Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) brings the ball up court in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
This has been NCAA's weekend to thrive, but the NBA continues to chug along. We're NBA people over at DFSR, and it's quite simply the better product despite what some people think. We were treated with 12 games on Friday, and we're looking at nine games for this Sunday card. There are a ton of good matchups and plenty to discuss, so let's get started with a couple of cheap point guards!
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Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 33.19 DK - 34.77
It's risky to use or recommend Clarkson on most occurrences, but we always like him when one of these guards are out. Mike Conley has already been ruled out for a rest spot, and JC actually had the best game of his career the last time Conley sat out. In fact, Clarkson collected 55 DraftKings points, despite providing any peripheral statistics just last week. The simple fact is, his minutes, shots, and ball-handling are all up with Conley out of the lineup. We didn't even mention that Bojan Bogdanovic is out as well, leaving more shots on Clarkson's plate. The matchup with New York isn't too shabby either, with the Knicks sitting 18th in total defense this season.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 33.18 DK - 33.12
Ja Morant is having a magical season, but he's already been ruled out for this game because of a knee issue. Tyus has been tremendous in this role throughout the last two years. In his 15 starts this season, Jones averages 29 DraftKings points per game in over 30 minutes a night. He was actually even better last year, and it's clear that he's the go-to PG when Morant needs some games off. The matchup with Houston might be the best part of this, though, with the Rockets ranked second in pace and dead-last in defensive efficiency and points allowed. They're also surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing PGs, making Tyus the best value play on the board.
Jordan Poole leads the Warriors in usage rate with Stephen Curry off the floor and should see a massive increase here.
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 47.37 DK - 47.83
Not enough people talk about SGA because he plays in Oklahoma City, but this dude is quite simply one of the best players in the NBA. He's been showing that recently, averaging 30.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.0 steals over his last 11 games played. That even includes one dud, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring at least 46 fantasy points in all but one of those. It's easy to understand why though, with the Thunder missing Josh Giddey and Luguentz Dort. The matchup with Orlando is outstanding, too, with the Magic ranked 23rd in points allowed and 21st in defensive efficiency.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 33.61 DK - 34.91
While Tyus Jones is the direct beneficiary of Morant's absence, Bane is actually the focal point of the offense when he is out. Dez is second on the team with a 29 percent usage rate when Ja is off the floor, averaging 35 DraftKings points per game in those outings. That's all you can ask for from such a talented player, especially with Bane scoring at least 26 DK points in six straight games, en route to a 35-point average in that span. We already discussed how poor of a defense Houston has, surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing SGs. In this matchup two weeks ago, Dez dropped 43 DK points in one of the best games of the year.
Devin Booker is running things in Phoenix with CP3 out and should slaughter a terrible Sacramento defense.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 28.52 DK - 28.8
Brooks is the final piece to our Memphis stack. Everyone who watches basketball knows that this guy loves to chuck up shots, and that's more so when Morant is on the bench. In fact, DB leads the Griz with a 31 percent usage rate when Ja is off the floor. He hasn't been terribly productive since his return from injury, but this is an excellent time to get him going. Giving him a high usage against one of the worst defenses should get him going, especially since Brooks is about $1,500 cheaper than what we're accustomed to. He's done well in his first two meetings with Houston this season, scoring at least 27 fantasy points in each.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 28.92 DK - 29.96
Hunter has been slow to get going at times this season, but he's starting to find it over the last few weeks. An injury to John Collins is the thing that's gotten him going, with De'Andre scoring at least 28.3 DK points in each of his last three games. That directly correlates with the Collins injury, leaving Hunter with more shots, minutes, and rebounds. That makes it hard to believe that he's just $5K on both sites, playing at a $7K level when he was healthy last season. Playing the Pelicans is a pretty good matchup, too, with New Orleans ranked 17th in total defense this season.
If Otto Porter is starting for the Warriors, he's a fantastic play around $4K.
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 35.47 DK - 37.71
Orlando is one of the worst teams in the NBA, but it's no fault of this guy. Carter has actually been a gem of a find for the Magic, leading the team with 35 DraftKings points per game. He's been even better recently, scoring at least 30 DraftKings points in 12 straight games, while generating a 41-point average in that span. He's really established himself as the best player on this young team, and he should feast against a Thunder team that has one of the worst frontcourts in the NBA. Oklahoma City is surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing big men, missing many of their frontcourt players due to injury.
Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 30.69 DK - 32.36
It's unclear if Smith will be ready to go here, but he's one of the best plays on the board if he does. It all started when they lost Myles Turner to injury, forcing the hand of management by trading Domantas Sabonis. That left Smith as one of the only frontcourt players left, and his role has been skyrocketing with Goga Bitadze, and Isaiah Jackson nicked up as well. That's allowed Jalen to score at least 29 DraftKings points in 10 of their last 11 games, providing a 30-point average in that span. Getting to face the Trail Blazers is tremendous, too, with Portland ranked 26th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency ratings.
Jaxson Hayes remains too cheap on both sites, with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson both out.
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 45.22 DK - 45.18
Why is Rudy sitting below $8K? This guy has been one of the most reliable guys in DFS all season, scoring at least 27 DK points in 51 of 55 games this year. He's been crushing recently, too, scoring at least 34 DK points in nine of his last 11 games, en route to a 41-point average in that stretch. We love that since Conley and Bogey are both out of the lineup, leaving more offensive responsibilities on Gobert's shoulders. Centers have killed the Knicks all season, too, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to them this season. With all that said, he enters this matchup with a questionable tag, which means Hassan Whiteside could be a massive value if Rudy ends up sitting.
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 30.96 DK - 32.16
Oof, this shows where this Portland team is at right now. They're currently missing Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic to injury, which is bad news since they also traded CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, and Robert Covington. That has essentially created a whole new starting lineup, with Eubanks being inserted as the starting center. He's been productive in this role, too, scoring at least 24 DK points in seven of the nine games since gaining this role. He's been incredible in those outings, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game. Getting to face Indiana is enticing, too, with the Pacers ranked 24th in points allowed and 25th in defensive efficiency.
If Goga Bitadze starts for the Pacers again, don't forget about him with how shorthanded Indiana is.
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