Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) is shown against the Orlando Magic in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
It's been a strange week of basketball. If you played that Saturday slate, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Teams like Brooklyn and Utah rested almost every player in the rotation, and both of those clubs played competitive outings. There's always a ton of value in circumstances like that, but it's impossible to know that until hours before tip. That's why it's up to you guys to zone in on injury reports because things change quickly in this racket. That's why these articles are a baseline for you and why they should be a building block in your extensive research that needs to be done before submitting lineups!
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Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 55.51 DK - 59.71
Young has had a "down" year by his standards, but he's still averaging 28 points and 10 assists per game. That's why he's a perennial All-Star and why he's one of the best options with Dejounte Murray sidelined. That's forcing Young into a monster role, posting a 42 percent usage rate with Murray off the floor. That would be the highest rate in the NBA, which is scary since he's averaging 1.6 DK points per minute in those circumstances. That would equate to 65 DraftKings points if he plays 40 minutes, which is incredible since Trae tallied 65 fantasy points in his most recent matchup with the Bulls.
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 25.26 DK - 25.66
If De'Aaron Fox misses this game, Mitchell is the best value play on the board. It's rare to find a starting point guard at $4,000, especially one who's always been productive when given the opportunity. Davion has started in 21 games at point guard since the start of last season, averaging 33 fantasy points per game across 37 minutes a night. You usually see production like that from a $7K player, and it's hard to understand why Mitchell remains so cheap. Facing the Knicks is the best part of this, though, with New York owning a 27th OPRK against opposing point guards this season. If Fox is out, lock DM into every lineup you make!
Markelle Fultz (FD $4600 DK $4900) was the top pick for a reason. He has the ability to be a $7K player and has taken over starting point guard duties in the absence of Jalen Suggs.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 45.6 DK - 46.78
We're slightly concerned that Chris Paul is back for the Suns, but it's hard to fade Booker with how he's been balling out. The sharpshooter has at least 29 DraftKings points in 24 of 26 games this season, dropping 69 DK points or more on three occasions. That's one of the best floor and ceiling combinations you'll see from a sub-$10K player, and you know DB will be looking for his shot against one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Booker scored at least 46 fantasy points in his final three meetings with the Pels last year, posting a 49-point average in those outings. With all that said, he is questionable coming into this matchup. If he ends up sitting, Chris Paul is one of our favorite plays out there!
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 28 DK - 29.18
We just discussed how Sacramento might be missing De'Aaron Fox, forcing Huerter into a more significant role. The Red Rocket has been feeling it whether Fox has been in the lineup or not, averaging over 28 DraftKings points per game this season. That's already a superb average from a sub-$6K player, with Huerter dropping 35 fantasy points in the first game without Fox on Friday. The simple fact is, Kevin is going to see a boost in minutes, shot attempts, and usage in the absence of Fox. As long as that's the case, he should never be this cheap against a 19th-ranked Knicks defense. In his last matchup with NY, Huerter had 35 DK points!
Malik Monk (FD $5000 DK $5400) should see a boost in usage with Fox possibly missing this game and has dropped 40 fantasy points on numerous occasions this season.
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 30.81 DK - 31.9
This sophomore has been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA since he was drafted, and it's hard to understand why he's just $6,000 on both sites. The former Wolverine is coming off a career-high in his most recent game, dropping 34 raw points en route to 48 DraftKings points on Friday. That gives him a 37-point average over his last three outings, which directly correlates with an injury to Wendell Carter Jr. This team needs him to do more with WCJ sidelined, and we have to assume his 32-point average for the year is his floor in this spot. Toronto can be a terrifying matchup for most, but Wagner had that 48-point gem against them on Friday night.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 22.43 DK - 24.25
It's been a slow start for Bogey, but this guy can be a stud. The Serbian really struggled in his first three games of the year, but he had a season-high 43 DraftKings points across 34 minutes in Atlanta's most recent outing. We've seen this versatile wingman post lines like that in the past, but it's no surprise since Murray is out for the next two weeks. That makes Bogey the second primary ball-handler, and they need more out of him with De'Andre Hunter, and John Collins sidelined as well. Bogdanovic slaughtered Chicago in their three meetings last season, too, scoring at least 34 fantasy points in all of them, en route to a 39-point average. All you need is 30 DK points for Bogey to be an immense value, and that seems like a strong possibility with so much in his favor.
LeBron James (FD $10400 DK $10100) is always one of the safest bets for 50 fantasy points and should reach that against a 29th-ranked Detroit defense.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 58.91 DK - 61.47
It's tough to squeeze in such an expensive player, but Giannis is the safest play on the slate. The former MVP has scored at least 37 DraftKings points in every game this season. He's also generating a 55-point average across his last nine games after posting a 62-point average through his first eight outings. That's a scary run from one of the best players in DFS, but this matchup is the icing on the cake. Houston ranks 25th in defensive efficiency and 28th in points allowed. In their two most recent meetings, Giannis is averaging 44 points and 15 rebounds per game against this rubbish Rockets defense. If you want a guaranteed 50-60 DraftKings points with an 80-point upside, Antetokounmpo is the best play on the slate!
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 46.14 DK - 46.06
People were quick to call Zion a bust, but this guy has been one of the best players in the NBA this season. He's been particularly good since Brandon Ingram went down, scoring at least 41 DK points in seven of his last eight games. More importantly, Williamson is posting a 51-point average in that span, scoring 51 or more fantasy points in five of his previous six games. We've been waiting to see this guy play like that for most of his career, and it's a scary sight for the rest of the NBA. Facing Phoenix is no easy task, but Zion has at least 48 DK points in two of their last three meetings.
P.J. Washington (FD $5900 DK $5600) has flashed a 60-point upside throughout his career, which is incredible from a sub-$6K player.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 38.3 DK - 38.45
We love Capela whenever he's getting a full allotment of minutes. That's been the case recently with Collins and Hunter sidelined, allowing Capela to score at least 29 DraftKings points in 13 of his last 14 games. He's also flirting with a 40-point average in that span, which is no surprise since he's playing nearly 30 minutes a game. This per-minute stud has played at least 26 minutes in 66 games since the start of last year, averaging 37 DK points per game in those outings. That looks like his floor with JC out of the lineup, which is awesome since Capela averaged 38 fantasy points per game in his four meetings with the Bulls last year. Everything is pointing to 35-40 fantasy points, which is ironically our projection as well!
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 26.71 DK - 24.95
Much like Capela, Robinson is an excellent option whenever he's given the opportunity. This was the best per-minute fantasy producer just two years ago and has finally earned the starting center job in New York. That's led to Mitch-Rob scoring at least 24 DK points in seven of his last eight games. He's also providing a 30-point average across 28 minutes a night, and as long Robinson is playing 25-30 minutes, he should be a $6K player! Getting to face Sacramento is sensational, too, with the Kings ranked 27th in points allowed and 24th in defensive efficiency.
Joel Embiid (FD $11800 DK $11500) is averaging 64 DK points per game over the last two weeks and faces a Charlotte team surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers.
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