What a hectic night last night turned out to be. So many games; so much happening all at once. We hope you all were able to win some money during last night's giant slate of games. Tonight, we're back with only two games on the slate. The Bucks open their season in Philadelphia and the Clippers open their season against the hometown rival Lakers. We don't want to waste any time with this, so here are some of the plays that we like tonight.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS vs. PHILADELPHIA 76ers
(PHI -4 | o/u 224)
Two Eastern conference juggernauts will battle it out tonight. The Sixers are coming off a rough game against the Celtics, although not rough for James Harden. For the Bucks, this is their opening night and they will have to face this Sixers squad without one of their stars: Khris Middleton.
NOTABLE NEWS:
- Khris Middleton (OUT)
- Pat Connaughton (OUT)
- Joe Ingles (OUT)
G/F: Grayson Allen (DK: $4,600; FD: $3,800)
There is so much value here with Grayson Allen tonight. First off, he's under $5,000 on DK and under $4,000 on FD. That is way too cheap for a starter who will see 30+ minutes tonight with the early losses of Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and Joe Ingles. In the 13 regular season games that Middleton missed last season, Allen averaged 17.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, and 4.0 3PM. Allen should get his fair share of shots tonight.
G/F: Jordan Nwora (DK: $5,100; FD: $4,300)
Another value play tonight with the losses of Middleton, Connaughton. and Ingles. Nwora became a key piece of the Bucks' rotation last season and I expect him to play a big part of their offense to begin the season. In 16 regular season games that Middleton missed last season, Nwora averaged 12.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.4 APG including a couple double-doubles and 20+ PTS breakout games. Expect Nwora to be a big part of that bench unit tonight.
F/C: Giannis Antetokounmpo (DK: $10,700; FD: $11,300)
Will the Sixers have an answer for Giannis after a poor defensive showing opening night? Look at what opposing PF Jayson Tatum just did to them (35/12/4). We're talking about The Greek Freak here. Giannis averaged 34.3 PPG, 13.7 RPG, and 6.3 APG in 3 games last season against the Sixers. Not to mention, they're missing one of their big 3, which will allow Giannis to have the ball in his hands a lot more. I expect a big opening night for Giannis.
G: James Harden (DK: $9,000; FD: $9,700)
James Harden looked GOOD the other night. Like really good. Harden put up 35/8/7 with 5 3PM against the reigning DPOY. Tonight, he'll be matched up with a guard that many will argue is even better than Marcus Smart and that is Jrue Holiday. In the one game against the Bucks that Harden played with the Sixers last season he put up 32/5/9 with 4 3PM. I expect Harden to stay in his rhythm tonight against a MIL defense that was 1st in 3PM, 15th in REB, and 9th in AST given up last season to PGs.
G: Tyrese Maxey (DK: $5,200; FD: $6,600)
Maxey is coming off a decent 21-point performance against the Celtics the other night. He'll be facing a MIL defense that was 11th in PTS, 8th in REB, 5th in AST, and 8th in 3PM last season to opposing SGs. With Jrue Holiday primarily focused on Harden tonight, I expect Maxey to get his looks tonight with easier matchups.
MIL vs. PHI Value Boom or Bust Plays
- F/C P.J. Tucker (DK: $3,500; FD: $4,100)
- F: MarJon Beauchamp (DK: $3,500; FD: $3,600)
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS vs. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
(LAC -6 | o/u 225.5)
The battle of Los Angeles: Clippers vs. Lakers. A rivalry for the ages. After a disappointing season opener for the Lakers, they'll look to bounce back against the Clippers on their opening night. The Clippers are back to full strength with a healthy Kawhi, Paul George, AND with the off-season addition of John Wall.
NOTABLE NEWS:
- Kawhi Leonard might come off bench to start the season to manage injury
- Thomas Bryant (OUT)
- Dennis Schroder (OUT)
G: Reggie Jackson (DK: $6,200; FD: $5,400)
It seems that Reggie Jackson has won the starting gig in LA. The addition of John Wall will certainly bring some questions to Reggie's role, but the perk is that Reggie and Wall can share the court together with Reggie's offensive capabilities. He'll face a Lakers defense that was 8th in PTS, 2nd in REB, and 2nd in AST to PGs last season. In four games against the Lakers last season, Reggie averaged 23.5 PPG, 7.3 APG, and 5.5 RPG. With that potential and the value with his price, I expect a positive night from Reggie.
G: John Wall (DK: $4,900; FD: $6,000)
He's back. John Wall has a positive matchup for the exact reasons I listed for Reggie Jackson above. Add onto that, he has been dying to get back on the court for two years. Let's not forget he was healthy last season, he just wasn't playing. Wall's hot preseason had head coach Ty Lue questioning who should start, so for this cheap of a price, I love John Wall tonight.
G/F: Paul George (DK: $8,900; FD: $9,200)
With the possibility of Kawhi being limited tonight, I expect Paul George to be the focal point of LAC's offense. He'll be facing an LAL defense that was 3rd in PTS and 5th in 3PM given up to SGs last season. LAL did not look focused on defense against the Warriors, so I expect Paul George to get what he wants.
F: Marcus Morris (DK: $4,500; FD: $4,600)
The starting PF for the Clippers is way too cheap on both sites to not play. As a starter last season, Morris was putting up over 15 PPG. With Kawhi seemingly being limited tonight, I expect Morris to get more shots up. He'll be facing an LAL defense that was 5th in PTS, 7th in 3PM, and 11th in REB last season to PFs. In four games against LAL last season, he averaged 18.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 3.5 3PM. I expect solid offensive production for Morris tonight that will allow him to meet his value.
F/C: Anthony Davis (DK: $8,600; FD: $9,900)
AD is coming off a solid opening night against the Warriors and will be matched up with Ivica Zubac tonight (barring any late lineup changes). I expect AD to get what he wants against Zubac tonight as the Lakers clearly want to make him the focal point of this team. AD torched the Clippers in two games last season with averages of 28.5 PPG, 13.5 RPG, and 3.0 APG. I expect a lot of looks for AD tonight.
LAC vs. LAL Value Boom or Bust Plays
- F/C: Robert Covington (DK: $4,400; FD: $5,200)
- G: Patrick Beverley (DK: $4,100; FD: $5,000)
Pick 'Em Play of the Night
- Russell Westbrook over REB (7.0 on Underdog Fantasy; 6.5 on PrizePicks)
> We saw opening night what Westbrook is capable of on the boards. Tonight, he faces a LAC defense that was 1st in REB given up to opposing PGs last season. With AD at center and LeBron at the four, I expect Russ to crash the boards once again.
Comments