This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Tonight's seven-game slate looks like it's chock-full of treats, but no DFS slate is without its share of tricks. So let's not be foolish, lest our lineups look ghoulish…
It's Halloween – forgive me. But doesn't a basketball vaguely resemble a pumpkin?
Make no mistake – people are going to flock to this Pelicans/Warriors matchup tonight. When you combine two fast-paced offenses, marquee players, and a simply outrageous night from Klay Thompson two days ago, the result is high ownership. My remedy?
Pivot. Pivot. Pivot.
I say pivot if you want to score in a GPP, no doubt. Of course, there are some ways to get action here, especially for a cash game With Elfrid Payton still out, Jrue Holiday ($7,200) becomes a logical choice, and if Anthony Davis sits, Nikola Mirotic ($7,500) and Julius Randle ($6,500) are incredibly chalky targets. Heck, I would even take a flier on Klay Thompson ($6,400), but just in my cash games.
Why? Am I crazy? Maybe. Am I telling you to fade Curry and Durant? Not at all, but if you want to win a GPP tonight, that's precisely what I am telling you. Guys that are often NOT overlooked WILL be overlooked on this slate, make no question about it. While my cash and GPP lineups often have a little bit of overlap, they will be perhaps at their most disparate on this slate. So in short, that game is ok for cash in small doses. But try to keep away in your GPP construction. Watch for AD's status. Don't over-spend. Moving on.
I'll now select three players at each position, with a small additional list of players at each spot. When possible, I will endeavor to include one top-shelf target, a mid-range player, and a low-cost value play.
GUARDS
Obviously, I'll be doing what I can to quell a Steph Curry or Jrue Holiday pick here.
Jimmy Butler, MIN vs. UTA ($8,200):DeMar DeRozan sure looked good, but I think you're going to get similar production from Butler for $1,300 less. After a poor game against the Bucks, he torched the Lakers for 54.5 DKFP on Monday. Utah seems to always play well against Minnesota, but I like Butler's matchup against Mitchell and Ingles. Couple the dominant matchup mentioned above with the dysfunction associated with Butler, and you have a solid GPP pick.
Brandon Ingram, LAL vs. DAL ($6,300): Although they gave up the game late, I think the Lakers have found the right combination by putting Ingram and Kuzma on the floor together. Had Ingram not gotten into foul trouble, his total would have been much higher. By slotting them at the wing positions and LeBron alternating with Lonzo Ball and JaVale McGee, you put the best playmakers on the court and a solid second unit at the ready. If Luke Walton stands pat on this scheme, I think Ingram will be in line for a tremendous season and a solid game tonight.
Ricky Rubio, UTA at MIN ($5,600): I did say that Utah has played Minnesota tough in recent memory, and I can't think of a better GPP play than Rubio here. He'll be massively overlooked, and it's partly warranted, as his totals have been all over the map. But Rubio knows his former team well, and while too much time has passed to call it a revenge game, I think he'll be properly motivated.
Additional guards to consider: DeMar DeRozan, SA at PHO ($9,500), D'Angelo Russell, BKN vs. DET ($5,900), Monte Morris, DEN at CHI ($4,300)
FORWARDS
Blake Griffin, DET at BKN ($9,400): Griffin is one guy that I have no problem using as an anchor in cash and tournament lineups. I haven't rostered him often, but I've been doing it at my own peril because he's simply crushing it every night. Price is always a concern, but Griffin only has Jarrett Allen to contend with here, and I think Griffin will dominate the boards against a Nets team that currently ranks 28th in defensive rebound efficiency.
Rudy Gay, SA at PHO ($6,100): It's right about now that you start to look around and say, "Wow, Mirotic looks great" or "Can I afford Durant? Let's see…". I get it. And I'll be the first to say that I might succumb to it, but then I see a juicy game like the Spurs/Suns matchup, and I see a glimmer of value with Gay. The Spurs still linger in the basement when it comes to pace and Phoenix isn't much better, ranking 28th and 22nd respectively. However I like Gay's chances to meet value at this price, and it's easily the least expensive way to buy the Spurs here.
Noah Vonleh, NY vs. IND ($4,300): Vonleh has averaged 31 minutes per game over the last two contests after getting the start against the Warriors last week. While he's averaged only 7.5 points over those two games, he's supplemented that modest number with a 7.5 rebound average and couple of blocked shots. The Pacers rank 30th defensively versus the four, creating an excellent opportunity for the Indiana product to shine.
Additional forwards to consider: Draymond Green (ok, ok), GS vs. NO ($6,700), Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. DAL ($6,100), Caris LeVert, BKN vs. DET ($6,000)
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA at MIN ($7,900): I'm still following the Jazz/Wolves scenario where Utah always seems to have Minnesota's number. I'm also supporting the premise that Karl-Anthony Towns can't play defense. Gobert has also had two straight 50-plus DKFP games and ranks 5th in the league with 13.5 rebounds per game. Simply put, he's a very smart, low-risk target.
DeAndre Jordan, DAL at LAL ($7,600): The Lakers are having trouble putting games away late, and a significant contributor to that is their inability to grab their missed shots down the stretch. Despite LeBron's heroics, they're losing the close games in the paint after hurling up low-percentage shots. Jordan only trails Hassan Whiteside in total rebounds and defensive rebounds per game, which spells bad news for the Lakers tonight.
Wendell Carter Jr, CHI vs. DEN ($4,900): It's a tough matchup against Nikola Jokic, but Carter is regularly starting now and seeing around 25 minutes per game. He's also averaged 32.9 DKFP over the past two games and is trending up. It won't take much for him to beat value at this price and is a substantial value if you opt to go low at center.
Other centers to consider: Nikola Jokic, DEN at CHI ($9,700), Enes Kanter, NY vs. IND ($6,600)
