🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks (10/20/17): NBA Advice for FanDuel, DraftKings

Kevin Luchansky's top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for 10/20/17. Expert NBA DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for FanDuel and DraftKings.

NBA Friday's are once again bracing us with its presence. I think it may have something to do with the fact that, normally, Friday is a pretty weak day for sports until the NBA rolls around, but there's something special about a packed slate on a Friday night - especially when it leads into a major football weekend. Speaking of packed Friday nights, there are 10 games on the slate tonight, so there's much to discuss.

Before I dive into player selection and analysis, I like to point out a few Vegas spreads and point totals of interest. It's going to be hard to keep this section as brief as I like to normally make it, as there are a ton of juicy, attractive lines. Let's start with the games with the highest projected point totals, as that's a great place to start your research or just to hone in on plays. There are five games with over/under totals over 211 points, which is really amazing. They are Blazers at Pacers (222), Warriors at Pelicans (221), Magic at Nets (221), Lakers at Suns (220), and Celtics at 76ers (217). Games with high totals are attractive for obvious reasons, but I especially like to target those with high totals and tight point spreads, as it indicates the starters should be in this game for a ton of minutes if the score stays as tight as the spread. Three of the game listed above have point spreads under five, and if I'm going to deploy any game stacks, it's highly likely it will be in the Blazers - Pacers, Celtics - 76ers or Magic - Nets contests.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/20/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

DFS Guards to Consider

Kemba Walker - ATL @ CHA (DK - $7,800, FD - $8,000)

This is a price range for Walker that I am more than comfortable with as we often saw him close to five digit salary prices last season and I like the game context here. Nicolas Batum is out for a while, and as such, more of the offensive resonsibility falls on Walker's shoulders. He hasn't been an automatic plug-and-play with Batum (or any other high volume offensive counterpart) sidelined, but due to the fact that this is a pace-up game with a tight spread and an opponent that is soft defnesively against opposing point guards, I think Walker can shine here. His high minutes and Usage rate give him a very solid floor.

 

Darren Collison - POR @ IND (DK - $5,800, FD - $5,600)

Collison is my favorite middle-to-low tier (price wise) option on tonight's slate. Throughout pre-season and in the team's first game this week, Collison has been getting a ton of minutes with a Usage rate hovering around 20-22%. That's extremely attractive for a player in his price range, especially when you consider the game context (high projection and tight spread) and that the Pacers may be without Myles Turner, which could flip some of the offensive responsibility back to the backcourt in guys like Collison and Victor Oladipo.

 

Tournament Pivot: D'Angelo Russell - ORL @ BKN (DK - $7,300, FD - $8,000)

 

Avery Bradley - DET @ WAS (DK - $5,400, FD - $5,100)

Bradley is a great value when he have him priced as low as he is and set for an increased role on both sides of the ball for Detroit. He managed just 23 minutes in his first game, but that was due to foul trouble and, as such, he's a nice buy-low tonight and I certainly don't mind him as a punt in tournaments because he has upside as a 3-point shooter and as a defensive specialist who can snag a few steals here and there. This is also a pace-up game for the Pistons, meaning more possessions and opportunity, and the Wizards are on a back-to-back.

 

Devin Booker - LAL @ PHX (DK - $7,000, FD - $6,700)

I absolutely love this spot for Booker and he's my favorite piece of a game I'd like to have exposure to - especially in tournaments. The game has the third highest point total projection, the spread is under four points, and the Lakers are on the back end of a back-to-back. Booker should be called on for a ton of offensive usage, and the Lakers don't have anyone in their backcourt that can stick with Booker since Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is still sidelined. Booker should see somewhere in the range of 32-36 minutes, with a Usage rate hovering close to 30.

 

Also Consider: Andrew Wiggins - UTA @ MIN (DK - $6,300, FD - $6,800)

 

DFS Forwards to Consider

Taurean Prince - ATL @ CHA (DK - $5,000, FD - $4,800)

Prince, still priced a bit too low for the minutes he sees on the floor and his multi-category production, is one of my favorite value plays on the board. Prince should see in the range of 28-32 minutes tonight in a pretty fast paced game with good game context. In 28 minutes of action the other night, Prince produced a double-double with 10 points, 10 boards and a block. His ability to category stuff without taking shots creates a really stable floor, and if his shot is falling, he could be in line for a big night.

 

Also Consider: Jonathan Simmons - ORL @BKN (DK - $4,000, FD - $4,100)

 

Skal Labissiere - SAC @ DAL  (DK - $4,900, FD - $4,100)

Skal has impressed me throughout pre-season but I was skeptical to see how that might translate - not in terms of performance, really, but his minutes and his role within the offense. One game is an incredibly small sample size, but it's not only the only thing we have to review/make decisions by for rookies, and 32 minutes is very encouraging. He's an incredibly cheap value option if he's going to priced as such and still see 30+ minutes. Dallas has a number of big bodies down low, but I think Skal's skill around the basket is going to put him into opportune situations for easy finishes tonight.

 

Tournament option: Dario Saric - BOS @ PHI (DK - $5,400, FD - $5,100)

 

DFS Centers to Consider

Kevin Love - CLE @ MIL (DK - $7,500, FD - $6,800)

We quickly find Love available at his "new" position as the five-man in this Cleveland offense. I really like his price here, especially on Fanduel, where there aren't many mid-range options with a ceiling quite as high as his. This game, which has just a 2.5 point spread, should be a tight contest throughout and with the way the defensive matchups look like they'll play out, I think Love has one of the most exploitable matchups on the court against Greg Monroe, who will be greatly out of place trying to stick with Love outside of the paint.

 

Tournament Pivot: Dwight Howard - ATL @ CHA (DK - $6,700, FD - $7,400)

NBA DFS News & Injury Alerts

 

NBA & DFS Premium Subscription

Get an edge on your NBA DFS competition, every single night of the week:

  • DFS Cheat Sheets and Lineup Picks: Access to 10 deeply researched lineup picks, and sample lineups - seven days a week! Includes advanced stats to unlock NBA player values, and boost DFS success.
  • DFS Optimizer Tool: Generate optimal DFS lineups in seconds. Use advanced features and stats for including/excluding players, cash games vs. GPPs, stacks and more.
  • DFS Value Picks: Our Optimizer helps you find, sort and filter the best lineup values and DFS sleeper picks. Premium stats like "Usage Rate" and "Points/$1K" give you a leg up on the DFS competition.
  • Daily NBA Projections: Our secret sauce - the Optimizer Tool provides DFS points projections for FanDuel, DraftKings and Yahoo scoring.

Sign Up Now!

 

Lineup Optimizer/Generator & Sleepers Tool

Click here to see a full size version of the tool

Click here to see a full size version of the cheat sheet

 

Premium NBA DFS Lineup Picks & Cheat Sheet

Click here to see a full size version of the cheat sheet

Sign Up Now!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Micah Parsons

Believed to Have Suffered Torn ACL in Sunday's Loss
Puka Nacua

Returns to Sunday's Game
Patrick Mahomes

Suffers Torn ACL
Puka Nacua

Questionable to Return Due to Cramps, Potentially Avoids Injury Scare
Jake Ferguson

Officially Active for Sunday Night
Davante Adams

Exits Sunday's Contest with Hamstring Injury
Micah Parsons

Questionable to Return After Suffering Knee Injury
Christian Watson

Ruled Out with Chest Injury
Christian Watson

Questionable to Return with Chest Injury
Gunnar Helm

Questionable to Return to Sunday's Contest
TreVeyon Henderson

Totals Over 150 Yards and Two Scores in Sunday's Loss
Devin Neal

Ruled Out with Hamstring Injury
Joel Embiid

Cleared for Action on Sunday
Zeev Buium

Has Two Points in Canucks Debut
Trevor Lawrence

Erupts for Six Total Touchdowns in Week 15 Blowout
Anthony Edwards

Remains Out on Sunday Evening
Trey McBride

Sets Records in Week 15 Loss
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Available Versus Philly
Dylan Holloway

Injured at Sunday's Practice
Patrick Mahomes

Slated for MRI Following Knee Injury
Filip Gustavsson

Takes on Bruins Sunday
Ricky Pearsall

Returns to Game Following Visit to Medical Tent
Tyrese Maxey

Will Miss Another Game on Sunday Night
Brandon Bussi

Looks to Stretch Winning Streak to Nine Games
Cam York

Returns From Four-Game Absence
Jaccob Slavin

Returns to Action Sunday
Patrick Mahomes

Helped To Locker Room Following Knee Injury
Bam Knight

Ruled Out on Sunday With Ankle Injury
Josh Jacobs

Active Vs. Broncos
Christian McCaffrey

to Play in Week 15
Woody Marks

Questionable to Return in Week 15 With Ankle Injury
Joel Embiid

Questionable Versus Atlanta
Jarrett Allen

Expected to Return on Sunday
Collin Sexton

Unavailable Against Cleveland
Khris Middleton

Still Sidelined Versus Pacers
Alexandre Sarr

Out Again on Sunday
Ayo Dosunmu

Unlikely to Play vs. Pelicans
Tyrese Maxey

Trending Toward Second Straight Absence
LaMelo Ball

Misses Third Straight Game
Kristaps Porzingis

Remains Out Versus 76ers
Drew Eubanks

To Miss Time With Thumb Fracture
Evan Mobley

Sidelined 2-4 Weeks With Grade 1 Calf Strain
Viktor Arvidsson

Not Expected to Play Sunday
Elias Pettersson

Unavailable Sunday
Jonas Brodin

to Miss Second Consecutive Game Sunday
Emil Lilleberg

Exits Early Saturday
Will Smith

Hurt in Saturday's Victory
Pavel Dorofeyev

Exits Win With Injury
Jalen Suggs

Injured on Saturday Night, Leaves Arena in a Wheelchair
Haydn Fleury

Cleared to Play
Simon Nemec

to Miss "Some Time"
Jake Evans

Back for Canadiens Saturday
Ilya Lyubushkin

Returns to Stars Lineup Saturday
Roope Hintz

Good to Go Saturday
Charlie Lindgren

Activated From Injured Reserve
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Available Against Oilers
William Nylander

a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Jorge Polanco

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Mets
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Return to South Carolina in 2026
Cason Wallace

Off Injury Report Saturday
Keyonte George

Erupts for Career-High 39 Points Against Memphis
Bones Hyland

Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Isaiah Joe

To Miss Fourth Straight Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Removed From Injury Report
Logan O'Connor

Still Not Ready for Season Debut
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
Kennedy Nzechukwu

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 112
King Green

Returns At UFC Vegas 112
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 112 Main Card
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff
CFB

Bryce Underwood Could Leave Michigan Without Buyout
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings
CFB

Chris Brazzell II Declaring for NFL Draft
CFB

Fernando Mendoza Named AP College Football Player of the Year
Raisel Iglesias

to Remain the Braves Closer
Robert Suarez

Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP