NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for October 17, 2017
For the rest of the DFS NBA season, we’ll be writing up the guards, forwards, and centers we’re considering for our Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for daily fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, and more. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for new ways to play NBA DFS, be sure and give DRAFT.com a try!
When playing daily fantasy NBA, it’s important to consider the point spreads and totals in order to predict gameflow. Injuries play a huge role in the NBA on a nightly basis, and players can come out increasingly motivated for big games depending on other factors. And always, always check the starting lineups and injury news right before tipoff.
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10/17/17 DFS NBA TOURNAMENTS
DraftKings Tip-off Special: $3 buy-in, $1M guaranteed
DraftKings Crossover: $27 buy-in, $250k guaranteed
DraftKings Money Ball: $333 buy-in, $300k guaranteed
FanDuel CLUTCH Shot: $4 buy-in, $1M guaranteed
FanDuel Layup: $7 buy-in, $50k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $25 buy-in, $100k guaranteed
PLAYERS RULED OUT
Marcus Morris (knee)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
LeBron James (ankle)
Andre Iguodala (back)
Shaun Livingston (illness)
Omri Casspi (ankle)
Aron Baynes (knee)
Best DFS NBA Plays for October 17, 2017
Guards
Steph Curry ($8.8k DraftKings, $9.7k FanDuel)
Steph Curry is particularly appealing at his modest price tag on DK, especially because of the 0.5 bonus for every made three-pointer on that DFS site. At first glance, it may seem like Houston represents a tougher matchup for opposing PGs due to Chris Paul, but he can’t be a more irritating defender than Patrick Beverly, who Curry torched to the tune of 27 PPG and 16 three-pointers over four appearances last season. The Warriors’ star was even better — with averages of 31.5 points and 7.0 assists per game while shooting an absurd 55 percent from the floor — during four meetings with Paul and the Clippers. Basically, Steph is almost certain to put on a show in the Warriors’ home opener.
Derrick Rose ($5.0k DraftKings, $5.5k FanDuel)
The Cavs will look to integrate Derrick Rose from the opening tip with Isaiah Thomas (hip) likely out until early 2018. Rose was an afterthought in a horrible situation in New York last year, yet he still showed his athleticism and potential while going for 13.0 points, five rebounds and five assists over 27 minutes in a preseason matchup against the Bulls. Rose might be the third or fourth scoring option on this team at times, but LeBron James and Kevin Love are both willing passers, who will gladly get him involved or play off him in pick-and-roll sets.
Eric Gordon ($4.6k DraftKings, $5.2k FanDuel)
Houston’s sharpshooter has revamped his release and looked even more accurate throughout an impressive preseason. Eric Gordon should still come off the bench behind James Harden and Chris Paul this season, but playing with those superb passers, once they stagger their minutes, is bound to generate open shots. Gordon shot just 9-of-30 from three over four meetings with the Warriors last year, but at least the looks were there. He’ll definitely pay off if he can knock them down in what should be a shootout: it’s a 232-point over/under at Oracle Arena.
Others to Consider: James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Dwayne Wade, Nick Young
Forwards
LeBron James ($10.2k DraftKings, $10.4k FanDuel)
While he’s listed as questionable with an ankle injury, there is almost no chance LeBron James misses the season opener against a retooled rival. Expect James to cover Kyrie Irving at times, to rip through the Celtics’ promising (but still young) combination of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and put the first exhibit of his MVP campaign on tap while leading the Cavs to a home win. Last year, James stepped up against the Celtics to average 29.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 8.1 APG, and 3.0 STL/BLK per game over nine regular season and playoff contests. Somehow, James remains underpriced because of his reputation for taking games off. Trust that he won’t rest or play limited minutes in this contest.
Kevin Durant ($9.6k DraftKings, $9.8k FanDuel)
Another player who still has something to prove despite all his accomplishments, Kevin Durant should be ready to go on opening night after battling an illness over the weekend. He returned to practice on Sunday and could see more work as a defender and facilitator if Draymond Green (back) is at all hobbled. The matchup is what draws you to KD. Steph Curry will have to battle feisty defender Chris Paul, whereas Durant takes on rapidly aging SF Trevor Ariza. Houston played at the third-fastest pace and has allowed the fourth-most PPG (21.86) to opposing SFs over the last two seasons, including 35.5 PPG on 51.1 percent shooting from Durant last year.
Jayson Tatum ($3.9k DraftKings, $3.5k FanDuel)
The Celtics offer a bevy of value plays at the wing position, and there’s more clarity in that regard with Marcus Morris (knee) already ruled out for their first few games. Brad Stevens hinted that Jayson Tatum will start at PF, and he’ll instantly serve as a great punt play in any format. Jaylen Brown ($3.7k, $3.7k) should also see a bigger role this season, and he’s a bit safer for Cash lineups since we’ve seen a larger sample size of the second-year man.
Others to Consider: Kevin Love, Jaylen Brown, Jae Crowder, Trevor Ariza, P.J. Tucker
Centers
Draymond Green ($7.0k DraftKings, $8.3k FanDuel)
Both Draymond Green and Kevin Love are great plays where eligible at center, and Love should become eligible on FanDuel soon enough, considering how he’s expected to play this year for the Cavs. Green is clearly an elite option as a triple-double threat playing in a game between two teams that finished third and fourth in pace last year. Houston has allowed the sixth-most FPPG (45.17) to opposing PFs over the last two seasons, and Green filled it up with averages of 15 points, 9.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 3.6 STL/BLK in four games against the Rockets last year.
Others to Consider: Clint Capela, Tristan Thompson, JaVale McGee
