This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defenses to avoid: Cleveland Cavaliers, vs NY: There are three games on opening night, and all three have at least one elite defense. The Jazz, when healthy, were probably the best defense in the NBA last season and if not them, the Spurs were. However, the Spurs have a road game against the juggernaut offense of the Warriors and even the Jazz face a tough Trail Blazers unit on the road. The Cavaliers face a Knicks unit that is untested, with point guard Derrick Rose having missed much of the preseason due to his legal issues. The Cavs are strong defensively in the interior, which should make it difficult for Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony to perform at their best.
Offense to use: Golden State Warriors, vs SA: The Spurs are a great defense, but it doesn't even matter. While it is tempting to go with the Cavs against a questionable Knicks defense, the Warriors are so scary on offense that even the best defense in the league doesn't seem to have much shot to slow them down.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: none
Second game: none
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Guard (premium)
Stephen Curry, GS vs SA ($9600): Curry is the most expensive player on the board on Tuesday, and he will be worth it. On the season Kevin Durant's presence could cut into Curry's opportunities, but on Opening Night expect to Curry to come out on a mission. He likely wasn't healthy to finish the Finals, which they lost, and he started catching criticism. Durant will be contending with two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard on Tuesday, so expect Curry to put up a monster number.
Guard (moderate)
C.J. McCollum, POR vs UTA ($6300): McCollum is a young, combo guard that should only be getting better. He is a primary offensive option, and could challenge to be the leading shooting guard option on the night.
Guard (affordable)
George Hill ($5300)/Dante' Exum ($3400), UTA at POR: Hill is the safer low-priced option as the starting point guard, and he has a very affordable price tag. However, Exum looked solid to end the preseason and he is still thought to be the future of the Jazz backcourt. With his near-minimum price tag, Exum is a punt option that could produce on opening night.
Forward (premium)
LeBron James ($9000): LeBron's price tag is actually a bit lower than Kevin Durant's on Tuesday, but LeBron has the much easier defensive match-up and is playing at home. Plus, like Curry, LeBron has heard a lot about how his reign is over which likely motivates him for opening night. The Knicks defense has traditionally been a mess, and I don't see that changing on Tuesday.
Forward (moderate)
Draymond Green, GS vs SA ($7200): Green is the one member of the Warriors' Big Four that doesn't rely upon his scoring ability to produce fantasy numbers. He may even be helped by the Warriors downgrading their big men rotation to bring in Durant. His rare combo of perimeter game and rugged physicality should serve him well against LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol.
Forward (affordable)
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs UTA ($4400): Aminu is the starting power forward for the Trail Blazers, and has a Garbageman-game that could lead to 30-plus fantasy points from a very low price tag. He may have some trouble with the size of the Jazz's frontline, but at his price point he still makes a good play.
Center (moderate)
Rudy Gobert, UTA at POR ($7000): Gobert is a monster when healthy, which he should be, and physically he is just much larger than the Trail Blazers' big men. He should be able to dominate the glass and the paint on Tuesday night.
Center (affordable)
Mason Plumlee, POR vs UTA ($4900): Plumlee took on a larger role as a distributor from the center position late last season, and he has continued that through the preseason. While he will be at a physical disadvantage to Rudy Gobert on Tuesday, if he can continue to contribute on the glass, with assists, and with a handful of points he could outproduce his price tag.
