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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on October 31, 2018. Jake Finnen's NBA DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
With seven games on the slate it's not hard to find options to play. There is a lack of consistent value due to the insecurity of team's rotations this early in the season, but for most players, we can see the direction they are trending. There are a decent number of superstars playing tonight, but the only ones I am considering are LeBron James and Jimmy Butler. They continue to be focal points for their offenses and will produce as long as they get the minutes. Luckily for us DFS players, neither is in a situation to really "take a night off," so expect both players to have another effective night against subpar teams. The Jazz have a quality defense, but it doesn't match up to Butler's ability to be effective in isolation.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/31/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings.
You can also read today's FanDuel lineup picks and our Premium DFS Cheat Sheet. And don't forget to check out our brand new NBA DFS Matchup Ratings tool with daily player projections. Lastly, remember to check your DFS lineups for injury updates. Feel free to find me on in the NBA Chat Room or on Twitter @HalfCourtJester.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Langston Galloway - PG/SG, @ BKN ($3,300)
Despite only playing 17 minutes in the first game against the Boston Celtics and sitting the second game, there is not too much hope for Galloway being a consistent option moving forward. The Nets tend to run a bit smaller with their lineups, which should allow Galloway to see a few extra minutes for his defense and spot-up shooting. In the 26 minutes he's played on the road, beilieve it or not, he's actually been more efficient than at home. Granted, its 1-for-13 from three at home, 2-for-7 on the road from deep. It's not promising but out of all the value out there, this one could go completely unnoticed.
Trey Burke - SG, vs IND ($4,400)
The Pacers do not have the most daunting backcourt defense, but for some reason they are still able to limit opposing point guards. Luckily for Trey Burke, the chances of him lining up across from Victor Oladipo are slim which means he is absolutely getting his shots off. There are few point guards that can keep up with the smaller, faster Burke, and the Darren Collison/Cory Joseph one-two punch doesn't scare me from playing Burke. Until his price rises he will be posting starting point guard numbers that will be hard to pass up.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Rudy Gay - SF/PF, @ PHO ($6,100)
Both these next two picks somewhat go hand-in-hand. You can either package them at your two and three spot or use Tyreke Evans as a value play. Rudy Gay will have no problem producing against the Suns, but he might struggle to find a starters worth of minutes. The Spurs defense is not nearly what it used to be and they are relying on more offense rather than defense as their foundation. With players like Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan filling it up from the mid-range, it's not hard to find offense within just those two players. Bryn Forbes playing well only increases their upside, but do be aware that simply playing the Suns could be mean an early blowout.
Tyreke Evans - SG/SF, @ NY ($5,100)
The Knicks is defense is straight up bad and Tyreke Evans offense is really good. His track record lately is spotty at best but he is getting minutes and he has succeeded against some of the slower, more defense orientated teams. The Knicks don't fall under that label, but the Pacers involvement of Evans is promising. They look to get him going quickly whenever he gets on the court and the Knicks do not have the proper tools to stop an isolation scorer like Evans. His price is higher than it should be given how little he has proven himself on a new team, but we know what Evans is capable of and it doesn't matter who is guarding him. If Evans is hitting, he's usually one of the top options in DFS that night.
DraftKings DFS Centers
JaVale McGee - C, vs DAL ($5,700)
Javale McGee is actually one of the top DFS centers this season and it's not even close. The best part about McGee is that his only drawback is his reputation. Most people will fade him because they do not want the risk, while others will see his price as too high. After his two most previous performances, it's understandable why someone would fade McGee, but I don't buy this trend. McGee and the Lakers are struggling and starting to realize the season they are in for. Minimal defense plus LeBron James force-feeding McGee is a recipe for DFS gold. McGee has upside in defensive stats, but I expect this game to be all about McGee fighting DeAndre Jordan for rebounds and putbacks.
