Strategy and Stats for 06/12/24 NBA Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clock ticks towards 08:30 PM EST tonight, all eyes will be on the American Airlines Center where the Boston Celtics clash with the Dallas Mavericks in what’s anticipated to be a high-scoring affair, with an Over/Under set at 213.5. Fantasy managers, take note: this single-game slate offers a golden opportunity to capitalize on top-tier talent. Leading the charge, Luka Dončić continues to dazzle with his all-around performances, averaging a triple-double over his last five outings. On the opposing side, Jayson Tatum, fresh off a 35-point masterpiece, looks to keep his scoring streak alive. This pivotal matchup not only promises thrilling basketball but also pivotal fantasy implications. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the individual matchups and strategic plays that could dictate tonight’s fantasy leaderboard.

Top PG Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Luka Doncic ($13800), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 69 pts

As we delve into today’s DFS landscape, Luka Doncic stands out not just for his star power but for his recent surge in fantasy production. Over the last five games, Doncic has been nothing short of spectacular, averaging 62.0 daily fantasy points. This marks a significant uptick from his previous set of five games, where he averaged 51.6 points. His scoring has jumped from 22.0 to 31.0 points per game, and his assists have seen a rise from 7.8 to 9.2 per game, showcasing his all-around game. Doncic’s shooting efficiency has also seen a notable improvement. His field goal percentage has increased to 48.2% from 43.8%, and his three-point shooting has been exceptional at 42.9%, up from 31.0%. These stats are crucial, especially considering his high volume of 21.0 shots per game during this stretch. Despite a slight decrease in rebounds from 10.8 to 9.6 per game, his overall contributions across the board make him a formidable DFS option. Facing off against the Celtics, who rank fourth in defense against PGs, presents a challenge. However, Doncic’s ability to perform against top defenses, coupled with his heavy workload of 41.8 minutes per game, solidifies his status as a top pick. With a DraftKings salary of $13800 and a projected point total of 69.0, Doncic’s DFS value score stands at 5.0, categorizing him as a strong value in today’s slate.

Shooting Guard (SG) Daily Fantasy Analysis

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($6000), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 3.0 pts

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s recent performances have shown a downturn in production, particularly in his scoring and fantasy point generation. Over the last five games, he has averaged only 6.5 daily fantasy points, a significant drop from the 10.4 points he averaged in the previous five-game stretch. His scoring has also decreased to 2.6 points per game from 6.2, alongside minor reductions in assists and rebounds. Despite maintaining a 50.0% field goal efficiency, his limited minutes on the court (11.2 per game) and a tough upcoming matchup against the Celtics, who rank #4 in defense against SGs, suggest a challenging outing. With a projected DFS value score of 0.5, Hardaway Jr. presents a risky option for the upcoming slate.

Top Small Forward Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Derrick Jones Jr. ($8000), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 21.0 pts

As we dive into today’s DFS landscape, Derrick Jones Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks stands out, not just for his athleticism but for his recent surge in performance. Over the last five games, Jones Jr. has shown a notable uptick in his fantasy output, averaging 21.1 daily fantasy points compared to 19.4 in the previous five-game stretch. This improvement is underscored by his increased scoring, up from 9.0 to 10.8 points per game, and a significant jump in three-point shooting accuracy from 18.8% to an impressive 52.9%. His contributions aren’t just limited to scoring; Jones Jr. has also been active in distributing the ball and rebounding, with averages of 2.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game during this period. Moreover, his increased court time, now averaging 35.1 minutes per game, provides him more opportunities to impact the game. Despite these positives, his DFS value score stands at 2.6, primarily due to his high DraftKings salary of $8000. This valuation puts him in a challenging position against the Celtics’ 17th-ranked defense against SFs. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent hot streak against his overall cost-effectiveness in today’s slate.

Power Forward Insights

PJ Washington ($10000), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 30 pts

As the fantasy basketball season progresses, PJ Washington’s role as a key player for the Dallas Mavericks becomes increasingly significant. Recently, Washington has been logging substantial minutes, averaging 38.0 per game over his last five outings, which is slightly up from his previous five-game stretch. Despite this, his fantasy production has seen a notable dip. Previously, he was averaging a robust 39.1 fantasy points per game, but this has decreased to 23.6 in his latest performances. This downturn is reflected in his scoring, dropping from 21.8 points to 11.6 points per game, and his rebounding has also suffered, decreasing from 8.8 to 6.0 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency from the field remains strong at 55.6%, an improvement over his earlier 46.7%. However, his three-point shooting has drastically fallen to 25.0% from an impressive 51.4%. Given his high DraftKings salary of $10000 and a projected fantasy point total of 30.0, Washington’s DFS value score currently stands at 3.0. This positions him as a risky choice for the upcoming slate, especially considering the matchup against the Celtics, who rank 17th in defense against PFs. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent slump and high salary carefully when considering him for their lineups.

Center Position Daily Fantasy Analysis

Derek Lively II ($8500), Dallas Mavericks – Projected 25 pts

As we delve into Derek Lively II’s recent surge in performance, it’s clear that his fantasy relevance is on a sharp incline. Over the last five games, Lively has posted an impressive 27.9 fantasy points per game, a significant jump from the 17.1 in the previous set of five games. This uptick is supported by his stellar field goal percentage of 91.3%, up from 35.0%. However, despite these gains, his projected DFS value score stands at 2.9, primarily due to his high DraftKings salary of $8500 coupled with a tough upcoming matchup against the Celtics, who rank #9 in defense against centers. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent performance spike against these factors when considering Lively for their lineups.