NBA DFS Breakdown: Load Management

NBA DFS Breakdown: Load Management

This article is part of our NBA DFS Breakdown series.

Expected Scores, Spreads, Pace and Efficiency

Magic at Pistons

This figures to be one of the more ignored games of the evening, as the expected totals for both teams are below 106 and there are no relevant injuries. However, taking a flier on Nikola Vucevic, Blake Griffin and/or Andre Drummond would be understandable based on their big-game potential.

MagicPosInjuryStatusReturn
Timofey MozgovCKneeGTD3/28/2019
Mo BambaCLower LegOut4/1/2019
Markelle FultzGShoulderOut4/10/2019
Isaiah BriscoeGKneeOut4/10/2019

Pistons have no injuries

Orlando: Recent Fantasy Performances

Detroit: Recent Fantasy Performances

Nets at 76ers

This figures to be one of the faster-paced games on the slate, but doesn't feature an prominent injuries to take advantage of. Against a weak Nets frontline, many DFS users will undoubtedly turn to Joel Embiid to have a monster night.

NetsPosInjuryStatusReturn
Allen CrabbeGKneeOut3/30/2019
76ersPosInjuryStatusReturn
Mike ScottFBackGTD3/28/2019
James EnnisFQuadricepsGTD3/28/2019
Furkan KorkmazGKneeOut4/5/2019

Nets: Recent Fantasy Performances

76ers: Recent Fantasy Performances

Mavericks at Heat

Dallas has the lowest expected total Thursday, as they're expected to score 102 points. Value will be easier to come by on the Heat, who are expected to score 109 points and will be missing Josh Richardson, while Justise Winslow remains questionable. Backcourt and wing players like Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters and Derrick Jones could see increased usage as a result.

MavericksPosInjuryStatusReturn
Kristaps PorzingisFKneeOFS7/1/2019
J.J. BareaGAchillesOFS8/1/2019
Tim HardawayGLower LegOFS8/1/2019
HeatPosInjuryStatusReturn
Justise WinslowFThighGTD3/28/2019
Josh RichardsonGHeelOut3/30/2019
Rodney McGruderGKneeOut3/30/2019

Mavericks: Recent Fantasy Performances

Heat: Recent Fantasy Performances

Raptors at Knicks

The Raptors are expected to secure a double-digit win over the Knicks, but Toronto will be missing Kawhi Leonard due to load management. With OG Anunoby's status cloudy as well, we could see increased usage from Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Danny Green and Norman Powell. The Knicks' rotation is unpredictable as always, but it's possible things normalize if all the players listed below become available.

RaptorsPosInjuryStatusReturn
OG AnunobyFConcussionGTD3/28/2019
Kawhi LeonardFRestOut3/30/2019
KnicksPosInjuryStatusReturn
Dennis SmithGBackGTD3/28/2019
Allonzo TrierGCalfGTD3/28/2019
Kevin KnoxFAnkleGTD3/28/2019
Frank NtilikinaGGroinOut3/30/2019
Noah VonlehFAnkleOut4/1/2019

Raptors: Recent Fantasy Performances

Knicks: Recent Fantasy Performances

Kings at Pelicans

This will be a highly targeted matchup. Both teams are top four in expected total, but maybe more importantly, Frank Jackson and Harry Giles are out. The Pelicans' backcourt is decimated, which could lead to huge minutes for Ian Clark, Elfrid Payton and Stanley Johnson. Meanwhile, for the Kings, Nemanja Bjelica could be worth a flier in Giles' absence.

KingsPosInjuryStatusReturn
Troy WilliamsFUndisclosedGTD3/28/2019
Wenyen GabrielFAnkleGTD3/28/2019
Harry GilesCThighOut3/30/2019
PelicansPosInjuryStatusReturn
Anthony DavisCBackGTD3/28/2019
Elfrid PaytonGWristGTD3/28/2019
Frank JacksonGConcussionOut3/31/2019
Trevon BluiettFThumbOut3/31/2019
E'Twaun MooreGQuadricepsOut3/31/2019
Jrue HolidayGAbdomenOFS5/1/2019

Kings: Recent Fantasy Performances

Pelicans: Recent Fantasy Performances

Nuggets at Rockets

Despite the star power of James Harden and Nikola Jokic, this game isn't that enticing from a DFS perspective. Both expected totals are below 112 and there are few relevant injuries to open up value. Based on pure upside, you can probably still take a shot on Jokic, Paul Millsap, Jamal Murray and/or James Harden, however.

NuggetsPosInjuryStatusReturn
Malik BeasleyGPersonalGTD3/28/2019
Michael Porter Jr.FBackOut4/5/2019
RocketsPosInjuryStatusReturn
Eric GordonGUndisclosedGTD3/28/2019
Kenneth FariedCKneeOut3/30/2019
Gerald GreenGThighOut4/2/2019

Nuggets: Recent Fantasy Performances

Rockets: Recent Fantasy Performances

Clippers at Bucks

The Bucks have the highest expected total on the slate, with a prediction of over 120 points and a spread of -9.0. Injuries have opened up playing time for Pat Connaughton and Sterling Brown, while Eric Bledsoe has been thriving with Malcolm Brogdon out. For the Clippers, there are plenty of solid options, but Lou Williams has shown the highest upside lately.

ClippersPosInjuryStatusReturn
Luc Mbah a MouteFKneeGTD3/28/2019
Patrick BeverleyGHipOut3/30/2019
BucksPosInjuryStatusReturn
Tony SnellGAnkleOut3/31/2019
Nikola MiroticFThumbOut4/10/2019
Pau GasolCAnkleOut4/22/2019
Malcolm BrogdonGFootOut4/27/2019
Donte DiVincenzoGHeelOFS7/1/2019

Clippers: Recent Fantasy Performances

Bucks: Recent Fantasy Performances 

Cavaliers at Spurs

The Spurs are expected to score the fifth-most points on the slate, though they're favored by 12 points, which means a blowout could be in store. As a result, I'd feel safer taking the role players on San Antonio, such as Derrick White, Bryn Forbes and Jakob Poeltl. For the Cavaliers, who are expected to score the third-fewest points Thursday, Kevin Love has shown the most upside. There are hardly any truly enticing options, however.

CavaliersPosInjuryStatusReturn
John HensonCWristOut4/1/2019
Matthew DellavedovaGConcussionOut4/7/2019
J.R. SmithGNot Injury RelatedOFS6/15/2019
SpursPosInjuryStatusReturn
Donatas MotiejunasCNot Injury RelatedGTD3/28/2019
Dejounte MurrayGKneeOFS6/1/2019

Cavaliers: Recent Fantasy Performances

Spurs: Recent Fantasy Performances

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Alex Barutha plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel Username: unclestosh99, DraftKings Username: Roto_Alex.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Barutha
Alex is RotoWire's Chief NBA Editor. He writes articles about daily fantasy, year-long fantasy and sports betting. You can hear him on the RotoWire NBA Podcast, Sirius XM, VSiN and other platforms. He firmly believes Robert Covington is the most underrated fantasy player of the past decade.
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