Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 63.69 DK - 68.82
When we get into the $12K range for a player things can start to get real weird with the rest of the lineup. But a guy like Luka Doncic is worth it at these prices simply because he’s in a small class of players who can support the salary. He’s averaging a ridiculous 33.6 points per game to go with nine rebounds and assists each. Now he’ll draw a Wizards team that is middle of the road in terms of both pace and defensive efficiency. It’s not the perfect matchup, but this slate has some tougher teams on it and I think we can roster Doncic without worrying all that much about it.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 41.85 DK - 44.57
Chris Paul returned from more than a two-week layoff and immediately stepped in to play 38 minutes on Sunday. It was a somewhat surprising minutes load after the injury, but we’ll take it especially if it’s going to be the case going forward. The Suns get the best matchup on the slate against the Hornets and Paul isn’t priced like a point guard set to play this many minutes. In that game, he dropped 22 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds. He’ll have a chance for a repeat performance against a Hornets team ranked 10th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 42.03 DK - 45.69
McCollum is coming off of a really rough game that saw him score just 13 points while also turning the ball over seven times. He show just 5-16 from the field and the Pelicans lost to the Heat. He’ll look to bounce back here and has been good over the last month with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both out. He’s averaging 25.5 points and more than five assists per game in that stretch. This matchup against Denver isn’t amazing, but that’s something of the theme of this slate.
If Nikola Jokic were to sit again then Jamal Murray (FD 8100 DK 7000) would be a must-play, especially on DraftKings.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 30.62 DK - 32.4
Cameron Johnson is two games into his return from injury and seeing the minutes tick up as well. He played 29 last time out and is likely set to eclipse 30 in this one if all goes well. The price is still firmly in the middle-tier and while he doesn’t have overwhelming upside, there is still a floor considering the matchup against the Hornets rates as one of the best ones on the slate. If he can get up double-digit shot attempts and about 5-6 threes per game on these minutes then he is definitely a value here.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 29.89 DK - 31.66
With the Pelicans superstars already out and Naji Marshall now also on the shelf, Trey Murphy has stepped up over the last couple of games to play big minutes for New Orleans. He put up 18 points on Friday against the Magic and another 17 in Sunday’s game against the Heat. He needs to knock down threes to really be fantasy viable at these prices, and has been hitting triples at a 40% clip this season. It’s a little risky because there’s a boom or bust nature to his game, but the minutes should be there against with the Pelicans still banged up.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 46.15 DK - 48.74
The Clippers draw one of the best DFS matchups around against the Lakers who rank third overall in pace while playing the 21st-ranked defensive efficiency. Kawhi Leonard has seen the minutes climb into the high 30s (when he actually plays), running 36 or more in each of the last three. He’s averaging 31 points, six rebounds, and four assists in that stretch with some steals thrown in as well. I much prefer the FanDuel price which is still coming under $10K but do think he’s a higher floor option on both sites.
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 27.45 DK - 28.33
Gafford is coming cheap on DraftKings and the Wizards are now going to be without Kristaps Porzingis for the foreseeable future. While not a 1:1 comp on the minutes, I do think the Wiz being without Staps could lead to a few more minutes for Gafford here. On DraftKings, there isn’t overwhelming risk because the price is in the lower $4K range. He’s put up 14 points in two of the last three games and can get on the boards if the run is there.
There are other considerations at this position on Tuesday.
Bismack Biyombo (FD 4600 DK 3600) should still be in the starting lineup for the Suns, though he did lose minutes last time out. It’s a bit risky because they have Jock Landale and Dario Saric as well.
If Nikola Jokic were to sit again, Aaron Gordon (FD 7300 DK 6700) would be in play and even more so if Michael Porter Jr. sat as well.
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