DraftKings NBA Picks October 23: Should We Use Giannis Again?

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER18: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans waits on the court during their game against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on December18, 2014 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks October 23

The NBA is back up to eight games for the main DraftKings tournaments tonight. That gives us plenty of good options, and there are still early season warriors whose price hasn’t caught up to their production yet. Let’s see who can keep that up!

Point Guards

Best Bets:

John Wall ($10,100): Wall is priced here because he is so consistent. Wall has 98 DraftKings points in two games, which leaves him just a touch shy of 5x value. However, Wall is one of those few that you can rely on to give you exactly what you pay for. He is probably better suited for cash games, but if you can fit both him and Giannis in a lineup, that is a great foundation to work from.

Stephen Curry ($8,700): Curry didn’t struggle in the opener, but he was far below where we usually expect him. He got back on track over the weekend mostly because he went to the charity stripe double digits times in each game. Curry has not missed a free throw yet this year. He is practically guaranteed ten points just in free throws, and is averaging a solid 5.1x value in three games this season.

Honorable Mention:

Kemba Walker ($7,800): Walker is always a consistent producer in his price range, but he isn’t an accomplished scorer like many in front of him on point guard lists. However, Walker still averages 5.3x value on the season, and was at about 5.5x value over the 2016-17 season. Like Wall, you know exactly what you are getting with Walker.

Mike Conley ($7,700): Conley was horrid from the field against the Warriors over the weekend, but he should have a much easier go of it against Houston tonight, who is still without Chris Paul. He picked up 43.25 DraftKings points in the opener. I expect him around that area tonight.

Drk Horses:

Reggie Jackson ($5,800): Dennis Smith Jr. is still listed as questionable. Even if he plays, I think I trust Jackson more for one night. Jackson’s production has been all over the place so far, but he has been above 5x value in all games. With Ish Smith nipping at his heels, Jackson is still producing at a high level for his price right now.

Dejounte Murray ($5,100): Murray is starting over Tony Parker, and doing a fine job for the veteran laden Spurs. Murray has over 6x value in both games. He may not quite hit that mark against Toronto, who has done well against the point, but I see Murray clearing 5x value with relative ease.

Malcolm Delaney ($3,000): Dennis Schroder is generously listed as doubtful for tonight, and the consensus that I have seen everywhere is that he wont play. The Hawks don’t need him tonight, so they aren’t going to risk anything. That thrusts Delaney into the starting lineup. Delaney played well in the preseason when Schroder rested, and is going to produce way above his price point. Enjoy this early season gift!

My picks: Curry(SG) Delaney(G), Murray(UTIL); Conley(PG), Jackson(G)

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards enters the game in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guards

Best Bets:

DeMar DeRozan ($7,600): DeRozan dropped in 30 points on Saturday night despite being sick leading up to the game. What can he do healthy? The Spurs aren’t quite the strong defensive team on the perimeter that they once were. DeRozan should see plenty of open looks once again.

Brad Beal ($7,300): James Harden is one of only six players playing tonight that are averaging 50 or more DraftKings points per game. So where is he? On someone else’s roster. Harden’s price means that his 50.2 DraftKings point per game average is just 4.5x value, and his numbers have actually dipped slightly with Chris Paul out. I’m not going to say that Harden is a waste. I am just saying that I will take Beal at almost $4,000 less and at 6x value on the season. Beal has averaged 43.8 DraftKings points per game in Washington’s two games so far.

Honorable Mention:

Devin Booker ($6,800): Booker had a lackluster game on Saturday. Was it because of the hip that he injured on Friday, or the Clipper defense? So long as it wasn’t the hip, Booker should be in for a huge night against the Kings, who haven’t defended any position well in the early going. Just make sure that Booker isn’t having any lingering effects before deploying.

Will Barton ($5,800): Consistency has been hard to come by for Jamal Murray early on. Despite Barton not starting, he is outplaying all of the other Denver wings right now. He is still seeing at least 30 minutes a game because he is shooting over 50% from the floor still. Ride Barton until he cools off. If he cools off.

Jeremy Lamb ($5,700): We have seen Lamb put up some really good stat lines when he gets extended run. He should get as many minutes as he can handle with Nicolas Batum out for another few weeks at least. Lamb is going to be a bargain play most nights.

Dark Horses:

J.J. Barea ($5,000): Barea is one of the few in the Mavs backcourt that has been able to knock a shot down without Seth Curry. So long as Curry is out, Barea will see plenty of chances even if he doesn’t play the minutes that Yogi Ferrell does. Barea is a solid option at this price. He has come very close to 6x value in each of the last two games. He should tonight against the Warriors as well.

Dillon Brooks ($4,600): Brooks isn’t as much of a value at this price, but he will continue to play heavy minutes with all of the injuries that Memphis has. Brooks has done well with those minutes in the early going. He should be able to keep that up against Houston tonight.

My pick: N/A; Barea(SG)

SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,900): Giannis has an NBA best 191.25 DraftKings points on the season for a ridiculous 63.8 DraftKings points per game average. That leaves him at nearly 6x value, even at this price. I don’t really care that Washington was pretty good against him last year. I wouldn’t bet against Giannis right now.

Kevin Durant ($9,600): Durant has scored 150 DraftKings points in three games this year, putting him at a cool 5.2x value. You get what you pay for with Durant as well, but a game against Dallas may turn ugly. He doesn’t have near the upside of Giannis, but Durant should come with much lower ownership.

Honorable Mention:

Ben Simmons ($7,700): I watched the first week and wondered how in the world Simmons wasn’t that good at LSU. His year off last year seems to have been a blessing in disguise as he has hit the ground running in his first week in the league. Being around it all last year seems to have helped Simmons. He has averaged 40.4 DraftKings points in his three games. Simmons is a poor man’s Giannis right now. The good thing is that you can afford both and use them both at separate positions!

Tobias Harris ($6,200): Harris has averaged 6x value over the course of the young season, and is showing no signs of slowing down. With Marcus Morris out of the picture, Harris is flourishing even more in Detroit this year. As long as he is this price, he is a great value!

Dion Waiters ($5,600): Josh Richardson has more upside, but Waiters is a better pure scorer, and is seeing more minutes right now. The Heat will likely go with whomever is producing, and right now, that’s Waiters. Richardson is more volatile, but also has more upside.

Dark Horses:

Rudy Gay ($5,200): Gay is still seeing extra minutes with Kawhi Leonard out, but he has yet to really do anything with them. His numbers are solid, but Gay is content to let Aldridge and Murray run the show, and has mostly been an afterthought without putting up his normally solid all-around numbers. It is pretty rare to find a starter, let alone a former All Star at this price, but Gay is hard to rely on right now. That said, the talent is still there if you are willing to take the risk.

Kelly Oubre ($4,200): Oubre and Porter are both playing very well with Markieff Morris out. Oubre did play a lot of minutes last year as well, and didn’t always do anything with them. He has had one outstanding game and one dud so far. What will tonight hold? for this price, it may be worth finding out.

My pick: Simmons(SF), Antetokounmpo(PG); Harris(SF)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 13: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Power Forwards

Best Bets:

LaMarcus Aldridge ($8,500): This is what Spurs fans expected to see from LMA last year. Aldridge has been dominant with Kawhi Leonard out. With Leonard sidelined again tonight, don’t be surprised to see Aldridge hit his current 50 DraftKings point per game average again.

Draymond Green ($7,200): Green was one point shy of a triple-double on opening night, but hasn’t really come close since. That said, his skill set matches up very well with Dallas. If Green can put his early shooting woes aside, he will destroy 5x value at this price.

Honorable Mention:

James Johnson ($6,300): The absence of Hassan Whiteside led to an increased role for Johnson on Friday, but he stil had a strong role in the offense even with Whiteside on the court. Johnson has averaged 5.6x value so far this year, and it was still over 5 with Whiteside on the court. Whiteside doesn’t play huge minutes, so Johnson will always have his chances.

Otto Porter ($5,900): Porter is a great way to save some money. He eclipsed 50 DraftKings points in his last outing taking advantage of an undersized frontcourt. Denver will give him a little more resistance, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Porter obliterates 6x value again. He has averaged 7x value so far!

Dark Horses:

John Collins ($4,000): Collins put up his first career double-double last night. He is picking up nearly starter’s minutes up front since Dewayne Dedmon doesn’t play a lot of minutes. Collins has put up better stats thus far, and could end up carving out an even larger role if he keeps playing like he has in the early going.

Lucas Nogueira ($4,000): Nogueira racked up over 7x value with Jonas out over the weekend. Expect more of the same tonight against a San Antonio team that isn’t particularly strong up front.

My pick: Porter(PF), Nogueira(F); Aldridge(PF), Collins(F)

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 09: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat looks on during a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena on October 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Center:

Best Bets:

Hassan Whiteside ($8,300): Whiteside was forced to sit on Friday because of a knee bruise, so make sure you check his status before tipoff. If he is out there, I am paying for him. Whiteside racked up 58.5 DraftKings points, or 7x value against Orlando in the opener. Atlanta won’t put up more of a fight. Whiteside is a must play if he starts.

Joel Embiid ($8,200): Embiid still isn’t playing in back to back games, nor is he paying more than 30 minutes a night. However, he is a force of nature when he is on the court. What he does in his 25-28 minutes is more than enough to make him worth this price. If he ever gets up to 35 minutes a game, look out!

Marc Gasol ($7,900): Gasol has been an absolute beast for Memphis so far. He has picked up 100.75 DraftKings points in just two games, which comes out to 6.4x value. Houston isn’t all that strong up front, so Gasol could have another really good game tonight.

Honorable Mention:

Dwight Howard ($6,700): Howard is no longer an elite center, but he is producing pretty far above his current price point. Howard has averaged 37.8 DraftKings points per game, or 5.6x value on the season so far. Milwaukee is pretty tough up front, but Howard’s game is more defensive right now at this point in his career anyway. He will still get his.

Marcin Gortat ($5,500): Gortat is never going to drop a 40 DraftKings points game. That’s just not what he does. However, he has averaged 35.2 DraftKings points per game this year and 5.1x value. He is about as consistent as you can get at center, and he provides ample salary relief for you to roster a couple of studs.

Dark Horses:

Skal Labissiere ($4,900): Skal appears to be a slightly safer option than Willie Cauley-Stein, but Cauley-Stein does have more upside. Still, Skal will fit more budgets than WCS, even if he wont flirt with 50 DraftKings points on any given night. I prefer Labissiere tonight against the athletic Suns since he is lighter on his feet than WCS or Zach Randolph.

Frank Kaminsky ($4,700): Frank The Tank came up big with Cody Zeller out on Friday. With Zeller out again, expect another big night from Kaminsky. He produces when given the minutes. He should see at least 30 again tonight, so 7x value or better is in play.

My pick: Kaminsky(C); Gasol(C), Kaminsky(UTIL)

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