RADIO
We made it to the weekend, RotoBallers! We're treated to a sizeable seven-game slate tonight and there are a few matchups and teams that stand out from the rest with their high implied totals, fast projected pace, and minimal defense being played on either side. Seven of the 14 teams in action will be playing in the second half of a back-to-back set, so stay alert to news as the day progresses.
It's still early in the season, but we're already seeing some trends emerge and our ability to analyze how each squad plays is getting more solidified by the day. Head coaches around the league are still trying to determine rotations, usage rates, new offensive and defensive schemes, and many other factors, but we can only work with the data we have and build our lineups accordingly. I have provided the results of my "K-Grade" model for today's slate in the table below.
Here are my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 10/29/22. Keep an eye on RotoBaller’s NBA injury news and also our full NBA injury report today to stay up to date before lineups are locked.
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 10% off using code BALLER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Luka Doncic, vs. OKC (FD: $11,600, DK: $12,500)
His salary has reached an insane level over on DraftKings, but we'll want to squeeze him in any way we can tonight. He's averaging 68.8 DK points per game through four contests, and he just put up 84.75 DK points (!!) against the Nets on Thursday with an unbelievable 41/11/14 line (with three steals). This matchup doesn't project out too well as neither team plays with much pace and Vegas is giving it a low implied total, but this is Doncic against a very suspect defense. There is no reason he can't put up another monster game here.
Tyrese Haliburton, vs BKN (FD: $8,400, DK: $8,300)
I'm very interested in targeting this game as it features a high implied total, a fast projected pace, and little-to-no defense on either side. I recommend getting to KD as the stud in this game, but running it back with Haliburton on the other side makes almost too much sense at his next-tier salary. He's underpriced on both sites as he has exceeded what he'd need for 5x value tonight (41.5 DK points) in every game this season, and he's averaging 47.2 DK points over his five games. He easily paces (*ducks*) the team in usage rate (25.7%) and FPTS/min (1.39) and he's going to get all the minutes he can handle in what's projected to be a shootout. Sign me up.
Tyus Jones, vs. UTA (FD: $4,500, DK: $4,700)
FREE SQUARE ALERT. The former Apple Valley High School star (I attended a rival school named Burnsville, in Minnesota) will be thrust into the starting lineup at a very affordable salary tonight, with the news of Ja Morant being doubtful to play. Jones has been playing well off the bench this season, averaging 21.9 DK points over 23.5 minutes per game. He hasn't been a DFS option until tonight, though, where he'll see at least 30 minutes and take over significant usage in the offense. Jones averaged 0.97 FPTS/min with Morant off the floor last season and I'd expect him to be right at that number tonight, making him an easy value selection at guard.
Also consider: Desmond Bane, Tyrese Maxey, Klay Thompson, Terry Rozier, Kyrie Irving, Jrue Holiday (FD)
Want more NBA DFS tools and content? Our NBA Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Slack Chatrooms where members can chat with our NBA analysts. Check out this big win from RotoBaller premium member Bsuperak on FanDuel using our Premium tools - join in on the winning!
DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Kevin Durant, vs. IND (FD: $9,900, DK: $9,900)
The Pacers and the Nets rank in the bottom seven of the league in terms of defensive efficiency, and this matchup projects to be the third-fastest-paced on the slate. I would recommend prioritizing the best player on the floor in situations like this, and in this game, that's good ol' KD. The Nets' star has been incredibly consistent to start the season, averaging 48.6 DK points per game while never falling below 47 DK points over his first five games. He doesn't offer the enormous upside of Doncic from a stat-stuffing aspect, but he can score at will and the Pacers aren't going to slow him down. Indiana is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing teams this season, behind the lowly Rockets, Pistons, and Lakers.
Ben Simmons, vs. IND (FD: $6,100, DK: $6,400)
I hate playing this guy, but he's too cheap and in too good of a game environment to ignore here. Check the Haliburton or KD write-ups for why I like this game. Simmons needs 32 DK points to hit 5x value and he's only exceeded that total once this year, but the Nets also haven't played in a game that sets up like this one. I expect him to reach value tonight and he has tournament-winning upside at this salary if he can ever gain some efficiency shooting the rock.
Buddy Hield, vs. BKN (FD: $5,700, DK: $5,500)
Loading up on players from this game is a sound strategy tonight, as you can probably tell by the sheer amount of picks I'm recommending in this matchup. Hield is a tournament piece as his production hinges on his shot falling, but it has been falling, to say the least. The Pacers' sharpshooting wing needs just 27 DK points to hit 5x value tonight and he has exceeded that total in 4-of-5 games so far. He has averaged 36.3 DK points per game over his last three outings as he's seeing around 30 minutes and shooting at a high volume as the second/third scoring option on the team. Brooklyn can't defend anybody and I think Hield is in line for another efficient, value-crushing performance.
Also consider: Dillon Brooks, Jalen Smith, Talen Horton-Tucker, John Konchar
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Bobby Portis, vs. ATL (FD: $5,900, DK: $5,400)
Embiid is questionable tonight with a knee issue and there aren't any can't-miss pay-up options at center, (minus Antetokounmpo, who can always be deployed and is center-eligible on DraftKings) so I'm going the economical route with Doncic and Durant already mentioned as studs in this article. Portis and the Bucks are playing the second half of a back-to-back set, so keep an eye out of injury/rest news from this team. That being said, Portis is a mid-to-high 20's minutes kind of player anyway and I don't expect we see the team deviate from that plan tonight. He needs 27 DK points to hit 5x value and has exceeded that in 3-of-4 games this season, including 44.75 DK points and 30 DK points over his last two contests. The Bucks might be forced to play Portis a little more tonight, given the makeup of the Hawks' frontcourt (Collins, Capela, Okongwu).
Also consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, John Collins, Myles Turner, Steven Adams, Brook Lopez
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!
NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
