The first Saturday of the NBA season brings us a seven-game main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel with multiple teams on back-to-backs and some big name players such as Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Devin Booker already ruled out and the like of Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Haliburton questionable to play this evening. Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. 

 

Notable NBA Injury Updates

Ruled Out

Questionable

Highest NBA Game Totals

Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups

Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

No shocker here right? Beal and Booker are once again out of the lineup for the Suns and Durant has been a monster of the first two games of the season, averaging 28.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. He goes up against a Jazz team that plays little defense in a game that has the second-highest total on the board.

Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers get the Raptors here who are on a back-to-back and played an overtime game last night against the Bulls. They also have Dennis Schroder as their starting point guard, one of the worst defensive players in the NBA. Maxey popped off on opening night, played 40 minutes against the Bucks and finishing with 31 points, four rebounds, eight assists and two steals. As long as James Harden is out of the lineup we will see Maxey play a monster role.

Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies

I've said it since opening night for the Grizzlies that Marcus Smart is going to have a bit more of a green light this season now that he is away from the Celtics. Through the first two games of the year he is averaging 12 shot attempts and six three-point attempts per game.  We know Smart is going to contribute as a facilitator and will generally provide some defensive stats as well. This game with the Wizards has a slate high game total and one that is worth stacking today. Smart is coming off of a 40 fantasy point effort last night against Denver as well.

Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers

With Darius Garland ruled out and potentially Donovan Mitchell as well we figure LeVert to be a pretty popular play this evening against the Indiana Pacers. LeVert has played 31 minutes in each of the first two games of the year while going for 27 fantasy points in both.

Honorable mention(s): 

Favorite Value Plays to Use for DFS Lineups

Phoenix Suns

Josh Okogie, Eric Gordon, Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen are all going to see a nice rostership boost here with Booker and Beal once again out of the lineup and while most of the offensive production is coming from Kevin Durant, all of these players will contribute and play a good amount of minutes. The players are listed as I would prioritize them in my lineups today.

Xavier Tillman, Memphis Grizzlies

Tillman has been everything and more through two games this season, averaging 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 3.0 steals through the first two games. He's even been playing 34 minutes a night. Today he gets a great matchup against the Washington Wizards and likely will command some high rostership this evening.

Coby White, Chicago Bulls

The Bulls decided to start this season with White as their starting guard and he has been solid through the first two games of the year. Having to play 40 minutes last night due to overtime we saw White finish with 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists. He's averagign 14 shots and eight three-point attempts per contest while taking at least five free throws in both contests. Today he draws the Pistons who roll out a weak defensive player in Killian Hayes as their starting point guard. 

Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards

I was very bullish on Deni coming into the season. He flashed solid potential last season when given increased playing time as someone who could fill up the stat sheet and with Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis out of town I felt like we could see a breakout season from him. In the first game of the season he started but played just 21 minutes in a game the Wizards lost by 23. In those 21 minutes he had nine points, seven rebounds, five assists and one steal while taking eight shots. Those are pretty good per-minute stats. I'm hopeful that in a more competitive game we see more minutes from Avdija here today where he can build upon that production.

Honorable Mention(s):

Player Pool

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