We have a 10-game NBA slate tonight with limited value. With so many games, there should be plenty of value available that allows us to pay for top-end talent tonight in our NBA DFS lineups. Using Stokastic’s NBA DFS projections, let’s take a deeper dive into the player pool to discuss the top NBA DFS high-priced studs for today, including Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid, at DraftKings and FanDuel.
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NBA DFS Studs: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic or Joel Embiid?
Stud No. 1 – Nikola Jokic: Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $12,200/FanDuel: $12,800
- Stokastic’s Point Projections: DraftKings: 68.1/FanDuel: 65.3
- Stokastic’s Ownership Projections: DraftKings: 17.8%/FanDuel: 11.0%
Nikola Jokic is the most expensive player on the slate. Unsurprisingly, he also has the highest projection. He will once again be playing without Jamal Murray. Jokic has produced 1.84 DraftKings points per minute with a 29.9 percent usage rate and 43.4 percent assist rate in 13 games played without Murray since the start of last season. In the 66 games that he has played alongside Murray, he has produced 1.75 DraftKings points per minute with a 27.6 percent usage rate and 45.1 percent assist rate.
Jokic has produced 1.77 DraftKings points per minute in seven games with Murray this season compared to 2.08 DraftKings points per minute in three games without him. We can expect increased production again tonight from Jokic against the Clippers, making him a top pay-up option if you can find the salary space.
Stud No. 2 – Luka Doncic: Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $11,800/FanDuel: $12,000
- Stokastic’s Point Projections: DraftKings: 61.7/FanDuel: 58.4
- Stokastic’s Ownership Projections: DraftKings: 6.5%/FanDuel: 8.2%
Luka Doncic is a fantasy monster. He is producing 1.66 DraftKings points per minute with a 34.5 percent usage rate, 12.9 percent rebound rate and 39.4 percent assist rate this season.
The issue with rostering Doncic tonight is that, while he is a great fantasy producer, he doesn’t produce at the same level as Jokic or Joel Embiid. who are in a similar price range. Doncic is the least popular of the trio, so there is merit to using him in large-field tournaments since he certainly has the ability to be the highest scorer on the slate, but it is difficult to prioritize him over the other two options.
Stud No. 3 – Joel Embiid: Philadelphia 76ers vs Indiana Pacers
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $11,500/ FanDuel: $12,300
- Stokastic’s Point Projections: DraftKings: 62.9/ FanDuel: 62.6
- Stokastic’s Ownership Projections: DraftKings: 16.7%/FanDuel: 12.2%
Joel Embiid is considerably less expensive than Jokic, so while he doesn’t project quite as well, he is a strong alternative. The 76ers’ center has produced 1.77 DraftKings points per minute this season while posting a 39.1 percent usage rate, 19.0 percent rebound rate and a much-improved 29 percent assist rate that is essentially tied with Tyrese Maxey for the team lead.
Tonight, he has a favorable matchup with the Indiana Pacers, who have played at the NBA’s third-fastest pace while allowing the fourth most points per 100 possessions to their opponents. However, it is worth noting that he is questionable for the contest with hip soreness.
There are 10 games tonight so it will be important to pay attention to injury news throughout the day that could change the outlook of the slate. Be sure to check out Stokastic’s Deeper Dive and Live Before Lock shows.
