It’s Tuesday, October 21st. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a pair of Opening Night games on the schedule. The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder battle at 7:30 p.m. on NBC/Peacock in the front end of the national doubleheader, while the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers tangle at 10 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock. 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: $11,000
- FanDuel: $11,700
Normally, I would never suggest backing the highest-priced DFS priced on the board. However, with LeBron James sidelined as he recovers from sciatica on his right side, Luka Doncic is going to shoulder the load, and he could post a triple-double.
Last season, Doncic was good for 31.7 points (PPG), 9.0 rebounds (RPG), 8.7 assists (APG), 2.0 steals (SPG) and 1.0 blocks (BPG) per game in three matchups against the Warriors. If he can replicate those numbers, he’ll more than pay off his cost.
- DraftKings: $9,700
- FanDuel: $8,900
Kevin Durant is worth a roll of the dice at this price, which is a little bit of a bargain for a player of his magnitude. He is going to want to make a splash in his team debut, especially in his original stomping grounds.
It’s a long time coming, too, as Durant didn’t face the Thunder last season. The last time he appeared in Oklahoma City was when he had 26 points, six boards and four three-pointers on March 29th, 2024, as a member of the Suns.
- DraftKings: $9,200
- FanDuel: $9,100
Alperen Sengun is a tremendous option in the middle, and he could actually see plenty of scoring opportunities with teams focused on Durant. The 23-year-old pivot was a little erratic at times last season, routinely scoring in the teens, but occasionally showing an ability to explode offensively, hitting the 30s.
Last season against Oklahoma City, Sengun was good for 18.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.5 SPG in four meetings with the Thunder. Look for Sengun to have a strong game in the paint, as he tries to splash cold water on the Thunder’s banner-raising festivities.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $7,300
- FanDuel: $7,900
Austin Reaves is expected to serve as the secondary scoring option behind Luka Doncic with LeBron James on the shelf. Reaves was tremendous at home last season, going for 20.6 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.6 RPG and 1.2 SPG across 37 games at home.
Reaves really seems to shine when facing the Warriors, too, going for 24.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 6.0 RPG and 1.5 SPG in four meetings last season, while hitting 3.5 three-pointers per game. Look for Reaves to exceed DFS salary expectations.
- DraftKings: $7,900
- FanDuel: $7,600
Amen Thompson is a strong play. The 22-year-old really came into his own last season, and he was especially impressive in the playoffs. Now, he gets a chance to learn from a future Hall of Famer in Kevin Durant. He could take his game to the next level.
The last time Thompson faced the Thunder, he went for 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists, a steal and hit two three-pointers in a home win on April 11th. Thompson averaged 14.1 PPG last season, but he was good for 14.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 2.3 APG with 1.0 SPG in four meetings with the Thunder last season.
- DraftKings: $7,600
- FanDuel: $7,100
Chet Holmgren is a strong play at this mid-level price. He is not quite a bargain, but pretty close, especially on a slate with just two games. The string-bean center from Gonzaga was a force in the NBA Finals, including five blocked shots in the Game 7 championship clincher, while posting 18 points with eight rebounds.
If you’re pressed for salary and don’t want to spend big bucks on Alperen Sengun, Holmgren is a solid alternative. In three meetings with the Rockets last season, he went for 20.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.7 BPG and 1.7 APG with 3.3 three-pointers per outing.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $6,300
- FanDuel: $7,000
Another alternative in the middle is Deandre Ayton, as he makes his team debut with the purple and gold. Ayton could have some more offensive responsibilities with LeBron James on the shelf due to his sciatica.
Ayton only faced the Warriors once last season as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, but he had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double, while picking up two steals.
- DraftKings: $5,700
- FanDuel: $5,900
The veteran Draymon Green is not much of a scorer anymore, but he is strong on the defensive end, and he can still contribute a handful of rebounds and assists, while also showing very quick hands on the defensive end.
Green averaged 1.5 steals per game in 66 starts and two games off the bench, his best average since he had 1.7 SPG in the 2020-21 season.
- DraftKings: $5,800
- FanDuel: $4,200
Buddy Hield is an especially solid bargain on FanDuel. It’s actually hard to understand why there is such a big salary disparity, but just roll with it, and don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
With swingman Moses Moody (calf) out for the opener, Hield and Brandin Podziemski are expected to see some added run. Hield is a better bargain, as his points per dollar should be very good.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $4,600
- FanDuel: $4,700
Alex Caruso rolled his ankle in last Thursday’s preseason game, but he does not appear on the injury report for Tuesday’s regular-season opener. That’s good news, too, as Jalen Williams (wrist) is out, and Isaiah Joe (knee) is also on the shelf. Caruso should see some extended run, and he should be a surprise contributor in Game 1.
- DraftKings: $5,300
- FanDuel: $5,400
If you’re a seasonal fantasy player, Tari Eason is likely on somebody’s roster. But, if you’re having a late draft or he is on the waiver wire, grab him, as he is going to be special.
The Rockets and Eason failed to reach a contract extension, so he is scheduled to be a restricted free agent after the season. He’ll be playing for an offer sheet and a bag next offseason, so expect Eason to be motivated.
- DraftKings: $5,000
- FanDuel: $3,900
Andrew Wiggins and Cason Wallace are expected to see a few more minutes and a bigger role with Isaiah Joe (knee) missing the regular-season opener. Wiggins is an especially strong value on FanDuel.
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