NBA - Halloween Starting 5
The NBA season is finally here! We have such an exciting season up ahead and plenty of opportunities to win some money! There are four key things I look for in a player to have the highest probability of being optimal!
Price
Opponent DvP
Minutes
Usage
These four statistics paired together are the best suitors to find a gem. Almost everyone I mention below hits on atleast 2 of these if not all of them! Hopefully this will help you be more successful while building lineups and give you a higher chance of winning the big bucks!
I would also like to note that I write these articles early in the day. It is always beneficial to check @Underdog__NBA for lineup changes. Those changes could have a direct effect on some of my "favorite plays" in the sense that if a cheap guy that was one of my favorites doesn't start, then they might no longer be a favorite play or even a play at all. Check out my Twitter @HeatingUpDFS or join the Discord for any updates on favorite play changes!
Socials
If you enjoy all of the content, there are multiple ways to show support! We have a Twitter and Discord Channel that you can join for up to the hour line up discussion and slate overviews! Click the links below to join/follow!
PG: Jalen Suggs ($4,800)
Suggs has started the season out strong with two 30+ DK point games (both in the last two games). What is the most promising is that he has scored those totals with 12% usage and 22% usage. He is stuffing the stat sheet in about 27 minutes/game. He is easy to fit in with PG/SG eligibility and is projected for around 26 DK points which puts him ta 5.5x value. On this small of a slate, he might be necessary as a value play to get some studs in because there isn’t much value to go around.
Other PGs in Play:
High: Jalen Brunson ($7,700)
Mid: Markelle Fultz ($5,600)
Cheap: Jordan Goodwin ($4,900)
SG: Norman Powell ($4,400)
I waivered on either putting Powell or Donovan Mitchell here because I think both in their situations IF THEY PLAY are great values. I chose Powell because similar to Suggs we need value on this slate and given the Clippers just traded their entire bench last night he might have to get around 30 minutes tonight. Even with the starters and lower usage, I think at this price he should be able to get there. He has 25 and 28 DK points in the last two games. Just keep an eye on if he plays because if he is out then by default Bones Hyland or Amir Coffey at the flat minimum would become the play.
Other SGs in Play:
High: Donovan Mitchell ($9,700)
Mid: Immanuel Quickley ($5,300)
Cheap: Bones Hyland ($4,300)
SF: Grayson Allen ($4,600)
This is a more volatile play because we really don’t know who is going to produce on this Suns team outside of Nurk and Durant. However, Allen is getting big minutes with Beal and Booker out so no reason to believe that changes. He finally got the shots up last game and was able to have close to a ceiling game with 30 DK points. Against this Spurs team that doesn’t allow much in the paint, I think they let Allen shoot his shot from deep which is what he likes to do. It all comes down to whether or not his shot is falling. If it is then he can probably be the best value play on the slate.
Other SFs in Play:
High: Paul George ($8,600)
Mid: Franz Wagner ($6,800) or Caris LeVert ($6,100)
Cheap: Donte DiVincenzo ($3,600) or Josh Hart ($4,100)
PF: Kevin Durant ($10,500)
Small slates become getting raw points and Durant is certainly going to get you that. No Beal and Booker once again so no reason he can’t get up 25+ shots and get what you need. In the one competitive game without them he scored 57 DK points. I think he can easily do that tonight against a young Spurs team that all you need to do is getting Wembanyama into foul trouble to unlock the paint. The usage and volume is just too high without those two guys in the rotation.
Other PFs in Play:
High: Kawhi Leonard ($8,500) or Julius Randle ($8,000)
Mid: Victor Wembanyama ($7,900) or RJ Barrett ($6,200)
Cheap: Cedi Osman ($3,700) or Isaac Okoro ($4,500)
C: Mitchell Robinson ($5,100)
When Robinson stays out of foul trouble he is in a great spot to get a double double and always is good for a few blocks a game. The price is far too cheap for his upside given the 32 and 40 DK points in the last 2 games. The matchup might be a bit tough, but his last three games against the Cavs have been 48, 32 and 28 DK point performances. He might not get he highest usage, but the rebound rate he has is immense and without Jarrett Allen this Cavs team isn’t that big. I think he is in for another big game and probably won’t be the highest owned (I don’t think but I might be wrong).
Other Cs in Play:
High: Evan Mobley ($8,100)
Mid: Zach Collins ($6,300)
Cheap: Drew Eubanks ($3,700)
