DFSGhost 
While most of the teams in action tonight have gotten off to slow starts, many are still contenders for an NBA championship. Only a handful of games into the season, there is no reason to panic for most, but these teams need to get it going on both ends on the court sooner rather than later. Competitive game environments, plenty of stars, and interconference battles headline tonight’s matchups. It’s a Taco Tuesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
With smaller NBA slates comes a greater challenge. As much as we want to play many of the elite players, value is needed to do so. However, thanks to the plethora of injury news in the early stages of the season, it will likely be possible as we get closer to lock. Be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.
Chicago Bulls @ Brooklyn Nets (-1.5)
Chicago Bulls (+1.5)
With Andre Drummond (shoulder) being ruled out for tonight’s game, in addition to both Ayo Dosunmu (chest) and Coby White (quad) being listed as questionable, the Bulls rotation is getting thin. Thus, there is plenty of mid range value to be had with DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Nikola Vucevic. My attention will turn to Vucevic in this matchup. Not only does he have a massive advantage on the inside, but his backup center is out for this game. Vucevic has a modest 23.5% usage rate on the season, but has posted three double-doubles in seven games thus far. In those matchups, Vucevic has averaged a whopping 19.67 rebounds. With Brooklyn sitting last in the NBA in rebounding, including an abysmal 63.7% defensive rebounding rate, Vuc will dominate the paint on both ends of the floor.
Brooklyn Nets (-1.5)
Truthfully, I’m not forcing any Brooklyn exposure into my NBA lineups until we see their final injury report. Having sat out the frontend of a back-to-back last night, Ben Simmons makes his return to the lineup tonight. Moreover, we may see one of Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant potentially rest in this one. With other studs in the next game being a bigger priority if both Nets stars play, this is a wait-and-see situation.
Orlando Magic @ OKC Thunder (-4)
Orlando Magic (+4)
Should Jalen Suggs (ankle) be ruled out for a sixth consecutive contest to open the NBA season, the Magic will be once again operating their offense without a true point guard. It’s been a fun lineup to watch, as the quartet of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Bol Bol, and Wendell Carter Jr. are all over 6’10”. Their length and size advantage is notable, especially on the wings. Thus, while Banchero will continue to be the primary option on offense, I’ll keep riding with Bol Bol and/or Wendell Carter Jr.
The former has started two games for the Magic, logging 28.5 minutes per contest and posting a 13.5/9 scoring line. The latter draws a favorable matchup in the paint on both ends of the floor. OKC ranks last in the NBA to opposing big men, including being 23rd in points allowed in the paint, where WCJ draws nearly six paint touches per night.
OKC Thunder (-4)
All – and I mean all – of my NBA lineups tonight will start with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On a small slate, we need to plant our flag somewhere, and I’m riding with my fellow Canadian tonight. With Josh Giddey (ankle) ruled out for a fourth consecutive game, it’s all SGA on offense tonight. Despite missing the Robin to their Batman, OKC has won their last three games without Giddey, including victories over Dallas and back-to-back against the Clippers. In these last three, SGA paces his squad with a 33.3% usage rate, posting a 31.7/5.3/7.7 scoring line on 50% shooting.
Honorable Mentions:
- Golden State Warriors @ Miami Heat (-1)
- Minnesota Timberwolves @ Phoenix Suns (-5)
You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord
