Strategy and Stats for 05/18/24 NBA Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clock strikes 08:00 PM EST tonight, all eyes will be on the American Airlines Center where the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to clash with the Dallas Mavericks in what promises to be an electrifying matchup. With an Over/Under set at 209.5, fantasy managers should brace themselves for a high-scoring affair. This game not only features two dynamic teams but also spotlights top-tier fantasy prospects at each position. Whether it’s the precision of Dallas’ point guard or the thunderous dunks from Oklahoma City’s center, tonight’s game is a treasure trove for fantasy points. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into each player’s stats and potential impact, ensuring your lineup is both formidable and optimized.

Daily Fantasy Sports Analysis: Point Guards

Luka Doncic ($13400), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 65 pts

As we dive into the daily fantasy sports potential of Luka Doncic, it’s clear that his recent performances have solidified his status as a pivotal player for DFS lineups. Over the last five games, Doncic has averaged 53.9 daily fantasy points, demonstrating a slight dip from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 56.8 points. Despite this minor decrease, his overall impact on the court remains substantial. Notably, his points per game have seen a decrease from 29.5 to 23.8, while his assists slightly dropped from 9.5 to 8.4. However, his rebounding has improved, moving from 8.2 to 10.6 rebounds per game, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt and contribute across multiple facets of the game. His shooting efficiency has experienced fluctuations; his field goal percentage has decreased to 47.5% from a stronger 55.4%, but his three-point shooting has improved significantly, up to 35.0% from 24.4%. These statistics are crucial as they highlight areas of strength and potential concern when considering his high DraftKings salary of $13400. Given his projected points of 65.0 and a DFS value score of 4.9, Doncic stands out as a core value pick for the upcoming slate against the Thunder, who rank 13th in defense against PGs. His ability to play extensive minutes, averaging 40.9 per game recently, further bolsters his case as a top DFS option, capable of high output and essential contributions to fantasy rosters.

Shooting Guard (SG) Daily Fantasy Analysis

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($8000), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 11 pts

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s recent performances have shown a slight decline when compared to his previous five games. With an average of 12.3 fantasy points over the last five games, down from 14.3, Hardaway’s impact on the court has been less than stellar. His scoring has dipped to 7.6 points per game, and his assists and rebounds have also seen a decrease. Notably, his field goal percentage has dropped significantly from 63.6% to 50.0%, although his three-point shooting shows a marginal improvement. Given his current form and a DraftKings salary of $8000, his DFS value score stands at a mere 1.4. This positions him as a risky choice for the upcoming game against the Thunder, who rank 13th in defense against SGs. Fantasy managers should be cautious and consider other options with a higher potential for returns.

Top Small Forward Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Luguentz Dort ($6000), Oklahoma City Thunder – Projected 24.0 pts

Luguentz Dort’s recent performances have shown a mix of challenges and opportunities for DFS players. Over his last five games, Dort has averaged 24.0 daily fantasy points, a slight improvement from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 20.9 points. His scoring has slightly dipped to 10.4 points per game from 11.0, but his rebounds have impressively increased from 2.5 to 5.2 per game, highlighting his ability to contribute more comprehensively on the court. Despite struggling with his shooting efficiency at 29.4% from the field, his increased minutes (35.2 per game) and shot volume (10.2 per game) suggest a potential for higher fantasy outputs, especially against the Mavericks’ weaker defense against SFs. With a DFS value score of 4.0, Dort represents a core value pick in today’s slate, offering a balance between risk and potential reward.

Power Forward Analysis

PJ Washington ($11000), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 31 pts

PJ Washington’s recent surge in performance makes him a notable mention for daily fantasy sports enthusiasts. Over his last five games, Washington has averaged 37.2 daily fantasy points, a significant increase from the 23.0 points in the previous set of five games. This improvement is highlighted by his scoring jump to 19.4 points per game from 10.0, alongside increases in rebounds (9.0 up from 5.0) and assists (2.0 up from 1.0). His shooting efficiency remains robust at 50.0% from the field, although slightly down from 57.9%, and his three-point shooting has impressively risen to 47.7% from a mere 23.5%. Despite these strong numbers, Washington’s DFS value score stands at 2.8, primarily due to his high DraftKings salary of $11000. This valuation might make him a risky pick considering the cost versus expected output. The upcoming game against the Thunder, ranked #17 in defense against PFs, does present a favorable matchup, potentially offsetting some concerns regarding his high investment cost. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent uptick in performance against his salary to decide if he fits into their lineup strategy.

Center Position Daily Fantasy Analysis

Chet Holmgren ($8800), Oklahoma City Thunder – Projected 42 pts

Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder has been showing promising signs in the NBA, especially in the realm of daily fantasy sports. Over his last five games, Holmgren has averaged 33.6 daily fantasy points. This is a slight dip from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 38.7 points, indicating a recent decrease in productivity. Despite this, his overall performance remains solid with an average of 14.8 points per game, 2.2 assists, and 6.8 rebounds. His shooting accuracy stands at an impressive 62.2% from the field, though his three-point shooting has dropped to 25.0%. Holmgren’s court time has increased to an average of 36.2 minutes per game, up from 29.7, allowing him more opportunities to impact the game. However, his next matchup against the Mavericks, who rank #4 in defense against centers, could pose a challenge. Considering his DraftKings salary of $8800 and a projected point total of 42, Holmgren’s DFS value score comes in at 4.8, placing him in the core value category for the upcoming slate.