RADIO
We made it to the weekend, RotoBallers! We're treated to a sizeable eight-game slate tonight and while none of the games truly stand out as "must-target" spots, we have three matchups that currently hold implied totals of at least 226.5 points - HOU/MIL, DET/IND, and OKC/DEN. Ten of the 16 teams in action tonight are playing the second half of back-to-back sets, so keep an eye out for injury/rest news as the day progresses.
It's still extremely 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 10/22/22. 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. MEM (FD: $10,800, DK: $10,700)
There are three studs that I'd highly recommend mixing and matching into lineups however possible tonight: Doncic, Jokic, and Antetokounmpo. You won't be able to fit all three, but it should be possible to get to two of them by hitting on the right value plays. Doncic is the cheapest of the trio and possesses the same 70+ DK point ceiling, which piques my interest immediately. The next reason I will prioritize the future MVP is his matchup against the Grizzlies. Jokic (vs. OKC) and Giannis (vs. HOU) are both at risk of having their minutes cut short in potential blowouts against tanking teams, while Doncic and the Mavericks should have a more competitive contest (DAL -5.5).
The Grizzlies ranked 6th in defensive rating last season but are currently ranked 19th in the same metric this year. Either way, they don't have the horses to slow a player like Doncic down. He shot 10-for-23 (2-for-10 3PT) and still scored 56.25 DK points against a tough Suns defense on Wednesday - he'll clear 60 DK points tonight if he can improve his efficiency from the field.
Tyrese Haliburton, vs DET (FD: $8,200, DK: $8,000)
"Hali" is still underpriced as neither site has adjusted to his newfound role as the central piece of the offense on the Pacers. He's rocking a 27.2% usage rate through two games, which is a major step up from the 18.4% usage rate he suffered last season on the Kings. The early results have been outstanding as the young guard put up 41.5 DK points against the Wizards on Wednesday and 50.75 DK points against the Spurs yesterday. He gets another favorable matchup tonight against the hapless Pistons. They currently hold the sixth-worst defensive rating and allow the seventh-most DK points per game to opposing point guards, and my "K-Grade" model ranks the Pacers third on tonight's slate. Haliburton will probably start being priced in the $9,000 range very soon, so take advantage while you can.
Jalen Green, vs MIL (FD: $6,200, DK: $6,200)
Getting to the other side of the Bucks-Rockets game feels like a wise move as the matchup comes with a slate-high 231.5-point implied total and ranks as the top contest to target for daily fantasy purposes in my "K-Grade" model. The Bucks are excellent defensively, but that doesn't mean a player or two can't come through as a value for us. This is especially true for a volume shooter like Green, who will get his shots up regardless of the opponent. He's shooting 20-for-41 (5-for-12 3PT) through two games, scoring 29.75 and 45.25 DK points to begin the season. Importantly, he leads the team with a 27.2% usage rate as well. He's a sneaky mid-range guard who people might be shying away from due to the matchup, so I like taking chances on him getting hot from the field and hitting another 40-burger tonight.
Also consider: Marcus Smart (DK: $5,500), Cade Cunningham (DK: $7,800), Bruce Brown (FD: $3,900), Caleb Martin (FD: $4,000), Kyle Lowry (FD: $5,200, DK: $5,400), Jrue Holiday (FD: $7,600), Josh Giddey (FD: $6,800)
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
Jayson Tatum, vs. ORL (DK: $9,700)
I don't have much interest in his $10,600 FD salary, but Tatum is an interesting piece at his salary over on DraftKings. He's going to be overlooked with the previously-mentioned trio of studs on this slate, and if we can get a ceiling game out of Tatum at low rostership, we're sitting pretty in GPPs. The ceiling game is firmly in play here as the Celtics will take on the Magic on the road. Boston ranks fourth in my "K-Grade" model and it makes sense - the Magic aren't good and the Celtics have a solid 113.25-point implied total. Neither team plays with a lot of pace, but the Celtics are playing in the second-half of a back-to-back and I think this game stays close enough for the C's star player to post a huge total. He scored 61 DK points on opening night and 47.25 DK points as a follow-up against a tough Miami squad.
Saddiq Bey, vs. IND (FD: $5,100, DK: $5,500)
It's going to be very rare for us to have a chance to confidently target any Pistons this year, and I don't enjoy doing so. However, they're in a favorable spot for daily fantasy production tonight against the Pacers, and Bey is priced at a very affordable salary on both sites. The Pacers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing teams this season and hold the fifth-worst defensive rating, while both squads have played at a top-12 pace through two games. Bey went for 39.75 DK points on Saturday, shooting 9-for-15 and recording 26 points, seven rebounds, one block, and one steal over 33 minutes. He's going to get those minutes every night and he's a 1.00 FPTS/min player, so we can utilize him as a mid-range value at a tough small forward position tonight.
Alperen Sengun, vs. MIL (FD: $5,000, DK: $5,400)
I've always been intrigued by Sengun as he's a player who has shown extreme efficiency from a FPTS/min standpoint (1.11 FPTS/min last season) while rarely seeing enough minutes to make him viable in DFS lineups. When the big man gets minutes, he almost always smashes value at his salary. He received 27 minutes last game and made the most of them against the Grizzlies, scoring 47 DK points off of 23 real-life points, 12 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and a steal. There's always going to be a degree of risk with him, though, as he plays on a tanking Rockets team that seems to randomly switch up starting lineups and rotation minutes. However, his upside is undeniable and at this salary, we have to take our chances. The Bucks don't roll out much size in their frontcourt as Brooke Lopez and Bobby Portis aren't slowing Sengun down. We just need the minutes.
Also consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo (FD: $11,500, DK: $11,000), Evan Mobley (FD: $6,900, DK: $6,200), Cedi Osman (DK: $4,000), Norman Powell (DK: $4,800), Michael Porter Jr. (FD: $5,500, DK: $5,800), Franz Wagner (FD: $5,700), Terance Mann (FD: $3,800), Bobby Portis (FD: $5,600, DK: $5,200)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Nikola Jokic, vs. OKC (FD: $11,100, DK: $10,800)
Here's your free square for the day. It'd be smart to get exposure to the Giannis/Doncic combo in some lineups, but pairing Jokic and Doncic together gives you a hell of a lineup core to begin with. He's too cheap for his median production and potential ceiling, and his outlook should be boosted with the extremely favorable matchup he's faced with tonight. The Thunder have only played one game, but they are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, and just look at the guys they'll be throwing out there to try and slow down the reigning MVP. Pokusevski, Robinson-Earl, and Bazley? Is this a joke? Jokic will remain the centerpiece of the offense and his 27/8/8/2 averages should translate to a monster showing tonight.
Also consider: Bam Adebayo (FD: $7,900, DK: $7,100), Domantas Sabonis (FD: $8,000, DK: $8,800)
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
