NBA Preseason DFS: Friday, 10/11 – Ben’s Big Breakout

NBA Preseason DFS: Jazz @ Pelicans

Jazz: Dante Exum and Emmanuel Mudiay are OUT. Juwan Morgan is questionable.

Pelicans: Jahlil Okafor is questionable.

The Jazz got waxed by the Bucks on Wednesday and threw in the towel early, playing the starters 17 minutes or less (Jeff Green played 20). Rudy Gobert sat out of that game and their defense really suffered without him. If he returns to the lineup tonight, I absolutely love him against this Pelicans team and their undersized big men. If he sits out again then we have to consider Tony Bradley, who has two double-doubles now this preseason and had an excellent summer league.

This is a nice pace-up spot for the Jazz and perhaps we will see them rachet up the starters minutes to 20+. If that’s the case, sign me up for some Donovan Mitchell as he really thrives in fast-paced games.

For the Pelicans, you have to consider Zion Williamson an elite play again tonight even in a tough matchup. He’s getting the minutes and is producing at a high level. He will be chalky, but I wouldn’t advise a fade, I think he’s the real deal. Derrick Favors has looked pretty good so far this preseason, I just always worry about the minutes. But he certainly can fill up the stat sheet even in limited court time. Nickel Alexander-Walker is firmly on my radar as he’s played really well off the bench and is doing a lot of damage in the fourth quarters of these games when both teams should have their benches emptied.

Elite Plays: Rudy Gobert, Tony Bradley (if Gobert rests), Donovan Mitchell, Zion Williamson

Secondary Plays: Derrick Favors, Nickel Alexander-Walker