Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Well, here we are. NBA season is back baby and things kick off in a big way Tuesday night with a lot of star power on just a smaller slate. We’ve got the Nuggets, Suns, Warriors, and Lakers all in action.
Let’s take a look at how this slate breaks down.
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Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 45.08 DK - 50.13
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 31.61 DK - 33.99
Stephen Curry is expensive here, and rightfully so meaning we will have to find some savings elsewhere. And with no Draymond Green in the lineup, the Warriors will truly be a new look group going into this first game of the season. That’s going to mean more Chris Paul minutes in the starting lineup and we will get a chance to see this pairing in action.
I still like Steph for cash games, even more on DraftKings than FanDuel where the threes count a bit more. Even with the Warriors playing a different style, he should still be able to get up shots against a Suns team lacking much in the way of point-of-attack defense.
And Chris Paul isn’t really priced like a starter at all on DraftKings coming under $6K. He’s just too good of a bargain there with Draymond Green out of the mix. The Warriors have plenty to work out this season, but for this first game with CP3 running with the starters, we can role him in cash on DraftKings.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 41.79 DK - 45.45
It’s really between the backcourts of the Suns and Warriors or Jamal Murray in cash. I’m going with the latter because the price point is a bit lower and the opportunity + role is more set in stone than the others. Murray is primed for a big year following the Denver championship run and will likely look to increase his scoring above career levels.
He’s been 20-21 over the last couple of seasons. The Nuggets bench is a bit thinner this year and for this first game I expect them to run the starters big minutes. Murray is a good price on both sites.
On FanDuel, I think you can consider Christian Braun (FD 4100 DK 4400) and Josh Okogie (FD 4300 DK 4000) in the shooting guard slots. Both should play minutes in the 20s and are coming on the cheaper side.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 23.47 DK - 25.1
Jonathan Kuminga had an amazing preseason and could be in line for a true breakout campaign this season. It looks like he’s going to get plenty of opportunity and should see more minutes with Draymond Green out on Tuesday. He averaged 22 points and 5.8 rebounds in about 27 minutes per game for the Warriors over the last couple of weeks, getting up a ton of shots and looking efficient in the process.
He will come off the bench here but could definitely be in the 6th man role to start. If they are going to trust him with usage and minutes then these prices are simply too low for the opening slate.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 17.92 DK - 18.46
Taurean Prince will draw the start for the Lakers who could use a deeper bench this season. That being said, Jarred Vanderbilt is out to start the season and it’s Prince’s spot for the time being. He took about four three-pointers a game in limited preseason minutes, knocking them down at about a 46% clip. On a short slate that doesn’t have a ton of punts, Prince makes for salary relief help.
Strongly consider Michael Porter Jr. (FD 6000 DK 5800) on FanDuel
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 60.09 DK - 64.4
Saved the best for (almost) last. Nikola Jokic is about as good as it ever gets when it comes to fantasy basketball. That isn’t some kind of hot take or anything. We are talking about a guy who helped blitz the league in the playoffs en route to a championship coming off a season that saw him average 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists.
The dimes went up last season even with the scoring down a tick. But that’s just moving the pieces around. This dude was and is just completely dominant and even these exorbitant prices aren’t high enough.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 28.42 DK - 29.35
With Draymond Green out for the Warriors, Kevon Looney will draw the start at center and could be looking at a healthy minute share. The Warriors don’t have a ton of rebounding on this roster and will need his size in the paint against this Suns’ team, at least to start.
Phoenix could press more of a small ball advantage going forward, but Looney should see minutes in the mid-20s at the minimum and he’s one of the better per-minute rebounders around when given the chance.
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