NBA Daily Fantasy Picks: DraftKings + FanDuel Ownership Projections

Happy Friday, everyone. Tonight there are nine games on tap, and below are some of my favorite NBA daily fantasy picks for both FanDuel and DraftKings based on Awesemo’s grades and values.

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NBA Daily Fantasy Picks: Awesemo Grades | Feb. 5

Shooting Guard: Hamidou Diallo

DraftKings Grades: A, Values: A

FanDuel Grades: B, Values: A

With the Thunder missing their starting backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee) and George Hill (thumb) Wednesday night, Diallo drew his first start of the season. Starting small forward Luguentz Dort also hurt his knee only 9 minutes into the game and was unable to return, resulting in a career-high 33 minutes of action for Diallo. He finished with 31.75 DraftKings points in the win over the Rockets, and all three of these key Thunder players have already been confirmed out for Friday night’s matchup with the Timberwolves.

Diallo is guaranteed to see over 30 minutes tonight and a sizable usage rate against a Minnesota defense that ranks 25th in efficiency in 2020-21. In all the time he has spent on the floor this season sans Gilgeous-Alexander, Hill and Dort, Diallo has posted a team-high usage rate of 27.6%. His production is up to 1.14 DraftKings points per minute with this role, and as of early Friday, Diallo’s Vegas prop line is projecting him for 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. When we do the math, this is already 31.25 DraftKings points before defensive stats and potential bonuses. Even after Wednesday night, Diallo’s price tags on both DraftKings and FanDuel remain friendly, and he is a core play for all formats this evening.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 60.3%, FanDuel 65.1%

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Power Forward: Domantas Sabonis

DraftKings Grades: A, Values: A

FanDuel Grades: A, Values: A

In his last two starts, Sabonis has gone for 60.75 and 59 DraftKings points. But still, his price tags on both DraftKings and FanDuel remain under $9,000 for Friday night. There isn’t much logic to Sabonis being this cheap right now, and we must attack the stud forward in this large total against the Pelicans. Of the nine games on the card tonight, this tilt carries the third-highest over/under at 228.5 points. When he has suited in games totaled at 220 points or more this season, Sabonis is contributing 48.1 DraftKings points per game.

Furthermore, the Pelicans are 23rd in defensive efficiency, and Sabonis exposed them for 46.75 DraftKings points just last month. Per usual, Sabonis is an excellent high-end value and smart choice for both cash games and GPPs.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 19.9%, FanDuel 35.5%

Power Forward: Darius Bazley

DraftKings Grades: B, Values: A

FanDuel Grades: B, Values: A

With the Thunder down multiple bodies Wednesday, Bazley collected 41.5 DraftKings points against the Rockets. This marked his fourth double-double of the year, and Bazley was asked to log 34.2 minutes, the most he has seen this season. Now, with Dort, Gilgeous-Alexander and Hill all inactive, Bazley should approach 35 minutes again, and he honestly couldn’t ask for a better matchup than the Wolves.

Over their last three games, which were all without Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19), Minnesota has yielded the most points in the paint and most rebounds per game to their opponents. And Towns will once again miss tonight’s game. Just like with Diallo, Vegas is expecting a strong showing from Bazley. His props currently sit at 16 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists (30.25 DraftKings points), and Bazley is a very tough fade at under $6,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 23.9%, FanDuel 40.2%

Small Forward: Norman Powell

DraftKings Grades: B, Values: C

FanDuel Grades: B, Values: B

The Raptors and Nets will go head-to-head tonight in a game with a massive total of 240 points. This is the high mark of this nine-game slate by a notable 9.5 points, and Powell is a low-owned way to gain exposure to this superb environment. Due to various injuries for Toronto, Powell has started in five consecutive contests and generated 37.1 DraftKings points per game behind 35.2 minutes. O.G. Anunoby (calf) will miss his fifth game in a row, keeping Powell as a member of Toronto’s starting five Friday against a Nets defense that is the second-worst unit in the league over their last 10.

They also rank second, in pace this season, and the Raptors sport a large implied team total of 117.5 points. Powell has cracked 40 fantasy points in two of his last three, and he absolutely could again tonight in the largest game total he has ever competed in.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 1.4%, FanDuel 2.9%

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