Yesterday was a fantastic day for yours truly. I had almost all of my lineups cash, and this article is a significant reason why. The opening week can be a struggle for a lot of people, but I find it to be one of the best times to find value. We have a ton of that here, so let’s go ahead and get into it!
After a monster-nine game slate on Monday, we’re down to just five games here. It’s a rivalry-type slate, with many clubs facing off with some historical opponents. That should lead to closer games than usual, and that’s all we can ask for as DFS players. Without further ado, let’s kick things off with the schedule and odds!
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- PHI at NYK (NYK -1) O/U: 221
These were two of the best defenses in the NBA last season, and it should be the lowest-scoring game of the night.
- GS at OKC (GS -9.5) O/U: 224.5
These young teams like to run up and down the floor, making it an attractive over at this 224-total.
- HOU at DAL (DAL – 11) O/U: 230
This should be the highest-scoring game of the night. The only question is whether it will stay close.
- LAL at SAS (LAL -3) O/U: 224
The Lakers have been struggling, and a matchup in San Antonio certainly won’t be easy. Look for these clubs to play a close battle.
- DEN at UTH (UTH -7.5) O/U: 219.5
Denver and Utah always play tight games. That makes this spread a bit surprising, but Denver is playing the second half of a back-to-back set after a bad loss to Cleveland on Monday. I grabbed a bit of Denver +8!
Injury Report
Core Plays
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $10,600 DraftKings, $11,100 FanDuel
Jokic has been playing at his usual absurd level, averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game. A matchup with Utah sounds tough on the surface, but he’s killed them throughout his career. In fact, Joker scored at least 57 DraftKings points in all three of their meetings last year en route to a 65-point average.
Yesterday was a fantastic day for yours truly. I had almost all of my lineups cash, and this article is a significant reason why. The opening week can be a struggle for a lot of people, but I find it to be one of the best times to find value. We have a ton of that here, so let’s go ahead and get into it!
After a monster-nine game slate on Monday, we’re down to just five games here. It’s a rivalry-type slate, with many clubs facing off with some historical opponents. That should lead to closer games than usual, and that’s all we can ask for as DFS players. Without further ado, let’s kick things off with the schedule and odds!
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- PHI at NYK (NYK -1) O/U: 221
These were two of the best defenses in the NBA last season, and it should be the lowest-scoring game of the night.
- GS at OKC (GS -9.5) O/U: 224.5
These young teams like to run up and down the floor, making it an attractive over at this 224-total.
- HOU at DAL (DAL – 11) O/U: 230
This should be the highest-scoring game of the night. The only question is whether it will stay close.
- LAL at SAS (LAL -3) O/U: 224
The Lakers have been struggling, and a matchup in San Antonio certainly won’t be easy. Look for these clubs to play a close battle.
- DEN at UTH (UTH -7.5) O/U: 219.5
Denver and Utah always play tight games. That makes this spread a bit surprising, but Denver is playing the second half of a back-to-back set after a bad loss to Cleveland on Monday. I grabbed a bit of Denver +8!
Injury Report
Core Plays
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $10,600 DraftKings, $11,100 FanDuel
Jokic has been playing at his usual absurd level, averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game. A matchup with Utah sounds tough on the surface, but he’s killed them throughout his career. In fact, Joker scored at least 57 DraftKings points in all three of their meetings last year en route to a 65-point average.
Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $10,600 DraftKings, $10,900 FanDuel
Luka is a triple-double threat every night and should roll right through a Houston club that’s expected to have one of the worst defenses in the NBA. In their three matchups last year, Doncic averaged 27.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
Jakob Poeltl (C – SAS): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
This pricing makes no sense. Poeltl has been one of the primary playmakers on this offense, averaging 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. He should play massive minutes against a tall LA frontcourt, too, and it’s just a matter of time before his stocks clumb up near 2.5 as well.
Cash Game Considerations
Donovan Mitchell (PG – UTH): $8,700 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
Just like Joker, something lights up in Mitchell’s eyes when he sees Denver. He’s scored at least 32 DK points in nine of his last 10 meetings with the Nugs, averaging just shy of 50 fantasy points per game.
Julius Randle (PF – NYK): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel
Many people thought that Randle’s 2020-21 season was a fluke, but the first few games this year would indicate otherwise. He’s essentially playing point guard for the Knicks, averaging 59.7 DK points per game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC): $8,100 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
SGA has been far from a cash game player this season, but this drop in price makes him hard to avoid. This is a guy who will be $1,000 more about a month from now, leading the Thunder in shot attempts, minutes, and usage rate. Just buy this stock when it’s at its lowest price!
GPP Targets
Kevin Porter (PG/SF – HOU): $6,800 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
Porter is one of the most volatile players in the NBA, but he showed us 80-point upside just last season. He should continue to handle the ball and run this offense, which is all you can hope for from such a talented player in this price range.
Tyrese Maxey (PG – PHI): $6,000 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Maxey has been starting for Simmons at point guard in Philly and has been productive in his absence. He’s averaging 25 DK points per game in this role since last season and could be asked to do even more with Embiid and Drummond nicked up as well.
Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
Robinson can drop 50 DK points as easily as he can drop 20, but his role makes him a solid option. He’s the primary center with Nerlens Noel injured, averaging 31.2 DK points per game. Good luck finding that total from another $5,400 player!
Value Plays – under $6K
Monte Morris (PG/SG – DEN): $4,400 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel
Morris is struggling on Monday night, but he’s still way too cheap. This guy averages nearly 30 DK points per game when Murray is out of the lineup, starting at point guard in his absence. That makes him a worthy play below $5K on both sites!
Keldon Johnson (SF/PF – SAS): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
Why is KJ this cheap? He’s one of the focal points of the Spurs offense, averaging 29.7 DK points per game. This is an Olympian that Greg Popovich trusts, and it’s just a matter of time before he’s north of $6K on both sites.
Kemba Walker (PG – NYK): $5,200 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
Kemba has been dreadful in his first week with the Knicks, but it’s just a matter of time before he gets going. This is traditionally a $7K player, and we genuinely believe this will be his lowest price tag all season.
Advantageous Pricing
- Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $9,200 DraftKings, $10,500 FanDuel
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC): $8,100 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
- Kevin Porter (PG/SF – HOU): $6,800 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
- Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
- Jakob Poeltl (C – SAS): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.