NBA DFS Show: DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Preview October 25
Published: Oct 25, 2023
NBA DFS Strategy & DraftKings Top Picks
The first full NBA slate kicks off on October 25th with 12 games on the board. The highlight of the slate is the regular season debut of Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama against the Dallas Mavericks. Other notable stars such as Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic also top the slate on Wednesday.
Tune in as Jon Impemba and James Grande break down the main slate by going position-by-position and bringing an example lineup into the fold at the end. Be sure to check out our NBA DFS projections, powered by FanJections, NBA DFS Lineup Generator, and all of the rest of our NBA DFS content and tools.
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Dominick Barlow accumulated eight points (3-of-5 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds and one assist in Thursday’s loss to the Spurs.
Signed to a two-way contract on Wednesday, Barlow started his unofficial 76ers debut on Thursday. He only played 14 minutes against the Spurs but had a solid night shooting the basketball, and the rebounding production was also good. When healthy, the 76ers will have a frontcourt rotation that Barlow may have difficulty cracking. There isn’t a need to plan for selecting him in fantasy drafts, even if Joel Embiid is not cleared in time for training camp.
Justin Edwards shot 2-of-6 from the field in Thursday’s loss to the Spurs, scoring six points with one rebound and two three-pointers.
Between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, Edwards has played in four games this summer. Unfortunately, he’s only put together one solid offensive performance. The second-year wing shot 2-of-5 from beyond the arc on Thursday and did not offer much value elsewhere. If Philadelphia’s top wings are healthy, Edwards’ role will likely be limited next season. However, with his play late last season, the 76ers likely hoped for a more dominant Edwards this summer.
Adem Bona accounted for six points (3-of-6 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two blocked shots in Thursday’s loss to the Spurs.
On a forgettable night for the 76ers, who lost by a 111-70 final score, Bona was solid as a rebounder and shot-blocker in his 17 minutes on the court. These games in Las Vegas are unlikely to change things for the second-year player once training camp begins, as he’ll compete with Andre Drummond and Johni Broome for backup center minutes. And whoever wins that competition will only have fantasy relevance if the 76ers are without starter Joel Embiid.
Carter Bryant amassed five points (1-of-6 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal, three blocks and one three-pointer in Thursday’s win over the 76ers.
Bryant struggled with his shot on Thursday, but that did not keep the rookie from providing value in other ways. The first-round pick recorded four “stocks,” and his on-court communication on both ends of the floor should be overlooked despite not showing up on the box score. The hope is that fellow first-round pick Dylan Harper can play on Saturday after missing time with a groin injury. If he can go, San Antonio will have their first glimpse of Harper and Bryant on the court together.
David Jones-Garcia finished Thursday’s win over the 76ers with 24 points (9-of-12 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), five rebounds, three assists, four steals and four three-pointers.
Well, if there’s a good place to be when you catch the “hot hand,” Las Vegas is it. Jones-Garcia shot 75 percent from the field on Thursday, continuing to play well after earning All-California Classic team honors at the beginning of the week. And revenge may have been on Jones-Garcia’s mind for Thursday’s 111-70 victory, as he began his professional career with the 76ers on a two-way deal before being waived in January 2024. Jones-Garcia’s play this summer may be enough to earn him another two-way opportunity if he can continue on this path.
E.J. Liddell recorded 12 points (4-of-10 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 11 rebounds and one three-pointer in Thursday’s loss to the Bucks.
Having struggled with injuries throughout his professional career, Liddell is playing with the Nuggets in hopes of earning another opportunity. He played well on Thursday, as his dunk with just over five seconds remaining gave Denver a two-point lead. Unfortunately for Liddell, he ended up on the wrong end of the game’s final shot, with Jamaree Bouyea hitting a three over the forward’s outstretched hand as time expired. Liddell is not a fantasy target regardless of league size, but his goal is to grab a team’s attention and earn a contract.