This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
DraftKings' featured slate excludes the early game between the Kings and Bucks, so we will leave that game out and move forward with a six-game slate.
First, we'll break down last night's action and see how my picks fared. While guys like Oladipo, Lillard, Capela, Jokic, and especially Wendell Carter Jr. were spot-on, my theory about the Lakers wasn't on point, as both Ball and LeBron were not at their best. Kuzma still delivered a decent line, however. My most successful endorsement was Josh Richardson, who had an explosive night, but big GPP winners also loaded up on Justise Winslow, who was the biggest contrarian winner.
When constructing cash lineups, we are always looking for consistency. We want players with predictable floors. Barring rest or injury concerns, you're going to hear me talk about a Ben Simmons ($9,800) and Joel Embiid ($11,800) stack often. Even though conventional wisdom dictates that you should diversify your risk in cash contests, the Sixers play the Nets on Sunday. There's no question that the Nets are much improved, but that's also great news for this pairing – they're good, but not THAT good. The Nets have what it takes to keep it relatively close (and Vegas bears this out), which will keep Simmons and Embiid on the floor. The Sixers are on a back-to-back, so the risk of rest with Embiid is always something to check on.
I'm a bit gun-shy about approaching the Raptors-Lakers matchup after last night's confusing outcome with the Lakers. The only thing that would boost my confidence would be Kawhi Leonard's (ankle) absence. This opens up another great opportunity for Kyle Lowry ($8,500) to take over the game, and I'd be more inclined to click on Kyle Kuzma ($6,000) and JaVale McGee ($6,300) as value plays.
Jeff Teague (knee) remains out, and Derrick Rose (ankle) is currently questionable, so Tyus Jones ($4,900) might work out as a decent option after that late scratch that doomed many lineups earlier in the week. I'm also convinced that Jimmy Butler will miss either Sunday or Monday's game, and for the foreseeable future, it's always worth monitoring if you want to grab value with Josh Okogie ($4,400) whenever Butler is out.
Back-to-back teams: Sixers, Lakers, Spurs, Trail Blazers
With those endorsements in mind, I'll now select three players at each position along with a few additional players who hold equal weight in my predictions. When possible, I will include a top-shelf player, a mid-range target and a low-cost value play at each spot.
GUARDS
DeMar DeRozan, SA vs. ORL ($8,900): It was a bit of a toss-up for me up top, as Damian Lillard is also on a back-to-back, but I ultimately decided to save a few dollars and go with DeRozan. He went a little cold against the Pelicans on Saturday and posted his lowest DKFP total in two weeks, but I'm optimistic that he'll rectify that against the Magic, who have been erratic in their success against opposing backcourts.
Devin Booker, PHO vs. MEM ($7,400): It's an excellent time to roster Booker while his price is still low, as it sank $1,300 while he was out. He showed few ill effects from the injured hamstring and should be close to 100 percent at home versus the Grizzlies. Before the injury Booker was lighting it up, averaging 27.8 points, 6.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds across the first for games of the season.
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at POR ($6,100): There's a massive jump from $6,100 to $7,300 in today's slate, and Wiggins is at the top of the lower tier. He looked sharp against the Warriors after returning from a quad injury so we can assume he'll be ready to go against Portland, who will be playing with no rest. Wiggins won't wow you with ancillary stats, but he's a consistent scorer and is good for a floor of 30 DKFP with the potential to go a few points higher. He's typically at the three but the prices at guard are spaced oddly on this slate, so I slotted him here.
Other guards to consider:Bradley Beal, WAS vs. NY ($7,500), Fred VanVleet, TOR at LAL ($4,200)
FORWARDS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. ORL ($7,800): Things are little thin at this position, so we'll slot Aldridge at forward and count on another good game against the Magic. Aldridge's rebound totals have fluctuated, but Orlando ranks 24th in offensive rebound efficiency. I think a higher number off the boards will pad his stat line and vault him into the 40 DKFP range on Sunday.
Caris LeVert, BKN vs. PHI ($6,800): Guard-forward hybrids dominate the top of the forward category, and LeVert is one of the first true forward values you'll find on Sunday. He's only had two games below 30 DKFP and is demonstrating a reliable floor in the 35 DKFP range. He had a masterful 46.5 DKFP line against the Rockets two days ago, and I predict he'll be the top scorer for the Nets on Sunday.
Marco Belinelli, SA vs. ORL ($4,000): If things are getting expensive and you need to go low, Belinelli is a guy whose numbers are trending up. He's yet to see a total over 30 DKFP, but with his low price, you can afford a top performer who can offset a 25 DKFP game. If the Spurs begin to put this game away, the veteran pure shooting should garner additional minutes.
Other forwards to consider: Aaron Gordon, ORL at SA ($6,400), Robert Covington, PHI at BKN ($6,200)
CENTERS
Marc Gasol ($7,700) and Deandre Ayton ($7,000), MEM/PHO: I put these two together because I think it's an intriguing veteran-rookie matchup inside, and I predict a messy game that will be won inside off the glass. Both are reasonably-priced centers who are workable pivots off the elites, and I like the idea of using a center at the utility spot on this slate. Ayton is coming off of a monstrous, 17-point, 18-rebound outing Friday against Toronto, a game in which he committed just one foul.
Dwight Howard, WAS vs. NY ($5,900): I'll probably only roster Howard in a tournament, but he comes in at a reasonable price after a decent game in his season debut against the Thunder. It should be a much closer game where the Wizards will lean on Howard a bit more. Washington was out of the game early against Oklahoma City, and there was no need to risk further injury to Howard's back. I think we'll see a much higher total on Sunday, especially off the boards.
Other centers to consider: Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. MIN ($6,600)
