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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on October 20, 2021. Alex Burns provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
It was absolutely fantastic to see the NBA return Tuesday but let's be real, the two-game slate was such a tease. Thankfully, we're in for a treat on Wednesday with 11 games on tap. Because more than half of the teams in the league will be in action, building out a winning lineup is going to take some unique strategy. Let's take a closer look at the slate to see if anything stands out.
At first glance, only three matchups (PHI @ NOP, HOU @ MIN, SAC @ POR) have an O/U of at least 225, with the Kings/Blazers being the only game with an O/U greater than 230. This is significant, as the higher scoring games typically lead to more fantasy points. Who would have thought! These will be the games to attack for DFS purposes. On the flip side, the Magic/Spurs matchup has the lowest O/U on the slate at 212.5. This isn't to say that certain guys can't be played with confidence, but it's smart to limit exposure in what's likely to be a slow-paced, low-scoring affair. Savvy fantasy managers will pay close attention to projected point totals when constructing lineups. With that said, let's dive right into my favorite DraftKings plays for Wednesday night!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/20/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
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DraftKings Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
De'Aaron Fox - PG, SAC @ POR ($9,300)
As previously mentioned, this game has the highest O/U on the slate and Fox should have plenty of chances to produce. He averaged 24/6/5 in three games against Portland last season and finished with 44 DraftKings points per game. Priced at $9,300, I certainly don't mind spending up a bit to build my team around Fox.
Tyrese Maxey - PG, PHI @ NOP ($4,000)
I don't know if you've heard, but Ben Simmons apparently doesn't want to play for the Sixers anymore. Even if he had a change of heart, he's suspended for the season-opener, leaving Maxey as the likely starter at point guard. Given the circumstances, it's legitimately mind-boggling to see Maxey priced at $4,000. Check out his numbers in eight starts last season: 31.5 minutes, 18.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Yes, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris were absent for some of those games, but it's clear Maxey produces when given a larger role. He should easily cruise to 7X value, which is essentially a free space considering his low price. Do the right thing here!
Fred VanVleet - PG/SG, TOR vs. WAS ($7,500)
I love FVV this season and I'm confident this is surely going to be his lowest price of the year. At first glance, $7,500 doesn't seem too cheap, but then you realize he's priced below guys like Kevin Porter Jr. and Darius Garland. Simply put, VanVleet is in a prime spot to post the best numbers of his career with Kyle Lowry now in Miami. Add in the fact that Pascal Siakam will miss the first few games to begin the year, he should feast early on. Taking a closer look at the matchup, I do believe this game has sneaky shootout potential. The Wizards have been among one of the worst defenses over the past several seasons and VanVleet should receive all the minutes he can handle. Take advantage of the value while you can!
Others to consider: Dennis Schroder - PG ($5,900), Kevin Porter Jr. - PG ($7,800), Derrick White - PG/SG ($6,100)
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DraftKings Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jayson Tatum - PF, BOS @ NYK ($9,400)
Tatum has recently declared his goal of becoming a top 5 player in the NBA. Will this be the year he accomplishes that feat? I'm convinced it is. He gets the Knicks to begin his fourth season and while they are usually a tough defensive team, Tatum should see sky-high usage with Kemba Walker no longer in the picture. It's also worth noting that Jaylen Brown has recently been activated from the Covid list, meaning he could still use a few games to get into playing shape. Look out for Tatum to build upon the 47 FanDuel points per game he put up last season.
Michael Porter Jr. - SF, DEN @ PHO ($6,400)
When I first noticed MPJ was priced at $6,400 I didn't think it was real. I mean for all that is good and holy, Rockets' forward Kenyon Martin Jr. is priced at $6,800 and there is no guarantee he will see 15 minutes of playing time. Did we forget just how good Porter was without Jamal Murray in the lineup last season? He averaged just under 23 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 3.4 threes in 23 games without Murray last season. Things will be the same this season as Murray still remains without a timetable for a return, leaving MPJ as the de facto number two option behind Nikola Jokic. The matchup against the Suns should be a fast-paced one and Porter should easily surpass 30 minutes in this one. He should be a no-brainer when building out your lineup.
Jaren Jackson Jr. - PF/C, MEM vs. CLE ($5,900)
Fresh off a $105 million extension, all eyes will be on Jackson's health, as he's been limited to just 68 games over the past two seasons. His talent is unquestioned, however, as he's averaged 1.5 blocks per game and shot just under 40% from three throughout his career. After an impressive preseason, he appears set to receive a full allotment of minutes and he gets a boost with defensive-minded Steven Adams manning the paint as opposed to Jonas Valencuinas. The Cavaliers do have length inside the paint in Jarrett Allen and rookie Evan Mobley, but it will be interesting to see if they can hang with JJJ beyond the arc. This will likely be the last time he's priced below $6,000 this season, so take advantage and get him into your lineups.
Others to consider: OG Anunoby - SF ($6,100), Domantis Sabonis - PF/C ($9,800), Brandon Ingram - SF ($7,700)
DraftKings Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Robert Williams - C, BOS @ NYK ($5,100)
Did you know there were only two Celtics' players to average greater than 1.2 DraftKings points per minute last season? Their names are Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams. Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis are now on different teams, meaning Williams should exceed last year's 18.9 minutes per game with ease. Time Lord does get a tough matchup against Mitchell Robinson, but his $5,100 price tag is just too low to pass up here. Not to mention Al Horford will miss Wednesday's game, setting Williams up for a massive role. His upside, opportunity, and price are everything you look for when building your lineup.
Karl-Anthony Towns - C, MIN vs. HOU ($9,700)
KAT had a disappointing season last year, but it was fully understanding considering some of the stuff he went through. By all accounts, the big man is back and better than ever, ready to be the face of the Timberwolves once again this season. The matchup against the Rockets is a mouth-watering one, as Houston surrendered the 5th-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers last season. The O/U of 228.5 is the second-highest on the slate, putting KAT in a perfect position to start off the new season in dominant fashion. He's certainly worth spending up for in this matchup.
Others to consider: Enes Kanter - C ($3,400), Rudy Gobert - C ($8,200), Mo Bamba - C ($5,700), Isaiah Stewart - C ($6,100)
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