It’s Friday, October 31st. The National Basketball Association (NBA) heads into the second official weekend of the new season, and it’s the start of the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament. We have a total of eight games on today’s NBA DFS slate.
We also get an Amazon Prime Video doubleheader, as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers meet at 7:00 p.m. ET on the streaming service, while the L.A. Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies meet at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Here are our top NBA DFS picks and advice for tonight’s slate.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
- DraftKings: $9,600
- FanDuel: $8,500
Ja Morant has been heating up lately, averaging 25.5 points, eight assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in the first two games of this road trip. He bagged three triples in a narrow 114-113 victory in Phoenix on Wednesday night. Morant has also made 25 consecutive free throws in the past four outings.
The Lakers have the big name, but they’re short on defense this season. Morant is racking up 39.2 fantasy points per game, and the Lakers have an opponent rank of 26th. It’s a recipe for another strong stat line and fantasy performance.
- DraftKings: $10,000
- FanDuel: $9,800
For casual fans, at first glance, you might think this is a high price tag for Austin Reaves, but it’s priced just right. The way Reaves has been playing, this might be a bargain. He dropped 51 points in Sacramento last Sunday, just missing a triple-double by an assist, and he was a ridiculous 21-of-22 from the free-throw line. He followed that up with 41 points against Portland, while collecting three steals.
Reaves has been running wild this season, going for 25+ points in all five games, averaging a gaudy 34.2, 10 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game, while hitting 52.5% from the field. The Grizzlies are 24th in opponent rank, so expect another strong showing.
- DraftKings: $8,700
- FanDuel: $8,700
There are a handful of things working in Evan Mobley’s favor on Friday night. First, the Raptors are terrible, with an opponent rank of 30th. He is good for 44.2 fantasy points per game, so he is a bit of a bargain at this price point.
In addition, Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) is questionable to play due to a hamstring injury, as is Jarrett Allen (finger). With Darius Garland (toe) still out, and Sam Merrill (hip) and Max Strus (knee) also on the shelf, somebody is going to have to step up. Mobley could be the No. 1 scoring option if Mitchell is sidelined.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $8,400
- FanDuel: $7,600
Jaren Jackson Jr. is a solid value at this price, as he has managed 30.5 fantasy points per game, and the Lakers have an opponent rank of 22nd.
Jackson has notched at least 16 points in every game this season, but he hasn’t gone for more than 19 points in any of his five outings. He is super consistent, hitting at least 50% of his field-goal attempts in four out of five outings.
- DraftKings: $8,100
- FanDuel: $8,100
After an absolute stinker with just eight points in a loss at San Antonio on Monday, Scottie Barnes bounced back with an 11-of-18 shooting night against Houston on Wednesday, racking up 31 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot with four three-pointers.
The issue with Barnes is that he has alternated good games and mediocre games all season, so if the pattern continues, he could underproduce tonight. However, he has averaged 41 fantasy points per game, and the Cavs have an opponent rank of 25th, so he is set up for success.
- DraftKings: $7,400
- FanDuel: $7,400
Mark Williams is a tremendous pivot at this mid-level price. He has managed 31 fantasy points per game, and the Utah Jazz have an opponent rank of 24th.
Williams has racked up back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in the span, while totaling six steals in the past two games.
The Phoenix center faced Utah on Monday in Salt Lake City. While the Suns lost 138-134, it was no fault of Williams, who was good for a season-high 25 points, 11 rebounds and two steals, while hitting 9-of-14 from the field.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $5,700
- FanDuel: $5,800
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is likely to slide into the starting five after Trae Young suffered a sprained right knee on Wednesday night. He has been ruled out, and it’s likely Alexander-Walker exceeds his DFS salary expectations by miles against the Pacers.
Starting or coming off the bench, Alexander-Walker has been sharp in his past four games, going for at least 17 points in each outing. He has banged in nine triples in the past three contests, and he’ll give you boards, dimes, blocks and steals, too. The main focus is his scoring, though.
- DraftKings: $7,300
- FanDuel: $7,200
Brandon Ingram has rolled up 36.1 fantasy points per game, and the Cavaliers have an opponent rank of 29th, so he is in line for a big performance. It could really be much better if Jarrett Allen sits, leaving the defense a little soft in the middle for Ingram to exploit.
Ingram tied a season-best with 29 points last time out against Houston, hitting 11-of-16 from the field, with a season-high five three-pointers. In fact, he was just 5-of-15 (33.3%) from distance in his first four games.
- DraftKings: $7,100
- FanDuel: $7,000
The Pelicans have had some tremendous difficulty scoring lately, and Trey Murphy has tailed off a little bit in the past two games, going for seven points in each game, hitting just 4-of-19 from the field.
However, Murphy averaged 18.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals and two three-pointers made per game in his first two games. The Clippers can be a little giving, so don’t be surprised if Murphy gets back on track here.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $4,400
- FanDuel: $3,900
Luke Kennard is likely to see some added run off the bench with Trae Young (knee) going down. Kennard posted 17 points in 28 minutes in Brooklyn last time out on Wednesday, and he hit four three-pointers. Don’t expect that kind of perimeter shooting on the regular, as he had hit just 3-of-10 (30%) from distance in the first three games.
- DraftKings: $4,600
- FanDuel: $4,700
Ayo Dosunmu had a rough outing last time out against the Kings on Wednesday, hitting just 3-of-8 while posting a season-low nine points. The disappointment of Wednesday’s DFS players isn’t your concern, though.
Dosunmu’s price is down, and his production will be up. He should continue to see 24-28 minutes as long as Coby White (calf) continues to sit.
- DraftKings: $4,500
- FanDuel: $3,800
Don’t expect Isaiah Jackson to crush it. Temper expectations. But, he has averaged six points, 2.5 rebounds and one assist per game in the past two games.
Jackson won’t log a ton of minutes, but he’ll get a handful of points, a few rebounds and perhaps a block, saving you money to spend up top.
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