We have an eight-game slate to kick off our NBA week, and there are some very interesting games on the slate. The young and exciting Philadelphia 76ers will be taking on LeBron and the Eastern Conference champs in what should prove to be one of the games of the night. There are a number of injuries going around, so be sure to check your lineups before lock, as many players are listed as questionable.

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Guards

Lance Stephenson (IND): $4,100 vs. ORL
Stephenson is in line to get the start again tonight since Victor Oladipo is listed as questionable. Stephenson got the start in Saturday’s game, where he put up 33 DraftKings points in 36 minutes. He offers great value and production from a player at this price. When Oladipo is off the court, Stephenson has a 22.2% usage rate and is averaging 0.99 fantasy points per minute. He is also up against the Magic, who are giving up 44 DraftKings points per game to shooting guards, which is third worst in the league. Stephenson is looking to be one of the chalkier options tonight if Oladipo is sidelined again, and with the savings and production he brings, he will be viable in all formats.

James Harden (HOU): $11,800 vs. BKN
It generally is always a good idea to try and roster Harden. The only issue is finding the salary to get up to his price. But given some of the value that is out there tonight, the path to getting there is a bit easier. Harden is up against the Nets, who are giving up 40 DraftKings points per game to shooting guards, which Harden should have no trouble reaching and surpassing. The Nets play at one of the highest paces in the league, and they also play terrible defense. This is a great combo for DFS players to attack, since most teams will be playing up in pace against them, which means more touches on the ball, and they also can’t stop the other team. It’s an ideal spot for Harden, and with his 60 point+ upside we should see a big game from him. He has a 38.7% usage rate and is averaging 1.57 fantasy points per minute, both of which are insane numbers. He is involved in nearly every offensive possession and is on an unbelievable streak right now. He has 53 or more DraftKings points in nine of his last 10 games.

Forwards

Omri Casspi (GS): $3,800 vs. SAC
Casspi has gotten the start over the past two games with Kevin Durant out, and with Durant still listed as questionable tonight, Casspi stands to gain yet again. In his two games as the starter, Casspi has put up 23 and 21 DraftKings points, which may not seem like a lot, but it’s good enough for over 5x value. At this price, we don’t need a ton of production from him, and as long as he hits that mark he is worth it. The salary savings he brings is almost too good to pass up on a full slate of games. When Durant is off the floor, Casspi has an 18.9% usage rate and is averaging 1.14 fantasy points per minute. There’s not much more to ask for from a player under $4K.

Blake Griffin (LAC): $9,000 vs. LAL
Griffin is at home going up against the Lakers, who are giving up 48 DraftKings points per game to power forwards, which is in the bottom 10 of the league. With Patrick Beverley out for the year, we are going to see even more of the offense going through Griffin. He has a 35.9% usage rate when Beverley is off the floor, which should only rise as the season goes on since the Clippers don’t have a ton of offensive talent besides Griffin. His minutes are there, his usage is there, and the consistency will be there all season given the new lineups they are rolling out.

Centers

Kevin Love (CLE): $7,500 @ PHI
Love is one of the more consistent players on the board tonight and has a great matchup. He has a double-double in four of his last five games and is up against a young Philadelphia team who is giving up 56 DraftKings points per game to centers. Love has dual position eligibility on DraftKings, so it gives you some options when building a roster. He has a 25.9% usage rate and is averaging 1.16 fantasy points per minute this season. We know he has the ability to knock down the outside shot, which gives him plenty of tournament upside, and the usage and match up I mentioned show that he has good cash game consistency.

Pau Gasol (SA): $6,000 vs. DAL
Gasol may not be the most exciting player anymore, but he is one of the best point per dollar plays on the slate and has a great matchup. He is up against the Mavericks, who are giving up 51 DraftKings points per game to centers this season and have shown to be one of the worst teams in the league. Gasol has a 21% usage rate and is averaging 1.17 fantasy points per minute this season, both of which are in the top four of players on the Spurs. He has scored 34 or more DraftKings points in three of his last four games and is a really solid middle of the road option at center tonight.

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Thomas Vecchio is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Thomas, check out his archive and follow him @DFS_Tom.