Elfrid Payton is off to a really nice start through three games. He’s scored double-digit real points in every game this season and is coming off an 18-10 game, good for 43.75 DraftKings points. Payton is chucking 13.3 shots per game, up from the 10.0 shots he took last season. He’s also playing about 5 minutes more per game, up to 34.5. All things seem to be trending towards a career year for Payton and this matchup with Sacramento should be fast-paced and benefit Payton.y

Today’s Projections

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The Nuggets are thin at the SG position tonight without Will Barton or Gary Harris. Most reports indicate that Jamal Murray will step into the starting lineup. I’d be lying to you if I said I could predict what Murray will be as an NBA player, consider he’s played three games in the league and has yet to make a shot. His sample size isn’t even worth mentioning, but from the film I’ve seen, he appears to be a willing rebounder who can be disruptive on defense. Let’s wait to see if we get more clarity on the situation, but Murray could be a very cheap option who steps in and plays starters minutes.

Rudy Gay is making it hard to continually overlook as he’s averaging 39.8 DraftKings PPG. That’s as many as Paul George for $1,900 less on DraftKings. Obviously it’s not all about averages, but Gay has piled on 42.25, 36.76 and 50 DraftKings points in his last three games and his price tag hasn’t caught up yet. With a new system in place in Sacramento, Gay is thriving and looking to have a career year. This will be one of the lower of the lower over/unders on the slate, but with a 1.5 line, both teams should score plenty of points with the outside chance of overtime.

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If you love narratives, how can you not play Kevin Durant? If you love great players, how can you not play Kevin Durant? This game will be in California, but it will be the first time KD faces his old team since fleeing Oklahoma City. He’s already one of the best players in the league and probably doesn’t need much motivation to get it rolling tonight. Even outside the fairly ridiculous narrative, Durant has scored 55+ DraftKings points in three of four. He’s absolutely stuffing the stat-sheet in every category and this game has a massive 226.5 total.

Denver is loving Jusuf Nurkic right now who is coming off a massive 13-18 game for 50 DraftKings points. That’s the second time this season (in three games) that he’s scored 40+ DraftKings points. His minutes are a little volatile for my liking (26, 23, 38) but his points per minute are insane. He wreaks absolutely havoc in the paint as seen with the 18 boards and five blocks against Toronto. Minny has been tough in the paint this season, but on a five game slate, I am willing to take on more risk than usual.

That’s all folks! Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more player analysis as news and injuries break closer to tip-off! Commentary based on DraftKings strategy and scoring.