After Tuesday’s two-game main slate kicked off the 2022-23 NBA season, we have a 12-game NBA DFS main slate on Wednesday, October 19th to prepare for. Typically, the beginning of a season gives us advantages because sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are not pricing guys the way they will be priced when we’re in the middle of the year. We’re going to take advantage of that fact in today’s article and bring you the best NBA DFS value plays of the day. 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!

 

DraftKings NBA DFS Value Plays

Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs ($4,600)

The Spurs read the tea leaves before everyone else did and saw what’s coming in the NBA draft in 2023. What I’m saying is, they’re not a great team. Devin Vassell will be a standout for San Antonio this season and will be the team’s top shooting guard. Vassell started 32 games for the Spurs last year and in his starts, he averaged 30.7 minutes, 13.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. With Dejounte Murray gone, Derrick White traded, and Lonnie Walker IV in Los Angeles, Vassell will have a LOT of opportunity here. With al three of those guys off the floor last year, he had a 21.5% usage rate and averaged 1.01 FP/min. This game has a very solid 223 over/under and will feature bad defense from both sides. Charlotte was fifth in pace last year and was 22nd in DRtg.

Jalen Smith, Indiana Pacers ($4,400)

At the time of this writing, we’re unsure if Jalen Smith is going to suit up, but if he does, the Pacers starting power forward is very, very cheap. The match-up and game environment are really appealing here. Kyle Kuzma, his opposition, has a 113 DRtg, which was the worst of his career. During his time in Indiana, Smith had a 20.1% USG rate and averaged 1.12 FP/min, which is quite elite for a guy listed at 4.4K. If he doesn’t play, the pivot to Isaiah Jackson is VERY easy.

FanDuel NBA DFS Value Plays

Kelly Oubre Jr., Charlotte Hornets ($5,100)

The Hornets are down major pieces today (aka LaMelo Ball) and other members of the team are going to have to step up. One of those players is Kelly Oubre, who was good when Ball wasn’t on the floor last year. It’s easy to expect Terry Rozier to lead the team in usage without Ball and Miles Bridges, who’s no longer on the team, but it was actually Kelly Oubre at 25.9% while posting 1.07 FP/min to boot. This is arguably the best value on the board on FanDuel considering the match-up and who’s in/out for Charlotte.

Jabari Smith, Houston Rockets ($4,800)

When we’re talking about the best game environments on today’s slate, Houston and Atlanta check in right at the top of the list. Until the Orlando Magic surprised everyone and took Paolo Banchero as number one overall in this year's NBA draft, Jabari Smith was the expected first pick until he wasn’t. Smith slid to number three, to a team in Houston that led the NBA in pace of play. Smith averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks during his freshman year at college and for a big man, he was stroking from three, knocking down 42% of his threes. If Bruno Fernando does end up starting at center over Alperen Sengun, Smith will have the ball in his hands a lot more.

Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls ($4,000)

Before I fully dive into camp Caruso, I like Ayo Dosunmu as well, especially with Zach LaVine being ruled out. Anyways, back to Alex Caruso. He’s not a high-usage player and we know that at this point, but the Bulls have two massive holes in the backcourt without Lonzo Ball and LaVine being absent. Caruso had a 3.0% usage increase without them on the floor last year, but where he’s going to make a difference on FanDuel is how he contributes defensively. He averaged 1.7 steals per game last year, which can add up to six points on FD because of the three points we get over there. Caruso is in line for a big workload and is someone who can contribute across the board.

 

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