NBA DFS Advice for October 24, 2021

We only have five games tonight, and there are less unbelievable plays then we have had on the first few slates. At this point, players are starting to be priced more appropriately and we aren’t getting quite as many ridiculous price tags. With that said, we still have a few guys we love for tonight, and some guys who are way too cheap. This slate is a little bit easier to navigate then some of the previous ones this season, as we are not forced to choose between countless fantastic plays. This is looking like a stars and scrubs slate for us, as the midrange plays are ugly tonight. We also have do have some great budget guys here, and some nice stars to go after. Our core lineup includes some of the value plays we are building around, as well as a few studs that we really like. In our premium content we will talk about some of our favorite options by position, as well as some strategy for approaching the slate.

Here’s a balanced core For DFS Basketball 10/24/21 (using DraftKings Values)

We do not have quite as many stars that we really want to get to tonight as we have had in some other slates this season. However, that makes things a little easier for us when we decide who we really like. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been pretty disappointing in the first two games of the season, which means he is one of the last studs to be sitting a crazy low price tag. Gilgeous-Alexander is still only $6,800 for tonight, which is way too cheap for the player he is. SGA averaged over 40 FPTS per game last year, and we expect to be getting better at his age. The Thunder have been in two blowout losses so far, so there is a ton of upside here if they can keep this one close. 

The Orlando Magic are all about developing young talent right now which means we expect rookie Jalen Suggs continues to get a lot of run. Suggs has had two nice opportunities so far, as he has played 30 or more minutes in both of his games. Suggs was fantastic last game, with his all around stat line leading him to 37.75 FPTS. Suggs has been letting it fly for his first two games, shooting 14 and 17 field goals in respectively. We expect the usage to continue for Suggs, meaning he is going to have some massive nights when he gets hot. Suggs is priced at $5,200 here, which is cheap for the amount of shot attempts he is getting up. 

A few of the rookies from the Memphis grizzlies appear to be taking a massive leap this season, especially with the absence of wing Dillon Brooks. Desmond Bane has been fantastic through two games of NBA action, and he has taken a much bigger role so far then what we saw in his rookie campaign last year. Bane has played at least 30 minutes in both games, shooting 15 and 16 shot attempts respectively He has scored 33 or more FPTS both times out so far, and he still has upside for even more with the role he has been playing. Bane is still only $4,200 here, and we expect that price to rise quite quickly. Bane is one of our priorities for value here, as we are getting a ton of upside on very little risk. 

We are yet to see the crazy night from Joel Embiid so far this season, as he has scored 41.5 and 46.5 FPTS in his first two contests. We know Embiid usually averages closer to 50 FPTS per game, and he is going to have some monster nights. The Oklahoma City Thunder have no hope of defending Embiid inside, and he should be able to absolutely feast inside. Embiid’s backup Andre Drummond is also out tonight, which can only be good for Embiids minutes. Embiid is probable for this one, so we are happy with him if he is in. If he does end up out, we really like getting to Tobias Harris, and anyone else in the Sixers main rotation. 

Here’s a balanced core For DFS Basketball 10/24/21 (using FanDuel Values)

Point Guard

De’Aaron Fox – PG ($8,300 DK) Last season Fox was usually priced around $9,000, so he is too cheap tonight. On the other hand, a lot of the other stars that we have on this slate feel a little bit too expensive. For that reason, we really like the value from Fox, and he is going to be a guy we use in Cash games. The Kings play the Golden State Warriors tonight who we know are a great fast-paced matchup. Fox typically does well in these situations, so we are getting the upside for a big night. 

Shooting Guard 

De’Anthony Melton – ($4,200 DK) Essentially everything that we said about Bane also applies with Melton. He has been starting at the two in place of Brooks and absolutely crushing in the opportunity. We have seen Melton play a similar role to Bane, playing over 30 minutes both games and getting up about 15 shot attempts. Melton scored 31.5 FPTS in the first game and 35.75 FPTS in Grizzlies second game, so it is hard not to love him at this price. Melton has had the ball in his hands a lot so far and has been flashing great upside. Melton is going to be priced up significantly very soon, so we are looking to roster him as much as possible until that happens.

Small Forward 

Jayson Tatum – (8,800 DK) Tatum is coming off of a tough night against the Raptors, as the Celtics were locked down in a blowout loss. Tatum also struggled with efficiency on 30 shot attempts in the Celtics first game against the Knicks. We are getting him at a great price tonight, and there is so much upside if he can put together a better shooting night. Boston play the Rockets tonight, who have an awful defense and play at a fast paced offence. Tatum should be able to put together a nice stat line in this spot easily. Jaylen Brown is currently questionable; Tatum is going to be our favorite spend up option if he ends up out.

Harrison Barnes – (7,300 Dk) Barnes has been one of the first options for the Kings to open the season. He has absolutely crushed in both of his first games. He scored 58.25 and 49.75 FPTS in the first two outings, taking major roles in both games. He played high 30’s in minutes getting up about 20 shot attempts both games. Barnes is too cheap if he is going to keep this role up, and we are happy riding the gravy train here. 

Power Forward 

Anthony Davis – (9,400 DK) The Lakers stars are a little bit less appealing this year now that it is a three star team. However, we are looking at them tonight with a little less options. Furthermore, the Lakers studs are cheap here, so we don’t mind getting to any of them. Davis has been great in the first two games, scoring 57.75 and 50.5 FPTS in his first two games. Davis has been playing fantastic minutes, and we are happy rostering him at this price if that keeps up.

Center

Richaun Holmes – (5,900 DK) Holmes has been an absolute monster in his time on the floor so far this season. In the Kings first game, he scored 45.25 FPTS in 29 minutes. He fouled out after 18 minutes last game, however he still managed to score 29 FPTS. If Holmes can stay out of foul trouble here, he should be good for around 30 minutes. In a fantastic matchup with the Warriors, Holmes has a ton of upside if that’s the case. 

General strategy 

Regardless of if it is Cash or GPP tonight we are looking to go with a stars and scrubs style roster. We really like building around Gilgeous-Alexander and our two value priorities from Memphis for Cash games here. For tournaments we are happy trying to get exposure to different stars, but generally we are looking to squeeze in as many stars as possible tonight. The two big questionable tags that could come into play for this one are Embiid and Jaylen Brown. Embiid’s absence would open up some crazy opportunity for the Sixers, as they are already pretty thin without Ben Simmons. With Drummond also set to miss tomorrow the Sixers would have none of there go to big men, so there would be a lot of rebounds going around. If Brown ends up out tonight, we love the Celtics in this Houston matchup. Tatum will be our number one play and we’ll be looking at all the main options on Boston after that. Good luck with this one and make sure to keep an eye on the news coming out. 

Go win your lineup and tell us how you did. Twitter (@FantasyDFSX) is a good place for that.