Fansided

FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – October 18, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings on October 4, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings on October 4, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 1: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 1: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

High Salary C

Players costing over $6,667

Joel Embiid (vs CHI – $10,800): Needs 44.6 fantasy points. Embiid had a rough game opening night, falling just shy of value. Aron Baynes is just too much for some people to handle. Like many on the Sixers, he should have a much easier time on Thursday when they play the Bulls. Embiid or Simmons feel like a must play on Thursday given the matchup. I’m not sure you can go wrong with either option. Diagnosis: Embiid will have a bounce-back performance. He’s too good and the Bulls are too easy of a matchup for him to not pick up plenty of rebounds and points.

Jusuf Nurkic (vs LAL – $7,800): Needs 32.2 fantasy points. I don’t know who the Lakers are going to play at center throughout the game but I do know that Nurkic could give them a ton of trouble. He’s a handful in the post and JaVale McGee is not it. Nurkic may put up huge rebounding and scoring numbers in this one. I absolutely love him at this salary against this undersized Lakers squad. Diagnosis: If you’re not taking Embiid, Nurkic makes the most sense. And give the salary difference, Nurkic is the better play overall. I love this matchup.

Hassan Whiteside (at WAS – $7,500): Needs 31 fantasy points. Whiteside was a beast on the board on Wednesday and put up 41.6 fantasy points against the Magic. He played, which means he was able to make an impact. Will he continue to play on Thursday? You never know with Whiteside. If Howard doesn’t play and the Wizards go small, it might be bad news for Whiteside. Diagnosis: A good bet if Howard plays, possible a risk if he doesn’t.

Quick Hits

Dwight Howard ($7,100): He’s current a game-time decision. If he plays, he’s going to put up numbers. But he may not play much with a bad back.