After monstrous slates on Wednesday and Friday, the NBA has given us a light night here. In fact, we have just four games in total, starting at 5ET. That gives us slim pickings but it should make for a fun slate with a ton of superstars available. With that in mind, let's get into our plays!
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Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 46.32 DK - 48.56
It's pretty surprising to see a player like this below $10,000 in such a premium matchup. Let's begin with that opponent, facing a Houston club who sits second in pace and 23rd in total defense. That's bad news against a usage stud like this, with Young leading the Hawks with 34.2 minutes played, 20.2 shots taken and a 33.3 percent usage rate. Those high usage numbers have led to Young averaging 48.1 DraftKings points per game, the third-highest number on this slate.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 47.84 DK - 49.08
Westbrook has been hovering below $10,000 all season long and that's truly shocking after sitting above $12,000 for the majority of last season. While his usage isn't the same, the production isn't that far off. In fact, Westbrook is averaging 22.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season en route to 46 DK points. Getting stat-stuffing numbers like those should be much easier against a Hawks team who sits 27th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 63.21 DK - 66.3
Anytime Harden is on a three or four-game slate like this, you have to make him one of your top priorities. The simple fact is, you can't fade that guaranteed 50-60 fantasy points. After averaging nearly 65 DraftKings points per game last season, Harden has dropped all the way down to 62 DK points per game this year. That's simply absurd production and a lot of it has come recently. Over his last 12 games, Harden has a 50-point floor while scoring more than 70 DK points in over half of those. That's got to be horrifying for a Hawks defense who allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season.
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 20.67 DK - 21.55
With Josh Richardson expected to miss this game, look for Korkmaz to get a start. He might not be the only one who sits too, as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are both candidates in the second half of a back-to-back set. If two or all three of those guys sit, Korkmaz would be the play of the day. In his five starts this season, Korkmaz is averaging 18 DK points per game which is really all you can ask for from such a cheap player. In the five games where he's played at least 28 minutes, Korkmaz is also averaging 22.2 fantasy points per game. You have to keep your eyes on injury reports before inserting Korkmaz into your lineup but if people sit out, stick him in!
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 66.12 DK - 68.12
In a short slate like this, you're probably going to have to pick between Harden or Giannis. If you can somehow get both, that would be ideal but that's probably going to leave you too thin at other positions. It's hard to argue against Antetokounmpo being that guy, with the Greek Freak leading the NBA with 63.7 DK points per game. That absurd total is truly frightening for a Hornets defense who sits 25th in defensive efficiency. Facing Charlotte does present blowout risk though, with the Bucks entering this matchup as a double-digit favorite.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 24.97 DK - 25.51
Hunter has quietly been a nice surprise for the Hawks over recent weeks and it's clear that he loves getting an expanded role with John Collins and Kevin Huerter both sidelined. What makes him enticing is his playing time, averaging 34.4 minutes played over his last 10 games. That has led to 24.1 DraftKings points in that 10-game span, which is pretty good from a player in the $5,000-range. Playing those big minutes in a high-paced game like this is a recipe for success, especially with the Rockets surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season.
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 41.19 DK - 43.48
Sabonis has turned into one of the best big men in the NBA and we love him in a short slate like this. The floor from Sabonis is amazing, scoring at least 34.5 DK points in all but one game this season. That equates to a 41.5-point average for the season which is usually the production of a player in the $9,000-range. While he does have a tough matchup against a stout Sixers front-court, they could be limited if players sit as we expect. If Embiid gets ruled out, Sabonis' value would only rise with Al Horford switching to the five and someone random opposing Sabonis.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 38.76 DK - 39.14
Parker is coming off the best game of his season, collecting 33 points, 14 rebounds and five assists en route to 64.5 DK points against Milwaukee. That brilliant gem actually emphasizes a bounce-back season for the former top-pick, averaging 33 DraftKings points per game for the year. The absence of Collins is the thing that really opened up usage for Parker, with Jabari averaging about 35 fantasy points per game since then. We obviously love the matchup against the fast-paced Rockets, with Houston owning a 22nd OPRK against PFs according to DraftKings as well.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 29.61 DK - 27.95
Lopez has actually had a down year by his lofty standards but it's lowered his price way too low. In fact, Lopez used to typically be a $7,000-$8,000 player, as we're looking at quite the discount here. We're still talking about a dude who's averaging 26 DK points per game which is only a handful of points off his previous averages. The decrease in minutes recently has been thanks to a few blowouts, and if he plays his true 30+ minute rotations we should see the production fall back in line. What we love here is this matchup, with the Hornets allowing the most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers this season.
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 35.9 DK - 36.37
With Cody Zeller missing on Friday, we're assuming that Biyombo will find himself as the starting center yet again. In that last start, Biyombo played 34 minutes while providing a season-best 36 DraftKings points. That's an absurd total from a player in the mind $4,000-range, as he'd be the best value on the board if Zeller is out again. While Milwaukee is a tough matchup, we love that they play at the fastest pace in the NBA. That should open up more opportunities for Biyombo to grab rebounds and blocks which is where most of his value comes from.
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