NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for Oct. 25, 2017

Today, and the rest of the NBA DFS season, we’ll be writing up the guards, forwards, and centers we’re considering for our Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. 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 a new ways to play NBA DFS, be sure and give DRAFT a try with our promo code!

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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10/25/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENTS

DraftKings Wednesday Starting 5 Special: $5 buy-in, $500k guaranteed
DraftKings Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $250k guaranteed
DraftKings MEGA Alley Oop: $444 buy-in, $600k guaranteed
FanDuel Monster: $555 buy-in, $400k guaranteed
FanDuel Clutch Shot: $4 buy-in, $500k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $33 buy-in, $200k guaranteed

PLAYERS RULED OUT
Kawhi Leonard (quad)
Hassan Whiteside (knee)
Eric Bledsoe (coach’s decision)
Trevor Ariza (foot)
Sean Kilpatrick (personal)
Jonas Valanciunas (ankle)
Markieff Morris (abdomen)
Derrick Rose (ankle)
Tony Parker (thigh)
Cody Zeller (knee)

INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
DeMar DeRozan (thigh)
Myles Turner (concussion)
Jimmy Butler (illness)
Rodney Hood (calf)
Dion Waiters (ankle)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (personal)

Best NBA DFS Picks for October 25, 2017

Guards

John Wall @ LAL ($10.2k DraftKings, $10.2k FanDuel)
Even when he doesn’t shoot well, John Wall is maintaining a lofty floor, as evidenced by his performance on Monday in which he shot 3-of-13 from the floor, but went 15-for-15 at the line and added 12 assists. Tonight, he’ll be highly motivated to square off with Lonzo Ball, as everyone has been, and that’s part of the reason the Lakers are coughing up the most FPPG overall (247.75) this year. Wall averaged 33.5 point per game and 12.5 assists per game over two meetings with the Lakers last season, and now that young team is leading the league in pace to provide even more DFS gold.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope vs. WAS ($4.7k DraftKings, $5.5k FanDuel)
On a team with a crowded rotation, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should maintain a consistent role as a veteran with a steady presence on both ends of the floor. He logged 31 minutes in his season debut against the Pelicans Sunday and produced 20 points on efficient 7-of-11 shooting. While he doesn’t carry tons of upside due to a lack of peripheral stats, KCP is relatively cheap on both main DFS sites and draws a good individual matchup against mediocre defender Bradley Beal. As a member of the Pistons last year, he dropped 29 points on 45.8 percent shooting during two meetings with the Wizards. Now, he’s playing on a fast-paced team with Lonzo Ball constantly looking to hit him for open jumpers.

Note: If DeMar DeRozan (thigh) is inactive for Toronto, Norman Powell could serve as a superior pivot in this price range.

Mike James vs. UTA ($4.4k DraftKings, $4.3k FanDuel)
The firing of young head coach Earl Watson at least temporarily galvanized the Suns, as they earned their first win of the season over Sacramento on Monday. That victory came in large part thanks to the steady play of Mike James, who, at the age of 27, played like a veteran on his way to 18 points and seven assists on 8-of-10 shooting in 27 minutes. With Eric Bledsoe unlikely to play at any point this season for the Suns due to his subversive behavior and Tyler Ulis struggling on both ends, the role of floor general is James’ to lose.

Others to Consider: James Harden, Kyle Lowry, D’Angelo Russell, Ricky Rubio, Bradley Beal, Will Barton, Reggie Jackson, Dejounte Murray

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Forwards

Ben Simmons vs. HOU ($8.8k DraftKings, $8.8k FanDuel)
The Sixers’ impressive rookie is seeing a considerable spike in his price tag after logging a triple double in just his fourth NBA game. But he’s still a bit under-priced as a very reliable Cash play. Simmons is posting a 24.6 percent defensive rebounding rate and a 35.5 percent assist rate while completing controlling the action for a Sixers team ranked eighth in pace this season. An injury to Markelle Fultz (shoulder) ensures Simmons’ workload even further, and the absence of Trevor Ariza (foot) upgrades his individual matchup. The Rockets also play at a blinding pace and are giving up the fifth-most assists per game (22) in the league.

LaMarcus Aldridge @ MIA ($8.4k DraftKings, $8.9k FanDuel)
Hassan Whiteside (knee) has already been ruled out of this contest, leaving the paint open for LaMarcus Aldridge to continue dominating. There’s no question as to who is the main man in a Spurs uniform as Kawhi Leonard recovers from injury. Aldridge is clearly feeling himself after getting a pep talk from Gregg Popovich during the offseason. The former all-star is averaging 24.3 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks during three appearances this year. He could dominate Kelly Olynyk or take young Jordan Mickey to school tonight depending on who tries to guard him. 

Otto Porter @ LAL ($5.9k DraftKings, $7.5k FanDuel)
This is definitely a game to target with its 231-point over/under. It’s easy to figure out who might benefit from a fast pace on the Wizards’ side of the ball. Otto Porter is making the leap in his fifth NBA season with averages of 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and a league-best 3.7 steals per game through three appearances. He draws a fantastic matchup against a Lakers team giving up the most FPPG (43.53) to opposing SFs during the last two seasons. Porter’s 23.7 percent defensive rebounding rate bodes well for his prospects in a matchup against the fastest-paced team in the NBA. Plus, the Lakers are getting burned on the offensive glass while giving up the third-most points per game (119) in the league. 

Others to Consider: LeBron James, James Johnson, DeMarre Carroll, Kelly Oubre Jr., Domantas Sabonis, Jae Crowder, Kyle Kuzma 

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Centers

Marc Gasol @ DAL ($7.8k DraftKings, $8.8k FanDuel)
Dallas has been starting ancient PF Dirk Nowitzki at center this year, and if they try that against Memphis, Marc Gasol should pick the Mavericks apart. He’s been a point center this year with averages of 24.7 points per game, 10 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 blocks, with a career-high 32.3 percent usage rate through three games. Dallas has been a poor rebounding team for several years and currently ranks dead last in the NBA in every rebounding category. They’re also last in opponent field goal percentage (57.2 percent), so Gasol should get plenty of easy looks, and a blowout seems less likely to sap his value since the Grizz are on the road tonight.

Jakob Poeltl @ GSW ($4.5k DraftKings, $4.9k FanDuel)
Jonas Valanciunas (ankle) is out, and even if Lucas Nogueira plays through his ankle injury and starts tonight, Poeltl will be the superior option. He outplayed “Bebe” on his way to 10 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks in 26 minutes against the Spurs on Monday. He is capable of burning the Warriors down low if he can stay on the floor against some of their smaller lineups. Golden State is actually giving up the most FPPG (80.11) to opposing centers by far this year and playing with enough pace to give Poeltl plenty of rebounding opportunities while he’s out there.

Others to Consider: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Clint Capela, Steven Adams, Marquese Chriss