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Happy Thursday, RotoBallers! With the season finally underway, we are starting to see some rotations shake out. But, on the other hand, some coaches are playing an absurd amount of players from their squads. For example, on Tuesday, Jason Kidd used all 15 of his players to win over Houston. Then, last night, Wes Unseld Jr. used 13 of his 15 Wizards in a road victory against Boston. Many things still need to be figured out for specific teams but don't become frustrated if the playing time doesn't go the way you anticipate.
The schedule serves up six games to build our DFS lineup on Thursday. Right now, the Grizzlies-Warriors game has the highest over/under at 233 points. This will be a high-priority game to target, and there are a lot of attractive pieces. However, outside of the high-priced studs like Ja Morant and Stephen Curry, you'll also find both teams giving up tons of points to the small forward position. Meanwhile, we are still waiting on the Vegas lines for the Pistons-76ers and Spurs-Mavericks contests, but both games have injuries to monitor (Joel Embiid, Kristaps Porzingis, Doug McDermott) and should be checked heading into tip-off.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/28/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel 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
Ja Morant - PG, MEM at GSW ($9,600)
Last year, many people pegged Ja Morant as their breakout player. But, unfortunately, an early-season injury cost him time, and he lost momentum in the national spotlight. Now, it looks like he is taking a moon-sized leap from up-and-coming to All-Star with his recent performances. The 22-year old has been stuffing the box score through the first few games and is becoming a fantasy monster. Through four games, Morant averages 28 points, 8.5 assists, five rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game for 52.4 fantasy points per game. Golden State's defense will be a challenge as they allow the third-fewest FPPG to point guards, but Ja is playing at the peak of his powers right now, and I'm not going to be the one fading him.
Lonnie Walker IV - SG/SF, SAS at DAL ($4,700)
Doug McDermott (knee) is likely out for tonight's contest, and it will open a spot in the Spurs starting five. While everyone is falling head over heels for Devin Vassell ($4,200), I believe Greg Popovich will roll with his veteran compared to the sophomore... for now. In McBucket's absence, Lonnie Walker will step in and provide plenty of salary relief on this six-game schedule. On Tuesday, the wing recorded 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting with six assists, two rebounds, and five three-pointers. I'm high on Walker tonight because he is taking a lot of high-ceiling shots from behind the three-point line. The fourth-year guard has attempted at least seven three-pointers in three of his four games. Of course, if you desperately need the extra $500, I don't mind pivoting to Vassell, but I prefer Walker for tonight if you can afford it.
Others to consider: Stephen Curry ($10,900), Spencer Dinwiddie ($7,200), Alex Caruso ($4,300)
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DraftKings Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
DeMar DeRozan - SF, CHI vs. NYK ($7,600)
The NBA media's collective eyebrows rose when the Bulls signed DeMar DeRozan to a three-year, $85 million contract in the summer. However, after a few games in the Windy City, it's looking like a wise move as the Bulls have come flying out of the gates to a perfect 4-0 start. In 34.5 minutes per game, DeRozan averages 22.5 points, 5.8 boards, 4.5 dimes, and 1.3 stocks (steals+blocks). That's good enough for 38.6 FPPG despite still refusing to take more three-point shots (averaging two per game).
Tonight, he'll face a middle-of-the-pack Knicks defense. While they defend some positions well, their weakest link is the forward position. Plus, Zach LaVine has a torn ligament in his non-shooting thumb but will attempt to play through it. That's courageous and all, but if he rests tonight, DeRozan's usage will shoot up tremendously. So keep an eye on the injury report, and be prepared for some chalk if LaVine sits.
Desmond Bane - SF, MEM at GSW ($4,900)
Some of the Golden State assets (see Andrew Wiggins below) are pricier than the Memphis pieces. I want to obtain as many parts of this game as I can, and that's how I find myself recommending Desmond Bane. That's unfair. His price isn't the only reason I'm recommending the second-year player. Arguably, he's been the second-best player for the Grizzlies after Morant this year, and his stats back it up.
The sophomore forward averages 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 stocks, and three triples per contest and sees 28.4 minutes of action. Bane has two games with 10 times his value, eight times in another, and he still hit six times his value despite his price hike. There may not be a better bang for your buck forward on the board tonight (outside of unforeseen injuries), and in a high-scoring contest, Bane should be in your prospective player pool among the six games.
Others to consider: Luka Doncic ($11,000), Andrew Wiggins ($6,100), Joe Ingles ($4,900)
DraftKings Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Christian Wood - PF/C, HOU vs. UTA ($8,400)
On Tuesday, I recommended Alperen Sengun in a theoretical blowout against the Dallas Mavericks and told y'all to be wary of Christian Wood. I was wrong and totally jumped the gun on the Rocket's youth movement. That won't be coming until after the trade deadline, so Wood and other veterans will remain part of the game plan for now. When healthy, Wood has shown us how dominant he can be for fantasy basketball purposes.
This season, the 26-year old is up to 20.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, two assists, a block, and 2.5 three-pointers per contest. He has yet to have a game below 16 points or nine rebounds, and he's made multiple three-pointers in all four games. He's sandwiched between Nikola Vucevic ($8,600) and his opponent for this evening, Rudy Gobert ($8,300) in price, and I can see Wood coming in as a lower-than-expected roster rate despite the small, six-game schedule.
Maxi Kleber - PF/C, DAL vs. SAS ($3,200)
Maxi Kleber should only be considered an option if Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is rested on Thursday night. Still, the German has shown fantasy flashes in the past, and is more than capable of returning six or seven times his $3,200 salary if he gets the starting nod against the Spurs. Last year, Kleber started 40 of his 50 games, and in those starts he averaged 28.1 minutes per game and gave us a modest 7.2 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 40.9 percent from three and a 59.3 true-shooting percentage. Look, Kleber isn't getting you across the green line tonight, but he's $3,200 and the ultimate salary relief play. So if the Porzingod is out, I think he's worth a shot.
Others to consider: Joel Embiid ($9,800), Jakob Poeltl ($7,100), Kelly Olynyk ($5,800)
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