NBA DFS Picks For FanDuel 10/29/21

On last night's main slate, we just missed out on cashing in GPPs despite poor performances from Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway, and Clint Capela. Today's slate features 7 games, which is about the average size for a slate. There are sound options across all positions, although there is a little less value than we have seen in past days. However, we are waiting on many key injury statuses (LeBron, Jokic, etc.), which would shake up the slate and open up many more key plays if ruled out. Since we probably won't have injury news until close to lock, be sure to keep on the look out to see if the questionable players are in. Let's dive into my breakdown of the NBA main slate on FanDuel!

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Top Play:

Damontas Sabonis (PF/C - $9300) -

Damontas Sabonis finds himself in an excellent position for tonight's slate. The four key ingredients to finding excellent DFS options are price, minutes, usage, and matchup, and he grades out well in all of those categories. Sabonis comes in at a cost of $9300, which is slightly discounted from his usual upper $9000s pricing. Also, the Pacers will be without Malcolm Brogdon today, which should give a slight bump to his usage, although he was already seeing a high minutes total with great usage. The Pacers are playing the Nets, which would look to be a possible blow out spot last season, but the Nets haven't looked nearly as strong to start this year. They are currently giving up the eleventh most fantasy points to opposing power forwards, and the sixth most to opposing centers, so Sabonis has an enticing matchup. As of now, there are no must plays on the slate for me, but I do think that Sabonis smashes. If LeBron James were to be ruled out, Russell Westbrook would take over the spot for top play.

Best Value:

Maxi Kleber (PF - $3900) -

With Kristaps Porzingis out for the Mavericks last night, Maxi Kleber erupted for 48 FD points across 29 minutes of action. 21 of those points came on 6 blocks and 1 steal which is certainly not sustainable, but he had a terrific showing nonetheless. Kleber has not been a player who has produced much during his play time in past seasons, but $3900 is still much too cheap for his situation right now. You are only looking for a little over 20 FD points at that cost, which Kleber should get on most nights when seeing around 30 minutes. As I have said, he is not usually a great option for upside given his less than ideal usage, but he should be safe to exceed value. If LeBron James is out, Malik Monk and Kent Bazemore would be better value plays for me, with other players also being able to overthrow this spot if starters are ruled.

Main Player Pool:

Point Guard:

Russell Westbrook (PG/SG - $9400 - if LeBron is out)

De'Aaron Fox ($8000)

T.J. McConnell (PG/SG - $5700)

Other great plays: Luka Doncic (PG/SG - $10700), Damian Lillard ($8400), Devonte' Graham (PG/SG - $6100), Tyrese Haliburton (PG/SG - $6000), Kyle Lowry ($5900), Reggie Jackson (PG/SG - $5800), Jalen Brunson (PG/SG - $5000), Jalen Suggs (PG/SG - $4600), Monte Morris ($4200)

Shooting Guard:

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG/SF - $6000)

Tim Hardaway (SG/SF - $5100)

Malik Monk ($4300 - if LeBron is out)

Other great plays: James Harden (SG/PG - $9800), Fred VanVleet (SG/PG - $8100), OG Anunoby (SG/SF - $7200), Collin Sexton (SG/PG - $6900), Will Barton (SG/SF - $5800), Gary Trent (SG/SF - $5100), Jeremy Lamb (SG/SF - $3700)

Small Forward:

Jimmy Butler (SF/SG - $9200)

Gordon Hayward (SF/SG - $6600)

Kent Bazemore (SF/SG - $4000 - if LeBron is out)

Other great plays: Kevin Durant (SF/PF - $10900), Scottie Barnes (SF/PF - $6000), Chris Duarte ($5600), Kelly Oubre (SF/SG - $5300), Carmelo Anthony (SF/PF - $5000 - if LeBron is out), Franz Wagner (SF/SG - $4900)

Power Forward:

Damontas Sabonis (PF/C - $9300)

Michael Porter (PF/SF - $6800)

Maxi Kleber ($3900)

Other great plays: Anthony Davis (PF/C - $10600), Precious Achiuwa (PF/C - $5100), Aaron Gordon ($5000), JaMychal Green (PF/C - $3800 - if Jokic is out)

Center:

Jonas Valanciunas ($8200)

Evan Mobley (C/PF - $6400)

Mo Bamba (C/PF - $6500)

Other great plays: Myles Turner (C/PF - $5700), Dewayne Dedmon ($4000 - if Bam is out)

Cover Picture Attribution: All-Pro Reels, Mo Bamba rebound (cropped), CC BY-SA 2.0