Please note that players on DraftKings and FanDuel have multi-position eligibility and may not always match their position between each other. In this article, we will be breaking down some of our favorite plays on the slate at their positions. Remember to always keep your eye on the news as the day progresses, as NBA news changes the slate frequently.
Please note for this article we are going to be using the first position that FD lists a player at in their data as a player’s position. When looking on FC this will be the first position that is listed when a player has MPE. For instance, James Harden is both point guard and shooting guard eligible but he will be listed as a shooting guard in this article as he is listed as an (SG/PG) in the FanDuel data. This article will also not include all the players we like on this slate but rather give you our favorite players at each position. For a more comprehensive list of players, we like to check out our Cheat Sheets article posted in the morning and then updated about an hour before lock.
We have seven games on the slate tonight on Fanduel and Draftkings. In my opinion, between 7 and 9 games on a slate is the sweet spot, so it should be a fun one.
Point Guard
Luka Doncic – Luka did not impress in his last game vs. ATL, his shot was not falling, and he managed a 7/5 assist to turn over ratio. Even still, Luka recorded 96 touches and 18 potential assists in the game. Don’t overthink this one; play Luka.
De’Anthony Melton – Last season Melton’s role was not secure, and his minutes were volatile. At least until Dillon Brooks returns to the rotation, we should count on a steady 28 to 32 minutes from Melton, who is historically about a 1 FPPM player. Melton is too cheap on both sites, given his role and production.
Shooting Guard
Zach LaVine – LaVine has been impressive so far this season, shredding the Pelicans and these same Detriot Pistons for an average of 50 fantasy points. LaVine is averaging 68 touches per game and 9.5 potential assists across the first two games. I expect more of the same tonight from LaVine vs. Detroit.
Mikal Bridges – Bridges impressed in his last outing vs. the Lakers, stuffing the stat sheet for 21 points, five rebs, four blocks/steals. Bridges is playing 35 minutes a night, and his offensive role on this team seems to be expanding. Until his price catches up with his production, I’ll be riding the wave.
Small Forward
Brandon Ingram – Until Zion Williamson returns, Ingram’s role should continue to be massive for this Pelicans team. Over the first two games, he’s averaging 57.5 touches and 7.5 potential assists per game. I don’t expect the Timberwolves to have a good defense this season, and over one game, they are playing at a league-high pace of 108. This could turn into a high-scoring affair, and I like Ingram’s chances at a ceiling performance in this one.
Scottie Barnes– Pascal Siakam’s absence opens up opportunities for multiple players on the Toronto roster; Barnes took advantage of it in a big way, having one of the best games of his life vs. the Boston Celtics he made 11 of 17 shots and pulled down 13 rebounds. The opportunity is there for him to have continued success; over the first two games, Barnes has averaged 66 touches, 15 rebounding opportunities, and 6.5 potential assists.
Power Forward
Domantas Sabonis– Sabonis should see lower ownership tonight on both platforms due to his elevated price tag ($9,600 FD) ($10,000 DK). I welcome that lower ownership on a player with one of the highest ceilings on the slate. Over the first two games, Sabonis is averaging 88 touches, 24.5 rebounding chances, and six potential assists. Combine that with the ability to collect peripheral defensive stats, and it’s pretty clear why I am so high on him.
Precious Achiuwa – most of the field’s attention will be on the opposite side of the ball as Porzingis is underpriced on FanDuel. However, TOR is a talented young team on the defensive end, and I would focus on a player like Achiuwa. He should be needed in this matchup with DAL and showed some promising results last outing. Vs. BOS Achiuwa put up a 15-15 double-double with two steals in 25 minutes.
Center
Jonas Valanciunas– I am going back to the well here with JoVal; I wrote him up yesterday, and he had a lackluster performance vs. the Bulls. Tonight’s matchup vs. the Timberwolves has a similar appeal. He should get plenty of opportunity opposite of Karl Towns.
Ivica Zubac – The Clippers take on the Grizzlies frontcourt tonight of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams, and they’ll need Zubac’s size down low. I expect him to play in the 25 to 28 minutes range in this one. On FanDuel, Zubac’s salary of $4,400 is exceptionally beatable in this one.
