We were welcomed into the 2022-23 NBA season with a small slate of two games last night. But, tonight is where the real challenge begins. 12 games on this beautiful Wednesday evening. You heard me right...TWELVE! With that many games tonight, I want to waste no time jumping into this. Here are some of the plays that we love tonight!
ORLANDO MAGIC vs. DETROIT PISTONS
(DET -3 | o/u 217.5)
G: Cade Cunningham (DK: $7,000; FD: $7,900)
While Cade is now joined by a new backcourt partner in Jaden Ivey, I still expect Cade to be the focal point of this offense. He gets a favorable matchup against a weak ORL defense that was bottom ten in PTS, 3PM, and REB given up last season.
F/C: Wendell Carter Jr. (DK: $6,100; FD: $7,100)
WCJ has so much upside here solely based off his production last season and the price he is listed at. I know their offense will see some changes with #1 overall pick Paolo Banchero joining the starting five, but I still expect WCJ to be a major part of their offense. His price is also too low for a guy who averaged over 35 fantasy points per game last season.
F/C: Isaiah Stewart (DK: $5,400; FD: $5,000)
While the matchup is not entirely favorable against WCJ and he has some depth behind him, Isaiah Stewart is too cheap to not play. He is a starting center on a young Detroit squad that will only benefit from playing with new additions such as Jaden Ivey.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS vs. INDIANA PACERS
(WAS -1 | o/u 227)
F/C: Jalen Smith (DK: $4,400; FD: $4,800)
Jalen Smith, as of the time I am writing this, is a game-time decision. Smith has a very favorable matchup tonight at that PF spot, a spot that WAS was not great at defending last season. He should feast playing with a playmaker such as Tyrese Haliburton. (If he's out, look to guys like Oshae Brissett and Terry Taylor.)
G/F: Will Barton (DK: $5,200; FD: $4,900)
One of the newest additions to this Wizards squad. Barton seems to be starting at the SF spot tonight (even if he's off the bench, I still like him), so I expect him to look for his shot early. He's facing an IND defense that was 3rd in PTS and 7th in AST given up to SF. Plus, he knows Wes Unseld Jr's system from his time in Denver.
HOUSTON ROCKETS vs. ATLANTA HAWKS
(ATL -10.5 | o/u 234.5)
C: Alperen Sengun (DK: $5,600; FD: $6,900)
There are now reports of Sengun sliding to the bench. Regardless, being as young as he is, he should see good minutes tonight against an ATL frontcourt that he destroyed in 2 games played against them last season. He averaged 10/6/6 against them, putting up over 30 fantasy points a game. With no Christian Wood in sight, he should thrive.
G/F: Kevin Porter Jr. (DK: $6,500; FD: $7,400)
This man just got paid and should want to show the world why. KPJ should be matched up with Trae Young, who is not known for his defense. I expect KPJ to run the offense tonight with grace.
CHICAGO BULLS vs. MIAMI HEAT
(MIA -7.5 | o/u 216)
C: Bam Adebayo (DK: $6,400; FD: $7,900)
Way too cheap on DK. Disrespectful. Bam at this price against one of the worst defensive centers in the NBA? Give him to me. Still like him on FD as well, but the value is way higher on DK.
C: Nikola Vucevic (DK: $7,200; FD: $7,600)
More expensive than Bam on DK, but with the recent news of LaVine sitting, he should be the #2 option tonight behind DeRozan. Expect CHI to look to get Vuc involved.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS vs. BROOKLYN NETS
(BKN -2.5 | o/u 231.5)
G: CJ McCollum (DK: $6,900; FD: $7,300)
McCollum should be matched up with Kyrie tonight. BKN gave up the 2nd most PTS, 7th most 3PM, and 8th most REB to PGs last season. Plus, with his new weapon in Zion...I expect good things from CJ.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS vs. TORONTO RAPTORS
(TOR -2.5 | o/u 216)
F/C: Evan Mobley (DK: $5,900; FD: $7,300)
The value here with Mobley's price, especially on DK, is INSANE. He'll face a smaller Toronto frontcourt that is very capable on the defensive side of the ball, but with a new lethal addition such as Donovan Mitchell, I expect TOR to focus on Mobley a bit less tonight.
F/C: Pascal Siakam (DK: $7,600; FD: $8,500)
While Siakam will have to face twin towers of Mobley-Allen, he can use his size to his advantage. Siakam has the ability to play quicker than normal centers, which is a positive for tonight. He torched CLE last season with averages of 29.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 5.0 APG.
NEW YORK KNICKS vs. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
(MEM -4 | o/u 226.5)
G: Jalen Brunson (DK: $6,900; FD: $7,100)
Coming off a hot preseason, I can't overlook Brunson tonight. He seems to already be in a rhythm with his new organization and should be able to find early success against the less capable-defensively Ja Morant.
F/C: Brandon Clarke (DK: $4,900; FD: $4,400)
Another young stud that just got paid. This one is kind of a no-brainer with the early loss of Jaren Jackson Jr. I expect Clarke to be a big part of this rotation to start the season. Not to mention, he averaged over 25 fantasy points per game against NYK last season in only 21 MPG. Lot to like here.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER vs. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
(MIN -10.5 | o/u 225)
G: Josh Giddey (DK: $7,300; FD: $6,000)
Giddey gets a very favorable matchup tonight against MIN after another successful preseason for the young guard. MIN was 11th in PTS, 7th in AST. and 4th in REB given up to PGs last season and we know Josh Giddey is capable of putting up killer stats in every category.
F: Jaden McDaniels (DK: $4,500; FD: $4,300)
So, SO much value here with McDaniels now that he has earned that starting SF spot. I imagine he will be the forgotten man in this starting five and teams will not focus in on him as much. Not to mention OKC was 3rd in PTS, 3rd in 3PM, and 2nd in REB given up to SFs last season.
C: Rudy Gobert (DK: $8,600; FD: $7,800)
While it could take some adjusting playing next to another big like Towns, there's not much to say here. OKC was abysmal against opposing centers last season and Gobert should feast against Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Plus, his price on FD is very appealing.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS vs. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
(CHA -1 | o/u 221.5)
G: Terry Rozier (DK: $7,300; FD: $7,200)
Not too much to say here either. He's not too expensive and is playing without his backcourt mate, LaMelo Ball. I expect the ball to be in Rozier's hands a ton tonight and he should feast against a rebuilding SAS squad that lost one of their most capable defending guards: Dejounte Murray.
G/F: Kelly Oubre Jr (DK: $5,500; FD: $5,100)
Once again, with the loss of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, there are a lot of shots left on the table for someone like Oubre (who by the way LOVES to shoot the ball). He has a very favorable matchup against SAS who was 4th in PTS given up to SGs last season.
G: Tre Jones (DK: $4,200; FD: $5,100)
Dejounte Murray is gone. Tre Jones has been given the reins to the PG position. Against a poor Charlotte defense, I expect Jones to get this offense rolling quickly. Plus, he's so cheap.
C: Jakob Poeltl (DK: $5,800; FD: $6,900)
Not much to say here. Maybe Mark Williams will clean up CHA's defensive problems at the center position a bit, but Plumlee is still the starter. He is not good on defense whatsoever. I expect Poeltl to FEAST.
DENVER NUGGETS vs. UTAH JAZZ
(DEN -7 | o/u 225.5)
G: Jamal Murray (DK: $7,700; FD: $6,200)
I'm sure Murray has been itching to get back on the court and he gets to return against a poor UTA defense that has lost their two stars. UTA was 4th last season in PTS given up to PGs and I expect Murray to try to get in a rhythm early after so much missed time. Plus, his price on FD is super low, so get him while he's that cheap.
F: Lauri Markkannen (DK: $5,300; FD: $5,800)
Markkanen has not rested this off-season. He balled out in EuroLeague and preaseason and I expect him to be a focal point of this UTA offense. He likes to shoot. He'll get the chances in UTA. Plus, he's too cheap.
DALLAS MAVERICKS vs. PHOENIX SUNS
(PHX -4 | o/u 217.5)
G: Spencer Dinwiddie (DK: $5,400; FD: $5,900)
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I expect a big role for Dinwiddie this season with the loss of Brunson. He'll be facing a Suns squad that might be in their own head at this point. I expect PHX to attack Luka early after that disastrous Playoffs matchup where they got embarrassed, leaving room for Dinwiddie.
C: Deandre Ayton (DK: $6,200; FD: $7,000)
Too cheap for a guy with this much to prove on the court. DAL upgraded defensively at the center position with the addition of McGee, but Ayton knows how he plays. They were teammates just last season. Plus, based off preseason, it seems PHX wants Ayton to be a big focus of their offense.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS vs. SACRAMENTO KINGS
(SAC -2.5 | o/u 228.5)
G: Anfernee Simons (DK: $5,900; FD: $5,700)
While the reins for this team will be handed back to Dame tonight, Simons is too cheap and has an incredible matchup against SAC who was 1st in PTS and 3rd in 3PM to opposing SGs last season. Simons shoots at such a high volume and I expect him to look to be the #2 option behind Lillard.
G/F: Kevin Huerter (DK: $5,000; FD: $4,200)
It seems that Huerter won the starting job in SAC fairly easy, Huerter has a very favorable matchup against Anfernee Simons who is a very poor defender. I expect two playmakers like Fox and Sabonis will look to the best shooter in their starting lineup: Kevin Huerter.
F: Harrison Barnes (DK: $5,300; FD: $5,300)
POR's defense against opposing SFs last season was abysmal. They were 1st in PTS, 1st in 3PM, and 1st in AST given up to SFs last season. The matchup is there for Harrison Barnes.
Pick 'Em Play of the Day
- Clint Capela over REB (10.5 on Underdog Fantasy; 10 on PrizePicks)
> Capela ended last season on a hot streak for rebounding with 11+ REB in 8 of his last 9 to end the regular season. The worry is there with Okongwu earning more minutes, but I expect Capela to grab some boards against Sengun tonight.
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