The highest-scoring NBA games can be a great source of fantasy value for DFS. Here we’ll consider a few of the highest scoring contests, highlighting must-own players, sneaky starts and guys to fade. In addition to the total, we’ll consider the spread and how it might impact the game’s stars and/or open up some opportunity for bench players. To be successful in NBA DFS, you have to be attuned to talent, minutes, matchups and salaries. We’ll consider those attributes of the key players from these high scoring games.
Note: Lines can change at a moment's notice based on the actual bets placed on each game. Therefore, while any lines or odds mentioned in this column were accurate at the time of writing, they could have moved slightly since then. But because we're using this information only as an aid in our daily ranking process and nothing else, any such discrepancies shouldn't matter to the reader. Lines are provided by Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Oklahoma City Thunder (-4) at Boston Celtics
Point total: 220
While some speculate -- mostly those wearing green -- Kevin Durant could eventually end up with the Celtics, tonight will be the first time the former Texas star plays Boston in over two years. Injuries have kept Durant from the previous four meetings between these cross-conference foes, while the absence of Boston's key perimeter defender, Jae Crowder, to injury allows for even more offensive upside from the Thunder's superstar wing. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook is still a unique stat-stuffing force with the closest season to a triple-double average since Magic Johnson in the late 1980s.
Boston counters the Thunder's top-heavy attack with scoring dynamo Isaiah Thomas and a deep and capable rotation. Both of these clubs rank in the top 11 in offensive efficiency on the season, and the Celtics are third in pace (101.3), with the Thunder eighth (99.4), evidence this is one of the best point and pace environments of this rich, nine-game slate.
Players to target
Russell Westbrook (DraftKings: $10,500, FanDuel: $10,700)
Kevin Durant (DraftKings: $10,300, FanDuel: $10,300)