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Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks (10/21/17): NBA Advice for FanDuel, DraftKings

Jake Finnen's top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for 10/21/17. Expert NBA DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for FanDuel and DraftKings.

You don't need to be buttered up with some, "We're a few games in..." intro nonsense. We both know why you're here. I got the goods, you want the services. Uh, that sounds bad...Maybe an intro IS the best way to start these things. Well, too late now.

It's an 11-game slate this beautiful Saturday, and is there really anything that will make your day better than seeing Russell Westbrook for below $12,000 on DraftKings AND FanDuel? Maybe C.J. McCollum for 7k? Well, tonight is the night you are going to want to spend high on either Russell Westbrook or James Harden. You can choose either, but going after both will put a lot of risk in the rest of your team.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/21/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.

 

DFS Guards to Consider

J.J. Barea - DAL @ HOU (DK - $4,200, FD - $3,900)

You have to go with a Dallas Mavericks guard. They might be facing the Houston Rockets, but with limited numbers, Barea is more than capable of handling his own. He is going to touch the ball on nearly every possession and he is the type of player that produces consistently enough trust for DFS. The usual concern with Barea is injuries, but this matchup should be perfect for you to capitalize on the Mavericks shortage of guards.

Will Barton - SAC @ DEN (DK - $5,500, FD - $5,700)

Will Barton has been a bright spot for the Nuggets for some time now and his fantasy production has followed. As a mid-ranged price with plenty of upside, it's hard to pass on Barton even in a crowded backcourt. He stands out with his athletic ability and his streakiness has evolved into consistent scoring. It was only the first game but it looks like Barton picked up exactly where he left off. Scoring with ease and generating offense. Barton is going to string together good games early this season and cement himself as the Nuggets biggest offensive threat alongside Nikola Jokic.

 

DFS Forwards to Consider

Doug McDermott - DET @ NY (DK - $3,500, FD - $3,800)

This is a high-risk, high-reward option and I am banking on a great scoring night from McDermott. Last game he was slipped into the rotation after Michael Beasley sprained his ankle against the Thunder. Tonight, McDermott should be given the green light as the Knicks wing scorer and even if Beasley plays, McDermott will still get his minutes and opportunities. After a shoddy outing in the first game of the season, look for a more composed and efficient McDermott while he plays his first home game in MSG.

Kelly Olynyk - IND @ MIA  (DK - $4,800, FD - $4,400)

Kelly Olynyk is another one of those players that gets the ball and either scores, assists a teammate in some way, or misses a shot. He is not a bad scorer, its just you can sometimes tell when he is forcing production. He just signed a nice, new contract with the Heat and he is going to try and prove his worth to the team early. His last outing was skeptical of how his new role will play out, but the Indiana frontcourt is lacking size outside of Myles Turner, so expect Olynyk to find his groove.

 

DFS Centers to Consider

Pau Gasol - SA @ CHI (DK - $5,600, FD - $6,300)

Picking a San Antonio Spur and getting mad that they didn't produce like you wanted, is like getting mad at a fish for not "getting out" enough. So mind you with this pick risk is involved. That being said, Pau Gasol had a great performance last game and he didn't have to have a big scoring night to contribute for DFS. Chicago has Robin Lopez in the paint which can cause problems, but chances are he will need to focus on keeping LaMarcus Aldrige from getting to his spots, rather than locking down Gasol. Gasol should be the beneficiary of the combination of Spurs offense and Coach Gregg Popovich targeting an opponents weakness.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nick Scott

Panthers Re-Sign Safety Nick Scott to One-Year Deal
Nico Hischier

has Four-Point Performance on Saturday
Kene Nwangwu

Jets Re-Sign Kene Nwangwu
Seiya Suzuki

Leaves WBC Game on Saturday With Right-Knee Discomfort
Macklin Celebrini

Continues to Dominate With Three Points
Anze Kopitar

Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer for Kings
Linus Ullmark

Posts Shutout Against Ducks
Travis Hunter

Is Travis Hunter Now an IDP-Only Asset?
Blake Corum

Does Blake Corum Have Standalone Flex Value?
Mo Alie-Cox

Re-Signing with Colts
Jaxson Dart

to Benefit from Improved Weaponry in Year 2
Darnell Mooney

Signing with Giants on One-Year Deal
Zach Neto

is Removed After Suffering Hand Injury
TB

Nicholas Paul Rejoins Lightning Lineup
Cole Caufield

Cleared to Play Saturday
Alex Tuch

Set to Return Saturday
Bobby Brink

Remains Out Saturday
J.T. Miller

Returns to Action Saturday
Joe Ryan

Won't Pitch in the World Baseball Classic
Courtland Sutton

Will Courtland Sutton Lose Targets to Younger Teammates?
Rashee Rice

Looking to Return to Rookie Form?
Omarion Hampton

Has High Upside with New Offensive Coordinator
Trey Lance

Returns to the Chargers on a One-Year Deal
A.J. Brown

Rams Out on A.J. Brown, Trade to Patriots Likely?
Calvin Ridley

Restructures Deal with Titans
Jonathan Taylor

Is Jonathan Taylor Being Undervalued in Dynasty?
Tony Pollard

Can Tony Pollard Keep the RB1 Spot for Titans?
David Montgomery

Has Contract Updated by Texans
Zack Wheeler

Throws First Live BP Session on Saturday
Chris Godwin Jr.

Can Chris Godwin Jr. be the Buccaneers' WR1?
LeQuint Allen Jr.

Can LeQuint Allen Jr. Emerge as the Primary Receiving Back in Jacksonville?
Isaiah Davis

Appears Buried on the Jets Running Back Depth Chart
Merrill Kelly

Expected to Open Season on the Injured List
Christian Kirk

Dynasty Value is Fading Heading into 2026
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Packers Interested in Acquiring Anthony Richardson Sr.?
Kevin Gausman

Named Toronto's Opening Day Starter
Kyle Stowers

Back in Grapefruit League Lineup
Kevin Porter Jr.

Questionable Against Hawks
Devin Carter

Out Saturday Against Clippers
Russell Westbrook

Set to Return Against Clippers
Derrick White

Expected to Play Saturday Against Wizards
Michael Porter Jr.

Likely to Miss Second Straight Game
Nicolas Claxton

to Rest Saturday Against Philadelphia
Ace Bailey

Leaves Friday's Game Early with Concussion
Radko Gudas

Handed a Five-Game Suspension
Auston Matthews

to Miss Rest of Season
Emil Heineman

Scores Twice Against the Kings
Joel Hofer

Shuts Down the Oilers
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Could Miss Saturday's Game Vs. Hawks
Keegan Murray

to Be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Aaron Gordon

Expected Back Saturday Vs. Lakers
Jamal Murray

Expected to Suit Up Saturday
Collin Sexton

to Miss Third Straight Game
Jalen Smith

is Ruled Out for Friday's Game
Robert Williams III

is Unavailable for Friday's Contest
Draymond Green

is Downgraded to Out on Friday
De'Anthony Melton

to Play on Friday
Ayo Dosunmu

is Cleared for Friday's Game
Anthony Edwards

is Available on Friday
Norman Powell

is Tagged as Questionable for Saturday
Victor Wembanyama

Questionable Saturday Vs. Hornets
Andrew Wiggins

to Miss Fifth Straight Game
Francisco Lindor

Takes Full Batting Practice on Friday
Brandon Woodruff

Still TBD for Opening Day
Trevor Rogers

to Start on Opening Day for Orioles
Kevin Vallejos

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Josh Emmett

In Dire Need Of Victory
Gillian Robertson

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 114
Amanda Lemos

Set For Co-Main Event
Oumar Sy

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Ion Cutelaba

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Nathan MacKinnon

Racks Up Four Points in Victory Over Kraken
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Stays Hot in Winnipeg
Semyon Varlamov

Won't Return This Season
Alexander Romanov

Could Return for Playoffs
Declan Carlile

Hurt on Thursday Night
Wyatt Kaiser

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Thursday
Erik Gudbranson

Could Be an Option Saturday
Auston Matthews

Exits Game With Injury
Blake Snell

Around Six Weeks From Being Fully Built Up
Zack Wheeler

to Face Hitters in Live Batting Practice on Saturday
Gerrit Cole

Could Pitch in a Spring Game Next Week
Matthew Boyd

Named the Cubs' Opening Day Starter
Francisco Lindor

Remains on Schedule for Opening Day
Bryce Miller

Shuts Down Bullpen Due to More Oblique Discomfort
Zac Gallen

Named Arizona's Opening Day Starter
Kyle Teel

Could Miss 4-6 Weeks With Hamstring Strain
Hideki Matsuyama

Brings Strong Course History to TPC Sawgrass
Josh Hader

to Start the Year on the Injured List
Adam Scott

in Strong Form Ahead of The Players
Kyle Teel

Exits Tuesday's Game With Hamstring Injury
Rickie Fowler

on Quite the Run Heading to TPC Sawgrass
Sepp Straka

Needs to Forget What Happened Sunday at Bay Hill
Jordan Spieth

an Enigma Heading to The Players Championship
Justin Rose

Trying to Pick Up the Pieces in Florida
Maverick McNealy

Bounces Back at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Brooks Koepka

Continues His Florida Swing With Some Momentum
Nicolai Hojgaard

in Strong Form Ahead of The Players
Robert MacIntyre

a Volatile Option at The Players
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looks to Return to Top Form at The Players
Sam Burns

a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Players
Keegan Bradley

Hard to Trust at The Players
Xander Schauffele

Rounding into Form Heading to Players Championship
Rory McIlroy

Set to Return at Players Championship to Defend Title
Jake Knapp

Set to Return at Players Championship
Viktor Hovland

Continues Strong Start to 2026 Season
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking for Bounce-Back at Players Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Will Need to Find Putter to Compete at Players Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Continues Improving Heading to Players Championship
Merrill Kelly

Set to Make Spring Training Debut on Friday
Justin Thomas

Continues Competitive Return at The Players Championship
Max Holloway

Drops Decision At UFC 326
Charles Oliveira

Becomes The New BMF Champion
Caio Borralho

Bounces Back
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Rob Font

Gets Dominated
Raul Rosas Jr.

Extends His Win Streak
Michael Johnson

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Drew Dober

Knocks Out Michael Johnson
Ryan Blaney

Earns his Second Consecutive Phoenix Cup Series Win
Christopher Bell

Falls Short of Victory Despite Dominating at Phoenix
Kyle Larson

Earns Hard-Fought Finish of Third at Phoenix
Denny Hamlin

Quietly Gains Another Top-Five Finish at Phoenix
Joey Logano

Crashes out at Phoenix Despite Strong Run
RANKINGS
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1B
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3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

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QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF