Only five games on the full slate, which has actually been split up on DraftKings so there are contests with two and three games. That means there is going to be tons of chalk out there tonight. Commentary based on DraftKings strategy and scoring.
The chalkiest play of them all will be Russell Westbrook ($10,800). He’s a walking triple-double who’s averaging 55.4 DraftKings points per game this season. Both Westbrook and Durant are able to score at prolific rates, making the OKC offense as potent as they come. A matchup with Phoenix is full of fantasy goodness as both teams play at a fast pace, earning this game the highest O/U on the slate. Adding the fact that the Suns are 26th in the league against PGs means that Westbrook is the best guard in the best matchup.
It needs to be pointed out what Damian Lillard ($8,600) is doing this season. Without Lamarcus Aldridge, Lillard is clearly option #1 for the Trail Blazers and he’s poured in 27.3 PPG this season. He has only scored less than 43 DraftKings points in one game this season. It’s not an ideal matchup with the slow Pistons, but Lillard would make for an excellent contrarian play with a big usage rate.
My favorite contrarian play has to be Reggie Jackson ($7,500). Jackson is often overlooked playing in Detroit, but he is an outstanding fantasy player. He has been on a great run in the last three games, averaging 38.53 DraftKings points in that span and pouring in 21.6 PPG. I love that he is jacking shots from all over the place with 62 shot attempts in the last three games. That number of shot attempts is 6th most in the league in that span, more than Steph Curry. My favorite part about this play is that Detroit, who usually plays very slow, will get a boost by playing the Trail Blazers. Expect a few extra possessions which could go a long way for Jackson tonight.
Looking for consistency? Try CJ McCollum ($6,400). He’s posted DraftKings games of 35.5, 34.25 and 34 in his last three games. He exploded for 51 in the season opener, but it may be more impressive that he hasn’t scored less than 29.25 in any game this season. He has a significantly higher floor than many of us would have expected. McCollum only needing 32 points to reach 5x would appear to be a rather safe play at the position, with upside.
The fact that Langston Galloway ($4,500) isn’t starting for the Knicks is a little mind-boggling at this point. Either way, he’s earning plenty of minutes off the bench with no less than 25 in any game this season and averaging closer to 30 in the last few games. Galloway can earn you points in many ways and is not afraid to bang bodies for rebounds. This is an ugly game on paper as the Knicks face off with the Lakers, but this game has the second highest total on the slate (209.5) and should have plenty of fantasy opportunity for guys like Galloway who needs 27 DraftKings points to reach 6x value. Galloway has hit that number in 3 of 6 games this season.
An absolutely stacked Small Forward position tonight with the likes of James, Durant, George and Anthony. Keep an eye on LeBron as he is currently questionable for today’s game with a thigh injury. The contrarian play looks to be Carmelo Anthony ($8,400) who always gets up for big games against other stars and that’s exactly what he has tonight as Kobe Bryant visits MSG. Carmelo has been extremely volatile, but you know he’s going to take a ton of shots and has a chance to go off against a porous Lakers defense.
Again, the sneaky play will be the Piston and in this case it’s Marcus Morris ($6,200). Morris is averaging 32 DraftKings points per game this season and has taken 10+ shots in every outing. He’s playing huge minutes for the Pistons at 38.6 per night, which is the most on the team. Expect plenty of opportunity for Morris who has reached 6x value in almost every game this season.
Kristaps Porzingis ($5,600) has been extremely impressive in the first six games of his young career. He has threatened a double-double nearly nightly and has accomplished that feat twice in the last three games. The problem with Porzingis is that he’s usually in foul trouble the moment he walks into the building and it really contributes to his minutes fluctuating on a nightly basis. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he should be in line for a productive day against the lowly Lakers as the rookie has averaged 35.25 DraftKings points over his last three games.
The center position is pretty scary. There will be plenty of exposure to Andre Drummond ($9,000) and Hassan Whiteside ($7,600) and there should be, but I’ll point out a few others you may overlook. The first is Jonas Valanciunas ($6,300). The Raptors big man is very consistent and predictable. Here are his last four games: 32, 28, 33.25 and 29.5. If you’re looking for 5-6x value with not much more upside than that, Jonas is your man. He’s a threat for a double-double and should see double digit shot attempts while going to the line another handful of times.
The high upside play is Ian Mahinmi ($3,700). When healthy, Mahinmi sees around 25 minutes of action for the Pacers. In the four games he’s started and finished this year, he’s scored 22+ DraftKings points in three of them. 22 points at his price today would be 5.9x value. He has an outside shot at a double double, but he has had at least two blocks in 3 of 4 this season which always boosts his value. He’d make the perfect punt play at this position.
That’s all folks! A small slate to work with, good luck!