DraftKings NBA Picks October 24: Giannis or the King?

NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 19: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings dunks during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks October 24: Giannis or the King?

We have a huge NBA night with 11 games in our main DraftKings tournament. It can be a daunting task to narrow down the player pool here, but I will do my best to keep it to three or less at each price tier.

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Stephen Curry ($9,800): Curry has only missed value once in four games so far. It doesn’t look like he will here against the Wizards. Wall is a great offensive player, but he has been gashed on the defensive side this year. He wont stop Curry. The only ones that can stop Curry are Steve Kerr or Kevin Durant. Neither of them play for the Wizards.

Kemba Walker ($8,400): Only Orlando has held Kemba under 40 DraftKings points (he had 39). Walker has at least 26 points in every game so far, and seems a lock for that against the Bulls. Chicago’s defense of the point is pretty good to start the season, so I don’t know if Walker hits 50 here. He may come close though.

Honorable Mention:

Kyle Lowry ($7,600): Lowry has racked up 26 assists over the last two games alone. The Raptors look a little different with Kawhi here instead of DeRozan, but that’s not a bad thing. So far it has meant that Lowry is more facilitator than scorer. That’s not to say that Lowry can’t still score. All that does is serve to make the team even more dangerous.

Zach LaVine ($7,400): With the news that Kris Dunn is out for a few weeks, that means LaVine is going to continue to rocket up price boards…..and leader boards. LaVine has topped 40 DraftKings points in every game. He hasn’t hit 50 yet, but I think he will at some point. LaVine has at least 30 points in every game, and is one of the few bright spots for the Bulls right now.

Trae Young ($7,200): Young showed what all that fuss was about by erupting for 60 DraftKings points on Cleveland over the weekend. How many other rookies have that upside? Young isn’t anywhere near the most consistent player in this rookie class, but his ability to put up a truly massive performance for the price is going to make him a GPP favorite. He is also going to kill a lot of lineups. That could start tonight in what looks like a fantastic matchup for Young. He’ll be chalky, and it may be wise to fade this.

Dark Horses:

Lonzo Ball ($6,300): Ball was solid against the Spurs, but only saw seven more minutes than he did against the Rockets. The Lakers are still limiting him to some extent, but Ball has tremendous upside against the Suns. The Suns can’t guard anyone and will run with the Lakers. Expect a high scoring game, and while Ball may not really be involved in that, he will be on the court enough to stuff the stat sheet again.

Markelle Fultz ($5,100): Fultz started for Ben Simmons last night, and likely will tonight. Simmons is on the doubtful side of questionable with his back still giving him problems. Fultz stepped up with Simmons out, and McConnell struggled trying to run the offense. However, it was McConnell that was on the court during the latter stages of this game. Fultz looked a lot better last night, so he may get more run tonight.

Ryan Arcidiacono ($3,500): Arcidiacono racked up 15 assists over 48 minutes in the two games that Dunn was out prior to Monday. With Dunn out again, Arcidiacono should become the primary facilitator for the second unit again. He doesn’t provide much outside of the assists, but that can rack up DraftKings points in a hurry.

My pick: Walker(PG); Fultz(PG), Arcidiacono(G)

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts to his three pointer late in the game leading to a 124-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

James Harden ($11,400): Harden did struggle with the Jazz last year. It seems as though Utah is one of the few teams left in the league that prides themselves on playing defense. That will come to the test here. Harden racked up 63 DraftKings points in big minutes against the Clippers with Paul serving the first game of his suspension for getting all up in Rondo’s grill. I expect Harden to hit value here with Paul out, even against Utah. The best part is that he may do it in low ownership.

Devin Booker ($8,300): Booker put up strong numbers against the Warriors as well, and it wasn’t all from scoring. Denver was the only team to really slow Booker. The Lakers wont really be able to. KCP has been a non-factor on either end of the floor. Look for Booker to see plenty of open spaces tonight as well.

Honorable Mention:

DeMar DeRozan ($7,900): The Spurs way is agreeing with DeRozan so far. He continues to put up massive numbers in South Texas. Indiana has done a great job against opposing SG’s so far, including putting the clamps on Butler over the weekend. They are going to try to do that to DeRozan as well, but I trust his game more than Butler’s. DeRozan could still hit value here.

Donovan Mitchell ($7,700): Mitchell has yet to recapture the magic of his rookie season so far, but that could change tonight. The Rockets will speed up Utah’s pace, and they don’t defend the perimeter all that well even when Paul is in there. Now with MCW or Gordon trying to guard Mitchell, he could have even more room to maneuver. There is more upside for Mitchell tonight than there has been so far this year. Can he capitalize?

Luca Doncic ($7,100): Doncic has played well off the ball as well, so the Mavs will likely keep him there. Doncic has been an efficient shooter and a very good passer in the NBA so far. He will likely have growing pains here and there, but probably not against the Hawks. There is good upside here.

Dark Horses:

Eric Gordon ($5,800): Gordon continues to put up really good numbers when either Paul or Harden have to miss a game. He racked up 34.75 DraftKings points on Sunday, and is going to flirt with 6x value again tonight, even against Utah.

Josh Hart ($5,800): It was Hart, not Lonzo Ball, that picked up most of the slack with Rondo out. Ball did his part as distributor, but Hart picked up the scoring and also snagged double digit rebounds. This is a huge spot for Hart against the Suns. He should destroy value here.

J.J. Redick ($5,500): We wondered what Redick would do for an encore after putting up 48 DraftKings points against Orlando on Saturday with Simmons missing most of the game. He racked up 49.5 last night. Does that mean Redick hits 51 DraftKings points tonight? Not against the Bucks, but he could flirt with 40 again.

My pick: Hart(SG), Redick(G); Redick(SG)

NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 13: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks the ball over DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on December 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,300): Giannis topped 60 DraftKings points for the first time this year on Monday. On a night where many, including myself, were worried about blowout potential, Giannis went out and topped 60 with a season high in minutes. Giannis is a strong play here against Philly, especially if Ben Simmons is in street clothes again.

LeBron James ($11,100): I lamented on if LBJ was safe on Monday. He racked up 67 DraftKings points. James does better when the game flows through him, which it did with Rondo and Ingram out. It should here as well. The King should be in for another monster against the Suns. Phoenix has no one that can come close to guarding him.

Honorable Mention:

Kawhi Leonard ($8,700): You may have to worry about a blowout here once again, but Leonard still put up good numbers in Sunday’s blowout. I am more inclined to leave this one be since it could be a blowout, but if you are willing to incur that risk, you could be handsomely rewarded. Leonard has put up big numbers when he plays normal minutes so far.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($6,800): Hardaway survived tough matchups with Boston and Milwaukee, still scoring two dozen points in each of those games. It gets a little easier tonight against the Heat, who are perpetually beat up over the last couple of years. Hardaway has yet to light up anyone else like he did the Hawks in the opener, and most of the masses keep moving off of him. I like the upside on Hardaway, but he probably wont get back to 50 here either.

Joe Ingles ($6,700): Ingles was shut down by Memphis, only scoring nine points, but he still managed 30 DraftKings points. If he has that kind of floor, it makes Ingles a cash game darling. The high floor bodes well for GPP usage as well. For the same reason that this is a great matchup for Mitchell, it should serve Ingles well as well. This should be a higher scoring game than normal for Utah, so look for their scorers to have better numbers than usual.

Dark Horses:

Cedi Osman ($5,800): Osman struggled against the Hawks (go figure), so it’s going to be hard for us to trust him for a while. This was a place that Osman should have dominated the individual and team matchups, but he had a rough night from the floor and turned the ball over like he was Eli Manning. Osman has a nice chance to bounce back here, but that could be a relative term. Bounce back could mean a score in the 30’s, not the 40’s like he had in his first two games.

Wesley Matthews ($5,200): Matthews has topped 6x value in every game so far. That will be harder to do at this price, but against the Hawks, it is certainly possible. Matthews continues to see a lot of minutes for the Mavs, and he is pretty productive while doing so. I like his high floor as a value play. Matthews is suitable for deployment in all formats.

T.J. Warren ($4,800): Trevor Ariza‘s dominance lasted all of one game. Warren began outplaying Ariza in game two and blew him out of the water in game three with 44 DraftKings points. Ariza will likely continue to start, but expect Warren to see plenty of minutes and be more productive.

My pick: Warren(SF); Antetokounmpo(SF)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 19: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks with head coach Tyronn Lue during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Kevin Love ($8,800): The Nets have one of the worst defensive frontcourts ever assembled right now. The return of RHJ will help, but he’s very undersized to be trying to guard a guy like Kevin Love. Toronto shut Love down in the opener, but he has 107 DraftKings points in the last two games against Minnesota and Atlanta. Thus end the dream three game run of horrid defensive frontcourts for Love. Expect him to take full advantage of this one.

LaMarcus Aldridge ($8,500): Aldridge has been huge in two of the three games this year. Indiana is pretty good in the frontcourt, but I’m not all that sure that pretty good can contain Aldridge. I much prefer Love, especially with the price so close, but Aldridge is a pretty good pivot, and I’m not opposed to using both.

Honorable Mention:

Bobby Portis ($6,900): As long as Portis is starting he deserves a look. This is a Bulls team that is still looking for its interior presence. Portis keeps trying to prove that he is it with modest success. Portis is too volatile for cash games, but he is a decent GPP target, though I think I would rather go with Kuzma for the same price.

Kyle Kuzma ($6,900): Kuzma was a monster with Ingram out, putting up 52.5 DraftKings points. He had just 45.75 in the first two games combined. Expect another strong game from Kuzma with Ingram out. The fact that he is playing the Suns is just gravy on the toast.

Markieff Morris ($5,700): With Howard out and Mahinmi exiting early, Morris took over in a big way, racking up 47.25 DraftKings points in just 25 minutes! Morris would have played more minutes if he could have stayed out of foul trouble. Even if Mahinmi plays tonight, I would still expect to see more of Morris against the athletic Warriors.

Dark Horses:

Jaren Jackson Jr. ($5,400): Triple J is the starter for the foreseeable future in Memphis. He held his own against a strong Utah front, so the chances that he has a 6x value game against the Kings is pretty good. The pecking order in Sacramento is still being established. Jackson doesn’t have to worry himself with that. He just has to go out and play.

Marvin Bagley III ($4,800): Bagley had the best game of his young career last night, racking up 44 DraftKings points. It’s hard to count on a rookie for consistent production, but they certainly make for exciting DFS plays. Bagley should have the upper hand on Jaren Jackson tonight, so there is potential for him to put up some pretty good numbers again tonight.

Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,100): How can you not play a guy with the initials DFS? DFS has been huge with Harrison Barnes sidelined. Early reports are the Barnes is still out. If that is the case, I love Finney-Smith as a value play once again. He has 23.25 or 24.25 DraftKings points in all three games starting for Barnes. I’ll buy that for a (well, 4,100) dollar(s)!

My pick: Love(PF), Bagley(F); Bagley(PF), Finney-Smith(F)

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to a second half basket while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 133-132 in overtime. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Center

Best Bets:

Joel Embiid ($10,100): Embiid must have told Drummond a few dozen times last night “you can’t guard me.” Embiid was right. He dominated with Simmons out, and it primed to again tonight. If Drummond can’t guard him, we know damn well BroLo can’t either. This looks like another monster for Embiid.

DeAndre Jordan ($8,000): This matchup isn’t as good as it would have been with Dedmon still out, but I’ll take it anyway. Jordan is one of the league’s elite rebounders, and he is showing off some offensive chops in Dallas as well. Another 5x value night looks promising for Jordan here.

Honorable Mention:

Hassan Whiteside ($7,400): This looks like a reasonable price for Whiteside so long as he is truly healthy here. Look for updates leading up to tipoff, but center is one of the few areas that the Knicks have covered. 5x value is looking promising for Whiteside, but only if he has no limitations.

Deandre Ayton ($7,300): Ayton looked good against the Warriors after being dominated by Denver over the weekend. I don’t really see anyone for the Lakers that can keep Ayton under wraps. He looks like a strong value play here, and given the choice, would rather save my hundred bucks and go with Ayton. Rookies are never a sure thing, but this looks like a spot to take a chance.

Marc Gasol ($7,200): The veteran turned in a vintage performance in shutting down Gobert and the Jazz on Monday. This is another strong point to use Gasol here. His penchant for putting up strong numbers across the board gives Gasol a very solid floor and makes him ideal for cash games.

Dark Horses:

Clint Capela ($6,600): Capela had a dominating trip to L.A. on the weekend. Can he carry that to the inner mountain west? After seeing what Marc Gasol did to Gobert and the Jazz on Monday, I have to say that it’s at least possible. I didn’t like to play centers against Utah last year, but it may be time to reconsider that stance if the Jazz are going to keep struggling on the inside.

Jonas Valanciunas ($5,600): The Timberwolves were being dominated on the inside until the Pacers came up empty against them on Monday. That was disappointing since I stacked every Pacer big I could find. I’m taking a more cautious approach here, but Valanciunas is priced well enough to make me want to go after Towns again.

JaVale McGee ($5,300): The Suns have allowed the most fantasy points to centers so far in this young season, and McGee has put up at least 30 DraftKings points in every game. McGee is an automatic value play right now. I still really like him at this price.

Larry Nance ($4,600): Nance is back, and somehow the Suns have been worse on the inside than the Nets. I don’t know how that’s possible. Nance is a favorite value play tonight, but I still have a feeling that the Cavs may cap his minutes. Keep an eye on that situation.

My pick: Ayton(C), Nance(UTIL); Embiid(C), Valanciunas(UTIL)

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