.D.
DFS Targets: GSW targets: Curry, Oubre, Green, and Wiggins. LA targets: LeBron, Dennis the menace, and Harrell should get some good work against Wiseman.
Hawks vs. Heat
I keep underestimating Jimmy Butler and I’m not sure why. I think it’s time I just accept that last year was no fluke, and he’s the type of player that can carry a team on his back. It’s not like the Heat are scrubs or anything. They’ve got Bam, and don’t need to be carried, but night after night he just decides that he’s got to handle all phases of the game for this team. It’s working and I’m not going to complain about it. I didn’t even talk about the Hawks in this write-up. Heat win.
DFS Targets: ATL targets: Trae Young, John Collins, and Clint Capela. The wings on this team are too inconsistent for me to bet on them. MIA targets: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kendrick Nunn.
Suns vs. Timberwolves
Come on. Suns. Suns big.
DFS Targets: I wouldn’t target anybody in a blowout. It’s hard to reach your value if you don’t play your usual minutes. There’s a good chance the starters only play three quarters here.
Hornets vs. Kings
The Kings just got their first win in ten games the other night. I’m hard-pressed to rely on them to beat a Hornets team that is 8 slots better than them in net rating, and the Kings won’t be able to outpace them as they are 11th and 12th in pace ratings on the season. They play similar brands of basketball, and the Hornets do it better. I’m rolling with Charlotte.
DFS Targets: CHA targets: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, and Malik Monk for value. SAC targets: Fox, Hield, Barnes, Bagley, and Holmes. I like the starting fives for both teams in this one. This could be one of the highest totals on the slate.
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.
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