Christopher Day 
We have a shorter NBA slate on tap for today but there is plenty to be money to be won, in addition to our NFL entries on this football Sunday!
One thing I want to clarify based on the questions I have received is that I will never list a player under the $5,000 price tag simply because I use the projection model to identify all targets in these price ranges. While there are often plenty of options that I like in this range, you all have access to the very model I use to make my own selections, so when asking “Should I use player X or player Y?”, make sure to check the model because that is how I make all of my own decisions and I truly ride or die by it on a daily basis. Before running to the DraftKings, FanDuel, or Yahoo lobby to construct your NBA DFS lineup after reading this article, please make sure to utilize the abundance of tools we have at Win Daily:
Point Guards
Steph Curry ($10,000 FD / $10,100 DK)
Everyone will keep sleeping on my preseason favorite for NBA MVP, and I will keep taking advantage of his low ownership in great spots. Should Kyrie Irving sit out Brooklyn’s game versus OKC, it’s possible Curry’s ownership skyrockets, but that won’t take me off the best shooter of all time whatsoever. Averaging 30.6 PPG and leading the Warriors with a 33.5% usage rate, Curry is now shaking off the rust and improving his shooting efficiency, where he is now 45.8% from the field and just under 40% from deep.
Fred VanVleet ($8,200 FD / $8,500 DK)
With the Raptors looking to find a solution at the center position, expect the backcourt tandem of Lowry and VanVleet to virtually never leave the court in tonight’s game. Averaging 22.3/5/5.9 across 35.3 MPG, VanVleet has proven that his hefty contract extension was well deserved this offseason and he’ll be counted on to not only produce offensively, but also to guard Curry at times.
Dejounte Murray ($6,600 FD / $6,800 DK)
I never liked targeting Dejounte Murray on the second half of back-to-backs because Pop used to roll out Derrick White and Patty Mills for more minutes than expected. However, with White slated to miss multiple weeks and Aldridge sitting out every other game, Murray will be counted on to shoulder the load along with DeRozan in tonight’s game. A perfect mid-range target for this NBA slate, Murray has been stellar thus far, averaging 16.8/7.6/5.1 across 32.3 MPG.
Bonus Play (if playing): Kyrie Irving ($9,500 FD / $9,600 DK)
Also Consider:
- Goran Dragic ($5,700 FD / $5,800 DK)
- Elfrid Payton ($5,500 FD / $6,500 DK)
- Dennis Schroder ($5,100 FD / $6,300 DK)
Shooting Guards
James Harden ($11,200 FD / $10,800 DK)
I’ll say it time in, time out, every NBA slate that the Houston Rockets are on, you need at least some form of exposure to Harden if running multiple lines. He has the potential to break off for 80 at any time, and tonight’s matchup versus the Lakers presents this opportunity. Yes, the Lakers defense is stout, but not on the perimeter: the likes of Dennis Schroder will not be able to guard Harden, who should see 36+ minutes in a game that Vegas has slated as a tight one. Sporting a lower usage rate this season at 30.6% with the addition of John Wall to the backcourt, Harden is still averaging 27/4.7/11.3 and lowered his turnover tendency on offense.
Caris LeVert ($8,000 FD / $7,900 DK)
This play hinges on Kyrie Irving sitting out, but Caris LeVert’s near 36% usage rate with the Nets’ point guard off the court is worth noting, even with Kevin Durant slated to return to the lineup. In a game that the Nets will look to push the pace versus a terrible OKC team, I’m good with running both LeVert and KD in the same lineup with SGA as your run back option with the hope that SGA keeps this one close on his own.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($7,600 FD / $8,000 DK)
Sporting a 27.7% usage rate on the season, SGA will possibly make his way into my main lineup tonight if Kyrie Irving sits this one out. Much needed as essentially the only offensive threat on the basement dwelling OKC Thunder, SGA has found his groove of late to the tune of 23/7.5/8 in his last two games, playing 35.5 MPG in the same stretch. Shaking off a rusty start, he’ll come in underowned in a game that I want to target on this NBA slate.
Also Consider:
- Marcus Smart ($6,300 FD / $7,200 DK)
- Tyler Herro ($5,200 FD / $6,400 DK)
Small Forwards
LeBron James ($10,400 FD / $10,200 DK)
Sporting a 32.4% usage rate this season, the short offseason and another NBA title has not affected The King one bit. Averaging a remarkable 24.6/8.4/7.8 across 32.8 MPG, LeBron is doing LeBron things this season and finds himself in a great matchup versus a Houston backcourt who have two of the worst defenders in John Wall and James Harden.
Kevin Durant ($9,900 FD / $9,200 DK)
Getting KD this cheap after nearly 10 games is simply a joke. The man can score in any way he wishes and can possibly be without Kyrie Irving tonight versus an OKC defensive unit that will not be able to guard him. Already shooting 51.4% from the field and 45.5% from deep, KD is a core play for me in all facets barring any restrictions coming off COVID tracing.
Jaylen Brown ($8,600 FD / $9,100 DK)
Keep an eye out for news surrounding these Boston Celtics, who will already be without Jayson Tatum tonight; plenty of their players are at risk of being ruled out for COVID tracing, including JB, but if he’s eventually ruled in, you need to lock him in your NBa lineups tonight. Averaging a career high 26.2 PPG, JB’s usage rate will be through the roof without Tatum off the floor and his already absurd 19.1 FGA will only increase.
Also Consider:
- RJ Barrett ($6,700 FD / $6,900 DK)
Power Forwards
Pay Up: Anthony Davis ($10,200 FD / $9,700 DK)
Core Pieces:
- Julius Randle ($9,400 FD / $9,500 DK)
- Chris Boucher ($7,200 FD / $5,900 DK)
Also Consider:
- Daniel Theis ($5,700 FD / $5,100 DK)
- Kelly Olynyk ($5,000 FD / $5,400 DK)
Centers
Main Option: Nikola Jokic ($11,500 FD / $11,000 DK)
Massive drop after The Joker at the center position. I’ll be using the projection model as always to identify other targets at the position since we cannot afford to play Jokic in every lineup.
Others to Consider:
- Jarrett Allen ($7,400 FD / $6,700 DK)
- Montrezl Harrell ($5,700 FD / $6,400 DK)
- Al Horford ($5,200 FD / $5,500 DK)
Value Gems: Check the projection model here.
I will continue to stress the importance of having both the projection model and cheat sheet open when building lineups for a further player pool and to ease a decision between two players, in addition to finding additional value plays.
You can find me on Twitter @DFS_Ghost
