Advertisement

NBA DFS: Why you should go all-in on DeMar DeRozan

ariel epstein
Betting analyst
·2 min read
1

There are just two days of NBA games left until the All-Star break. Fortunately, with a huge Wednesday slate, there are great spots to find players I’m confident will play. There are a few teams on the second legs of back-to-backs. The Hawks, Pacers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Suns are all playing their second games in two days. Instead of putting their starters in my lineup, I like to fade their defenses and play the opposition.

$46 CHI SF DeMar DeRozan vs. SAC

How on earth do you not try to play DeRozan in some lineups? The forward is averaging 34.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists in his last 10 games. DeRozan owns the third-longest streak in Bulls history of scoring 35 or more points, doing it in six straight games. Michael Jordan had two longer streaks. The Bulls get the Kings on Wednesday night, and they have the second-worst defense in the NBA. Sacramento allows the second-most points per game (114.7) and allows the most points in the paint (51.9). Between the hot streak and the matchup, I’d imagine DeRozan will stay hot going into the break.

Chicago Bulls' DeMar DeRozan drives to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, in Chicago. The Bulls won 120-109. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
DeMar DeRozan is stacking up to be a strong play on Wednesday's NBA slate. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

$29 DET SG Cade Cunningham vs. BOS

The Boston Celtics are on the second leg of a back-to-back after a tough matchup in Philadelphia against the Sixers on Tuesday night. This is also the last game of the first half of the season for the Celtics. It wouldn’t shock me if the Pistons are able to put up points. Boston’s allowing shooting guards to average 20.1 points when playing on the second leg of back-to-backs. Cunningham is averaging 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists against defenses that rank bottom 10 against guards. With the Celtics struggling all season against shooting guards, I’m taking a shot on Cunningham for one of his higher scoring games.

[Play in one of Yahoo's NBA DFS contests]

$28 SAS C Jakob Poeltl vs. OKC

Spurs center Jakob Poeltl can be frustrating to play in DFS. Sometimes he goes off for 18 points and 13 rebounds, while other games he’ll put up less than 10 points. This is a good rebounding matchup for Poeltl. Oklahoma City gives up the most rebounds per game to its opponents. In the last 10 games, centers or power forwards who lead their team in rebounds are averaging 18.1 points and 13.1 rebounds against the Thunder. Poeltl averages 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds against bottom-10 rebounding defenses. For $28 it’s worth the risk and high reward of Poeltl against the Thunder.