The best way to complement your NFL Sunday is with a little NBA DFS. Let’s walk through the most important angles and find players who can help you set successful lineups.
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- CHA @ BKN (-8.5) O/U: 231.5
- ORL @ NYK (-12) O/U: 214.5
- BOS @ HOU (+6) O/U: 225.5
- PHI @ OKC (+8.5) O/U: 219.5
- GSW @ SAC (+3.5) O/U: 231.5
- MEM @ LAL (-6) O/U: 221.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $8.7K DraftKings, $9.5K FanDuel
The Knicks have had to lean on Julius Randle a little extra through their first two games with Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson out. Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose also appear well past being able to shoulder passing duties, and it’s Randle that has filled in. All this has led to him averaging nearly a triple-double with averages of 28 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. He dominated the Magic in their last matchup with a double-double plus seven assists in only 30 minutes. With Orlando completely out to lunch, Sunday should produce similar results for Randle at an attractive price.
The best way to complement your NFL Sunday is with a little NBA DFS. Let’s walk through the most important angles and find players who can help you set successful lineups.
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- CHA @ BKN (-8.5) O/U: 231.5
- ORL @ NYK (-12) O/U: 214.5
- BOS @ HOU (+6) O/U: 225.5
- PHI @ OKC (+8.5) O/U: 219.5
- GSW @ SAC (+3.5) O/U: 231.5
- MEM @ LAL (-6) O/U: 221.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $8.7K DraftKings, $9.5K FanDuel
The Knicks have had to lean on Julius Randle a little extra through their first two games with Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson out. Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose also appear well past being able to shoulder passing duties, and it’s Randle that has filled in. All this has led to him averaging nearly a triple-double with averages of 28 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. He dominated the Magic in their last matchup with a double-double plus seven assists in only 30 minutes. With Orlando completely out to lunch, Sunday should produce similar results for Randle at an attractive price.
Tobias Harris (SF/PF – PHI): $7.8K DraftKings, $7.6K FanDuel
With Joel Embiid battling a knee injury and Ben Simmons still missing, Harris is likely to be the 76ers go-to option against a Thunder team that can’t defend. This is an outstanding usage increase opportunity for Harris, who is already a strong DFS option but typically has to contend with a much murkier path to outperforming.
Mo Bamba (C/PF – ORL): $6.2K DraftKings, $6.8K FanDuel
About the only thing working for the Magic so far is the emergence of Mo Bamba. His minutes have nearly doubled so far at 30.5 per game compared to last season’s 15.8, and with that playing time, he has seen his production skyrocket. Most interesting is his ability to produce blocks, which was already a remarkable 1.3 per game despite the minimal playing time. Through the first two games this season, that’s more than doubled now with 3.0 per game so far. Considering his career per-minute averages, it’s not absurd to expect a block rate in the range of 3.0 per game to be achievable, which would make Bamba’s upside at this price immense.
Cash Game Considerations
LeBron James (SF/PF – LAL): $9.1K DraftKings, $10.2K FanDuel
Anthony Davis will have to contend with the defense of Steven Adams, and Russell Westbrook will be busy with Ja Morant in this game, so there should be plenty of opportunities for LeBron to easily produce for cash lineups. His price is particularly appealing on DraftKings.
De’Aaron Fox (PG – SAC): $8.3K DraftKings, $8.5K FanDuel
This is an outstanding price for the leader of the Kings’ offense in the most appealing game on the slate. Fox’s usage rate of 30.4% last season was only a sliver lower than his opponent in this game, Stephen Curry‘s 33.1%, and he’s available for significantly cheaper.
Robert Williams (C/PF – BOS): $6.1K DraftKings, $7.0K FanDuel
Through two games, Williams is averaging an absolutely ridiculous 4.0 blocks per game. That pace is likely not quite sustainable, but he will continue to be an easy play at this price if he continues receiving heavy minutes.
GPP Targets
Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $10.2K DraftKings, $9.9K FanDuel
Embiid’s knee injury will combine with his relatively underwhelming performance so far to keep DFS players away from him on Sunday. That makes him an incredibly exciting tournament option if he ends up playing, as it’s quite rare to get a chance at a player with such immense upside and minimal ownership.
Russell Westbrook (PG/SG – LAL): $9.3K DraftKings, $9.1K FanDuel
The opening dud for Westbrook has limited the interest in him until he can show that he still retains the upside he has had throughout the rest of his career. It’s a matter of time before he does, and you can jump the field if you play him when it happens first.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $6.8K DraftKings, $6.8K FanDuel
It has not been a good start for Shai or the Thunder. He’s only averaging 22.5 DK points through two games. That will keep ownership way down on a player who led the team last year with a 28.3% usage rate. He should continue to get plenty of opportunities this season, and the matchup against Philadelphia might be slightly less daunting than it appears with the 76ers all banged up.
Value Plays – under $5.5K
Franz Wagner (SG/SF/PF – ORL): $4.5K DraftKings, $4.0K FanDuel
The rookie is averaging 33 minutes for the Magic and translating that into 14 points per game. That’s more than enough to pay off at this price, especially if he starts producing significantly in other categories.
De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – MEM): $4.2K DraftKings, $5.3K FanDuel
This price continues to be absolutely ridiculous for Melton, even on FanDuel. There’s no reason to think twice about this unless he gets moved to the bench or Dillon Brooks returns.
Matisse Thybulle (SF – PHI): $3.4K DraftKings, $3.8K FanDuel
With Andre Drummond likely out and Joel Embiid battling a knee injury, Philadelphia will likely have to feature different lineups on Sunday. That could increase playing time for Thybulle, one of the most unique players in the NBA. Despite only averaging 20.0 minutes per game last season, he incredibly finished fourth in the league with 1.6 steals per game. A jump in playing time could be enough for Thybulle to pay off his price with upside for more given his production in the steals department.
Advantageous Pricing
- Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,600 FanDuel, $9,400 DraftKings
- LeBron James (SF/PF – LAL): $10,200 FanDuel, $9,100 DraftKings
- De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – MEM): $5,300 FanDuel, $4,200 DraftKings
- Stephen Curry (PG – GSW): $10,200 FanDuel, $11,000 DraftKings
- Kevin Porter Jr. (PG/SF – HOU): $6,000 FanDuel, $7,400 DraftKings
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Aaron White is a featured writer for FantasyPros. His industry experience includes projects for the Chicago Cubs, QL Gaming Group, and The Sporting News.