We’re back in the thick of things tonight with a heavy slate of games starting at 5 p.m. EST, though the main slate begins at 7 p.m. EST. It’s a 10-game slate that features seven teams playing on back-to-backs, meaning you’d be wise to keep your eyes on lineup changes and potential load management situations.
Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook (HOU): $10,200 @ NO
Westbrook is a machine and should be treated as such. In his debut for the Houston Rockets, Westbrook put together a 24-point performance that included 16 rebounds, seven assists, one block, and two steals, totaling 59.7 FanDuel points. Westbrook is currently ranked 48th in usage (down 2% from last year), though his ability to collect a bevy of stats always makes him a high-floor play. The New Orleans Pelicans are currently ranked 27th in defensive rating, and both teams rank in the top-18 in pace. The implied total between the Rockets and Pelicans is far and away the highest at 237.
We’re back in the thick of things tonight with a heavy slate of games starting at 5 p.m. EST, though the main slate begins at 7 p.m. EST. It’s a 10-game slate that features seven teams playing on back-to-backs, meaning you’d be wise to keep your eyes on lineup changes and potential load management situations.
Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook (HOU): $10,200 @ NO
Westbrook is a machine and should be treated as such. In his debut for the Houston Rockets, Westbrook put together a 24-point performance that included 16 rebounds, seven assists, one block, and two steals, totaling 59.7 FanDuel points. Westbrook is currently ranked 48th in usage (down 2% from last year), though his ability to collect a bevy of stats always makes him a high-floor play. The New Orleans Pelicans are currently ranked 27th in defensive rating, and both teams rank in the top-18 in pace. The implied total between the Rockets and Pelicans is far and away the highest at 237.
Dejounte Murray (SA): $6,500 @ WAS
Murray was electric in his only game this season, scoring 41.6 FanDuel points and nearly securing a triple-double in the process. Murray’s 18 points won’t blow anybody away, but it’s his defensive prowess and length that allows him to contribute in a bevy of ways. Both the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards rank in the top half of the league in pace, providing the guard with plenty of opportunities to make plays in transition.
Shooting Guard
Josh Richardson (PHI): $6,100 @ DET
Like Westbrook, Richardson also had a solid debut with his new team, totaling 17 points and adding six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in 33 minutes. Richardson’s defensive ability allows him to fill up the box score in a variety of ways, providing him with an ace in his back pocket if his shot doesn’t fall. His matchup – the Detroit Pistons – are ranked 25th in defensive rating, but both teams are in the bottom third in pace.
Donovan Mitchell (UTA): $8,500 @ SAC
Mitchell and the Utah Jazz will be playing on a back-to-back after last night’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers, but it shouldn’t stop Mitchell from producing. The Jazz’s offense runs through the third-year guard, and his 29.7% usage rate proves it. The Sacramento Kings are generally a good environment to target as they rank 26th in defensive rating and 8th in pace, which should help offset the slow play from the Jazz.
Small Forward
Pascal Siakam (TOR): $8,800 @ CHI
Upon the departure of superstar Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors have managed to partially fill the void internally as Siakam has taken another step in his development. Siakam is currently ranked 6th in usage rate across the league, has averaged 33.5 PPG, 13 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.5 BPG through two games, and has received a ton of playing time. Siakam’s defensive ability is among the best in the league and both the Raptors and Chicago Bulls are in the bottom third of defensive ratings. Siakam has registered performances totaling 62.1 and 40.6 FanDuel points.
Brandon Ingram (NO): $7,400 @ HOU
Ingram has been a welcomed addition by his new team as he averages 23.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.5 BPG, and 0.5 SPG. Ingram is a player who relies on his varied scoring skill-set and has the length to make a defensive impact. The Rockets present a solid matchup as they rank 21st in defensive rating and 5th in pace.
Power Forward
Nemanja Bjelica (SAC): $4,100 @ UTA
I’ve decided to pay down at the 4-spot with Bjelica taking over for the injured Marvin Bagley III. Bjelica registered 19.9 FanDuel points in his first start against the Portland Trail Blazers, totaling 28 minutes of playing time. This contest will be a back-to-back for the Kings, though Bjelica should register over 20 minutes and has a chance to return value even if the Jazz rank 8th in defensive rating and 28th in pace.
Trey Lyles (SA): $3,900 @ WAS
Just like Bjelica, Lyles is a cheap option at the 4-spot as I’ve decided to pay up elsewhere. Lyles started the first game for the San Antonio Spurs, registering 20.2 FanDuel points and 24 actual minutes. Though Lyles may not be relied upon as a scorer – or may not even start – he’s a solid cheap option who’s going to participate in one of the pacier games of the night.
Center
Aron Baynes (PHO): $4,500 @ LAC
Baynes takes over the starting center role for the suspended DeAndre Ayton. Thus far, Baynes has one start under his belt (Friday night), totaling 29.9 FanDuel points. Baynes was able to accomplish the solid outing in 29 minutes, registering 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal. The Clippers rank 24th in defensive rating and Ivica Zubac is a matchup the tough Baynes can exploit.
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Sosa Kremenjas is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Sosa, check out his archive and follow him @QBsMVP.