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This article aims to highlight some of the best NBA DFS Plays at every position for your cash game lineups. Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We’ll take a look at Thursday’s three-game slate starting at 7:30 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Trae Young – Atlanta (vs. Dallas) - DK: $9,600 / FD: $9,100 / Yahoo: $40
My lineup build tonight centers around rostering three stars. Young is the cheapest of the three star point guards, and although we didn’t see a lot of him in the preseason, he is expected to be fine for tonight’s opener. Young played against the Mavericks twice last season, averaging 38 MPG, 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 12 assists per game. The range of outcomes of the three top guards is overlapping; while Luka Doncic is most likely to triple-double, he also is prohibitively expensive if you are trying to go the three-star route tonight.
Also Consider: Steph Curry, Luka Doncic
SHOOTING GUARD
Tyler Herro – Miami (vs. Milwaukee) - DK: $5,200 / FD: $4,900 / Yahoo: $16
I love Herro’s confidence, and the sneer is second to none. He may not be in the same rarified air as Doncic or Young, but like the kitten looking into the mirror and seeing the lion, we want him playing with confidence. We should expect him to play about 27 minutes off the bench based on his preseason usage, where he averaged 22 points per game with a smattering of peripherals. His salary is welcome relief at the position.
Also Consider: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole
SMALL FORWARD
Paul George – LA Clippers (at Golden State) - DK: $9,700 / FD: $9,900 / Yahoo: $41
The Clippers will run through George on both sides of the ball once again. It’s tempting to spend down on Butler, and you might make that switch if you go with Doncic at PG. However, I think George will end up the better fantasy value tonight. His should be a fast-paced, higher scoring game, and he is my top bet for notching a triple double on this slate (remember FanDuel’s Clutch Shot contest has a bonus if you roster a player who triple doubles tonight).
Also Consider: Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton, Jordan Nwora, De’Andre Hunter
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POWER FORWARD
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee (at Miami) - DK: $10,300 / FD: $11,300 / Yahoo: $52
I liked Giannis, duh, before the Jrue Holiday news came out, but even more so now. He looked simply dominant in the Bucks’ opener Tuesday night, filling the stat sheet with 32 points and 14 rebounds as well as a couple signature blocks. I expect the ball to be in his hands more often than not tonight, though you might also look for solid effort from Khris Middleton and, with Brook Lopez also ruled out, maybe his brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Giannis is the luxury play but also the essential one on this small slate.
Also Consider: Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Morris Sr.
CENTER
Kevon Looney – Golden State (vs. LA) - DK: $3,600 / FD: $3,900 / Yahoo: $10
For standard/cash game lineups, I think it’s more important to fit Giannis and George, so I’m going cheap at center. For GPPs, I love the idea of spending up here for Adebayo or Capela instead. Looney is an absolute bargain on all three sites. He played only 15 minutes on Tuesday night, but averaged over a fantasy point per, with seven points, four rebounds and one each block, steal, and assist. If he can replicate that against the other LA team, I’ll be satisfied with the value he affords my lineups.
Also Consider: Clint Capela, Bam Adebayo, Brook Lopez
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Jordan Poole (G – GSW) is another cheap option at G if you’re either not a fan of Herro, or need to fill another slot. He played 25 minutes Tuesday night and scored 20 points. His opportunity should be secure until Klay Thompson returns, though his price might not stay so friendly.
Jordan Nwora (F – MIL) was a desperation salary-saver for me Tuesday night and what a pleasant surprise! 15 points, six rebounds and one each block, steal and assist was good for over 28 fantasy points. More importantly, he played 26 minutes. There is some debate as to whether that is sustainable, but should be for tonight, especially with Holiday out.
