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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on October 18, 2018. Leonard Francis' NBA DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
With the MLB postseason in full swing, the NFL season approaching its midway point, and more importantly, the NBA back in action, there is no better time of year to be a sports fan. (I've heard various arguments for other times of the year - they're all iniquitous and worthy of a boisterous Kawhi laugh.) Thing is, my Yankees lost to the stupid Red Sox and Eli Manning is worse than Uncle Rico... But, the New York Knickerbockers are undefeated! So, let's focus on the positives and talk some hoops.
Now normally, I'm an analytical guy. Not normally, I still am. But, the point I'm trying to make here is that I like to nerd out with stats and spreadsheets. There's not much information to be had on day three of the season, though, especially considering four of the teams on tonight's three-game slate have yet to play their season opener. Sure, I have years of data at my expense, but with coaching/personnel changes, rookies, injuries, and player improvement/regression, a lot of that data goes out the window early on. PS - I watch sports practically 24/7 (if my wife isn't watching one of those true crime shows or Insecure) so don't take those admissions as me being some accountant who has no feel for the game itself. Name the place, I'll give you buckets right now.
Anyway, what you'll find below are my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/18/18. As the season progresses, expect more nerdage. But, for now, talent and opportunity reign supreme. Also, I try to avoid chalky plays as much as possible. Where's the value in telling you that LeBron James is a good play? That said, my picks may vary from higher-priced options to lower-priced, value plays (and everything in between) and you can always head to the RotoBaller DFS page to check out more DFS advice and lineup picks or hit me up on Twitter @maxingyourodds. Enough with the pleasantries, though, let's win some money!
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Rajon Rondo - PG, @ POR ($5,800)
Rondo led the league in assist ratio last season. That statement in itself might not seem moving, but when I tell you that he finished at 44.5%, you should at the least be minimally impressed. On one hand, playing alongside LeBron James will probably be a detriment to his assist numbers. On the other, playing alongside LeBron James will likely lead to some easy layups (that he'll pass up in favor of dishing the ball to someone else). Nonetheless, Rondo was one of the better values last season -- finishing in the 30 DraftKings fantasy point range on the regular -- and I'll be taking full advantage with Lonzo Ball expected to come off the bench to begin the season in what should be a fast-paced, high-scoring affair (the implied Vegas point total, or over/under, of 222 is the highest of the night and LA finished the preseason second in PACE).
Evan Turner - SG/SF, vs POR ($4,200)
It sounds like Maurice Harkless is going to play, but even if he does, I'd imagine his minutes will be limited given that he's still dealing with the lingering effects of the arthroscopic knee procedure that he underwent at the end of last season. The importance of game one is microscopic when compared to his health in the grand scheme of things, and should he be out, or limited, the door will be open for Turner, Nik Stauskas, or Seth Curry to step in and fill the minutes. Not only is Turner the most likely candidate, but he's also the most capable of doing a little bit of everything to fill up the box score.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Dario Saric - SF/PF, vs CHI ($5,500)
Saric was one of my DraftKings lineup staples a season ago. Quietly, he ran off 40-straight double-digit scoring performances from the end of November to the beginning of March while putting up 13 double-doubles on the season. Sure, he didn't do much in Tuesday's season opener at Boston (six points, six rebounds, one assist) but the Sixers got drubbed - nobody outside of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons did much. If the home opener isn't enough motivation, the embarrassment of the 18-point loss on opening night should do the trick and Philly should look much better tonight with Saric putting up solid numbers in a favorable matchup.
Otto Porter Jr. - SF/PF, vs MIA ($5,600)
89 players attempted at least 300 threes a season ago. Otto Porter's 44.1% from deep led them all. Better than the Splash Brothers, better than J.J. Redick, Kyle Korver, Joe Ingles or whomever else you think can shoot the rock... He finished first. Now yes, Miami has almost always been known as a stalwart defensively, but injuries to Justise Winslow and James Johnson make them far less worrisome in that regard. They also get the pleasure of starting the season with a road back-to-back (this is the second half).
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jusuf Nurkic - C, vs LAL ($6,300)
Like Saric, Nurkic is one of those guys who you won't hear much about -- never will he be the SportsCenter lede -- but he balls. Consistently. One of the few true "bigs" left in the game, he averaged 14 points and nine rebounds a season ago and even adds a few assists, and steals for good measure. The only concern here is the Lakers opting to go small, with Lebron and Kyle Kuzma manning the four and five; extended run with that lineup would be death for Nurkic's minutes. However, as long as JaVale McGee or Ivica Zubac are out there, so too should Nurkic, and neither one of them can hold him.
