Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) pushes the ball up the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
It’s our first full slate of NBA hoops with a ton of games going down on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at where to start with cash game lineups.
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Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 48.3 DK - 53.09
LaMelo signed the big extension in the offseason and could be looking at a monster year this time around. Are the Hornets all that good? No. Could they be viable for our fantasy purposes? Most definitely. This game has the second-highest over/ under on the slate at 235.5 and should be up-and-down throughout. LaMelo averaged 23 points, 8.4 assists, and 6.3 rebounds in his limited 36 games last season. He was one of just four players in the league to average more than 10 threes per game and the volume should be more than there.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 29.22 DK - 32.16
The Toronto Raptors lost Fred VanVleet in the offseason and replaced him (effectively) with Dennis Schroder to run the point. Though they will use Scottie Barnes (expected to play with the ankle) in a point-forward role, Schroder will command a lot of on-ball time and is coming off a big summer. Also, after him, the Raptors have very little guard depth. Schroder was awesome in FIBA and showed the ability in the preseason to put up stats with this core group. I think he’s underpriced on both sites for the new role.
Scottie Barnes (FD 7600 DK 6700) is a PG on DraftKings and is way too cheap there.
It looks like Luka Doncic (FD 11600 DK 11000) is going to play. But if he’s a scratch then Kyrie Irving (FD 10000 DK 10200) would vault to the top of this list. And we’d have to get Josh Green (FD 5300 DK 3800) in there as well.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 41.3 DK - 45.07
The Grizzlies were already dealing with the Ja Morant suspension and now they are also going to be without Steven Adams for the season. Desmond Bane, at least for the first quarter of the season, is going to see massive usage in this offense. The preseason was just a sampling of that. He took about 15 shots per 26 minutes in the four preseason games, bombing about seven three attempts in per game in that stretch. The dude is going to control the offense and isn’t priced for the opportunity at all.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 37.89 DK - 42.14
The Heat didn’t make the Damian Lillard trade in the offseason and are now running back much of the same team we saw last year. Herro had been at the center of those Dame rumors, though they didn’t come to pass. I think he’s still in line for a lot of usage on this team which is running old Kyle Lowry at point guard and has almost no backcourt depth now that Josh Richardson is hurt and sitting in the opener. There should be a lot of minutes and shots for Herro in this offense and he gets a good matchup against the Pistons.
Caleb Houstan (FD 3500 DK 3000)
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 39.44 DK - 41.26
The Cavaliers are going to come into this first game against the Nets without Jarrett Allen and that’s going to mean a lot for Evan Mobley. The rebounding ticks up considerably for Mobley when they aren’t running the double-big lineups and he ends up playing closer to the basket as well. The front court depth for Cleveland is pretty weak as well with Damian Jones as the backup. Plus, the Nets really let it up on the glass to opponents last season. This is a smash spot for Mobley with Allen out of the lineup and he’s likely to be a chalkier play.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 46.15 DK - 45.75
Speaking of teams without their starting centers, the aforementioned Steven Adams injury is going to open things up for Memphis who will likely be in trade talks sooner than later to add another body. But for now they don’t have Adams or Brandon Clarke and that’s leaving them pretty thin.
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 28.75 DK - 29.12
We already saw a complete breakout season for Jaren Jackson Jr. last year who upped his minutes, his scoring and blocked just about everything in sight. He’ll likely push up and over 30 minutes a game as long as he can stay out of foul trouble (an ongoing problem) and the opportunity is just too good for him with the state of the Grizzlies’ front court.
Meanwhile, Xavier Tillman will draw the start for Adams at center and could be looking at major minutes here. He’s not expected to take a lot of shots in the offense, but is a good per minute rebounder when it’s all said and done. I like him a bit more on DraftKings than FanDuel.
Obi Toppin (FD 5100 DK 3000) is coming way too cheap on DraftKings.
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