Plays of the Day
Value: Milos Teodosic is an exciting talent and worth rooting for by inserting him into DFS lineups tonight. It doesn’t hurt that he’ll be facing a Lakers team that’s given up the most APG (10.26) to opposing PGs over the last two years.
Fade: Paul George may need time to integrate into a team rather than serving as the man in Indiana. His teammate, Carmelo Anthony, would certainly hope to put on a show in his season debut against his former team tonight, so perhaps PG is a little too passive offensively to meet the value of his price tag.
Point Guards
Russell Westbrook – (11,000 DK/11,800 FD) – The Thunder added a couple of volume shooters in Carmelo Anthony and Paul George and those guys will subtract from Westbrook’s ridiculous usage rate last season, but they’ll also improve his assist numbers and keep him fresh down the stretch, which was a huge issue in regards to his shooting percentage in the fourth quarter. Tonight he’ll face a Knicks team that’s given up the seventh-most APG (9.06) to opposing PGs over the last 2 seasons and allowed Westbrook to post triple doubles in consecutive meetings last year, as well as a lightning quick triple double on Christmas Day a few years ago when KD was still playing alongside Russ.
Potential Value
Milos Teodosic – (4,900 DK/5,300FD) – Along with Patrick Beverley, Teododosic is in line to meet value in a plus matchup against the Lakers. Teodosic has good upside as a veritable triple double threat if given a full slate of minutes
Longshot
Lonzo Ball – (6,800 DK/6,800 FD) – Lonzo has filled up the stat sheet at every level so far in his basketball career. There’s a decent chance that trend continues when he makes his NBA debut
Shooting Guards
DeMar DeRozan – (8,300DK/8,800FD) – He’s probably the only SG you’ll want to use in cash games tonight since every other option is a bit of a risk. DeRozan was old reliable while pouring in 27.3 PPG last season and he draws a great matchup in his first game of the season against the inexperienced and injury-depleted Bulls. He averaged 32 PPG over 3 meetings with Chicago when Jimmy Butler was guarding him and facing Justin Holiday or Denzel Valentine is a far easier prospect
Potential Value
Jerian Grant – (5,300 DK/6,600 FD) – Grant is likely to see heavy minutes with other Bulls guards injured
Longshot
Tim Hardaway Jr. – (5,800 DK/5,500 FD) – Hardaway will be a gunner for the Knicks this year and should get into a high-scoring battle with the Thunder.
Small Forwards
Carmelo Anthony – (7,200 DK/8,000 FD) – How perfect is this? Carmelo Anthony’s Thunder debut will come against the franchise that kicked him on the way out the door this offseason. That’s just about all the motivation he’ll need to mix it up on the boards and focus on his outside shots in a potential revenge game. The Knicks ranked 26th in defensive rating last year and the Thunder should run a much more efficient offense that will generate open looks for Melo.
Potential Value
Paul Zipser – (4,800 FD/4,200 DK) – Zipser is a solid cash game play to consider with the Bulls shorthanded.
Longshot
Danilo Gallinari – (6,800 FD/6,200 DK) – Gallo’s been banged up this season but is capable of lighting it up from the perimeter with his new team.
Power Forwards
Kristaps Porzingis – (8,200 FD/7,700 DK) – If he matches up against Anthony or Paul George, Porzingis will be able to use his length down low and he’s a bit too versatile for Steven Adams to handle on the perimeter. Any way you script this game going, the Unicorn will likely leave a huge imprint across the stat sheet, as he’s clearly demonstrating a willingness to take over as the primary option for the Knicks. As long as he avoids foul trouble, which he’s been able to do while still blocking shots with his 7-foot-3 frame, Porzingis is going to be worth his price tag.
Potential Value
Lauri Markannen – (6,500 FD/5,600 DK) – Markannen is expected to start for the Bulls with Nikola Mirotic (face) out and Bobby Portis being disciplined for knocking him out.
Longshot
Julius Randle – (6,300 FD/5,800 DK) – When healthy, Randle is a triple double threat and we know Blake Griffin can show defensive indifference at times.
Center
DeAndre Jordan – (8,200 FD/7,700 DK) – Brook Lopez has been consistently hobbled by foot injuries over the last two years, so it’s no coincidence that the Nets coughed up the third-most FPPG (53.62) and fifth-most PPG (22.74) to opposing centers during that span. A far superior leaper to Lopez, Jordan averaged 14 PPG and 18.5 RPG over 2 meetings with Brooklyn and 13.5 PPG and 13.5 RPG over 4 meetings with Lakers last season. He’s as good a bet for a double double as there is tonight.
Potential Value
Cristian Felicio – (3,500 FD/4,000 DK) – Longshot value to consider if you think Robin Lopez might struggle to defend Jonas Valanciunas
Longshot
Guillermo Hernangomez – (5,600 FD/5,000 DK) – Hernangomez is looking at extended run with Joakim Noah suspended tonight.
