NBA DFS Breakdown: Load Management

Written by

Alex Barutha

Published on March 28, 2019

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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.

Magic	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Timofey Mozgov	C	Knee	GTD	3/28/2019
Mo Bamba	C	Lower Leg	Out	4/1/2019
Markelle Fultz	G	Shoulder	Out	4/10/2019
Isaiah Briscoe	G	Knee	Out	4/10/2019

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.

Nets	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Allen Crabbe	G	Knee	Out	3/30/2019

76ers	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Mike Scott	F	Back	GTD	3/28/2019
James Ennis	F	Quadriceps	GTD	3/28/2019
Furkan Korkmaz	G	Knee	Out	4/5/2019

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.

Mavericks	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Kristaps Porzingis	F	Knee	OFS	7/1/2019
J.J. Barea	G	Achilles	OFS	8/1/2019
Tim Hardaway	G	Lower Leg	OFS	8/1/2019

Heat	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Justise Winslow	F	Thigh	GTD	3/28/2019
Josh Richardson	G	Heel	Out	3/30/2019
Rodney McGruder	G	Knee	Out	3/30/2019

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.

Raptors	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
OG Anunoby	F	Concussion	GTD	3/28/2019
Kawhi Leonard	F	Rest	Out	3/30/2019

Knicks	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Dennis Smith	G	Back	GTD	3/28/2019
Allonzo Trier	G	Calf	GTD	3/28/2019
Kevin Knox	F	Ankle	GTD	3/28/2019
Frank Ntilikina	G	Groin	Out	3/30/2019
Noah Vonleh	F	Ankle	Out	4/1/2019

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.

Kings	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Troy Williams	F	Undisclosed	GTD	3/28/2019
Wenyen Gabriel	F	Ankle	GTD	3/28/2019
Harry Giles	C	Thigh	Out	3/30/2019

Pelicans	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Anthony Davis	C	Back	GTD	3/28/2019
Elfrid Payton	G	Wrist	GTD	3/28/2019
Frank Jackson	G	Concussion	Out	3/31/2019
Trevon Bluiett	F	Thumb	Out	3/31/2019
E'Twaun Moore	G	Quadriceps	Out	3/31/2019
Jrue Holiday	G	Abdomen	OFS	5/1/2019

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.

Nuggets	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Malik Beasley	G	Personal	GTD	3/28/2019
Michael Porter Jr.	F	Back	Out	4/5/2019

Rockets	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Eric Gordon	G	Undisclosed	GTD	3/28/2019
Kenneth Faried	C	Knee	Out	3/30/2019
Gerald Green	G	Thigh	Out	4/2/2019

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.

Clippers	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Luc Mbah a Moute	F	Knee	GTD	3/28/2019
Patrick Beverley	G	Hip	Out	3/30/2019

Bucks	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Tony Snell	G	Ankle	Out	3/31/2019
Nikola Mirotic	F	Thumb	Out	4/10/2019
Pau Gasol	C	Ankle	Out	4/22/2019
Malcolm Brogdon	G	Foot	Out	4/27/2019
Donte DiVincenzo	G	Heel	OFS	7/1/2019

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.

Cavaliers	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
John Henson	C	Wrist	Out	4/1/2019
Matthew Dellavedova	G	Concussion	Out	4/7/2019
J.R. Smith	G	Not Injury Related	OFS	6/15/2019

Spurs	Pos	Injury	Status	Return
Donatas Motiejunas	C	Not Injury Related	GTD	3/28/2019
Dejounte Murray	G	Knee	OFS	6/1/2019

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.