NBA DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups, Injuries & More Today: Tuesday Playbook

Published: Oct 22, 2024
The NBA is back. Oh, louder for the people in the back? THE NBA IS BACK! That’s right, the 2024-2025 regular season is upon us as it returns with a two-game slate on Tuesday, October 22nd.
The new-look New York Knicks travel to the Boston Celtics as the Celtics reveal their championship banner while the Minnesota Timberwolves are taking on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Two-game slates are always interesting for NBA DFS picks because everyone’s on the same players and it’s much harder to differentiate than a regular-sized slate. If you’re new to NBA DFS, you’re looking for a baseline of 5x return on a player's salary, but on smaller slates, you’re looking for raw points.
How someone accrues raw fantasy points is by playing minutes, which is always a concern earlier in the year. We don’t have to worry too much about minutes with most of these teams after seeing them fully ramp up in the preseason and Tom Thibodeau, coach of the Knicks, exists in the world.
We don’t have much injury news we’re looking at and waiting on as it’s mostly role players that have already been ruled out. Let's dive into our top NBA DFS Picks for opening night.
NBA DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, October 22nd
Be sure to like and subscribe to the Fantasy Alarm YouTube channel!
Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.
- News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
- Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace up spot (more possessions) vs. pace down (less possessions)
- Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
- NBA DFS Projections
- Lineup Generator
- NBA Ownership
NBA Pre-Lock Update
After seeing some ownership reports come in, a lot of what I thought would happen did. The Knicks are popular, and so are the Celtics. I LOVE the Timberwolves today, who are in the biggest pace-up spot of the day.
My most exposed team today: Minnesota Timberwolves
My least exposed team today: Boston Celtics
NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 10/22
Precious Achiuwa, New York Knicks
Right before the season began, Precious Achiuwa hurt his hamstring and will be re-evaluated in 2-4 weeks. That opens the door for Jericho Sims to be the primary backup big.
Jarred Vanderbilt, Los Angeles Lakers
Despite initial reports that Jarred Vanderbilt will be back for Opening night, that is not the case. We won’t know anything on the Vanderbilt front for another two weeks. We should see Rui Hachimura extended, and the likes of Dalton Knecht and Max Christie extended off the bench as well.
*Don't forget to check out our NBA DFS lineup tools, as well as our friends at Underdog for the latest breaking news on tonight’s starting lineups.
NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews
The color-coded numbers next to each team represent where they ranked in pace last year. The higher the number, the slower they played.
New York Knicks (30th) vs. Boston Celtics (19th)
- Total: 223.5
- Spread: BOS -5.5
Minnesota Timberwolves (23rd) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (4th)
- Total: 219 O/U
- Spread: MIN -1.5
NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks
Here are the core players I’m looking at for my NBA DFS picks tonight. You can see the full analysis of tonight’s NBA DFS projections and player pool below or skip ahead to building the best lineups possible by locking these into the aforementioned lineup generator now.
High
Mid
Value
Pos (Click to sort ascending) | Player (Click to sort ascending) | Matchup (Click to sort ascending) | DK (Click to sort ascending) | DK Pts (Click to sort ascending) | FD (Click to sort ascending) | FD Pts (Click to sort ascending) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PG | Jalen Brunson | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 42.7 | 41.1 | ||
Brunson is one of the best fantasy options on the board and we saw his stardom rise to new heights last season. He averaged 1.28 DKP/min and a 33.8% USG last year. Without Julius Randle, 37.1% USG and 1.3 DKP/min as well. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Austin Reaves | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 32.6 | 31.4 | ||
I like Austin Reaves more than D’Angelo Russell on this slate and I’ll tell you why. One, MPE (multi-position eligibility). Two, he’s cheaper. Three, I expect him to be playing on the ball a lot more this year and lastly, they averaged the same FP/min last year when on the floor with AD and LBJ, so I’ll take the cheaper option because of how similar they are. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Payton Pritchard | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 20.1 | 19.1 | ||
Pritchard is clearly the Celtics top option off the bench and there’s a path to mid-20’s minutes early on in the season as Jrue Holiday was the least extended starter this preseason and is also now 34 years old. Pritchard can fill it up FAST when he gets on the floor, so he’s an interesting GPP option. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SG | Anthony Edwards | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 45.5 | 44.3 | ||
It’s hard not to love Anthony Edwards sans Karl-Anthony Towns in an uptempo game. Edwards’ averaged 1.3 DKP/game and 33.7% USG without Towns last year and that should elevate this season. It’s a nice pace up spot for Minnesota. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Jaylen Brown | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 39.5 | 38.6 | ||
Brown is an excellent pivot off of Jayson Tatum. He has elite multi-position eligibility, is coming off a finals MVP, and wasn’t invited to be a part of team USA. It’s likely that Brown is going to seek vengeance here. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SG | Donte DiVincenzo | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 25.8 | 25 | ||
I think there's a lot of upside to Donte DiVincenzo in this spot and in general to him with Minnesota. He's going to play multiple positions and have a sizeable role as a scoring threat off the bench. There's always upwards of 30-minute upside for DDV with Jaden McDaniels often in foul trouble. Love his price, scoring promise, and MPE. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Jayson Tatum | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 47.5 | 45.9 | ||
Jayson Tatum is very good at basketball. He also previewed a new shooting form with a quicker release in the preseason and shot the three-ball very well. If he improves from range, especially with the volume he shoots it at, he's going to have a career-year. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | LeBron James | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 48.5 | 47.3 | ||
There's absolutely zero thoughts to LeBron James having any limitations to his minutes despite his advanced age (in basketball years). He's an elite usage and FP/min producer. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | OG Anunoby | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 26.4 | 25.9 | ||
There are going to be times where OG Anunoby is just a fart in the breeze offensively, but he's someone who can really fill it up FAST when his shot is falling. I like his price and he's cheaper than Josh Hart who's basically come out and said he's not going to shoot the ball very much with who he's around. Let's not forget the part about Anunoby's $212M contract he got this offseason. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SF | Dalton Knecht | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 15.1 | 14.7 | ||
The Lakers rotation is kind of messy after their starting five and with Jarred Vanderbilt out, there are minutes to be had. The Lakers bench is shaping up to be Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, another wing, and Jaxson Hayes. That other wing is likely going to be Dalton Knecht and he has a very high scoring ceiling because of his ability to score at every level. There's not a lot of true value and he's sub-4K on DK. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PF | Julius Randle | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 36.8 | 35 | ||
I kind of like the fit in Minnesota and a lot of the team's offense is going to revolve around Edwards and Randle, especially with the first unit. I'd love to know if there any limits here because Randle missed all but one preseason game but was able to play 26 minutes in that one. GPPs for me. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PF | Rui Hachimura | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 24.9 | 24.6 | ||
There isn't a lot of value on the board and Hachimura's role is pretty secure while Jarred Vanderbilt isn't in the lineup. He should approach 30 minutes and playing alongside the players he is he'll have plenty of open looks. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Naz Reid | MIN @ LAL Tue 10:00 | 24 | 23.8 | ||
Reid, considering price, role, and position eligibility, is probably going to be the most popular play on the board. The reigning sixth-man of the year could also be in line for a few extra minutes if Julius Randle isn't playing full. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Anthony Davis | 0 | 0 | |||
It was very encouraging to see Anthony Davis start expanding his game beyond the three-point line this preseason because that really could unlock something for his game, especially if they start falling. He's probably the top spend up on the board and I have no issue starting my lineups with Davis and going from there. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Karl-Anthony Towns | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 42.2 | 40.6 | ||
I love Towns' price here. It's hard not to love the Knicks because the minutes they're going to play. With Precious Achiuwa out, the Knicks will have to rely on their newly acquired star even more than they probably planned on. Towns is a double-double machine and should have absolutely no issue handling a good Boston defense. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Luke Kornet | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 20.5 | 21.9 | ||
There's a chance Kornet starts, but Al Horford told the media on Monday that he's ready to roll despite being very limited in preseason. We'll see the direction Boston goes, but Kornet is in the rotation regardless and is a pretty solid fantasy asset checking in at .9 FP/min last season. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PG | Miles McBride | NYK @ BOS Tue 7:30 | 20.7 | 20.4 | ||
Added - Love the price & mid-20's minutes off the bench. He's going to be popular. Game Type: CASH & GPP |
Jalen Brunson, PG | 42.7 | 41.1 | ||||
Brunson is one of the best fantasy options on the board and we saw his stardom rise to new heights last season. He averaged 1.28 DKP/min and a 33.8% USG last year. Without Julius Randle, 37.1% USG and 1.3 DKP/min as well. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Austin Reaves, PG | 32.6 | 31.4 | ||||
I like Austin Reaves more than D’Angelo Russell on this slate and I’ll tell you why. One, MPE (multi-position eligibility). Two, he’s cheaper. Three, I expect him to be playing on the ball a lot more this year and lastly, they averaged the same FP/min last year when on the floor with AD and LBJ, so I’ll take the cheaper option because of how similar they are. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Payton Pritchard, PG | 20.1 | 19.1 | ||||
Pritchard is clearly the Celtics top option off the bench and there’s a path to mid-20’s minutes early on in the season as Jrue Holiday was the least extended starter this preseason and is also now 34 years old. Pritchard can fill it up FAST when he gets on the floor, so he’s an interesting GPP option. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Anthony Edwards, SG | 45.5 | 44.3 | ||||
It’s hard not to love Anthony Edwards sans Karl-Anthony Towns in an uptempo game. Edwards’ averaged 1.3 DKP/game and 33.7% USG without Towns last year and that should elevate this season. It’s a nice pace up spot for Minnesota. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jaylen Brown, SG | 39.5 | 38.6 | ||||
Brown is an excellent pivot off of Jayson Tatum. He has elite multi-position eligibility, is coming off a finals MVP, and wasn’t invited to be a part of team USA. It’s likely that Brown is going to seek vengeance here. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Donte DiVincenzo, SG | 25.8 | 25 | ||||
I think there's a lot of upside to Donte DiVincenzo in this spot and in general to him with Minnesota. He's going to play multiple positions and have a sizeable role as a scoring threat off the bench. There's always upwards of 30-minute upside for DDV with Jaden McDaniels often in foul trouble. Love his price, scoring promise, and MPE. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jayson Tatum, SF | 47.5 | 45.9 | ||||
Jayson Tatum is very good at basketball. He also previewed a new shooting form with a quicker release in the preseason and shot the three-ball very well. If he improves from range, especially with the volume he shoots it at, he's going to have a career-year. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
LeBron James, SF | 48.5 | 47.3 | ||||
There's absolutely zero thoughts to LeBron James having any limitations to his minutes despite his advanced age (in basketball years). He's an elite usage and FP/min producer. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
OG Anunoby, SF | 26.4 | 25.9 | ||||
There are going to be times where OG Anunoby is just a fart in the breeze offensively, but he's someone who can really fill it up FAST when his shot is falling. I like his price and he's cheaper than Josh Hart who's basically come out and said he's not going to shoot the ball very much with who he's around. Let's not forget the part about Anunoby's $212M contract he got this offseason. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Dalton Knecht, SF | 15.1 | 14.7 | ||||
The Lakers rotation is kind of messy after their starting five and with Jarred Vanderbilt out, there are minutes to be had. The Lakers bench is shaping up to be Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, another wing, and Jaxson Hayes. That other wing is likely going to be Dalton Knecht and he has a very high scoring ceiling because of his ability to score at every level. There's not a lot of true value and he's sub-4K on DK. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Julius Randle, PF | 36.8 | 35 | ||||
I kind of like the fit in Minnesota and a lot of the team's offense is going to revolve around Edwards and Randle, especially with the first unit. I'd love to know if there any limits here because Randle missed all but one preseason game but was able to play 26 minutes in that one. GPPs for me. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Rui Hachimura, PF | 24.9 | 24.6 | ||||
There isn't a lot of value on the board and Hachimura's role is pretty secure while Jarred Vanderbilt isn't in the lineup. He should approach 30 minutes and playing alongside the players he is he'll have plenty of open looks. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Naz Reid, PF | 24 | 23.8 | ||||
Reid, considering price, role, and position eligibility, is probably going to be the most popular play on the board. The reigning sixth-man of the year could also be in line for a few extra minutes if Julius Randle isn't playing full. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
0 | 0 | |||||
It was very encouraging to see Anthony Davis start expanding his game beyond the three-point line this preseason because that really could unlock something for his game, especially if they start falling. He's probably the top spend up on the board and I have no issue starting my lineups with Davis and going from there. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
42.2 | 40.6 | |||||
I love Towns' price here. It's hard not to love the Knicks because the minutes they're going to play. With Precious Achiuwa out, the Knicks will have to rely on their newly acquired star even more than they probably planned on. Towns is a double-double machine and should have absolutely no issue handling a good Boston defense. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Luke Kornet, C | 20.5 | 21.9 | ||||
There's a chance Kornet starts, but Al Horford told the media on Monday that he's ready to roll despite being very limited in preseason. We'll see the direction Boston goes, but Kornet is in the rotation regardless and is a pretty solid fantasy asset checking in at .9 FP/min last season. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Miles McBride, PG | 20.7 | 20.4 | ||||
Added - Love the price & mid-20's minutes off the bench. He's going to be popular. Game Type: CASH & GPP |