It's the NBA season and it could not feel any better! A couple nights ago we got our first look at Joel Embiid, the Lakers upset the Rockets, and we saw the Thunder without Kevin Durant. It's going to be a crazy year, so strap in for the ride.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy NBA lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/28/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players, to mid-priced options, and value plays on DraftKings.Without wasting anymore time, let's get down to business!
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Russell Westbrook (vs PHO, $11,800)
There are a plethora of elite guard options tonight, but Russell Westbrook is my favorite. He looked outstanding against the Sixers in his first game, and he will be a triple double threat the entire season. He gets a great matchup against the Suns, who love to push the pace and aren't known for their defense. At times during this game, Westbrook could be defended by Tyler Ulis, who stands only 5'9" tall. Westbrook should be able to do anything he wants in this game, and he's an elite option in all leagues tonight.
Tim Frazier (vs GS, $5,400)
Frazier is starting for the Pelicans while Jrue Holiday is taking care of his family. There was a lot of speculation about how many minutes Frazier could handle, but he played 37 in a competitive matchup against the Nuggets, and he will likely see similar minutes tonight. He gets a tough matchup against the Warriors, who are solid defensively, but this game will be played at an extremely fast pace. Frazier has the ability to fill the stat sheet in multiple ways, and he's still far too cheap. He can be used in all leagues.
Joe Johnson (vs LAL, $4,900)
Johnson was a surprise on Opening Night, but that doesn't mean he can do it again. He has always been a talented player, but he's no longer a player to build your franchise around. He's starting for an injured Gordon Hayward, and he was able to score 29 points with four rebounds, three assists, and one steal in his first game. His offensive production will rely heavily on Derrick Favors, as Johnson will likely lose shots if Favors is healthy enough to play. Still, Johnson will be locked into minutes, and he's a cheap option. He also gets a great matchup against the Lakers, who aren't a great defensive team. Johnson may be best suited for tournaments, though.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
LeBron James (at TOR, $9,400)
Anthony Davis will be the sexy pick tonight after coming off a near 100 fantasy point game, but the smart money will be on LeBron James. His price tag is ridiculous tonight. He's coming off a triple double in a blowout game, and there's little reason to believe he won't be able to contribute in multiple categories again tonight. This is a fairly tough matchup, but James is a matchup proof player, and he'll continue to confirm his statement about being the best player in the NBA. He can be used in all leagues until his price tag shoots up.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (at MIA, $5,400)
MKG showed flashes last season, but he was also dealing with injuries, which held him to only seven games. He looked outstanding in his first game this season, as he posted a double double. He led the Hornets in shot attempts, which was surprising, but not out of the question again for tonight. He gets a decent matchup against the Miami Heat, as well. MKG has elite upside because of his ability to add defensive stats on top of his scoring and rebounding. His price tag likely won't stay this low for long, so take advantage while you can.
Marquese Chriss (at OKC, $3,200)
Chriss is far from a safe option, but he's extremely cheap and deserves to be considered. He played 22 minutes in the Suns first game, and he showed that he can fill up the stat sheet. He struggled with personal fouls, which was expected, as well. He is an athletic forward that has elite shot blocking upside, which is where he gets a lot of his upside. He gets a good matchup against a fast paced Thunder team, and both teams should have plenty of opportunities to score fantasy points. He's a tournament only option, but he's the type of player that will allow you to take guys like Russell Westbrook.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Anthony Davis (vs GS, $10,900)
Anthony Davis is available at center tonight. That isn't very shocking, but it does work in our favor. He has elite upside because of his ability to score in all five categories. It was on full display in his first game, as he scored nearly 100 fantasy points. He gets a good matchup against the Warriors, who are one of the fastest paced teams in the NBA. He isn't a cheap option, but Davis is another great option on this slate.
Roy Hibbert (at MIA, $3,600)
This price tag is silly for Roy Hibbert. He's the starting center for the Hornets, and he played 32 minutes in their first game. He tends to play well in the beginning of the season before fading away as he plays more games. He nearly double doubled against the Bucks, but more importantly, he had five blocks. Hibbert is a player that can block a ton of shots, which gives him elite upside for his ridiculous price tag. The matchup against the Heat is far from ideal, but it isn't going to matter tonight. Until his price shoots up, he can be used in all leagues.
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