The first full slate of NBA games has arrived. Let’s walk through the most important DFS angles and find some players that can help you set successful lineups.
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel 
Schedule and Odds
- CHI @ DET (+4.5) O/U: 220
- IND @ CHA (-2) O/U: 223.5
- BOS @ NYK (-1.5) O/U: 218.5
- WAS @ TOR (-2.5) O/U: 218
- HOU @ MIN (-5.5) O/U: 227.5
- CLE @ MEM (-7.5) O/U: 216.5
- PHI @ NOP (+3) O/U: 226.5
- ORL @ SAS (-5.5) O/U: 212.5
- OKC @ UTA (-12) O/U: 220.5
- DEN @ PHO (-6) O/U: 223.5
- SAC @ POR (-5) O/U: 232.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $10.6K DraftKings, $11K FanDuel
Let’s take advantage of Ben Simmons‘ absence and target a usage increase for last year’s NBA usage leader at a whopping 35.2%. He doesn’t need more usage, but as the saying goes, you can’t have too much of a good thing.
The first full slate of NBA games has arrived. Let’s walk through the most important DFS angles and find some players that can help you set successful lineups.
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- CHI @ DET (+4.5) O/U: 220
- IND @ CHA (-2) O/U: 223.5
- BOS @ NYK (-1.5) O/U: 218.5
- WAS @ TOR (-2.5) O/U: 218
- HOU @ MIN (-5.5) O/U: 227.5
- CLE @ MEM (-7.5) O/U: 216.5
- PHI @ NOP (+3) O/U: 226.5
- ORL @ SAS (-5.5) O/U: 212.5
- OKC @ UTA (-12) O/U: 220.5
- DEN @ PHO (-6) O/U: 223.5
- SAC @ POR (-5) O/U: 232.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $10.6K DraftKings, $11K FanDuel
Let’s take advantage of Ben Simmons‘ absence and target a usage increase for last year’s NBA usage leader at a whopping 35.2%. He doesn’t need more usage, but as the saying goes, you can’t have too much of a good thing.
Rudy Gobert (C – UTA): $8.2K DraftKings, $8K FanDuel
The Jazz might run Oklahoma City off the court too fast for the starters to even play full minutes in this game, but that might be ok for the Stifle Tower who gets to face a nonexistent interior defense and led the NBA in total rebounding last season while averaging 13.4 per game.
Dejounte Murray (PG – SAS): $6.8K DraftKings, $7.7K FanDuel
Will Dejounte Murray finally get big minutes this season? Let’s not wait for his price to increase to find out. He’s worth it at this price given his 1.13 fantasy point per minute production, especially on DraftKings, and he will be an absolute if he starts to get minutes in the mid-to-upper 30’s.
Cash Game Considerations
Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $10.1K DraftKings, $10K FanDuel
The best player in the game with the highest total on the slate makes a great fit for a top cash target. Lillard scored 29.2 PPG in the 2020-2021 season with a bunch of other goodies, and this year should be no different.
De’Aaron Fox (PG – SAC): $9.3K DraftKings, $8.5K FanDuel
Let’s target the other side of the Portland game with another player that averaged more than 30% usage last season. Fox is set up well for a strong line in what should be a high-scoring game.
DeMar DeRozan (SF – CHI): $7.1K DraftKings, $7.5K FanDuel
The new team risk is too heavily priced in for DeRozan, who contributes in too many categories to be priced this low and ignored in cash games. Take the opportunity to play him here before the price goes back up.
GPP Targets
Bradley Beal (SG – WAS): $9.5K DraftKings, $9.4K FanDuel
Leverage the questionable tag here as Beal will be avoided due to an insignificant knee injury. Nothing could be better for GPPs. Beal was third in the NBA in usage last season at 33.1%, and you can likely grab him at very minimal ownership.
Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $9K DraftKings, $9.2K FanDuel
DFS players will take a wait-and-see approach with Vucevic to start the year, especially given his premium price. That gives you an opportunity to do the exact opposite with a player who scored 1.46 fantasy points per minute last season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC): $7.2K DraftKings, $7.6K FanDuel
This is a horrible matchup, but Shai is underpriced here and will get a ton of usage for the Thunder. If they do anything in this game, he could be a fantastic tournament play at this price.
Value Plays – under $5.5K
Daniel Theis (PF/C – HOU): $5.3K DraftKings, $5.2K FanDuel
Theis has always been a strong producer when given playing time, and it seems like he will get a chance for more this season. He could put up big numbers before the price catches up.
Naji Marshall (PF – NOP): $5.3K DraftKings, $3.9K FanDuel
He’s set to benefit from the absence of Zion Williamson. If he does take on a significant portion of Zion’s usage, this price is ridiculous, especially on FanDuel.
Chris Duarte (SG, SF – IND): $3.3K DraftKings, $4.5K FanDuel
With practically the entire Pacers roster injured, the rookie is set for a big opening role. His price, particularly on DraftKings, makes him a must-play if he fills in as anticipated.
Advantageous Pricing
- Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,400 FanDuel, $10,400 DraftKings
- Fred VanVleet (PG/SG – TOR): $8,800 FanDuel, $7,500 DraftKings
- Derrick Rose (PG/SG – NYK): $6,000 FanDuel, $6,900 DraftKings
- Naji Marshall (PF – NOP): $3,900 FanDuel, $5,300 DraftKings
- Chris Duarte (SG, SF – IND): $4,500 FanDuel, $3,300 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.
