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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 Trail blazers
NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 19: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers stands on the court during Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

High Salary PG

Players costing over $6,667

Ben Simmons (vs CHI – $11,000): Needs 46.5 fantasy points Simmons started the season with a monster 64 fantasy point game against the Celtics. His jumper still needs a ton of work, but he finds ways to score, picks up a ton of rebounds, and has gotten even better on defense. The Bulls are a matchup for him to feast on. Has the highest ceiling of any player on the night. Diagnosis: Based on opening night and the matchup on Thursday, there’s plenty to love about Simmons. He’s going to cost, but you can comfortably build your team around him.

Damian Lillard (vs LAL – $9,900): Needs 41.8 fantasy points. Things are going one of two ways for the Blazers on Thursday. Either they respond to their embarrassing playoff performance or they wilt under the power of LeBron and make the Lakers look like world beaters. I have no clue what to make for the Lakers defense with their new additions, but I know Lillard gets buckets and assists. I like him to make a statement. Diagnosis: Very few can get hot the way Lillard can. He played well against the Lakers last season and while this is a completely different Lakers team, their defense isn’t improved.

John Wall (vs MIA – $9,600): Needs 40.5 fantasy points. When John Wall is on, he’s one of the best and most well-rounded point guards in the league. But this is a strange Wizards team that I don’t know what to make of just yet. Two things are working in the Wizards favor: First, they’re at home. Home teams always have an advantage on opening night and in general. Second, Miami played on Wednesday. They not only played, but they had to travel up the east coast. Things are breaking the Wizards way but I’m still baffled by them. Diagnosis: Wall is going to put up numbers, no question about that. Even if the Wizards burn, Wall will be great in the fire.