This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
IND vs. CHA (-2), O/U: 223.5
CHI (-5) vs. DET, O/U: 219.5
BOS vs. NYK (-2), O/U: 218
WAS vs. TOR (-2.5), O/U: 218.5
CLE vs. MEM (-7.5), O/U: 216.5
PHI (-3.5) vs. NOP, O/U: 226.5
HOU vs. MIN (-5.5), O/U: 227.5
ORL vs. SAS (-6), O/U: 212
OKC vs. UTA (-12), O/U: 220.5
DEN vs. PHO (-6), O/U: 223.5
SAC vs. POR (-5), O/U: 232.5
Injuries to Monitor
Coby White (shoulder): OUT
White is expected to be sidelined until mid-November, but the Bulls are well equipped to handle his absence with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso set to split point-guard duties, while Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan can also step in to facilitate when needed.
Cade Cunningham (ankle): OUT
Unfortunately, we will have to wait another few days to see the first-overall pick in action. In the meantime, guys like Cory Joseph, Saben Lee and Josh Jackson could see some extra minutes, while Killian Hayes will start at the point.
Caris LeVert (back): OUT, Jeremy Lamb (wrist) and Justin Holiday (ankle): Questionable
LeVert will be out for at least a week, which would leave Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday in line to pick up the slack. However, if Lamb and Holiday are also sidelined, look for some extra value with guys like Torrey Craig and rookie Chris Duarte.
Jaylen Brown (COVID protocols): Questionable
If Brown ends up sidelined, the Celtics will likely look to the veteran Josh Richardson to fill in, but the extra minutes will also trickle down to Marcus Smart, who is versatile and effective on both ends of the floor.
Rui Hachimura (COVID protocols) and Thomas Bryant (knee): OUT
Hachimura is potentially a couple weeks away from a return, as he looks to catch up on his conditioning after missing the entire preseason, while Bryant will remain out until December. With the Wizards missing front-court depth, Davis Bertans and Montrezl Harrell will be seeing extended minutes.
Pascal Siakam (shoulder): OUT, Chris Boucher (finger): Questionable
Siakam is still a few weeks away from a return, which leaves plenty of room for fourth-overall pick, Scottie Barnes to spread his wings. If Boucher is able to go, he will also see extra minutes, but if not, then Precious Achiuwa should pick up a significant boost in playing time.
Ben Simmons (personal) and Shake Milton (ankle): OUT
The Ben Simmons saga took a turn for the worst, as he has been suspended for one game by the team, while Shake Milton is expected to be out for at least a week, leaving the point-guard duties to Tyrese Maxey, while Seth Curry could end up sliding over to back up, leaving more room for Furkan Korkmaz to run at shooting guard.
Zion Williamson (foot): OUT
There is no immediate timetable for Williamson's return, which means Naji Marshall will be a go-to value option early on.
Dillon Brooks (hand, thigh): OUT
Brooks will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks, which leaves a chunk of extra minutes for Desmond Bane and De'Anthony Melton.
Jamal Murray (knee)
Murray remains out with no timetable for his return, meaning Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo will both see extra minutes, while Austin Rivers could also end up taking on more of a role.
Elite Players
Guard:
Damian Lillard ($10,100)
Lillard is the highest priced guard on the board, but he is well worth the price, especially when going up against an opponent like the Kings, where a high-scoring/fast-paced game could be expected. Lillard averaged 49.7 DK points per game last season and will surely be looking to get his team off to a good start.
De'Aaron Fox ($9,300)
Going up against the Trail Blazers, Fox will be able to push the pace and get his game going early on. He has proven that he can fill the stat sheet, as he averaged 44.0 DK points per game last season. Fox is the best scorer on his team and will have to bring his game to ensure the Kings can keep up.
Ja Morant ($9,100)
Morant has managed to exceed expectations so far in his young career, and, after an impressive playoff push last season, he will surely be as motivated as ever to get back there again. He goes up against the Cavs, who do not have the back-court defense to contain him, which should give him plenty of room to operate.
F/C:
Joel Embiid ($10,600)
Embiid averaged 50.6 DK points per game last season, and with him coming into this season at full health, it can be expected that he will continue putting up massive numbers. Embiid not only usually stands as the biggest player on the court, but also the most skilled of the bigs. Without Ben Simmons in the lineup, Embiid will also likely see the ball in his hands a bit more, while the Sixers' ability to space the floor more will also be in his favor.
Domantas Sabonis ($9,800)
Sabonis went from being a double-double machine to a potential triple-double threat last season, averaging 49.3 DK points per game. He should be ready to pick up where he left off, especially going up against the Hornets, who are slightly undersized at his position. Sabonis is a central piece in the Pacers offense, and with Caris LeVert out, he could see a few extra shots come his way.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,700)
After a couple of rough seasons, Towns and the Timberwolves are finally going to have a chance to get started on the right track, as the starting lineup is healthy and able to play together with a real hope of building something consistent. Towns is dominant when healthy and easily one of the best centers in the league. He goes up against the Rockets, who are slightly undersized at his position, but also a high-scoring tilt can be expected, which should help boost his numbers.
Expected Chalk
De'Aaron Fox ($9,300)
Fox goes up against the Trail Blazers, who despite having great scoring in the backcourt, do not have the best defense, nor do they have elite shot-blocking to cause him too much trouble when he drives to the basket. Fox will have to keep up with the high-scoring Trail Blazers to keep the Kings in the game. He will have the ball in his hands as much as any player on the board, and between his scoring and passing, he will almost always make something of his opportunities. Fox also excels on the defensive end, grabbing steals and the occasional block to help bolster his numbers. Fox averaged 44.0 DK points per game last season, and achieving at least those numbers should be no trouble for him on opening night.
Value Picks
Devonte' Graham ($5,700)
Graham will be starting at the point for the Pelicans as they go up against the 76ers, who will be lacking in back-court depth. Graham has shown that he can be streaky but can go off just about any night, while he averaged 28.9 DK points last season. He has a great first option in Brandon Ingram and a big man who can finish inside with Jonas Valanciunas, as both should help him rack up the assists. Also, with Zion Williamson out, the Pelicans will be looking for some extra scoring, an area where Graham could step up.
Naji Marshall ($5,300)
With Zion Williamson sidelined, Marshall will likely get the start. He has already shown that he can fill the stat sheet when given extended minutes, exemplified by 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds and a steal in his final game of last season. The Pelicans go up agains the Sixers, who will be a tough opponent, but Marshall is gritty enough of a player to count on to go out and get what's his.
Goran Dragic ($5,000)
Dragic is slated to get the start for his new squad, and with the Raptors' run-and-gun style of play, he should see lots of assists and scoring opportunities in transition. The Raptors will be up against the Wizards, who have not been good defensively in recent seasons. Dragic averaged 25.6 DK points last season, but it is not unreasonable to expect him to top that with his new role on his new team.
Tyrese Maxey ($4,000)
With Simmons and Shake Milton out, Maxey at such a low price tag is almost a no-brainer, as he will be playing starting minutes and matched up against Graham, who is not known as a defensive stopper. Maxey also has the benefit of playing with Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, who are both strong finishers, while he also has a few sharpshooters to help him rack up assists.
Scottie Barnes ($3,400)
With Siakam sidelined and Boucher listed as questionable for action, Barnes will certainly have plenty of room to run, and although he is a rookie, his playing style should allow him to rack up the DK points by filling the stat sheet, especially going up against the Wizards who are shorthanded in the front court.
