Always be sure to check the latest injury news and adjust accordingly.
*****GAMES*****
Heat at Cavaliers -5.5, O/U 200
Jazz -7.5 at 76ers, O/U 186.5
Thunder -8 at Magic, O/U 207
Raptors at Celtics -2, O/U 202.5
Bulls -2.5 at Pistons, O/U 202.5
Wizards -1 at Bucks, O/U 197.5
Hornets at Hawks -4.5, O/U 194.5
Nets at Spurs -14, O/U 202
Timberwolves at Nuggets -3.5, O/U 204
Warriors -1 at Rockets, O/U 215.5
Lakers at Kings -7, O/U 211.5
Trail Blazers at Suns -4.5, O/U 204.5
*****DRAFTKINGS PICKS*****
Though not an official pick as he’s allegedly ill, but I kind of like Kobe as a GPP play on DK. If he wasn’t sick, I would be much more likely to pull the trigger.
CENTER
Jonas Valanciunas (TOR) $6,200
- Projected Minutes: 33
- DvP Matchup: Good
Draws a good matchup in the Celtics, and he’s reasonably priced. Valanciunas is always a little risky, as he has a tendency to disappear, so this is more of a GPP play.
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) $5,900
- Projected Minutes: 32
- DvP Matchup: Good
The prices on the rookies have started too low and haven’t yet fully adjusted. He posted 30.5 DK points in 32 minutes against the Lakers, and he should turn in a similar game against the Lakers. I like his upside and price.
Meyers Leonard (POR) $4,500
- Projected Minutes: 32
- DvP Matchup: Good
It’s a new day in Portland. With LMA gone (among others), Leonard is in a prime position for a fantasy breakout. He played 34 minutes in the Blazers’ first game and posted a 12/8/3/1/1 line. He draws an uptempo matchup against the Suns, and I think he could score 30-35 DK points. Not bad for $4,500.
Festus Ezeli (GSW) $3,100
- Projected Minutes: 25
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
Andrew Bogut is out for at least the next two games with a concussion. Ezeli and Speights will both see their minutes increase. In the past, Speights would be the play as he’s the big man equivalent of Jamal Crawford, but I think the Warriors are more inclined to use Ezeli going forward. Either play is probably fine, but I like Ezeli a little more.
POWER FORWARD
Derrick Favors (UTA) $7,200
- Projected Minutes: 35
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
The Sixers tend to give up fantasy points in droves, especially to opposing big men. Gobert is a great play, but center is a little deeper than power forward tonight, so I would prefer to spend down a little and go with Favors.
Draymond Green (GSW) $6,900
- Projected Minutes: 34
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
GSW/HOU is the highest total on the board at 215.5, which bodes well for guys who can stuff a box score like Dray. There will be plenty of points, rebounds, steals, and assists to go around. $6,900 is a bargain given his matchup.
Kenneth Faried (DEN) $6,600
- Projected Minutes: 32
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
Brian Shaw is gone, and the Manimal has been let out of his cage. Although Towns has upgraded Minnesota’s frontcourt D, a matchup with the Timberwolves is perfect for someone like Faried. The Wolves play uptempo, turn it over, and miss a lot of shots.
Serge Ibaka (OKC) $5,900
- Projected Minutes: 32
- DvP Matchup: Good
Ibaka is simply too cheap. He’ll pay off $5,900 more often than not.
SMALL FORWARD
Danilo Gallinari (DEN) $6,300
- Projected Minutes: 36
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
Gallinari played 36 minutes in the Nuggets’ opener against Houston and scored 47 DK points! Wilson Chandler is out, so there will be even more opportunity for the Rooster tonight.
DeMarre Carroll (TOR) $5,500
- Projected Minutes: 37
- DvP Matchup: Good
Carroll had a bit of an injury scare last time out, and he still managed to get 41 minutes. A matchup with the Celtics offers ample opportunity to fill up a box score, and Carroll should be able to take advantage. It wouldn’t shock me if he went for 40+ DK points.
SHOOTING GUARD
Klay Thompson (GSW) $7,200
- Projected Minutes: 34
- DvP Matchup: Good
A 215.5 total and a matchup with James Harden. Do I need to say more?
POINT GUARD
Brandon Knight (PHO) $6,600
- Projected Minutes: 34
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
Knight will be covered by Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum for most, if not all, of this contest. If you watched Portland’s first game, you’ll know they are trying to push the pace and aren’t afraid to chuck. This is an excellent spot for the Phoenix backcourt, and I’ll take the savings by dropping down from Bledsoe to Knight.
Emmanuel Mudiay (DEN) $5,700
- Projected Minutes: 36
- DvP Matchup: Good
As I mentioned on Wednesday, Mudiay is going to get all the minutes and opportunity he can handle this season. $5,700 is simply too cheap for a talented point guard with 30-35% usage. He’s a near must play for me.
*****FANDUEL PICKS*****
CENTER
Jonas Valanciunas (TOR) $6,200
- Projected Minutes: 33
- DvP Matchup: Good
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) $6,100
- Projected Minutes: 32
- DvP Matchup: Good
Meyers Leonard (POR) $5,000
- Projected Minutes: 32
- DvP Matchup: Good
Festus Ezeli (GSW) $3,500
- Projected Minutes: 25
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
POWER FORWARD
Kenneth Faried (DEN) $6,600
- Projected Minutes: 32
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
Markieff Morris (PHO) $5,800
- Projected Minutes: 29
- DvP Matchup: AWFUL
This is a price play. Just too cheap, and he has 35-40 FD point upside.
SMALL FORWARD
Danilo Gallinari (DEN) $6,900
- Projected Minutes: 36
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
DeMarre Carroll (TOR) $6,300
- Projected Minutes: 37
- DvP Matchup: Good
SHOOTING GUARD
Klay Thompson (GSW) $7,100
- Projected Minutes: 34
- DvP Matchup: Good
C.J. McCollum (POR) $6,000
- Projected Minutes: 36
- DvP Matchup: Good
McCollum has been given free range on offense, so the opportunity is there. He’s a little pricey for me on DK, but $6,000 is more than fair on FD.
POINT GUARD
Kyle Lowry (TOR) $7,500
- Projected Minutes: 37
- DvP Matchup: Good
I really like Lowry tonight, and I will be playing him primarily on FD as opposed to DK (he’s $400 more on DK despite $10k less in cap space). Again, the Celtics offer up the chance to stuff a box score, and Lowry can do it all. I would be disappointed if he scored less than 35 FD points.
Emmanuel Mudiay (DEN) $5,500
- Projected Minutes: 36
- DvP Matchup: Good
Rajon Rondo (SAC) $5,100
- Projected Minutes: 25
- DvP Matchup: GREAT
Here’s a GPP play for you. Rondo only played 25 minutes on opening night, whereas Darren Collison got 30. I don’t think many people will be on him for this reason. He gets a matchup with the Lakers (one of the worst in the league against PGs last season), and I think he might see closer to 30 minutes tonight. It’s a calculated risk.
Good luck!
oreo
