Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
This slate could be nuts. We say that because seven teams are playing the second half of a back-to-back set. That's going to cause chaos in terms of late news, and you'll need to keep an eye on who plays. We have a good idea of who will sit, though, and that'll definitely play a factor in this article.
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Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 39.55 DK - 40
This honestly might be the best play on the board. It sounds like San Antonio will be without Keldon Johnson, DeMar DeRozan, Derrick White, and LaMarcus Aldridge. That leaves Murray as the only starter left, likely forcing him into the most significant usage of his career. We love that for a guy who's thrived with limited usage, averaging over 35 DraftKings points per game, despite ceding touches to those aforementioned starters. Murray could be looking at 40 minutes and 20-plus shots with so many guys out, which is scary since he gets most of his value through rebounds, assists and, steals. We also don't mind that Oklahoma City owns a 24th OPRK against opposing point guards this season.
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 32.6 DK - 33.3
Nunn has quietly been one of Miami's best players this season, and these DFS sites need to take notice. The Goran Dragic injury is the thing that's opened things up for Nunn, scoring at least 25 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games. He's going crazy in those eight outings, too, averaging 35 DK points per game in nearly 37 minutes a night. The matchup against Toronto is slightly problematic, but Nunn has had his best games against them this year, scoring at least 40 DK points in both of those outings. All of that would make you believe we're looking at an $8K player, but Nunn is still sitting around $6,000 on both sites.
Darius Garland is too cheap every day, and he's obviously in play against a fast-paced Houston team.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 31.08 DK - 32.51
This is one of those cases where we want full exposure on one site and not another. It's easy to tell by looking at the prices, with Gordon being a premium value on FanDuel at $5,300. What we love is that he's picking up so much usage with all of these injuries, with Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo, and DeMarcus Cousins all out of the lineup. That has led to a 33-minute average over his last seven outings, averaging nearly 30 FanDuel points per game across his last nine fixtures. That's a monster total from a $5,300 player, and his shots and usage should only rise with so many guys out of the lineup. The matchup is brilliant, too, with Cleveland surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 32.99 DK - 33.38
It's weird that Jackson has remained so cheap. The Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin absences forced him into a significant role, while the Delon Wright injury made him one of the offense's focal points. That's evident when you see that he has 41 combined shots over the last two games, playing 31 minutes a night. That's no surprise when you see that JJ has at least 24 DK points in 12-straight outings, posting an average north of 30 fantasy points in that span. That's terrifying news for a Pelicans defense that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a breakout player for the Thunder and remains affordable south of $8K.
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 54.49 DK - 56.44
It's always risky to recommend players against the Jazz, but we're talking about The King here! Injuries to Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder have forced him into an even bigger role than usual, posting a 35 percent usage rate with those guys off the floor. That had led to one of the best stretches of his career, averaging 27.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.2 steals over his last 10 games played. That equates to a 54-point average, and he should be asked to do a ton in such a premiere matchup. It's not like he struggled against Utah last year anyway, scoring at least 47 fantasy points in all three of their meetings.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 44.48 DK - 45.79
Kemba Walker has sat out every second half of a back-to-back set, and that makes Brown one of the best options on the board. We say that because Jaylen has scored at least 30 fantasy points in all 14 games that Kemba has missed this year, averaging nearly 40 DK points per game. More importantly, his usage is just shy of 30 percent with him off the floor. The matchup only adds to Brown's intrigue, with Atlanta ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency while owning a 21st OPRK against opposing SFs.
Jimmy Butler has played at a $10K level since his return and remains too cheap on both sites.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 43.42 DK - 43.94
Talk about a guy who's not getting the credit he deserves! Grant has played at an $8K level all season long and is still a bit too cheap. We're talking about a player who's averaging 39 fantasy points per game for the season, which is right on par with what he's been doing over the last two weeks. You'd think his production was dropping with the price decrease, but he's averaging 36 fantasy points per game in that two-week stretch. The best part about using him is this matchup, though, with New Orleans surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 26.81 DK - 26.14
Theis is a hard guy to trust, but he's quietly been really solid the last few weeks. In fact, he's got at least 22 DraftKings points in 11 of his previous 14 games, averaging just shy of 30 fantasy points per game in those 11 fixtures. That's a crazy total from a $5K player, and we love that he's playing over 32 minutes a night over his last three outings. As long as we get that, he should have no problem reaching 5-6X value. The matchup against the Hawks should allow him to do just that, with Theis dropping 37 fantasy points on them just last week.
Zion Williamson has been cruising recently, and it's unlikely a bad Pistons defense will slow him down.
Opponent - BOS
Proj Pts FD - 46.08 DK - 45.47
Capela has quietly been a rebounding monster this season, recording a double-double in all but seven games. That consistency is crazy, especially when you see that it's led to him scoring at least 26 fantasy points in all but three fixtures. He's been even more ridiculous recently, averaging 43 DK points per game across his last six outings. Those rebounding numbers should allow him to feast against this weak frontcourt, with Cap collecting 24 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks against the Celtics just last week. If John Collins sits after an injury on Tuesday, Capela would be one of the locks of the day with more minutes and rebounds headed his way.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 36.22 DK - 37.61
Why is Carter still below $6K? This dude has been fantastic when he's played this year and is coming off one of the best performances of his career. In fact, WCJ dropped 46 DraftKings points in that win, bringing his season average to nearly 30 fantasy points per game. That's all you can ask for from a sub-$6K player, and his minutes should be up opposing Karl-Anthony Towns. Not to mention, Minnesota surrenders the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers while ranking 25th in total defense.
If Steven Adams is out again, Willy Hernangomez is one of the best values on the board.
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