It is hard to believe the NBA season is just about ready to tipoff with a two-game slate on Tuesday night featuring the Sixers playing in Boston and the Thunder visiting the Warriors. It wouldn’t be the NBA if we didn’t have to pay close attention to injuries and opening night is no different with Russell Westbrook questionable to suit up for the Thunder. Whether he is in or out could shift the entire dynamic of the small slate so be ready to pivot as needed with DraftKings late swap back in the mix this season.

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Core Plays

Kevin Durant (SF/PF – GSW): $9,000 vs. OKC
We all know the history, Durant shunned the Thunder to travel to greener pastures with the Warriors. Durant has had plenty of big fantasy days against his former club over the last couple of years including averaging almost 45 DraftKings points per game in four meetings last season. With DeMarcus Cousins not ready to join the mix in Golden St. yet, Durant should play the same role he did last season to begin the year.

Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $8,800 @ BOS
On a small slate, I am a big advocate of finding the top option for each team that will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Sometimes that comes from a value option but in the Sixers case on Tuesday night, I’m going right to the top with big man Embiid. The Sixers have a tough matchup and the lowest Vegas implied point total on the slate but Embiid posted a double-double in all three meeting with the Celtics last season while averaging 17.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. The center position is pretty void of options on Tuesday, so give me the Sixers rising star who could take his game to another level in his third NBA season.

Paul George (SF/PF – OKC): $8,000 @ GSW
The next two core plays on Tuesday’s slate are partially dependent on the status or Russell Westbrook. If Westbrook does play, then George may fall off this list. However, if Westbrook does not suit up then George becomes one of the top plays on the slate as he saw an 11.5 percent usage increase with Westbrook off the court last season while averaging 53 DraftKings points in games Westbrook missed.

Dennis Schroder (PG/SG – OKC): $6,300 @ GS
Schroder makes his Thunder debut on Tuesday after playing his first five seasons with the Hawks. Schroder should get ample playing time regardless of the status of Westbrook but will have the ball in his hands a lot more running the point if Westbrook is out. Schroder’s game should fit nicely in Oklahoma City especially in an up-tempo game like Tuesday night against the Warriors.

Value Plays

Jordan Bell (PF/C – GSW): $4,100 vs. OKC
With the aforementioned Boogie Cousins out to start the year, Jordan Bell should be one of the biggest benefactors in the frontcourt. While it sounds like Damian Jones will draw the start at center for the Warriors, Bell should still register the most minutes at the five for the Warriors. Bell averaged over a DK point per minute for the Warriors in his rookie season and an increase in minutes should bring his fantasy production up with it.

Terrance Ferguson (SG/SF – OKC): $3,300 @ GS
My recommendation of Terrance Ferguson is directly tied to the status of Westbrook for Tuesday’s tilt. If Westbrook sits then Ferguson is firmly in the mix for extended minutes at SG while Schroder shifts to PG. Ferguson is primarily a scorer but could chip in with numbers in other categories against a Warriors team that also allowed plenty of assists and steals to opposing SGs last season.

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Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.