Slate Breaker: FD NBA DFS 10/30

Guards

Play of the Day: Ben Simmons, Nets (@ Hornets)

As long as Nic Claxton is out, Simmons is a must play especially with his PG eligibility. He is the lead rebounder for this team right now and he gets a great matchup to keep racking up those boards. The Hornets allowed the 2nd most rebounds to opponents last year thanks to their fast pace and lack of size so expect Simmons to top 10 boards and push for a triple double again this week. You are basically getting a center in your PG slot which is an excellent value at just $6,700.

Top Shelf ($8K+)

Luka Doncic, Mavs (@ Grizzlies)

Luka's price continues to rise, but it has been a warranted increase because he has been white hot to start the season. He has at least 65 FD points in every game this year. As long as he is healthy, Doncic is the top fantasy player in all of basketball so he is worth any price under $13K. 

Lamelo Ball, Hornets (vs Nets)

Lamelo has not shown his usual scoring touch to begin the year. He has failed to score more than 20 points in a game this year; but even with the lack of scoring, Ball has still been productive as he is averaging 43 FD points through his first two games. Lamelo scored more than 20 points in 69% of his games a year ago so expect some positive regression in the scoring department in these next couple of games. With added scoring incoming, Lamelo should pass 50 FD points sooner or later and crush value.

Mid Range ($6K-8K)

Tyus Jones, Wizards (vs Celtics)

Jones always had the talent of an NBA starter, but he was stuck behind Ja Morant. Now that he is in DC, he is finally able to run his own offense and the early returns look solid. He is averaging 15 ppg to go along with 2.5 boards and 6.5 assists and he also chips in solid defensive stats with 2 blocks/steals in each of his two games this year. Jones is a very consistent producer for a mid ranged player and is a fairly safe play at this price regardless of matchup.

Dennis Schroder, Raptors (vs Blazers)

Schroder is just Fred VanVleet lite. He now has 10 assists in back to back games and is averaging 16 ppg through his first 3 games with his new team. Schroder's usage is elite as he has finished top three in Raptors' shots attempted in every game this year and remains a solid facilitator. Schroder should easily be able to deliver more than 30 FD points in this new high usage role.

Clearance Shelf (Under $6K)

Derrick White, Celtics (@ Wizards)

Even following the acquisition of Jrue Holiday, White remains locked into a heavy workload with the Celtics. He has more than 30 minutes in every game this year and has been very productive in his time on the court. He continues to play stellar defense with at least 3 defensive stats in every game this year while being a decent contributor on offense scoring 10+ in every game. White's fantasy floor seems to be right around 30 points right now so he should easily be able to deliver 5X value.

Keyonte George, Jazz (@ Nuggets)

This pick is very volatile as George's playing time and usage remain up in the air. The 2023 first round pick is definitely starting to get worked in though as he was on the court for 27 minutes his last time out. He was very productive with this extended action producing a 12/7/6 game and scored more than 30 FD points. With Jazz not expected to be contenders this year, they have no reason to not give the rookie a longer leash, but there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding him for the time being.

Forwards

Play of the Day: Cam Thomas, Nets (@ Hornets)

Thomas has been too productive to ignore. He has at least 30 points in back to back games and has been the top threat on this Net offense. The Nets have given Thomas the green light in every situation so his production should not drop anytime soon. He get a Hornets team next who play very fast and have allowed their opponent to score at least 110 points in every game this year so expect another strong performance from Thomas.

Top Shelf ($8K+)

Scottie Barnes, Raptors (vs Blazers)

The transition has finally happened. This is no longer Pascal Siakam's team, it is Barnes's. Barnes has become the top option in this offense and has immediately produced. He has 20+ points in back to back games and already has a triple double this year. Barnes will easily average more than 40 FD points this year so as long as he is at a price like $8,500, he is a great play. 

Demar DeRozan, Bulls (@ Pacers)

Demar continues to lead this Bulls offense. He has at least 20 points in every game while playing stellar defense averaging more than 3 defensive stats per game. The Pacers are a weak defensive team so Demar should be able to continue his hot streak in this one. DeRozan only needs 40 FD points to hit 5X value so he is as safe as it gets on this slate.

Mid Range ($6K-8K)

Kyle Kuzma, Wizards (vs Celtics)

The Wizards may have a pair of new guards running this offense, but Kuzma remains the top scorer for the team. His is averaging 23 ppg this year so his floor based on his scoring alone is fairly safe. He did disappoint in one game this year scoring just 33.4 FD points, but he needs just 37.5 points to hit 5X value. Kuzma's disappointing 33.4 pt game came as a result of some poor rebounding after he grabbed just 2 boards, but he averaged more than 7 rebounds per game last year so that game is just a fluke. With stellar scoring and solid rebounding, Kuzma will blow past 5X value in this one.

John Collins, Jazz (@ Denver)

Collins had not averaged more than 8 rebounds in any of the past three seasons; but now that he is in Utah, he is a new man. He has double digit rebounds in all three of his games this year so his floor is higher than ever. He has struggled to gel in this new offense averaging just 13 ppg, but that will only improve with time and he should be able to routinely deliver more than 30 FD points. The lack of scoring to start the season does add some risk to playing Collins, but if it all clicks he could win you a tournament.

Clearance Shelf (Under $6K)

Ziaire Williams, Grizzlies (vs Mavs)

Williams continues to improve in this Grizzlie offense. He is averaging 13.5 ppg over his last two games and is looking like a reliable 3 and D player. It is his rebounding that makes him a truly intriguing fantasy option. Jaren Jackson is not the best of rebounders for a big man, but he usually shares the court with Williams allowing Williams to clean up the scraps. He has at least 9 rebounds in back to back games. He needs just 23 FD points to deliver value so his decent scoring and plus rebounding should be able to deliver that value.

Royce O'Neale, Nets (@ Hornets)

All the positives that apply to Ben Simmons also apply to O'Neale. He is the team's next best rebounder after Simmons and grabbed 10 of them in his first game without Claxton. The Nets have the highest rebound win rate and the Hornets have one of the lowest so O'Neale should be able to produce solid fantasy production with his rebounding alone.

Centers

Play of the Day: Jalen Duren, Pistons (@ Thunder)

How can you not play Duren right now? He has a double double in every game so far and is averaging a whopping 15 rebounds per game. He has just been rock solid and that production should not slow anytime soon with a matchup against the Thunder up next. The Thunder have allowed opposing big men to score at least 39 FD points in every game this year so expect Duren to return a solid value in this one.

Top Shelf ($8K+)

Anthony Davis, Lakers (vs Magic)

The Lakers just simply do not seem to have many scoring options beyond Davis and Lebron. Both are getting super high usage which is leading to great fantasy production. Davis has now scored 30 points in back to back games which when paired with his elite rebounding abilities, make him a top fantasy option regardless of opponent. As long as Davis remains the top offensive option for the Lakers, he is a top fantasy player.

Mid Range ($6K-8K)

Clint Capela, Hawks (vs Wolves)

When Capela is on the floor, there is no one else who competes with his rebounding abilities. He is essentially a lock for double digit rebounds which when paired with his moderate scoring and defensive abilities make him a decent fantasy option. He is a nice floor play at the very least.

Clearance Shelf (Under $6K)

Robert Williams, Blazers (@ Raptors)

This play all comes down to whether you believe Williams' defense will show up or not. If it shows up, he can easily top 30 FD points; but if it does not, you will be lucky if he produces 15 points. He is a true risk; but if he hits, he will be well worth the gamble.

Dream Team

PG: Ben Simmons, Nets (@ Hornets)

PG: Tyus Jones, Wizards (vs Celtics)

SG: Dennis Schroder, Raptors (vs Blazers)

SG: Keyonte George, Jazz (@ Nuggets)

SF: Cam Thomas, Nets (@ Hornets)

SF: Royce O'Neale, Nets (@ Hornets)

PF: Scottie Barnes, Raptors (vs Blazers)

PF: Kyle Kuzma, Wizards (vs Celtics)

C: Jalen Duren, Pistons (@ Thunder)

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