NBA DFS Advice for October 25, 2021

We are back to the massive slates for tonight, as we have nine games to talk about. There is a lot of opportunity to find value on this slate, as we have a few injuries and some high priority matchups. As is typically the case with a slate of this size, we have a lot of high value plays that are going to be difficult to choose between. The high end plays specifically are fantastic on this slate, and we have more stars that we want to play then salary tonight. We are looking to a stars and scrubs lineup here, as some of the studs on this slate have unbelievable upside. Our core lineup for the night has two of the stars we want to include no matter what, as well as some of the value options that look fantastic here. In our premium content we go over more of the stars we are looking at in detail, as well as a few directions to take your lineup. 

Here’s a balanced core For DFS Basketball 10/25/21 (using DraftKings Values)

We are yet to see the ceiling game from James Harden after three games, however his underwhelming start has left him way too cheap. Harden is only $9,500 here, while the other superstar plays we are looking at are all over $10,000. Harden about as good a fantasy producer as anyone in the league, so there is a lot of value when he is not in the highest price tier. We had a large sample of games where Harden played without Kyrie Irving last year, and he was dominant for DFS. Harden typically takes a ton of scoring and ball handling responsibilities when Irving is off the floor, and we are waiting for a game this season when his threes are really falling. The Nets play the Wizards tonight, who are a terrible defensive squad. This feels like it can be the night we see a big game out of Harden, which would likely make him a must play at this price. The Nets are coming off a back to back here, but if Harden plays we are happy rostering him. Keep an eye out on the news here, as there is a chance we get some guys resting from Brookyln tonight.

Precious Achiuwa has consistently been one of the best value plays over the first week of NBA basketball. He has been priced under $4,000 for the most part, while playing a huge role starting for the Raptors. Achiuwa has been priced up to $4,500 for tonight; s slate, but we are still happy rostering him given how productive he has been. Achiuwa is averaging 29.8 FPTS on the season, and he went over 30 in his past two games. Achiuwa has started all three games for Toronto, and his minutes have been trending upwards. We saw him play 33 minutes last time out, and he is way too cheap if he is going to see that kind of floor time.

There is more value at the top of this slate then the bottom, but we do have some cheaper guys with a ton of upside. One guy who we really like for this one is Devonte Graham, who is playing a much bigger role this year with the Pelicans. Graham is only $5,400 tonight, and he is averaging over 30 FPTS early in the season. The role that Graham has been playing is what really interested us here, as he is averaging over 31 minutes a night. He shot 14 and 12 field goal attempts in his last two games, and he has tremendous upside if he has a good shooting night. Graham is a productive DFS producer, and we expect his price to be closer to $6,000 as the season progresses.

Malcom Brogdon has been dominant to start out the season. Brogdon is averaging a whopping 51.5 FPTS across his first three games, as he is talking about 20 shots a night for the Pacers. Brogdon is only $7,900 here, so we are getting some phenomenal upside for cheap. Brogdon has been doing everything for Indiana’s offence, and he has been playing a ton of minutes. We really like continuing to play Brogdon if he is stays hot, and he really should not be sub $8,000 regardless. Brogdon is cheap enough two fit alongside two superstars, which is the direction we are looking to take tonight.

Here’s a balanced core For DFS Basketball 10/25/21 (using FanDuel Values)

Point Guard

Fred VanVleet – PG ($7,600 DK) We covered three point guards that are all huge priorities for us in our core plays, however FVV is someone we really like to use for tournaments tonight. He is also SG eligible, so you can play him alongside our core guys. VanVleet has some fantastic upside, that he has not fully shown yet this season. Regardless, we have consistently seen VanVleet play nearly 40 minutes with high usage. There is going to be some nights when he explodes scoring wise, and at this price that will give some great upside. VanVleet averaged 40 FPTS last season, and we still expect him to be more productive this year without having to share the ball with Kyle Lowry.

Shooting Guard 

Tyler Herro – ($6,400 DK) The price tag on Herro has risen quickly this season, and this is a bit more expensive than we would like to roster him. However, we cannot ignore the massive usage he has had for the Heat so far this season. Herro has been taking more shots than anyone else on Miami, and he has scored over 40 FPTS in both outings this season. Herro has fantastic upside here, as we expect Miami to continue allowing him to let it fly. Lowry is questionable for the Heat tonight, and we like Herro a lot more if he ends up out.

Small Forward 

Khris Middleton – (7,200 DK) Middleton looks fantastic tonight in a dream matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Jrue Holiday is currently doubtful for this one, his absence would mean a lot of extra shots going around for the Bucks’ Middleton is cheap here, and everything is lining up for him to have a great game. The Pacers have become one of the best matchups to target in DFS, as they play very fast with a weak defense. Plus, he should get a ton of shots up as the only real perimeter threat without Holiday. Middleton is always a risky play, but here the upside far outweighs the risk.

Michael Porter Jr.  – (6,000 Dk) There were a lot of eyes on MPJ coming into this season, and we are yet to see a big game out of him. However, we are still expecting a fantastic season from Porter Jr., and he is way too cheap here. This is one of those situations where a guy’s price tag is rarely ever going to get this low. MPJ has fantastic upside if he has a big scoring night, and this price just makes him very easy to fit into any lineup.

Power Forward 

Giannis Antetokounmpo – (10,400 DK) Antetokounmpo is usually someone we look at whenever he is on a slate. However, for today the circumstances around Antetokounmpo make him look absolutely fantastic. As we mentioned earlier the Bucks have an amazing matchup against the Pacers tonight, who should really struggle trying to stop the Freak. Antetokounmpo should be in for a big offensive game if Holiday sits, and we know his median production is some of the best in the league. 

Center

Myles Turner – (5,500 DK) This is the cheapest price tag of the season that we have seen for turner so far this season. Turner is a risky play, as we know he can get in foul trouble and give us a very low floor. However, the ceiling is also there for Turner. In his last two games, he scored 64 and 11.5 FPTS respectively, a ridiculous variance. We do like trying to fit Turner in for tournaments tonight, as he does have some fantastic upside if he can avoid foul trouble. 

General strategy 

The key for tonight’s slate is going to be determining which stars you want to go with. As of now, we really like getting to Harden, Antetokounmpo and Brogdon for Cash games. For tournaments going to studs like Middleton, Herro, and Damian Lillard also makes some sense. However, we will still be playing the guys we mentioned for Cash games in tournaments. One thing that we need to talk about is all the questionable tags for this slate, as there is a lot of news we are waiting on. Bradley Beal is questionable, and we like going to Kyle Kuzma and Spencer Dinwiddie if he ends up out. Nikola Vucevic is questionable for the bulls, if he ends up out then there is a great opportunity for the other Bulls stars. The last guy we must talk about is Jerami Grant, who is questionable as well. If Grant ends up out here, then we don’t mind spending up to play Saddiq Bey. We could also see a great opportunity for Kelly Olynyk.

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