NBA

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Wednesday 8/19/20

Luka Doncic blew up on Monday. Should you swallow the inevitable chalk with him on Wednesday?

With four games to choose from on today's NBA slate, let's look at how to utilize the DFS possibilities.

Here are some of the top plays on DraftKings. As always, good luck.

Point Guard

Luka Doncic ($11,000) -- Doncic erupted in the Dallas Mavericks' Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, going off for 42 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. His 42 points were an NBA record for most points in a player's postseason debut, and it still wasn't enough to get a win. With Kristaps Porzingis ($8,900) ejected, Doncic had to do a lot for the Mavs, and even with the Zinger on the floor, Luka's Game 1 performance should give him the confidence that he could do that nightly in the playoffs. He's averaged 29 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in three regular-season meetings with the Clippers and 28.1 points, 9.3 assists, and 8.4 rebounds over his last 10 games.

Kemba Walker ($6,800) -- Walker looked outstanding in his first postseason game with the Boston Celtics. Although his numbers won't suggest he had any type of phenomenal game, his 19 points and five assists were a positive in 35 minutes. Walker has been restricted for the entire bubble, reaching 30 minutes only once up until Monday. In his three regular-season games versus the 76ers, he averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.7 rebounds over 34.3 minutes. The Celtics are down Gordon Hayward for the next few weeks, and that opens up his usage and a ton of production opportunity for the Celtics' starting point guard. numberFire's model predicts Walker to total 24.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Shooting Guard

Louis Williams ($5,300) -- Williams did a little bit of everything versus the Mavericks in Game 1 of the series. He tallied 14 points, five assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 31 minutes. While Montrezl Harrell ($4,600) gets adjusted to game shape, Williams is crucial to the NBA's best bench, which the all reserve units with 50.3 points per game in the regular season. Versus Dallas this year, Williams had two strong showings in their first two meetings, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in them. He offers good upside at a nice price.

Jordan Clarkson ($4,700) -- In three regular-season meetings versus the Nuggets, Clarkson averaged 24.0 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in 26.3 minutes. In Game 1 of the series, he racked up 18 points, four rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes. He picked up right where he left off versus Denver, and as far as the Jazz's bench, Clarkson is head over heels the primary scorer. Utah gave him light minutes in their final two regular season games , and he looked playoff ready in his 39-minute effort in their overtime loss in Game 1. numberFire's model projects Clarkson to record 19.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in Game 2.

Small Forward

Jaylen Brown ($7,500) -- Brown and Jayson Tatum ($9,000) looked unstoppable versus the Philadelphia 76ers. In four regular-season meetings with the 76ers, Brown's averaged 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, but if Monday was any indication of what it will be like without Ben Simmons on the other side, then Brown and Tatum are gonna eat this series. Brown had 29 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the opener. With Hayward sidelined for the near future, Brown's role should be increasing. numberFire's model pegs Brown to post 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in his first game without Hayward.

Alec Burks ($4,600) -- Burks continued to play his way into more minutes for the 76ers after scoring 18 points off the bench in 28 minutes. He added six rebounds and two assists to his efforts, and during the regular season, he averaged 19.0 points and 3.5 rebounds over 27.5 minutes versus the Celtics. Without Ben Simmons, the 76ers need scoring and ball-movement wherever they can get it, and Burks is one of the few players to take advantage of. He's notched six consecutive games of 20 or more minutes for Philly and scored 16 or more points in five straight.

Power Forward

Kristaps Porzingis ($8,900) -- Porzingis was ejected prematurely versus the Clippers, and he finished with only 14 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes.. He's having an issue with fouling and making emotional plays, which we saw versus Marcus Morris ($4,800), but he always comes back with a better game. After his last two games fouling out versus the Kings and Bucks, the very next games, he scored 30 and 36 points and averaged 7.5 rebounds. In the regular season, he averaged 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in three meetings with the Clippers. numberFire's model has Porzingis going for 23.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 35 minutes.

Serge Ibaka ( $5,700) -- Ibaka balled out off the bench for 22 points and seven rebounds versus the Nets in 26 minutes Monday. That was his highest point total since March, and he's now recorded at least seven rebounds in four-straight games for the Raptors. In four regular-season meetings with Brooklyn, Ibaka's averaged 18.3 points and 9.8 rebounds in 28.8 minutes. The Nets allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to centers (57.85) and are top-five worst in points (23.15) and rebounds (16.32). He's a reliable stream in DFS, and Marc Gasol ($4,000) is worth looking at after posting impressive numbers as well in game one.

Center

Joel Embiid ($9,900) -- Embiid feasted in Game 1 of the Celtics-76ers series, amassing 26 points and 16 rebounds. He recorded three double-doubles in the bubble and dealt with numerous injuries, but he looked healthy throughout 37 minutes versus Boston. He went 8-for-15 (53.3%) from the field and 9-for-12 (75%) from the free-throw line as the 76ers' primary scorer. In three regular season games against Boston in 2019-20, Embiid averaged 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over 27.7 minutes. He's undoubtedly going to outplay that 27-minute mark every game of the series, and when he plays 30 to 39 minutes this season, Embiid averages 27.6 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.

Montrezl Harrell ($4,600) -- Harrell logged only 15 minutes versus the Mavericks in Game 1, but that was his first game since March 10. He scored six points on 2-for-5 (40%) shooting with two rebounds. His minutes will only increase, and during the regular season, he recorded 12 points and seven rebounds versus Dallas in the first meeting and 12 points and nine boards in the second. Both games he played 28 minutes. He probably won't get to 28 minutes on Wednesday, but Harrell could be utilized more if the Mavs continue to play Boban Marjanovic ($3,200). Dallas had to last game with Porzingis' ejection, but Marjanovic was effective and could see solid minutes in Game 2. numberFire's model predicts Harrell to total 16.7 points and 6.4 rebounds in 25 minutes of action versus Dallas.



Vaughn Dalzell is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Vaughn also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his account, username vdalzell. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.com